Monk sets visits

[The Recruiting Guy]

Several of us were told to hold off until 7 tonight but it's been reported.

http://www.wholehogsports.com/news/2015/sep/01/monk-sets-visits/

[ricepig]

I'm guessing we are an "unofficial" visit?

[Hogimus Prime]

As much as I hate Kentucky and Coach Cal, I hope like hell he don't end up at UNC playing for Roy Williams.  He reminds me of Bobby Bowden with 'gosh darn I didn't know those kids were causing trouble' routine

[870hogfan]

Glad he is coming after Kentucky.

[HogsGoneWild]

I don't really understand the visits to Oregon and Florida St.

[poloprince]

I don't really understand the visits to Oregon and Florida St.

Who sells the most shoes in the NBA?  Now do you understand Oregon?

[chitwnhog]

Sadly true...the Monk Camp has said this decision is gonna be all about $$. Not money now but money in the future...Tis why he won't be a Hog.

[Nosboar Accubond]

I really doubt he ends up on the Hill... Which makes me want to puke

[HOGINTENNESSEE]

Sadly true...the Monk Camp has said this decision is gonna be all about $$. Not money now but money in the future...Tis why he won't be a Hog.

Joe Johnson might disagree about the earning potential from Arkansas

[widespreadsooie]

I don't really understand the visits to Oregon and Florida St.

He probably wanted to attend some fun football games is my guess

[widespreadsooie]

Sadly true...the Monk Camp has said this decision is gonna be all about $$. Not money now but money in the future...Tis why he won't be a Hog.

I don't see how coming to Arkansas hinders his earning potential. In fact, I don't believe it would have any impact.

[ricepig]

Joe Johnson might disagree about the earning potential from Arkansas

Yeah, something like $126m??

[Paul]

As much as I hate Kentucky and Coach Cal, I hope like hell he don't end up at UNC playing for Roy Williams.  He reminds me of Bobby Bowden with 'gosh darn I didn't know those kids were causing trouble' routine

tough choices otherwise:  Cal who's cheated everywhere he's been, Altman who left us after 1 day & harbors rapists on his team,Hamilton who is rumored to be as dirty as they come. That leaves Roy & Self

[Hogimus Prime]

tough choices otherwise:  Cal who's cheated everywhere he's been, Altman who left us after 1 day & harbors rapists on his team,Hamilton who is rumored to be as dirty as they come. That leaves Roy & Self

Not sure about Self, but Roy is pretty dirty himself.

[jackflash]

for me its going to be a wait and see thing . I hope we get him but will not get my hope up

[chitwnhog]

Joe Johnson might disagree about the earning potential from Arkansas

Good luck with that. I honestly hope I'm wrong but just don't think I am.

[The_Bionic_Pig]

Joe Johnson might disagree about the earning potential from Arkansas

WWW will have LeBron James call Malik personally as he is attending Big Blue Madness while being broadcast live on ESPNU and replayed numerous time on the SEC Network and watching Drake introduce the starting lineup for a BASKETBALL PRACTICE!!!

Now can you conceive the disparities in a visit to most programs vs The circus that is Big Blue Weekend!

[Pig in the Pokey]

WWW will have LeBron James call Malik personally as he is attending Big Blue Madness while being broadcast live on ESPNU and replayed numerous time on the SEC Network and watching Drake introduce the starting lineup for a BASKETBALL PRACTICE!!!

Now can you conceive the disparities in a visit to most programs vs The circus that is Big Blue Weekend!

yeah, he gone. No worries. We have football.

[ArkansasI]

Razorback fans need to calm down. I think Malik will be a Hog.  Certainly, nothing in that article indicates doom and gloom for us.

I confess to being a little disappointed with all the drama. Calling a press conference to announce final choices?  It would be refreshing if players would simply tell coaches their plans, or inform Richard and let him tell fans.

It's amazing these guys that draw recruiting out - seems to me that growing relationships with coaches will make it that much more difficult to pick just one. I've always thought it difficult to sever ties with people that have worked hard to build a relationship with me.

