Thursday, June 10, 2004
The Law of Diminishing Recruits
Gregg Doyel adds his take to the emerging consensus about Kansas' exceptional recruiting haul which includes high school seniors Alex Galindo and C.J. Giles and juniors Mario Chalmers and Micah Downs. All bona-fide studs.At column's end, Doyel posits a scary thought.
What's next -- a commitment from the class of 2005's best power forward?
Well ...
Tyler Hansbrough, the 6-9 forward from Poplar Bluff, Mo., is choosing among Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina. If Hansbrough picks the Jayhawks -- and isn't everyone these days? -- Self will be bigger in Kansas than Clinton, Dole, President Bush and Santa Claus.
He sure would. But without knowing a single fact about Tyler Hansbrough, I find it hard to believe he'll wind up in Lawrence. Why?
For high-level programs, The Law of Diminishing Recruits.
Elite players want playing time. Current or already signed stars take playing time. Therefore, with each additional phenom signed, it becomes more difficult to ink the next.
Note: The law does not appear to apply to Duke and, several years back, did not seem to apply to Rick Pitino's University of Kentucky Wildcats.
Second Note: The opposite is true for lower-level programs. A star recruits attracts others...
