Clarksville Northeast forward Alex Poythress has narrowed his list to five schools: Duke, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Florida and Memphis.
The 6-foot-8 senior is ranked as the nation's 18th overall basketball prospect by ESPN. Rivals.com ranks him 38th overall.
"It was pretty tough," Poythress said of narrowing his list. "I felt comfortable (at Kentucky). They've got nice facilities. They're one of the top programs in college basketball right now."
There have been reports that Duke may have violated an NCAA recruiting rule when Blue Devils Coach Mike Krzyzewski offered him a scholarship last month. Poythress contacted Krzyzewski after his team, the Georgia Stars, was eliminated from the Super Showcase in Orlando, Fla., and just before the Stars competed in the AAU nationals in the same city. NCAA rules prohibit contact with a recruit during AAU tournaments.
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Comments » 35
mountainbrook writes:
Vandy = 2 and 10 Again. Its the school song.
mempuss writes:
Hahah Vanderbilt. ALWAYS the little brother
KevDVol writes:
Actually, UT Football was 4th in 2001. And, sadly you can't actually count a Final Four appearance until a team actually goes to a Final Four. It was nice to see Vandy in the CWS but be clear - Vanderbilt will NEVER surpass UT in football EVER. What they will do is beat us once every 2 decades and make a video about it. So, keep adding up their baseball wins and act like that counts towards football while you wait for their annual November beating. Go Vols!
The_Real_Orange writes:
UT finished 4th in the nation in 2001? I didn't remember that. I am pretty sure CSS is counting the baseball team from the just completed season as Vandy's final four team. The counting wins from all 3 sports is kind of lame though, as baseball kind of skews the number in their favor.
The_Real_Orange writes:
And it really goes to show the lack of loyalty of fans like Gerry that thought Fulmer should have been fired after the 05 season. Just 4 years after a top 5 season to fire the coach shows very little appreciation for what it takes to get there.
mempuss writes:
aww feel left out too lil brother?
kyvol98 writes:
Based on his comments, he is UK bound. Heck, there were 24K at Rupp last night to watch the Dominican Republic vs the UK Pro's play and you would have thought it was UK in the Final Four from the fans reaction.
As for Vandy, they will always be the SEC Dore-mat.
MikeInTN writes:
Not to be in the final five tells a lot about the bb program...especially with Memphis being one of the five. Not good!!!!
murrayvol writes:
Had nothing to do with "lack of loyalty". Had everything to do with declining performance.
Colliervol writes:
Simply a matter of that hammer hanging over the BB program. If I were looking at it objectively, I'd probably do the same thing unfortunately. Can't blame him for looking at Duke but I'm disappointed in the kid if he is swayed by the Smarmy One in Lexington. Thought that was reserved for the Demarcus Cousins of the basketball world.
FWBVol writes:
Hey dipstick, those 24 extra wins all came in baseball. So basketball and football were dead even in the number of Ws.
Dave Serrano will get UT back in baseball and then Vandy will be back to crying in the rain once again.
GONAVY (Inactive) writes:
I think this kid will end up at UK, ufortunately. Duke may be in a bit of hot water, plus they're very tough academically. He sounds like he might be a good student though. Vanderbilt could be a good fit for him- don't see UF landing him.
Down_The_Field writes:
here's a stat you forgot.
football (all time)
tennessee 72 peebody 27 5 ties
basketball (all time)
tennessee 108 peebody 69
baseball (all time)
tennessee 167 peebody 140 2 ties
all time record in 3 main sports
tennessee 347 peebody 236 7 ties
civilianvol_formerly_marinevol writes:
Don't forget about their women's bowling team. I believe that they have 3 starters returning, and Buffy Poindexter has almost recovered from that blister on her right index finger. They may not win another National Championship this year, but they will still be the best athletes on the Vandy campus.
GONAVY (Inactive) writes:
DTF, while your point is well made, grow up. "Peebody" is such a juvenile comment. Please rise above it, or just go away.
voloffaith writes:
Wow BBQ has been elevated to the level of buying. Pearl bad phone decisions and in person boo boo timing combined with false statements. Best we know no payouts to any,just poor judgements.
On topic we weren't even on his list to be narrowed down. So yes we didn't get him,but he didn't want us early or this late in the game either.
