|
Post by Wildcat22 on Oct 31, 2013 23:28:21 GMT -5
Thanks for the info, Dave! It's really odd for him to decommit from IU only to "re-commit" on national tv....very strange! That's exactly what I was thinking. I can understand wanting to take a look at other schools then recommitting when you realize that's the best option for you (that's debatable, but of course I'm biased), but going on ESPNU to do so? Makes no sense at all, but I did see where Greg said on Twitter that Crean pulled out all the stops and basically begged and played the mom angle to get the commit. Maybe when this announcement was first setup his intentions were to pick UK, but then Crean came in hard with the pathetic and desperate tactics. It still blows my mind that anyone would want to play for that man or would want their son to play for him. Maybe Blackmon was enticed at the thought of celebratory popcorn boxes, phonebooks, paintings, Sweet Sixteen rings, and cutting down the nets after a loss.
|
|
|
Post by davekersey on Oct 31, 2013 23:45:24 GMT -5
My take is that Blackmon knew it was going to be IU right after Big Blue Madness. I don't think he made a last minute change of heart. My guess would be that he saw our team, it's depth, the kids likely to come back who are very good, and decided IU was the better fit for him, coupled with his mom's supposed push to IU. I don't think Booker's nod had anything to do with it, nor does it lessen the chance for Lyles.
Another thing, Exum will not play college ball, he's going straight in. Not that that shocks anyone.
|
|
belem
Sophomore
Posts: 211
|
Post by belem on Oct 31, 2013 23:54:49 GMT -5
I also wonder how his father James played in the decision. James was a top 3 high school player in the nation who didn't live up to expectations. He even said years later if he could do it over again, he would have went to Louisville or an uptempo program, as he felt Joe Hall's system wasn't a good fit for him. He also experienced the rabid fanbase and fishbowl at UK as well as witness the criticism Rex Chapman received for his inter-racial dating. Just speculating.
|
|
|
Post by thabigbluenation on Nov 1, 2013 0:04:55 GMT -5
Thanks for the info, Dave! It's really odd for him to decommit from IU only to "re-commit" on national tv....very strange! That's exactly what I was thinking. I can understand wanting to take a look at other schools then recommitting when you realize that's the best option for you (that's debatable, but of course I'm biased), but going on ESPNU to do so? Makes no sense at all, but I did see where Greg said on Twitter that Crean pulled out all the stops and basically begged and played the mom angle to get the commit. Maybe when this announcement was first setup his intentions were to pick UK, but then Crean came in hard with the pathetic and desperate tactics. It still blows my mind that anyone would want to play for that man or would want their son to play for him. Maybe Blackmon was enticed at the thought of celebratory popcorn boxes, phonebooks, paintings, Sweet Sixteen rings, and cutting down the nets after a loss. dude, you need to post often and a lot just so I can get a look at that sig, often, lol!
|
|
|
Post by Wildcat22 on Nov 1, 2013 0:33:32 GMT -5
My guess would be that he saw our team, it's depth, the kids likely to come back who are very good, and decided IU was the better fit for him I don't know about that Dave. I know it's way too early to speculate on who returns next year, but I think he would have had a bunch of playing time. I'm thinking as it stands right now ours guards next year will be Hawkins, Ulis, and Booker. I don't know how IU's roster is looking, but surely it can't offer more minutes than ours does at the moment.
|
|
|
Post by Wildcat22 on Nov 1, 2013 0:35:47 GMT -5
dude, you need to post often and a lot just so I can get a look at that sig, often, lol! Haha! Will do sir!
|
|
belem
Sophomore
Posts: 211
|
Post by belem on Nov 1, 2013 1:01:31 GMT -5
My guess would be that he saw our team, it's depth, the kids likely to come back who are very good, and decided IU was the better fit for him I don't know about that Dave. I know it's way too early to speculate on who returns next year, but I think he would have had a bunch of playing time. I'm thinking as it stands right now ours guards next year will be Hawkins, Ulis, and Booker. I don't know how IU's roster is looking, but surely it can't offer more minutes than ours does at the moment. That's what I'm thinking, too. Plus, he would get some time at the point.
