Truth & Rumors > NCAAB

Did UNC, Duke underestimate Wall?

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07:48 AM ET 05.20 | John Wall's recruiting saga has ended in Kentucky's favor, but the impact of his departure from the Triangle can't yet be fully calculated. Whether Wall's decision could have been changed in favor of a local program is debatable, of course. His citation in a recent case of arrest on breaking and entering substanially undermined his image regionally and probably made it easier for him to relocate. Before that episode, Wall had talked favorably about State for months, paid some late lip service to Duke and obviously wanted to get more than token attention from North Carolina. But in reality, there was never much reason to think he would stray far from John Calipari's reach. It's a safe bet that had Calipari remained at Memphis, Wall would have gone there. But for North Carolina and Duke, the implications of Wall's decision took on added significance when Calipari was lured to Kentucky, an old-line basketball blue-blood with the ways, means, will and tradition to dwarf Memphis. That is why UNC coach Roy Williams and Duke's Mike Krzyzewski may regret having not been more of a factor in the Wall chase. When Memphis loomed as the recruit winner, Wall was seen as a one-and-done star whose impact would have been significant but probably short lived.

Charlotte Observer

Roy Williams, Andy Lyons/Getty Images Roy Williams, Andy Lyons/Getty Images
May 20, 2009  07:57 AM ET

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

May 20, 2009  08:09 AM ET

not so many zzz's for me. I have to watch this phenom next year score points on my Vols and hear obnoxious KY fans talk about their return to glory. They're more annoying than the UNC fans around here.

May 20, 2009  08:14 AM ET
QUOTE(#2):

not so many zzz's for me. I have to watch this phenom next year score points on my Vols and hear obnoxious KY fans talk about their return to glory. They're more annoying than the UNC fans around here.

My bad.

May 20, 2009  08:54 AM ET
QUOTE(#2):

not so many zzz's for me. I have to watch this phenom next year score points on my Vols and hear obnoxious KY fans talk about their return to glory. They're more annoying than the UNC fans around here.

True.. but at least he will only dominate your team and mine for 1 year... but the rest of that class is frickin awesome as well... I hate them already

Comment #5 has been removed
May 20, 2009  09:17 AM ET

UNC didnt even recruit him hard.. Roy made a call at the Final Four and that was it.. His Handler didnt like Roy and vice versa because Roy wasnt gonna talk to him...

I think Duke was the 1 who underestimated him

May 20, 2009  09:32 AM ET

Maybe UK can actually make the NCAA Tournament now. They better do really well next year cause Wall, Meeks, Patterson, and Cousins will all be leaving.

Worst fans and most delusional fans in the world = Kentucky fans.

May 20, 2009  09:47 AM ET
QUOTE(#7):

Worst fans and most delusional fans in the world = Kentucky fans.

Ask a Yankee fan, it's hard to root for the best with all the haters swirling around. I would hardly say that rooting for the winningest program in NCAA bball makes one delusional.

May 20, 2009  09:51 AM ET
QUOTE(#5):

I don't think UNC and Duke are the problems this morning. It's Miami that should be ticked off. Reportedly he told the coaching staff last week he was going to be a Hurricane. Maybe they are the ones who understimated Wall?

I agree. He could have changed the culture at UM. UK can enjoy this one big season they have with all of their stars but Calipari is going to have to sustain long term success and keep the program out of trouble. Maybe he can do it, maybe he won't.

May 20, 2009  10:46 AM ET
QUOTE(#7):

Maybe UK can actually make the NCAA Tournament now. They better do really well next year cause Wall, Meeks, Patterson, and Cousins will all be leaving. Worst fans and most delusional fans in the world = Kentucky fans.

I am sure many think that same thing about Jayhawk fans as well.

UNC and Duke should both be fine with or without him. Calipari will make/buy UK into winners once again.

May 20, 2009  11:09 AM ET

I actually give Duke and UNC credit for not actively going after John Wall. And in the long term, their decision not to recruit him heavily will serve them well.

