UNLV needs to be wary in pursuit of Muhammad

In the big picture of college basketball recruiting and the massive business it has become with connections to AAU programs across the country, this issue between the NCAA and Shabazz Muhammad isn't near as cataclysmic as some might claim.

But it unquestionably shines a light on how the hype machine surrounding top prospects continues to spin out of control, and whether recruiting such a player is worth it for most programs in the long run.

On the subject of UNLV ...

Muhammad's amateur status could be called into question should an NCAA investigation find improper connections between the Bishop Gorman player's family and two financial advisers who might have paid for at least two of Muhammad's unofficial visits to college campuses.

Muhammad's father insisted in a CBSSports.com report that nothing improper took place and that he had formed a relationship with those in question years before his son became the nation's No. 1 prep prospect and took to the Twitter universe to proclaim such a standing.

The NCAA has been asking questions for months now. It eventually will come to a conclusion, consider what college Muhammad signs with and either suspend him for a specific number of games as a freshman or do nothing at all. It all will happen in time.

The story within the story continues to be which college Muhammad will choose among a list of six or so finalists, and UNLV remains in the race for a player who most believe will announce his college decision in early April.

I suppose the Rebels must continue recruiting him given all the local connections and despite NCAA watchdogs on alert.

But they should and, I am convinced, have to do so with eyes wide open.

The truth: Pursuing a player of Muhammad's ability always carries with it a risk-reward element. Not so much with the skill part. He obviously can play and, if not for the ridiculous NBA age-limit rule, might follow the lead of many before and immediately trade a high school cap and gown for a fancy suit on draft night.

But for what UNLV coach Dave Rice is trying to build as a program, for what he envisions next year and the year after and the two after that, it's not as concrete as most believe that Muhammad would be a terrific fit in staying home.

First things first. Remove all fans from the argument. They think only with their hearts and can't see beyond the numbers of wins and level of NCAA Tournament success a specific player would be perceived good enough to produce. They change allegiances to certain kids almost nightly and universally anonymously, depending on how a team performs.

They as easily would throw a hard-working, committed, upstanding team leader under the bus for the mere outside chance of landing Muhammad. They are blinded by the single, simple digit -- 1 -- next to his prep ranking.

You have to know that a player of Muhammad's stature comes with all sorts of expectations on the part of him and those around him, be it the role he will play or the number of shots he will receive. You essentially are renting a player for a season who, if he remains injury free, most likely then would depart for the NBA.

He is built for the Kentucky way of one-and-done talents. There's nothing wrong with that. Everyone offers a specific fit.

But there is a reason Butler made two consecutive Final Fours, a reason why March success is most often dependent on senior leadership, a reason chemistry is so vitally important to a program, a reason John Calipari never has won a national championship with his annual factory of NBA players.

Muhammad might prove the most unselfish and respected teammate in college history. No one knows for sure. But for a kid whose Twitter account is named @phenom15balla and who spends days retweeting the glowing and lavish praise heaped upon him by more than 22,500 followers, his entire recruitment has the feel of a public relations marketing campaign by those advising him.

No one denies his ability nor the instant dose of national attention UNLV would receive by signing him. In the short term, you can't buy the level of publicity the Rebels would enjoy. Expectations would reach preposterous levels. Yes, even more than usual around here.

But the perception of today doesn't always equal the reality of six months down the road, when Rice might struggle finding enough balls to make everyone happy and enough selfless egos to produce a team willing to do the little things demanded of any side with legitimate Final Four dreams.

UNLV reportedly isn't part of the NCAA investigation into relationships with financial advisers and the sneaker giant adidas. The Rebels might be one of the few teams Muhammad could sign with and not be suspended for games.

If so, the city would erupt. Fans would throw parades. Some would treat it as a national holiday. The lunatics would rejoice.

And six months later, reality might not prove all that perception was cracked up to be, and the Rebels might have passed or missed on another recruit who would have been a better fit on the court and in the locker room.

It's something for everyone not blinded by that single, simple digit -- 1 -- to consider.

Las Vegas Review-Journal sports columnist Ed Graney can be reached at egraney@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4618. He can be heard from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday on "Monsters of the Midday," Fox Sports Radio 920 AM. Follow him on Twitter: @edgraney.