[ChicoHog]

He probably wanted to attend some fun football games is my guess

I hope it rains cats and dogs when visits Eugene.  Oregon basketball?  You have got to be kidding.  Dana Altman?  KU, UK, Ark and UNC all make sense.  I can see maybe Louisville, UCLA, UConn, Duke, Michigan, Ohio st.etc.,  but Oregon and Florida st? 

[Porked Tongue]

Oregon and Nike.  Ummmm.

[duckman]

I know this is sad, but I really don't care one way or the other.  The one and done rule has all but ruined college basketball for me and I used to love it.  There is no continuity in the game.  I watched a few games this year but the passion for my team and the game in general is gone.  Until the rules change I will just have to love football. 

[HOGINTENNESSEE]

Oregon and Nike.  Ummmm.

Is playing for Altman a biggest slap in then face than playing for UK?

[HOGINTENNESSEE]

Yeah, something like $126m??

If I googled it right he sign a $70 mill in the sign and trade with Atl and then resigned in Atl for $119 mill. That's $189 mill not including his rookie deal or any endorsements.

His shoe deal is apparently pretty decent (Top 15) as well.

http://www.thesportster.com/basketball/top-15-best-sneaker-endorsements-in-the-nba/?view=all

[ErieHog]

Yeah, something like $126m??

$173,752,627 through the end of last year.  Not too shabby.

[Tusks]

Well if its all about $$, I don't get how one year on the hill is going to hurt him.  Are you gong to tell me the money he makes playing for KY for one year is that big a difference?

He's going to be a top 5 pick whether he becomes a hog or not, makes no difference.

[HOGINTENNESSEE]

Well if its all about $$, I don't get how one year on the hill is going to hurt him.  Are you gong to tell me the money he makes playing for KY for one year is that big a difference?

He's going to be a top 5 pick whether he becomes a hog or not, makes no difference.

Calipari argues it does, says kids get better shoe deals. I personally think he would get a better deal by being the superstar of a team. Like D. Russell was for OSU.

[sickboy]

I get that he's a big recruit for us, but you guys get real worked up about Monk. At this point, I honestly couldn't care less if goes elsewhere. He's a one and done, so, sure, he'll get us some wins in that one season he's here. Maybe his high profile helps in recruiting a bit... but no more than Portis did for us. Plus, we're on some really solid kids who could potentially help us build a program that's better built for the long term.

Of course, I want the kid to pick the Hogs -- but I don't think he's the make or break that people are making him out to be for our program. Kids like this are just a machine built for the NBA and mass marketing, not college ball.

[ErieHog]

I get that he's a big recruit for us, but you guys get real worked up about Monk. At this point, I honestly couldn't care less if goes elsewhere. He's a one and done, so, sure, he'll get us some wins in that one season he's here. Maybe his high profile helps in recruiting a bit... but no more than Portis did for us. Plus, we're on some really solid kids who could potentially help us build a program that's better built for the long term.

Of course, I want the kid to pick the Hogs -- but I don't think he's the make or break that people are making him out to be for our program. Kids like this are just a machine built for the NBA and mass marketing, not college ball.

Kids like Monk are the key difference between being good, and competing for championships.

His importance, if Arkansas is to be relevant, is huge.     We don't want to be Gonzaga good- we want to be Duke, Kentucky, and Carolina good, again.

The pre-dampening of expectations is bad.    Last season was nice, but this is going to be a very long year-- and if you disappear for 2 or 3 years,  there's no chance of gaining currency.

[HogsGoneWild]

Who sells the most shoes in the NBA?  Now do you understand Oregon?

Funny, I don't see all the other high profile recruits flocking to Eugene, Oregon because of Nike?

[ErieHog]

Funny, I don't see all the other high profile recruits flocking to Eugene, Oregon because of Nike?

They already have 1 Top 50 commit, and 4 top 70 recruits giving them strong consideration/pending visits.

Something seems to be working in the favor of a rather also-ran type Pac12 program.

