Jimmy Whitt commits to Arkansas

[Otis]

You answered the first part on your own in your post at 5:41....On paper it doesn't look good, but I wouldn't say that its impossible to put together a roster that CMA could win with. I think some of us forget that recruiting is a good indicator of future success, but not the end all be all.

It would be a real stretch for anyone to say that we could honestly have gotten both of those scoring guards. I understand that we could maybe sell them on Whitt at the 1 and Allen at the 2. We could also sell them on the fact that CMA's system doesn't have to have a true PG, and so on but honestly it was always get 1 of the 3 of McClure, Allen, or Whitt.

For the record, I'd take Whitt over Allen, but its really close.

Also, I would like to see a staff upgrade. I think its time for it. Would be nice if one of the 3 would move on so CMA didn't have to fire on of his guys tho.

Last year people were saying we just needed a true PG, now we're saying Mike's "system" doesn't need a true PG. I'm confused, as to which excuse for losing to go with now.

[Marshfieldhog]

This is the make or break year coming up...Mike has a lot of depth and is adding a couple of key newcomers. If we can't get to and do some damage in the tourney this year it's probably not going to happen with Mike. That being said, I think we are going to have a great year.

[rzrbackramsfan]

Last year people were saying we just needed a true PG, now we're saying Mike's "system" doesn't need a true PG. I'm confused, as to which excuse for losing to go with now.

It's preferable, however what the poster you were quoting was saying is that we'd play Whitt or Allen at guard and pg just to get them both on the court since they're so good.  Allen wants to be a point guard anyways. 

[Hawg Red]

I think as far as taking over madden, maybe bell could do it along with babb? So more than we need the next guy to be as good as Whitt or madden or a top 100 recruit, we just need them to, by the time they're ready, be able to do what is needed of them. 

Babb would be far more likely than Bell. Bell's just a role player contributes very little if he isn't hitting 3s. Babb is very well-rounded, just a matter of the time it takes him to be able to contribute well enough to be a replacement for Madden. I think he's a candidate. Would feel better if Whitt/Allen were on board. Whitt and Allen are players that I feel would have All-Freshman-type seasons. I'm not sure Babb is that kind of player yet. Maybe he is. That would help a lot.

[rzrbackramsfan]

Babb would be far more likely than Bell. Bell's just a role player contributes very little if he isn't hitting 3s. Babb is very well-rounded, just a matter of the time it takes him to be able to contribute well enough to be a replacement for Madden. I think he's a candidate. Would feel better if Whitt/Allen were on board. Whitt and Allen are players that I feel would have All-Freshman-type seasons. I'm not sure Babb is that kind of player yet. Maybe he is. That would help a lot.

Babb has a season to get there.  Bell might develop into more though.  He showed some flashes of good defense and ability to take it to the hole.  I'm excited to see more from Watkins too and Hannah's in a year.

[Hawg Red]

Babb has a season to get there.  Bell might develop into more though.  He showed some flashes of good defense and ability to take it to the hole.  I'm excited to see more from Watkins too and Hannah's in a year.

The better your guards, they better you'll play in the tournament. This is why I've put a premium on getting one of those highly-rated 2015 cats. A sophomore Beard/Babb duo should be solid, along with Qualls as a big guard, and Bell/Hannahs/Durham off the bench. But we lose a lot players in 2016. It would be nice to have some a highly rated guard or two coming into their sophomore season by then.

[hoglady]

UA was one serviceable off-guard or point guard (so Madden could be OG?) away from the tournament this year.  They only had to be better than...Gulley? Kikko? Scott? That bar is not excessively high.

Score a bid, win a game...voila, recruiting gets easier.

That said, this staff doesn't appear optimized for recruiting. Likely need someone to land a mid-major HC gig next off-season so we can upgrade. Lots of loyalty and I respect that. But, we need an ace recruiter.

Loyalty is an admirable quality.
But when that loyalty is detrimental to a program that's paying you 2 million dollars a year, it needs to be checked. I like Anderson, I think he's a good coach and great fit for Arkansas - but like you said - we need a recruiter.

[HawgAdvocate]

Jimmy has been invited to attend the Chris Paul Elite Guard Camp that goes from August 7th to 10th. This invite goes out to the top 30 high school and top 15 collegiate point guards from across the country each year.

