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RE: 09 commit David Smith

dog67 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:12:11 GMT

Wow!!!! A full frontal assault!!!! I do see where you guys are coming from, though. I didn't mean to upset everyone like this. Permit me, though, to say a few final things.

DUB, not that important, but, Lake Forest Academy is an independant. They do not belong to the Independant League. It must be some old site that you found. They do, though, belong to a conference for football, which is the Private League. Like you, I am not quite sure what comprises an associate member of the IHSA, and the privileges that accompany it.

Mecha, boy, your ire kind of took me aback. I know that DUB is always a gentleman when offering his opinions and rebuttals. What I want to say to you is in regards to your comments regarding how I have dissed the coaching staff's recruiting. Nothing is further from the truth. I guess you don't remember who was about the first one to laud Coach Phelps' selection as coach. If you recall, I assessed that with his background and experience in two of the major conferences in the country we have struck gold. I said that we probably have the best recruiting potential that we have ever had because of Coach Phelps. It has come true. If you also recall, after we signed Hawley, I was quite excited and praised Coach for landing him and Simons. I said that this is what we need; all-staters, not all conference or second team all region, etc. I hope you recall all that. So, when I critique one of his other signees (notice I didn't say disagreed with, or any other statement of disapproval, because I NEVER did that. I merely compared him to other past Chicago/ Illinois players, with where he stood based on his statistics. If that is disparaging him, then I have disparaged 99% of all players who have ever played high school basketball in Illinois, including myself and some of my best friends),
please do not say that I have put down our coaches and recruiters. I was one of his first supporters and one of the first to be excited about his selection as our coach.

DUB, you are correct. David just may be reading Drake Nation. I hope that he understands where I was coming from. I'm sure he does, because as a player, those things usually don't bother them. My juinior year, my high school team was not good. No matter how much we lost, it didn't affect us what people thought. We knew we were good ball players and were always fighting. Our senior year,though, at one point we were # 8 in the Sun Times poll. We were experienced and good. Even with that success, we didn't pay that much attention to what people were saying. My point is, that players have a different mind set. Yet, as I mentioned, I stayed away from the threads that critcized our players. When one says repeatedly that this guy can't play with his back to the basket, that that guy can't penetrate, that this guy can penetrate but can't find the guy on the perimeter, that this guy is out of control, that that guy turns the ball over excessively, that this guy can't play point, I know that it doesn't bother them, BUT, I always imagined their parents, siblings, friends or girlfriends reading it and it bothered me. So, I understand your comments about the possibilities of David seeing all this. (The above examples are not coaching related, but personal. Coaching related are things said like we should be playing a three guard offense, we should play man to man, not the zone we are playing, or why is JY still in the game with a 20 point lead and two minutes to go? ) I respect everyone's opinion on this and I shall cease such further posts regarding recruits.

Another comment that upset me was when I said you guys were turning me into Drakey and McB, it was stated that they would never say things about a recruit that I was saying. That is not what I was referring to. What I was saying was that you were getting me into all this banter that they are predisposed to do. I think they are the best on the board. No one has made me laugh more or think more than those two guys. My back and forth with Drakey about Buddy Rich was classic stuff. I loved it. McB comes up with these great links, etc. Gotta' love him. That is all I meant.

USMC....you really upset me. "I for one have read enough. Please move on." Wow, DT's little tag at the end re "freedom of speech forever, the marine fought for it." Your comment disappointed me. No one here is yelling fire in a crowded theatre. I hope that tag refers to things you disagree with, also. I also wore our uniform (and one brother was a Marine and another was a Sgt. in the Army), so that is why your comment was disappointing. Leatherneck, Evelyn Beatrice Hall said it best.

Well, next Tuesday, Jan13, Lake Forest Academy plays Lake Forest High School and Matt Vogrich. Barring any blizzards, I just may go. Lake Forest High was ranked #24 in today's Sun Times ( Jay Parker's Thornton is ranked #1). After all, how often does one actually get to see a recruit play?

