Duke, UNC battle for top recruit as Krzyzewski, Williams visit on same day

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Duke, UNC battle for top recruit as Krzyzewski, Williams visit on same day

By Dane Huffman

Oct 6, 2009

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Duke and North Carolina took their rivalry to a critical spot in Iowa Monday as both Mike Krzyzewski and Roy Williams visited top basketball prospect Harrison Barnes on the same day in Ames, Iowa.

Monday was the last day of the contact period before the fall signing period begins November.

Barnes,a 6-foot-8 senior forward rated the No. 1 prospect in the country by Scout.com, had scheduled a home visit with Krzyzewski for Monday.

But as InsideCarolina first reported, Williams had a second in-home visit with Barnes in Ames shortly after Krzyzewski's only scheduled in-home.

The Devil's Den, a website that closely tracks Duke recruiting, reported that Krzyzewski, Nate James and Steve Wojciechowski were at the house for 3 and a half hours and UNC was there for about 90 minutes.

Barnes’ high school coach, Vance Downs, confirmed to WRAL Tuesday that both coaches were at Barnes’ house on Monday. He said Barnes told him that Tuesday morning at school.

Downs said Barnes’ final list of six schools is UNC, Duke, UCLA, Iowa State, Kansas and Oklahoma. He said he expects Barnes to make a decision by the November signing period.

“I’m telling you, he’s something special. You’re talking about a kid who’s still growing,” Downs said. “He can score from all three levels. He’s got ball-handling skills. He can play with any kid in the nation, no doubt about it.”

Downs said he knew Krzyzewski was coming but didn’t know Williams would also be there until Barnes told him Tuesday morning.

“I’m learning to expect the unexpected in this recruiting world,” he said.

Monday’s developments heighten what has been a ferocious contest between Duke and UNC. Barnes was widely believed to be leaning to the Blue Devils before he attended the Carolina alumni game in September. That sparked more interest in the Tar Heels, and set in motion what could be one of the more intense recruiting battles between the two schools.

Duke won some significant ones in the past, including Art Heyman, Danny Ferry and Shane Battier. But Carolina won Larry Miller and Brandan Wright.

Despite their proximity, the schools often go after different players. The year Carolina signed Tyler Hansbrough, for example, Duke signed Josh McRoberts, who was rated higher at the time by some scouts.

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RE: Duke, UNC battle for top recruit as Krzyzewski, Williams visit on same day

gw- they have medication for this.
- Posted by onyourheels2

Then he needs to have his mama take him to the doctor. No way anyone who posts like he does is older than 10.

RE: Duke, UNC battle for top recruit as Krzyzewski, Williams visit on same day

There's gonna be a lot of disappointed Tarholes come November...
- Posted by tlg0022

Yes, it's always possible the kid will choose "Satan", Wojo and the rest of their yankee trash implants on the Durham campus. And, it would be a disappointment.

However, we who have direct "ties" to UNC know that come what may, the Tar Heels are going to be right there in the thick of things, and yes so will Puke. The telling story always seem to be one "constant" you ba****** cannot shake in Durham. The Tar Heels have more National Championships to their credit than you stinking, melodorous northerners can muster. And, they always will.

Keep congratulating yourselves for the wonderful job your Koach K, aka A Hitler, is doing. It's going to take more than his Third Reich, thuggery and murderous ways to succeed in the future.

As usual, my "middle finger of friendship" to all you yankee implants, Jerseyites and filth who permeate that place referred to as a "college" in Durham.
- Posted by dumpondook
\

You just made me a YANKEE'S fan...But I enjoy the hate that u girls in blue bring, along with the rest of the DUKE haters...Unlike u guys wearing girl blue, I give credit were credit is due. Sissy blue has had better talent and success lately. and won a second championship after there wasn't any real competition left to play and you had the same team. Duke standard is so high anything but championships may seem like we are down. I look forward to giving my "TWO MIDDLE FINGERS OF HATE" to all you 'jordan riding' folks who can only brag about how your alumni play in pros.. not college days. You put your girls, while in college, against our MANLY BLUE collegiate award winners, and we would HITLER yall to camp all over that fat treasure troll's dean smith's center. ACC LOVE BABY!!!! and bring the 82' team with ya so they can watch too!!
- Posted by gabrielwalker

You are an IDIOT!

RE: Duke, UNC battle for top recruit as Krzyzewski, Williams visit on same day

Wow. Is GW posting under the influence in the middle of the afternoon or suffering from something more permanent? My guess is that the last five years plus the re-naming of Duke's ratty old high school gym as Hansbrough Indoor Stadium sent him over the edge. Perhaps someone can cheer him up by sending a clip of "girl blue"-clad Danny Green posterizing G. Paulus over at H.I.S. It always makes me bust out laughing no matter how rough a day I am having.

RE: Duke, UNC battle for top recruit as Krzyzewski, Williams visit on same day

Just interested in how you come to the conclusion that McAdoo's commitment makes Carolina look less attractive to Barnes.

McAdoo is the #1 PF in the class of 2011.

Barnes is the #1 SF in the class of 2010.

I don't see how a player who plays a different position and would be coming into Chapel Hill a year after Barnes, would have any impact on Barnes final decision. Other than he'd get to play along side McAdoo and could be a good tandem.
- Posted by jwcarter3

Because there may be some overlap, interchangeablity, etc.
- Posted by OriginalBlueDevil

Translation: He doesn't know how he came to that conclusion. Interchangeability? Really?

RE: Duke, UNC battle for top recruit as Krzyzewski, Williams visit on same day

Just interested in how you come to the conclusion that McAdoo's commitment makes Carolina look less attractive to Barnes.

McAdoo is the #1 PF in the class of 2011.

Barnes is the #1 SF in the class of 2010.

I don't see how a player who plays a different position and would be coming into Chapel Hill a year after Barnes, would have any impact on Barnes final decision. Other than he'd get to play along side McAdoo and could be a good tandem.
- Posted by jwcarter3

Because there may be some overlap, interchangeablity, etc.

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