Most people will tell you that the best way to judge a new head coach is during his third or fourth year at the helm.
Why is that you ask?
It’s because that is typically when the recruiting classes that the new coach has put together start to show what they got. When a new coach comes in, he or she is working with the players and talent that is already there. But one to two years in, the recruiting classes that the coach has put together really begin to play significant minutes.
As far as Colorado’s head basketball coach Tad Boyle goes, we might start to see positive results sooner rather than later.
The recruits that he brought in for the 2011 class feature two standout players from the Los Angeles area, point guards Askia Booker and Spencer Dinwiddie. Both were ranked in the top 30 in the country at their position (according to ESPN). Boyle would have had a third standout from California but Damiene Cain decided to focus on academics and will not play for the Buffs. With that said, Colorado is getting two talented players that will vie for playing time this year behind Nate Tomlinson and Shannon Sharpe.
Not to overshadow the outstanding 2011 class, the 2012 recruiting class may be one of the best that CU has ever had. So far Tad Boyle has signed two ESPNU Top 100 players in Center Josh Scott and, most recently, Small Forward Xavier Johnson. Those two signees alone has the Buffs 2012 recruiting class ranked #17 in the country. Along with Scott and Johnson, Boyle has also signed Power Forward Wesley Gordon and SF Chris Jenkins. The most encouraging part about this recruiting class, besides the two top 100 players, is that CU was able to sign two of the top players in the state of Colorado (Scott and Gordon). Being able to keep exceptional, homegrown talent in state is huge when it comes to building a great program.
I’m not saying that the Buffs will blow everyone away next season but it is encouraging to see some of the top recruits choosing to play at CU.
Some of the reasons that they are starting to choose CU is due to a number of different factors. First, the move to the Pac-12 helps recruiting on the talent rich west coast. Families want to see their kids play close to home and recruiting kids from California and Arizona is a lot easier now that they will be playing every year in those states. Second, CU finally has a new practice facility to attract new recruits. The opening of the new facility is a huge selling point to recruits and it was something that was lacking in the past. Third, Alec Burks being drafted to the NBA. Burks had a phenomenal two seasons at CU and proved that even recruits that come to Colorado can make it to the pros. Having another presence in the league, besides former Buff Chauncey Billups, allows for potential recruits to take note of that and know that if they come to CU they have a shot. Finally, Tad Boyle is a great head coach and runs an up-tempo offense. Players want to run the floor and play transition basketball and Boyle’s offense allows for them to do that. It is the best way to utilize the athletic abilities of the players and it is an appealing factor for potential recruits when they come here.
Labeling CU as a powerhouse might be a stretch but if Boyle can continue to sign recruiting classes like the 2012 class then it won’t be long before the label fits.
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