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Twin tussle: Kentucky/Nike vs. Maryland/Under Armour

USATODAY

USA TODAY Sports' Eric Prisbell (@EricPrisbell) gave some back-story on his upcoming piece on the fascinating college decision by the Harrison twins, sibling five-star prospects from Houston who are deciding between Kentucky and Maryland, with a decision coming on national TV on Thursday.

*My story later from my visit to see Aaron Harrison Sr., who told me Mark Turgeon is "the most upright citizen I have met in basketball."

*Aaron Harrison Sr.: "The b-ball business is 25 times worse than used-car business. Not even close. It blows my mind what people try to do."

*Aaron Harrison Sr. on Jay Wright: "If he were closer, it would be tough for other people to get involved. He is real."

*Sonny Vaccaro told me Kevin Plank is a young Phil Knight ... Under Armour has come a long way in short time. We'll see how far Thursday.

*But except for Shabazz [Muhammad] -- extenuating circumstances -- is there another can't-miss kid that Calipari has missed on?

*Harrison Sr. told me college coaches not allowed to call his sons directly. Only person allowed to call them: one Under Armour official.

*I don't know which way the decision will go. And I'm not saying it's right or wrong, just providing a window into the world.

*The UA-Maryland relationship is a slippery slope, but not unlike the relationship between Nike and Adidas and some schools, with one catch. One prominent Nike-affiliated coach told me he recruits players off Adidas AAU teams but not any UA AAU teams because "You have no chance."

*Harrison Sr. is a no-nonsense, blunt former military man. A good, decent family man. He has handled this circus about as well as anyone can.

*Nike officials are a bit anxious about this decision, I'm told. Even with Maryland's in-home visit tomorrow, I still think coin flip.

*This is a fascinating autumn showdown between the best modern day recruiter, Cal, and the rising influence of UA, the new kid on the block.

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