MozingoWasFilthy said:Burgess was a very nice piece (43% from trey-land)...............and I'm hoping Rozzell turns the corner this year.
We've had Dom Jones, Michael Doles, BA Walker, Jesse Pellot-Rosa, Derrick Reid, Troy Daniels, Darius Theus, Brad Burgess, Brandon Rozzell, even Nick George/Troy Godwin (nearby MD), Mark Adams, Wil Fameni (Amelia Academy), Mike Anderson, etc. Varying degrees of studliness from this "local" bunch.
We're a mid-major..........we're not getting the cream of the crop. However, we've "mined" the second-tier very well.........and uncovered some real gems.
We've had some fairly nice VA/MD representation over the past eight years IMO..........despite the 3-4 yr coaching tenures, which, by the way, I'll take any day of the week if they are the result of success, titles, dancing, etc. UVA, Tech, UR would love to have our record/success/post-season appearances over the past eight yrs.
Ask Xavier alum the same thing.........they lost Gillen, Prosser, Matta, Miller to BCS-land because they regularly danced. We lost Capel/Grant for the same reason(s). I hope we lose Shaka in 3-4 yrs because we've danced some more.
Troy Godwin was from the Hampton Roads Area. Also, Gerald Henderson, Ed Sherod, Mike Brown, Bo Jones, Lamar Taylor, and Kendrick Warren, Ren Watson, etc.
There are good VA players out there. However, every kid thinks they are UNC, DUKE, material. It takes a relationship with HS coaches to land the good but not great players. I am certain Shaka and crew will make those changes at some point during there tenure. I am also certain that's one of the reason Mike Rhodes was added to the mix.
Again there are good players in VA if Shaka can get us good players from elsewhere so be it. As long as we win, can get to the dance regularly players will come.
I remember asking a friend of mine why he chose VCU when he was a top fifty recruit many years ago? He said it was close, and they were winning (it was during JD's years when we were in the tourney 5/6 years and won 4 games during that span). If we win the we will land a Reco from VA just like we got the other guys.