There is no way of knowing until the decision is made -- and more than likely not then

The scenario could have even changed in the last hour for all we know but the recruitment of Aussie 7-footer Jordan Vandenberg brightly illuminates the story behind the story.

Fairly soon, Vandenberg will choose (our money is on AW Prince/Silver and Blue Sports to lead with that information) his college home and it seems two WAC teams are among those in the running -- Nevada and Boise State.

But wherever Vandenberg goes, it's unlikely we will ever know the actual reason(s) behind his selection. Such doesn't usually emerge even if some quotes offered by the subject are printed as to why College A was the one.

There will be immense speculation but we will never really know if the trouble surrounding the now dismissed Ahyaro Phillips was a plus, minus or neutral factor in Vandenberg's decision. Sure, Phillips' departure open up playing time (theoretically a bonus in Nevada's favor) but do the legal problems Phillips faces 'tarnish' the Wolf Pack Program in Vandenberg's eyes? Or is it all a zero sum element? Minus Phillips, does having another center in the same Nevada recruiting class and a sophomore-to-be 'big' returning aid or hinder Nevada's allure in Vandenberg's thinking?

Also, is Boise State 'using' the Phillips situation in a negative recruiting fashion? Believe it or not, there are some coaching staffs -- probably few but still worth noting -- that won't negatively recruit and there is also the possibility that Vandenbeg is the type of person who will make his decision based on the positives of a school, program and coaching staff and not what is mentioned in a derogative fashion.

Bottomline, if it's Nevada or Boise State or elsewhere for Vandenberg, any crowing or lamenting will not necessarily be based on fact or fiction because we just won't know.