(Charleston Daily Mail photo used by permission.)
Click the “more” line for a couple of updates to this post.
At its own Madness celebration on Friday night, West Virginia basketball fans went all-out, and then some — illustrated here in a blog post by Mike Casazza of the Charleston Daily Mail — to welcome top hoops recruit Adreian Payne, a 6-foot-10 center from Dayton.
Kentucky is also reportedly recruiting Payne, who is ranked as the 20th best player in America by Rivals.
West Virginia was not allowed to publicize Payne’s visit, or even acknowledge that he was there, but West Virginia fans certainly knew the center would be on campus for an official visit. They made signs, banners, etc. to welcome Payne.
An excerpt from Casazza’s blog:
Somehow, Bob Huggins was able to get Adreian Payne, only one of the best high school players in America, on campus for an official visit last night. This wasn’t a real secret, but rather a tremendous coup. Everyone had their version of Madness last night and Payne is a coveted prospect. WVU got him for the weekend. I left last night with the feeling if Payne went elsewhere, it was not fault of the Mountaineers. Or their maniacs.
The question is whether this is an NCAA violation. The rules are a bit vague, but it’s hard to believe that the Mountaineer Maniacs didn’t cross the line somewhere. My guess is we’re going to here more about this.
Be sure and check out Mike’s blog posts for the rest of the photos, especially the one that includes Rocky Balboa.
(Hat tip to Bluegrass State Basketball.)
Update: I’ve experienced the wrath of West Virginia fans before, and now, apparently here it comes again. One did not like me writing “hard to believe that the Mountaineer maniacs didn’t cross the line somewhere.” All I’m saying is that with the tons of rules the NCAA has for these sorts of things, it seems likely that some rule was broken somewhere. Anyway here’s the e-mail:
Are you serious?? I don’t know John, but why don’t you….ya know…READ the NCAA rules on such matters, and then get the video of the entire event and get back to me on that. There was NOTHING done that evening that could be construed as an NCAA violation. Nothing.
WVU fans obviously knew Payne was in town (we do have internet access here in WV, John) and they did a great job being creative…and funny…and welcoming him to Morgantown. What kind of hack are you to just sort of throw the idea of an NCAA violation out there.
Of course, if there’s one thing people in Kentucky should be familiar with, I guess it’s NCAA violations. And just think – Calipari is just getting started. Why don’t you report what you see in your own back yard. We’re just fine in WV, thanks.
Update No. 2: Bruce Pascoe of the Arizona Daily Star talked to a compliance officer about situations similar to the one with West Virginia and Payne.
Excerpt:
Hypothetically speaking, UA compliance officer Bill Morgan said today that if fans chant the names of recruits, have signs or anything with the recruit’s name, then it would have to be investigated to see who prompted the fans into doing so. If the impetus was a booster or anyone at the university, that’s a violation. If it was fans acting by themselves because of mainstream news reports that’s OK.
Wasnn’t it also an violation for Kansas to have the recruits announced … or did UK do the same thing
You’re not supposed to announce that recruits are visiting, or publicize it in any way.
When do we get to play them?
Hate to say it but, if KY had announced the recruits ( didn’t hear it on t.v. but..) That were at BBM then the every newspaper, news channel and internet blog would be crying violation. It would be a top story and would put CAl and KY in the negative light again. So who does Kansas b@#$ in the NCAA to constantly get over looked?
KU doesn’t “announce” recruit visits. The info comes from Rivals, Scout, local sports sections of newspapers,etc.
Glass houses John, considering your coach’s history.
” KU doesn’t “announce” recruit visits. The info comes from Rivals, Scout, local sports sections of newspapers,etc.
Glass houses John, considering your coach’s history. ”
actually KU did announce the recruits by name at late night in the phog so how about you get it right and stop blinding supporting a university just because your a fan.
and a WVU player … truck to be exact pointed out PAYNE in the stands and tried to pull him onto the floor during mountaineer madness…. so maybe you should just go ahead and get your facts straight stud.
So I suppose that UK needs to be investigated as well for reporting on several UK recruiting websites that Tobias Harris was at their Midnight Madness.
Dear Patrick,
Were you at Late Night in the Phog? I was. Been going for years. Recruits NAMES are never announced. The recruits walk into their seats at Allen Fieldhouse together. The crowd responds accordingly. I’ve got the video I shot of the entire evening to prove it. Now unless you can produce a video or a news article written by someone who was actually at Late Night in the Phog stating otherwise, please direct your zany obsession onto some other team you can actually compete with.
“actually KU did announce the recruits by name at late night in the phog so how about you get it right and stop blinding supporting a university just because your a fan.”
That is false. You UK fans are insane. Can’t wait to see Calipari mess up your program worse than Sutton and Tubby Smith.
Chris your crazy if you think KU announced the names I was right next too where they walked in and they did nothing close to announce a reccruit’s name get your fact’s right!