DUB, what's wrong with David Gates????

RE: 09 commit David Smith

Gordon Gottschalk — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:54:56 GMT

Drakey, we all know dog is judgment impaired. He thinks Rich actually out-drummed Animal.

Actually, dog, you do need to lighten up on David. Everything you are saying about David Smith could have been said about JY. Not to compare the two or set unrealistic expectations, but Coach P is a great recruiter, he has had tons of experience evaluating talent, and if he says this kid can play the 1,2 or 3 and fits into the system, then I'm trusting him and am very excited about this recruit and the other four kids attending next fall.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

Drakey — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:40:05 GMT

I just read this whole thread for the first time.

I am really questioning whether Buddy Rich was even a mediocre drummer.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

Mc Bulldog — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 10:47:15 GMT

David Smith is hero in the McBulldog household and I've never even seen the young man.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

DUBulldog — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 09:20:44 GMT

You're questioning how LFA could lose 2 games already, since they don't play anybody according to you....found this on the Sun-Times website:

On Friday night, the Caxys lost 89-61 to Kinston (N.C). The defending North Carolina state champs were led by Reggie Bullock (who is headed to the University of North Carolina). Bullock nailed 7 3-point shots and amassed a game-high 36 points.

No shame in losing to a defending state champ with a UNC recruit on the team.

The next night, they beat Fayette County (Georgia)....linkage. Fayette County has a 4-star player who has signed with USC.

So, it looks like the competition they play is pretty decent, outside of their conference games.

At least one Bradley fan was impressed with Smith at the Tournament of Champions. linkage. I wonder what his agenda is.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

Mecha_Bulldog — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 09:15:52 GMT

dog67 (1/3/2009)

All of the negative and questioning comments, is far worse than anything that I have ever written. Whatever excuses you come up with for your reasoning on your posts, just won't cut it, so save it.

Let's see, you've criticized Smith's play, his stats, his team's stats, his teammates, and his opponents. You've asked why more people aren't praising him, and accused anyone on this board or in the media who does praise him of bias or worse. You've attacked Drake's coaches' for their scouting abilities and public interactions, and all but begged them to sign someone besides Smith. Other than that, you've done nothing negative or questioning.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

DUBulldog — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 08:40:12 GMT

dog67 (1/3/2009)

Lke Forest Academy is a member of the IHSA.

No, they're an associate member. link. Not sure what that means, but I'm guessing it means they can't play in state tournaments, but IHSA members are allowed to play them.

That still doesn't answer why their two top players and team were ignored in the PRE SEASON rankings by the papers. Perhaps their being an independent (they are not in a conference) has something to do with it.

Not true....they're in the Independent School League link Yeah, that seems like an oxymoron, using the word "Independent" as part of the league name.

We could discuss this forever without a conclusion, but let me say, once again, I am not disparaging David. I am sure he is a very good ball player and a great kid, or else the administration would not have agreed to his recruitment. Havn't you guys heard what I have been saying?

Yes, we have heard what you're saying. Whether it's your intention or not, it sounds like you are disparaging the player...multiple times. I know you've tried to explain that you're trying to temper unrealistic expectations, and that people are making him out to be something that he may not be......but, here's the thing.....nobody on here has made any predictions about David. Nobody has said anything unrealistic. If they had, I could (somewhat) understand your campaign to prove he's not all that. But, given that nobody has stated unrealistic expectations, your comments come off as mean-spirited. I wouldn't be surprised if David Smith reads this board. What must he be thinking when he sees multiple posts saying he's not at the level that Drake should be recruiting?

Excuse me, but all I have done is convey that we have recruited someone that may not be what he has been played up to be, because of his team and the competition it generally faces.

see above

Nothing more, nothing less. I do not participate in all your second guessing (it has even started on the woman's board, i.e., the Illinois State game regarding all the substitutions). I did not know that Phelps had so many advisors. These are 19 to 22 year old kids who are under constant pressure situations. Don't come back to me now and tell me that you are not putting them down, but merely commenting on the coach's choices. By saying that Stanley has only scored two points in the first two conference games, I believe that you are saying he can't shoot. That is, in my opinion, putting him down.

