OJ Mayo and Bob Huggins - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

Matt700wlw · 07-19-2005, 04:56 PM

Greg Doyel (CBS Sportsline)

Ask a college coach if he's trying to recruit Class of 2007 superstar O.J. Mayo, and more than likely he'll tell you no. O.J. Mayo, most coaches seem to believe, wants to play for Cincinnati. So do two of his teammates at North College Hill (Ohio) High, Bill Walker and Keenan Ellis.

Mayo is the No. 1 player in the Class of 2007. Walker might be No. 2. Ellis is generally considered among the top 25. They have said publicly that they want to attend college together, and privately college coaches will tell you they want to attend Cincinnati.

One problem ...

Thanks to the hard-ball tactics of Cincinnati president Nancy Zimpher, Bearcats coach Bob Huggins has just two years left on his contract. Apparently, Mayo, Walker and Ellis are hesitant to commit to Cincinnati because, while they want to play for the Bearcats, what they really want is to play for Huggins.

Here's some advice for Mayo, Walker, Ellis and whoever it is that advises that trio: Announce your commitments to Cincinnati now, but make it clear that you'll follow through on those commitments -- which are non-binding -- only if Huggins will be the coach in 2007-08 and beyond.

Let me tell you something. Whichever school signs Mayo, Walker and Ellis will instantly become a 2008 Final Four favorite. With that as a carrot, Cincinnati's biggest boosters would put all kinds of heat on Zimpher to give Huggins an extension.

And if Zimpher still doesn't get the picture? Let her go down in history as the one person who killed Cincinnati basketball.

traderumor · 07-19-2005, 05:01 PM

Yea, that makes a lot of sense. Why would she care about basketball recruits who like Huggins when she doesn't? If bball was first with her, would she be considering firing Huggins in the first place?

LincolnparkRed · 07-19-2005, 05:16 PM

The other thing that is wrong with that post, is do you actually expect any of those guys to stay 4 years. Next you'll say that the promise to graduate

Not to be mean but when you think of UC basketball 4 years starters and graduations rarely meet in the same sentence.

Reds4Life · 07-19-2005, 05:21 PM

Getting Mayo would give UC one of the top 3 recruiting classes in the country. Oh, and don't be so sure ole' Nancy will be around in 2007 either. Many of the boosters are getting sick of her antics. The way she's handled this situation has made the University look bad and foolish.

Danny Serafini · 07-19-2005, 05:22 PM

Gregg Doyel is to college basketball what Buster Olney is to baseball.

Redsfaithful · 07-19-2005, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny Serafini

Gregg Doyel is to college basketball what Buster Olney is to baseball.

Maybe, but I've read the same thing in the Enquirer and other places.

Whoever gets Mayo, Walker, and Ellis is going to be ridiculously good. They'll win a national championship as freshman.

Heath · 07-19-2005, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redsfaithful

Whoever gets Mayo, Walker, and Ellis is going to be ridiculously good. They'll win a national championship as freshman.

Depends if they run into the "Thad Five" at Ohio State

Redsfaithful · 07-19-2005, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heath

Depends if they run into the "Thad Five" at Ohio State

True, although I'd still take Mayo & Co.

WVRed · 07-19-2005, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heath

Depends if they run into the "Thad Five" at Ohio State

Depends on how long Oden stays at Ohio St.

I've seen Walker and Mayo play many-a-times, and even though it doesnt look like either will be playing for the Big Blue, I am definitely keeping up with them wherever they end up.

I just hope ESPN decides to televise a NCH game this year.

TeamSelig · 07-20-2005, 02:31 AM

Mayo is 20 already isn't he? No way is he staying for longer than 1 year in college. He's struggling to pass high school.

DoogMinAmo · 07-20-2005, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeamSelig

Mayo is 20 already isn't he? No way is he staying for longer than 1 year in college. He's struggling to pass high school.

As far as I know, the bar for entry to the NBA is set at 19, so if he is, he could enter the draft now. It sounds like he wants to play for Huggins, and who knows for how long. The only unfortunate thing is, bringing Mayo et al for one year, even if it is a very good one, wont do much for the program in the long term. Keeping that in mind, winning the championship one year, even if it sets you back 4, is very worth it. I will stay tuned.

