MBB: Sam Webb Details Michigan's Pursuit of James Blackmon Jr.
Sam Webb has a detailed DetNews article out on one of the Wolverines' main remaining 2014 targets: Michigan emerges as major player for elite shooter James Blackmon Jr. He includes lots of quotes from Blackmon, his father, and some recruiting "experts." Given the worries of some Michigan fans that both Blackmon and Devin Booker will pick Kentucky, I thought what Scout's Brian Snow said in the second paragraph quoted below was particularly worth highlighting. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.
All that’s left for Blackmon now is a return visit to Kentucky Oct. 18 and potential trip to Kansas (though no date has been mentioned). From there he plans to make his decision in time to sign a letter of intent during the early signing period (Nov.13-20). The Hoosier State star hasn’t listed any favorites among his finalists, but as is the case with Booker, many pundits believe that Kentucky is in strong position. Furthermore, some believe that a scenario in which the Wolverines and Wildcats split the two talented youngsters to be a distinct possibility.
“Blackmon and Booker and not exactly alike,” Snow explained. “They’re very similar as players, and you can make a reasonable argument that one’s better than the other, depending on what type of player you’re looking for. But they’re similar enough that as a coach I don’t think you’d want to take both of them. If you’re a player, you don’t want to go to the same spot as someone else who plays just like you and plays your position. It’s just not logical. So I think if player A goes to Kentucky, that will cross Kentucky off player B’s list. If player A goes to Michigan, that will cross it off player B’s list. The fact that they’re each considering heavily three of the same schools, and maybe only have four real options, it’s going to be very interesting to see who commits where and what kind of ripple effect that does have.”
October 11th, 2013 at 7:31 PM ^
I am for whatever ripples one of them on down to michigan.
October 11th, 2013 at 7:45 PM ^
Same here, but I'm worried that won't happen. It sounds like Booker is UK all the way, so if he were committing first, I would agree with this line of thinking. But it sounds like Blackmon will commit first, and I don't think he will dissuafe Booker. So our best hope at this point is Blackmon picking M (though his crystal ball is currently like 92% UK).
But yeah, whatever happens to push one of them our way, I'd take it.
October 11th, 2013 at 7:59 PM ^
I see your point, but I'm sure Blackmon has the same amount of info—and likely more—than you have, so if he comes to believe that Booker will definitely pick Kentucky, then he should take that into account before he makes his choice.
October 11th, 2013 at 8:08 PM ^
I'm guessing they know what each other is planning before either one announces.
October 11th, 2013 at 8:10 PM ^
One of them will choose M and Kentucky will get the ripple down. Of course!
October 11th, 2013 at 8:16 PM ^
His father says feeling comfortable with the coaches is pretty important and the kid only loved one staff (liked the other head coach). Yes, this might be way too much to read into it but whatever. Kentucky appeals to a kid's desire to get to the NBA and that's not what JB sells. I can understand how hard that decision must be for a kid with a dream.
October 11th, 2013 at 10:03 PM ^
I see very few JB stars that stayed to senior year except the ones who didn't have NBA potential.
October 11th, 2013 at 10:10 PM ^
I think JB supports kids who want to go to the NBA, and based on past quotes he knows that's where college bball is headed. However I don't think he purposely sells Michigan as a 1 and done school for people to prep for the NBA in the same way john cal does.
October 12th, 2013 at 12:35 AM ^
that's what I intended to say. I know JB supports kids and helps them gather draft information but he's also said repeatedly he wants kids who unpack their bags.
October 11th, 2013 at 8:49 PM ^
Come to Michigan Justin...we just had a 'Junior' SG go in the 1st round. You could be next.
October 11th, 2013 at 9:47 PM ^
At least our recruiting is in the same conversation as Kentucky's.
October 11th, 2013 at 10:37 PM ^
It makes perfect sense that they wouldn't both pick Kentucky. But they scare me. I'm going to be really disappointed if Blackmon doesn't pick Michigan. But it wouldn't surprise me.
October 11th, 2013 at 11:24 PM ^
I don't understand how people can have Michigan and Kentucky as their final two choices. Both programs have their attractions for a youngster. You don't choose between an RV and a corvette for you car..the choice should be obvious for your needs. Football guys don't come down to Stanford or Ole Miss.
Biasly, either you want a good school with a family atmosphere, or you like weasily car salesman types that will have their banners ripped down as soon as reality comes to light.
October 11th, 2013 at 11:34 PM ^
This is an extremely biased view of Kentucky and I'm putting that lightly...Calipari puts kids in the NBA at a blistering rate. Not to mention that school has tradition as any other. Basketball is KING in that state.
October 12th, 2013 at 12:14 AM ^
Calipari is really, really dirty. With that said...Our boosters are not totally innocent either. There is a lot of grey area there.
October 12th, 2013 at 12:36 AM ^
Really, in your football analogy you chose to compare UK basketball to Ole Miss football? Do you realize how asinine that is?
October 12th, 2013 at 5:36 AM ^
How bout..Kentucky is the hot chick you banged at the Christmas party that one time. Michigan will be your beautiful soulmate for the rest of your life. Both have their attractions. It just seems that you are either looking for one or the other..your decision should be made easily by the criteria you use to make the decision.
October 11th, 2013 at 11:46 PM ^
Blackmon does not seem like a one-and-done type of player. I could see him coming here for 2-3 years and then going in the late first round-early second. He's going to get pushed out if he goes to Kentucky.
October 12th, 2013 at 2:20 AM ^
I am the furthest from a Calipari fan/supporter. But he is not a stupid coach. I highly doubt he would push out a 5 star player because he doesn't want to go pro yet.
October 12th, 2013 at 11:17 AM ^
would beg to differ.
October 12th, 2013 at 8:20 AM ^
Webb normally has a pretty good feel for this stuff. If he believes that UM and UK split the pair, I will go along with that. There has to be some info behind the scenes somewhere that these two have no interest in going to the same school for guys like Webb and Snow to continue to beat that drum.
October 12th, 2013 at 9:48 AM ^
I think people put way too much stock in those crystal ball predictions. That crystal ball was dead wrong on Kameron Chatman.
October 12th, 2013 at 11:20 AM ^
he didn't state it was a "gut" feeling that led him to to belief. Tho,I do agree Sam pretty spot on when it comes to recuriting and giving his opionon on matters like these.