No, that is not putting him down. That is stating a fact. And, most of the discussions you are complaining about involve coaching decisions, choices, strategies, etc. It is one thing to question a coach who is an adult being paid a lot of money to coach basketball. It is something else altogether to rip on individual players or recruits, who are much younger and are not getting paid. However, constructive criticism of a player's game/abilities isn't out of line, and should be expected on a fan site.

All of the negative and questioning comments, is far worse than anything that I have ever written.

We'll just have to agree to disagree here.

Whatever excuses you come up with for your reasoning on your posts, just won't cut it, so save it. In the words of David Gates, "It don't matter to me."

For a man who has posted a lot about music on this site, you have lost any musical respect I might have had for you. David Gates? Really?

RE: 09 commit David Smith

usmcdog — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 23:31:42 GMT

[quote]dog67 (1/3/2009)

Big Fan,

You are correct. I should have said MOST are guards (27 out of the 40). By the way, Nick Garcia plays guard. Upshaw plays guard/forward, as does Crawford. Also, if you have been reading the board, you would see that I have been talking up Crawford. I have also seen Cooley play. He's terrific. I don't understand your logic by saying that I don't know Chicago (Illinois) basketball by listing those players that are on the list, who you reference as not being guards. Also, where is Ronald Stewart from Zion Benton, who have been ranked in the top five most of the year? DUB, I have sent an E-mail to Ohl about a player. Never heard back from him. Funny how Dr. Tom always communicated, but Ohl doesn't.

Now, let me tell you guys something. I was talking to one of the most respected coaches in the north and northwest suburbs once. He told me that he pays no attention to these lists that these organizations put out (Chicago Hoops, Joy of the Game, etc.) He said THEY ALL HAVE AN AGENDA, which is to promote their players who register with them and promote them to the colleges (like Chicago Hoops) or go to their camps and play in their leagues. He said they don't mean anything. With this in mind, please tell me why the papers never listed Brandt or Smith in their top 50 or Lake Forest Academy in their top 25 teams? Tell me why in the weekly polls the AP has not ranked Lake Forest Academy? I believe they are 4-2. How does a team with two of the top 40 players, according to Chicago Hoops, not get the recognition? How does a team with 2 of the top 40 players, who are both seniors, lose two games, already? I don't want to have to say it again, so I won't. Guys, don't get me wrong, I am sure that David is an excellent player. A good 6'3" guard never hurts, especially if he is quick. It's just that when Coach Phelps signed him, most everyone seemed overjoyed. I have been merely trying to convey that he is from a small private school that plays a schedule that is not too strong (they do have two games coming up that will test them, though, in Lake Forest, with Vogrich and state ranked Zion-Benton). I hope as much as you guys that David shows me up. That is all that I have been trying to say. Chicago Hoops has their reasons for listing the two kids from Lake Forest Academy. Sorry to aggravate you USMC and others, but facts are facts. You guys are turning me into McB and Drakey!!!![/quote]

McBulldog and Drakey would never down play a recruit that they hadn't seen play. You have voiced your opinoin of this recruit. I, for one, have read enough. Please move on. The young man has been recruited and I hope that he will represent the University and our team in the manner of a true student-athlete.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

dog67 — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 23:21:51 GMT

Big Fan,

Under that theory, every Catholic school should not be eligible for the rankings. They have no boundaries, give financial aid, etc. But that's a subject for another day.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

dog67 — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 23:17:45 GMT

Lke Forest Academy is a member of the IHSA. I know that they are not eligible for the football playoffs, but I am not sure that not being eligible for the basketball playoffs would keep them from being state ranked. That still doesn't answer why their two top players and team were ignored in the PRE SEASON rankings by the papers. Perhaps their being an independent (they are not in a conference) has something to do with it. BigFan, I just got through saying that they have two big games coming up with Lake Forest and Zion!!!!
The Lake Forester is a local paper. The schools listed are on the North Shore and in the Northwest suburbs. They mostly belong to the North Suburban Conference and the Central Suburban Conference. I would say that their rankings are pretty much on target.
We could discuss this forever without a conclusion, but let me say, once again, I am not disparaging David. I am sure he is a very good ball player and a great kid, or else the administration would not have agreed to his recruitment. Havn't you guys heard what I have been saying? Also, Lake Forest Academy is top notch academically. I'll say it again...I hope he shows me up!!!

