I got Jones at Duke and Okafor at Kentucky. That's what I've thought from the beginning. Never bought the playing together thing. Recruits say this sort of thing all the time, and rarely do they follow through.

With that said, if the two really are committed to playing together, they'll be going to Lawrence. Though I do not believe it is an accurate claim, there is a perception out there that centers do not matter at Duke. And after losing out on Patrick Patterson, Greg Monroe and, to a lesser extent, Julius Randle (because Duke never really seemed to be in the mix), unless Perky and Leslie Plumlee start reproducing again, I have no faith that Duke will ever sign another center.

I don't think UK has a shot at any of them. The only would be Johnson, but that's probably the biggest lock w/Zona.

Azubuike24;1534712 wrote:Stanley Johnson announcing Friday as well.

This is D-Day in recruiting. Has there ever been a bigger day?

Okafor is #1, Johnson is #3, Alexander is #4 and Jones is #5.

Not that I can remember. The only multi-player same-day announcement that even registers close to this in recent years is Nerlens Noel and Shabazz Muhammad in the spring of 2012. Tony Parker announced that day, too, if I am not mistaken. Chalk him up as another Duke miss on a center, although he is not a big disappointment in retrospect.

A big day tomorrow, for sure. Anxious.

Azubuike24;1535867 wrote:I don't think UK has a shot at any of them. The only would be Johnson, but that's probably the biggest lock w/Zona.

Interesting. I'm surprised about Okafor. From what I've read about his visits to Lexington and his relationship with Calipari and Orlando Antigua, I pegged him as a Cat. Obviously, I hope I am wrong.

I still think Jones and Okafor are going somewhere together. There is some talk that Jones wants Duke and Okafor wants Kansas, but I'm not sure that I believe it. I think they have been set on Duke for a long time, but I obviously hope I'm wrong. This talk of Winslow potentially joining them at Duke certainly has me worried.

Johnson to Arizona is apparently a lock right now. Alexander seems like he's going to Illinois, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him end up at Kansas either.

Tomorrow should be interesting to say the least.

reclegend22;1535871 wrote:Interesting. I'm surprised about Okafor. From what I've read about his visits to Lexington and his relationship with Calipari and Orlando Antigua, I pegged him as a Cat. Obviously, I hope I am wrong.

The problem is, you have Karl Towns coming in, Dakari Johnson and Marcus Lee likely coming back.

UK needs more guards and wings. Stanley Johnson would've been a much bigger target, but because of Poythress, Young, Aaron Harrison, I don't see him committing before spring (when he would know who all was leaving) unless it was to go somewhere besides UK.

My preface on Okafor and Jones was that they have maintained all along they are a package deal. However, when they actually sign with the same school, I'll consider it done. Not until then.

Duke's offense features a ton of good use of many guards. They lose Dawkins and likely Sulaimon and Hood. Jones is perfect to put in that offense, absolutely perfect.

Azubuike24;1535893 wrote:The problem is, you have Karl Towns coming in, Dakari Johnson and Marcus Lee likely coming back.

UK needs more guards and wings. Stanley Johnson would've been a much bigger target, but because of Poythress, Young, Aaron Harrison, I don't see him committing before spring (when he would know who all was leaving) unless it was to go somewhere besides UK.

My preface on Okafor and Jones was that they have maintained all along they are a package deal. However, when they actually sign with the same school, I'll consider it done. Not until then.

Ah, forgot about Towns and then Johnson returning. Yeah, that makes sense, then.

Azubuike24 wrote:Duke's offense features a ton of good use of many guards. They lose Dawkins and likely Sulaimon and Hood. Jones is perfect to put in that offense, absolutely perfect.

As I've stated before, though, I am concerned with how Jones views the Quinn Cook situation. Duke has started two point guards in the past -- Williams and Duhon -- but with the very real possibility of Rasheed Sulaimon returning for his junior season, the starting backcourt is potentially already set for the Blue Devils. By this time next year, personally I see Cook being locked in as Duke's point. I think he's on the verge of being great. Hood is likely gone, though, so there's the possibility that Duke could start Sulaimon at the three, but I'd hate to see Duke go that small. Hoping that Semi Ojeleye and Alex Murphy are in the mix moving forward. Or Justise Winslow.

