New Majok article after UCONN visit

[matt colvin]

Getting a good look

Majok impressed on visit to UConn

By Phil Chardis
Journal Inquirer

Published: Friday, April 25, 2008 12:40 PM EDT

If Ater Majok is going to base his college decision on his recruiting visits, then the highly touted 6-foot-10 forward from Australia is likely going to be at the University of Connecticut this fall.

According to Ed Smith, Majok’s coach in Australia who accompanied him on his latest trip to the United States, Majok’s official visit to UConn couldn’t have gone much better these past two days.

“He’s loving it up here,” Smith said. “He said he met with the academic people here and it went well. He spoke with Coach (Jim Calhoun) and the feedback in terms of where they see him fitting within the scheme of the team is very positive. He’s had a chance to be on campus and go around to the facilities, and go to class. He’s enjoying it.”

So, is Majok — who has been UConn’s top recruiting priority for almost a year — ready to give the Huskies a commitment?

“Well, I know he’s close, so I wouldn’t say ‘no’ to anything like that, because he’s had such a good time,” Smith said. “But I think he wants to have a chance to speak to his family first and go from there.”

Majok’s plans at the moment call for him to return to Australia today, while Smith goes to check on a few other of his players who are in the United States. When Smith returns to Australia, the two will talk again and make a decision. He has also visited Kentucky and Baylor and has been invited to visit UCLA, while Kansas has also shown interest.

“Ater wants to leave the environment itself, and settle down and sit back and soak it up,” Smith said. “It’s safe to say that UConn is his top choice at the moment. Once he sits down and absorbs everything — he’ll reflect on Kentucky, Baylor, and UConn and he’ll decide whether he needs to go on from here, or ‘Do I have my No. 1 at this time.’ If he feels it’s necessary to see another campus, he will, but the recruiting visits take a lot out of you. He really wants to shut it down.”

It would seem that UConn fulfills the needs that Majok, 20, has set for himself.

Rest is here: http://www.journalinquirer.com/articles/2008/04/25/sports/uconn/doc4812080dc99ab407967331.txt

[matt colvin]

To be honest, this doesn't sound good.

Edited to add: The Smith quotes are not good at all. BUT, this is a UCONN paper. Just a little thing to keep in mind. But the overall tone doesn't sound good at all.

Also, this is a little bit of a process. We were successful in the first few parts so far: Majok visit, visit go WELL, and Majok doesn't commit on spot in Storrs.

The next part determines his destination, imo.

[Will Lavender]

Doesn't sound good at all.

But it's not completely unexpected, either.

[freethrow]

I get some mixed feelings after reading this. Most, I admit, are that UCONN is still the one to beat out for his services and will probably land him. But I can't help but wonder if the playing time issue and the fact that we will be loaded with juniors next season, as well as any good juco recruits we can land, will help him think more on UK? I sure as heck hope so.

http://www.journalinquirer.com/articles/2008/04/25/sports/uconn/doc4812080dc99ab407967331.txt

[Ukosumu]

Dang! Hope stepping away from all the hype clears his head and has him longing for the Bluegrass.

[pattyflattie]

I heard similar quotes about his official visit to UK.

IMO, if UCONN was the leader, the fact that he didn't commit during the visit is good news for us.

Still not getting my hopes up on this one, if we get him it would be a great win. I didn't expect to get Patterson around this time last year so you never know.

[Will Lavender]

I heard similar quotes about his official visit to UK.

Unfortunately, we didn't hear anything like this:

“Well, I know he’s close, so I wouldn’t say ‘no’ to anything like that, because he’s had such a good time."

Still, this is a UCONN publication. UCONN slant. You never know how a guy glosses over his words when he's talking to a guy from the school in question.

Still think he's a Huskie.

Maybe Billy can do an in-home down under? :icon_mrgreen:

[Ukosumu]

Jasper leaving, Liggins and Flemings may not qualify, Harrelson wants to stay home, McCoy and Sutton being offerred by UVa and IU, and now Majok still likes UConn. It is just too much for any UK fan to handle. :icon_lol:

[crazzedcats22]

I heard similar quotes about his official visit to UK.

IMO, if UCONN was the leader, the fact that he didn't commit during the visit is good news for us.

Still not getting my hopes up on this one, if we get him it would be a great win. I didn't expect to get Patterson around this time last year so you never know.

I'd like to see a link or hear where you heard that because I don't think anything even close to that was said. He might have said he liked UK and his trip went well but nothing close to what was said in this article.