Now let me tell you what aggravates ME. All I read on the board is a bunch of self proclaimed Al McGuires, Jimmy Vs, Johnny Woodens, etc. I'm sure that you have not noticed, but I have totally avoided those threads. " Bucky should not be playing with his back to the basket, we should be playing 3 guards, we should be playing three bigs, JP is the answer, JP is out of control, why is JY still in with two minutes to go and a 20 point lead?, Adam needs more confidence (I'm glad you're all mind readers), JMH needs more confidence, let Bill play, JB should not be playing point, etc., etc., etc. Excuse me, but all I have done is convey that we have recruited someone that may not be what he has been played up to be, because of his team and the competition it generally faces.
Nothing more, nothing less. I do not participate in all your second guessing (it has even started on the woman's board, i.e., the Illinois State game regarding all the substitutions). I did not know that Phelps had so many advisors. These are 19 to 22 year old kids who are under constant pressure situations. Don't come back to me now and tell me that you are not putting them down, but merely commenting on the coach's choices. By saying that Stanley has only scored two points in the first two conference games, I believe that you are saying he can't shoot. That is, in my opinion, putting him down. All of the negative and questioning comments, is far worse than anything that I have ever written. Whatever excuses you come up with for your reasoning on your posts, just won't cut it, so save it. In the words of David Gates, "It don't matter to me."

DUB, yes, thirdly is a word.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

BIG FAN — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 20:52:58 GMT

If you know so much about Illinois HS Basketball then you would know that they don't list LFA in the rankings because they can't play for the state. They are an associate member because they recruit players.

They play a national schedule therefore they will never be in a state ranking.

Any more questions?

RE: 09 commit David Smith

DUBulldog — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 20:49:25 GMT

dog67 (1/3/2009)

Now, let me tell you guys something. I was talking to one of the most respected coaches in the north and northwest suburbs once. He told me that he pays no attention to these lists that these organizations put out (Chicago Hoops, Joy of the Game, etc.) He said THEY ALL HAVE AN AGENDA, which is to promote their players who register with them and promote them to the colleges (like Chicago Hoops) or go to their camps and play in their leagues. He said they don't mean anything. With this in mind, please tell me why the papers never listed Brandt or Smith in their top 50 or Lake Forest Academy in their top 25 teams? Tell me why in the weekly polls the AP has not ranked Lake Forest Academy? I believe they are 4-2. How does a team with two of the top 40 players, according to Chicago Hoops, not get the recognition? How does a team with 2 of the top 40 players, who are both seniors, lose two games, already?

I'm not sure why the papers don't rank LFA.... maybe it's because the school isn't a member of the IHSA, and aren't eligible for the state tournament. Maybe these are IHSA rankings. Who knows? I do know that Brandt has multiple BCS school offers according to Rivals, and Smith had multiple D-1 offers. Maybe LFA doesn't have much beyond Brandt and Smith. The fact that their team isn't ranked doesn't mean that the players themselves aren't legit.

Can you provide a link to the player rankings in the newspapers that you refer to? It will be interesting to see how those lists compare to the lists "with an agenda". BTW, I'm aware that any list or ranking is subjective, and has an agenda.

I don't want to have to say it again, so I won't. Guys, don't get me wrong, I am sure that David is an excellent player. A good 6'3" guard never hurts, especially if he is quick. It's just that when Coach Phelps signed him, most everyone seemed overjoyed.

