MHS' McGowan picks Arkansas

By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
October 1, 2004
Meridian High School senior basketball player Cyrus McGowan has taken Indiana newspaper writer John Soule's advice to "Go West, young man."
Well, it's more like "Go Southwest."
The Wildcats center verbally committed to play for the University of Arkansas on Thursday.
McGowan's announcement to play for the Razorbacks came as a surprise. The 6-foot-10 center had been leaning towards playing at Georgia Tech or Mississippi State University.
"I never expected to pick (Arkansas)," McGowan said. "It just felt right. They were very up front and kept it real."
McGowan, who has already taken official visits to MSU and Georgia Tech, made his decision after visiting the Fayetteville campus last weekend.
Meridian High head basketball coach Ernie Watson said he was caught off guard by his center's decision to commit to Arkansas.
"I was shocked at first," Watson said. "He just told me after the visit he fell in love with the campus."
McGowan cannot officially sign with the Razorbacks until November.
While it is unlikely the senior will change his mind, McGowan has not ruled out a change of heart.
"I really can't say right now," McGowan said.
McGowan averaged 10.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game for the Wildcats last season. He shot 60 percent from the floor and averaged 4.03 blocks per game.
He will likely be moved to the forward spot in college.
"He has good character and works hard," Watson said. "He is a team player. He will anchor our team this year."
Arkansas has struggled the last three seasons, posting a 35-50 mark since 2002.
But the Razorbacks, who won the National Championship in 1994, improved from a 9-19 record in 2003 to a 12-16 finish last season.
"It has been 10 years since they won the national title," McGowan said. "I want to come in and help build the program back up to when they were winning championships."
The early commitment will also help McGowan focus on winning a state championship in his final year with the Wildcats.
Meridian High won more than 20 games last year, but the Wildcats were bounced in the first round of the divisional playoffs.
"Cyrus should be able to relax now," Watson said. "He can now play for himself, the team and the school and not the coaches any more."
McGowan said he was relieved to announce his decision to play for Arkansas.
"I do appreciate all of the attention from the recruiters; it was a great experience," McGowan said. "But it's like the saying goes, 'You can have too much of a good thing.' I was anxious to let people know where I wanted to go, and that is why I did it now."