Nerlens Noel: Why Georgetown Makes Most Sense for No. 1 Ranked Recruit

Noel Nerlens still has no clue where he’ll be playing his collegiate basketball in 2012, but I have a suggestion: pick Georgetown.

With the Hoyas, Syracuse Orange and Kentucky Wildcats all still alive for his services when he makes his official decision on April 11th, there is no doubt Georgetown is the best fit.

Syracuse is in the midst of multiple NCAA scandals that could lead to sanctions during his tenure at the Carrier Dome. That’s not something Nerlens wants to deal with.

That leaves two storied programs with great coaches, passionate fanbases and a long history of winning.

So why is Georgetown, a team that got bounced in the first round yet again, a better fit than the national champs?

Blame Anthony Davis.

The freshman sensation ruined it for Nerlens once he won National Player of the Year as a freshman, in addition to being the Most Outstanding Player at the Final Four en route to cutting down the nets.

The bar has been set for Nerlens, and anything short of a title will be considered a disappointment. The expectations are far too great for an 18-year-old to handle. The second-guessing and overreaction to poor play would be far too great for a freshman trying to learn the game.

The pressure is off at Georgetown.

John Thompson III, a coach known for his ability to improve skilled big men, can run the entire Hoyas offense though Nerlens. The Hoyas have a long history of producing dominant big men, and Nerlens would be given the opportunity to display all of his talents on a Georgetown team that is in desperate need of a 6’10" forward with the talents of Nerlens.

He can be the savior for a team that has struggled mightily in the tournament recently. An Elite Eight appearance at Georgetown is a much bigger deal than at Kentucky. Wildcat fans expect it at this point.

When you factor in all of the talent departing Kentucky and the question marks hanging over John Calipari and the NBA, it’s a much safer bet to choose a school that will treat you like royalty, give you everything you want and provide you with the most touches and best opportunity to succeed. With the Big East projected to be wide-open, Nerlens can be the guy that leads the Hoyas to a top seed in the NCAA tournament.

If Nerlens wants to get the most out of his college experience (aka get drafted No. 1 in the NBA draft) with a shot at winning a title in a low-pressure environment, Georgetown should be the school he utters on Wednesday night.  

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