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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

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