UK very well could land both but it won't have anything to do with announcing on the same day. Plus with Bazz being adidas and Noel being Nike they haven't really been around eachother enough to be close friends. Just saying they aren't a package deal like some are blindly suggesting.

 

UK is still in the mix for Oriakhi...

 

 

Exactly what does that mean? Do these shoe companies sponsor their AAU teams?

Exactly what does that mean? Do these shoe companies sponsor their AAU teams?

 

Yes they do. It also is a big factor in what camps kids go to over the summer...

Yes they do. It also is a big factor in what camps kids go to over the summer...

 

 

So I take it that all of that is all within the NCAA rules? Exactly what would Adidas do if Shabazz went to a school that wasn't an Adidas school? Isn't the shoe companies biggest concern be when the player goes to the NBA? Wouldn't that be where they get their return on their investment?

So I take it that all of that is all within the NCAA rules? Exactly what would Adidas do if Shabazz went to a school that wasn't an Adidas school? Isn't the shoe companies biggest concern be when the player goes to the NBA? Wouldn't that be where they get their return on their investment?

 

I'd imagine its all about brand messaging.

So I take it that all of that is all within the NCAA rules? Exactly what would Adidas do if Shabazz went to a school that wasn't an Adidas school? Isn't the shoe companies biggest concern be when the player goes to the NBA? Wouldn't that be where they get their return on their investment?

All within the rules until they are broken. I have heard adidas was behind the Shabazz story that came out last month as a bit of a warning shot on spurning them for a Nike school.

 

Return on investment is the NBA, but the goal is to build a relationship with star players as early as possible. That's why they are involved in grassroots basketball to begin with...

All within the rules until they are broken. I have heard adidas was behind the Shabazz story that came out last month as a bit of a warning shot on spurning them for a Nike school.

 

Return on investment is the NBA, but the goal is to build a relationship with star players as early as possible. That's why they are involved in grassroots basketball to begin with...

 

 

 

So you feel if he spurns an Adidas school for a school like UK then they leak more information? It seems to me that would be biting the hand that feeds you in a way. How many kids would want to go with Adidas after something like that?

So you feel if he spurns an Adidas school for a school like UK then they leak more information? It seems to me that would be biting the hand that feeds you in a way. How many kids would want to go with Adidas after something like that?

 

I have been told more will come out if he goes Nike.

 

Could it hurt long term? Sure but it isn't like adidas is putting their name on it. Will be hard to trace anything back to them as the source if the NCAA starts digging...

So you feel if he spurns an Adidas school for a school like UK then they leak more information? It seems to me that would be biting the hand that feeds you in a way. How many kids would want to go with Adidas after something like that?

 

 

Exactly. May not be good business ethics, but sadly thats business in today's society.

 

 

 

Really scares me after reading a couple articles suggesting Adidas is sitting on a mountain of information that will erupt into a volcano if he goes with a Nike school. He would be a great addition to next years team, but if he ends up at Kentucky he may never get to play a game (unless the 2 paid visits to UNC/Duke are the only concerns and Adidas is just bluffing).

Exactly. May not be good business ethics, but sadly thats business in today's society.

 

 

 

Really scares me after reading a couple articles suggesting Adidas is sitting on a mountain of information that will erupt into a volcano if he goes with a Nike school. He would be a great addition to next years team, but if he ends up at Kentucky he may never get to play a game (unless the 2 paid visits to UNC/Duke are the only concerns and Adidas is just bluffing).

 

 

Sounds like Sandy Bell, and the compliance office would have their work cut out for them if Shabazz picks UK. I'm not sure if I would want the headache that could come with him.

GT, if you had to guess, how do you see the 2012 class shaking out?

