Okay, so I just wanted to share my thoughts. Please don't take this as gospel, as I am literally just thinking out loud with you guys. It has been reported that Cheick will decide sometime within the next two weeks. If that is true, I find that timing to be significant. Now, a lot of my thoughts are formed from general assumptions and common sense, which can't always be considered in recruiting. Anyways, here is how I see the potential timeline affecting each school. This is under the assumption that he has a pretty good idea of which school he is committing to. (I figure that a kid most likely knows if says he is deciding within two weeks.)
Pitt - I actually think it could be good news. Not saying he is coming to Pitt, but you have to wonder if that short timeline helps Pitt at all. We all know that Pitt has been there from the very beginning. Brandin Knight started recruiting him about three years ago, before Slice got to Pitt. It has been that long. They have put a ton of time and resources into him. Looking at Pitt's situation, there is no reason to wait to see who is leaving early or transferring. No one is going to the NBA, and Cheick can walk in and start tomorrow. Now, I am sure they are a little concerned about the talent around that spot. It had been rumored that Cheick was waiting to see who was going to play point guard at St. John's. They want to have good talent around him, but also a chance to be showcased. Pitt provides that, but are they relevant enough nationally to pull this off?
Iowa State - This has been the favorite for a few months now. With his assistant leaving for St. John's, it does change the situation a little bit. The big draw there is Hoiberg. With all of the rumors about Hoiberg leaving for the NBA, you would think that the Diallo camp would want to wait to see what happens there. That was my understanding all along. From an NBA standpoint, I don't think that is as relevant with the Cyclones. Niang is coming back, but he would most likely play alongside him.
St. John's - With the firing of Lavin, that obviously plays a big part. Hard to imagine that he is ready to make a commitment to a school that no longer has the staff in place. If Rysheed Jordan leaves, there is concern about who is playing point guard there. Obekpa is also up in the air. Obviously this is a new wrinkle with the new assistant in place, and Slice could be next. I would think this could have a major impact in the recruitment if he was waiting to make a decision. He is set to talk to Mullin next week, but he has not even spoken to him at this point. Unless the pull is that strong from the former Iowa State assistant, you would have to think there is a lot of uncertainty there.
Kansas - The NBA decisions are critical here. Carlton Bragg is committed, and they have a couple of big-time post players on the roster. If they declare, it becomes more intriguing. Without knowing Alexander's decision, among others, there is uncertainty. Again, why give a date to decide when you have no idea who is staying at Kansas?
Kentucky - We all know the roster situation there. They could lose anywhere from two to about seven or eight players. The Calipari to the NBA rumors are still there as well. Something is off there, without the typical depth of commitments. Maybe it is just not knowing how many spots they will have, but they usually don't wait this long.
I have no idea where the kid is going. Cheick and his camp have done a great job of keeping things quiet. From a showcase standpoint, he can probably step in and start without any questions at three of the schools. There is a lot of uncertainty with this group of schools. Most of it dealing with the NBA, both players and coaches. I was a little surprised when he said that a decision would be coming before the Jordan game. I thought for sure that he would want to wait until this all gets settled. Maybe I am reading into this too much. Like I said, I have no idea where he is going right now, but I have to think that the whispers of Pitt still being in it may be validated with this timeline. If he does in fact keep that date, I should be able to find out more as it gets closer. All of these thoughts are based on common sense and looking at actions across the country for these five schools involved. Recruiting can be a crazy world, so you never know what a kid or his inner circle are thinking.
Pitt - I actually think it could be good news. Not saying he is coming to Pitt, but you have to wonder if that short timeline helps Pitt at all. We all know that Pitt has been there from the very beginning. Brandin Knight started recruiting him about three years ago, before Slice got to Pitt. It has been that long. They have put a ton of time and resources into him. Looking at Pitt's situation, there is no reason to wait to see who is leaving early or transferring. No one is going to the NBA, and Cheick can walk in and start tomorrow. Now, I am sure they are a little concerned about the talent around that spot. It had been rumored that Cheick was waiting to see who was going to play point guard at St. John's. They want to have good talent around him, but also a chance to be showcased. Pitt provides that, but are they relevant enough nationally to pull this off?
Iowa State - This has been the favorite for a few months now. With his assistant leaving for St. John's, it does change the situation a little bit. The big draw there is Hoiberg. With all of the rumors about Hoiberg leaving for the NBA, you would think that the Diallo camp would want to wait to see what happens there. That was my understanding all along. From an NBA standpoint, I don't think that is as relevant with the Cyclones. Niang is coming back, but he would most likely play alongside him.
St. John's - With the firing of Lavin, that obviously plays a big part. Hard to imagine that he is ready to make a commitment to a school that no longer has the staff in place. If Rysheed Jordan leaves, there is concern about who is playing point guard there. Obekpa is also up in the air. Obviously this is a new wrinkle with the new assistant in place, and Slice could be next. I would think this could have a major impact in the recruitment if he was waiting to make a decision. He is set to talk to Mullin next week, but he has not even spoken to him at this point. Unless the pull is that strong from the former Iowa State assistant, you would have to think there is a lot of uncertainty there.
Kansas - The NBA decisions are critical here. Carlton Bragg is committed, and they have a couple of big-time post players on the roster. If they declare, it becomes more intriguing. Without knowing Alexander's decision, among others, there is uncertainty. Again, why give a date to decide when you have no idea who is staying at Kansas?
Kentucky - We all know the roster situation there. They could lose anywhere from two to about seven or eight players. The Calipari to the NBA rumors are still there as well. Something is off there, without the typical depth of commitments. Maybe it is just not knowing how many spots they will have, but they usually don't wait this long.
I have no idea where the kid is going. Cheick and his camp have done a great job of keeping things quiet. From a showcase standpoint, he can probably step in and start without any questions at three of the schools. There is a lot of uncertainty with this group of schools. Most of it dealing with the NBA, both players and coaches. I was a little surprised when he said that a decision would be coming before the Jordan game. I thought for sure that he would want to wait until this all gets settled. Maybe I am reading into this too much. Like I said, I have no idea where he is going right now, but I have to think that the whispers of Pitt still being in it may be validated with this timeline. If he does in fact keep that date, I should be able to find out more as it gets closer. All of these thoughts are based on common sense and looking at actions across the country for these five schools involved. Recruiting can be a crazy world, so you never know what a kid or his inner circle are thinking.
