McCoy to UNLV - and others.

"Being able to bring in a McDonald's All-American and the top-ranked junior college prospect is a testament to the power of the UNLV brand," Menzies said.

Where UNLV stands as a national "brand" has been debatable for about 20 years, but perhaps Menzies has tapped into something. The aforementiond JUCO prospect is Shakur Juiston, the reigning JUCO Player of the Year who played at one of the best junior colleges in the country, Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College. UNLV beat out transfer-minded and proven Iowa State for Juiston, who amounts to a four-star recruit. He averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds last season and is Hutchinson's all-time rebounding leader. He also won the MVP honor in the junior college national tournament.

UNLV has also added lefty four-star point guard Amauri Hardy, who -- like all the others -- has signed a letter of intent. Hardy picked UNLV over Oklahoma State, opting to de-commit from OSU after Brad Underwood took the Illinois job. Juiston and Hardy committed Wednesday, less than 24 hours after McCoy's decision possibly sparked them to do the same.

These are significant additions, as UNLV has a bulky seven-man recruiting class that ranks 12th in the country. Menzies did not anticipate this. He he now has 14 players on scholarship, but is allowed only 13, so he will have to reckon with who loses one.

No team in America has made bigger upgrades from a lower position than Vegas. The Runnin' Rebels won't be a top-25 team in preseason polls, but it's not ridiculous to suggest they could round into that form come league play.

This week's three additions join previous four-star commitment Chiekh Mbacke Diong (6-11 power forward from Senegal) to firm up a terrific class. UNLV also has JUCO small forward Anthony Smith and wing Tervell Beck in its haul for next season. Jay Green, an Australian who played at a Hillcrest Prep in Arizona (back in January) was the first of the seven to commit.

steveschneider wrote:It is all about money.

steveschneider wrote:Also, how much do these players value joining a championship team? Seems like if either one joined MSU our chances of winning a natty were pretty high. I can't see either of these players winning a championship at their respective schools.

Same with Jabari Parker, it seemed like if he really cared about winning a championship he would have picked MSU.

Seems like a perk to college sports if you are good enough you can choose to go to a championship team.

WhiteBoyHatcher wrote:

steveschneider wrote:Also, how much do these players value joining a championship team? Seems like if either one joined MSU our chances of winning a natty were pretty high. I can't see either of these players winning a championship at their respective schools.

Same with Jabari Parker, it seemed like if he really cared about winning a championship he would have picked MSU.

Seems like a perk to college sports if you are good enough you can choose to go to a championship team.

This has been discussed. It is very low on their priority list in most cases. Even lower on the priority list of their handlers/family/whoever steers them. It's all about the NBA number 1 (PT, etc), and number 2 who can get their back scratched.