We’ll know Monday evening
We’ll know early Monday evening, just in time for the local news, whether Verdell Jones III will be a Gopher or a Hoosier next year. The true point guard who has been heavily pursued by coach Tubby Smith is scheduled to make his announcement at 5 PM on Monday at Jupiter’s Pizzeria in Champaign, IL.
While Jones prepares to leave behind high school and all its inconveniences like acne treatments and girls who would rather date college guys, it appears playing time may be a factor in Jones’ decision. He spent time during his second visit last April how he’d fit into a rotation at guard that already included Al Nolan Jr., Blake Hoffarber, Lawrence Westbrook and fellow 2008-09 recruit Devoe Joseph.
While Jones is a true, pass-first point guard and therefore would be a key part of that mix, if he ends up selecting Indiana instead, it will be only because of playing time, as Jones clearly wouldn’t mind playing for a coaching legend like Smith.
Jones won’t pick IU. UM has been recruiting him much longer. However, if Jones did pick IU it would be a result of IU’s great coaching staff, facility improvements, the great academic envirnoment well supported by the new coaching staff and playing time. Though, currently IU has Jordan Crawford, Devan Doomes, Matt Roth and Nick Williams on the rost for next season, and IU recently received a commitment from a highly regarded, four-star rated, guard for 2009.
And the answer was in fact IU.