When a reporter asked Texas A&M coach Billy Kennedy this week if now might be a good time to play Arizona, considering the Wildcats’ injuries and Allonzo Trier’s NCAA eligibility issue, Kennedy disagreed.
“I don’t know if there’s ever a good time when you’re playing against McDonalds All-Americans,” Kennedy said. “They still have great talent.”
Technically, he was a little off there. Unless Trier is cleared to play Saturday, the Wildcats will actually only have one McDonalds All-American on the floor – guard Kobi Simmons – though Rawle Alkins and Lauri Markkanen are on that talent level. Alkins wasn’t eligible as a fifth-year high school senior while Markkanen isn’t, well, American.
Markkanen was, however, named to the all-tournament team at the U20 European Championships, and Kennedy was one of many who flew to Finland to try to land him.
“He’s one of the more talented players I’ve ever recruited,” Kennedy said. “He’s about as close to Dirk (Nowitzki) as I’ve ever seen in college.”
