Thabeet/McClain Update...

[bcatwilly]

Some interesting stuff in the Hartford paper today. Their PG commit says that Thabeet said he was staying, and it continues on to say that recruiting focus has shifted to high school juniors.

http://www.courant.com/sports/college/husky/men/hc-ucmen0413.artapr13,0,4601574.story?coll=hc-headlines-huskymen

Donnell Beverly, a 6-foot-4 point guard from Lawndale, Calif., made an oral commitment to attend UConn Thursday afternoon.

"Coach [Jim] Calhoun told me I made his day," Beverly said Thursday night.

Beverly said he will sign a letter of intent and return it to the UConn coaching staff next week. He will hold a press conference in Lawndale to mark the occasion. The spring signing period began Wednesday and runs through May 16.

"I'm really excited," Beverly said. "I think it will be good, especially if Hasheem [Thabeet] stays, and I think that's what he's going to do. I was just text messaging with him and that's what he told me."

Assuming Garrison leaves, UConn has one scholarship to award. Recruiting focus is shifting toward high school juniors, with no commitments or visits imminent.

[DMoney_70]

Are we getting close to this being a (dare I say it) "Done Deal"?

[bcatwilly]

Are we getting close to this being a (dare I say it) "Done Deal"?

I hate when someone utters that phrase, seems like the perfect jinx :) Having said that, even if McClain wants to be a Bearcat he still has to get a passing score on his ACT that he is scheduled to take tomorrow. So everyone better pray that "Biggie" gets a good night's sleep, eats his Wheaties and does well on the test tomorrow.

[Kindog202]

That's great news, let's hope everything works out.

[bcatwilly]

That's great news, let's hope everything works out.

Remember too that the Thabeet thing is complex in terms of his family and financial stuff, so we certainly shouldn't take an incoming recruit's comment about a text message as gospel that Thabeet won't declare for the draft. However, it is nice to hear this rather than the alternative for now.

[GoCats]

When we hear from Hasheems mouth that he is staying, I'll believe it. And even then, nothing is final until April 29th...

[Big B]

Mick still has to free up a scholarship also or is he just anticipating that Henry is not going to make grade. Anyone have updates on those?

[bcatwilly]

Mick still has to free up a scholarship also or is he just anticipating that Henry is not going to make grade. Anyone have updates on those?

No insider info here, but originally I thought that Cronin must have known Henry wouldn't make grades. However, I am not so sure after the article in the Enquirer where Henry's coach at Harmony, Crawford, made it clear that he is still working very hard to make it. There must be a known alternative (somebody transfer, go to walk on status, go an academic scholarship) in place already though in the event that they ALL are eligible or Cronin would not be pursuing McClain so strongly.

[jrmac151]

I heard a rumor that Crowell could be put on academic scholarship? to free up the needed one, no insider info just a comment I heard. Anyone know if there uis any truth to that?

[Rickriot]

I vaguely remember saying that a lot of the scholarships that were given last year to the JUCO's were conditional and that some players realized they were not DI athletes and were given an opportunity to earn a scholarship after one year. It would look cold hearted, but I think every kid that took a scholarship was readily aware it might only be a one year deal and they would be relegated to walk-on status.

[MikeInClifton]

. . . or maybe transfer to another school.

[CroninCrazy]

Mike, it sounds like you know something that we don't. :rolleyes:

[MikeInClifton]

Mike, it sounds like you know something that we don't. :rolleyes:

Its just more likely that a player transfer to another school before "dropping down" to a walk-on status.

[Catmandu]

like arron mcghee...
but everyone said Mick isn't like huggs, and he wouldn't do that to a player... :)

[jon b]

Who said that? Not that I doubt you, but I have missed "everyone" saying that.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

like arron mcghee...
but everyone said Mick isn't like huggs, and he wouldn't do that to a player... :)

I never said that. So everyone (less me) may have said it.

[swilsonsp4]

The Hartford Courant printed the following today (Saturday):

"Anthony McClain of National Christian Academy in Fort Washington, Md., and Brandon Sampay of Howard College in Texas are two post players the Huskies are keeping an eye on. A source said McClain is likely to commit to another school soon."

Very good news!

[shaunsimpson]

I have heard and it seems like common knowledge with others that are more involved and smarter than I am that Timmy Crowell would be able to quailify for an academic scholorship at UC.

[NorrisHopper30]

I thought it was Sikes that could get an academic scholarship.

[shaunsimpson]

I had heard Crowell, but it could very well be Sikes.

[CroninCrazy]

I don't think it will be Sikes. He is too good of a player and played a lot more than Timmy last year.

[Josh Rexhausen]

I don't think it will be Sikes. He is too good of a player and played a lot more than Timmy last year.

What does that have to do with getting an academic scholarship, I want to know what has to happen in the NCAA's eyes for this to be acceptable. Who was the last NCAA basketball player on academic scholarship? Excuse me if I can't remember someone obvious.

[bcatwilly]

What does that have to do with getting an academic scholarship, I want to know what has to happen in the NCAA's eyes for this to be acceptable. Who was the last NCAA basketball player on academic scholarship? Excuse me if I can't remember someone obvious.

Unfortunately I think this problem takes care of itself by not having all of McClain, Henry and Bishop actually on the court for the Bearcats next year for various reasons. I for one am hoping that we can at least have 2 of 3 somehow.

[shaunsimpson]

Josh - I don't know the answer, but would it be any different than a football player on scholship playing basketball?

Here is my big question. Does the academic scholarship go back to JUCO grades, High school grades or recent UC grades? If it is recent college grades this does open up the book for some corruption at any school.

Is this just available for kids who came here for JUCO or is it available to HS players as well.

[jrmac151]

I had heard Crowell and maybe another G, Warren?