I don't know what your definition of "weak" is but:

 

Bolden

Hatton

Campbell

McDonald has a D1 offer.

 

Ricardo Johnson and Pittman just finished playing D1.

 

Not sure if I'm forgetting others.

 

 

So there's 4 in the last two years. Is that weak?

 

Jake Schulte - SC Upstate

Jake Giesler - NKU

Drew McDonald - Has 3 D1 offers

 

Doesn't Vonhandorf already have a D1 offer as well entering his sophomore year?

 

Ben Weyer is starting to garner D1 interest as well from what I've heard.

 

To say the 9th region is weak is comical. Numbers don't lie.

I don't know if I'd use Pittman as my poster boy for D1 greatness.

 

Dude has his issues but he is easily one of the most athletically gifted and talented kids to come through this state.

 

Currently training to work out with NBA teams.

Dude has his issues but he is easily one of the most athletically gifted and talented kids to come through this state.

 

Currently training to work out with NBA teams.

 

Oh he's a D1 talent for sure.

It's funny how people place the standard at D1... Most of the time the difference between d1 and d2 is size and strength, not necessarily the ability to play. I coached a kid a few years ago that was 6'7, and was dominant. Was basically told he was too small to play his position at a d1 school. If he was 6'8 or 6'9, he is d1.

 

People here act like d2 is something to laugh at. Any kid in this state that can play d2 ball, much less d1, is very gifted, and has worked very hard!

 

Also, let's look at the kids who have gone on to play d1 in this state, and the amount of actual, significant minutes they get vs. d2 kids and the minutes they get. For example... Remy Abell, a phenomenal, gifted athlete at Eastern, goes on to Indiana, plays 12.5 minutes in 2 seasons, and averages 4pts/1/1. And, is now transferring to Xavier.... Vs. Jake Thelen a scorer, rebounder who decided to go d2 to bellarmine and started all 32 games as a Sophomore, and all 31 games as a Junior. He played 29 minutes per game. Not to mention he led the nation in FG% and was first on his team in rebounding, and contributed 15 pts/game.

 

Not saying Remy hasn't done a good job, but I'm sure he'd rather be playing 28 minutes a game, scoring 15, and being able to contribute more. The kid is a phenomenal player!

It's funny how people place the standard at D1... Most of the time the difference between d1 and d2 is size and strength, not necessarily the ability to play. I coached a kid a few years ago that was 6'7, and was dominant. Was basically told he was too small to play his position at a d1 school. If he was 6'8 or 6'9, he is d1.

 

People here act like d2 is something to laugh at. Any kid in this state that can play d2 ball, much less d1, is very gifted, and has worked very hard!

 

Also, let's look at the kids who have gone on to play d1 in this state, and the amount of actual, significant minutes they get vs. d2 kids and the minutes they get. For example... Remy Abell, a phenomenal, gifted athlete at Eastern, goes on to Indiana, plays 12.5 minutes in 2 seasons, and averages 4pts/1/1. And, is now transferring to Xavier.... Vs. Jake Thelen a scorer, rebounder who decided to go d2 to bellarmine and started all 32 games as a Sophomore, and all 31 games as a Junior. He played 29 minutes per game. Not to mention he led the nation in FG% and was first on his team in rebounding, and contributed 15 pts/game.

 

Not saying Remy hasn't done a good job, but I'm sure he'd rather be playing 28 minutes a game, scoring 15, and being able to contribute more. The kid is a phenomenal player!

 

Well said! It's one thing to get that D1 offer. It's another to have a meaningful D1 career. Let's face it - D1 is every kid's dream, but often they'd be better advised to go the D2 route. Unless they're on a UK or Duke type team, no one will know/care/remember that they played D1 5 to 10 years later. Then it will be about looking back on the quality of the basketball and classroom "experience." That's where I think your Bellarmine reference is extremely relevant.

 

One last point in regard to your comment on the difference being size and strength. While that certainly is true, often times it has as much to do with exposure. I've seen plenty of kids playing around the country that, IMO, are on the level of higher ranked kids - but aren't the household names for whatever reason. So, marketing/exposure is often equally as big of a factor.

