Shaw Not Committing Until Spring? Issue Qualifying DePaul Now In The Picture?

[Tugg Speedman]

http://ilprepbullseye.com/page59.html

(at the bottom ...)

We still believe that there is a strong possibility that 6'8 class of 2011 forward Mike Shaw  from De LaSalle Institute in Chicago ends up waiting until the spring to sign a letter of intent, a factor that will very much hinge on Shaw's situation with respect to taking the ACT.  While there has been countless speculation on the part of others as to who Shaw's leaders might be, we would certainly not count out DePaul University  at this point.  In fact, if Shaw's recruitment were to go into the spring, we actually believe that DePaul is one school whose chances could be enhanced even further.

[GGGG]

DePaul has always been in the picture with Shaw. 

That being said, I know we poo pooed his academic issues because he has yet to take the ACT, but I read this a couple of days ago too.

http://www.illinihq.com/blogs/recruiting_wrap/2010/10/12/hs_coach_still_no_set_timetable_for

"White also confirmed Shaw has not yet taken the ACT. He said Shaw isn't much concerned by that fact, as he still has three or so dates he could take it on. Of greater importance is when he's prepared to take it, as Shaw is finishing up some junior-level classes and could get some tutoring so he has the best chance for success, White said."

So we will have to see how this progresses.

[Tugg Speedman]

DePaul has always been in the picture with Shaw. 

I thought I read here it was either MU or Illinois.  In any event, DePaul and Oliver Purnell have are still in the hunt.

I wonder how he liked DePaul's midnight madness?

[bilsu]

I really do not understand the logic in waiting to take the ACT.  Take it early and know where you stand. There is no penalty for not passing it the first time.

[brewcity77]

As I recall, MU and Illinois were listed as favorites recently, but West Virginia and DePaul have both been mentioned frequently. Considering not much has come out lately, my guess is any of the four could emerge with Shaw.

[Marquette65]

I got blasted when I posted that academics " may" be a factor in the Shaw decision.

I now seems that either Shaw, or his handlers, are very concerned also.  If they are so confident about his ability to get a score that would allow him to verbal why has he not taken the test ?  He's not looking at an Ivy is he?

[GGGG]

I got blasted when I posted that academics " may" be a factor in the Shaw decision.

You got blasted because you said it might determine where he would go.  He will be admitted wherever he chooses...the academics issue is more about his eligibility.

[nyg]

Does Buzz hold an open scholarship until the spring waiting for Shaw to decide?

[brewcity77]

Does Buzz hold an open scholarship until the spring waiting for Shaw to decide?

I'd rather hold an open scholarship than end up with another Newbill situation. No need to take a commit from a guy if you have your eye on someone else. If McDonald is available and willing to commit, I think you sooner take him now than waiting for Shaw, but if he goes elsewhere, Shaw waits until Spring and goes somewhere else, there will still be jucos available that could fill the scholarship.

[Benny B]

"White also confirmed Shaw has not yet taken the ACT. He said Shaw isn't much concerned by that fact, as he still has three or so dates he could take it on. Of greater importance is when he's prepared to take it, as Shaw is finishing up some junior-level classes and could get some tutoring so he has the best chance for success, White said."

When I was in high school (having attended two since I moved between 10th and 11th grade), there were no "junior-level" classes at either.  There were some classes you were supposed to take your freshman and sophomore years that were 99% freshman and sophomores, respectively.  After that, there were no rules other than you had to graduate with 4 years of English and 3.5 of math.  Even in that structure, the English and math classes I took my junior and senior years always had a mix of sophomores, juniors & seniors.

Maybe the two HS's I attended were anomalies, or maybe the curriculum has changed, but "junior-level" is not something I would use to describe a high school class (it seems more apropos in a post-secondary context).  This leads me to believe:

1) Shaw is taking "junior college-level" classes

2) As a senior, he is taking a class or classes that kids normally take their junior year (which isn't necessarily bad)

3) He is retaking a class or classes he took his junior year (which could be or might seem bad on the surface, but might not be an issue if he passes this time around).

Of course, I want to give Shaw the benefit of the doubt until we hear something more concrete - two tidbits of information are merely a coincidence in my book.  The fact that he hasn't taken the ACT isn't an issue; sure, it may defy conventional logic, but it isn't inherently bad.  And the fact that he's taken "junior-level" classes could mean a number of things, some potentially bad, some potentially good.

I need one more unrelated tidbit of info before the possible "qualifying issues" becomes a trend IMO.

[OhioGoldenEagle]

At this point, I say move on without Shaw.  2 things that are really begining to concern me.....

