I can't remember the last time there was so much uncertainty for a local basketball recruit. I remember that TJ Ford's announcement to UT was a big deal, but it wasn't all that surprising to me. However, with Ebi he could go anywhere, and he's announcing tommorow. What has added to the drama of Ebi's choice, is the fact that Coach K flew down to Houston earlier today (or was it yesterday?) to do some last-minute recruitment. Ditto for UH, who did not want to be outdone. Because of this, so many different opinions have been raised... Does it mean that UT or Arizona is the leader, and that Duke and UH are trying to play "catch up"? Or, is UH and Duke the 2 leaders, and they are doing last minute visits to persuade Ebi? I know that Lute Olsen was out of the country for some reason... But where was Barnes? If they lose Ebi because they were outworked by Duke, Barnes should be fired instantly. When you recruit against a Duke, the only way you can get an edge is by outworking them for a recruit. To be lazy/lackadaisical in recruiting arguably UT's biggest basketball recruit EVER, would be flat out crazy. Personally, I hope he goes to UH (I have no ties with UH), because I'd like to see UH and Rice bring big-time college basketball to Houston.
Ebi has kept this pretty close to his chest. I'm sort of a uh fan, and I would like to seem him go there also. I'm not confident though. Rumors have been flying around the web tonight about him. Most of them including on hornfans, have ut being out of the picture. There's been rumors from the duke board that he's either committed to duke or is down to either duke or arizona. But earlier the zona board said the they were out of the picture. There is also conflicting reports on whether or not uh is actually in the picture. Rivals' reported the mccallum had an in-hown with Ebi today, but a uh player's father who is close the situation has come out and said that was false so who knows. My own take is that ebi will more than likely commit to duke. But man, i think it would shock the world if he commits to uh. He definitely would raise there program from the second he gets on campus. Whatever is happening we'll know for sure in about 9 hours.
But where was Barnes? If they lose Ebi because they were outworked by Duke, Barnes should be fired instantly. When you recruit against a Duke, the only way you can get an edge is by outworking them for a recruit. There are a number of restrictions on visitations, contact by officials, etc. If UT has used all its specified recruiting trips, contacting him again would involve NCAA violations, I believe. I'm not sure exactly how it works, but there are other reasons besides laziness if Barnes was not involved in a last minute blitz.
Damn Arizona... Losing Ebi means losing other prospects who'd want to play with him...There's so much talent in TX, but it's so damn hard to keep them here. Could you imagine if all the top TX players actually went to UT?
I wonder what mflark thinks of this... If I'm not mistaken, he's from Tucson. Ebi is the best HS player I've ever seen. Better than Rashard, TJ Ford, Okafor, etc.
Do you mean me there? If so, nah, I'm not from Tuscon. I'm from Florida and attend Florida State, but am a Duke basketball fan and have been my entire life. Ebi would have been a nice prospect, but Duke has a heckuva class coming in this year already...would he have gotten PT immediately? Dunno. He'll succeed in Arizona, though.
Kidrock, you are thinking of me. Whoohoo, I guess we got Ebi!!! BTW- I don't know if ya'll remember, but after the NCAA's I told ya'll everyone was overrating Zona going into this year because though we have exceptional smaller guards as well as exceptional taller C/Fs (btw-Channing Frye if he stays healthy is ready to be a force), we were week in the athletic swingmen type that Arizona typically has (guys like RJ, Arenas, MD that anchor a typical Zona smothering D). Against OU it was really apparent, the Sooners were too athletic in the middle of their line-up for us. Well guess what, our 4 top incoming fresh are 6'4" to 6'7" swingmen/taller guards, three of them very highly rated/recruited. Further, some of them we didn't think we would get to play this year, but in fact we will have all of them ready to go this year (I am sure we will redshirt at least the 2 needing the most work because there will be no PT for them). One of the four was an original Razerback commitment who the NCAA exempted his normal sit out period because Nolan left, another got exempted from the normal SAT rule because of test anxiety. So in short, Lute is way back in business and addressed what I thought our main weakness was. We have our starting 5 from last year-Gardner, Stoudamire, Walton, Anderson & Frye and two best back-ups, Will Bynum (who is supposed to be tearing everyone up in practices) and Isiah Fox (serviceable 6'9" bruiser). Personally, what I would like to see either Hassan Adams or Andre Iguodala becoming a starting SF, move Walton to PF, and have Anderson to come off the bench--so that we become quicker on the perimeter (created the suffocating rangy wing defense with the shot blocker Frye in the middle). But either way, if even just 1 of the young fresh is ready to really contribute (like Adams or Iguodala)—that provides a versatile, experienced and phat line up that is NINE deep (and I mean 9 quality college players). Anyway, you have your preseason #1 this year, I hope they can match expectations--I don't want to repeat of 00 where they start off slow, start playing well mid season until the end, only to stink in the finals (if only Gilbert could have shaken off that shoulder blow from the Illini and decided to show up for the finals). Ebi I guess will come into the picture in 03-04--I would guess Lute would need to make room for Frye and him in the middle (Ebi is a C right or is a multitalented multi-position player?).
look i know a coach and he told me its gonna be Duke, UT and some other school i forgot what school . he is really only 6 8' and about 195 he is going to be a great wing player like tmac (point foward) needs to add weight
Arizona is going to be RIDICULOUS in the next few years. I saw Will Bynum alot on that show Chicago Preps, and he was a stud. I was wondering why he wasn't doing so well last season, but it sounds like he came around. It's just not fair. You all have Fox, Soudamire, Frye, and now EBI. Are you kidding me? UT better win a NC in football in the next few years like Zona better win a NC in basketball. The talent level is ridiculous. If there's any team that I'd like to see win though, Zona would be one of them though, because I like Lute and all of your players.
Damn! This is the second time.....first Perkins and now Ebi. I dont know what the freakin deal is, if these guys would come to Texas they could play with the best pg in the nation on a deep squad (all but 2 players have atleast a year left after this one), with a coach just elected to the NCAA HOF. Do we have to send Mack Brown to get the good recruits???????
