Negedu to sign with Tennessee

Emmanuel Negedu has verbally committed to Tennessee.

"I'm going to the University of Tennessee," Negedu said by phone Tuesday in an exclusive interview with CBSSports.com. "Tennessee was one of the schools I considered before I (signed with) Arizona (last November), and when I visited there I liked the campus and I really got along with the players. It just seemed like a family. I love it. And I feel like I've known the coaches forever."

A 6-foot-7 forward, Negedu is the one-time Arizona signee who asked for a release from his national letter of intent last month, unhappy with the uncertainty surrounding Lute Olson and the Arizona program. When the release was granted the African import immediately became the central recruiting target for multiple elite level programs -- specifically Tennessee, Indiana, Memphis and Georgia Tech, all of which were searching for an impact frontcourt player to add to the 2008-09 roster.

Rivals.com ranks Negedu as the 40th-best prospect in his class while Scout.com has him at No. 71. Either way, he's an extremely athletic, explosive post presence who should immediately help the Vols as he competes for minutes with veterans Wayne Chism and Tyler Smith.

For Bruce Pearl, this is a huge development.

It not only solidifies Tennessee as a preseason top 10 team, but it's an example of Pearl -- aided by assistant Steve Forbes -- beating rival John Calipari and Memphis on a "national" recruit as the two programs continue to compete for supremacy in the state. Negedu's pledge also pushes Tennessee's recruiting class solidly into the top 10 considering he's the fourth Rivals.com top 70 prospect to commit. The best of the group is McDonald's All-American Scotty Hopson, who will start in the backcourt beside junior college standout Bobby Maze for a team that should win the SEC and could advance to the Final Four.

It's probably inconsequential.

He was never going to be a starter at Memphis because John Calipari and staff are capable of recruiting over his head, which is what they were consistently doing. He's a 3-point shooter who doesn't make threes all that often, so I don't blame Memphis for not promising playing time or Mack for recognizing his role would be limited as a Tiger.

Arizona program in freefall

I'm from Tucson and what's happening here is a disgrace. What has happened here with the coaches is absurd. UofA let Coach Olsen take a year off so he could what? - Get a divorce? Prior to the last season they let go of the No. 1 assistant coach who had been with the team for twenty years. Then they hire a new coach O'neil tell him his job is secure and now he's gone. Any wonder why the rest of the coaches left?

Olsen hasn't been in tune with his teams for years and the team has ended the season in turmoil year after year. The best talent leaves. The coach doesn't appear to know the quality of his players. When Gilbert Arenas was here he was the third option on offense.

Don't look for Arizona to be at the top for some time to come.

bamajc3 Reputation: 91 Level: All-Star Since: Feb 19, 2008	Posted on: June 17, 2008 2:03 pm Score: 93 Negedu to sign with Tennessee Gary not trying to get off the subject but what do you think about Mack leaving Memphis?? [ Reply to Comment ]
Gary Parrish Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Feb 8, 2007	Posted on: June 17, 2008 2:08 pm Score: 95 Negedu to sign with Tennessee It's probably inconsequential. He was never going to be a starter at Memphis because John Calipari and staff are capable of recruiting over his head, which is what they were consistently doing. He's a 3-point shooter who doesn't make threes all that often, so I don't blame Memphis for not promising playing time or Mack for recognizing his role would be limited as a Tiger. [ Reply to Comment ]
bamajc3 Reputation: 91 Level: All-Star Since: Feb 19, 2008	Posted on: June 17, 2008 2:11 pm Score: 91 Negedu to sign with Tennessee Yeah i agree, hope Taggart can contribute a little more next year. I think he has the scoring potential that Dorsey didnt have. My dad lives in O.B. also he has season tix right behind the bench lol, but yeah thanks for the thoughts. Do work for the C.A. anymore? [ Reply to Comment ]
utvols25 Reputation: 89 Level: All-Star Since: Nov 1, 2006	Posted on: June 17, 2008 2:13 pm Score: 82 Negedu to sign with Tennessee Is this the missing piece for the Vols? Time will tell! [ Reply to Comment ]
bamajc3 Reputation: 91 Level: All-Star Since: Feb 19, 2008	Posted on: June 17, 2008 2:21 pm Score: 95 Negedu to sign with Tennessee It sure wont hurt anything! The vols will be good as usual, still cant beleive Duke got that kid out of Memphis [ Reply to Comment ]
TigerDrew Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Dec 6, 2006	Posted on: June 17, 2008 2:21 pm Score: 95 Negedu to sign with Tennessee This will definitely help the Vols but they will still miss Duke Crews and Ramar Smith... [ Reply to Comment ]
Jurevicious Reputation: 88 Level: All-Star Since: Feb 22, 2008	Posted on: June 17, 2008 2:34 pm Score: 83 Negedu to sign with Tennessee The Vols will be loaded this year. I went to the Rocky Top Summer League games last night and I was impressed with what I saw. Tyler has 32 points, Tatum had 37, Hopson 25, and BWilliams a surprising 21. Watch out for them Vols in 08-09. Way to go Bruce on getting Negedu over Calipari [ Reply to Comment ]
NateO Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Feb 13, 2007	Posted on: June 17, 2008 3:01 pm Score: 96 Negedu to sign with Tennessee Buggrit, Indiana could have really used this guy. Oh well... [ Reply to Comment ]
Ybbodeus Reputation: 92 Level: All-Star Since: Mar 22, 2007	Posted on: June 17, 2008 3:03 pm Score: 26 Negedu to sign with Tennessee Do we know when the game between the Tigers and Vols will be this season? May I presume it will be pre-conference this time around versus late in the regular season? [ Reply to Comment ]
CEFIII Reputation: 0 Level: Amateur Since: Jun 18, 2008	Posted on: June 18, 2008 12:21 am Score: 36 Arizona program in freefall I'm from Tucson and what's happening here is a disgrace. What has happened here with the coaches is absurd. UofA let Coach Olsen take a year off so he could what? - Get a divorce? Prior to the last season they let go of the No. 1 assistant coach who had been with the team for twenty years. Then they hire a new coach O'neil tell him his job is secure and now he's gone. Any wonder why the rest of the coaches left? Olsen hasn't been in tune with his teams for years and the team has ended the season in turmoil year after year. The best talent leaves. The coach doesn't appear to know the quality of his players. When Gilbert Arenas was here he was the third option on offense. Don't look for Arizona to be at the top for some time to come. [ Reply to Comment ]

Gary Parrish

Parrish: The Thoughts