Wake Forest decided Tony Woods wasn’t worth the trouble. That put them in the minority.
About 30 schools inquired about the 6-11 center, who recently pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of assault on a female and received a suspended sentence of 60 days in jail, plus community service. The landing spot?
Louisville.
Woods’ stats aren’t overwhelming, but there’s a reason so many program wanted Woods. As Mike DeCourcy writes, there aren’t many quality big men out there.
A Division I coach told Sporting News one reason so many programs expressed interest in Woods -- despite his arrest and modest production in two seasons at Wake -- is the dearth of big men in the high school class of 2011 who can offer immediate help at the college level.
The Cardinals are headed for another sub-par season, but 2011-12 could be huge. That’s when Pitino’s best recruiting class in years (which could still add Quincy Miller and Deuce Bello, among others) takes the floor in possibly a make-or-break season.
When your program needs a big season, you take a few chances. Fans will forget about Woods’ past if he produces and Cardinals win.
If it goes awry, Pitino is probably out anyway.
Mike Miller’s also on Twitter @BeyndArcMMiller, usually talkin’ hoops. Click here for more.