|
|
|
Post by Wildcat22 on Nov 1, 2013 2:04:18 GMT -5
To follow up on what I said regarding playing time...Apparently IU is already over the scholarship limit for next season, but they're still recruiting. Looks like Crean will be running players off yet again after this season is over.
|
|
|
Post by TattMan on Nov 1, 2013 5:42:24 GMT -5
It's always a downer when a kid doesn't choose UK when that seems to be the best choice. I thought Blackmon would pick UK because Cal would help him develop PG skills as he looks to be a tad small to be an NBA 2G. The playing time would seem to be there too. Well he's decided to go to IU.....good luck to him. Now we get to see Cal's plan B.
I thought I read in a Jaiden thread yesterday that this recruiting class is 'mediocre' when compared to other recent classes. If I read correctly then losing a 4* shooting guard may not be the end of the world. Not trashing the kid as many might when they don't choose UK, just thinking it's not like losing James Young to another school.
|
|
|
Post by bleedblue3 on Nov 1, 2013 5:44:57 GMT -5
The negative recruiting has hurt this year. But as soon as these players see this team run through some teams this year cal will have that out the window. We still have towns ulis and booker right now. That's 3 solid solid players. Get lyles and a few more with lee Willis and maybe Johnson returning we will b fine. A NIT will not happen again for cal.
|
|
|
Post by floridawildcat on Nov 1, 2013 6:35:33 GMT -5
After reading Dave's first post on this site, I don't think we ever know the real truth behind these recruits choices, at least it isn't published often. Who knows maybe it was like the Henry/Barton recruitment where Cal wouldn't commit to the younger brothers also. We just have to accept the fact that we are going to win some and lose some.
|
|
|
Post by ben101er on Nov 1, 2013 6:36:19 GMT -5
In an interview with Peegs, right after the announcement, JBJ states that something happened about a week ago that changed his mind on UK, and said he didn't want to say what it was. Who knows what that was, but I can't help feeling he shot himself in the foot. Cal would have made him a combo guard, and he would have gone to the league as a good shooting pg. Crean will use him totally at sg and he will be undersized for the NBA and will go 2nd round, if at all. Maybe he thought Booker was going to Mizzou and found out the week prior that UK was his choice and just didn't want to share time. Who knows? I just know that he made a big mistake and won't realize it until it is too late.
|
|
|
Post by uktaubetapi on Nov 1, 2013 6:40:20 GMT -5
That's exactly what I was thinking. I can understand wanting to take a look at other schools then recommitting when you realize that's the best option for you (that's debatable, but of course I'm biased), but going on ESPNU to do so? Makes no sense at all, but I did see where Greg said on Twitter that Crean pulled out all the stops and basically begged and played the mom angle to get the commit. Maybe when this announcement was first setup his intentions were to pick UK, but then Crean came in hard with the pathetic and desperate tactics. It still blows my mind that anyone would want to play for that man or would want their son to play for him. Maybe Blackmon was enticed at the thought of celebratory popcorn boxes, phonebooks, paintings, Sweet Sixteen rings, and cutting down the nets after a loss. dude, you need to post often and a lot just so I can get a look at that sig, often, lol! TBBN, you beat me to it!! Although, at my age, the treat could be fatal!!! (but what a way to go!!!!!! )
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Nov 1, 2013 7:37:00 GMT -5
How about we stop talking about Blackmon and focus on BOOKER! We got a stud yesterday
|
|
|
Post by ben101er on Nov 1, 2013 8:17:49 GMT -5
I also wonder how his father James played in the decision. James was a top 3 high school player in the nation who didn't live up to expectations. He even said years later if he could do it over again, he would have went to Louisville or an uptempo program, as he felt Joe Hall's system wasn't a good fit for him. He also experienced the rabid fanbase and fishbowl at UK as well as witness the criticism Rex Chapman received for his inter-racial dating. Just speculating. And he is probably right, he would have been better off in a more up tempo offense, where he could have used his athleticism. In Joe B's offense, you needed to be able to shoot the ball and JB was an average shooter, at best. If he had been able to shoot, he would have been in the league for 7-8 years.
|
|