What sealed the deal for Harrison Barnes and UNC

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GopherLady

GopherLady

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I don't think this has been posted, if so, I apologize. This is a rumor I just heard (finally, a rumor not involving Royce White, haha):

One of my friends' Dad's is a football coach in Iowa. He said that Harrison was in class one afternoon, and had a knock at his classroom door...and who was at the door? Michael Jordan. It's one thing to be able to meet all of the UNC greats on your visit, but to have the greatest basketball player to ever play the game come to your classroom in Iowa...that is what I heard sealed the deal.
 



Like I said - it's what I heard, thought it was a interesting story, so I thought I'd share it. If it is an NCAA violation - I'd like to state, for the record, that I never verified these facts, as I'm not going to call Harrison Barnes to fact check this.
 



UNC is notorious for having their famous alumni recruit for their basketball team. This is no secret. There are stories that Doherty would send out letters to recruits signed by Jordan and other alums.
 

Pretty sure that's the definition of a recruiting violation.

UNC better hope that story isn't true, or at least hope the NCAA doesn't find out about it if it is true.
 

I have no clear cut idea what constitutes a violation, it wasn't money or a gift, so I'm wondering why some people think it would be? Seems like a pretty good ploy if it's legal.
 

I'm shocked that any of you are shocked by this. That isn't even close to the worse thing that UNC pulls (especially since Roy took over) has pulled over the years. They'll never be busted though: Too many friends in high places for that and too much invested in that image for it to fall. I'm not 100% sure this is actually true but I wouldn't say it wasn't either based on Roy and UNC's history.

Here's a fun little tidbit that I'll share to illustrate what kind of swell guy the Crybaby is: When Tubby was recruiting Deon Thompson his good pal Roy told Deon and his high school coach that "If you care about playing in the NBA you don't want to play for Tubby". Roy's more phony than a three dollar bill.
 



i know when they played on ESPN the other night they were talking about something with him and MJ. Was not really listening, but i thought they said he saw him on the college campus. Maybe 2 different meetings though..
 

It Would Be A Violation As Described In The First Post

Jordan could "bump" Barnes on UNC campus visit only. "Bump" is accidental (wink, wink) meeting.
 

The Truth said:
I'm shocked that any of you are shocked by this. That isn't even close to the worse thing that UNC pulls (especially since Roy took over) has pulled over the years. They'll never be busted though: Too many friends in high places for that and too much invested in that image for it to fall. I'm not 100% sure this is actually true but I wouldn't say it wasn't either based on Roy and UNC's history.

Here's a fun little tidbit that I'll share to illustrate what kind of swell guy the Crybaby is: When Tubby was recruiting Deon Thompson his good pal Roy told Deon and his high school coach that "If you care about playing in the NBA you don't want to play for Tubby". Roy's more phony than a three dollar bill.
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Too bad Roy (or Deon) didn't know Tubby has put 18 players into NBA in 18 years as HC.
 

ShowinGoldyLove said:
Pretty sure that's the definition of a recruiting violation.

UNC better hope that story isn't true, or at least hope the NCAA doesn't find out about it if it is true.
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How is this a violation if Jordan isn't associated with the bball program anymore?
 




The stories BleedGopher told about Roy (he mentioned his friends in the Kansas SID) mirror what I've heard in Chapel Hill. He's easy to root against because from everything I've heard, he's just not a good person. On the sideline persona is different from off-the-court IMO. Gary Williams and Bo Ryan are perfect examples of how someone can be a b@stard on the sidelines but good people outside of basketball. Roy Williams is not.

As for the Barnes story, it's been mentioned before but I don't put too much stock in it. He's not that dumb.
 

rccola889 said:
How is this a violation if Jordan isn't associated with the bball program anymore?
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Former players=boosters in the eyes of the NCAA. Pretty cut and dry. A former player can't have contact with a recruit on behalf of their former school.
 

This is the stuff that WWW is famous for. Wouldn't be a surprise I guess.
 


Boosters

In the eyes of the NCAA, I am a booster! About three years ago, I got a brochure and letter from the U telling me I was considered a booster because of my season tickets. I can't believe it was annual single figure contributions to the basketball team that lifted me up. Three pages of tiny print that my first run through made me think that if I had dinner with my friend's hockey playing kids, it might be an NCAA violation. (Second reading indicated that was oaky since I knew them from other places besides their sport.)

If am a booster of the U of M, MJ is certainly one for UNC.
 


