UPDATE: In case you were not able to see it, Scout. com’s Evan Daniels was in Ames, IA reported on it live. Harrison Barnes used Skype to make a video call to the school he was choosing. It was UNC:
“Can hear us?” Roy Williams said as he appeared on the video screen. “We got the whole team here.”
“I just wanted to let you guys know that I’ll be joining you guys on the squad and I can’t wait to play,” Barnes responded.
By all accounts, the kid oozes class, is smart, thoughtful and his handling of this whole process has been lauded by recruiting analysts repeatedly. Also, according to ACCSports on Twitter, Barnes cited his relationships with UNC players, twice, as a huge factor. ACCSports speculated on the possible meaning of that in a later Tweet saying:
Don’t know if that’s a reflection on Duke’s players as much as it is a compliment to UNC’s.
Meanwhile, not a peep from Seth Davis on Twitter. I am guessing he is in the fetal position under his desk crying into his 2001 NCAA Championship shirt. Man that thing has to be getting rank by now. I think that makes Davis 0-2 on high profile picks concerning UNC.
Original post below the jump.
The University of North Carolina.
You know what? Roy Williams just came in and stole Coach K’s lunch money. Or as Adam Gold put it more succinctly yesterday:
Let’s go back to the Texas Hold’em analogy for a second. Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski has been sitting at the table since they invented green felt and playing cards. Sure, Kansas’ Bill Self, Oklahoma’s Jeff Capel and Ben Howland of UCLA have had chips on the table for a while, but not nearly as big a stack as the one that sits in front of Coach K. But, about an hour ago, Roy Williams came off the golf course, wearing a powder blue golf vest emblazoned with “2005 AND 2009 National Champions,” plopped a big ol’ bag of money down, sat next to Krzyzewski, glanced at his cards briefly and daggummit if he didn’t just say, “All in”.
Roy did not really start in on Harrison Barnes in earnest until April when he dropped in to visit him two days after the Heels won the title. Over the course of a few months he stole a recruit everyone was sure was headed to Durham.
Roy owns K right now.
On the court.
On the recruiting trail.
And what’s worse for Duke is that Barnes in combination with Kyrie Irving was their best shot to close the gap. Instead it just widened…again.
Original crossposted at Thee Sports Blog
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Sweeeeet! I was very impressed with how mature Barnes seemed during the press conference. I understand he’s an excellent student and hard worker as well.
I think I hear cursing coming from Cameron Indoor. Oh wait, that happens every day.
Wooboo!!!!!!!
Further proof of the existence of God. We always knew that God beats the Devil.
Dookies felt part ownership with this kid…they were lusting after him…he was theirs…
No, he wasn’t…and never will be.
Let’s put an end to the debate, once and for all-
Roy Williams is, simply put, THE greatest recruiter in the history of college basketball.
Sweet Jesus, somebody pinch me.
That young man is impressive. Now, can we get him to stay a couple of years?
When I heard I started jumping, screaming, and crying. I then fell down. What a great day…
Well said, DeanForever.
This kid is one cool cucumber.
I coach a college sport. Never won a national title, but I know the thrill of bagging a big recruit is second only to winning titles. So much work goes into it, and Roy is reaping the rewards of a job well done.
Great day (as usual) to be a Tar Heel! Let the hand-wringing and predictions of more of the same begin in Durham. Is this the thing that sends K to the NBA?
Jeez, what a great day!!!!
The anticipation was like watching a final four game! It just so much sweeter when you steal someone, presumably, right out from underneath K’s nose!
Roy, you are the man. You wanted three recruits and you got all three!
Oh, the humanity!!!!!!!
Dookies everywhere are weeping and wailing. Gnashing of teeth soon to follow.
I honestly don’t know what I love better, that we got him or dook didn’t.
^that would be the latter!
hahahaha! i am giddy. i was driving home and JUST hit the campus when he finally went to the SKYPE and i heard the radio guys say it was Roy up there.
LOVE. IT.
Anyone have a link to the video of the press conference? Can you believe this? I was driving home from work and dreading the headlines for tonight and tomorrow:
“Duke just signed their fourth national title.”
“Barnes puts Duke, K right back at the top.”
ESPN:
“Greatest…recruiting class…ever.”
“Coach K is bbbbbaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaccckk.”
Seriously thought, I was sure he was going to Duke. I can’t even fathom what the team will be like next year…just can’t. Unbelievable…I need some time to wrap myself around what all this means…especially to the future of both Carolina basketball and the rivalry with Dook.
Oh, and by the way…
Coach Kay, if you are reading…
THIS one is for Danny Ferry. THIS one is for Bobby Hurley. THIS ones is for Grant Hill. THIS one is for Jason Williams. THIS one is for all the recruits that you stole from Dean by slandering the UNC program and using high-pressure tactics to take recruits (who grew up UNC fans) away from UNC.
