MemphisRoar: Weekend Update : Staff and Recruiting

Weekend Update : Staff and Recruiting
Posted by MemphisRoar
April - 19 - 2009

MemphisRoar has been working the phone lines and emails all weekend to bring you the biggest updates. Here are a few tidbits that we have confirmed:

Eric Bledsoe - The Memphis and Kentucky staffs viewed Bledsoe Friday in his home town, Birmingham, AL. University of Memphis Head Coach Josh Pastner, along with newly hired Assistant Coach Glenn Cyprien, got a chance to watch Bledsoe and sit down with him and his high school coach, Maurice Ford.

Cyprien was known to have developed an excellent relationship with Bledsoe while at the University of Kentucky. In fact, our sources have indicated that Bledsoe was expected to commit to the University before Cyprien’s departure with former Head Coach Billy Gillespie.

MemphisRoar has learned that the University of Memphis is not only back on Bledsoe’s final list, but will be a huge player in the final decision. Additionally, MemphisRoar is waiting to hear back from Bledsoe himself regarding his Friday visitors but his cell phone has been shut off, so it’s a little hard to get him right now.

Daniel Orton - There has been wide-spread speculation that IF Orton opens his recruitment back up, the University of Memphis will get a serious look. This appears to be true. According to our sources, Orton is concerned with playing time at the University of Kentucky if Patrick Patterson decides to come back to college in place of opting for the NBA draft.

The Dribble-Drive-Motion offense, which will be ran next year at Kentucky, is not known for playing three players in the post position. Therefore, with the University of Kentucky having multiple high-caliber players playing the forward and/or center position, it would be difficult for Orton to find adequate playing time.

Orton and his father have a strong relationship with Glenn Cyprien, who assisted in his recruitment to the University of Kentucky. Orton’s desire to remain close to Cyprien will assist the Memphis Tigers.

In the end, Orton may decide on the exposure of Kentucky versus the playing time at Memphis (or possibly other schools). Although the Memphis staff has had zero contact with Orton, the opportunity of playing time and Orton’s relationship with Coach Cyprien will definitely give Memphis good position IF the recruiting battle opens back up to other schools.

Greg Heier - MemphisRoar has spoken with multiple sources that indicate that Coach Greg Heier of Chipola Junior College is very likely to be the new Director of Basketball Operations (DBO) at Memphis next season.

All interviews and other matters have been extremely positive. MemphisRoar was able to ask a person very close to Heier about his visit and was replied with, “he loved it!!”

Heier’s hire would produce multiple connections with players and could immediately produce high caliber division I players to the University of Memphis as early as 2009 season. His position as DBO would advance Memphis’ staff as having possibly the best DBO in college basketball.

MemphisRoar will continue to work to find the best information to present to our readers.