I don't think it's a troll, but I do think he's jumping to conclusions. Things change all the time in recruiting, and quickly. I believe based off of what he and others in the thread are saying that there's a good chance UConn is now in the lead and barring a major change during his visit to Duke, he's likely to pick UConn. However, he took it too far and made a guarantee based off of information that could very easily change. There's a reason Duke was considered the leader in the clubhouse for so long, and this visit could very easily tip the scales back in their favor.
So true. Even when you think you have good recruiting Intel, things can change dramatically.
Hooper and I had an inside source back in the day that told us that NYC 2G Russell Robinson who was a friend and AAU teammate of AJ Price (who had recently committed to UConn) was pretty much a Husky lock after his official visit and was just going to honor his visit to Kansas the upcoming weekend. Right after that visit, Robinson returned a Jayhawk. I didn't doubt our inside source whatsoever. Kansas pretty much told him that with AJ going to UConn his chances of playing any point guard there would be zero while Kansas they would play him at the point guard position.
Unfortunately in a twist of irony, AJ missed most of his first couple years with the medical condition, which would have possibly open the PG door for him, Russell Robinson was never given a shot to play the point at KU and was relegated off the ball where he had a marginal career at Kansas. Who knows if he would have been a viable point guard at UConn since I think he was a combo at best who might have been able to fill a few minutes at the one if needed.
The bottom line is, things can change dramatically in recruiting and in life in general. How many times have many of us believe we landed on a decision when after experiencing something new we completely changed our mind.
With that said, I think Cooper is a pretty mature kid and has a good idea what he's looking for. I wouldn't be surprised with the rumors that he already knows, based on his visits and discussions with the coaches, players and others involved, that UConn has some things that he is looking for that he doesn't believe Dook can offer.
Now I haven't followed every detail around Cooper's recruitment, so correct me if I'm wrong. I don't remember any substance as to why so many recruiting gurus predicted Dook other than Cooper saying that Dook was his dream School, that Jason Tatum is his favorite player (not sure I got that one right) and probability because he fits the highly ranked uber talent that Dook usually lands and UConn doesn't. I don't remember anything he or someone from his circle has said that specifically pointed to Dook being the leader.
So setting some of the rumors aside, I believe we've always been in the running for him but wouldn't be shocked with whichever program he chooses. Some have mentioned here that after his visit we either closed the gap or became the favorite. Other than Cooper saying some things he likes about UConn, there's not been anything he or anyone close to him has said that points to a leader. Though his immediately canceling his Kansas OV right after he completed his UConn visit has always giving me pause. That just seems like a reaction that he saw what he liked, realizing there was no need to go and visit Kansas. Him not canceling his Duke visit could mean that he still wants to learn what he can to make his final decision between the two programs or it could mean he now favors UConn but feels he should keep to that commitment since they've recruited him for a very long time. I'm hoping the latter.
Usually you never find out exactly why a recruit chooses one program over the others, but in this case I'd really like to know either way. I hope that question is asked and answered.
www.on3.com
