Cory Joseph Picks Texas
It appears the Joseph brothers will not wear maroon and gold together for the Gophers. Reports indicate that Cory Joseph, Devoe Joseph's younger brother, has offered his verbal committment to Rick Barnes and the Texas Longhorns over Tubby Smith and the Golden Gophers, among other finalists on his list.
This is unfortunate news for Minnesota fans. Cory had the talent to come in and immediately be this team's best offensive player, fill a need at point guard and take the Gophers from a middle of the road Big Ten team to a Big Ten title contender. It doesn't appear that will happen.
The inability to land Cory Joseph, with the obvious recruiting advantage of having Devoe on the Minnesota roster, is troubling. In Tubby's time at Minnesota now, he's been unable to land any marquee talent, unless you consider Minnesota-native Royce White, and we know how that worked out.
The Dallas Morning News quotes Joseph as saying his relationship with Rick Barnes was a big factor.
"It was mostly the relationship I had with coach [Rick] Barnes," Joseph said about his decision. "I have good relationships with all the coaches, but my relationship with Coach Barnes fit me best."
So Barnes found a way to leapfrog Tubby Smith, who likely had much more time to build a relationship with Cory. That's disappointing. I also wonder if Tubby Smith's coaching style plays a role in the decisions of top-notch talent to avoid his schools. Tubby is the rare coach that tries to play 10 to 12 players per game. He's the rare coach who makes mass, five-in, five-out, substitutions. He's also clearly not good at coaching offensive basketball. If you're Cory Joseph, and your major goal is to make it to the NBA, Tubby just might not be the right fit.
For the Gophers, this means that Devoe Joseph is likely your starting point guard heading into next year. Al Nolen likely plays some point guard for this team as well.
I'm disappointed by this news. Had Tubby landed Cory Joseph, the program could have taken a leap forward. As it is, I'm not sure this program is going to be able to leap forward from the middle of the Big Ten pack. And unless something changes, this is poised to be Tubby Smith's most disappointing class of recruits since coming to the Gophers.
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what a sad morning
a crappy, cold and rainy morning that is followed by this news.
what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher
at least
the football team is picking up an LSU transfer along the DL.
what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher
by GopherNation on Apr 24, 2010 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions
love that positivity
better than not getting an LSU transfer. Unless he gets overly intoxicated and tries to run from the police on a moped.
what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher
by GopherNation on Apr 24, 2010 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions
Jeez, PJ, it's not the end of the world.
I really don’t think he was our only chance to save us from being in the middle of the pack.
"If we got to we're going to crawl in this locker room. And on our back is going to be an axe..."
by buddylee853 on Apr 24, 2010 10:27 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Yeah, I know, just disappointed and think this team might take a step back.
We lose Damian Johnson. We lose Paul Carter. Three years into the Tubby Smith era and the roster lacks depth at multiple positions and still lacks top line talent. Joseph was a rare opportunity for the Gophers to have a leg up on the rest of the country in landing a difference-making star.
Maroon and Gold Headquarters: The Daily Gopher
Agreed
Unless we see significant improvement from our junior class, I think we’re taking a step back next year. Joseph was the type of recruit we needed to get, and it’s incredibly disappointing we couldn’t convince him to come here despite the fact that his brother is on the team.
Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Eat babies! Badger babies!
What If Roster
F Wlliams, Osenieks
F Mbakwe, White, Dawson
C Sampson, Iverson, Walker, Eliason
G Hoffarber, Joseph, Hollins
G Nolen, Cobbs, Allen
Top line talent. Good depth. Lots of whining on your part.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 24, 2010 10:29 PM CDT up reply actions
except Joseph
will start in front of Hoffarber in my opinion.
A Darko Fan since 2010!
by TheEvilProfessor on Apr 25, 2010 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions
eh
Williams isn’t ready to start. Mbakwe and White are still question marks. Depth at center, I’ll grant that. Nolen isn’t a game-changer at point. He makes the offense grind to a halt. Hoffarber is a shooter exclusively.
Not seeing any top line talent.
Maroon and Gold Headquarters: The Daily Gopher
let's not forget Mbakwe
he will be a significant upgrade.
Williams needs to really improve and become a factor. He may make or break the season.
what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher
I was afraid all along
Joseph was going to UT. Rick Barnes has just gotten ahead of Calipari in my most despised coaches category. The package that UT can put together compared to the UM is like a Hyatt Regency versus a Days Inn. Don’t get me wrong, I love the U of M, but UT basketball amenities are second to none. shit.
Top-Notch Talent Avoiding Tubby's Schools?
Jumaine Jones at Georgia. Tayshaun Prince, Keith Bogans, Marvin Stone, Cliff Hawkins, Jason Parker, Rashaad Carruth, Chuck Hayes, Kelenna Azubuike, Randolph Morris, Joe Crawford, Rajon Rondo, Jodie Meeks at Kentucky.
All were HS A-A (McDonalds, Parade, Street & Smith, and/or EA Sports) and generally Top 25 rated or higher.
Facts don’t align with your theory.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 24, 2010 10:26 PM CDT reply actions
FYCF
Recruiting at Kentucky v. Recruiting at Minnesota -
80% easier, or only 60%?
I think the equivalent comparison is Brewster trying to recruit against Notre Dame. Good luck to Brew and Tubby.

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