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Message: [QUOTE="Henny & Coke, post: 1305255, member: 323"] NOTE: This is an older article...from November 2014. [URL]http://www.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/index.ssf/2014/11/thomas_bryant_syracuse_basketball_top_recruit.html[/URL] Whenever I get nervous that Bryant may not commit to SU, I go back & read this gem of an article from November. IMO, this is about as good as it gets without the player giving an "official" commitment, having his mother come out and say some of the following like she did (passages from article in bullets & bolded, my commentary in italics): - [B]Bryant's mother, Linda, said on Monday night that Syracuse should feel pretty good about its prospects with the Class of 2015 center.[/B] - "[B]Really it's down to two," Linda Bryant said. "Syracuse and Indiana[/B]. [B][U]And it might be down to one soon. Thomas has always told me that Syracuse was the leader."[/U][/B] [I]Seems pretty solid, right from kid's mother that Syracuse was the leader... She then goes on to explain how Indiana's recent involvement in failed drug tests / general program "turmoil" is a negative for them, especially since they were not honest about it (which, IMO, is a big point, since Syracuse also has some recent program "turmoil", yet, by all indications JB has been open & honest with all recruits & targets)[/I] - [B]Bryant doesn't have a Kentucky offer, but even if one eventually comes,[/B] [B][U]Linda Bryant said she doesn't see it changing the recruiting equation.[/U][/B] - [B]"You have to give kudos to the man (Calipari) for being able to recruit like that," Linda said. [U]"But I don't think that's the right place for my son. He's a young man who is still learning the game. He needs to be focused on that, not worrying which platoon he is on[/U]." [/B] [I]Wow, and there's the money-shot haha (Francis, I know you LOVE using this quote as backup as to how he ain't going to Kentucky & I think you're right to do so)...openly ripping on Kentucky's platoon system...can't be good news for Kentucky's chances. Realistically, how would/could a mother go from saying something like that about a program then just half a year later having her son commit there? I just don't see that happening. - [/I][B]"It's great that we hear from Coach Hopkins," Linda Bryant said. "But I told Coach Boeheim, my son needs to hear from you."[/B] [I]Maybe the only "negative" thing Linda Bryant says about Syracuse, and I take it as a positive...her telling Syracuse how best to recruit her son (seemingly because she really wants him to go to Syracuse).[/I] - [B][U]"His godmother lives in Syracuse, is a big Syracuse fan," Linda Bryant said. "I told her you're going to hear about (Kentucky) but don't worry. He was just going to see a basketball game."[/U][/B] [I]Two things stand out here: 1.) Bryant has a close family friend/relative in Syracuse that would obviously make Linda Bryant feel comfortable about sending her son there to school...also, fact that this person is a "big Syracuse fan" is fantastic. 2.) That last quote..."you're going to hear about (Kentucky) but don't worry. He was just going to see a basketball game." Unreal. [/I] I mean, how much more does one need to hear to love our chances? This article was just the best one can get from an uncommitted prospect. And from the single best source, besides the player of course - his mother. Honestly, it may even be THE single best source...considering my mother may still have more influence on my decisions in life...and I'm 33 years old!! Haha! (Also, note that our NCAA stuff was ongoing at time of this article as well, so I really don't think too much has changed in that regard. Hopefully JB & staff has been open & honest with the Bryants.) [/QUOTE]

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