[HawgAdvocate]

Whitt visited Saint Louis University and their basketball team's coaching staff yesterday. The Billikens have been a top 25 program each of the past two seasons, and have made the 3rd round of the Dance each of the past three seasons.

STL only got involved with Whitt about two months ago. STL has not offered Whitt yet, because they claim they want to respectfully build a relationship with him and his family first before doing so.

Whitt was born in STL, and still has family in STL. Whitt says his biggest strength is coming off ball screens. Whitt also said the level of the school isn't important to him, as even a mid-major program like STL has had continued success recently.

http://saintlouis.scout.com/story/1408759-whitt-talks-slu-visit-recruiting?s=437

[HawgAdvocate]

Scout updated their Top 100 for the 2015 class today.

Whitt is #49 and a 4* player.

http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=9&c=4&cfg=bb&pid=88&yr=2015

[HawgAdvocate]

SMU's Scout writer Adam Grosbard did an article over the weekend highlighting the Pangos Camp, which included some info on Jimmy Whitt.

http://smu.scout.com/story/1407701-pangos-all-american-camp-scouting-recap-pt-2?s=357

Grosbard also went on to tweet that it "looks like (Admon) Gilder, Jimmy Whitt, Chad Lott are the 3 most likely to take the last guard spot in the 2015 #SMU class. 3 great options #PonyUp

[klp1]

SMU's Scout writer Adam Grosbard did an article over the weekend highlighting the Pangos Camp, which included some info on Jimmy Whitt.

http://smu.scout.com/story/1407701-pangos-all-american-camp-scouting-recap-pt-2?s=357

Grosbard also went on to tweet that it "looks like (Admon) Gilder, Jimmy Whitt, Chad Lott are the 3 most likely to take the last guard spot in the 2015 #SMU class. 3 great options #PonyUp

If I were betting on this one, I'd say Gilder.  He is supposed to be a lock for SMU.

[HawgAdvocate]

Per Rivals, Whitt plans to visit Illinois in August

[HawgAdvocate]

Pretty good video & interview from the Top 100 camp

http://www.courtsidefilms.com/news_article/show/397317?referrer_id=1203619

[HawgAdvocate]

UNLV has reportedly offered Whitt

[hogfreak]

Read a article this week that said there are only 2 schools Whitt is for sure taking an official too. Arkansas and SMU

[Hogberry Snortcake]

Read a article this week that said there are only 2 schools Whitt is for sure taking an official too. Arkansas and SMU

Darn you, Larry Brown.  That guy is going to be a thorn in our side for awhile. 

[SemperFi]

Last year people were saying we just needed a true PG, now we're saying Mike's "system" doesn't need a true PG. I'm confused, as to which excuse for losing to go with now.

Every system from Mike Anderson, Mark Few, Bill Self and John "Gray Area" Calapari needs a true PG. Finding a PG that can direct the offense, be your Floor General and score when needed to do so are the combined elements that define whether or not you have the type of PG that you need to win. Under Nolan Richardson we had Corey Beck, which was as good of a PG on the college level as you could find. With him at the helm we won the National Championship in 94 and Runner's up in 95. I'd say that a true PG is imperative to any team.

Any update on Whitt worth discussing?

[HawgAdvocate]

Any update on Whitt worth discussing?

Probably not until he sets his official visits (his final five) in late July/early August.

[-Blu]

Read a article this week that said there are only 2 schools Whitt is for sure taking an official too. Arkansas and SMU

That's actually pretty good news.  Got a link to the article?

[-Blu]

Darn you, Larry Brown.  That guy is going to be a thorn in our side for awhile.

Yea, was hoping the Lakers would offer him their opening, I don't think he would turn that down.

[The_Boot_stops_here]

Darn you, Larry Brown.  That guy is going to be a thorn in our side for awhile. 

meh, Larry Brown is rarely any one place for 'awhile'.  He'll leave soon enough

[PygmalionEffect]

Pretty good video & interview from the Top 100 camp

http://www.courtsidefilms.com/news_article/show/397317?referrer_id=1203619

First time I've seen him.  He's very well spoken, especially for his age. 

