Once it Stops, We'll Miss Josh Smith Roller Coaster

The Seattle Times’ Sandy Ringer talked to Josh Smith’s mom recently who told her that Josh is only considering UCLA and UW at this point.

The story reports that they’ve let Oklahoma know that Smith won’t be taking a visit there, but will visit UW in the next few weeks, and announce his decision shortly thereafter.

This has been the story of the off-season for Husky fans, with a lot of back and forth on message boards and websites, and an awful lot of will he?/won’t he? rumors. I’ve enjoyed watching this unfold and sharing what we know with you. This, after all, is college basketball’s version of the hot stove, and what better to occupy our minds with during the (too) long off-season? Anyone feeling fatigued by the ups and downs of waiting to see if Smith will come play at UW should consider the alternative: nary a prized recruit even considering the Huskies.

Yes, the buzz I’ve heard definitely tends to lean in the direction of UCLA. Examples pointing to this abound, like this one after his official visit to LA: Josh’s current Facebook status (from Monday) is “had the best weekend of life. shout out to my ucla family.” (sic)

pull quote josh smith — One of the interesting points I’ve read now and then is that Smith, a potential one-and-done player (although this is purely speculation), would be a bad addition for UW. Some point to Spencer Hawes setting back the program (which I disagree with), and think Smith will be a similar example. Others point to the 6’9″, 270 pound Smith being a player who will fit poorly into Coach Romar’s run-and-gun offense.

I’m not going to argue that Terrence Jones (recruiting story #1B of the off-season), a long and athletic forward might be a better fit style-wise, but can anyone really make the case that one of the top big men in the country coming to UW would be a bad thing? Really?

I know a lot of the sources out there covering the team think Josh Smith to UCLA is a done deal. But, we’re here to bring you the fan’s perspective, shamelessly. And what does a fan do? Die hard.

So, we’ll keep covering the recruitments of Josh Smith and Terrence Jones until they declare elsewhere, because getting either of them would put the UW program in a position to enter the national championship discussion. Can you even imagine getting both?

Thanks for coming! What do you think? Is the recruiting roller coaster tiresome for you? Why? Let us know!