RE: Las Vegas Classic

[Brent Wyrick]

I'd be interested to see either of those matchups based on where those
programs are right now or Vanderbilt for that matter.

"Reporter: What do your players think about facing the Bearcats tomorrow
Don?

Don Haskins, UTEP: I really don't think my players can spell cat Dave."  

-1992 press conference

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Harris, Derek C [mailto:address@hidden 
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2004 9:34 AM
To: 'address@hidden'
Subject: [UC Basketball] Las Vegas Classic

I finally found out what teams will
be involved in this tournament.  
Cincinnati, Delaware State, Illinois, 
Jackson State, Northern Iowa, 
Northwestern State, Southern Illinois,
UTEP, Valparaiso, and Vanderbilt.  
Obviously the promoters will have UC
and Illinois on opposite sides of the bracket,
but it looks like we should face another 
tournament team in the semifinals.  I 
would guess Southern Illinois or UTEP.  
D/Taylor Mill

-----Original Message-----
From: Reber, Steven Edwin (Steve) [mailto:address@hidden
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2004 10:28 AM
To: 'address@hidden'
Subject: [UC Basketball] Why not recruit Whaley. 



I remember last year when someone asked Huggs "Why recruit Whaley?" his
response was "6'10", good ball skills, good passer, why WOULDN'T you recruit
him???" 

I think we have several good answers now, 
If he does pan out, he would have been a 1 year contributor, and he goes to
the NBA.
or you have a Reuben Patterson who is a constant headache for 1 year, then
figures it out and is a major contributor for the second half of his senior
year.  
Either way you get 1 year contribution but a very scary presence to other
recruits.  The program got nothing but headaches out of Whaley, and his
"upside" probably scared away several recruits who wouldn't want to sit
behind him if he could have worked out.  When he does screw up, like he had
several times before in his life (on the brink of playing top-level D1 ball,
you beat up people with a table leg????? People recognize the 6'10" guy.) UC
is high and dry without a legit center.  

Attitude, the Steve Logan factor, should be more of a consideration.
Nothing against second chances, but too many 2nd, 3rd, 4th chances are given
where the person isn't "hungry" for redemption.  When I lived in Tampa,
there was a kid (Richie Parker???) who was going to Long Island U. for
basketball, after having raped a girl and the other prisoners threw him a
going away party with lots of pot, so he failed the drug test and was not
paroled, lost his scholarship etc...
Bet on the kids with not as much talent, but who are willing to work hard
and learn, develop.  

I think Huggs is one of the best coaches around, but if he admits to himself
that he is not perfect, he can become even better.

Steve in Columbus