I'm hearing some rumors that he's going to wait a few more weeks to sign with UT to make sure Pearl doesn't take another job. Just thought I'd pass it along...

He's rethinking b/c he really wants to go to UK.

 

Just thought I'd get that out of the way.

I wonder if he's bold enough to do what most kids should do, and not sign the LOI...

I wonder if he's bold enough to do what most kids should do, and not sign the LOI...

I have always wondered why more kids do not do that. Well, I guess I understand why, but suprised it does not actually happen.

I'll never understand why 5 star kids sign LOI's, especially if they aren't signing in the early period. These recruits have no bargaining power because they aren't ORGANIZED. If I were a high level high school kid, you'd better believe I'd use MySpace and facebook to start the revolution. If the four and five star kids all agreed to go against the LOI, and had a little solidarity, it would greatly improve their lot.

I wonder if he's bold enough to do what most kids should do, and not sign the LOI...

I get the school side of it, but I see no reason whatsoever why any big time recruit would sign a LOI.

I wonder if he's bold enough to do what most kids should do, and not sign the LOI...

 

Exactly what I was going to post.

Improve what lot? They already have colleges totally kissing butt, and other than a coach leaving I can't understand the problem with a LOI.

If a kid does not sign the LOI and transfers after one year does he/she still have to sit out 1 year?

Big time recruits don't do it because they'd get scabbed by other big time recruits.

 

It's like two very different but similar situations: auctions and the Eligible Bachelor Paradox. I can't take credit for the insight linking auctions and the EBP, but I agree with it:

 

Women hold pretty much all the cards in deciding on marriage. Even if it's the guy that gets down on his knee, women let him know when to do it; when he does ask, it's "will you marry me?"-- so the women decide twice.

 

Here's where it gets to be like auctions: Weak bidders win more auctions than strong bidders because weak bidders are always worried they're going to be beaten out, or won't get another chance at a similar item. Therefore, weak bidders bid more and higher. Strong bidders feel that they hold the cards, so they wait for better deals; they win less, and sometimes miss out on what they want.

 

Some women are "weak bidders" in relationships, so they snatch up marriageable prospects early on. Because they're willing to get in the mix early, they get first pick. The "strong bidders," wait, but then the pool of good looking, well employed, socially gracious men is depleted, so you get attractive middle aged women single and desperate for a man, and they watch Sex in the City to cope.

 

How does this relate to college basketball? The coaches have colluded to turn all the recruits into "weak bidders."

 

Rick Pitino, and I'm not bashing him because it's a great strategy given conditions, always offers scholarships well beyond his need at positions or ability to fill them... and then lets those top recruits know that the first five star center to sign is the one who'll be playing for him. If you really want to play at Louisville for Pitino, it's in your interest to commit early, like that young bride... but if all the best recruits refused to follow that pattern, it would be in their best interest to wait to throw off the oppressive yoke of the LOI.

 

If top recruits (and women) were really all that smart, they'd collude to keep the game open.

Improve what lot? They already have colleges totally kissing butt, and other than a coach leaving I can't understand the problem with a LOI.

The LOI gives all the advantages to the coach and schools and none to the recruit. Top basketball players, if they didn't worry about getting stabbed in the back by one another, would be better off not signing them.

I have always wondered why more kids do not do that. Well, I guess I understand why, but suprised it does not actually happen.

 

 

Kids sign LOI because that is their insurance policy. If they sustain a serious injury, 99.9% of college's will still honor the scolarship. The other .1% would be crucified in the court of public opinion if they did not honor it.

I just don't really see where the players are getting shafted. They're being recruited by top notch schools. It would be like going to the Playboy Mansion and not being able to make up your mind and having to take who's left. Man that's tough.

Kids sign LOI because that is their insurance policy. If they sustain a serious injury, 99.9% of college's will still honor the scolarship. The other .1% would be crucified in the court of public opinion if they did not honor it.

But if you're going to wait until the late signing period anyway, what's the point? You'll be on campus so soon.

But if you're going to wait until the late signing period anyway, what's the point? You'll be on campus so soon.

 

They play ball all summer. One wrong step or fall and you kiss a $200,00.00 scollay good bye.