I'm not sure where you're coming from here.....I've read this thread, and I don't see anybody going overboard in their praise. As a matter of fact, there's not a lot of discussion at all, just some links to articles and a page long argument on the merits of Chicago hs basketball. I could see you trying to temper people's enthusiasm if people were predicting superstardom or something similar, but there's nothing like that on here. In your effort to lower people's expectations, it's come across as you knocking the kid.

I've seen you mention several times that he plays for a small school, similar to the school that Josh Young played for in high school, and that he should be putting up similar stats to JY. I disagree with that for several reasons.....first off, the competition they play isn't strictly small private boarding schools, but they play some out of state teams, they play schools like Hales, Z-B and LF. I seriously doubt if JY's high school played any competition like that. Secondly, Smith is a point guard, and it's his job to get his teammates involved as opposed to scoring as many points as he can. Thirdly (is that a word), Smith had a couple of 7-footers on his team last season who were highly regarded. One of them is at Northwestern this year and the other (N'Diaye) is at a juco. This season, he has Angus Brandt, who has been offered by several BCS programs . No knock against JY, but I don't think he had teammates like that on his high school team. Smith doesn't need to be the whole offense.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

Mecha_Bulldog — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 20:35:15 GMT

dog, I see you using a lot of words, but I'm not sure what your point is. Nobody has said Smith is going to be the second coming of Willie McCarter. I don't think anybody has even guessed how much of an impact he'll have at Drake. Everybody is aware that he plays for a small, private school. Everybody is aware that there are other players in the Chicago area, some of them unknown, some of them better than Smith. We're overjoyed because a young man with a lot of promise has chosen
Drake, and we want to see him do well his senior season. BTW, this newspaper has LFA ranked 5th in the Lake Shore area (whatever that means).

RE: 09 commit David Smith

dog67 — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 20:12:37 GMT

Big Fan,

You are correct. I should have said MOST are guards (27 out of the 40). By the way, Nick Garcia plays guard. Upshaw plays guard/forward, as does Crawford. Also, if you have been reading the board, you would see that I have been talking up Crawford. I have also seen Cooley play. He's terrific. I don't understand your logic by saying that I don't know Chicago (Illinois) basketball by listing those players that are on the list, who you reference as not being guards. Also, where is Ronald Stewart from Zion Benton, who have been ranked in the top five most of the year? DUB, I have sent an E-mail to Ohl about a player. Never heard back from him. Funny how Dr. Tom always communicated, but Ohl doesn't.
Now, let me tell you guys something. I was talking to one of the most respected coaches in the north and northwest suburbs once. He told me that he pays no attention to these lists that these organizations put out (Chicago Hoops, Joy of the Game, etc.) He said THEY ALL HAVE AN AGENDA, which is to promote their players who register with them and promote them to the colleges (like Chicago Hoops) or go to their camps and play in their leagues. He said they don't mean anything. With this in mind, please tell me why the papers never listed Brandt or Smith in their top 50 or Lake Forest Academy in their top 25 teams? Tell me why in the weekly polls the AP has not ranked Lake Forest Academy? I believe they are 4-2. How does a team with two of the top 40 players, according to Chicago Hoops, not get the recognition? How does a team with 2 of the top 40 players, who are both seniors, lose two games, already? I don't want to have to say it again, so I won't. Guys, don't get me wrong, I am sure that David is an excellent player. A good 6'3" guard never hurts, especially if he is quick. It's just that when Coach Phelps signed him, most everyone seemed overjoyed. I have been merely trying to convey that he is from a small private school that plays a schedule that is not too strong (they do have two games coming up that will test them, though, in Lake Forest, with Vogrich and state ranked Zion-Benton). I hope as much as you guys that David shows me up. That is all that I have been trying to say. Chicago Hoops has their reasons for listing the two kids from Lake Forest Academy. Sorry to aggravate you USMC and others, but facts are facts. You guys are turning me into McB and Drakey!!!!

RE: 09 commit David Smith

BIG FAN — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 19:03:51 GMT

Just to follow up there are players on the list from Decatur, Champaign, Bloomington, Eureka, and Rockton.

