Ben Eblen is re-opening his recruitment

[districtballer]

Eblen was not very happy with the coaching change and he expected a higher profile hire than Shaka (Springmann, Dooley etc.). The RTD also mentioned that Eblen asked Walter Hodge what he thought about Coach Smart. Apparently Hodge didn't have as glowing a recommendation of Smart as Eblen expected. He has to do what's best for him and I wish him all the best.

 

[RamBo]

Like I said.... who would not want to be a part of what we've got going on right now?? If he wants out, that's OK. Obviously, there are some hurt feelings over the coaching change. And I completely understand that. Maybe he still rolls in here, and just needs a few more days to clear his mind. On the other hand, maybe he is totally out. In any case, we are going to be fine. Let's not freak out. I don't know why. But i am positive that Coach Smart is going to nail this thing down- one way, or another. And we will be fine.

 

[Mistachill]

I'm sure other schools have found a way to get the word to him that they're interested if he became available. There may be more attractive options available to him where he thinks he could do all that and more. And remember, none of that can happen if he's not happy about being here.

I guess what bothers me the the most is, assuming he's a great player, he'd be a STAR at VCU. He would be in tournaments with the chance to be a Cinderella, he'd have a great experience, and he'd be loved by the fans.

Oh well, everything happens for a reason right?

 

[Mistachill]

I think he's had plenty of time to clear his mind.

And I completely understand that. Maybe he still rolls in here, and just needs a few more days to clear his mind.

 

[districtballer]

I think he's had plenty of time to clear his mind.

And I completely understand that. Maybe he still rolls in here, and just needs a few more days to clear his mind.

Agree. I doubt he comes to VCU now. He's had plenty of time alone with just VCU to consider. I think you might just see him go to UCF.

 

[Feta]

I wasn't bowled over by his game anyway...

 

[Rambler]

Things have a funny way of working out! If G.J. had been available to us a year ago, many of us probably would have preferred him over Eblen. From what I've read, G.J. is pretty highly regarded. If G.J. commits, I like where we're at regarding PG next year. Between G.J., Theus, and Rozzell, we should be in good hands. In light of all the comments regarding Larry possibly leaving after next season, we should definately go big with the other scholarship.

 

[RamBo]

I agree on all fronts, regarding the Eblen decision. And he certainly has had plenty of time now, to sort all of this out. I am only trying to point out a couple of things:

1- Although he has had time.... he still on;y recently got to actually meet Coach Smart. Still evaluating that meeting, the personality match, etc. I know... not likely, but still....

2- And more importantly, none of us needs to be talking trash.... just in case. I'm trying to be open-minded, and allow the young man to work through all of this for himself. If he is still very interested, then let's let him work through all of it. Coach will work it out. And then he's all the better-prepared for it when he gets here.

Again.... if not, and if we need to go in a different direction..... then that's OK too. And we are all going to land on our feet. Hey- all we need is this one single piece now. Granted, it's a big piece. But I believe we are going to work it out.

 

[districtballer]

I wasn't bowled over by his game anyway...

Obviously easier to say once he's decommitted. That said he looked like he was smart with the ball and a capable floor general. He didn't scream star-quality though, I agree with that. Still, it's never nice to see a good recruit go. We could have used him.

 

[MarcusNation]

I'm going to be really freaking pissed if we look back in four years and say.....remember how that All-American PG signed his LOI with VCU before opting out?

Think how pissed he is gonna be when he looks back in four years and says, " I could have been to the sweet sixteen twice if I hadn't opted out."

 

[districtballer]

Hey, can't blame the kid. He committed to play for Coach Grant. He is not familiar with Coach Smart and sometimes personalities don't mesh well. Nothing you can do about that. I'm sure Shaka has already planned for this and the coaching staff is working hard to secure a commitment from G.J. as well as the second scholarship we have to offer.

 

[Deuce]

I'm going to be really freaking pissed if we look back in four years and say.....remember how that All-American PG signed his LOI with VCU before opting out?

Think how pissed he is gonna be when he looks back in four years and says, " I could have been to the sweet sixteen twice if I hadn't opted out."

That was good...

You have appeased my anxiety for the moment

 

[Mistachill]

Like some mentioned earlier, maybe Eblen being out of the picture makes VCU a more appealing option for another pg (hopefully Vilarino). To me, the best case scenario would've been a freshman pg and an experienced JUCO pg anyway. Maybe that happens now.

 

[districtballer]

I have a very strong feeling he may be joining the UCF Knights very soon in which case our departure from the Zone boards may be as timely as ever! They absolutely laid siege to the Mason boards during their recruiting battles.

 

[districtballer]

Like some mentioned earlier, maybe Eblen being out of the picture makes VCU a more appealing option for another pg (hopefully Vilarino). To me, the best case scenario would've been a freshman pg and an experienced JUCO pg anyway. Maybe that happens now.

I don't see Shaka going the JUCO route. He's a strong believer in 4-year players and building the program with them.