[HogsGoneWild]

According to 247, in 2013 they had the 56th ranked class. 35th in 2014. 22nd in 2015. While they are trending upward in recruiting I really don't think Nike has that much to do with it, or they'd probably be constiently in the top 10

[widespreadsooie]

I hope it rains cats and dogs when visits Eugene.  Oregon basketball?  You have got to be kidding.  Dana Altman?  KU, UK, Ark and UNC all make sense.  I can see maybe Louisville, UCLA, UConn, Duke, Michigan, Ohio st.etc.,  but Oregon and Florida st? 

What I meant was, he has a number of official visits he's allowed to go on per NCAA rules. If he's only really interested in two schools but has five spots to fill with OVs, why not head out to Eugene one weekend for an awesome football experience.

[ErieHog]

According to 247, in 2013 they had the 56th ranked class. 35th in 2014. 22nd in 2015. While they are trending upward in recruiting I really don't think Nike has that much to do with it, or they'd probably be constiently in the top 10

They sank  most of the $228 million pricetag for building a new arena for Oregon that opened during the 2011-2012 season, by buying up most of the state-issued bonds that were officially used to finance the facility. 

[ChicoHog]

I know this is sad, but I really don't care one way or the other.  The one and done rule has all but ruined college basketball for me and I used to love it.  There is no continuity in the game.  I watched a few games this year but the passion for my team and the game in general is gone.  Until the rules change I will just have to love football. 

I'm with you on this somewhat.  Last few years I have watched very little regular season college basketball except Arkansas (and sometimes very frustrating to watch them also!).  Hard to keep interest with rosters changing  so much. 

[sickboy]

Kids like Monk are the key difference between being good, and competing for championships.

His importance, if Arkansas is to be relevant, is huge.     We don't want to be Gonzaga good- we want to be Duke, Kentucky, and Carolina good, again.

The pre-dampening of expectations is bad.    Last season was nice, but this is going to be a very long year-- and if you disappear for 2 or 3 years,  there's no chance of gaining currency.

I'm not pre-dampening expectations at all. I think Monk will pick the Hogs. I just don't think Monk is the difference between being good and competing for championships.

Let's say he's a once in a lifetime talent... like NBA All-Star level talent. Team USA type talent. What can you expect? Well, we've had a once in a lifetime, NBA All-Star, Team USA level type talent in Joe Johnson and we won 19 and 20 games with him in our two seasons with him.

You can't just throw Monk on the Hogs squad and expect us to compete for a championship. Teams win championships. Not a team with a kid who's just going to college for a year so he can gain the eligibility he needs to be an NBA player.

My hope is that Monk comes aboard and that sways some of these other 2016 guys. Because those other guys could really be the backbone of a championship team after Monk leaves. And hopefully Monk sees value in that for his home state school. Because he could really help bring the program back that way.

[WorfHog]

If it's about earning potential there's one variable being left out.

What if, god forbid, something happens and his basketball career ends before it gets going?

Nike has nothing to do with him going to Oregon. The kids wants to see the country a bit on someones else dime. Kansas , Kentucky, Arkansas and North Carolina those are the teams he's serious about.

Cal wants Malik bad. Cal hates getting beat by Mike Anderson. He'll go out of his way to get this kid out of Arkansas.

[Erockster20]

Would be awesome if he went to Oregon for an official and then left after the first day....

And then chose the Hogs.

[Dwight_K_Shrute]

If I'm MA and I know I'm against KY here is how I frame it.

KY is great and all but if you go there you are 1 of about a dozen or McD's All American's 5 stars etc.  Once you get there if you get cross ways with Cal, or struggle even one little bit they don't care.  They will just put their time effort and resources behind the other 10 guys.  You are just another player to them.

If you come to the UofA you will stand out.  You will have every opportunity to showcase your skills and maximize your scoring/stat potential.  You can get 30 min per game here and put up double doubles or triple doubles.

Seriously if he plays for the Razorbacks he will be The Superstar and that has to be appealing. 

[The Hogfather]

If I'm MA and I know I'm against KY here is how I frame it.

