So Bring Your Good Times, And Your Laughter Too

A typical Thursday in paradise, isn't it?  Less than a day after the early signing period began, Garrius Adams and Donnavan Kirk have officially joined our growing UBasketball family.  Let me be one of the first hoopheads to officially congratulate both of them on their commitments, and re-iterate how excited everyone is for their arrival on campus next fall.

As the Durand Scott decision rolls on (he says he'll have made up his mind in no later than a week), the Scout.com John Wall tracker says he's interested in visiting Miami before he makes his official decision.  While theoretically a spot on the team for Wall may be impossible if Scott does indeed commit to UM (more on that later), take a second to re-read that.  The #1-ranked basketball player in the country wants to visit Miami before deciding on his school of choice - and I don't mean to reflect on his options with his family at the Fontainebleau.  He wants to visit Coral Gables and decide whether he'd like to call the BankUnited Center home for his college year(s).  If you're a Miami basketball fan and that doesn't make you giddy, then stop reading this blog.  Seriously.

The addition of one Durand Scott would bring the '09 class to four players - Scott, Kirk, Adams and PG Lisandro Ruiz-Moreno of South Kent Prep in CT (Jack McClinton's alma mater).  With McClinton, Brian Asbury, Jimmy Graham and Lance Hurdle graduating next year (ouch!), it looks like four scholarships would be the limit.  The mere thought, however, that John Wall wants to visit UM before deciding says boatloads about how far this program has come.  It also speaks volumes about Frank Haith's ability as a recruiter.  This program is turning into something very special.  If you can't see something that obvious, you might as well think about becoming ACC referees -  I hear the conference is accepting job applications.

While the addition of Scott to the class would certainly be nice, keep in mind that even with his potential addition, it's time to push the envelope rather than mail it in.  Players across the country want to play ACC basketball, and even as the Canes improve on the recruiting front, Miami is still not ahead in the race.

According to Rivals.com rankings , North Carolina has hauled in the #1 ranked class for 2009 (so far), and Duke's not far behind at #11.  Georgia Tech is sitting pretty at #7, and NC State ranks #13.  The Canes?  Didn't make the list (although Scott could change that).

Wake Forest hauled in the #1 recruiting class of 2008, many of whose freshman studs the Canes will face on court this year.  Florida State enjoyed the #9 spot in the '08 rankings and North Carolina missed out on a Top-10 class by just a single spot.  The Canes?  Didn't crack Rivals Top-30 classes for '08, even with DeQuan.

But this is not a time for despair.  This is a time for celebration, as Kool and the Gang would tell us.  Garrius Adams and Donnovan Kirk are two more fine additions to the squad - some of the best in the country at their respective positions to be sure.  If Frank can get the job done on the Durand Scott front, things will be looking up even more.  The Canes have a tough task ahead of them if they hope to achieve respect from ACC opponents and the basketball world.  Adding Kirk and Adams (and hopefully Scott) is another small step towards that goal.

Edgerrin James will be honored at halftime tonight when the Hurricane Football Team faces off against Virginia Tech at 7:30 PM, live on ESPN.  I'm on my way to the game now - I hope I will see many of you there.  With a very likable crew of freshmen, this team is one worthy of your support.