Austin Nichols set to decide....

#1

bleedingTNorange

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#1
From Rivals.com

For the nation's No. 19 player in the class of 2013, the visits are all over.

Now, all that's left for Austin Nichols is to make a decision.

Austin Nichols' family says the recruiting period has been stressful to a degree.
Over the past few months, the 6-foot-8 forward from Briarcrest Christian on the outskirts of Memphis has been busy touring Auburn, Duke, Memphis, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Virginia with his family.

After a weekend trip to Auburn, the visit process is over, unfortunately for some.

"We're through with all of the visits," said Mark Nichols, Austin's father. "It's bittersweet. We had a ton of fun and the schools did a great job and everything. But, we're glad it's over with. It's got to be pretty (stressful) for them just like it is for us."

Armed with as much information as they can get, Nichols and his family will now cut off contact with the schools recruiting the five-star prospect.

"We'll send an email out tonight and then there will be no more communication with the family or Austin in any shape for or fashion," Mark Nichols said.

"This is family time for us to get together and make the best decision a family can make. I think we've gotten the best from all of them and it's time for it to end."

Throughout the process there's been no shortage of rumors about which way the athletic and tough four man is leaning.

At the same time, Nichols has been able to see himself at many different destinations only to take another visit and change his mind. So, headed into the decision process nothing is being leaked about who may be in the lead and picking the best school for Austin is the absolute priority.

"He can't go to six schools so we've got to do what's best for him," the elder Nichols said. "That should be the only thing that matters to these schools, what's best for Austin."

Though there is no strict timetable for a decision, the plan is to have a choice made in time to sign in the early period. The family hopes to have a committal date set within the next week.

Nichols has seen many different approaches, heard many different things and all the while has stayed on course about what is important for him. Now, it's a matter of finding that fit.

"I think we've been pretty stable," Mark Nichols said. "The degree and education matters a ton. The system they play and the coaching staff and all of that plays a big part. We're trying to stay on track with that and some schools are probably better as far as social fit maybe than others. But we're trying to keep everything focused on what makes it the best decision for Austin."
 
#5
#5
Tiger beat writer just said on Memphis radio that Memphis appeared to be out and that it was TN vs. Auburn.... He said he feels like its Tennessee winning out.
 
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#7
#7
Not when you factor in the next sentence.

That they're trying to make the best decision for Austin?

If you think the social part that dad commented on isn't being discussed as a major factor you're in denial.

If this was strictly about basketball schools like Auburn and Vandy wouldn't be on the list.
 
#12
#12
That they're trying to make the best decision for Austin?

If you think the social part that dad commented on isn't being discussed as a major factor you're in denial.

If this was strictly about basketball schools like Auburn and Vandy wouldn't be on the list.

"The degree and education matters a ton. The system they play and the coaching staff and all of that plays a big part. We're trying to stay on track with that and some schools are probably better as far as social fit maybe than others. But we're trying to keep everything focused on what makes it the best decision for Austin."

Sounds like this is more Mark Nichols trying to push 1) academics and 2) basketball, aka Duke. The emphasized word in the above paragraph is very important to the entire message. It sounds to the objective reader that he's saying academics and basketball are important, and that some schools may be more socially appealing to Austin, but may not be in his best interests.

Mark has made not-so-veiled comments like this before, implicitly touting Duke over other schools. Seems like this is just more of that. Luckily for the other schools, this isn't solely Mark Nichols' decision.
 
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#14
#14
Yea, I don't see how that contradicts anything else he says. Memphis fans think Memphis is best, and TN fans think TN is the best. No problem with that. Let's wait and see.

I have no delusions that Memphis is landing Austin, unless he has a serious change of heart.
 
#17
#17
Are you sticking to TN? You said if he didn't committ Bama week you were gonna have rethink your stance...

I've seen nothing that would change my belief that UT leads for Austin right now. It's a lot closer than it appeared 3-4 weeks ago, but it looks like UT is in the lead.
 
#19
#19
The more interesting question may be who do you think is #2?

I can only say who is not #2. Memphis and Auburn.

I also don't think that UVA has been a serious contender in some time.

I'd say that UT, Duke and Vandy round out the top 3; UT is in the lead, with Vandy and Duke closely behind in 2 and 3 (I couldn't say which is 2 or which is 3 though).
 
#21
#21
I can tell you all this, he came to UT a couple weeks ago and hung out at a relative of mine's house for a while. He said it was between Tennessee and Duke and he was leaning toward UT. Apparently he enjoyed himself and loved UT's campus life.
 
#22
#22
I can tell you all this, he came to UT a couple weeks ago and hung out at a relative of mine's house for a while. He said it was between Tennessee and Duke and he was leaning toward UT. Apparently he enjoyed himself and loved UT's campus life.

I love it when a poster with 14 posts comes up with something like this. This is what VN is all about. Thanks for the info!
 
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