[HogBreath]

meh, Larry Brown is rarely any one place for 'awhile'.  He'll leave soon enough

Plus he's like about 180 years old.

[HawgAdvocate]

It's also juvenile foolishness to use the word snitch or I'm telling Mom...IMO

Mmmk...

In relevant news, Whitt is set to visit Minnesota this coming weekend.

[HOGINTENNESSEE]

Mmmk...

In relevant news, Whitt is set to visit Minnesota this coming weekend.

Good thing it sucks there

[HawgAdvocate]

Good thing it sucks there

The Twin Cities are actually a great place to be once the weather gets above 50 degrees. But yeah, those winter months can be brutal.

[pondwater jack]

Would be a huge get!

[The real Hogules]

Would be a huge get!

Correction -

Will be a huge get! 

[jbcarol]

Verbal Commits @VerbalCommits  ·  2h
Verbal Commits | Tempo Free Recruiting Blog - Whitt Gaining Notoriety http://shar.es/Muogd  by @JamieShaw5 (@JimmyWhitt33)

Whitt says, "Since my first tournament this Spring, I have been offered by Illinois, Wisconsin, Wake Forest, Nebraska, Xavier, California, and Minnesota." Whitt's phone has also been ringing a lot with schools interested in finding out more about the guard including a couple storied programs, "Kansas and North Carolina have also called."

You can add those seven recent offers, from his play with KC Run GMC, to the twelve that Whitt had already accumulated and it could start to become an overwhelming process for Whitt...

"Right now I am just going through the process, no schools are really sticking out right now. I want to get my summer schedule over first. Ill (sic) pretty much be making this decision by myself, but my parents will help a little."

[Hawg Red]

I keep waffling on how I feel about our chances with Whitt. Hopefully Kansas and UNC don't offer. I think we're in really good shape, despite all other recent interest, if that happens. Definitely think we'll get an official visit. This is a must-get, IMO.

[RazorPiggie]

I keep waffling on how I feel about our chances with Whitt. Hopefully Kansas and UNC don't offer. I think we're in really good shape, despite all other recent interest, if that happens. Definitely think we'll get an official visit. This is a must-get, IMO.

After missing on Allen and McClure yes it is.

[HawgAdvocate]

I keep waffling on how I feel about our chances with Whitt. Hopefully Kansas and UNC don't offer. I think we're in really good shape, despite all other recent interest, if that happens. Definitely think we'll get an official visit. This is a must-get, IMO.

In some of his more recent interviews, Whitt has said that he's a combo guard that knows he needs to become a PG if he wants to ever play in the NBA. That will be a factor to watch once he determines his final five.

[jbcarol]

Jimmy Whitt @JimmyWhitt33  ·  5h
"@CourtsideFilms: Jimmy Whitt Mixtape @ NBPA Top 100 Camp
[NEW VIDEO] http://www.courtsidefilms.com/news_article/show/398397?referrer_id=1203619 ...
pic.twitter.com/cgCg3YCFK3" Go check out the mix✊💯

[hawgsmellgud]

Would be a huge get!

Would be big time.

Woo pig.

[rzrbackramsfan]

Jimmy Whitt @JimmyWhitt33  ·  5h
"@CourtsideFilms: Jimmy Whitt Mixtape @ NBPA Top 100 Camp
[NEW VIDEO] http://www.courtsidefilms.com/news_article/show/398397?referrer_id=1203619 ...
pic.twitter.com/cgCg3YCFK3" Go check out the mix✊💯

Ahhh yeaA!!!! This is the first video of him I've seen and I can see why the staff is on him so hard.  I love his game, I think he would be a great great great fit at arkansas and in our system.  I fully expect the blue chips to offer them though.

[pondwater jack]

two words....HUGE GET

[hawgsmellgud]

two words....HUGE GET

that's big time jack... big time.

woo pig.

[pondwater jack]

it is big...VERY BIG.  One of the Biggest Gets weve seen in a while if it lines up...

PWJ

[RazorAg]

In some of his more recent interviews, Whitt has said that he's a combo guard that knows he needs to become a PG if he wants to ever play in the NBA. That will be a factor to watch once he determines his final five.

