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Can Kentucky go above the rim to land Shabazz Muhammad?
William Gunter of Cats Pause/247 Sports recently caught up with 2012 uber-prospect Shabazz Muhammad at the Beach Ball Classic, and unearthed some interesting nuggets of information ($). Muhammad stated that he has officially trimmed his list to six schools: UCLA, UNLV, Kentucky, Duke, Arizona, and Kansas.
Per Muhammad, the first four schools listed (UCLA, UNLV, Kentucky, and Duke) have been the most persistent recruiters. This past fall, Muhammad took official visits to Kentucky (for Big Blue Madness) and Texas A&M (since eliminated). That leaves him with three official visits remaining, and he told Gunter that "I know Duke will get a visit." The Las Vegas native has also been to nearby schools UCLA and UNLV multiple times, and being intimately familiar with their programs, would not need to take an official visit to either school prior to picking one.
UCLA has long been considered his unofficial leader, but the Bruins' struggles this season have cast doubt on that hypothesis. Muhammad's quote regarding UCLA did nothing to disquiet the now prevailing thought that UCLA's abhorrent play has affected his recruitment. In the article, Shabazz said: "They are still a great school and Coach Howland is a great guy and good coach so I am definitely not giving up on them or anything." I daresay that on the off chance UCLA ends up firing Howland, its chances with Muhammad go up in smoke. Even still, the turmoil around the team may well be enough to convince Muhammad to commit elsewhere.
I have long posited that I think Muhammad will end up picking Kentucky. However, it's worth noting that Duke could pose a significant threat. The Blue Devils graduate only senior Miles Plumlee from this year's roster, although Austin Rivers and Mason Plumlee should both be considered NBA early entry candidates. The departure of Jon Scheyer and Kyle Singler in consecutive years has really hurt Duke's effectiveness at the wing. The Blue Devils don't have the proper size/talent combination to man the 3, and that's hurt them on both ends of the court.
Muhammad would be a salve, providing superstar scoring offensively and length and presence defensively. Even if Rivers and the elder Plumlii depart, adding Muhammad to a lineup with Seth Curry, Andre Dawkins, Ryan Kelly, and redshirting big men Alex Murphy and Marshall Plumlee would vault the Blue Devils into championship contention...again.
Of course, Muhammad could always stay home and play for UNLV.. Nah...I'm still placing my bets on Kentucky Blue.
1 recs | 11 comments
Hope you are correct and he picks UK ....
that is however a compelling argument for Duke – much as I would hate that …I can see Rivers moving on to the next level but I am not convinced that the “Plumlii” will … Duke will have Curry and Dawkins who will both be seniors – I’m sure that will figure in to his decision.
Maybe he will buy in to the dribble drive and come to Calipari-land -
ukcris - January 5, 2012
When he puts on a college uniform,
just tell me which one. Recruiting in some cases is getting as bad as political races. Goes on forever. Hard to get excited one way or the other at this point.
GriffinRC - January 5, 2012
Shabazz recruiting
He knows where he wants to play and for who. Let the BBN say, " Look at what has happened in only two years at KY". Come and be apart of this great movement.
kyalltheway - January 6, 2012
UNLV is in the hunt!
Don’t forget UNLV’s head coach Dave Rice’s brother is the head coach of Bishop Gorman HS. Where Shabazz has been playing the last 4 years here in Vegas. Good luck but I think that UNLV with the way they are playing this year(beating #1UNC and #19Illinois) has a great shot at landing this superb player. The UNLV Rebels are playing in your face man to man pressure defense just as Tark’s awesome teams did in the past. They are running the ball and have balanced scoring amongst the team players. This is the first team in years where not one player is hogging the media limelight. They will wreak havoc on the NCAA tournament this year and will go very deep. I’m hoping for a Final Four berth for this team or at least to the Elite Eight. Anyways good luck where ever Shabazz lands he will surely make either team Kentucky or UNLV a force to be reckoned with.
UNLV_REBELS#1 - January 6, 2012
Welcome Reb!
Thank you for visiting. We love hearing from other fans. UNLV IS in the hunt, along with five other schools apparently. As always, we read the tea leaves in the light most favorable to our school. Trying to guess what a teenager will decide is a fool’s game. But it’s fun to play the fool sometimes.
We want to know what fans from these other schools are thinking. So please feel free to come back and share your thoughts as this story progresses. Oh, thanks by the way for soiling UNC’s ranking just before we beat them. : ) That was well done!
Wheatgerm - January 6, 2012
UNLV definitely in it
Major upset if it isn’t one of UCLA, UNLV, Kentucky, Duke.
Thanks for posting.
jc25 - January 6, 2012
I Agree
UK has the best chance of landing Muhammad.
FortyYearCatFan - January 6, 2012
Twitter rumor from a Georgia Rivals reporter
jc25 - January 6, 2012
If Shabazz wants to play in the limelight and be seen in primetime he'll either sign with UK or the dreaded Blue Devils
UNLV and UCLA are so many time zones away from the main action, I can’t see him going to either school unless it’s all because of staying home for his family. What major recruit plays for a school that you never see on ESPN till 11:00 PM EST – none I’m aware of.
KansasUKCat - January 6, 2012
Many time zone away!!Is that Matter??
Have you heard of
Kevin Love
jrue Holiday
Rusell Westbrook
Aaron Afflalo??
Bruins4Life - January 8, 2012
I don't think he has...
=(… he’s lost in the ET timezone warp somewhere!
UCLAman7 - January 10, 2012
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