These are going to be some fun years ahead for UNC. I am always most fond of the guys that won national championships for our team, and I don’t want to discredit the 08-09 team by my excitement over our current and incoming roster, but you can’t help but see great things ahead for UNC.
i guess ole Ratface probably found out last night or today.
can you imagine him hearing the “sorry, coach, but…” and trying to keep it together and wish Barnes good luck? had to be pretty tough for him on this one.
BUMMER!
i see on WRAL that he called the coaches last night to thank them, but didnt tell them his decision. did he seriously put them through the spectacle today?
Wow.
Hard to fathom the kind of talent that we’re going to have on our roster next year…
Happy birthday to me … thanks for committing on my b-day … great present to know the team is going to be in good hands with these 3 guys.
i almost feel sorry for k-rat. of course, i say this between bouts of laughter.
Until today, the speeches of Kobe and LeBron, when the announced their intentions to go pro, have always been my gold standard for unusually high composure for an 18-year old.
Harrison Barnes blew them away today.
He may (will) only be at UNC for one year, but he will be an absolute pleasure to root for!
^he did use the words “alma mater” and “legacy”. sure, he can come back and graduate, but i’m not sure 1 year gets you a legacy. woohoo!
“i’m not sure 1 year gets you a legacy”
Carmelo Anthony says hello…
a championship, but not a legacy, in my book. i may have a different book, tho.
Melo also donated a ton of money to the school to build a new practice center.
Just playing devil’s advocate, though. I basically agree with your sentiment.
Hope uncgirl didn’t do a “Pianalto” and injury herself on the celebration.
Great news though on Barnes! Awesome.
I wonder if the reason the rest of the team was there was because they had to teach Roy how to Skype?
i just hope its not a violation. i hate that thats the first thought i had.
I read Seth Davis’ post in which he predicted Barnes would pick Duke. There were several comments underneath. My favorite:
“These comments show why this is the greatest rivalry in college basketball. However, there is one huge difference in the communities. Carolina grads spend their lives trying to get back to Chapel Hill. Dookies leave Durham as fast as they can.”
By the way, happy freakin’ birthday, TheUNCFan!
Wow! This is wonderful for the Heels. Now would be a great time to show the coach K as Hitler youtube video. Ol’ Roy does it again. Maybe the 100 year pro reunion worked after all.
PRGuy… That sound you hear isn’t cursing, necessarily, but K screaming for some pain meds. His back is hurting again.
The “well alright” by Roy was priceless. ESPN has the Barnes signing thing on it’s web site.
Would it be too greedy to want UNCG to beat duke tonight as well? I think it would top off the day in style.
i heard it on the radio, but to see the video, to see his face and how he handled the presser, wow.
VERY collected. it looked like he was so relaxed that he was really having fun with the moment, and did it without any flash or “attitude”. he even calmly stood, grabbed his wires and box, and stepped to the podium and did the Skype connection. think there’s an endorsement there waiting someday?
very impressive, and his smile is going to bring him a lot of fans and deals in the years to come.
Phillip,
It’s never too greedy to want Dook to fall. Go UNCG!
joebill: I actually did, I landed wrong on my foot. But i’m ok now!
i’m watching the start of the Dook game, and i NEVER watch Dook unless theyre losing or playing us, and i mean NEVER…
if i’m not mistaken, the students are a bit less enthusiastic with their jumping and cheering.
awww!
Yep, a little air got let out of Hansbrough Indoor this afternoon. The mood had to be somber as well in Ty Lawson locker room, some angst standing around Danny Green court and shaking heads on the Marcus Ginyard Concourse and popcorn stand,
WOW, just WOW. Great time to be a Tar Heel, that’s all I got!
this will probably be a future topic, but i’m trying to recall the last time we had a player at the 3, or with Barnes’ physical numbers, or with his skill set, that was expected to be an elite player.
seems like its been awhile. Danny was similar in height, weight, but i dont believe their games are similar at all from what i read of Barnes.
Coach K is going to the Knicks to coach LeBron and Wade because he can’t out recruit Roy.
HTTE: I’m watching the dook game too. K hasn’t smiled the whole night. He’s just sitting there with his head in his hands. He looks quite depressed. I wonder why…
ive heard barnes’s skill set compared to kobe bryant.imagine this:
1 drew/marshall
2 strickland/bullock
3 barnes/henson
4 zeller/wear twins
5 davis(?)/zeller/wear twins
wow,we’ll dominate next year.
Sweet!! I was waiting all day to hear where he decided. Of course, we’re down to one computer right now and my mom takes forever, so I had to wait until 10 minutes ago to get the laptop. Le sigh. But…*does happy jig and laughs at K*
Happy Birthday, TheUNCFan!!