While true, if Nadir Tharpe is good at all, he's locked as KU's starter, plus the two guards they have behind him.

I mean, I guess I just don't see any returning players affecting Jones. Okafor a bit moreso because it's going to take the right situation and specific PT for a big to really be effective. We've seen that if you're a great PG, you're going to end up being a go-to-guy regardless of who else is around.

I am a bit curious as to why you seem confident that Sulaimon will leave Duke. I really don't see it. He'll probably be a 16 per night guy this year with a couple of 25 to 30-point games mixed in now and then once he finally settles into the starting lineup, and is super talented, but at this point I don't see him working his way up any further than mid-20s in the first round. Next year, he might have a chance to go lottery or at least top 15.

Azubuike24;1535945 wrote:While true, if Nadir Tharpe is good at all, he's locked as KU's starter, plus the two guards they have behind him.

I mean, I guess I just don't see any returning players affecting Jones. Okafor a bit moreso because it's going to take the right situation and specific PT for a big to really be effective. We've seen that if you're a great PG, you're going to end up being a go-to-guy regardless of who else is around.

This is true. I mean, Tyus Jones definitely would start and, no matter where he goes, play some significant time at point. I just wonder if Jones is dead set on starting at point guard, and not wanting to play a lot of time off the ball. Jason Williams bailed on North Carolina as soon as Bill Gutheridge made it known that he was recruiting Williams as a shooting guard. Obviously, I have no idea what either Bill Self or Mike Krzyzewski has said to Jones about any of this. So we'll see tomorrow.

Because Suliamon is one of the best shooters, has the size to be a 2G. The SF/PF/C position is strong, but the PG and SG depth in this draft isn't that great.

That's why people hoping James Young or Aaron Harrison (also, because I don't see him returning without his bro) return are crazy. I'd rank Suliamon just below Young, but both are top 20 picks, IMO.

What time are they supposed to commit to KU today?

^ Three o'clock, ass.

I'm starting to fucking hate Kansas. Ha.

As S&L has said, Bill Self seems to have the magic. I don't feel good about this at all.

GOONx19;1536030 wrote:^ Three o'clock, ass.

Just so nobody is waiting for an hour...

@ESPNCBB: Reminder: Today at 4PM on ESPNU. 4 of the Top 10 ESPN 100 will commit.
#1 Jahlil Okafor
#3 Cliff Alexander
#4 Tyus Jones
#9 Stanley Johnson

Jones and Okafor to Duke.

Yes.

reclegend22;1536360 wrote:Jones and Okafor to Duke.

Yes.

Nice. Suck it S&L.

reclegend22;1536360 wrote:Jones and Okafor to Duke.

Yes.

Told you, didn't I? Lol

By the way, fuck dook!!

Alexander to KU.

ironman02;1536366 wrote:Told you, didn't I? Lol

By the way, fuck dook!!

Haha.

America has had two black presidents since Duke last had a black center. It was about time. Lol.

I have to say, I have an extra bounce to my step right now. I think I may have just skipped on my way back from the water fountain.

This is funny. NSFW.

[video=youtube;vGkmQWcaRYA][/video]

I hate that hat fake-out shit......

reclegend22;1536377 wrote:Haha.

America has had two black presidents since Duke last had a black center. It was about time. Lol.

Mr. Candace Parker correct?

Son of a bitch

Congrats to the Dukies, I guess

sportswizuhrd;1536450 wrote:Mr. Candace Parker correct?

Haha yes. That was 2006.

After Elton Brand (quasi-center), Carlos Boozer and Shelden Williams, if you would have told me that Duke would go almost a decade without another black center, I'd have thought you were crazy. Brian Zoubek was great (in fact he's one of the main reasons Duke won the 2010 national title) and Mason Plumlee put up nice numbers, but Duke absolutely needed this to get back into the game. This is a huge day for Duke.