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View Full Version : Baylor to be John Wall's last visit

Doug
08-30-2008, 07:48 PM
To me, this is a very good sign. We'll get the last word before his decision is announced. He is scheduling visits to Memphis, Kansas, Kentucky and Oregon in addition to Baylor.

Wall made some comments about it being his own decision and so forth and that he doesn't "owe" Baylor a commitment for hiring Dwon. But, he did say that Dwon's presence at Baylor gives Wall a comfort level he doesn't have with any other school.

I was somewhat surprised to see Oregon in there ... but was pleased that NC State is not listed as a place he will take an "official" visit to. Obviously, he can visit there more easily than any of the other schools.
atxtraveler
08-30-2008, 07:52 PM
Like any good point guard, by putting Oregon on there, he can truly go coast to coast.
biggmatt24
08-30-2008, 08:43 PM
Good news. Would be huge if we could get Wall.
atxtraveler
08-30-2008, 08:47 PM
I am undecided on the topic. Wall is a man (and he's not even 40). Yes, we would be great... but he will only be here one year. Would you trade one great year for possibly building a program more like Kansas or Texas with longer term players?
biggmatt24
08-30-2008, 08:56 PM
I don't think the two scenarios are mutually exclusive. We are obviously building a good to great program. Using a scholarship on a player of Wall's caliber for one year is not going to set us back at all. Give me Wall for one year, then use that scholarship to pick up another beast the next year.
Doug
08-30-2008, 08:58 PM
Oh gosh, atx - there is no question to answer there. The big time programs ARE the ones who take the John Wall's. Look at Memphis with Rose. I guarantee you KU, UT or UNC would take Wall in a heartbeat if they could get him.

Speaking of the Horns - it's very positive that Wall will not be visiting Austin. Looks like Jordan Hamilton was unsuccessful. I really hope Hamilton decides to go anywhere but UT.
atxtraveler
08-30-2008, 09:03 PM
I don't think the two scenarios are mutually exclusive. We are obviously building a good to great program. Using a scholarship on a player of Wall's caliber for one year is not going to set us back at all. Give me Wall for one year, then use that scholarship to pick up another beast the next year.

But by doing that, do we decline into Texas' graduation rate?
biggmatt24
08-30-2008, 10:46 PM
We'll still be plenty fine in graduation rate. I'd love for us to be in the position that we have the kind of players that leave early. That's where we're getting to. If we can't claim the top graduation rate as our biggest accomplishment of the year ever again because we're winning conference championships and going deep in the tourney, I'll take that trade-off all week and twice on Sundays.
Limnos
08-31-2008, 01:16 AM
You always save the best for last. :D

Don't get too upset but I am hearing that Wall has a #1 pick that is not green and gold.
atxtraveler
08-31-2008, 09:50 AM
You always save the best for last. :D

Don't get too upset but I am hearing that Wall has a #1 pick that is not green and gold.

I don't think anyone will be too upset. Just to have the #1 pick on the national stage interested is a blessing.

I do however hope that John sees how much potential he has, and how much he could showcase that potential with a good, solid, young Baylor team.

At the end of the day, my opinion on the topic is, if you play ball at a big name, you are just another face in the lineup. You come to a place like Baylor, and you will live on for YEARS. Someone should set up a call between him and Teaff or Singletary. Those names will live in the halls of lore for years. Wall could be next.
Doug
08-31-2008, 04:00 PM
It's been known for some time that Wall has a strong interest in Memphis. But, hopefully, our staff can get him to Waco. I wouldn't bet against our staff at this point.
nein51
08-31-2008, 05:45 PM
Atx, I play with that thought too. 1 and dones are nice but it can be awfully hard to build a real program. I am on record as saying that the NBA rule is a complete joke and should be abolished.

That said, I think you do take a #1 overall guy regardless of the 1 and done issue. If nothing else, it shows other big time recruits that you ARE a destination school.

I am a pretty big believer that in 5 years Baylor is going to be a basketball school, for better or worse.
biggmatt24
08-31-2008, 07:23 PM
I am on record as saying that the NBA rule is a complete joke and should be abolished.Ain't that the truth. What a joke of a rule.
atxtraveler
08-31-2008, 10:04 PM
Ain't that the truth. What a joke of a rule.

I would love to see the D league come into play and be as prevalent as minor league baseball. I would be much more interested in seeing John Wall play for the McKinney Thundercats for a year, and not waste college basketball's time.
SoTex
09-01-2008, 05:17 PM
Unless it's in Green and Gold as we head to the Final Four! ;)
PlanoBear
09-03-2008, 05:05 PM
We need a player(s) that is a lottery pick in the NBA like Wall is projected to be. That speaks volumes to future top-tier recruits.
Wacoso
09-03-2008, 05:32 PM
Agree Plano. You get someone like that here and then a few more heads turn. This time it won't be the NCAA's heads though. It'll be attention we want from recruits.