(2023) - C Xavier Booker to Michigan State

[AZ Hoosier]

15 minutes ago, ap2345 said:

Matt Painter is there as well.

Yeah, he has some free time now... 

[ap2345]

Just now, AZ Hoosier said:

Yeah, he has some free time now... 

At least he made the trip…

[WayneFleekHoosier]

At least he made the trip…

Indicating Woodson didn’t?


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[ap2345]

Just now, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Indicating Woodson didn’t?


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Yep. He should’ve been there. Even if he doesn’t care about Booker just to send a message to all the other high school kids in the state that he’s watching. To me it seems like he’s above it. 

[vemmeistars]

If he’s recruiting Reneau this week or next week, I’m good with him skipping the state finals. IMO, the only Indiana hs prospects that IU needs to go after hard are Sisley/Haralson in 2025.

[BtownStrength]

3 minutes ago, vemmeistars said:

If he’s recruiting Reneau this week or next week, I’m good with him skipping the state finals. IMO, the only Indiana hs prospects that IU needs to go after hard are Sisley/Haralson in 2025.

I would also like to see Benter in 2024 but time will tell on that one. 

[WayneFleekHoosier]

Yep. He should’ve been there. Even if he doesn’t care about Booker just to send a message to all the other high school kids in the state that he’s watching. To me it seems like he’s above it. 

Quite possibly. I agree with you. Hopefully his new highly paid assistants can carry his torch. Painter has taken a strong hold on RP the state recruiting lately.


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[ap2345]

12 hours ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Quite possibly. I agree with you. Hopefully his new highly paid assistants can carry his torch. Painter has taken a strong hold on RP the state recruiting lately.


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I guess Woodson was actually on vacation in Miami to celebrate his birthday.

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

Maybe Booker is no longer a top priority in the '23 class. 

[ap2345]

4 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

Maybe Booker is no longer a top priority in the '23 class. 

Hunter wouldn’t have been there if he wasn’t. It’s been said Woodson wants him. Even if he wasn’t it’s not even about Booker imo. It’s about sending a message to the entire state. 

[jk34]

3 minutes ago, ap2345 said:

Hunter wouldn’t have been there if he wasn’t. It’s been said Woodson wants him. Even if he wasn’t it’s not even about Booker imo. It’s about sending a message to the entire state. 

Maybe he's sending a bigger message, by not being there!

[ap2345]

6 minutes ago, jk34 said:

Maybe he's sending a bigger message, by not being there!

What’s that? I don’t care about HS basketball in the state? That’ll go over well.

[Demo]

6 minutes ago, ap2345 said:

Hunter wouldn’t have been there if he wasn’t. It’s been said Woodson wants him. Even if he wasn’t it’s not even about Booker imo. It’s about sending a message to the entire state. 

I agree that Woody sticking his head in would have been preferable. But, I’m gonna go ahead and make 2 predictions now: 1) Xavier Booker is going to his highest profile offer. He’s made that clear in multiple interviews. I don’t mean that as criticism of him. If waiting out a Duke or UK or KU offer is best for him, ok. 2) Woody’s absence yesterday will have exactly zero to do with whether or not IU signs a Jalen Haralson or a Trent Sisley or any other instate kid they’re looking at. 

[jk34]

2 minutes ago, ap2345 said:

What’s that? I don’t care about HS basketball in the state? That’ll go over well.

Maybe to work your @$$ off, show a little e&e, and act like you want it? It's a 2 way street.

 

[ap2345]

Just now, jk34 said:

Maybe to work your @$$ off, show a little e&e, and act like you want it? It's a 2 way street.

 

I’m not just talking about Booker. I’m talking about the perception to coaches around the state. Woodson is starting to have a tendency to look lazy or like he thinks he’s above it to make appearances at HS events. There’s been at least another red flag so far in this area. If you lost the HS coaches it doesn’t end well. That’s my concern.

[jk34]

27 minutes ago, ap2345 said:

I’m not just talking about Booker. I’m talking about the perception to coaches around the state. Woodson is starting to have a tendency to look lazy or like he thinks he’s above it to make appearances at HS events. There’s been at least another red flag so far in this area. If you lost the HS coaches it doesn’t end well. That’s my concern.

Agree 

[triple]

55 minutes ago, ap2345 said:

 If you lost the HS coaches it doesn’t end well. That’s my concern.

For the past 20+ years I've read that, one after another, five IUBB coaches quickly fell out of grace with Indiana HS coaches.  I'm not convinced it's true.  But if it is, at what point would it become noticeable that the 'problems' might be associated with the constant side of the equation?   

[ap2345]

3 minutes ago, triple said:

For the past 20+ years I've read that, one after another, five IUBB coaches quickly fell out of grace with Indiana HS coaches.  I'm not convinced it's true.  But if it is, at what point would it become noticeable that the 'problems' might be associated with the constant side of the equation?   

In every situation the coach has done it to themselves. I’m hoping Woodson doesn’t go down that road. 

[jk34]

Maybe Woody will make his visits more of an affirmation! Sometimes, not being there speaks louder, than being in a different gym every night. When a kid sees him, he knows he's a top priority.

Make kids start wondering why the IU coach isn't there, as opposed to just expecting it. These kids know about his NBA background, alot more than his playing career. I'm sure these HS coaches know when CMW is interested in one of his kids! 

Plus, you have 2 high level,AHC's, out recruiting daily. If we fail, it won't be do to lack of relationships in the state.

[ziggyiu]

It seems like many are speculating and reacting to the speculation without considering how often coaches are really in contact with recruits. They call and text daily or weekly with recruits they want to keep tabs on. It seems possible that although Woodson wasn't at the game, he or his staff communicated as much with Booker and his family (if IU sees him as a priority). The staff could set expectations for that evening and contunue to set the table for our the recruitment will unfold this spring and summer. 

The other possibility is that there's been enough communication between Booker and IU that the staff knows Booker isn't that interested in IU, so IU sends an assistant to a big game for PR reasons, make connections with other high school coaches that are in attendance, etc. Or that IU isn't terribly high on Booker, so the staff is keeping tabs, but won't become heavily invested until they see certain things in his game, attitude, etc. 

My point is that there are a lot of unknowns.