Have we had visits from anyone this year?

Yes. If you count Malik Morgan who came in a few weeks ago. And, reportedly, Ricardo Gathers and Brian Bridgewater were in Tigertown this weekend and at the game. Whether they were "official" or not I don't know.

I think by asking the question, there's the underlying stress of LSU recruitment this year has certainly been quiet or at least "under the radar." Who knows what's going on with Gathers. Is he merely taking advantage of soaking in fall SEC big time Saturday game day atmosphere (nothing like that in the Big East, or whatever it will be next year) or is he seriously considering the Tigers despite a SJs cmt? I hope that Trent had Gathers and Bridgewater watch practice, hang out with the current team at least. I think if the practices are going as well as Trent and others have made them out to be, perhaps these kids are seeing that they'd be potentially playing with the likes of a McD AA in JOB, an all-SEC sort of kid in Ralston Turner, and some very interesting talents in Andre Stringer, John Isaac, Anthony Hickey, Malik Morgan and others....

As for other visits. Well, your guess is as good as mine. At some point, there is like we saw with Brady, a game of chicken and egg in recruiting. If the staff is hard on a kid like Gathers still, would a guy like Wannah Bail want to visit LSU? In the end, I'm hoping Gathers had some second thoughts after this weekend... that is hopeful and wishful thinking. And, maybe the students welcomed Rico and Brian and made them think about it too. But, adding a Gathers to Morgan all of the sudden quiets a lot of critics, and is adding two top 100 kids. I also think that sets up nicely then for a spring signing or two after the season shakes out.

Got a buddy in BR and he's saying that Gathers has decomitted from SJU...He says they are talking about it on the radio...Can't find any new on it from the net...I did see that he was at the LSR Vs. Auburn game tho! If anyone has info please share...If we could land Gathers why not have him and Morgan put in work on Felix... Stringer moving to the 2 means next year we will have only 1 pg, Hickey...

All I can say is, don't jinx it! All it is are rumors at this point, and there certainly has not been an "official" de-commit. I think it's a good sign that Gathers was at the AUB game with Bridgewater, but even that is not anything to get too excited about. What it says to me is Gathers is still waiting and watching LSU. With all of the things going on at St Johns, i.e., the Big East implosion, Lavin's health concerns, deterioration of lauded recruiting class, and potential doubts now about how good THAT team could be, I think there are enough reasons for him to at least wait until the Spring signing period. Afterall, with only something like 8 scholarship players on the SJ's team, there will be no shortage of schollies in the Spring, if Gathers still wants to go there. More importantly, if Trent had Gathers and Bridgewater watch practices this weekend, I think perhaps there's something there to be optimistic about. At the end of the day, kids want to go somewhere where they feel the team can win, and the team will showcase their talent. With what we're hearing about kids like Hickey, Hamilton, O'Bryant, Isaac and even improvement with kids like Turner, Stringer and Ludwig, Gathers may be more able to see what a team like that, plus his friend Malik Morgan will look like. He would be a very versatile wing/forward on a team that could have a dominating front line to go along with some nice guards. Let's all keep our collective fingers crossed! :yelwink2::geaux:

As far as Felix goes, I think from the beginning of this thing, I would have predicted him as a little to no chance signee. Texas just picked up their 5th commitment in Felix's class and I don't see him swaying. Texas is still on a few big names as well, and according to some sources, Gathers would actually be interested in Texas too if he didn't go to SJ. The good thing is that Texas has picked up verbals from both a SF recently and has a few big men already committed. Not sure that there's room for Gathers there. In any case, he'd fit in better, get good PT immediately, on the LSU team.

P.S. also as a Felix note... watch out for Anthony Hickey... led his scrimmage squad last night with 13 points (see TD thread). Don't think LSU will need to sign a PG in 2012. They're focused on PGs for the 2013 class.

It's confirmed that Gathers will not sign during the early period.

Recruiting: Gathers de-commits from St. John's; Dabney may not sign with Tulane

It's interesting that those guys are teammates and it comes out on the same day that they are not signing with the team they committed to...I'm just going to throw this out there it be nice to see both those guys in purple in gold next year...That give us 3 of the Fab five & one scholle left to go after a big man!

Gathers--decommitment. Awesome news! :geauxtige

And, frankly, I'm kind of geeked about Louis Dabney too. I like the idea of a 6-2/3" guard, who's played a lot with Gathers, who can play point and serve as an interesting counterpoint to the smaller, quick guard in Anthony Hickey. If you look at the graduation of Bass, and now Stringer at 2 guard, Hickey is your main point, with no back up next year. Always need to have 2 decent PGs on your team.

Dabney is a little bit like Isaac, in that he's played point, is an athletic perimeter defender. He is a very underrated player, who frankly may have also committed to Tulane too soon.

Louisiana Basketball Report: Introducing Class of 2012 Louis Dabney

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN0r-OWme30]Louis Dabney (Recruiting Video) - YouTube[/ame]


Today is signing day, and here's the Advocate's coverage on Malik Morgan, who we should thank for staying on Gathers and perhaps now, Dabney... I can only assume that Dabney will be here this weekend, with Rico Gathers, visiting L S U. :grin:

John Curtis guard Morgan set to sign with Tigers | LSU | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

Looking back at the "tape" let me tell you this is certainly no coincidence. And, we often forget that when it comes to hoops recruiting, way more than football recruiting, the bonds between players are so important when a class is 3, 4 or 5 players. And, the game in college recruiting by and large is developing a "class" that starts with a domino that falls, etc. This is of course why we say Courtney, Stringer and then O'Bryant, as a Mississippi "fab 3", decide to come to LSU.

Recruiting: Riverside PG Louis Dabney commits to Tulane basketball

When Gathers committed to St. Johns, just a few days later, Dabney committed to Tulane, and soon thereafter, we know Felix also committed to Texas. With the prospect of Morgan, Gathers and Dabney perhaps playing together, that is essentially a LA All-Star team. That's a compelling story, and hopefully one that comes true for LSU fans. :grin: :geaux:

FWIW, I'm also glad for Trent that for once in a long while, he'll have Anthony Hickey and a true point. We forget that Trent has recruited and developed some NBA points, including Brevin Knight. It does make a world of difference on your team, and I think a Dabney could be a very solid addition to the backcourt.

Not to get too far ahead of ourselves, but also look at this quote from Dabney...

LBR- With Ole Miss, LSU, Tulane and Ga. Tech recruiting you, who is your favorite? Why?
Dabney- LSU is my favorite because it’s close to home. I am a home body. I also like Coach Trent Johnson. I feel he can make me a better player.

Kevin Durant looks like he has some kind of documentary going on... Anyway during the filming he's in Baton Rouge and works out at the LSU facilities...Big Baby and Darnell Lazare were there...I'm putting this in the recruiting thread because if you look at about 12:48 you see KD being guarded by Ricardo Gather...Hmmm! coincident?
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeLRRiwhkjU]Kevin Durant's 35th Hour, Episode 4: Horns Up - YouTube[/ame]

Are you saying he is a silent commit?