Dokish/Pitt/Beasley Watch

[michigancat]

On Thursday, Pitt assistant basketball coach Orlando Antigua will visit Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, MA in an attempt to get 6'9" forward Michael Beasley to make an on campus visit to the University of Pittsburgh. Beasley is considered one of the top three prospects in the country, with many recruiting experts considering Beasley the top prospect. While Beasley has verbally committed to Kansas State, he has expressed an interest to visit the Pitt campus and Antigua's visit is an attempt to set up a date for a visit in the next few weeks.

http://pantherrants.blogspot.com/2006_10_01_pantherrants_archive.html#116000993504935083

[ChicoRodriguez]

  Come on Rusty

[jarrr]

Come on Rusty

Well, if Beasley is letting him come in for a visit then this has to be something to be concerned about. If you were a 100% committed to going some where would you let coaches come in to set up a visit. I think the fact that Dixon is sending an assistant in for a visit should send off a bad message. I mean Pittsburgh isnt that far away, and Huggs goes in and visits him himself.

[ksu_FAN]

I wonder what message Coach Antigua will be sending from Pitt DOB David Cox.  This is all going to come down to who has more influence from the DC Assualt, Hill or Cox.  It could be that out of respect for Cox that Beasley will listen to Pitt, but I think at the end of the day Hill's influence wins out.  At least that's what I'm banking on. 

The wildcard factors IMO will be Huggins/Manhattan vs the Dixon/Pittsburg.  I think Huggins would overtake Dixon any day of the week, but the factor of the city vs Manhattan, America might even that out.  It could get interesting, but I hope not.

The other positive is this seems like the final effort to get Beasley to visit.  So at this point Pitt is really just trying to get a foot in the door still.

[pissclams]

Beasley's decision isn't going to come down to where he's going to live for a year.
If it did, KSU's cause would only get stronger. 
He can focus on basketball in Manhattan and live as normal a life as a future lottery pick can.  Same can't be said about living in Pittsburgh, PA.

All things being equal, Beasley has to consider what's best for his future.
He's a top 5 lottery pick, he needs a short-term coach who can prep him for the NBA as quickly as possible.

Huggins staff wins that battle any day of the week. 

That being said, Dixon appears to be a heck of a coach, but he's only been a head coach for 3 yrs.
My comments about Huggs shouldn't be viewed as a slam against Dixon, it is what it is.

[ksu_FAN]

Beasley's decision isn't going to come down to where he's going to live for a year.
If it did, KSU's cause would only get stronger. 
He can focus on basketball in Manhattan and live as normal a life as a future lottery pick can.  Same can't be said about living in Pittsburgh, PA.

All things being equal, Beasley has to consider what's best for his future.
He's a top 5 lottery pick, he needs a short-term coach who can prep him for the NBA as quickly as possible.

Huggins staff wins that battle any day of the week. 

That being said, Dixon appears to be a heck of a coach, but he's only been a head coach for 3 yrs.
My comments about Huggs shouldn't be viewed as a slam against Dixon, it is what it is.

That all makes perfect, logical sense.  Unfortunately we know that logical sense doesn't always apply to recruiting.  I think Beasley's still a Cat, but after following recruiting in football and basketball for 8 years my version of logic is often wrong and we usually only know a small fraction of what really is going on.

[michigancat]

Another thing in our favor is Beasley was totally willing to live in "Mouth of Wilson", VA, to advance his basketball career.  I don't think Mouth of Wilson is close to anything.

I don't think living in a metropolis is really important to him.

[McGrowlTowelZac]

I still feel like he is ours, I just wish he wasn't visiting PITT.  However, maybe Beasley is going to do some recruiting of his own while he is there, i.e. Dejuan Blair....

[michigancat]

I still feel like he is ours, I just wish he wasn't visiting PITT.  However, maybe Beasley is going to do some recruiting of his own while he is there, i.e. Dejuan Blair....

Did you read the link?  Pitt is making a pitch just to get him to visit.

[ksu_FAN]

I don't think living in a metropolis is really important to him.

I didn't think Steffon Hannah's mom would sway him either.  Little different situation, but Hannah was all but signed and sealed.  Again, I don't try to apply my logic to what recruits like, there are simply too many factors at play.

[jarrr]

I don't think living in a metropolis is really important to him.

