by RICHARD DAVENPORT , Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Van Coleman of hoopmaster.com is taking a wait-and-see approach to the changes, which prohibit colleges from paying a recruit's coach to speak or work at summer camps and restrictions on colleges hiring a player's coach during a time when it could influence the recruit's decision.

"I think what they should have done there is that you set a limit on what can be paid to any individual working your camp," said Coleman, who has covered recruiting and operated a scouting service for college coaches for more than 30 years. "I had heard that some guys, though I don't have any physical proof, were getting as much as $25,000 to speak at a camp." Coleman said he can understand why there is concern, if those numbers are close to being true. But Coleman said the new rule could reduce the athlete's chances to visit a college campus.

"Not having coaches work at camps doesn't make sense to me because that's how the kids get there." Coleman said. "I don't see how you run a basketball camp at a major university and not hire high school coaches to work at the camp." Several schools in the past have hired a recruit's coach or adviser in an effort to sign the prospect.

Another proposal being considered is a ban on colleges hiring an individual associated with a prospect for two years before or after a prospect has arrived on campus.

"Thinking through these changes has never been a strong suit for the NCAA," Coleman said. "They tend to have knee-jerk reactions to whatever the latest complaint is rather than really going out and really looking at what will solve the problem in the long term." The most troubling issue regarding the NCAA, Coleman said, is the legislation enacted a year ago that eliminated evaluation days during the spring when several tournaments, including Real Deal in the Rock are held. Coaches are limited to 20 evaluation days during the summer, and Coleman said he believes it will make it difficult for coaches to properly evaluate prospects.

"I think the reason why there's going to be more and more problems with basketball recruiting is the NCAA is eliminating the chance to see players play," Coleman said. "During the high school year isn't the time to see players. You cannot see the volume of players going to one high school game that you can see going to a tournament. The NCAA doesn't live in this world. The more you eliminate their ability to go out and see players the tougher the job gets. I think abuses will go on as long as you keep coaches out of the gyms." UNCOMMITTED

Defensive lineman LaCraig Brown withdrew his oral commitment Thursday afternoon and will reopen his recruiting.

Brown, 6-4, 270 pounds, 4.9 second in the 40-yard dash, of Monroe (La.) Richwood committed to the Razorbacks over scholarship offers from Alabama, TCU, Southern Miss and Louisiana Tech on Sept. 1.

Brown said he plans to make official visits to Arkansas, Southern Miss, Alabama, Clemson and TCU.

"I'm still considering Arkansas, they're still my top choice," he said. "I just want to weigh my options because I feel I made my decision a little too early." FRESH START

Several of Arkansas' 2009 football signees said the Hogs impressed them by playing 16 freshmen last year and that trend has remained in place. Arkansas is playing 13 true freshmen, with six starting at least one game. Arkansas ranks second nationally in the number true freshmen starting and first in the SEC.

E-mail Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com This article was published 11/06/2009

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