It's been just over a week since our latest iteration of the 2012 Big Board, but already new news has surfaced. Such is the nature of recruiting. To address the latest tidbits, let's go to the ASoB-patented Linkapalooza, but do it recruiting style.
-
Mitch McGary and TJ Warren Not Attending Big Blue Madness
As Glenn addressed yesterday, recent news leaked that 2012 PF/C Mitch McGary and 2012 SF TJ Warren will not attend Big Blue Madness. Go ahead and drop those percentages, folks. -
Mitch McGary Michigan Bound?
The pundits seem to agree: the McGary to Michigan meme is beating strong. Duke and UNC remain on the board, with Florida, Maryland and Kentucky as longshots. McGary visited the former three but decided to cancel visits to the latter three. -
TJ Warren Cuts Kentucky from List
Well that was fast. Just hours after news leaked that Warren wouldn't be attending Big Blue Madness, he cut Kentucky from his list. Warren is down to Florida, Georgetown, North Carolina, and North Carolina State, with the latter two the implicit local favorites. As for Kentucky, Alex Poythress and Shabazz Muhammad remain the primary targets on the wing, and both will be at Big Blue Madness.
DaJuan Coleman Says Decision Will Come Early November
A Syracuse blog says that 2012 C DaJuan Coleman will decide during the early signing period. The good news is that Coleman will visit Kentucky at Big Blue Madness prior to the decision. The bad news is that local school Syracuse is still considered the prohibitive favorite. Fellow center Willie Cauley is also expected to decide by November, in what may become an either/or scenario for UK.
Amile Jefferson is a New Name on Kentucky’s Radar
It broke in the Big Board comments (H/T: TeamWeaver), but it bears repeating. 2012 PF Amile Jefferson has emerged as a name to watch for Kentucky. He already has some high major offers, including Ohio State and Maryland, so he's not strictly an insurance policy for John Calipari. Still, in pecking order terms, Jefferson is probably behind Alex Poythress at the very least, and maybe Devonta Pollard and Robert Carter as well.
Nerlens Noel May Reclassify to 2012
Ben Roberts tweeted that 2013 C Nerlens Noel could possibly reclassify to the class of 2012. Calipari is a huge fan of Noel and has already extended an offer. However, with the recruitment of Coleman and Cauley in full swing, it may be difficult for Calipari to find a place for Noel in this year's class. But if Noel does reclassify, expect Kentucky to go all out for the talented defensive wizard.
Former St. John's Signee JaKarr Simpson is Looking Around
From the land of (mostly) non-news, JaKarr Sampson is checking out schools for 2012, after being ruled ineligible this year to play at St. John's. He took a visit to Baylor this past weekend, but has also been linked to Kentucky as well as Kansas, Memphis and Cincinnati. It's doubtful anything happens, but there's always a chance...
Kevin Durant and Rajon Rondo Hoop It Up in Lexington
Finally, some "ain't it cool" news for the Kentucky crowd. NBA uber-star Kevin Durant and some of his Oklahoma City Thunder teammates are currently in Lexington and scrimmaged at Rupp Arena today. The practice was organized by Durant's teammate and ex-Wildcat, Nazr Mohammed. Apparently, Rajon Rondo and some Boston Celtics teammates were in Lexington as well. And what's that, you say? Derrick Rose may stop by tomorrow? Ah, that John Calipari. Ever the marketer and recruiting witch.
