Your Source For Recruiting Information

No program's star has fallen more over the past two years than that of Arizona, due mostly to the inactivity period and later retirement of coach Lute Olson.

The Tucson Citizen ran a story recently about the trials and tribulations of trying to recruit without a permanent head coach, as of course Russ Pennell isn't expected to be named that man after serving his role of interim coach this season.

In light of Olson's departure in the fall, it wasn't surprising that the Wildcats lost all three of their commitments. That development underscores the point we scouts like to make -- and destroys the NCAA's silly argument that "players choose a school" -- that recruiting is about relationships.

The school's basketball, academic and social reputation certainly play a part for many recruits, but ultimately there has to be a comfort level between prospect and coach. That said, if the coach recruiting you suddenly leaves or there appears to be uncertainty around the program, the school's general attributes get trumped.

That isn't the case some of the time; it's the the case almost all of the time. There are scenarios when a player -- typically lower rated -- decides to stick it out despite the presence of a head coach, but as the Citizen and other stories mention, it's more common to see guys reopen their recruitments.

It goes without saying that Arizona, Alabama and other schools will be very interesting to follow throughout the remainder of the winter and heading into the coach-hiring frenzy of the spring.

Here's a link to the story.

The real questions are who are they looking at and who are they going to get? I think some good candidates would Mark Few, Jamie Dixon, and John Calipari. Memphis is good and all, but if Calipari went there that could be a real powerhouse. Just think Arizona has more potential than Memphis.

I think it's too early to start discussing this seriously, but suffice it to say some coaches are going to get preemptive raises as a result of the various openings, Arizona being at the top of that list.