TeamSelig · 07-20-2005, 04:28 AM

Thought it was 19 + one year out of graduation?

WVRed · 07-20-2005, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeamSelig

Thought it was 19 + one year out of graduation?

Yes it is. And Mayo will be 19 once he graduates from HS, not 20.

TeamSelig · 07-20-2005, 03:18 PM

Almost 19 1/2 (5 months)

07-19-2005, 04:56 PM	#1
Matt700wlw Making sense of it all Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 26,130	OJ Mayo and Bob Huggins Greg Doyel (CBS Sportsline) Ask a college coach if he's trying to recruit Class of 2007 superstar O.J. Mayo, and more than likely he'll tell you no. O.J. Mayo, most coaches seem to believe, wants to play for Cincinnati. So do two of his teammates at North College Hill (Ohio) High, Bill Walker and Keenan Ellis. Mayo is the No. 1 player in the Class of 2007. Walker might be No. 2. Ellis is generally considered among the top 25. They have said publicly that they want to attend college together, and privately college coaches will tell you they want to attend Cincinnati. One problem ... Thanks to the hard-ball tactics of Cincinnati president Nancy Zimpher, Bearcats coach Bob Huggins has just two years left on his contract. Apparently, Mayo, Walker and Ellis are hesitant to commit to Cincinnati because, while they want to play for the Bearcats, what they really want is to play for Huggins. Here's some advice for Mayo, Walker, Ellis and whoever it is that advises that trio: Announce your commitments to Cincinnati now, but make it clear that you'll follow through on those commitments -- which are non-binding -- only if Huggins will be the coach in 2007-08 and beyond. Let me tell you something. Whichever school signs Mayo, Walker and Ellis will instantly become a 2008 Final Four favorite. With that as a carrot, Cincinnati's biggest boosters would put all kinds of heat on Zimpher to give Huggins an extension. And if Zimpher still doesn't get the picture? Let her go down in history as the one person who killed Cincinnati basketball. __________________ An excited shade of Red

07-19-2005, 05:01 PM	#2
traderumor Unsolicited Opinions Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Right Down Broadway Posts: 17,636	Re: OJ Mayo and Bob Huggins Yea, that makes a lot of sense. Why would she care about basketball recruits who like Huggins when she doesn't? If bball was first with her, would she be considering firing Huggins in the first place? __________________ Can't win with 'em Can't win without 'em

07-19-2005, 05:16 PM	#3
LincolnparkRed Designated Threadkiller Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,789	Re: OJ Mayo and Bob Huggins The other thing that is wrong with that post, is do you actually expect any of those guys to stay 4 years. Next you'll say that the promise to graduate Not to be mean but when you think of UC basketball 4 years starters and graduations rarely meet in the same sentence. __________________ Climbing down from the bridge, but keeping the torch lit until Dusty's fate is settled

07-19-2005, 05:21 PM	#4
Reds4Life Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 3,918	Re: OJ Mayo and Bob Huggins Getting Mayo would give UC one of the top 3 recruiting classes in the country. Oh, and don't be so sure ole' Nancy will be around in 2007 either. Many of the boosters are getting sick of her antics. The way she's handled this situation has made the University look bad and foolish. __________________ Pessimists are well informed optimists

07-19-2005, 05:22 PM	#5
Danny Serafini 15 game winner Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Sultanes de Monterrey Posts: 4,172	Re: OJ Mayo and Bob Huggins Gregg Doyel is to college basketball what Buster Olney is to baseball.

07-20-2005, 02:31 AM	#10
TeamSelig Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 3,727	Re: OJ Mayo and Bob Huggins Mayo is 20 already isn't he? No way is he staying for longer than 1 year in college. He's struggling to pass high school.

07-20-2005, 04:28 AM	#12
TeamSelig Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 3,727	Re: OJ Mayo and Bob Huggins Thought it was 19 + one year out of graduation?

07-20-2005, 03:18 PM	#14
TeamSelig Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 3,727	Re: OJ Mayo and Bob Huggins Almost 19 1/2 (5 months)

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