I don't particularly follow recruiting, for reasons I've made clear. So, I've only been peripherally aware of Harrison Barnes, as he kept popping up on other blogs, along with stories of airplanes and home visits. And as the world now knows, he'll be attending North Carolina next season, and will presumably have low long distance bills. Hooray for UNC.

Of course, the Heels are still working out how last year's recruiting class is going to fit on the court, so there's not much entertainment value in thinking about next year. But there's a lot of entertainment value in the disappointment of others, and a lot of other blogs had live comment threads (!) up about the announcement. Here are a couple of my favorites:

There's denial:

I think we got a huge break

when Roy took the UNC job and we were able to get NCHCBS. Williams seemed very burnt out here and I thought he was probably not far from retirement.

by hunter s. royal on Nov 13, 2009 1:07 PM CST

Anger:

Guess he's not interested in learning how to play defense.

So long, Harrison! Good luck with the inevitable Iowa disappointment curse!

by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Nov 13, 2009 4:33 PM CST

Bargaining:

In light of losing Harrison Barnes to Huckleberry Hound, one can only hope he proves to be as great a catch as Shavlik Randolph was for the Blue Devils.

Depression:

For example, you live in Ames, Iowa. Do you REALLY think it was a good idea to open the press conference to the public, knowing full well you are going to leave? The only people that are going to be happy for you in town are those who are close to you. It would've made a lot more sense to have something smaller, more intimate in which you invited those who really know you and care about you, instead of basically leading on Cyclone fans into thinking they have a shot at this. His whole ordeal was WAY over the top, and came across as the most selfish commitment ceremony I have ever seen. It's very possible that after this year, he will not be the best player on the court, and it will be interesting to see how he handles it.

And the most sensible comment of them all:

It's sick

Searching around the internet at work waiting to hear where a high school kids decides he wants to go to college. What’s wrong with me? :)

by Pauli on Nov 13, 2009 12:13 PM CST