TWO BITS: Pouncey update, Rosario recruits

By Adam Silverstein
July 28, 2010

1 » Former Florida Gators center/guard Maurkice Pouncey is on the verge of signing his rookie contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers and has been making sure to keep in shape so he is fit and ready to participate in training camp beginning this weekend. However, allegations that Pouncey received $100,000 from a runner for an agent while at the University of Florida put him off schedule a bit recently, something his speed and conditioning coach Tom Shaw noticed. “He’s disappointed that this stuff has come up and thrown a wrench in. That’s the reason why he missed [workouts],” Shaw told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review last Wednesday. “He’s gotten to a point where he’s trying to make sure he still has his [good] name. He wants to be able to go back to the University of Florida and still be respected.” Nevertheless, Pouncey is ready to go; now he just has to sign his contract and put the rest behind him.

2 » Florida transfer guard Mike Rosario, who will be eligible to play for the team during the 2011-12 season after sitting out a year due to NCAA rules, spoke with SNY’s Adam Zagoria Wednesday about watching two of the nation’s top recruits – five-star Gators commit Brad Beal and five-star recruit Austin Rivers – play in the AAU U-17 Super Showdown on Tuesday. “I watched them go head-to-head,” he said. “It was a great matchup. Those guys [have] been playing well. I love Brad Beal’s game. He has a smooth game like Ray Allen. I love the fact that Austin Rivers can shoot the ball, put it on the floor. Both of those guys are capable of helping us win a conference championship. I hope they both come here so we can turn this program into a special program.” Rosario also noted that the biggest adjustment he has had to make since stepping on campus is dealing with the heat. “You walk out of the dorm room, it’s just a sauna,” he noted.

Extra BIT » The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Florida has offered a scholarship to 2012 guard/forward recruit Jarmal Reid. “That Florida offer really excited me,” Reid told the paper. “I like the whole atmosphere there. They have great fans and one of the best coaches around in Billy Donovan. I would love to be coached by him.”

Photo Credit: Rob Tringali

4 Comments

Daniel M. says:

July 28, 2010 at 1:32 pm

Not that anybody in the world knows when the NCAA will wrap this up, but sheesh, when can Gator Nation expect this crap to get resolved? In my opinion the NCAA has an obligation to make determinations in a timely manner. The USC and FSU investigations, regardless of outcome dragged on endlessly. (maybe the finding of violations is why they both dragged on)I hope this isn’t hanging over UF for years.

On one hand, the buzz around this has died down so it seems/feels like it doesn’t have legs. On the other hand, as time grinds along, it worries me that there is a violation and the NCAA henchman are honing their axes.

When does it end?

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- Adam Silverstein says:
  
  July 28, 2010 at 1:59 pm
  
  Those situations are not similar. USC and FSU were dealing with wide-ranging program violations. This is one player that has nothing to do with the school. That being said, with the number of cases out there and staff being spread so thin, it may take a bit.
  
  Reply
sammy says:

July 28, 2010 at 3:58 pm

I know they are spread thin, but I have to think if Pouncey can show all the necessary bank and spending records, his name should be cleared somewhat quickly. Unless he has a history of money laundering that I don’t know about, I don’t think he can simply hide $100,000 without a trace, And really, what would be the point of accepting money one month before you can sign just to hide it and not spend it? I know a lot of kids do some dumb things, but I don’t think a guilty person would be as forthcoming as Mr. Pouncey has been. Hopefully this all gets resolved shortly.

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npgator says:

July 28, 2010 at 4:26 pm

Rosario is already impressing me and sounds like a team player.

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