James Blackmon Jr. Tentative Decision Date: Oct 22nd

Submitted by Mr. Rager on

James Blackmon Jr. has tentatively set his decision date for an October 22nd press conference.  This will be after the weekend he visits UK.

I actually think our chances are pretty solid.  Rivals is 50/50 on the kid (cutting IU out of the picture) and the IU sites are saying that Blackmon "wants Michigan" (while is dad is pro UK and his mom pro IU).  

Of course it's not a good thing that he's going to take his UK visit, but crazier things have happened.  

DingoBlue

October 8th, 2013 at 11:03 AM ^

By that time, Michigan's plan C/D for SG (Javon Bess) may be a Spartan.  I think there is some reason for optimism here, but the UK pull will be hard to top.  What will be more interesting to see is if Blackmon goes to Kentucky, how does Booker react?  Also worth keeping an eye on Kelly Oubre, UK's other SG target. Although it seems Kansas is a favorite for him at this time.

ClearEyesFullHart

October 8th, 2013 at 12:05 PM ^

My pessimistic side thinks both of these guys end up at Kentucky.  My optimistic side likes the sales job Michigan and Drake Harris did Saturday with Devin Booker.  Blackmon and Booker are in communication with each other, so they probably have some idea of what the other is thinking.  Both of these guys seem to enjoy the recruiting process a lot, and they're both really good at sounding impartial.  Getting either one would be huge for the program.

Mr. Rager

October 8th, 2013 at 12:47 PM ^

"FWIW, one of the rumors going around is that Booker has been telling other players that he is going to commit to UK. "

Direct quote from E. Bossi, Rivals' national recruiting analyst.  

EQ RC Blue

October 8th, 2013 at 1:27 PM ^

This could be true, but these are the kinds of rumors I don't put much stock in.  First, it's a rumor of what other players say Booker said.  That's a game of telephone, that is.  And players often have no idea what exactly is going on -- that one kid was sure that Grantham was following him to Cincinnati and then the Bearcats were out of the picture a couple days later.  Meanwhile, even Ulis publicly said that Booker hasn't told him anything although they've talked about playing together, and Booker seems to have been careful not to say anything publcly in advance of his Missouri trip.

All that said, I'd certainly rather have the rumor be that he's telling people he's going to UM, and thanks for the info.

Mr. Rager

October 8th, 2013 at 12:52 PM ^

He was an IU recruit that decommited.  He's looking at UK and M seriously.  No other schools.  For him to decommit from IU, go to M and UK, then announce a few days later would suggest it is down to either M or UK.

I agree that it is not a good thing to be in a two horse race with UK, when the kid's dad is an alumnus, and UK is getting the last OV.

That being said, there are a LOT of positives in his recruitment.  Namely, him ready to make a decision after getting the Michigan in-home, and official visit.  And the Rivals national analysts believing Michigan has made a serious 'push'.  

Tgh3316

October 8th, 2013 at 10:35 PM ^

As a UK fan I find it funny to see Michigan fans to bash UK & Calipari for cheating. Last I checked Michigan was the school most recently sanctioned for basketball infractions (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Michigan_basketball_scandal) not Kentucky. Yeah, yeah but Calipari was at Memphis & Massachusetts when they had Final4's vacated. Frame those however you want but Calipari was not implicated in either(yes I realize he was the coach).

Furthermore, I'm not sure why Michigan fans would feel really confident about get 2 top basketball recruits over the Top recruiter in the country, any more than UK should feel confident in getting a football recruit over Michigan. Not to mention one of the recruits is the son of a former UK player. I know there are rumors on both sides of the story, but look at things objectively and let me know what you really think with the odds you like.

Michigan & Beilien are definitely an upcoming & coming program. I think a lot of good things are going to happen for UM basketball but let's make sure you temper your enthusiasm & not bash other schools. Michigan could vary well end up with one of JBjr or Booker but in all likelihood one or both will be at UK.

Good luck this year in football & basketball. Beat the buckeyes!!