The entire State of Illinois...

RE: 09 commit David Smith

usmcdog — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 17:22:19 GMT

Good reply DUBulldog. It has been getting to me also.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

DUBulldog — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 16:33:45 GMT

dog67 (1/3/2009)

I'm ashamed of you.

Ashamed of me for what.....for linking to a list that a well known Chicago basketball website posted that included a Drake signee? WTF?

Can't you see that it's just a list of guards and guard /forwards? Can't you see that it's just one class (2009)?

Excuse me....let me rephrase and say that David Smith is now listed as the #27 player in the Chicago area in the class of 2009. Is that better? As BigFan already pointed out, it's not just a list of guards and guard/forwards. It's the top players in Chicago in this year's senior class.

Yes, it's O.K. (I should only have been #27 when I played, right?), but that puts him at a nothing spectacular level. I have already seen this year some kids who can shoot the eyes out of a basket getting no publicity at all, who are a bigger threat than David. Sorry to be so negative about this, again, but I don't want any of you to be expecting the second coming of Willie McCarter next November.

I don't think I've seen anything to suggest that anybody is expecting David Smith to be the next Willie McCarter. The not spectacular level? You know what.....99% of the players who have ever come through Drake were at the "not spectacular" level....and some of them were damn good players. So, you're not excited about the kid.....thanks.....I'll wait until I see him play until I form any kind of opinion about his play.

I'm glad you know of kids that are better than DS that are getting no publicity at all....maybe you can forward their names to Mark Phelps. If they're getting no pub at all, we can probably get them as walk-ons.

Like I said, I have been watching Chicago b-ball since the late 50's and I know what makes up the # 27 ranked guard in a class. It's not even an MVC second team all-star player.

Does a kid have to be 2nd-team all MVC to be considered a decent player? In an average year, every MVC team will have 1 player on the all-MVC 1st or 2nd team (10 teams, and 10 players are 1st or 2nd team).....are all the other players in the league somehow lousy players who shouldn't be playing at this level?

Since you've been watching Chicago hs ball since the 50s, then you know that in a typical year, any of the top 50 players in the area have chance to be good college players....and some not ranked in the top 50.

Sorry to ramble, but your constant knocking of this kid is getting on my nerves.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

BIG FAN — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 14:27:21 GMT

To dog67:

It's obvious that dog67 has no idea what is going on in Illinois High School Basketball.

#3 Jack Cooley will be playing for Notre Dame (he is 6'9") and not a guard.

#6 Angus Brandt ( Lake Forest Academy) has offers from Oregon State, Cal, Michigan, UCLA, and a host of other schools. Also 6'9"

#11 Drew Crawford Northwestern University 6'6".

#13 Nick Garcia is a 6'6" foward that has offers from Alabama, Tenn, and Baylos

#22 Shaun Pratl will be playing for will be playing for Eastern Illinois. He is 6'8"

#25 Zeke Upshaw will be attending Illinois State and he is 6'6".

These are just six of the players that are ranked ahead of David Smith that [b]ARE NOT GUARDS.[b] Now here are a few other players ahead of David:

#7 Matt Vogrich (Michigan),
#8 Diamond Taylor (Wisconsin)
#5 Chris Colvin (Iowa State)

Thai's some pretty good company and that's for the Class of 2009 for the State. Not Guards.

Happy New Year

RE: 09 commit David Smith

Mecha_Bulldog — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 12:59:24 GMT

dog67 (1/3/2009)

I'm ashamed of you. Can't you see that it's just a list of guards and guard /forwards? Can't you see that it's just one class (2009)? ... Yes, it's O.K. (I should only have been #27 when I played, right?), but that puts him at a nothing spectacular level. I have already seen this year some kids who can shoot the eyes out of a basket getting no publicity at all, who are a bigger threat than David. Sorry to be so negative about this, again, but I don't want any of you to be expecting the second coming of Willie McCarter next November. Like I said, I have been watching Chicago b-ball since the late 50's and I know what makes up the # 27 ranked guard in a class. It's not even an MVC second team all-star player.