Heel To The End: I too thought of the Skype endorsement, but what did it say when the video was dropped! It seemed that the Skype call to Roy was done without the carrier’s knowledge, otherwise I bet there would have been a different result.
The way he kept his decision so close to the vest with the tension finally released at the press conference is the cherry on top of the sundae.
What a fantastic day for Carolina basketball! Bullock, Barnes and Marshall = hat trick!! Harrison is impressive as a speaker (I can’t imagine being that well composed as a high school senior) and I am giddy at the thought of what he’ll do in a Tar Heel uniform.
Raef LaFrentz. Nick Collison. Kirk Hinrich. Harrison Barnes.
Roy may be a Tar Heel born and a Tar Heel bred, but he OWNS the state of Iowa.
“i’m trying to recall the last time we had a player at the 3, or with Barnes’ physical numbers, or with his skill set, that was expected to be an elite player.”
Vince Carter and Jerry Stackhouse, who was also a #1 overall recruit (in some circles).
all states starting with I.
^yeah, i was wondering if thats how far back we’d have to go. i can live with Barnes being that good.
What’s amazing is everyone talks about how tall/long UNC is this year and what do they do? Bring in a 6’4 PG, a 6’6 SG, and a 6’8 SF!!
If either Henson or Davis stay next year the expectations going into next season will make last years expectations look silly.
If both stay, well, they might as well trade rosters with the Bobcats.
obviously, Henson CAN go pro if he chooses to, and will be drafted. and its only 2 games in. but so far, he’s not remotely ready. but then again, Wright wasnt ready either. and he hasnt played much or gained much weight since he went pro.
I know some of these players are going pro. Some injuries will happen. But the best competition this team looks to have is when alumni come to Chapel Hill and when they play each other in practice.
How do they do this? Year after year. Wow.
The alumni game vs the titanic remake…
No comparison.
Here’s a link to the replay of the presser: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091113/SPORTS0811/311130007/1003/SPORTS/Harrison-Barnes-live-video-at-3-p.m.-Friday&template=livestream.
The irony of ironies? I found this at the DBR. What’s even better is I saw this on the DBR (http://www.dukebasketballreport.com/articles/?p=30410):
___________________________
Barnes Picks UNC
by DBR, November 13th, 2009 | Recruiting |
After a long buildup, Harrison Barnes took to the stage, praised everyone within earshot, walked past the envelopes on stage and skyped Roy Williams to tell him he was picking UNC.
We’ll have more on this later, but it’s hard to escape the feeling that it was just a bit over the top.
____________________________
For one of the few times in my life, I agree with the DBR. The difference is, I feel that way regardless of what the outcome would have been. The DBR only states this outloud because of the outcome.
What’s even better, you ask? This pick on the homepage of the DBR: http://www.dukebasketballreport.com/images/homePage/BADLOSSBEAR.jpg.
Enjoy tarheel fans. Hopefully, Barnes will focus on basketball again and stay away from pressers and skype until he’s POY and/or holding a NC trophy.
Roy just landed Harrison Freaking Barnes…a recruiting clinic, ladies and gentlemen. This one had even those champaign (or perhaps natty-light) popping UK fans a bit humbled.
Sit back and soak it all in everyone! Plus, we’ve got all the cool 100 years stuff going on all throughout the season.
Again, Barnes decision has just set all kind of events into motion…across the recruiting landscape and beyond. Barnes was the recruit that Dook absolutely HAD to land, or there could no longer be an argument as to whether or not Roy/UNC had supreme ownage in the rivalry.
I think that Henson will be back and, given the news that Barnes/Bullock/Marshall will all be coming to town, I’m not so sure that Ed “I love it hear” Davis will be wanting to leave college without another shot at the title.
Y’all are tripping! Up to this point, Ed Davis looks to be the big man on campus. I have to think he is a goner after this season. I am waiting to see the Kevin Durant come out in John Henson. Maybe he, up to this point, feels the need to defer to others much the same way Deon Thompson did to Hansbrough and Wright. Looks like we are seeing the real Thompson right now, and maybe it won’t be ’til next season we see what Henson can do. As loaded as we are now in the paint, if Henson and Davis leave, then there is a little void in the middle. I know, I know, we have the Wears and Zeller, but I don’t see them as “big men” like the way I see a Hansbrough, Thompson, or Ed Davis. Oh wait, we get McAdoo the next year. No matter which way you look at it, for the big time team to appear, we need some of those players to stay a while so that we can have the all-star front/back court to do what the 08-09 team did.
If we can manage to keep Bullock/Marshall/Barnes along with the Wear twins, and then bring in McAdoo, that will be a N.C. team.
Right now I am like all of you, just giddy that we are winning the battle of the bluechips. Hopefully the train keeps rolling and ….
DeanForever, nothing makes me more happy that to humble Kentucky any chance we get. I completely agree with you, and your post.