Thanks for the comments. First, as I’ve said many times I think Seton Hall must continue to develop relationships with the local coaches in order to bring in talent from the New York and New Jersey powers. Getting Eugene Harvey from St. Ben’s and Jordan Theodore from Paterson Catholic are certainly good starts, but SHU must continue to develop those relationships. As of right now, the Pirates have no recruits coming in from the Class of 2009, while every other Big East school has at least one and some as many as 4 or 5 (see Marquette). I have little doubt that Seton Hall will bring in a couple of players in the spring signing period, but the question will be where they come from — JUCOS, transfers, etc. — and will they qualify academically.

The top unsigned players from NY/NJ are Lance Stephenson and Dominic Cheek and Seton Hall is not in the running for either.

As for Coach Gonzalez, I wouldn’t want to speculate on his job status. I know the staff has great confidence that when Keon Lawrence and Herb Pope become eligible they will be instant impact players. If they can get Keon later this year, Pope next year and sprinkle in some quality additions, they could be on their way. They clearly need a power forward, and Pope is expected to be the answer.

As I’ve also said many times, there are best- and worst-case scenarios. The worst-case is: Oliver isn’t eligible, Keon doesn’t get a waiver, one or more players get hurt and they have to play the entire Big East calendar with fewer than 8 bodies.

The best-case is, Oliver becomes eligible and/or Keon gets a waiver, the team bonds around its core players, the walk-ons contribute a bit AND they a land some recruits in the spring.

Only time will tell.

Adam

I don’t have a comment about the interview other than the transcript was informative. I do have a question.

With Gonzo seeming to have a rift between him and Joe Quinlan, and not getting any early recruits to commit, and growing rumors that he is on the hot seat … What is Gonzo’s relationships with the student body like? Are the students still supportive of him or is that sentiment turning? As alumni, I’m starting to question not how he’s recruiting but who he is recruiting.

Thanks.

Mike

Feel free to start your own blog and conduct interviews with yourself, I’m sure you have a lot of fascinating insight to offer.

I work at all hours and sometimes my personal and professional lives intersect.

I will continue to try to provide the most up-to-date hoops info, no matter the hour.

As has been said, he’s not focusing on the right kinds of recruits (to have nobody from ‘09 with the caliber of HS hoops in New Jersey alone, forget the general northeast, is absolutely pitiful) and he’s having some serious trouble with transfers and getting guys academically eligible. I know SHU is a solid private school but it’s not at the level of some other BE schools and they don’t seem to have problems like this.

The way he handles some matters is also questionable in the sense that he makes things about himself moreso than the players/program (last yea’rs student setion shirts?) a little too often for my taste, though that’s a different story than a different day. Anyways, I know he’s trying to make a quick leap and he’ll be questioned for his personality until he starts to win but it’s tough to see where the program is headed right now.

On a seperate note, your site is absolutely fantastic Adam, you do an awesome job and I really appreciate the work you put in.

Looks like a good and frank interview.