Huggins recruiting better without a job?

Judging from the list of possible signees, Bob Huggings seems to be doing a better job at recruiting without a job than he did when he had a job that last few years.

Look at the names being mentioned for 2007: OJ Mayo, Billy Walker, Herb Pope!

Another question is where and whether Huggins accepts (or is offered) a job in 2006. Would the blue chip recruits follow him to a mid-major school or a small-market school?

Some of the schools with coaches on the hot seat are still recovering from PR nightmares (Snyder and violations at Missouri, Bob Knight and Indiana), so they will probably not touch Huggins.

But some of the other schools may be more desperate, for example, Seton Hall, and Arizona State. Take Arizona State as an example. While Coach Evans is running a solid and clean program, he has not delivered the results on the court which makes some fans and boosters unhappy. Three years of Ike Diogu and only one NCAA win/appearance to show for. Arizona State plays in a major market (Phoenix) with the possibility of games at the America West Arena (Suns home court). This would also make it easier for big time recruits to follow Huggins there. But will the university be brave enough to pull the trigger? The "headaches" from the point-shaving scandal are almost forgotten by the general public, so would/could/should they "gamble" on Huggie-Bear? (Well, bear no more).

While the 2006-07 coaching carousel is not expected to be dramatic, it only takes one major move to start a major spin - remember 2003-04? Besides that, the NBA is always looking for new coaches...


CBS Sportsline and a local Cincinatti blog are discussing this very topic.