I must say, Rich Rodriguez is probably exactly what Joe Alexander was hoping for when he decided to enter into the NBA draft process in April. Really, haven’t we more or less forgotten about the very real notion Alexander is generally regarded among the best 15 or so players in the draft? Now if that was contained in some sort of a deposition, we’d be buzzing for sure. As it is, Alexander’s status is still on our minds, but not up front and one can’t help but think Alexander rather likes that.  

This is a big weekend. Devin Ebanks will graduate from St. Thomas More Saturday and announce his college plans sometime after. If the nation’s top unsigned player signs with WVU — by all acounts, it’s WVU, Memphis and Rutgers in some order — does it affect Alexander?

Ebanks made quite an impression during his unofficial visit last month — “He never missed,” I was told — and it sounds like this is a kid who can score all over the floor. Put Ebanks and Alexander together and … whew, nevermind.

Perhaps Alexander sees a senior season with fewer double teams. He’s pretty bright and I wouldn’t put it past him to create a formula where space and ease of scoring greatly increase his point and rebound totals. That, of course, would boost his professional and earning potential. Maybe he believes that while top 15 is nice, top five is irresistible.

Conversely, if Ebanks signs perhaps team-friendly Alexander can leave with a clear conscience knowing his spot is covered and the Mountaineers can use his scholarship to recruit the big man they really do need for next season.

Then there’s this nugget we learned last week and have not yet discussed — and it suggests Ebanks has no influence whatsoever on Alexander. Alexander has his invitation to the predraft camp next weekend and apparently it’s not a given that Alexander will play in the games in Orlando, Fla.. He instead may simply go to be weighed and measured. Typically, that’s a precursor for a player intent on staying in the draft — he doesn’t play because people already know he can play. That player then accepts invitations to work out for teams he and his advisers believe will draft him.