I didn't think Steffon Hannah's mom would sway him either.  Little different situation, but Hannah was all but signed and sealed.  Again, I don't try to apply my logic to what recruits like, there are simply too many factors at play.

The only differense with Beasley is he has come out, with his own words, that he is 100% KSU. So I'll put faith in his word, even though past history with other recruits tells me not too. I think Mike is a good kid and wouldn't do that to us.

[ksu_FAN]

I agree, the situation is different and it seems that Beasley is solid for K-State.

However, you read these words and you have to take a step back from whatever "logic" tells you:

"What happened was I signed a letter to Kansas State and sent it to my mom. She signed one to Missouri and sent it to me."

"I came off my visit and, you know, when you come back from a visit, you always like it," Hannah said. "Everything in my head was Kansas State, Kansas State, Kansas State. I kind of ended up forgetting how much I liked Missouri. I had signed the paper for Kansas State and my mom just told me to make sure I thought about it and that was what I really wanted to do."

[McGrowlTowelZac]

No, I didn't read the link, my bad.

I talked to Hannah on myspace, after he switched to Mizzou, and he swore it wasn't because of his mom.  It was on myspace, he wouldn't lie to me, besides he has me on his friends list now. We're tight, he's my homie

 , we're like this now, except for the fact i hate mizzou  

[snart]

Four key points:

-Which assistant does Beasley relate more to, Hill or Cox?  I think Hill is the clear winner here?

-Which head coach would be more demanding and prepare Beasley more for his future?  Name the last player Dixon sent to the NBA?  Hell, name ANY player that Dixon sent to the NBA?

-Name the last time five players where shot in Manhattan?  And Duquesne is in a far safer part of the city than Pitt is!

-Where would his mother prefer him to play?  If Michael is anything like I was at his age his mother has a great deal of influence and sage advice to give him.

I don’t thing we have much to worry about, but like I have said before, we won’t know one way or the other until the LOI is signed, sealed, and delivered...

[michigancat]

-Where would his mother prefer him to play?  If Michael is anything like I was at his age his mother has a great deal of influence and sage advice to give him.

Great point.  She loves KSU and could refuse to sign a Pitt LOI...

[ksu_FAN]

Hey, I agree with everything said, I suppose I'm just playing devil's advocate here a bit.  IF, and a big if something would change, I'm not one to pile on these kids when something we might not like goes down, I suppose this is my way of preparing for those unexpected changes.  I look forward to seeing Beasley in purple, but like you said until the LOI is signed you never know...

[sys]

doke.   

[fatty fat fat]

NON-ISSUE

[Andy]

Beasley will be at midnight madness!   

[pissclams]

Beasley will be at midnight madness!   

WTF!!

[Andy]

Beasley will be at midnight madness!   

WTF!!

little blurb in the star today

[sys]

Beasley will be at midnight madness!   

WTF!!

little blurb in the star today

doke had it first.

[Andy]

Beasley will be at midnight madness!   

WTF!!

little blurb in the star today

doke had it first.

good to see it confirmed in a slightly more reputable place though

[michigancat]

Beasley will be at midnight madness!   

WTF!!

little blurb in the star today

doke had it first.

Liar!  I read that beasley burb and totally missed it this morning.  Great news.

[jmlynch1]

Awesome news! This was the date they were aiming to get him to visit IIRC. I'm sure they'll set up another one, but you gotta like him choosing KSU over Pitt in this instance.

[michigancat]

On Beasley- From what I got, Dixon and Antigua were making the rounds around Boston today, including Notre Dame Prep. The talk with Beasley was "very productive", according to a source who was there. There is more but I was convinced by my source up there to hold off for a day or two for a reason I can't get into. That means don't bother asking me because it's in my best interest not to say anything more at this time. Let's just say things may be getting interesting.

[fatty fat fat]

STOP 

[michigancat]

STOP 

You're really depressed right now, aren't you?

[jmlynch1]

I tend to believe EVERYTHING I read regardless of the source. However, this guy is really the ONLY guy who is saying anything about Pitt having a big shot at MB. Its hard to tell if hes on to something or if he is just a giant homer. Signing day can't get here soon enough.

[fatty fat fat]

STOP 

You're really depressed right now, aren't you?

No.

Doke is killing me.