Cousins to…Memphis…Kentucky (Updated 6pm)

Basketball Recruiting109

ESPN Radio just reported that Demarcus Cousins has de-committed from Memphis and will follow John Calipari to the University of Kentucky.

National Sports Review

It would actually surprise me if John Wall and eventually C. J. Leslie don’t follow.

Deadspin has more on John Calipari’s dismantling of Memphis.

DeMarcus Cousins, one of the coach’s prize commitments when he was still working for the Tigers, has changed that commitment and now says he will attend Kentucky. Well, ain’t that a kick a pants. Their other top recruit, Xavier Henry, has also “reopened” his recruiting even though—unlike Cousins—he had already signed a letter of intent to play at Memphis. Kids are so crafty these days. He may not follow Calipari to Lexington, but rumor has it that the only way Memphis holds on to him is if new coach Josh Pastner gives Henry’s dad a job in the basketball program, which believe it or not, is totally allowed under NCAA rules. I believe the word you’re looking for is “integrity.”

Calipari is making his presence felt in other ways as well. (Link)

Now that the 2008-09 season has come to an end, the focus turns to 2009-10. RJ Bell of Pregame.com has posted the odds on teams to win next season’s championship, and Kentucky has already zoomed to the top of the list after the hiring of John Calipari.

The Wildcats are listed at 14 to 1 (7%) to win the title, the same odds given to defending champion North Carolina. Then comes Duke and Louisville at 21-1 (5%), Alabama, Kansas and UCLA at 25-1 (4%) and Georgetown and Michigan State at 30-1 (3.5%)

Connecticut, Florida and Texas complete the posted odds at 37-1 (2.5%).

The odds, of course, are likely to be impacted players who leave early for a shot at NBA riches.

Related: The Calipari daughters

Basketball Recruiting

109 Responses to Cousins to…Memphis…Kentucky (Updated 6pm)

  1. tcthdi-tgsf-twhwtnc 04/08/2009 at 12:57 PM #

    De-committed is a great word- I guess we can see this young man isn’t one of integrity.

  2. wolfpackdawg 04/08/2009 at 12:59 PM #

    All of a sudden Memphis has become a football school.

  3. Gene 04/08/2009 at 1:02 PM #

    I don’t mind Wall going to Kentucky, what would piss me off is if Wall went to UNC or Duke…couple of years of recruiting flushed down the toilet…a cold hard reminder of just how out of it we are compared to other NC schools…

  4. waxhaw 04/08/2009 at 1:03 PM #

    I don’t think it shows a lack of integrity if you commit to play for a certain coach, he leaves and you change your commitment.

  5. WTNY 04/08/2009 at 1:18 PM #

    Wasn’t one of the reasons Memphis hired …. uh, Poster/Poser/Pasture, ??? … was because of his [sleazy] AAU ties and the hope that he could hang on to this great Memphis class?

  6. RSP123 04/08/2009 at 1:23 PM #

    I know that it is not the proper thing to do, but I wish Lowe would rescind the scholarship offer to Wall. It is apparent that he has no intention of coming to State and at least we would have the pleasure of taking back a offer that Wall has always taken for granted. I don’t know – maybe it is selfishness on my part – but it would sure make me feel better.

  7. choppack1 04/08/2009 at 1:38 PM #

    waxhaw – I’m w/you. I don’t see anything wrong w/ what Cousins did here. He obviously wants to play for a specific coach – there’s nothing wrong w/ that since he’s only going to college for a year or two.

  8. buttPACKer 04/08/2009 at 1:54 PM #

    with Calipari gone Memphis tumbles into the abyss. . .

  9. Putmeoutofmymisery 04/08/2009 at 1:54 PM #

    John Wall will be at UNC. I was on premium UNC chat last night. They (mods) are EXTREMELY confident that Wall verbal to Roy within the next week. Book it.

  10. fullmoon1 04/08/2009 at 2:02 PM #

    I am with rsp and tcthdi on this one. I think it does show a certain lack of integrity by “decommiting”. -Not a lot of integrity left in recruiting

  11. nav 04/08/2009 at 2:07 PM #

    I only have one response to the title of this thread: NO S**t!

