Wednesday's Leftovers: Memphis, Illinois, Texas, more
In three weeks the Early Signing Period will begin, with some of the nation’s elite officially becoming a part of a college program. There is still some time to go before then, with a few of the best nearing their verbal commitments.
In this week’s Wednesday’s Leftovers, we take a look at the suitors for Bryce Thompson and Mark Williams, when Memphis might get on the board, Illinois and Texas’ primary focus this fall and the latest on Puff Johnson.
MORE: Twitter Tuesday | Who will be the next five-star to commit?
2020 Rankings: Rivals150 | Team | Position
2021 Rankings: Rivals150 | Position
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Where is Bryce Thompson going?
— Nathan Harkins (@NathanHarkins15) October 20, 2019
That is a tough one and I don’t even think that Bryce Thompson knows where he wants to go just yet. He will not go to Michigan State, and Arkansas and Texas remain on the outside looking in. North Carolina landing RJ Davis on Monday could change things, but, either way, I don’t see him in Chapel Hill. That leaves a group of three comprised of Kansas, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.
Thompson has always wanted to attend a basketball-first school, which KU can offer. However, the recent allegations against Bill Self’s program may have thrown a curve ball into his recruitment and make Thompson think twice about picking the Jayhawks. He could be the perfect backcourt teammate of Cade Cunningham at Oklahoma State, but he also could be intrigued enough to choose the local Sooners program that just helped catapult Trae Young to NBA stardom.
I expect a college commitment in the coming weeks, with a signing to be done next month. I will side with Kansas for now but OU is nipping at its heels, and Oklahoma State is not too far behind.
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Mark Williams crystal ball?
— LS Mamba (@coharr) October 20, 2019
Duke. The Blue Devils have been connected with Williams for years now, despite just offering him earlier this year. His sister, Elizabeth Williams, was a standout for Duke’s women's program, and it would be easy to connect the dots with the younger Williams and the Blue Devils.
However, it is more than just family ties. Williams lives just a short drive away, is the ideal 5-man Duke is looking for this fall and has been its No. 1 center target in recent months. He will visit Duke next weekend and plans on committing Nov. 1 and then signing two weeks later.
Michigan and UCLA have done a tremendous job of not only working their way into contention, but also making him think twice about where he wants to play in college. However, momentum remains on the side of Coach K.
