PREMIUM: The 9/20 UpRoar

In this week’s edition of the UpRoar, we cover the latest hot topics and updates from The Den (premium forum) – including details on who the Memphis staff has visited in the past two weeks, discussion about recruiting movement, new prospects on the board, and more. Check out the latest below:


ARCHIE CLOSE TO ANNOUNCING?

We dropped a bomb-shell on premium members this morning when we posted the news that 2012 SG Archie Goodwin will most likely be making a decision very soon. As posted in The Den earlier today, do not be surprised if Goodwin makes a decision before he makes his visits to Arkansas (10/8), Memphis (10/22), or Kentucky (10/14). Last week, Brooks said that it was Kentucky as 1A and Arkansas as 1B. Well, that has shifted to Kentucky and Memphis as 1A/1B and Arkansas as 2 after Memphis’ in-home with Goodwin.

In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Goodwin announced his commitment before the end of the month, cancelling his official visits for the two he doesn’t choose, and taking his official visit to his choice at some point later. I was also told that he has decided for certain not to attend anyone’s Midnight Madness.

This is still all shaking out and no concrete decision has been made, but this is where things stand. It comes down to a two-horse race between Kentucky and Memphis. Gut says to go with Kentucky because Goodwin has been absolutely in love with Calipari from day one.

IN OR OUT WITH PARKER?

We reported at the end of last week that the University of Memphis staff would be in Atlanta on Monday to check in on 2013 SG Brannen Green, 2012 PF Shaq Goodwin, 2012 C Mike Hall, and 2012 C Tony Parker. Before you ask, yes, THAT Tony Parker. If you don’t remember, Brooks reported last week that Memphis is no longer “in it” for Parker. Nothing about Memphis stopping in on him yesterday changes anything and does not mean that what we maintain is true is any different. It’s not.

The staff was already in Atlanta watching Brannen Greene, meeting with Shaq Goodwin, and seeing Mike Hall, so why not go over to the open gym to see Tony? According to Brooks, he never said that Memphis would STOP recruiting him. In fact, he said quite the opposite. He said they would try to hang in there with the hopes that things may change later down the road before Tony makes a decision. Is that likely? No, but it could happen. Listing a school publicly and actually being it it are two completely different things. Purvis continues to list North Carolina Central out of respect for the coach and program. They aren’t in it, but they are on his list. It’s no different than what’s going on with Tony Parker.

Here is that original controversial post about Parker and Memphis.

FORMER RECRUIT ELLIS TO KANSAS

As Brooks called a month ago, Ellis is set to announce his decision on Wednesday and will ultimately choose to play for the University of Kansas and Bill Self.

TWO TO EYE AT OAK HILL

Everyone knows about current University of Memphis commit Damien Wilson, the 6-foot-4 shooting guard originally from Atlanta, Ga. Teaming up with Wilson this season at Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 6-foot-3 2012 combo guard D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera has ramped up his interest in the University of Memphis. The Memphis staff was at Oak Hill last week and made a return trip to the see the guard duo again today. According to a source, D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera will visit the University of Memphis for an official visit, most likely the final weekend in October.

WEDNESDAY VISITS

As we reported three weeks ago, the Memphis staff will go in-home with 2012 forward Alex Poythress in Clarksville, Tenn. Poythress is arguably the top target for the University of Memphis in the class of 2012. The primary competition for Poythress’ services for all other schools is Kentucky. According to a source, University of Kentucky head coach John Calipari has targeted and would like to sign all three of his top priorities: Shabazz Muhammad, Alex Poythress, and Archie Goodwin.

ABDUL-ALEEM UPDATE

2012 junior college shooting guard Musa Abdul-Aleem (Georgia Perimeter | Atlanta, Ga.) visited the University of Memphis during the first weekend of September and took his second official visit to the University of South Florida this past weekend. Memphis would not have taken Abdul-Aleem’s commitment if he had tried to give Josh Pastner a pledge. According to a source, Abdul-Aleem will most likely end up at South Florida.

Tags:

alexpoythress, archiegoodwin, brannengreene, dvauntessmithrivera, mikehall, musaabdulaleem, perryellis, shaqgoodwin, tonyparker

About the Author

Brooks Hansen

Brooks is the founder and brains, if you can call 'em that, behind Memphis Roar. As the primary writer and scouting director for Memphis Roar, Brooks travels to prep sporting events across the country and brings you the latest on Memphis-relevant news. Brooks has big hands and is thumb-wrestling champion in 43 states. His favorite piece of advice would be if a clown offers you a hamburger and it’s not Ronald McDonald, do not eat the hamburger. A lesson learned the hard way. Brooks received his Bachelors of Arts and Sciences from the University of Memphis in 2005 in Psychology (minor of Philosophy and Biology) and went on to pursue his master’s degree in Experimental Neuroscience. Google+

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