McClain

[bearcatjoey]

Anyone have any idea as to when we should expect McClain to make his decision? Has he already visited UC? If not, when will the visit occur? Thanks.

[subflea]

The visit should be soon. He will be at UConn on the 14th and his coach has already said he was going to visit us first. Expect a decision after the UConn visit, though it would be nice if he just chose us and didn't take the trip to Storrs.

[Catmandu]

arrgh. That doesn't sound good.. it seems anytime that someone goes here first THEN Uconn... Uconn gets them.. I guess they pay more :D

[IKnowMoreThanYou]

He still needs the test score and things are still up in the air on the actual date of his visit. Could be middle of the week for a visit ala the recruit who was on campus last week. Expect a decision before the end of the month.

[Thegreatone]

He is down to UC and UCONN and there is not any other canidates. He will wait to make his decision. I dont want to predict anything, but from what I know he will be a UC bearcat as well as his 6'8 friend who's last name is Samuels. Samuels is would have to be apart of the 08' class sense he is a junior. "If Anthony [McClain] commits to Cincinnati I would probably have Cincinnati as my new leader," said Samuels. "Anthony and I have been inseparable since I was 12. It seems like we have been playing ball together at his house or mine since I can remember. No question wherever he ends up I'll have a lot of interest in playing for that team."

[bearcatbilly6225]

I am really excited about having this big man, it is so obvious that it is needed in the big east! If we get McClain and Gates next year we should be right back on our way to some good years I believe. I believe if Thabeet stays at uconn we should land McClain and hopefully he will have the test scores to play. If Thabeet leaves I believe it will be another Thabeet situation and he will choose uconn over cincinnati just like last year. :0(

[bearcatbilly6225]

This Samuels kid for 08' anyone know much about him, sounds like these two are a package deal? Is he big east caliber?

[shaunsimpson]

When you say Samuels are you refering to Samardo Samuels? He is the #1 C in the country next year per Scout. He has offers from UConn, Louisville, Texas, Syracuse, Virginia and many many others.

Also, Mandeldove was supposed to be a very good player when he chose UConn last year. He had a lot of quaility offers. I remember how shocked I was to see Uconn get 3 centers last year in Thabeet, Mandellove and Edwards to go with PF Kelly.

[IKnowMoreThanYou]

The Samuels referred to is not Samardo, who is not even a Center, he's a PF all the way and likely headed to UNC. The player referred to is Jamar Samuels, a 6-8 combo forward from DC now prepping at Paterson in North Carolina and the focal point of this year's 17U DC Assault AAU team. They have been best friends a long time and he has stated several times how much he'd like to play with Anthony in college.

[jplog]

Who was the recruit that was on campus last mid-week?

[IKnowMoreThanYou]

Who was the recruit that was on campus last mid-week?

I'm not at liberty to reveal his name at the moment. (he's a combo forward from a southern state)

[MicksTheGuy]

So is Jamar Samuels a good player? Ranking? Do we need a PF in the 08 class?

[IKnowMoreThanYou]

I would say Samuels is a 3 star player at the moment who has a chance to move up the rankings with a strong showing in the AAU season and a solid year for Paterson. He's a combo forward and at just under 200lbs. not really big enough for PF and the PF for the 2008 class is Gates. He's a good player who needs to refine his game for either the post (by adding weight) or on the wing (by polishing his ball handling and perimeter stroke). He's a borderline top 150 right now.

[shaunsimpson]

The only problem that I see with Samuels is that we have a 3 star PF coming in 2008 with Wilks. If it gets us McClain then I think the scholorship could be worth it.

Thanks for the info and yes you do know more than me.

[bearcatfan93]

and if we get that samuels guy we cant forget about gates id rather have gates but i ahvent seen samuels play

[IKnowMoreThanYou]

The only problem that I see with Samuels is that we have a 3 star PF coming in 2008 with Wilks. If it gets us McClain then I think the scholorship could be worth it.

Thanks for the info and yes you do know more than me.

Wilks is now a 4 star player and he's a jack of all trades guy that I don't think you can say is a PF, he might not be done growing and needs to add some weight. I think it might be more Samuels would go where McClain goes as opposed to a team like UC taking Samuels to ensure McClain.

I can only paint in broad strokes but I have good reliability. How else could I get away with a handle like this?

[NorrisHopper30]

Samardo definately fits the role of PF more than Wilkes, Samuels is an inch or 2 taller and weight 25 more pounds

Wilkes 6-7 205
Samuels 6-9 230

[jrmac151]

So why the secrecy on who was on campus?

[KingOfTheCats]

Who was the recruit that was on campus last mid-week?

It was Dennis Harris from Georgia.

[IKnowMoreThanYou]

Samardo definately fits the role of PF more than Wilkes, Samuels is an inch or 2 taller and weight 25 more pounds

Wilkes 6-7 205
Samuels 6-9 230

UC is not actively recruiting Samardo Samuels and a more realistic height and weight for him would be 6-8 and 255lbs. Wilks has time to add some weight to his frame and any recruit that ends up at UC will get the full benefit of their weight room and specialized weight programs.

What secrecy about the recruit on campus? (I think I all but told you who he was and clever people could figure it out)

[UCnut]

We just need some height and meat inside to contend with the Uconn's and Georgetown's of the world.

[Thegreatone]

Very, very true. I don't know that this kid is going to be the answer for our size problems but it will give us some heigth and defense. I keep hearing that he isnt that great of a scorer, but we don't need him to be. We need defense and rebounding! No matter if we get McClain or not we will be much improved from last season and I am looking forward to it!

[Big B]

I think he was asking, Why didn't you just say who he was? Is this Todd?

[james jr]

He is down to UC and UCONN and there is not any other canidates. He will wait to make his decision. I dont want to predict anything, but from what I know he will be a UC bearcat as well as his 6'8 friend who's last name is Samuels. Samuels is would have to be apart of the 08' class sense he is a junior. "If Anthony [McClain] commits to Cincinnati I would probably have Cincinnati as my new leader," said Samuels. "Anthony and I have been inseparable since I was 12. It seems like we have been playing ball together at his house or mine since I can remember. No question wherever he ends up I'll have a lot of interest in playing for that team."

It appears that the Samuels you are referring to is Samardo Samuels from New Jersey where McClain grew up. He is a 5 star recruit and ranked in the top 10 for 2008 by Rivals. He is listed at 6-9 230 and reportedly has better ball skills and a stronger work ethic than Gates! Yes McClain! Go Mick!

[Thegreatone]

I am referring to Jamar Samuels, sorry for the confusion. He is rated as a 3-star most places.

[NorrisHopper30]

I was hoping you were referring to Samardo! Samardo does attend the same school as '07 prospect Rashad Bishop, St Benedict Prep. Does anyone see Samardo possibly attending UC?

[Thegreatone]

Oh Rashad is trying his best, I am sure having a teammate in your ear all the time makes you think. Rashad being the senior point guard I am sure gets a lot of respect. I think there 1 in a million chance but as a wise man once said "So your saying theres a chance!!." Jk, but seriously dont hold your breath but it would be really nice wouldnt it.

[CroninCrazy]

It seems as if Cronin is going to have a majority of eight (or so) 6'6-6'10 players (wing/PF/SF/C) and really athletic guards that have scorers mentality. It seems that the whole team will be able to run the floor and he'll be able to mix and match them in game situations.