Bob Huggins, Bill Walker, and O.J. Mayo...

[Matt700wlw]

One Juicy Rumor:
George Dohrmann, SI.com
I heard a lot of speculation about where O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker will attend college, none of it from informed sources, but there was one rumor so juicy it stood out. Bob Huggins was said to have the inside track on O.J. and Bill (they have said they will go to college together) before he was fired at Cincinnati. As has been reported, he continues to speak with the boys even though he is not recruiting them to a specific school. If he has any sway over them (and some speculate that he was the one who convinced O.J. and Bill's AAU coach to move them closer to Cincinnati) then he could use that as leverage in getting a new job.Which school would appeal to Huggins as well as the boys?"How about Marshall?" speculated one person who said he has spoken to Huggins. "Huggins is from West Virginia and so are O.J. and Bill."Current Marshall coach Ron Jirsa is entering only his second season and certainly deserves more time to turn around the program. But would Marshall dump him at the chance to grab Huggins with the understanding that, after one season, he would bring O.J. and Bill back home to Huntington? I hope not, as it would be a disservice to Jirsa, but if Huggins can indeed deliver O.J. and Bill, it will be interesting to see what schools line up to hire him.

[Joseph]

Not disputing what you've heard, but what logic would it make for Huggins to go to a lower tier school like Marshall?

Just saying.

[redsfan30]

I cannot imagine for one second Mayo and Walker going to Marshall. Just can't see it.

[Reds4Life]

The rumors about UC/Huggins have been flying around all over the place in the last month or so. Mayo and Walker stated they still have interest in UC, but I think it's going to hinge on who they hire as coach. If UC hires a nobody and Huggins lands with a major program they will probably follow him.

A good friend of mine has close ties to the UC athletic office, he said Zimpher is really feeling the heat over the basketball situation and many in the department are worried about the tanking attendance figures. They are scared to death after some losses pile up (and zero recruits coming in next year) they could be looking at 7,000 or less attendees per game. Big East officials have also expressed their displeasure with the current state of the program from what I hear. They are worried if the next coach doesn’t appeal to the fans they are in deep trouble. He said Skip Prosser’s name is the only one he hears with regularity, and expects UC to go after him hard this offseason.

[Chip R]

Not disputing what you've heard, but what logic would it make for Huggins to go to a lower tier school like Marshall?

Just saying.

If those 2 and Huggins went to Marshall, it wouldn't be a lower tier school any more. As for Walker and Mayo, what do they care where they go to school? It's not like they will stay there past their sophomore years and I guarantee you ESPN will televise about as many Marshall games as they do Duke games. If Walker and Mayo are as good as advertised it won't matter where they go to school cause they are supposed to be lottery picks anyway.

[Reds4Life]

If Mayo/Walker follow Huggins anywhere the rage against Zimpher is going to be intense. Where ever they go is going to be an instant contender for a national title.

[KronoRed]

Not disputing what you've heard, but what logic would it make for Huggins to go to a lower tier school like Marshall?

Just saying.

Marshall was on the up swing before Donnavon left to go to Florida, you can win there if you have the players, and they would be giddy to have him on board.

[paintmered]

The rumors about UC/Huggins have been flying around all over the place in the last month or so. Mayo and Walker stated they still have interest in UC, but I think it's going to hinge on who they hire as coach. If UC hires a nobody and Huggins lands with a major program they will probably follow him.

A good friend of mine has close ties to the UC athletic office, he said Zimpher is really feeling the heat over the basketball situation and many in the department are worried about the tanking attendance figures. They are scared to death after some losses pile up (and zero recruits coming in next year) they could be looking at 7,000 or less attendees per game. Big East officials have also expressed their displeasure with the current state of the program from what I hear. They are worried if the next coach doesn’t appeal to the fans they are in deep trouble. He said Skip Prosser’s name is the only one he hears with regularity, and expects UC to go after him hard this offseason.

It's amazing what a little hit to the pocketbook will do.

[Reds4Life]

It's amazing what a little hit to the pocketbook will do.

Many are wondering if they will have the cash to go after someone like Prosser, some say no.

[Reds4Life]

ESPN had a sit down interview with Huggs about the situation, it shows a side of him you don't get to see very often. Honestly, it makes me even more depressed he's gone.

They have a clip on their website, the full interview is supposed to be on SportsCenter tonight. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/index It's on the motion video section.

[WVRed]

One Juicy Rumor:
George Dohrmann, SI.com
I heard a lot of speculation about where O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker will attend college, none of it from informed sources, but there was one rumor so juicy it stood out. Bob Huggins was said to have the inside track on O.J. and Bill (they have said they will go to college together) before he was fired at Cincinnati. As has been reported, he continues to speak with the boys even though he is not recruiting them to a specific school. If he has any sway over them (and some speculate that he was the one who convinced O.J. and Bill's AAU coach to move them closer to Cincinnati) then he could use that as leverage in getting a new job.Which school would appeal to Huggins as well as the boys?"How about Marshall?" speculated one person who said he has spoken to Huggins. "Huggins is from West Virginia and so are O.J. and Bill."Current Marshall coach Ron Jirsa is entering only his second season and certainly deserves more time to turn around the program. But would Marshall dump him at the chance to grab Huggins with the understanding that, after one season, he would bring O.J. and Bill back home to Huntington? I hope not, as it would be a disservice to Jirsa, but if Huggins can indeed deliver O.J. and Bill, it will be interesting to see what schools line up to hire him.

Here is what scout.com has to say.

The number one guard in the class of 2007, O.J. Mayo, said that UConn and Louisville are his top two schools. Mayo, of North College Hills HS, also mentioned Texas, Ohio State, Illinois, Florida State, and Oklahoma State.
Mayo, who plays for the D-I Greyhounds on the AAU circuit, put up 29 points on 9-of-25 shooting against Tyreke Evans at the Southern Invitational on Saturday.

Bill Walker of Cincinnati (Oh.) North College Hill followed up teammate OJ Mayo’s list on Wednesday with one of his own.
“Florida A&M, U-Conn, Syracuse, UC (Cincinnati), and West Virginia,” Walker said. “That’s my list.”

Ohio State was not on the list as he said he did not wish to play for the Buckeyes.

“Nope, Florida A&M, U-Conn, Syracuse, UC, and West Virginia. That’s who I’m looking at,” he affirmed once more.

Keenan Ellis, a 6-foot-9 junior from Kentucky who also spent time in Indianapolis before moving to play at North College Hill in Ohio, told Scout.com that he is favoring Kentucky and Indiana - but he's also looking at Louisville and Florida A&M.
Don't be surprised if Ellis sticks with O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker in college.

[WVRed]

I cannot imagine for one second Mayo and Walker going to Marshall. Just can't see it.

Nobody ever thought they would end up at North College Hill or Rose Hill either. A larger school like Moeller or Ashland would have been the more logical choice.

It wouldnt suprise me for the fact that it would put Marshall on the map similar to what these two did at the two schools mentioned above.

[OnBaseMachine]

Please, OJ, go to Oklahoma State.

OJ plus the number three recruiting class in the country last year would make Ok St. one of the favorites to win the National Championship next season.

[WMR]

UK UK UK; maybe Tubby could hire Huggy-bear as an assistant?

LOL, that would be sweet.

[WVRed]

UK UK UK; maybe Tubby could hire Huggy-bear as an assistant?

LOL, that would be sweet.

UK is most likely in the lead for Keenan Ellis, if that means anything.

I'm going to the Vet Saturday after next to watch the NCH-Wellston game. It will most likely be a blowout, but after the dunking exhibition against Parkersburg South last year, I cant pass it up.