Reserve said:
This is the stuff that WWW is famous for. Wouldn't be a surprise I guess.
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If you know the right people on the AAU circuit you can go to some of the unsanctioned events (the one coaches aren't supposed to be at and where contact is verboten) and they'll point out all the runners schools etc use to talk to parents. UNC isn't any different from Kentucky or Kansas.

As to Jordan: You think Wes doesn't "help" point a kid to UNC if Mike asks? Or do you think that Mike isn't above throwing his weight around in recruiting. For God's sake, no one said a peep when Vince Carter was taking kids out to dinner a couple of years back.
 


The Truth said:
If you know the right people on the AAU circuit you can go to some of the unsanctioned events (the one coaches aren't supposed to be at and where contact is verboten) and they'll point out all the runners schools etc use to talk to parents. UNC isn't any different from Kentucky or Kansas.

As to Jordan: You think Wes doesn't "help" point a kid to UNC if Mike asks? Or do you think that Mike isn't above throwing his weight around in recruiting. For God's sake, no one said a peep when Vince Carter was taking kids out to dinner a couple of years back.
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Different situation (women's basketball) but I personally observed a very prominent alumna of an SEC basketball team (not UK) leave free tickets for a recruit of that team and entertain them after a WNBA game a few years ago.
 

The True Story (no NCAA violations, just good recruiting)

Barnes did meet Michael Jordan, but it was during his official UNC visit, conveniently scheduled during the UNC alumni weekend...

http://www.highschoolhoop.com/recru...-harrison-barnes-diary-official-visit-to-unc/

This would be no different than the "campus mentoring program" or the "UMN Alumni" luncheons that are so popular at the Gopher campus. Only difference is that when you have alums with names like Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, James Worthy, Brad Doherty, etc., these are the guys who play in/attend your alumni weekend activities. Perfectly legal.
 

I for one have only respect for Roy, esp. since he had that heckler thrown out the other night. It means so much to have your coach stand up for you when you are up by 20 pts.
 

GopherLady said:
One of my friends' Dad is a football coach in Iowa. He said that Harrison was in class one afternoon, and had a knock at his classroom door...and who was at the door? Michael Jordan.
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I once drove past Ames on I35. This story isn't true.:D
 

GopherLady said:
I don't think this has been posted, if so, I apologize. This is a rumor I just heard (finally, a rumor not involving Royce White, haha):

One of my friends' Dad's is a football coach in Iowa. He said that Harrison was in class one afternoon, and had a knock at his classroom door...and who was at the door? Michael Jordan. It's one thing to be able to meet all of the UNC greats on your visit, but to have the greatest basketball player to ever play the game come to your classroom in Iowa...that is what I heard sealed the deal.
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That's not true. Barnes met MJ at the UNC Alumni game in September on UNC's campus. Having Jordan visit him in Ames would be a NCAA violation. And finally, do you really think Jordan is going to fly all the way up to Iowa? He won't even travel for the Bocats' away games and he's the GM!
 

If it is true, it sounds like the exact type of thing that Lane Kiffin and Tennessee got in trouble for. People who are associated with the school going to a recruits campus for the purpose of talking to them. Of course the Volunteer recruits got some bubbleicious co-eds and Harrison Barnes got MJ, but either of them are illegal. Additionally, I wouldn't put it past Roy Williams to cheat (from internet rumors i've heard), but cheating in such a high profile way is nonsense.
 

Bob_Loblaw said:
If it is true, it sounds like the exact type of thing that Lane Kiffin and Tennessee got in trouble for. People who are associated with the school going to a recruits campus for the purpose of talking to them. Of course the Volunteer recruits got some bubbleicious co-eds and Harrison Barnes got MJ, but either of them are illegal. Additionally, I wouldn't put it past Roy Williams to cheat (from internet rumors i've heard), but cheating in such a high profile way is nonsense.
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Read above. It's NOT true.
 

Bob_Loblaw said:
If it is true, it sounds like the exact type of thing that Lane Kiffin and Tennessee got in trouble for. People who are associated with the school going to a recruits campus for the purpose of talking to them. Of course the Volunteer recruits got some bubbleicious co-eds and Harrison Barnes got MJ, but either of them are illegal. Additionally, I wouldn't put it past Roy Williams to cheat (from internet rumors i've heard), but cheating in such a high profile way is nonsense.
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Well if they're internet rumors they must be true!
 

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