1.  Postponing his decision until spring - this in combination with Mike's decision to not take the ACT until the last possible moment REALLY makes me question his academic status.  Knowing you are going to be offered handfuls of scholarships by top D1 institutions, and knowing that you will need to qualify academically, why ANY athlete would delay the process is beyond me.  If everything is truly ok, there would be no need for this postponement.

2.  Mike's "Handlers" - throughout this recruitment there have been repeated references to his "handlers", ie. coaches/parents.  I understand that there are always important people behind the scenes that want the best for their kid, but this circumstance seems a little more than just that.  I hate to have a situation where it's more their decision, than Mike's.......which could be why he is having such a hard time making a decision a postponing.  All we need is another overbearing parent (we all know who I'm referring to here).

Bottomline, if we have an opportunity to gain other quality players, take them.  I don't want to waste a good opportunity on "hoping" for a wavering prospect.

[bilsu]

I would move on also.

[MarkCharles]

I don't see any reason to move on until we actually have others ready to commit.

Does anyone actually know that he is for sure delaying his decision until Spring? I have not heard anything other than speculation from the bullseye site about this. It seems like people are just taking that as fact because he didn't commit directly after Marquette Madness. There is still plenty of time left in the Fall period for him to make his decision.

[NersEllenson]

I would move on also.

Considering all the time and energy the staff has put into Shaw, there is no reason to move on, until the Shaw camp says - Marquette, you are out of the mix.

At this point, I say move on without Shaw.
2.  Mike's "Handlers" - throughout this recruitment there have been repeated references to his "handlers", ie. coaches/parents.  I understand that there are always important people behind the scenes that want the best for their kid, but this circumstance seems a little more than just that.  I hate to have a situation where it's more their decision, than Mike's.......which could be why he is having such a hard time making a decision a postponing.  All we need is another overbearing parent (we all know who I'm referring to here).

Bottomline, if we have an opportunity to gain other quality players, take them.  I don't want to waste a good opportunity on "hoping" for a wavering prospect.

Shaw's "handlers" are the Irvin family, and by all accounts they are in favor of him going to MU - it is the family that is rumored to be pushing for West Virginia or Illinois.  MU being the "recommended" school by the Mac Irvin camp, is HUGE.

[MU_Iceman]

Considering all the time and energy the staff has put into Shaw, there is no reason to move on, until the Shaw camp says - Marquette, you are out of the mix.

Shaw's "handlers" are the Irvin family, and by all accounts they are in favor of him going to MU - it is the family that is rumored to be pushing for West Virginia or Illinois.  MU being the "recommended" school by the Mac Irvin camp, is HUGE.

If it's true that the Mac Irvin camp is trying to push for MU then it would make NO sense to move on from Shaw...the Irvin family is the single most influential basketball family in Chicago...Purnell is doing everything possible to mend DePaul's relationship with the Irvin's and the Chicago Public League...Bruce Weber is firmly entrenched in the Chicago basketball landscape (just look at the list of Madness attendees this year)...Buzz and his staff need to do everything possible to stay involved with the Chicago pipeline of players.

So even if Shaw himself is losing interest, it's in MU's best interest to stay active for the sake of future Mac Irvin opportunities...IMO, of course

[OhioGoldenEagle]

Shaw's "handlers" are the Irvin family, and by all accounts they are in favor of him going to MU - it is the family that is rumored to be pushing for West Virginia or Illinois.  MU being the "recommended" school by the Mac Irvin camp, is HUGE.

This is my point exactly!  He is a 17 year old kid that is being pulled in multiple directions.  In the end, all schools are likely fine options with quality coaching staffs.  Considering Mike is the one that will spend his next 4 years at the chosen University, he and he alone should have the final say on where he committs based on how he felt during all of the visits.

[bilsu]

My concern is that he will end up ineligible anyways. The failure to take the ACT is a big red flag to me.

[GGGG]

This is my point exactly!  He is a 17 year old kid that is being pulled in multiple directions.  In the end, all schools are likely fine options with quality coaching staffs.  Considering Mike is the one that will spend his next 4 years at the chosen University, he and he alone should have the final say on where he committs based on how he felt during all of the visits.

Almost every top level recruit has "handlers" of some sort.  They have high school coaches, AAU coaches, etc.  They are going to have advice about where their game fits and what coaching style might be best for them.  If we dismissed every prospect that took advice from these sources, we'd be a terrible basketball program.

Furthermore, you are oftentimes dealing with kids and parents who have never even been to college much less at the level of a D1 athlete.  When any kids makes their college choice these days, they listen and seek the advice of their parents, teachers, friends, etc.  Ultimately the kids is the one that has to make the decision..  Mac Irvin isn't going to dictate where Shaw goes, but he definately is going to give him advice like he did with Reggie Smith.  Cutting ourself off from that would be the ultimate in stupidity.

