crazietalk.net

Rivers commits to duke - here is the link reporting the story: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiti ... id=5632647

I heard the rumor an hour or so ago and was waiting for a 'mainstream' report.


Welcome Mr. Rivers. Pull up a chair. HOIST A BANNER OR TWO

I have mixed feelings. He's stated he only intends to stay one year, so I'll have a hard time getting behind him 100%, it will be tough rooting for someone knowing they won't be there the following year. I will be behind THE TEAM 100% though!

CameronBornAndBred wrote:I have mixed feelings. He's stated he only intends to stay one year, so I'll have a hard time getting behind him 100%, it will be tough rooting for someone knowing they won't be there the following year. I will be behind THE TEAM 100% though!

I'm in this camp, also. I hope he decides, once he is on campus, that he wants to stick around longer. I really like the kids that stay all 4 years.

At least he didn't skype the event.

DukieInKansas wrote:

CameronBornAndBred wrote:I have mixed feelings. He's stated he only intends to stay one year, so I'll have a hard time getting behind him 100%, it will be tough rooting for someone knowing they won't be there the following year. I will be behind THE TEAM 100% though!

I'm in this camp, also. I hope he decides, once he is on campus, that he wants to stick around longer. I really like the kids that stay all 4 years.

At least he didn't skype the event.

I'd prefer they all stayed 4 years...but I guess I feel One > None >UNC

He could decide to stay once on campus...or he may realize in the world of elite college bball he is not yet all that and a bag of chips. We can at least be pretty confident that his father can give an accurate assessment of his NBA prospects and NOT be sucked in by some sweet talkin' agent.

DukieInKansas wrote:

CameronBornAndBred wrote:I have mixed feelings. He's stated he only intends to stay one year, so I'll have a hard time getting behind him 100%, it will be tough rooting for someone knowing they won't be there the following year. I will be behind THE TEAM 100% though!

I'm in this camp, also. I hope he decides, once he is on campus, that he wants to stick around longer. I really like the kids that stay all 4 years.

At least he didn't skype the event.

There have been a number of interviews over the last few months with him on Scout's site. He has expressed an interest in being 1-n-dun but is committed to staying until he's ready. If it takes one year, great. If it takes 3, he's good with that as well.

Almost all of the top players want to go to the NBA as soon as possible, Rivers just happens to be one of the few who voices his opinion. I also prefer that players stick around, grow into leaders and leave a legacy at Duke, but at the same time over the past few years recruiting has taken a minor hit due to Duke appearing to not embrace early entries (like after 1 or 2 years). Irving and Rivers will go a long way in removing that stigma and will help make Duke 'Cool' again in the eyes of most of the top recruits (Face it, in the eyes of the rest of College Basketball, our last few teams have not been seen as cool). It removes the negative recruiting tactics employed by coaches like 'Ol Roy - like fitting into the 'system', K will hold you back, K doesn't play freshmen, etc.

Also, if you look at the class assembled so far: Rivers, Adams, Plumlee, Gbinjie. That's two 4 year players, one 2-3 year player and one possible 1-n-dun. It gives a nice mix of immediate talent and long term experience. Same as this years with Hairston, Thornton and Irving. So in short, while we all would prefer guys stick around for all 4 years, Coach K and staff have done an outstanding job adapting to the changes in recruiting and player expectations while still upholding the lofty standards of Duke Basketball. Us fans may not like it, but I for one am looking forward to the team hanging a few more banners over the next several years.

Oh - and props to Coach Collins for sealing the deal with Rivers!

One last thing (I'm off my soapbox): Rivers Diary will be up on http://www.highschoolhoop.com/ later today. Supposedly he talks about the decision and everything around it.

Like it or not...I think I'm going to have to deal with the one and done's until the NBA and NCAA figure out a better way. Bright side, we get the #1 recruit, downside it feels like we are selling ourselves a bit. Unfortunately it appears to be the path that elite college ball will be forced to take.

CameronBornAndBred wrote:Like it or not...I think I'm going to have to deal with the one and done's until the NBA and NCAA figure out a better way. Bright side, we get the #1 recruit, downside it feels like we are selling ourselves a bit. Unfortunately it appears to be the path that elite college ball will be forced to take.

The other good thing is that we are not "turning Calimari" and bringing in several OADs. I almost hope the Quincy Miller lad goes somewhere else and Quin Cook chooses us.

devildeac wrote:

CameronBornAndBred wrote:Like it or not...I think I'm going to have to deal with the one and done's until the NBA and NCAA figure out a better way. Bright side, we get the #1 recruit, downside it feels like we are selling ourselves a bit. Unfortunately it appears to be the path that elite college ball will be forced to take.

The other good thing is that we are not "turning Calimari" and bringing in several OADs. I almost hope the Quincy Miller lad goes somewhere else and Quin Cook chooses us.

I feel the same. I don't have a problem with bringing in OAD's, I just don't want a team of them. You almost have to have a nice mix in order to contend (see UK 2010).

And at this point, Miller is a longshot. While he's most likely going to Louisville, recent 'rumors' have him leaning towards Baylor. Louisville also just got a player very similar to Miller yesterday, so Pitino may not be feeling the love anymore.

And another name to watch: Myck Kabongo. He's committed to Texas now, but has expressed tons of interest in playing with Rivers. If he does not sign in November, odds are he won't ever sign with Barnes.

Jesus_hurley wrote:And another name to watch: Myck Kabongo. He's committed to Texas now, but has expressed tons of interest in playing with Rivers. If he does not sign in November, odds are he won't ever sign with Barnes.

That will be interesting to watch. Jim Sumner thinks he'll have a good career at Texas. ;)
We might run out of schollies.

devildeac wrote:

Jesus_hurley wrote:And another name to watch: Myck Kabongo. He's committed to Texas now, but has expressed tons of interest in playing with Rivers. If he does not sign in November, odds are he won't ever sign with Barnes.

That will be interesting to watch. Jim Sumner thinks he'll have a good career at Texas. ;)
We might run out of schollies.

That's been my concern as well. I think we are at 12 right now pending Cook/Miller. Miller is extremely unlikely, but Cook is looking like he'll be joining us. That puts at the max. Subtract Irving and we get one back. I've always been partial to keeping a few spots open. Shortens the bench a little making it less likely to have a player who leaves for more playing time.

Kabongo will be good no matter where he plays - he was one of the few players who could somewhat stay in front of Irving. I'd love to have him to follow Irving, but at this point it's unlikely. And it's not like Cook, or Thornton, is chopped liver.

Jesus_hurley wrote:

devildeac wrote:

Jesus_hurley wrote:And another name to watch: Myck Kabongo. He's committed to Texas now, but has expressed tons of interest in playing with Rivers. If he does not sign in November, odds are he won't ever sign with Barnes.

That will be interesting to watch. Jim Sumner thinks he'll have a good career at Texas. ;)
We might run out of schollies.

That's been my concern as well. I think we are at 12 right now pending Cook/Miller. Miller is extremely unlikely, but Cook is looking like he'll be joining us. That puts at the max. Subtract Irving and we get one back. I've always been partial to keeping a few spots open. Shortens the bench a little making it less likely to have a player who leaves for more playing time.

Kabongo will be good no matter where he plays - he was one of the few players who could somewhat stay in front of Irving. I'd love to have him to follow Irving, but at this point it's unlikely. And it's not like Cook, or Thornton, is chopped liver.

I like speed on our side. Might lead to a few "broken ankles" down the road.