RE: Duke "never" losing a recruit to Virginia.
Bryant Stith says hello.
RE: Duke "never" losing a recruit to Virginia.
Bryant Stith says hello.
Stith is of course a good example, but in fairness that is well before the window that is being discussed.
1. John Wall - 123
2. Harrison Barnes - 107
3. Austin Rivers - 105
Keep it going gang! He could be the all time leader before his senior year even starts!
WWJDD?
Not my intention to read too much into this, but does this mean that Doc might potentially favor UNC over Duke; or rather, he just wants to make sure Austin properly explores the other schools besides Duke (i.e. UNC) before making a decision in order to feel completely comfortable about his final decision.
It really isn't, though. When Bryant Stith committed to Virginia, it was by no means clear that Duke would have the superior program over the next two decades. UVa was the school with multiple recent appearances in the Final Four, not Duke. It was a different time.
That is by no means proof that no player would ever choose Virginia over Duke today. You never know when a recruit will connect with a coach or a school. But 2010 isn't 1987.
FWIW
“I have an interest in a lot of schools right now,” Rivers said. “I’m not favoring anybody. You can ask my father, he doesn’t even know. I haven’t talked to anybody about where I’m going to go. People are always like ‘Oh you know where you’re going.’ I really honestly don’t know where I’m going. I haven’t thought about it.”
There is another more recent one as well Jim. For the life of me I cannot recall his name and the UVA website has horrible historical data.
The kid was a guard from one of the local high schools in Durham. Hillside? He was recruited by Duke and UVA and chose the Hoo's. Ended up being a good player too.
I just cannot come up with the name. Hoping you could help.
As for Austin, I hate that he pushed it out. It gives unc more time to brainwash the kid. He still seems to be a Duke lean and if he had to choose today, Duke would likely be the choice.
However, he is not, so all the hand wringing in the world is not going to help a thing. We might as well relax, follow his development on the court, and read his diairies as they come out. Given that he changes his mind a lot, no inside source is going to be spot on at this point. It will come down to how he is feeling when he makes his final decision.