Well said! It's one thing to get that D1 offer. It's another to have a meaningful D1 career. Let's face it - D1 is every kid's dream, but often they'd be better advised to go the D2 route. Unless they're on a UK or Duke type team, no one will know/care/remember that they played D1 5 to 10 years later. Then it will be about looking back on the quality of the basketball and classroom "experience." That's where I think your Bellarmine reference is extremely relevant.

 

One last point in regard to your comment on the difference being size and strength. While that certainly is true, often times it has as much to do with exposure. I've seen plenty of kids playing around the country that, IMO, are on the level of higher ranked kids - but aren't the household names for whatever reason. So, marketing/exposure is often equally as big of a factor.

Also just to add...... A lot of D1 players transfer down to other levels.

Well said! It's one thing to get that D1 offer. It's another to have a meaningful D1 career. Let's face it - D1 is every kid's dream, but often they'd be better advised to go the D2 route. Unless they're on a UK or Duke type team, no one will know/care/remember that they played D1 5 to 10 years later. Then it will be about looking back on the quality of the basketball and classroom "experience." That's where I think your Bellarmine reference is extremely relevant.

 

One last point in regard to your comment on the difference being size and strength. While that certainly is true, often times it has as much to do with exposure. I've seen plenty of kids playing around the country that, IMO, are on the level of higher ranked kids - but aren't the household names for whatever reason. So, marketing/exposure is often equally as big of a factor.

 

I agree. The "hype machine" runs rampant for some of these kids, and almost deliberately chooses to ignore others. I always say... Those who know basketball, know those kids that can play, and don't just judge on bias. If you want to rep your kids, that's GREAT, and you should! But, there are large group of people on here who will specifically minimize a kid, even though they KNOW they can play, ONLY because they are just afraid their kid will get less attention.

Doesn't Vonhandorf already have a D1 offer as well entering his sophomore year?

 

Ben Weyer is starting to garner D1 interest as well from what I've heard.

 

To say the 9th region is weak is comical. Numbers don't lie.

 

What's comical is that some believe otherwise. Check the numbers, on average, and you will see. I guess if getting a d1 offer is all one is looking for then great, being successful is another point. Schulte probably attracted attention because of his size, but has yet to play a second on the floor. Giesler another big body, but probably wouldn't have seen the floor if NKU was healthy. McDonald another big body and good floor IQ, will have trouble with people his own size. You could probably guard him with someone a lot smaller on the outside because his jump shot is more of a set shot. Not trying to be critical but it sounds that way when being honest. And to your point about Vonhandorf and Weyer, if you don't know then its probably inaccurate.

What's comical is that some believe otherwise. Check the numbers, on average, and you will see. I guess if getting a d1 offer is all one is looking for then great, being successful is another point. Schulte probably attracted attention because of his size, but has yet to play a second on the floor. Giesler another big body, but probably wouldn't have seen the floor if NKU was healthy. McDonald another big body and good floor IQ, will have trouble with people his own size. You could probably guard him with someone a lot smaller on the outside because his jump shot is more of a set shot. Not trying to be critical but it sounds that way when being honest. And to your point about Vonhandorf and Weyer, if you don't know then its probably inaccurate.

 

Von Handorf has at least one D1 offer.

^where?

Didn't NkU offer?

Didn't NkU offer?

 

Yes. Winthrop has also offered.

I would agree that as a whole, the 9th region has some weak teams. However, the top 4 or 5 teams in the 9th in any given year could go and compete with the top teams in any region. With all the coaching movement, allowed player movement (these days), and the constant development of players (year round training, aau, etc.), the top teams and regions will change from year to year. You have to have players to win, and that typically comes in cycles, unless your the exception and/or kids are constantly transferring in.

That's great! I'm sure he is in a very small group of sophomores with an actual D1 offer (interest only not withstanding).

I would agree that as a whole, the 9th region has some weak teams. However, the top 4 or 5 teams in the 9th in any given year could go and compete with the top teams in any region. With all the coaching movement, allowed player movement (these days), and the constant development of players (year round training, aau, etc.), the top teams and regions will change from year to year. You have to have players to win, and that typically comes in cycles, unless your the exception and/or kids are constantly transferring in.

 

To this point I agree. The last couple years (1-2) has shown improved recruiting, but overall its not a place recruiters come to see a steady flow of talent. The "hype machine" will soon run out of gas.