Slystone writes:
Shouldn't be surprising at all. Pastner has recruited well the last two seasons for Memphis. If you currently look at who they are recruiting for 2012 you'd see they are mentioned by several blue chippers. I do think UK has the upper hand. Don't count Duke out yet. Coach Martin has inherited a program that will take a while to rebuild. Are we patient considering what Pearl did in putting the program where it's at?
born2ride writes:
Without Bruce Pearl Memphis and Vandy are better basketball programs. Martin got in late recruiting and he is in over his head with the top recruits.
Poythress is headed to Kentucky. No honest coach can compete with Calipari.
Titan writes:
I can't believe CSS didn't bring up Candy's remarkable one and only national championship in bowling. Yep - bowling.
HooRay_Vol writes:
It is the best school to play for one year and then jump to the NBA, make it or not.
Theo writes:
It is ridiculous to say coach Martin is in over his head in recruiting the top kids after what, 60 days. Let's get the NCAA thing over, get a couple of seasons under his belt and then we can objectively evaluate his recruiting prowess.
Packer_Park_Orange (Inactive) writes:
While this wouldn't be the first time UT has lost a top in state prospect to KY, I can't remember (going back to the 60's) a time when we weren't in a TN. prospect's top 5. This doesn't bode well for this staff or its future
asmith writes:
maybe he will have a sudden change of heart!! :)
tennrich1 writes:
Boy all those beatdowns Vandy received last year from the Vols really does make one bitter......of course the absolute losership of the Vandy program would make anyone just a wee bit nasty...VANYD FAN? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHA....
tennrich1 writes:
The Vandy and Memphis programs are banking that they will be better with Pearl gone...But I think if CCM is given some time and the overhanging investigation is cleared up we will be just fine....but Tigers and Dores are a hoping.....
tennrich1 writes:
No indication whatsoever....the NCAA mantra is too drag the investigation out over 18 months to 2 years...that does more damage to a program than ANY punishment you could dole out....personally I think we are in fair shape with the talent level we have now....couple of years we may be hurting but we can compete will what we have if CCM can coach a lick at all....
VolunteerLifer writes:
This is the way our basketball recruiting is going to be until and unless Coach Martin shows he can win and stabilize the program. If I were a hotshot player like Poythress, I would be looking for program stability and a proven winner for a coach. We can't offer that yet.
osbymartin75 writes:
Okay...once again lack of facts...simple research would be beneficial to you and even potentially give you some respectability...where to start first with the absence of facts in your post...UT beat Wisconsin in 2007 bowl game so that is lack of fact #1(UT hasnt won a bowl game in last 4 yrs).UT baseball finished in final four of 2001 CWS losing to eventually natl champ miami lack of fact #2 (UT hasnt finished in top 4 in any of the 3 since 1998)...Vandy didnt steal Jenkins from Pearl or UT since the only 4 schools that offered him according to scout and rivals was vandy, alabama, valparaiso, and mississippi st. Lack of fact #3 (Vandy stole #1 player in state from Pearl and UT)...please use your computer to fact check before just throwing stuff out like its fact..
johnlg00 writes:
New coach? Pending NCAA trouble? THAT tells a whole lot about the UT BB program's present but says nothing about its future. CCM will get it done, and there are top players coming out EVERY year. The Vols will get their share.
johnlg00 writes:
Good one!
VolzsFan writes:
This kid and the Stokes kid where silent commits to Pearl. This kid should take a look at the success of Tennessee kids leaving. Very few have had success. The last couple that went to Duke or UNC sucked. Memphis is suppose to be this hotbed yet the NBA has hardly seen a Memphis born kid. Can you say the bulk of them are overrated? Yes. Have fun. To bad the UT administration so mishandled the Pearl situation and did not take the fight legal. The admin is basically a bunch of Jelly fish. Enjoy the season and the BBQs.
SouthernBoiNOLA writes:
Actually In the past 35 years Memphis has had over 30 players that were from Memphis, and played or are playing in the NBA.
Noogaorange writes:
Pearls not around to buy a player??? You are a complete idiot.
You have nothing to back up that kind of statement. Your comments are stupid and have no substance.
Quit waiting get the h..l off the website and don't come back!
GBO
jzcrisp writes:
I think he's headed to Memphis.
VOLFAN4LIFEgovols writes:
vANDY HAD A GOOD BASKETBALL TEAM LAST YEAR AND IN FOOTBALL THIS YEAR AND ALL AROUND I HATE TO SAY BUT THEY R NOW THE BIG BROTHER. BASKETBALL 4 SURE
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