+1

Lots go into offering, including time and money, two things that are limited

For all we know, he has been approached by Saul & Co and told them not to wasted their resources. There are a lot of basketball players out there. I don't know why we are so caught up with this ONE player just because dad is an alum. This is as crazy as the Joe Burrow craze. These kids are great players...just because they have an Ohio connection doesn't mean they want to play for Ohio. Both probably understand their chances of making it to the next level might be better at a bigger/better program...at least at this point.

Sorry, but the Burrow situation doesn't really compare. We're talking about our all-timer here. His kid is a four-star recruit. As things stand, we have more to offer basketball-wise than we do with football. If we put on the full court press, we might get this kid, we might not. but there's really one guy who can make this happen... Papa. Junior may have decided he just wants his own legacy at another school, whether big time or not. But if there's any interest, how does Dad answer the following questions?

(I hope this is important) Will I get a great education? YES
Can I get to the NBA? I was a lottery pick after three years
Will I get exposure? We were in the top 25 for multiple weeks and easily could have been more and I was featured all over ESPN and national newspapers.
Can I get to the NCAA tournament? We went once when I played, and Ohio has a recent sweet 16 and second round appearance.
Will my coach be there for all three or four years? That's the rumor. He's also a personable and quotable coach with tons of connections who will talk about you and talk about OHIO to anyone who will listen.

I get the point that offers come from limited resources, all people are saying is have a conversation and tell him he is welcomed. It's not that unreasonable. If he was just a random top tier recruit, then yes it would be a waste of resources. But there is an obvious connection there. Hell, if nothing else, do it out of a courtesy to GT.

Offer from kentucky

This topic seems pretty foolish looking back. We had no chance whether we offer or not. I've beard Boals and OSU have the lead but gonna be a battle now with KY.

Let me start first by saying I've never seen Trent, Jr. play a single minute or read a single scouting report. Secondly, I watched the Burrow kid play one game only on TV in his final career game in Athens. Finally, I don't even pretend to understand what it would feel like to be a 4/5 star athlete, or parent of one.

Yet still, it today's world I'm not sure how far-fetched it would be to consider Ohio if my dad coached there, I grew up there, or my father starred there. If you're that good you're going to get noticed and at the end of the day and you'll be a pro if you're meant to be one. When you watch the NBA Draft it's obvious that scouts are looking under every rock and in every country to find guys. And most appealing, while at UK or OSU you may end up a small fish in a big pond, at Ohio if you're that good you're going to be a rock-star. You'll be a legend. The entire program will be centered around you and you'll ignite that entire fan base. That in itself has to make you at least think twice, if only for a moment, in taking the road less traveled.

Yes, there are also many drawbacks too. TV appearances and high profile opportunities will be much, much fewer--but as I said, at the end of the day if you're that good you'll still get your money. Once again, from my totally uneducated perpective, the major concern I'd have is my supporting cast. Would a kid like Burrow have the skilled players and offensive line to make it happen? Would Trent, Jr. have the players around him to highlight his abilities? More than anything else, this would be the area I'd be most concerned about if I chose to make it big, in a small place.

Any athlete worth his salt is competitive beyond belief, and will desire to challenge themselves at the highest level possible. The wanting to be the big fish in the pond approach only exist from the fans in that small pond.

Well, Ziegler's dad was the head coach...a special circumstance.

As usual, I find myself in complete agreement with DFC. And Hawaiian.

Some have alluded to the 'costs' of offering. Illuminate us; what are those costs?

Yes, it is bad basketball and bad business for us not to offer. Anyone who disagrees must be merely making argument for argument's sake.

I think some are thinking an offer is simply calling a player and telling them you'd like to make them an offer. I suppose you can do that, and I guess it wouldn't hurt for Ohio to do that, but I think if you're serious about an offer, you make a visit to the kid. That is costly in terms of travel and probably more than that taking time away from something else the coaches could be doing. I'm not necessarily against making an offer to Trent, but I certainly see the side of those who say it's almost certainly a waste of time and resources.

And you're sure we didn't make any inquiries?

I like this a lot. I'll add to that:

"graduate"


It's important to me that we're graduating as many guys and gals as we have lately. I love the sport, and I love winning, but this is college athletics, and I personally like seeing my school graduating the good players we've had. Graduating and being decent human beings is something that I include as part of the equation.

Back to Gary Jr., I hope he goes to UK or Duke and does well. It will give us something interesting to talk about during basketball season in a few years.