Draft and Recruiting thoughts

The time has past for college kids to take a step to the big time.  Yesterday was the last day to declare for the draft.  After a huge defection from all major conferences, I am sure every fan is taking a breath and are happy that no more of their players will leap to the NBA.

As Duke fans, we all knew that McRoberts was most likely gone after this year, and the initial reaction has been, “Thanks for whatever, we don’t really mind”.  There was the brief scare of Henderson jumping, but that was from Pat Forde of ESPN, and over the years I have learned that he is a jackass.  

The ACC took a lot of big hits.  As expected Brandon Wright left, which will take a lot of scoring away from the Tar Heels.  They are still a great team, but Wright was a huge part of their run.  Georgia Tech probably took the biggest hit losing Thaddeus Young and Javaris Crittenton.  Other players have left leaving the ACC much weaker than it was last year.  I can’t see the likes of VT, Virginia, BC, and even Florida State being close to the top again.  All these teams of been pretty much gutted.  The only good thing for Virginia is Sean Singletary has not hired an agent and may return.  Even if he does, it won’t be the same without JR Reynolds.  Next year’s ACC, looks to be a battle of the “Triangle”.  UNC, Duke, and NC State all have very talented rosters.

Since Duke doesn’t have to worry about any more jumps, we all have are eyes set on the overblown saga of Patrick Patterson.  Coach K is making his final in home visit to Patterson’s house, to try to talk some sense into him.  I am starting to get tired of all the talk of Patterson, his agent-type mother, and all the kissing and hugging with Jai Lucas and his father.  Speaking of Jai Lucas, this kid was barely on the board, before his dad took the politician approach and made his son seem better than he is.  And now he is basically riding the coat tales of Patterson trying to get into an elite school.  John Lucas Sr. has put Patterson and Lucas into a package-type deal.  Convincing that these kids want to play with each other.  I am tired of these parents getting involved vocally, basically campaigning for their kids.

As far as Patterson goes, there is only 16 days left before his decision has to be made.  No word yet on any press conference, and no matter what you might read, it doesn’t appear like he has leaned toward any one school.