The Bluejay Underground: A Creighton Sports Message Board

Is it just me or are we giving local kids a lot more offers? If you agree is it that the local kids have gotten that much better or another reason?

We have upped the offers, and it’s exactly the right move. The metro has been throwing off D1 talent in amounts I’ve not seen in my 30 years here. Even lower level D1 guys, which don’t really apply to us but are neat to follow.

Millard North has three big names being chased by schools equal to (or even bigger than) us. That’s one school.

We need to stay on top of this or St. Fred has his opening. Plus, where would we be without Khyri and Justin? Any situation where geography makes it more likely they’ll sign and not less needs to be protected.

I think it's a combination of there being a few more legitimate prospects now than there have been in the past -- the growth of OSA and the other AAU programs here is probably helping that -- AND the changes down in Lincoln. It's apparent right away that Fred will offer local kids who might have D-1 talent, and he's definitely trying to build momentum and keep the fanbase on board. In the past, I think we were much more able to let these kids develop and not have to worry about them likely ending up in Lincoln -- they weren't offering aggressively, and if it became apparent somebody was a high-upside guy, we could get in late and still be on them first. That's not true anymore.

Just my .02

Realhoops wrote:It's apparent right away that Fred will offer local kids who might have D-1 talent, and he's definitely trying to build momentum and keep the fanbase on board.

I agree with this, but homeboy ran off Heiman pretty quick. Green might (probably will) have a higher D1 ceiling than Heiman, but fact remains Heiman was asked not to return. Not a good look and something Omaha/Nebraska AAU/HS coaches will remember

my thoughts on strategy at this point

grab a big, maybe two in 2020, Kalkbrenner, Powell, Carlson, Nicholson. Someone to groom behind Epperson for a year, or as insurance in case Epperson balls out and turns pro (weirder things have happened and with 'early' departures the last three seasons I assume we are recruiting as such). Think Kasubke is a real option as well. I really like Born's game and Walton seems to be high on the Jays as well but think they'll look to make a big splash in 2021 from the SG and PG positions. Between Hepburn, Mors and Sallis I think those are three of the highest players on Creighton's board no matter what class.

hilltopalum wrote:

Realhoops wrote:It's apparent right away that Fred will offer local kids who might have D-1 talent, and he's definitely trying to build momentum and keep the fanbase on board.

I agree with this, but homeboy ran off Heiman pretty quick. Green might (probably will) have a higher D1 ceiling than Heiman, but fact remains Heiman was asked not to return. Not a good look and something Omaha/Nebraska AAU/HS coaches will remember

I would like to think it's true that local high school and AAU coaches pay attention to that sort of thing. But it didn't seem to impact Arop at all when Timmy came calling, despite what he did to Arop's very own brother. So nothing really surprises me much with these kids anymore.

hilltopalum wrote:my thoughts on strategy at this point

grab a big, maybe two in 2020, Kalkbrenner, Powell, Carlson, Nicholson. Someone to groom behind Epperson for a year, or as insurance in case Epperson balls out and turns pro (weirder things have happened and with 'early' departures the last three seasons I assume we are recruiting as such). Think Kasubke is a real option as well. I really like Born's game and Walton seems to be high on the Jays as well but think they'll look to make a big splash in 2021 from the SG and PG positions. Between Hepburn, Mors and Sallis I think those are three of the highest players on Creighton's board no matter what class.

You didn't mention Murrell. Do you not think we have a shot at him?

westojay wrote:

hilltopalum wrote:my thoughts on strategy at this point

grab a big, maybe two in 2020, Kalkbrenner, Powell, Carlson, Nicholson. Someone to groom behind Epperson for a year, or as insurance in case Epperson balls out and turns pro (weirder things have happened and with 'early' departures the last three seasons I assume we are recruiting as such). Think Kasubke is a real option as well. I really like Born's game and Walton seems to be high on the Jays as well but think they'll look to make a big splash in 2021 from the SG and PG positions. Between Hepburn, Mors and Sallis I think those are three of the highest players on Creighton's board no matter what class.

You didn't mention Murrell. Do you not think we have a shot at him?

very much yes, but clear to me that Jays are all in on making those other three the cornerstone of the program.

Arop would have come to Creighton in a heartbeat if offered, Nebraska was his only Power conference offer so he took it.

Realhoops wrote:

hilltopalum wrote:

Realhoops wrote:It's apparent right away that Fred will offer local kids who might have D-1 talent, and he's definitely trying to build momentum and keep the fanbase on board.

I agree with this, but homeboy ran off Heiman pretty quick. Green might (probably will) have a higher D1 ceiling than Heiman, but fact remains Heiman was asked not to return. Not a good look and something Omaha/Nebraska AAU/HS coaches will remember

I would like to think it's true that local high school and AAU coaches pay attention to that sort of thing. But it didn't seem to impact Arop at all when Timmy came calling, despite what he did to Arop's very own brother. So nothing really surprises me much with these kids anymore.

hilltopalum wrote:

westojay wrote:

hilltopalum wrote:my thoughts on strategy at this point

grab a big, maybe two in 2020, Kalkbrenner, Powell, Carlson, Nicholson. Someone to groom behind Epperson for a year, or as insurance in case Epperson balls out and turns pro (weirder things have happened and with 'early' departures the last three seasons I assume we are recruiting as such). Think Kasubke is a real option as well. I really like Born's game and Walton seems to be high on the Jays as well but think they'll look to make a big splash in 2021 from the SG and PG positions. Between Hepburn, Mors and Sallis I think those are three of the highest players on Creighton's board no matter what class.

You didn't mention Murrell. Do you not think we have a shot at him?

very much yes, but clear to me that Jays are all in on making those other three the cornerstone of the program.

And they should be all in. 3 studs. It would hurt losing any of those 3 to another midwest school, especially Nebraska. I think Wisconsin may be the team to beat for Mors.

Landing two of those three would be a huge success