Recruiting Stories Can Have Different Ending Second Time Around

Jim Harrick, criticized by some earlier in the year for the Bruins’ poor recruiting, looks like a genius now because he had a stockpile of scholarship money available for Southern California’s top two prep players, Ed O’Bannon and Shon Tarver.

While at Pepperdine, Harrick benefited from transfers such as Jon Korfas, Tom Lewis and Dwayne Polee. Coaches do not always win the recruiting war the first time around, but, in some instances, there is a long-term benefit for finishing a close second.

MICHAEL ZAPOLSKI

Malibu