Foremost, any high school kid who has an "adviser" who will ultimately become the kid's agent is not worth the risk for a program like Duke or UNC. For basketball programs like Miami or USC (and Kentucky, with its recent struggles), perhaps it's worth the risk of committing recruiting violations to deal with this type of recruit. But UNC and Duke can get elite classes without this. Wall's legal troubles merely compounded the risk for UNC and Duke because he would be going to school in the same general area that he was in when he got into a little bit of trouble.

A sad reality is that all college basketball programs have to deal with AAU coaches if they want to be competitive in recruiting (just ask Gary Williams at Maryland). But it just doesn't make much sense for a program like UNC or Duke to take such risks on a kid who is most likely only going to be around for one year.

May 20, 2009  11:36 AM ET

this guy has trouble written all over him. i am glad that roy stood back and did not actively pursue this guy. larry drew II will be just fine.

May 20, 2009  11:36 AM ET
QUOTE(#8):

Ask a Yankee fan, it's hard to root for the best with all the haters swirling around. I would hardly say that rooting for the winningest program in NCAA bball makes one delusional.

Its not at all hard to root for the best - as a Carolina Fan I have no problems with the haters - those who can do - those who can't are jealous and hate . I'd rather be hated than forgotten. Even though i'm a UNC alum, i have to say that the UK fans ARE the most annoying i've encountered - and yes that includes the dookies.

As for the winningest program bit - don't look now UK, but the heels are closing fast (and KU is riding right in our wake). The combination of Calipari and the week SEC schedule gives them hope, but long-term i'd say #3 in wins is where UK will be by the middle of the next decade.

May 20, 2009  12:33 PM ET

If NC and KU fans are spouting different shades of bile, then Wall is the real thing. Why did Duke and Kansas recruit him if he was trouble? As for taking over the most wins, Roy and Coach K will not be around forever and when the coach changes they will have the same problems they've had in the past, as UK did the last two years. As Calipari's style is so attractive to top talent and he doesn't mind the one and done player (unlike Tubby, who I still actually prefer) UK is likely to increase its lead in the next decade. The SEC - despite last year which was dismal - is the top conference of the past fifteen years, check the championships. Arkansas, UK twice, Florida twice, three more finalists...The SEC PR department is pathetic, no doubt staffed with family members of donors, etc. but the results are irrefutable. The ACC and Big East are over-rated every year by some margin, sometimes huge. Duke is annual proof of that, yet has the lion's share of recent ACC titles, regular and conference. This coming Duke team won't deserve to be rated; no doubt they will premiere in the top ten and stay there until K's schedule reveals them again in Feb.. That will be when UK is kicking into high gear.

May 20, 2009  12:58 PM ET

the SEC the strongest conference in the country for the last 15 years? please. acc from top to bottom is more competitive. as a unlc fan i agree with what you said about duke getting overrated and i look forward to the wildcats matchup this fall. i get to see us play a blue blood program that i respect in what will surely, for the first time in a while, be a competitive matchup.

May 20, 2009  01:03 PM ET
QUOTE(#2):

not so many zzz's for me. I have to watch this phenom next year score points on my Vols and hear obnoxious KY fans talk about their return to glory. They're more annoying than the UNC fans around here.

Medic!

May 20, 2009  01:11 PM ET

I heard that this puts Kentucky 3 players over the scholarship limit. Who does Calipari dump to make room for his guys?

May 20, 2009  01:26 PM ET
QUOTE(#17):

I heard that this puts Kentucky 3 players over the scholarship limit. Who does Calipari dump to make room for his guys?

And it will be 4 if Meeks return... KU fans whats scrubs are you all getting rid of?

May 20, 2009  01:29 PM ET

UK Fans: be careful what you wish for. oh, Coach Cal will win games for UK. There's always a cost, though and it ain't just the contract you're paying.

 
May 20, 2009  01:31 PM ET
QUOTE(#17):

I heard that this puts Kentucky 3 players over the scholarship limit. Who does Calipari dump to make room for his guys?

same as a lot of teams, mainly in football. Some will not qualify, may transfer, etc.

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