  12. BSIE80 04/08/2009 at 2:13 PM #

    I agree, rescind the offer to Wall and everyone else in the 09 class. Use the 2 scholarships left for 2010 class.

    Also, pull the one from Leslie and go after someone else. Use it for 2010 or 2011.

    Find the guys who want to be the main man and lead an insignificant program back to the big dance. I’m sure there are some talented guys that fit this role.

  13. Rick 04/08/2009 at 2:16 PM #

    UNC seems to be a great fit for Wall.
    Roy likes to run and Lawson is gone.

  14. Thompson44 04/08/2009 at 2:17 PM #

    Putmeoutofmymisery

    “John Wall will be at UNC. I was on premium UNC chat last night. They (mods) are EXTREMELY confident that Wall verbal to Roy within the next week. Book it.”

    If this is in fact the case that should tell you exactly where we stand in the minds of top ranked players. Sid and Co. has recruited this kid heavily, he has been to lots of games at the RBC and then one call from Huckleberry Hound and that is all it took. Our Basketball team is slowly disappearing into a black hole and I really don’t think it will ever get better. On the bright side I did see two Championships in my lifetime.

  15. Thinkpack17 04/08/2009 at 2:21 PM #

    “John Wall will be at UNC. I was on premium UNC chat last night. They (mods) are EXTREMELY confident that Wall verbal to Roy within the next week. Book it.”

    Ehh. I think they are confident because they NEED wall. Handing that offense to Drew II is like handing the keys of your ferrari to a 16 year old. How can you be “confident” of Wall going anywhere? He’s changed his tune every week since last year.

  16. Noah 04/08/2009 at 2:25 PM #

    I don’t think we’re saving the scholarship. There’s another “project” that we’re supposed to be involved with.

  17. wolfonthehill 04/08/2009 at 2:25 PM #

    Wall to UK wouldn’t bother me a bit.

    CJ to UK, on the other hand……

  18. Thinkpack17 04/08/2009 at 2:30 PM #

    I don’t care if we don’t get him anymore. Honestly, and I am being honest, I don’t want him. With that said…I will freakin lose it if he goes to Carolina.

    On another note, but not off topic, what’s up with Roscoe Davis? We need a post man.

  19. ncsu0812 04/08/2009 at 2:34 PM #

    What is this “project” we are involved with?

  20. BSIE80 04/08/2009 at 2:41 PM #

    Roscoe must have grade issues. He was suppose to go to WVA last year but had to go to jc. He must still have some issues….

  21. BJD95 04/08/2009 at 2:47 PM #

    When your basketball program is in the toilet, these things happen. It’s going to be a strange, hodgepodge roster that the next coach inherits.

  22. whitefang 04/08/2009 at 2:52 PM #

    You’re right BJD and it will get stranger every wasted year that goes by…

  23. Noah 04/08/2009 at 3:03 PM #

    There are actually two projects we’re involved with.

  24. Thinkpack17 04/08/2009 at 3:05 PM #

    There are actually four projects we’re involved with.

  25. ppack3 04/08/2009 at 3:08 PM #

    Wall is going to UK, UNX or Duke. And, I have come to terms with the fact that he took in a bunch of free ACC Basketball games at the RBC with little intention of spending a year here. That having been said, Carolina or Duke getting Wall is about like Shav Randolph going all Dukie on us. It hurts. But, you can’t pull your name out of the race, because believe it or not, it helps to be in the running with top recruits. But, Sid HAS TO get over the hump. We do have a top 20 class coming in, even without Wall. That is encouraging. It is not the crushing class needed to be a contender next year, but it is a very solid class. I, personally, would rather have talented players that can play as a team, than a bunch of one-and-done egos that play for the scouts in the stands, and leave us hanging out to dry after one season. That’s just me…and how I get myself to sleep at night. Oh, and F*&% Carolina.
    Huckleberry Hound…lol

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