Recruit Competition Heating Up For Arlington Guard

MeanGreen61 · February 26, 2008

Competition for Arlington guard Babb heating up

As is usually the case, it’s tough to tell exactly what North Texas is up to when it comes to recruiting on the men’s basketball front. But this much is certain – the Mean Green would like to land Arlington Oakridge shooting guard Chris Babb, and the competition is getting tougher by the day.

UNT is just one of nine teams that have offered a scholarship to Babb, a group that also includes Penn State, Iowa and Iowa State. Babb has a visit to Iowa scheduled for this weekend.

UNT has one player in the fold in Arlington Grace Prep power forward Ben Knox, has offers out to Dallas Kimball guard Darian Thibodeaux and Maine prep school point guard Cardell McFarland. UNT also might have an interest in power forward Andrew Davis of Garland Christian. UNT’s coaches were spotted watching one of Davis’ games.

The Mean Green pulled in most of its class just before signing day last year and appears to be headed down the same path this season.

What could be interesting to see is how this will all play out if UNT head coach Johnny Jones becomes a serious candidate for the LSU job in the coming weeks. The late signing period is coming up and LSU is probably going to wait until the end of the regular season and possibly the NCAA Tournament to interview and hire its new coach. If Jones were to interview or get the job, it could leave UNT with some obstacles to overcome in terms of putting together a class by signing day. Players don’t want to commit to a school with a coach who might be on his way out of town.

It’s far from time to hit the panic button, though. Jones put together a great class late in the process last season and LSU will have its choice of just about any mid-major head coach or Division I assistant it wants. Jones could very well still be at UNT by signing day. It should be interesting to see if he has another few aces up his sleeve when UNT announces its class.

Feel free to post your thoughts on the blog.

NT80 · February 26, 2008

I'd like to see NT going after more Big bodies and not so many guards. We lose two quality Big men this year and seem to be already stocked full of guards and forwards.

As for JJ to LSU, a little early to predict that happening, not to mention scare recruits unnecessarily. JJ has the history with LSU but now needs the trophies in the case, for his case. Another trip to the NCAAs for NT would help his resume.

untlynchka · February 26, 2008

I agree with you that we need big bodies, but if you look at the roster, I think we really need a back-up point guard to replace bell, and this kid would just be a huge landing for us. If we go after a big body, I think that we need to go after a juco guy that can come in and help us right from the start. we have 3 "big" guys returning with the addition of odufuwa, so I don't know that we are gonna get a big man out of high school to come in and necessarily help right away. Of course you never know with jones. He could have an ace up his sleeve that none of us know about.

GrandGreen · February 26, 2008

Does anyone but Vito think that JJ has any chance at the LSU job? LSU may have great thoughts of JJ, but I can't see a school with their resources going for a .500 Belt Conference coach.

Edited February 26, 2008 by GrandGreen

NT80 · February 27, 2008

Does anyone but Vito think that JJ has any chance at the LSU job? LSU may have great thoughts of JJ, but I can't see a school with their resources going for a .500 Belt Conference coach.

It would be a hard sell to their boosters. It would be like if a former NT player was hired to coach here that only had a .500 record in the Southland or some such league...we'd all be happy it was a former alum hired but question the record. JJ needs a few more Dances under his belt.