For a while I thought Kentucky really had a chance at Bazz, even with all the UCLA lean talk. Then over the last couple months I had been of the thought Kentucky wasn't going to get him. However, after McD's week and after everything that has happened with this current UK team, I feel they have a great chance at getting a committment. Guy is an absolute lunch pale guy and he goes to work every time he is on the court. Much like MKG, only more sound offensively. I think his work ethic is blueprint for what this years Kentucky team showed it was all about. Cannot see how Bazz nor Noel could look at this championship team, the praise they got, and look at AD and MKG and not say "man that can be us next year". So now with all that I really like Kentucky's chances to land both.

 

 

Didn't really think they were looking good in the Anthony Bennett recruitment either but now I have also wavered on that. Judging from Cal's comments in the post game after Monday I think its clear he's going to pretty much push everyone out the door. So with Wiltjer the only key guy expected to return I look for Cal to go full court press and with so much playing time available at a National Championship NBA finishing school I just can't count against him. Would rather have Oriakhi but looking like he is more less a UNC lean or maybe elsewhere. Didn't even list Kentucky as one of the schools he will visit. So if they cannot get Oriakhi they will need another big body. If Calipari courts Bennett hard as being that big body and shows him the love I'm sure Florida and others have been showing him all along I think Kentucky locks it up.

 

 

 

Another interesting target now IMO is Amile Jefferson. Prototypical Calipari DDM guy. Long, athletic, can play and defend multiple positions. Can step and and hit mid range. It looked like Kentucky pretty much just decided not to stay after him hard but now that this season has played out to the tune of a championship and now that it looks like there will be plenty of spots available I'm anxious to see how hard Calipari tries to get back in. Duke and NC State pretty much made their way into being the two factor schools in his recruitment and once again it's hard to count Cal out if he has enough time to get back in there and try to steal another one. Jefferson is a guy I would really love to add to this class. Likely 2 year guy with a lot of skill and a lot of upside.

Sounds like Sandy Bell, and the compliance office would have their work cut out for them if Shabazz picks UK. I'm not sure if I would want the headache that could come with him.

 

Guys a heck of a basketball player though. Archie G and Poythress are both great players but they will be even better with Muhammad alongside of them. I think its worth the risk for Kentucky and Bazz for a couple reasons. On the Kentucky side about the worst thing to expect is something similar to the Kanter situation, we don't get him eligible and he sits all year. Best case is nothing major comes out of his recruitment, he pays back money for trips that may have been paid for, sits out a game or two and its game on. I really don't think it's unfair to compare the type of impact or role he would have on next years team (along with Noel) to that of AD and MKG. Those two guys could come in and almost instantly fill the shoes of perhaps the biggest void left in college basketball history. Those are some awfully big shoes too I might add. But the pair could almost instantly walk in and cover up the gap that will be left by the departure of Davis and MKG. That's why you have to do it IMO.

 

On Muhammad's side, Kentucky still looks good for a multitude of reasons. Say worst case he has to sit out, Kanter still made out to be a top 5 pick after not playing for over 2 years. He could still come to Kentucky and play with the best and get ready for the NBA draft. Even if he never play's a college game, Cal, Robic, Antigua, Payne, Strickland and co. will get him prepared to be an NBA player better than anywhere else in the country, its that simple. Muhammad approaches the game like a professional and like its his job anyway, his goal right now is the NBA. If your goal as a player is to work hard and get ready for the NBA where would you want to go and get that done at the highest level? Now if you were to ask where was the coolest place to hangout with your BFF and have a good season together then your going to say being in LA with Kyle Anderson. BUT, from what I can tell Muhammad's agenda is all business, really fits what they are doing in lex right now.

Sounds like Sandy Bell, and the compliance office would have their work cut out for them if Shabazz picks UK. I'm not sure if I would want the headache that could come with him.

 

Sounds like it could get interesting. What does Adidas have on him?

GT, if you had to guess, how do you see the 2012 class shaking out?

 

Cal gets who he wants...

Sounds like it could get interesting. What does Adidas have on him?

 

From reports they are the ones that had the info that the North Carolina and Duke visits were paid for by associates and not the family.

 

There are reports this is just the tip of the iceberg and not all the information they had.