KY is great and all but if you go there you are 1 of about a dozen or McD's All American's 5 stars etc.  Once you get there if you get cross ways with Cal, or struggle even one little bit they don't care.  They will just put their time effort and resources behind the other 10 guys.  You are just another player to them.

If you come to the UofA you will stand out.  You will have every opportunity to showcase your skills and maximize your scoring/stat potential.  You can get 30 min per game here and put up double doubles or triple doubles.

Seriously if he plays for the Razorbacks he will be The Superstar and that has to be appealing. 

There is no doubt.  He has a chance to be a real "savior to the Arkansas program" if he comes here and takes us to heights we haven't been since the 90s.

[clutch]

If I'm MA and I know I'm against KY here is how I frame it.

KY is great and all but if you go there you are 1 of about a dozen or McD's All American's 5 stars etc.  Once you get there if you get cross ways with Cal, or struggle even one little bit they don't care.  They will just put their time effort and resources behind the other 10 guys.  You are just another player to them.

If you come to the UofA you will stand out.  You will have every opportunity to showcase your skills and maximize your scoring/stat potential.  You can get 30 min per game here and put up double doubles or triple doubles.

Seriously if he plays for the Razorbacks he will be The Superstar and that has to be appealing. 

The thing is, guys with his ability don't think like that. They don't think, Hey I will just be another guy at this school full of great players. They think, hey, I could be the superstar on a team full of superstars.

[Hog Fan from Camden]

Just wish if he comes, he would stay two years.  Otherwise, we are just treading water.  I do not like the one and done rule at all.  If you are not already an established or blue blood program, the current climate of NCAA basketball makes it hard to climb the ladder, so to speak.

[NLRHog92]

Just wish if he comes, he would stay two years.  Otherwise, we are just treading water.  I do not like the one and done rule at all.  If you are not already an established or blue blood program, the current climate of NCAA basketball makes it hard to climb the ladder, so to speak.

1>0

[LRHawg]

The thing is, guys with his ability don't think like that. They don't think, Hey I will just be another guy at this school full of great players. They think, hey, I could be the superstar on a team full of superstars.

I'd have to agree. He knows he'd stand out at KY. If he chooses AR, I have to think it's because he connected better with CMA and the team vs Kentucky, and/or he wants to stay home and make himself the "local hero who stayed home". Kid's going to be a star wherever he goes, and he knows it.

[Jackrabbit Hog]

The thing is, guys with his ability don't think like that. They don't think, Hey I will just be another guy at this school full of great players. They think, hey, I could be the superstar on a team full of superstars.

That's Cal's evil genius.  He gets all these guys who were 30-12-10 in high school, then they are just a cog in the wheel during their one year at UK.  But they don't mind because of Cal's publicly stated job, which is not to win championships at Kentucky but to get all his players drafted into the NBA.  And that's what the high school players want.

[Wildhog]

I don't think I've ever felt more certain that we're not getting an in-state player.

Hope to God I'm wrong.  Mike needs this one.

[Razorpigg]

I don't think I've ever felt more certain that we're not getting an in-state player.

Hope to God I'm wrong.  Mike needs this one.

My sentiments exactly Wildhog

[PorkSoda]

I don't think I've ever felt more certain that we're not getting an in-state player.

Hope to God I'm wrong.  Mike needs this one.

Do we even have a basketball program?  As much as I want him to come, there is no point if he wont have a supporting cast.  at this point we will be using walkons from the chess club.

[WorfHog]

Do we even have a basketball program?  As much as I want him to come, there is no point if he wont have a supporting cast.  at this point we will be using walkons from the chess club.

That's a bit hard on the guys on campus right now. Whitt would be a great guy to play off and you don't know who Mike's going to bring in for 2016.

[ErieHog]

Do we even have a basketball program?  As much as I want him to come, there is no point if he wont have a supporting cast.  at this point we will be using walkons from the chess club.

Guards are the most important players in CBB, and having Monk and Whitt will make up for a ton of shortcomings that season.   If Beard is still with the program at that point, as a senior, a 3 guard starting lineup with those guys would be fearsome.