Nevada's Luke Babbitt receives some national pub

We've caught some previous heat from a couple of folks down Las Cruces way for our 'love affair' with Nevada incoming freshman Luke Babbitt. The NMSU fans were promoting freshman-to-be Troy Gillenwater as Babbitt's Aggie equal, if not better.

We haven't seen Gillenwater play although anything posted on-line about him has been devoured and deposited in our cerebellum. Yes, he does appear to be a good one, a youngster with excellent potential but we don't expect him to be a consistent contributor from the get-go. He won't need to be considering the NMSU returnees.

However, we have witnessed Babbitt on the court and already see him as a solid inside-outside performer for the Wolf Pack basketball team come game one. Coach Mark Fox needs Babbitt providing 15/7 or so each night -- and it will happen.

As we have written before, Babbitt's shooting range is long, longer and longest and he's also a load inside due to his polished moves. However, Babbitt is a fairly average athlete and it will be interesting how he handles defending quicker, taller opponents.

Ultimately and as it should be, this comparison will be decided on the court.

Here's Gary Parrish with some national 'love' for Babbitt:

Nevada super recruit Babbitt told to kick habit and rest
Gary Parrish
CBSSports.com Senior Writer
Aug. 1, 2008

I know you're reading this, Luke Babbitt. And if you're reading this from some computer inside some gym, so help me God, you're gonna pay. Don't forget you made a deal with your coach that you would not touch a basketball for the first 10 days of August, which means jumpers are now off-limits and I better not smell leather on your hands. Just suntan lotion and salt water, buddy.

So go ahead, enjoy your Florida vacation.

But please don't even think about shooting hoops.

"I guess that's what I have to do," Babbitt said by phone. "That's what Coach wants."

Coach is Nevada coach Mark Fox, a man who has found himself in a strange predicament. He's got a high-profile freshman on campus named Luke Babbitt, a local kid and future star whose work ethic is unmatched. On the surface, that's stellar. But Fox was so worried his 6-foot-9 McDonald's All-American is gonna wear down before the season begins that he decided to ban Babbitt from basketball for the next 10 days....

Go here for the remainder.