[freethrow]

Looks like I posted this within a couple minutes of you doing the same, Matt. We seem to do this often. :icon_mrgreen:

[Will Lavender]

If you look at this objectively, you see a bit of a different picture.

Look at it this way:

UCONN has been the clear leader for weeks. Majok took his second visit there. Loved his time there, apparently, and had a great stay.

Yet Calhoun didn't get a commitment.

Really, what does he have to think about? If UCONN is the leader and made such an impression, why think about it at all?

The fact that he's going home to think is nothing but good for UK. If there's going to be a change of heart in these next few days, then it will be to UK's advantage.

Just looking at the silver lining here.

[matt colvin]

Gillispie needs to get on a plane to Australia, lol.

[KYISSUPREME]

I don't know. Sounds like later, Ater.

[Littlemeyer]

If you look at this objectively, you see a bit of a different picture.

Look at it this way:

UCONN has been the clear leader for weeks. Majok took his second visit there. Loved his time there, apparently, and had a great stay.

Yet Calhoun didn't get a commitment.

Really, what does he have to think about? If UCONN is the leader and made such an impression, why think about it at all?

The fact that he's going home to think is nothing but good for UK. If there's going to be a change of heart in these next few days, then it will be to UK's advantage.

Just looking at the silver lining here.

:thumbup: That's what I'm clinging to. (Well, that, and my guns and religion.)

I'll remain cautiously optimistic. Hopeful, but prepared for the inevitable.

[I. Melvin]

Now, don't be bitter, Littlemeyer. ;)

[BamaCat86]

Sounds to me like Mr. Smith is wanting Ater to go to UConn in a bad way.....almost like he has something riding on it.

[Will Lavender]

Sounds to me like Mr. Smith is wanting Ater to go to UConn in a bad way.....almost like he has something riding on it.

Naw! Calhoun is the straightest coach in the business! Get out of here with that stuff! :icon_neutral:

[ukfanaticus]

Sounds to me like Mr. Smith is wanting Ater to go to UConn in a bad way.....almost like he has something riding on it. probably a job within the program,happens all the time ,should be illegal

[jkeller]

I'm always seeing articles like this, "So and So enjoys his visit to _____", you never see things like "So and So hated his visit to ____, it's just too bloody cold there and none of the chicks are hot" ;)

I don't know what to make of this article. I do think it's a point for us that he didn't commit then and there. He may yet end up at UCONN but at least we're still in the game.

[Will Lavender]

I'm always seeing articles like this, "So and So enjoys his visit to _____", you never see things like "So and So hated his visit to ____, it's just too bloody cold there and none of the chicks are hot" ;)

I don't know what to make of this article. I do think it's a point for us that he didn't commit then and there. He may yet end up at UCONN but at least we're still in the game.

I'm waiting for the "I'm committing to ___________, but only because my mommy made me" headline.

[jkeller]

I'm waiting for the "I'm committing to ___________, but only because my mommy made me" headline.

Or "I'm committing to _____ because they're gonna buy my mommy a new house" :icon_mrgreen:

[KYISSUPREME]

I'm waiting for the "I'm committing to ___________, but only because my mommy made me" headline.

Ah, Leo Criswell, I think.

[Blue_N_White]

If you look at this objectively, you see a bit of a different picture.

Look at it this way:

UCONN has been the clear leader for weeks. Majok took his second visit there. Loved his time there, apparently, and had a great stay.

Yet Calhoun didn't get a commitment.

Really, what does he have to think about? If UCONN is the leader and made such an impression, why think about it at all?

The fact that he's going home to think is nothing but good for UK. If there's going to be a change of heart in these next few days, then it will be to UK's advantage.

Just looking at the silver lining here.

:thumbup: :icon_lol:

Boy, that IS the ultimate "Silver Lining" theory and approach, Will.

Here's hoping that you are 100% accurate with this.... ;) :thumbup:

[ibleedblue2]

If you look at this objectively, you see a bit of a different picture.

Look at it this way:

UCONN has been the clear leader for weeks. Majok took his second visit there. Loved his time there, apparently, and had a great stay.

Yet Calhoun didn't get a commitment.

Really, what does he have to think about? If UCONN is the leader and made such an impression, why think about it at all?

The fact that he's going home to think is nothing but good for UK. If there's going to be a change of heart in these next few days, then it will be to UK's advantage.

Just looking at the silver lining here.
Wouldn't that be sweet? LOL