There are plenty of power forwards on that list, and a few centers. Wasn't Josh Parker ranked about 27th by a similar site when he was a hs senior?

RE: 09 commit David Smith

dog67 — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 12:04:41 GMT

DUB,

I'm ashamed of you. Can't you see that it's just a list of guards and guard /forwards? Can't you see that it's just one class (2009)?
Yes, it's O.K. (I should only have been #27 when I played, right?), but that puts him at a nothing spectacular level. I have already seen this year some kids who can shoot the eyes out of a basket getting no publicity at all, who are a bigger threat than David. Sorry to be so negative about this, again, but I don't want any of you to be expecting the second coming of Willie McCarter next November. Like I said, I have been watching Chicago b-ball since the late 50's and I know what makes up the # 27 ranked guard in a class. It's not even an MVC second team all-star player.

Happy New Year.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

DUBulldog — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 09:00:11 GMT

Smith is now ranked #27 in the Chicago area by Chicagohoops.com

linkage

RE: 09 commit David Smith

DUBulldog — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:20:09 GMT

This is about a month old, right after Smith signed with Drake...

link

RE: 09 commit David Smith

Mecha_Bulldog — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:10:41 GMT

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/lakeforest/sports/highschools/1325251,lf-roundup-121108-s1.article

Smith scored 10 in a 49-45 loss to St. John's of Wisc.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

Mecha_Bulldog — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:37:36 GMT

http://www.wiscnews.com/bdc/sports/317665

Smith scored 18 in a 65-41 win over Wayland Academy.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

dog67 — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 17:07:23 GMT

Who am I kidding????? A few hours after I posted the above about Alex Dragicevich, his Glenbrook North team play Matt Vogrich (you all remember Matt, of course) and his Lake Forest High School team. Glenbrook North won. Dragicevich scored 35!!!! Forget about trying to get this kid. Two years from now you'll be reading about him scoring 20 in his first college game in Durham!!!!! Oh, well......

RE: 09 commit David Smith

Mecha_Bulldog — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 08:32:21 GMT

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/sports/1305362,5_2_WA29_BOYZ_S1.article

Smith scored 17 in a 79-65 win over Hales Franciscan.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

dog67 — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 19:58:20 GMT

If you read my post about Jay Parker, you saw that he was one of the top 24 guards in the Chicago area and one of only two sophs named. David was not on that list. I told you a while back that his competition is weak in his conference (yeah, I know, he played well in AAU). The only way I'll be convinced that he is big time Division 1 is if he did what Josh Young did in high school at a small private school and that is average 30 points a game. I mentioned that there are a number of kids on the Sun Times list that are still uncommitted. Here is a name that I am throwing out for the first time. He is a great match for Drake. He is Alex Dragicevich, a 6'5" junior, small forward (and he can play guard, too) from Glenbrook North High School, the alma mater of Chris Collins and Jon Scheyer. If Coack K isn't talking to this kid, I'll be surprised. He's a scorer. The reason that he is a good match for Drake is because of academics, as well. I saw this kid play as a freshman, and he was terrific then. If any of you know the coaches (like some of you profess on the board), you should run this kid's name past them. I would hope that they already know about him. There are also some great big men still uncommitted from the area.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

Mecha_Bulldog — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 12:43:09 GMT

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/lakeforest/sports/highschools/1300569,lf-davidsmith-112708-s1.article

There's a story on Smith preparing for his senior season:

[quote]"David is an explosive guard who can create shots for himself and others," Phelps said in a press release. "He has great speed and quickness. He's effective in the open court. David is court savvy, has a high basketball IQ and plays with tremendous poise. He will be an important addition to our backcourt."

Lake Forest Academy coach Matt Vaughn said Drake is a perfect fit for Smith and vice versa.