That's good for us

[HawgAdvocate]

That's good for us

Yeah, he would/should certainly have every opportunity to run off high ball-screens time after time after time if he comes here. I have to wonder what Larry Brown is telling '15 & '16 guard recruits about Muiday. Kim Anderson runs a variation of Bill Self's high/low motion, which will certainly use a lot of ball-screens. I expect all three to make Whitt's final five.

[RZRBack_FAN]

Kid fits our system like no other. Long and athletic. Anticipates the pass, seems to like to play defense. Great in transition and a good shooter.

Big time need!

[pondwater jack]

Kid fits our system like no other. Long and athletic. Anticipates the pass, seems to like to play defense. Great in transition and a good shooter.

Big time need!

big time. ..would be HUGE get

[jbcarol]

Jimmy Whitt @JimmyWhitt33  ·  2h
Never been the one to complain about officiating but on another different note I'm missing a tooth now and my team isnt shooting free throws

Jimmy Whitt @JimmyWhitt33  ·  2h
"@kharyw: @JimmyWhitt33 which tooth smh" Bottom row I'm still cute 🙏🙌

Jimmy Whitt @JimmyWhitt33  ·  2h
"@stopdropndcroll: Prayers to my guy Jimbo, you gonna be good my guy. @JimmyWhitt33" it's a tooth I'm fine I didn't get shot hahaha

Tough kid. Good sense of humor.


Courtside Films @CourtsideFilms  ·  7h
@jimmywhitt33 with back to back to back dunks, dunk drills last game #elevate #jimmywhitt

http://instagram.com/p/pzFas1HuEp/

Rotate to see dunks.

[HawgAdvocate]

Here comes Indiana with 'increased interest.' Have to assume that they've finally offered Whitt a scholarship.

It's worth noting that Whitt's father Jim played college ball at IIT, played pro ball for the Pacers, and got his masters from IU. It's going to suck royally if the Hoosiers somehow snag both Whitt and Morgan.

https://indiana.rivals.com/barrier_noentry.asp?sid=942&script=%2Fcontent%2Easp&cid=1654915

[HawgAdvocate]

New Q&A article on Whitt, from his team camp visit to Minnesota. Whitt confirms he will sign in the fall, but he's not tipping his hat to any favorites or list any school that he 'definitely' wants to visit officially. Marquette is another 'new school' that has jumped in with UNC, Kansas, and Indiana.

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/399860?referrer_id=388419

[HawgAdvocate]

CBS article on some of the players from the NBPA Top 100, including Whitt, from 6/30

Jimmy Whitt looking in and out of state

When Kim Anderson took over the Missouri job in the spring, one of the first things people said he needed to do was make sure the Tigers are on the list of Jimmy Whitt, a top-50 prospect from Columbia, Mo.

And Missouri is still in the mix for Whitt.

"Being able to stay home is something you think about," Whitt said. "All the people that supported you since you were little. That's something to think about."

Arkansas, Illinois, Wisconsin, Wake Forest, Colorado, Creighton, SMU and Kansas State are in the mix, while Kansas head coach Bill Self is expected to watch him in July. North Carolina and Wake Forest have also reached out, and Indiana is on his list.

"Indiana is a basketball state to me," Whitt said. "The atmosphere up there in the gym, during games. They love IU basketball, and that's huge to be able to play in front of fans like that, I think that's really great."

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/24601550/nbpa-top-100-camp-emptying-the-notebook

[SemperFi]

Just not getting that warm fuzzy from Whitt that he'll be a Hog. Looks like another miss by CMA and his staff. This team needs basketball players, not 2-3 year project types. Coming across as negative is not my MO; however considering all the recent misses on elite talent here as of late and I'm starting to think that UA basketball may never recover from the Nolan Richardson firing and the likes of Stan Heath and John Pelphrey. I hope that I'm wrong and that Coach Anderson will achieve greatness as the Head Hog.

[HawgAdvocate]

A new 247 article (VIP) on Mizzou's recruitment of Whitt.

http://missouri.247sports.com/Article/Can-Mizzou-land-top-instate-hipster-Jimmy-Whitt-29468337

[The Hogfather]

Top instate hipster?!??  Ha!