Recruiting - Hoops (updated)

Word is that CJ Miles had a great visit to ATL and GT this past weekend. A press conference to announce his decision is set - one week from Tuesday at his high school, which does mean he will take his final visit to Texas. Link here. Miles was hosted by Jeremis Smith, another Texan. Miles is down to Kansas, Texas and GT.

What's intriguing is that he decided THIS week to call a press conference for next week. This means he'll have one day to make a decision. In my mind this means he's virtually MADE his decision. Which also leads me to believe that Texas might not be so strong in the picture right now as people want to believe.

It is much more typical for a recruit to say they will be making their decision in the week or so AFTER visits are done. But he already has the PC setup now, and gives himeself one day. Translation - "I think I know where I want to be". And since he's only visited GT and Kansas, I want to believe we are now front-runners.

Prevailing wisdom lately has been that Texas is probably his current leader. Rumors are swirling and stories are posted that the Jackets gained tremendous ground after this weekend and we all know how much he loved his Kansas visit.

The fact that he has made all his visits hurts Kansas, as does the unbelievable number of talented players at KU at his position.

Texas is the home team - with Barnes doing some nice things, pulling in strong recruits. So they have the "homesick" factor working for them. There was also talk about the strength / conditioning guy at Texas being some uber-guru.

All three programs are mid-to-upper elite. All three programs are on the rise. All three programs have good coaches. He really cannot go wrong with any of them.

Here is how I would rank some of the advantages / disadvatanges:
Program Image: KU, GT, TX
Program "on the rise": KU, GT, TX
Coaching Staff: GT/KU tie, TX
Life if you like the city: GT, TX, KU
Life if you don't: KU, TX, GT
Playing time: TX, GT, KU (distant 3rd)
Team chemisty: GT, KU, TX
Academics: GT, KU/TX tie(not sure)
Stepping-stone to the NBA: KU, GT, TX
Hometown Advantage: TX, GT/KU-tie
Conference Strength: GT, TX/KU-tie (although he is in Big-12 country)
Comments in the media on preference: KU, GT, TX

By the way, for some quotes from Miles click here.

Andrew Bynum also had a good visit to GT Oct 3-4. He will be at North Carolina this weekend, but will not make a final decision until November. He is down to Uconn, UGA, UNC and GT. I would not hold my breath hoping that we snag him, even though he would be a FANTASTIC fit at Georgia Tech. But that's just me. UNC and UConn still have to be considered front-runners here.