...thoughts of Cook entered my mind when I read this:
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/28954430/cartier-diarra-leaving-kansas-state
If you were Aaron Cook and Bruce Weber came a-calling...what would you say?
I am as aware as most who read this board that KSU had a horse**** year last season...but it got me thinking.
Just who might offer Cook?
And doesn't Cook owe it to himself and his family to at least listen?
Does Cook have Power 5 talent? (Take off those maroon-colored glasses and give it a good thought.)
What about the Big Ten? Northwestern? They're at the bottom, too. But it's the Big Ten, baby.
Aaron Cook could do worse than Bruce Weber and Kansas State.
Stranger things have happened...
(1) US COVID-19 statistics (February 29, 2020-June 16, 2020): 2,124,000 reported cases and 115,052 deaths
(2) Donald Trump (June 15, 2020) told a group of senior citizens that there would be very few cases of COVID-19 if the US stopped its testing and contact tracing: "If we stop testing right now, we'd have very few cases, actually."
(3) Donald Trump [(Jan 20, 2020), when asked if he's worried about a pandemic]: “No. Not at all. And we have it totally under control. It’s one person coming in from China, and we have it under control. It’s — going to be just fine.”
...thoughts of Cook entered my mind when I read this:
https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/28954430/cartier-diarra-leaving-kansas-state
If you were Aaron Cook and Bruce Weber came a-calling...what would you say?
I am as aware as most who read this board that KSU had a horse**** year last season...but it got me thinking.
Just who might offer Cook?
And doesn't Cook owe it to himself and his family to at least listen?
Does Cook have Power 5 talent? (Take off those maroon-colored glasses and give it a good thought.)
What about the Big Ten? Northwestern? They're at the bottom, too. But it's the Big Ten, baby.
Aaron Cook could do worse than Bruce Weber and Kansas State.
Stranger things have happened...
If Cook stays, he would be the lead guard on a team that has the chance to be pretty darn good in a place where he is very popular, has invested a lot to the program and the fans are starving for a winner. There is also plenty of strong competition around the MVC.
I don’t know that his experience (combination of fit, playing time, team’s chances to win, etc.) would automatically be better if he leaves to play at a random power conference school.
I don't want to dispute anybody's info about this subject but I have hard that Cook will be at SIU next year. This is not speculation, I was told this by someone connected. Take it for what it is worth, I know others have heard different. Put it this way, based on the source if other rumors were not flying around I would be 100% convinced he was coming back.
Never believe anything you hear on recruiting or transfers. Nothing is true until the papers are signed
I’ll just say if the person who told me doesn’t know then Bryan is likely going to be blindsided if Cook does decide to leave.
why wait to announce it if it’s a done deal?
When Aaron Cook was playing AAU basketball in the St. Louis area and starring at Westminster (and recruited/offered by Barry Hinson/SIU as well as a handful of other mid-major schools), he was a boy.
A talented boy. A bright boy. A boy with a future. But still a boy.
Aaron Cook is now a man. A smart man...with a world of knowledge and some confidence...about basketball and about himself.
Four to five years after his first recruitment, Cook now gets a chance to do the recruiting thing all over again. And in some ways, this time he holds at least some of the cards--there's a place for him at SIU...but he has very real options.
I look forward to his decision.
A month ago, I too was led to believe that he was staying.
My original question holds.
If you were Aaron Cook...what would you do?
(1) US COVID-19 statistics (February 29, 2020-June 16, 2020): 2,124,000 reported cases and 115,052 deaths
(2) Donald Trump (June 15, 2020) told a group of senior citizens that there would be very few cases of COVID-19 if the US stopped its testing and contact tracing: "If we stop testing right now, we'd have very few cases, actually."
(3) Donald Trump [(Jan 20, 2020), when asked if he's worried about a pandemic]: “No. Not at all. And we have it totally under control. It’s one person coming in from China, and we have it under control. It’s — going to be just fine.”
When Aaron Cook was playing AAU basketball in the St. Louis area and starring at Westminster (and recruited/offered by Barry Hinson/SIU as well as a handful of other mid-major schools), he was a boy.
A talented boy. A bright boy. A boy with a future. But still a boy.
Aaron Cook is now a man. A smart man...with a world of knowledge and some confidence...about basketball and about himself.
Four to five years after his first recruitment, Cook now gets a chance to do the recruiting thing all over again. And in some ways, this time he holds at least some of the cards--there's a place for him at SIU...but he has very real options.
I look forward to his decision.
A month ago, I too was led to believe that he was staying.
My original question holds.
If you were Aaron Cook...what would you do?
Such a dramatically crafted post! 😀
Cook can and should make whatever decision he sees fit. He's a smart guy and I'm sure he'll be thoughtful about it.
But, there's been a lot of talk for years about SIU "turning the corner," restoring the program's tradition, bringing back Floorburn U., etc. There's something to be said about being the one to kick that door down and bring SIU back to postseason play as a senior, and really cementing a legacy, if he thinks he can help do that, as opposed to playing at a higher-profile school for a year and (likely) being quickly forgotten.
He also has some individual goals that he might consider unfinished business in Carbondale, such as making a run at First Team All-Valley, etc.
We shall see.
So he's not coming back....
I’ll put my neck out there right now. I think he is coming back.
I’ll put my neck out there right now. I think he is coming back.
no offense, but you said the same thing about hucky last year. 😂
Craving a McBride Special!
I am not the kid so I have no idea what is doing. Neither does anybody who says they know. The coaches don’t even know.
I’ll put my neck out there right now. I think he is coming back.
no offense, but you said the same thing about hucky last year. 😂
It’s possible you have me confused haha I never had info that Barry would be back, nor did I predict it. I wouldn’t wish another year of him on my worst of enemies 😂... anyway, this isn’t speculation, I was told this by someone very connected. That’s all I will say... and Barkeep is probably right, his options are still open but as of now I think he stays.
Two things are for sure, Cook cannot talk to any other school until he enters his name in the Transfer Portal, and no other school can talk to Cook until his name enters the Transfer Portal. There is no recruiting of Cook that can take place until he is released from SIU and his name goes in the portal.
Next point, Cook could bet his release, enter his name in the portal. Then with Mullins cooperation, Cook could choose to remain at SIU like Freeman-Liberty did at Valpo last year.
Questions are; would Mullins cooperate with Cook to "shop around", or would Mullins view it as an act of disloyalty and just say bye? What would it look like to undergrads and the "culture" of the team if Bryan cooperated with Cook?
I hope Cook stays. I also hope he doesn't "shop around" for another school. I think it would be hard for Cook to be considered a team leader by the other team members if he stays after shoping around.
