Interesting discussion. I'll only add this: let's not get too hung up on whether or not McLaughlin is a 'good recruiter.' I'm not saying he's not important to recruiting (he's the head coach-- of course he's important). But these conversations about whether a head coach can recruit miss the point. Recruiting is a team effort, and it's a pretty big team. In addition to the HC and the assistants, the basketball staff (assuming there is one), key athletic department staff, key senior university officers, the admissions department, the financial aid office, etc., all need to be working together to land desirable recruits. The Ivies that have recruited particularly well over the past several years all have this going on. So don't focus too much on the head coach's recruiting skills.