cu8493 wrote:Regardless of what you might think you know about Bama or the current state of its basketball, it is a formidable foe for Joshua's services. Because of its football money, Bama's facilities for the athletes (dorms, training table (literally a 5 star restaurant), etc.) are far superior to anything CU can ever dream about. If that is high on his list of priorities, that's a big hurdle for us. The campus is beautiful and spacious. Their football money has been put to good use. Decent weather other than some days in December and January (if you don't mind rain), its academics are actually good (average ACT in the upper 20s, I believe, and average HS GPA around 3.75) - CU may have an advantage there if that's important, but its not as big a gap as some might think. Of course, it has an incredible football game day atmosphere. Its an hour drive to Birmingham if you want big city atmosphere nearby, 4 - 5 hour drive to the gulf coast, 4 hours to New Orleans, 4 hours to Nashville and 3 hours to Atlanta. There are some advantages there. It would be a big win, IMO, for the staff to land him over Bama.
As for basketball considerations, I tend to think John Petty will not be back. He's projected 2nd round or maybe undrafted. But, he's a junior and now has a baby to feed. He may determine its time to make some money - even if that means Europe if he doesn't get a contract with an NBA team. If Joshua is truly thinking one and done, I do think he has a better chance of getting the most playing time at Bama next, depending on what Petty and Lewis do at Bama and what TyShon and Davion do. Wouldn't surprise me if Primo waits to see who stays and who goes after the season before making up his mind. Hoping the proximity of most BE locations to his family will help carry the day.
I don't see too many people on this thread talking crap on Bama. Maybe 1? Have you ever been to Birmingham? It's not big city atmosphere at all. It's a nice city but it's pretty spread out. It's not really comparable to Toronto.