This 2015 class

I've been quiet lately, but it's not because there's nothing to talk about.  So what did I miss?

Let's go all the way back to May 7 and a Marc Weiszer Q&A with Dan McDonald of Rivals.com.  In it, they talk recruiting, specifically the class of 2015:

ABH: The transfer of Cameron Forte opened up a spot on the roster. Who could Georgia add this late in the process for 2015?

DM: “The top option would be to get Tevin Mack, who just opened up (after signing with) VCU (before Shaka Smart left for Texas). He picked VCU over Georgia back in the fall, but I’m pretty confident when I say Georgia was the second choice then. They’re in pretty good there. He just visited (Sunday). Texas and Kansas are trying to get him, so that will probably drag out a couple more weeks.

The other option they’re looking at is a fifth-year post player from Arkansas Little-Rock named James White. He’s a pretty good player, originally from Georgia (Jonesboro). Those are the two main options right now at that spot.”

Off to a bad start here.  Let's pretend that question never happened...

Seriously, though, will the lack of a graduate transfer in the post go down as one of Fox's biggest misses in his time at Georgia?  My gut right now says the Bulldogs can overcome it with the talent on the roster, but leaving an open scholarship is something you almost never want to do, and Georgia has now done it two years in a row.  I don't think the whiff on James White is going to cost Georgia a trip to the tournament, but it will probably cost them a win or two along the way.

There's more good news than bad, though:

ABH: What do you like about what’s already assembled and signed in the 2015 class?

DM: “I liked that they added another ball handler in Will Jackson. He’s another versatile 6-5 guy who can play all three spots in the backcourt, kind of like Charles (Mann) does. Will is another guy that can shoot pretty well, and in college you can never have enough shooters. Derek Ogbeide was a huge get because he’s a guy that can come in and is physically ready to contribute right now, maybe not from a skill standpoint but from an athletic and strength standpoint he can come in and be a presence inside. Mike Edwards is the other post they got, maybe not next year he won’t be quite as ready to make a high impact, but off the bench he can play 10, 15, 20 minutes and grow into a good player. E’ttorion Wilridge, he basically replaces (former small forward) Brandon Morris. He’s kind of that 6-7 versatile wing that maybe can play the 4 for you. I think they did pretty well in this class.”

Two things excite me about this class.  One, Will Jackson and E'torrion Wilridge are both rumored to be good shooters, and as Dan says, you can never have too many of those.  Even with the losses of Djurisic and Thornton, Georgia shouldn't lack for scoring options this year.  Two, Derek Ogbeide seems like the real deal in the post.  He won't light the nets on fire in year 1, but if he can bring the defensive presence Yante Maten did last season, those two should be a nice duo down low.

So if we agree things are going better on the trail, the question becomes...why?

ABH: You’ve had high praise for Fox’s 2015 class and 2016 is off to a good start. Why is Fox having more success on the recruiting trail these days?

DM: “The first thing is obviously when you win, going to the NCAA Tournament this year and the NIT last season, those were steps in the right direction. Obviously that’s a big thing. The changes to staff with Jonas Hayes and Yasir being vocal guys — they just have bigger personalities to begin with. I think those two have done a good job vocally and closing the deal with these kids. They’re upgrades as recruiters. And the last thing, I think Coach Fox has changed a little bit. I think Jonas and Yasir have kind of changed him a little bit. He went outside of his comfort zone in hiring those two and I think it’s helped change him and for the better.

“One thing I think Coach Fox has always done is identify the kids early, but they’ve had a hard time closing out when it comes time to make the decision. I think they’ve done a good job helping that part out.”

This isn't rocket science.  The first answer is simply because Fox has hired better recruiters, and better recruiters recruit better.

The second answer is one I've been espousing around here since day 1:  just win baby.

[dobbytesonline.com]