[OhioGoldenEagle]

Almost every top level recruit has "handlers" of some sort.  They have high school coaches, AAU coaches, etc.  They are going to have advice about where their game fits and what coaching style might be best for them.  If we dismissed every prospect that took advice from these sources, we'd be a terrible basketball program.

Who said anything about dismissing every prospect that took advice from other sources?  They all do.......but to varying degrees.  Advice is one thing, being pointed in 1 direction from one party and in 1/2 directions from another part of your group is a completely different animal.  OJ Mayo was pointed in 1 direction......those kids, you stay away from.  Juan Anderson, for example,  had help narrowing down his list to a final handful of schools that he ultimately got to choose from.  I personally don't want to get involved with outside parties that have says in where kids go to school.  It's dirty and I personally don't want to get in bed with that.......regardless of how many kids MU loses out on.

[GGGG]

Who said anything about dismissing every prospect that took advice from other sources?  They all do.......but to varying degrees.  Advice is one thing, being pointed in 1 direction from one party and in 1/2 directions from another part of your group is a completely different animal.  OJ Mayo was pointed in 1 direction......those kids, you stay away from.  Juan Anderson, for example,  had help narrowing down his list to a final handful of schools that he ultimately got to choose from.  I personally don't want to get involved with outside parties that have says in where kids go to school.  It's dirty and I personally don't want to get in bed with that.......regardless of how many kids MU loses out on.

The difference between the advice that Anderson got and the advice that Shaw is getting isn't all that great.  And it's not "dirty" in any respect...unless we are doing something against the rules.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Who said anything about dismissing every prospect that took advice from other sources?  They all do.......but to varying degrees.  Advice is one thing, being pointed in 1 direction from one party and in 1/2 directions from another part of your group is a completely different animal.  OJ Mayo was pointed in 1 direction......those kids, you stay away from.  Juan Anderson, for example,  had help narrowing down his list to a final handful of schools that he ultimately got to choose from.  I personally don't want to get involved with outside parties that have says in where kids go to school.  It's dirty and I personally don't want to get in bed with that.......regardless of how many kids MU loses out on.

I get where you are coming from...

But, let's face it, we all had "handlers" when we were 16/17 that assisted us in our college decision. For most kids, it's their parents and possibly siblings. For some others, it's uncles, coaches, school counselors, etc. etc.

I know that MU doesn't want a kid with some huge entourage, but let's be careful about using broad brush strokes when using the term "handlers" as it can mean a variety of things.

[OhioGoldenEagle]

I get where you are coming from...

But, let's face it, we all had "handlers" when we were 16/17 that assisted us in our college decision. For most kids, it's their parents and possibly siblings. For some others, it's uncles, coaches, school counselors, etc. etc.

I know that MU doesn't want a kid with some huge entourage, but let's be careful about using broad brush strokes when using the term "handlers" as it can mean a variety of things.

Agreed.  It all depends on the degree to which these people are involved.  I'm not saying its anything illegal and in the end I have no clue how much anyone is involved so I will leave it up to Buzz to decide our fate.

[NersEllenson]

  I personally don't want to get involved with outside parties that have says in where kids go to school.  It's dirty and I personally don't want to get in bed with that.......regardless of how many kids MU loses out on.

I think I understand the "spirit" of your post, but it may not be getting communicated effectively.  I believe what you are saying is that for the sake of a kid - you want the kid to have the ultimate choice/authority/decision-making power as to where they choose to attend school.  Think we all would agree.  That said, there is NOTHING dirty about getting involved with kids who have "handlers," as virtually every kid does, especially those that are Top 100.  Now are there a few "handlers" who are less than scrupulous - sure.  Buzz knows where to draw the line, and which handlers to play ball with, and those to stay away from.  In the case of Shaw - it's all good..the Irvin camp is fine.

[ATL MU Warrior]

According to Scout, WVU just got two verbals:  PG Ryan Boatwright and F/C Pat Forsythe.

Does that mean the Shaw ship has sailed for WVU?  Anybody know how many openings/commits they have for next year?

[MarkCharles]

Boatright will be a great pg for Huggins.

To answer your question, WVU has 4 seniors and 4 2011 recruits, so it would appear they are full. I don't believe they have any walk-ons, but someone please correct me if I am wrong.

I am not sure if this means they will stop recruiting or not. I guess this is good news for us in terms of Shaw, but it does mean that a rival got stronger.