McClain to visit this weekend

[MikeInClifton]

"Cronin could add one more player if he signs 7-foot center Anthony McClain, who’s scheduled to visit UC this weekend." (http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070410/SPT0101/304100055/1064/SPT)

[CroninCrazy]

We should start giving percentages on McClain's chance of coming here...

I say about 80%, but I'm biased.

[Cpaw]

I sit at 99 percent. Very confident.

[bww]

I am at 35%

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

50% chance that he will be a Bearcat.

[BigCatFan20]

99% if he comes here before Uconn like he is suppose to...25% if Uconn first

[Corporateballa]

He has already visited UCONN and was underwhelmed!

[Bearcat Revival]

Not trying to be a pessimist, but if UConn has scholarships available, and they want him, why wouldn't he go there instead of here? Unless he's looking for guaranteed playing time, and that's definitely a possibility, I am just not sure what the draw would be over UConn. They're going to have a better team next year, and Calhoun's rep is better.

[shaunsimpson]

I think playing time is the key. I also imagine that he has gotten a lot of love and promises from Mick that Uconn couldn't give him - or gave him and he didn't believe them. He will be the focus of the program here as a freshman with everyone knowing who he is. He would be one of crowd at UConn, but he could make an imediate impact at UC.

[Cats21]

He has already visited UCONN and was underwhelmed!


When did McClain visit UCONN? Per the last update below on the Recruit page he was scheduled to go this weekend. Another article on 4/4/07 from the Hartford Courant said he was visiting on the around the 18th. I would like to believe you, but what info do you have that he visited already, and was "underwhelmed" by it.


03/31/07: "Anthony McClain, a 6-11 center from National Christian Academy in Fort Washington, Md., is expected to make an unofficial visit the weekend of April 14." Hartford Courant

[bearcatfan]

Not trying to be a pessimist, but if UConn has scholarships available, and they want him, why wouldn't he go there instead of here? Unless he's looking for guaranteed playing time, and that's definitely a possibility, I am just not sure what the draw would be over UConn. They're going to have a better team next year, and Calhoun's rep is better.

Maybe he will like Mick Cronin better than Jim Calhoun? For one thing - Calhoun showed what will happen if you don't fit in with this system - he'll just get rid of you.

[Bearcat Revival]

I know Mick has a very good rapport with players. Not that the players know what a rapport is. So, hopefully, he'll be able to convince McClain this is the place for him to develop quicker. This would be HUGE!

[cspeed]

I'm hoping that playing time is the main clog in McClains decision and that is something that Mick can offer him. If he goes to UConn , he is just another big guy, here he is the center of attention, no pun intended .... No doubt that UConn will have a better team next year, so he going there will endure more success. If Mick does land him , the success revolves around him and freshmen. Not to take anything away from Mike Williams and Adam H , but the Cats, realistically , are going to be in the bottom 4th of the Big East. I hope not , but realistically, they will. They are definatley going to be more athletic then the past 8 years and depth is not going to be the problem. They are just going to be playing with a lot of role players, and a lot of youth.

[Thegreatone]

My percentage is 55%, just my two cents

[IKnowMoreThanYou]

Biggie will be on campus this weekend and I'd handicap it at 85% he leaves a Bearcat.

[jplog]

The pesimist in me says 40% just because of what I've been hearing. Man I hope I'm wrong.

[cspeed]

My thought is that since Mick is getting him here first is good and that his chances of getting out of here as a Bearcat is about 70 -75 %, since Mick can promise him playing time ....

[bearcatd]

I'm hoping that playing time is the main clog in McClains decision and that is something that Mick can offer him. If he goes to UConn , he is just another big guy, here he is the center of attention, no pun intended .... No doubt that UConn will have a better team next year, so he going there will endure more success. If Mick does land him , the success revolves around him and freshmen. Not to take anything away from Mike Williams and Adam H , but the Cats, realistically , are going to be in the bottom 4th of the Big East. I hope not , but realistically, they will. They are definatley going to be more athletic then the past 8 years and depth is not going to be the problem. They are just going to be playing with a lot of role players, and a lot of youth.

...and in a better league than the past 8 years. This team in C-USA would easily be in the top 3 (top 2 after Memphis), not that I would ever want to revert back to that league.

[james jr]

I read an article in Rivals about 2weeks ago where McClain's coach said that playing time will be the main factor in his decision! Go Cats!

[IKnowMoreThanYou]

Playing time will certainly factor into the decision and that is one main chip in Mick and UC's favor. Also don't discount that we are his first visit, despite the open schollies UConn now has.

[cspeed]

I believe UConn has a back up center, 6 - 10 ish, that played about 15-20 minutes a game last year. How big of a recruit was that kid when he came in a year ago?

[jrmac151]

jonathan Mandeldove is who he is speaking of, he was a three star, 13th ranked center but not ranked in top 150 if I am reading it right

[MicksTheGuy]

Calhoun said he has no idea where in the draft Thabeet might be taken. But if he leaves school, and is not drafted high enough to secure a guaranteed NBA contract, Thabeet could face immigration and other problems.

Sounds like this leans in him staying.

[CincySuperFan]

If you're a kid trying to make a decision and you're looking for an exciting situation, Mick's a lot more exciting and vibrant than Calhoun.