At this point Arizona commits Shareef O'Neal and Brandon Williams are no expected to sign National Letters of Intent this week as the early signing period gets underway tomorrow. The feeling about it has gone through some ups and downs and although both recruits are happy with the program there is too much uncertainty to get locked up in a binding agreement right now.
Sean Miller was asked about the early signing period today during his preview press conference about the season opener and he was less than open about the situation. That was a pretty good indication that there would not be great news this week, but now it sounds like both will indeed wait it out before signing. It will be interesting to see if the program has them sign financial aid papers at the very least so the program can at least announce them as part of the class, but for now that doesn't seem likely either. The coaching staff is continuing to work both prospects with the hope of getting them to sign at this stage.
Having both prospects sign would send a great message for the program to other prospects, but it doesn't feel like the Wildcats will get that this time around. There is also, of course, the danger of other schools continuing to recruit both prospects. Williams has been in a tough spot because of a knee injury but by the spring he will be back on the floor and if he can regain his form there is always going to be that chance that other schools come calling. It will be an interesting process to see play out and it's certainly different from where things were a few months ago when the Wildcats would likely be announcing one of the best classes in school history this week.
Sean Miller was asked about the early signing period today during his preview press conference about the season opener and he was less than open about the situation. That was a pretty good indication that there would not be great news this week, but now it sounds like both will indeed wait it out before signing. It will be interesting to see if the program has them sign financial aid papers at the very least so the program can at least announce them as part of the class, but for now that doesn't seem likely either. The coaching staff is continuing to work both prospects with the hope of getting them to sign at this stage.
Having both prospects sign would send a great message for the program to other prospects, but it doesn't feel like the Wildcats will get that this time around. There is also, of course, the danger of other schools continuing to recruit both prospects. Williams has been in a tough spot because of a knee injury but by the spring he will be back on the floor and if he can regain his form there is always going to be that chance that other schools come calling. It will be an interesting process to see play out and it's certainly different from where things were a few months ago when the Wildcats would likely be announcing one of the best classes in school history this week.