"They love his athletic ability and think he can play both positions," Vaughn said. "They really fell in love with him as a super kid. A new coach wants to make sure they get kids who reflect well on them." [/quote]

RE: 09 commit David Smith

DUBulldog — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:12:14 GMT

From Daniel Poneman at Illinoishsbasketball.com

3) David Smith should’ve been somewhere on the list....After watching this kid dominate the playoffs of the Full Package fall league, I am again a believer. The Drake commit from Lake Forest Academy is strong, athletic, is great at getting to the rack and finishing, and has a much improved long range stroke. Definitely a top 30 player.

link

RE: 09 commit David Smith

Mc Bulldog — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:21:53 GMT

I could have a hey day with this info. Frik'n Dempster .. I think I'm going to caxy myself to sleep before I start break'n shat.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

DUBulldog — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:55:41 GMT

Mecha_Bulldog (10/1/2008)

There's a local blurb on his commitment. What's a caxy?

Here's a link to the answer.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

Mecha_Bulldog — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:33:15 GMT

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/lakeforest/sports/1196028,lf-smith-100208-s1.article

There's a local blurb on his commitment. What's a caxy?

RE: 09 commit David Smith

Dawg_tired — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:35:29 GMT

DUBulldog (9/29/2008)

[quote]Dawg_tired (9/29/2008)

I just checked. Beano has filled two of six schollies with guards. One guard had an offer from Western Michigan, the other guard apparently had no other offers but interest from Miami and Rutgers along with some lower majors. Looks like he's recruiting down from the heights of his conference. I'll take Phelps.

He also has a commitment from a 6-8 guy....according to Rivals.com, the 6-8 guy also had offers from UMass and Nebraska.

So far, Keno isn't beating out any of the "big guys" for recruits.[/quote]

Maybe he'll get some walkons that will work out.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

Mc Bulldog — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:32:34 GMT

From what I've heard he has never recruited in any way, shape, or form .. at Drake or SEMO. Chris Davis and Rodell are doing the recruting while the lottery winner is building an Erector Set in his office. It would be really cool if Coach Seagal & Co. could land Simons or another stud biscuit big man.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

DUBulldog — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:26:34 GMT

Dawg_tired (9/29/2008)

He also has a commitment from a 6-8 guy....according to Rivals.com, the 6-8 guy also had offers from UMass and Nebraska.

So far, Keno isn't beating out any of the "big guys" for recruits.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

Dawg_tired — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:53:49 GMT

RE: 09 commit David Smith

Dawg_tired — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:41:31 GMT

Anybody know how Beano is doing with recruiting? I'll wager not as well as our boy Phelps.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

Gordon Gottschalk — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:18:02 GMT

You have to love this comment on Drake's coaching staff: "Since becoming the head coach at Drake, Mark Phelps has made the Chicago area a huge recruiting priority. Besides Smith, he has also had the Bulldogs involved with several Windy City prospects in the class of 2009 and we expect that to carry over to the classes of 2010 and 2011 as well. Not only that, but a ton of credit must also go to Kareem Richardson, who we consider to be one of the best up-and-coming young assistant coaches in all of college basketball. Richardson recently watched Smith at an open gym at Lake Forest Academy and Phelps offered a scholarship shortly after that. From there, Richardson continued to stay on Smith and was instrumental in helping to close the deal."

Where is WW these days anyway? I want to hear more about how this staff sacks because CD went to Providence.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

Dawg_tired — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:36:04 GMT

Mc Bulldog (9/28/2008)

[quote]DUBulldog (9/28/2008)

Another article on the commitment.....linkage

sounds like the basketball sites in the Chicago area have a bit of rivalry going -

"While other self-proclaimed gurus are doing nothing all day except sitting in front of their computers, we are actually in the gym evaluating players (as was the case today at Flash's Fall Hoops Review), otherwise we would have had this commitment even sooner."

[/quote]

Sounds like a prognosticator on this board.

RE: 09 commit David Smith

Mc Bulldog — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 22:44:34 GMT

DUBulldog (9/28/2008)

Another article on the commitment.....linkage