I shared a very pessimistic outlook the day after the sanctions were announced. Let's take a look at the other end of the spectrum.
I think we are all becoming cautiously optimistic that Cade sticks with OSU, and MB is able to retain the entire projected roster for the upcoming season. Plenty of posters have pointed out what a fantastic accomplishment this is (even with Cannen on staff), and I don't need to reiterate this.
Even if all of the NCAA sanctions remain in place, this could be a pivotal accomplishment in the rebuilding of the OSU basketball program.
With Cade sticking around (along with the rest of the roster), the program visibility will be at the highest level it has been since Eddie's heyday. We got a lot of national attention while Marcus Smart was on the roster, but Cade is a significantly more renowned player than Smart was a freshman. We are talking about the potential #1 player taken in the next NBA draft. In theory, ESPN (and other sports stations/show) will be dedicating time to every one of our games, and showing Cade highlights.
If we win enough games, those outlets will (likely) have another talking point. They will be able to talk about how it is a travesty that Cade won't get a chance to play in the NCAA tournament, and how OSU's punishment did not fit the crime. Vitale, Bilas, Gottlieb, McDonough, Fraschilla, etc will all want to give their opinion on the topic, bringing even more attention to the program.
Follow this up with Cade being an immediate NBA star, and bringing more attention to Oklahoma State basketball, and the recruiting benefits grow exponentially.
Mike Boynton has already proven to be an exceptional recruiter. The national attention on OSU basketball will only make his job (as a recruiter) easier. It seems realistic that he will be able to continue to bring high level talent into the program (as long as that talent is helping him to win a lot of games).
One more tangential point. MB chose to not kick anyone to the curb during this past recruiting cycle. Hidde was the consensus choice for the player that needed to be recruited over. I've always disliked the practice of coaches asking players to move on before they have had a fair chance to show that they belong. He clearly wasn't ready last season, but I am interested to see how he looks in his second year in the program. My respect for, and appreciation of, Mike Boynton increased due to this decision. It is probably a small thing, but may also pay off for Boynton's recruiting in the future.
I think we are all becoming cautiously optimistic that Cade sticks with OSU, and MB is able to retain the entire projected roster for the upcoming season. Plenty of posters have pointed out what a fantastic accomplishment this is (even with Cannen on staff), and I don't need to reiterate this.
Even if all of the NCAA sanctions remain in place, this could be a pivotal accomplishment in the rebuilding of the OSU basketball program.
With Cade sticking around (along with the rest of the roster), the program visibility will be at the highest level it has been since Eddie's heyday. We got a lot of national attention while Marcus Smart was on the roster, but Cade is a significantly more renowned player than Smart was a freshman. We are talking about the potential #1 player taken in the next NBA draft. In theory, ESPN (and other sports stations/show) will be dedicating time to every one of our games, and showing Cade highlights.
If we win enough games, those outlets will (likely) have another talking point. They will be able to talk about how it is a travesty that Cade won't get a chance to play in the NCAA tournament, and how OSU's punishment did not fit the crime. Vitale, Bilas, Gottlieb, McDonough, Fraschilla, etc will all want to give their opinion on the topic, bringing even more attention to the program.
Follow this up with Cade being an immediate NBA star, and bringing more attention to Oklahoma State basketball, and the recruiting benefits grow exponentially.
Mike Boynton has already proven to be an exceptional recruiter. The national attention on OSU basketball will only make his job (as a recruiter) easier. It seems realistic that he will be able to continue to bring high level talent into the program (as long as that talent is helping him to win a lot of games).
One more tangential point. MB chose to not kick anyone to the curb during this past recruiting cycle. Hidde was the consensus choice for the player that needed to be recruited over. I've always disliked the practice of coaches asking players to move on before they have had a fair chance to show that they belong. He clearly wasn't ready last season, but I am interested to see how he looks in his second year in the program. My respect for, and appreciation of, Mike Boynton increased due to this decision. It is probably a small thing, but may also pay off for Boynton's recruiting in the future.
