Tyler Smith

[MicksTheGuy]

So is Tyler Smith definatley heading to TN?

[Bearcat98]

So is Tyler Smith definatley heading to TN?

Not yet... What's been said on another board is:

Tennesee is the only place he can go and have a chance of getting his hardship next year. He is still at odds with some tennessee guys so he next option was Memphis (after he found out that he wouldn't be granted hardship if he came to UC). Memphis is 3+ hours from his dad and UC is only 4 hours from his dad so The UC coaches have been telling the NCAA that if he can't be granted hardship at UC because of distance, he shouldn't at Memphis either... Smith is still out there because he's hoping to be granted hardship to go somewhere next year besides Tennessee... as discussed previously.

Basically, nothing has changed... If he could be granted a hardship, he'd be at UC or Memphis by now ;). I have no new personal knowlege on the matter. What's been posted elsewhere makes sense though...

[Mick's Da Man]

Don't count on Tyler Smith coming here. Mick would have to boot someone off scholarship or one of the incoming recruits would have to be academically ineligible to free up a scholarship.

[red_n_black_attack]

There are some fine physcians and care facilities in the Cincinnati area, couldn't his dad relocate? or would the NCAA say that he could just relocate to be closer to Tyler at his original school. The NCAA is well intentioned sometimes - if you count fleecing college athletes for the sake of huge tv contracts as good for the "students".

This mess is ridiculous! I wish Tyler and his family all the best, wherever he end up being able to play.

[MicksTheGuy]

Don't count on Tyler Smith coming here. Mick would have to boot someone off scholarship or one of the incoming recruits would have to be academically ineligible to free up a scholarship.

I'm pretty sure this is not what would stop him from coming here. Mick would have to be a fool not to take this kid unless he was a problem child. Tyler Smith would be the perfect stop gap between now and Gates. He would definatley make us an NCAA tournament team for next year. This of course is in talent alone and does not include if Mick is a good enough coach to utilize the talent or that the team jells correctly.

[The real Bearcat Fan]

I wish Tyler the best of luck where ever he ends up going and I hope he gets his hardship and is able to play next year. I would love to see him in a Bearcat uniform although I know right now that seems unlikely but stranger things have happened.

[The real Bearcat Fan]

I really appreciate this inside information on what is going on with the Bearcat program from all of the contributors to the forum. Thank you all the Bearcat fans.

[Mick's Da Man]

Maybe the UC coaches are waiting for grades and ACT test scores to come out to know if McClain, Bishop, and Henry are eligible..........and maybe possibly this is the reason Tyler Smith has not committed anywhere, along with waiting on the hardship ruling?

While I'd hate for Bishop or Henry to be ineligible, Tyler Smith is the perfect and more experienced substitute to replace them at SF. He is a proven commodity having played in the Big Ten. I agree that his presence in the lineup would push this team to be that much improved. Adam H./McClain at center, Mike Williams at PF, Tyler Smith at SF, Vaughn at PG, and a host of options at SG with improved depth makes this team instantly a surprise team in my opinion.

[General Woundwort]

It would not be enough for one of the current recruits to be declared ineligible. An ineligible player still takes up a scholarship (remember Mike Pilgrim, Vince Banks, Abdul Herrera, etc.). Since LOIs are binding for one year for both the player and the school, I don't even think he could rescind an offer to any of the freshmen who have signed LOIs (I don't believe Henry has).

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

It would not be enough for one of the current recruits to be declared ineligible. An ineligible player still takes up a scholarship (remember Mike Pilgrim, Vince Banks, Abdul Herrera, etc.). Since LOIs are binding for one year for both the player and the school, I don't even think he could rescind an offer to any of the freshmen who have signed LOIs (I don't believe Henry has).

Henry signed. UC announced it a couple weeks back.

If one of the LOI signees failed to qualify academically, the LOI becomes null and void. UC is "off the hook" in that case.

[Mick's Da Man]

Henry signed. UC announced it a couple weeks back.

If one of the LOI signees failed to qualify academically, the LOI becomes null and void. UC is "off the hook" in that case.

That's what I thought.

They'd either have to go back to prep school or go the JUCO route.

[Bearcat98]

That's what I thought.

They'd either have to go back to prep school or go the JUCO route.

Correct, The catch is that Mick won't take smith unless he can get his hardship waiver and be able to play for UC in 07' which is not likely to happen. If one of the newcomers is inelegible, I look for Mick to either 1) try to get one of the guys that just decomitted from somewhere else (there has been a few). 2) Try to get Bost eligible to play next year rather than him going to prep school (which is still a possibility) 3) pocket the scholarship for 08' or 4) find one of the remaining decent Juco guys that will be a glue guy for 2 years, then have another scholarship open in 09'. That would help balance the scholarship distribution.

[shaunsimpson]

98 - don't forget about the possibiltiy of Bost being elgible for 2007. It may be below 50/50, but it is a real possibility.

[Mick's Da Man]

I doubt Mick would ever save a scholarship unless he had no takers, which seems impossible with the way he recruits. I could see it for '07 because it's finished...........but like you said, there are always transfers.......and I think that's what Mick would do with it. Especially considering the daunting task of rebuilding this roster.

[Bearcat98]

98 - don't forget about the possibiltiy of Bost being elgible for 2007. It may be below 50/50, but it is a real possibility.

LOL... that was my #2 point above, but it wasn't written very well :). I agree it not very probable, but still an option if one of the current guys happens to be inelegible for 07'.

[shaunsimpson]

No, not poorly written just poorly read.