Sam Webb on Tyus Battle: He hasn't necessarily decommitted, but he is taking visits; distance is a factor for him; more

Submitted by Erik_in_Dayton on

Sam said the following on WTKA this morning:

He's not certain that Tyus Battle called Michigan and said he's decommitted.  Sam admitted this might be semantics, though, because Battle is taking visits (Sam mentioned UConn on twitter in addition to Syracuse).

Sam's opinion (just an opinion) is that Battle committed to Michigan when he did in part to make sure Josh Langford (whom Battle knows) didn't take his spot.  Battle also really loved Michigan when he visited.

Distance from home is a factor for Battle, thus helping Syracuse.

Michigan never totally stopped recruiting Josh Lanford.  And they called him after the news of Battle's visits.

Langford once seemed on the verge of committing to Michigan, but MSU appears to be his leader now.  Sam also mentioned Arizona as being in the mix.

Langford appears not to have committed to MSU over the weekend as some thought might happen.   Langford is now the in fold for MSU.  See the thread above this one.

Sam isn't sure if Battle will commit to Syracuse soon.  It sounds like Sam has not been in touch with the Battle family recently.

 

My own thoughts:  The good news is that both Battle and Langford are still in play.  The bad news, as you've no doubt realized, is that the Battle commitment may have cost Michigan Langford.  This is fast becoming a very unfortunate situation. 

 

 

http://www.stationcaster.com/player_skinned.php?s=901&c=4701&f=4519223

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Ronnie Kaye

June 22nd, 2015 at 12:29 PM ^

Then why didn't he commit? He knew Battle was decommitted since Friday and he still pledged to MSU with that spot open in Ann Arbor. What are you basing this "most likely" take on? "Insider" scuttlebutt?

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True Blue Grit

June 22nd, 2015 at 10:18 AM ^

I heard the show too this a.m. and it also sounded like we shouldn't give up hope on Battle yet.  Sam had very positive things to say about Cumberland too.  Until someone can speak with either Battle or his Dad, it's very hard to say where things stand.  I just hope things are resolved fairly soon so Michigan knows where they stand with the 2016 class. 

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mgeoffriau

June 22nd, 2015 at 10:20 AM ^

...kind of a dick move. I would hope that were I same situation, I would not do that.

 

On the other hand, I can't really get that upset over it. The kids have so little power in this process that I can't really blame Battle for trying to protect himself and keep his options open. Beilein is a great guy, but plenty of coaches do essentially the same thing the Battle did -- offer one kid as a backup plan, but when the situation changes, effectively revoke or withdraw the offer.

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Jimmyisgod

June 22nd, 2015 at 10:24 AM ^

Sam said there was nothing to worry about before Battle opened his recruitment back up, now he's sayinig there's still nothing to worry about.  Very very rarely does a kid decommit and the recommit, Sam is just blowing sunshine as usual.  I have no idea why we still pay attention to him.

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Unicycle Firefly

June 22nd, 2015 at 10:26 AM ^

I've never understood the "close to home" thing for athletes that have a good shot at going pro.  You do realize that in the NBA/NFL, you're probably going to get sent far away from where you grew up?  Might as well cut that cord sooner than later.

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M-Dog

June 22nd, 2015 at 10:56 AM ^

'Crootin.

That's all you need to understand.

Combine teenager flighty-ness with kids that have been fussed over since 6th grade, add in the new bizzare world of semi-pro AAUs, and you get modern 'Crootin.  And that's not even looking at the shady stuff that goes on is some places.

It's a show.  You might as well enjoy it for its entertainment value.  You won't enjoy it for much else.

 

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MichiganHSSP14

June 22nd, 2015 at 11:25 AM ^

Just went on Twitter to see if Battle had any change of info. He still has his edit in a UofM jersey as his profile pic and has yet to change his biography from saying that he is a "Michigan commit"....if Twitter is any indication, maybe all is not lost yet!



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AA2Denver

June 22nd, 2015 at 11:43 AM ^

Battle probably has the higher ceiling but Cumberland has had a much better Spring. According to a few sites he is killing it on a team (King James) that's loaded. NBAish body already and can flat out score. 

Battle seems like a one or two and done. Maybe this is going to work out for the best.

 

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orangeda

June 22nd, 2015 at 12:01 PM ^

so having a better spring doesn't mean all that much from that perspective. 

That said, this is the second major injury he's had that has forced him to miss a lot of time playing, don't know if the means he's injury prone or not, but it's not good.

Also, if Battle stays healthy, you're more than likely right that's he'll spend no more than 2 years in college due to his size, skill and athleticism, and that fact that he would have been playing for Beilein, where he would have likely been dominant.  Where as Cumberland, is much more likely to be a 3 or even 4 year guy due to his limited size at 6'4, and average athleticism(at least for the NBA, he's no high flyer).  But Cumberland has the look of a guy who could be an all conference type guy for a couple of years because of his ability to score and he's also a very good rebounder, and supposedly a good defender. 

For sheer upside, I'd certainly pick Battle, his game reminds me a lot of Kobe Bryant's, and he's not far off athletically, but Cumberland is no consolation prize if UM can land him, he has the makings of a great college player, even if he doesn't have the same NBA potential that Battle has.

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EastCoast Esq.

June 22nd, 2015 at 12:12 PM ^

I'm quickly becoming disheartened with this entire situation. With all the caveats about these being teenagers and this being a major life decision, it seems like he gave his "commitment" in order to preserve a highly sought-after spot rather than because he actually knew where he wanted to go.

http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2015/06/tyus_battles_father_declines_c.html

While the quote doesn't quite say as much, it certainly seems like -- at the very least -- he made the decision before he was actually sure of it.

I know that it must be scary for a kid to not know whether the scholarship he wants will be available, but a lot of other recruits have handled that situation before. You commit when you're ready....not just because "the pressure is on."

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grumbler

June 22nd, 2015 at 4:43 PM ^

The timing of his committment, right after a visit to Michigan, indicates that the story is very different than the one you are telliong.  The timing says that he loved the visit, committed, and then had to face pressure from his parents, which eventually wore him down.  If he had decommitted after Langford committed to MSU, you might have an argument.  As it was, Langford turned down Michigan, Michigan wasn't forced to turn down Langford.

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