by Bluejay Bilas » Tue Sep 23, 2014 3:05 pm
Rivals article: the next recruiting “article” on a fan-specific paysite that is anything other than slanted to sound positive for the fans who pay for the site will be the first such article in the history of Rivals/Scout/247 etc.
His dad: the mlive.com article says that he grew up a little over an hour from East Lansing. Presumably, there are one or more family members and/or friends of the family who attended MSU (certainly there must be a few Spartans fans amongst his Michigan relations and friends). And, MSU has great hoops tradition. It would be odd if his dad were not at least somewhat in favor of the idea of his son going there. This isn’t remotely an Ed Morrow situation, but if McQuaid’s truly torn about which school to select, the Michigan connection will hurt us.
Twitter analysis: yep, not much point in trying to look too much into a HS player’s mind by looking at twitter. That said, even among the players, there appears to be an enthusiasm gap. My guess is the discrepancy between MSU follows and CU follows has to do with CU players seeking him out, and the longer-standing relationship between CU and McQuaid. The followers and mentions gap is hugely slanted to CU, but it’s not like he’s retweeted or favorited more than a couple of pro-CU things (and I don’t think he’s done any of that since his visit). Not that it likely matters to him (nor should it), but our fans care way more at this point. That’s probably because we’re new to the idea that top 100 kids might choose CU, and we don’t have college football to focus on (at least with respect to our non-Jaysker members). MSU hoops fans get excited over 5 star recruits (Swanigan and/or Ellenson is who they really want), and take it for granted that a McQuaid or two will pick them every year. And, it’s been said plenty, but I don’t sense that their fans feel much need for another SG.
UNC: can’t see him waiting around for the Heels. He’s definitely a backup option for them, right now. But, who knows. A school other than MSU or CU entering the picture would obviously make it (a) more likely that it will be a few weeks before he makes a decision, and (b) less likely that he ends up in Omaha. I just don’t see that happening, cause surely other schools besides CU and MSU would be thrilled to have him, yet he’s only taken two officials and seems to be close to making a decision.