Jan 30, 2013; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Montay Brandon (5) passes the ball to guard Michael Snaer (21) as head coach Leonard Hamilton looks on during the second half of the game against the Maryland Terrapins at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
For months now, “experts” have been stating that they have no idea where Andrew Wiggins will go when he finally makes his decision. They cautioned us to not listen to any rumors or to believe it when someone said they had the inside info as to where Wiggins will land.
With the decision less than 24 hours away, people are finally being forced to pick. And it’s Florida State with the early lead.
All of CBS’ bloggers have Wiggins going to Florida State.
"And now, it’s time for a prediction.I think he ends up at Florida State. The Seminoles have been involved with him the longest time, and the family connection is a huge advantage for Leonard Hamilton. Wiggins isn’t a fan of overwhelming media attention, and he would be able to avoid that somewhat in Tallahassee. Moreover, he would get to be the go-to-guy from Day 1.Jeff Goodman: “Florida State, but don’t count out Kansas.”Gary Parrish: Florida State. “Combine the family’s connection to the school with Leonard Hamilton’s reputation as an elite recruiter with the fact that Wiggins won’t really have to share the ball in Tallahassee.”Matt Norlander: “FSU.”"
Well, first things first. I didn’t know Leonard Hamilton was tabbed as an elite recruiter. John Calipari- Yes. Bill Self- Yes. Roy Williams- Kind of. Leornard Hamilton- That’s news to me.
Also, I don’t think Wiggins is concerned with sharing the ball. If there is one thing I have learned about Wiggins during this entire process, it’s that he does not demand attention and that he can play within a system and doesn’t have to be the focus of the system. Add to the fact that Hamilton’s slow as molasses offense and grind it out style is the worst fit for Wiggins, I find it silly that FSU got 100% of the vote here.
Dave Telep from ESPN.com gives Kentucky a 20% chance of landing Wiggins, FSU a 35% chance, Kansas a 25% chance and UNC a 20% chance. All of a sudden Kansas bumps Kentucky out of the “close second to Florida State” conversation. Hmmm…
247Sports.com has their own poll, which is their most popular place on their site today, and 12 out of the 17 predictions are going for Florida State. The five that are predicting Kentucky are three Kentucky writers (one being our own Josh Kays), a Duke blogger and the 247Sports.com publisher.
As of now the Seminoles are getting the love from the national media. There is no rhyme or reason to their predictions other than “His parents went there” and the phantom notion that Leonard Hamilton is somehow emerged as an uber-recruiter.
My gut says Kentucky and so does my brain. Offensive system, John Calipari, NBA connections, program prestige and the chance to be a part of a great team, something that Wiggins cares about, leads me to believe that Kentucky is the place for him tomorrow.
*We will have a special podcast up tonight at midnight featuring Jason Marcum, Josh Kays and myself. It will be our last thougths on Wiggins. It will be a joint post with my guide to the Wiggins announcement. Enjoy, thanks for the support and Go Cats.