Tomorrow, Andrew Wiggins will finally put an end to all the speculation, guessing, crystal ball reading and people quoting "sources" when he makes his college decision known at 12:15pm and it couldn't come soon enough.
I have never seen a recruitment play out quite like the one we've witnessed with Andrew Wiggins. If you believed every person who claimed to have had a "source" you would have thought that Wiggins had committed to each of the four schools about a dozen times each over the last couple of weeks and some even had him committing to schools that aren't even recruiting Andrew.
One thing I can assure you is NO ONE knows what this kid is going to do, not even his own high school coach. I've talked to his coach Rob Fulford MANY times and he has told me more than once that he doesn't know what decision Andrew will make tomorrow. If his own coach doesn't have a clue about where he's going, I promise you some alumni from either school trying to act like they are "in the know" doesn't know anymore than the average fan scouring Twitter and hanging on to every word of someone who claims to be a third cousin to Wiggins' dad with information on the nations best player.
I'm no different, after following this recruitment as close as anyone I can tell you with 100% certainty that I have no clue what his choice will be, I have my opinion same as everyone else, but nothing that I would say is fact. I made my prediction back in September the first time I was able to attend a closed practice at Huntington Prep and I'm sticking with it, Florida State. I haven't seen or heard anything to make me think otherwise, but like I said, that's just my guess.
But, just for fun, let's take a look at the things that are good and bad for Kentucky's chances at landing Andrew Wiggins:
THE GOOD:
Marketing his brand:
Every top player in every class looks at their best option for getting their names out there in hopes of shoe deals and other endorsements once they reach the next level. Kentucky is the best or second best (Carolina has an argument in this one) out of his four choices.
Playing with the best talent:
None of the other schools even come close to Kentucky in this category.
Chance to win and win big:
Andrew made the comment a couple of weeks back that he wants to win a lot and have a shot at winning a National Championship. Again, Kentucky is his best option for this with UNC and Kansas coming in second and third.
Preparing for the NBA:
NO ONE has had more success at putting players in the NBA the last four or five years than John Calipari who has produced three #1 draft picks with Nerlens Noel likely to make it four.
THE BAD
The spotlight:
If what everyone says about Wiggins hating the "spotlight" is true (I don't buy it), then this is a definite negative for Kentucky. Kentucky is going to attract A LOT of attention already with the group of kids they have coming in, you throw Andrew Wiggins into the mix and it becomes a media circus.
Friendly faces:
Yes Andrew is friends with a lot of Kentucky's incoming freshman, but not as close of friends as he is with FSU bound and Huntington Prep teammate Xavier Rathan-Mayes, who by the way is also Andrew's childhood friend who grew up with him in Canada.
Family connections:
FSU wins this as both of his parents were standout athletes for the 'Noles. Carolina would come in as a close second as Andrew has family around that area considering that's where his father is from.
Loaded roster:
Kentucky wins this one as well. With six McDonald's All-Americans all ready in the fold, Kentucky is what one might call "LOADED". But, like his coach told me earlier this year when I asked him if all the talent Kentucky had signed would be a factor in Andrew's decision he said; "It doesn't matter. The other guys there or coming in would be affected if he chooses UK not Andrew. He will be the best player on the team wherever he decides to go"
After looking at all that and believe me, that's just the tip of the iceberg, you can see how fans from each school would feel somewhat positive about their chances. But in the end, there will be only one fan base that will be happy and in my opinion, Florida State will be celebrating around 12:20 tomorrow afternoon, but that's just me.
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