If you’re looking for good news on Caleb Love, it’s there in how the visits line up

Where Mizzou Football seems to have a ton of recruiting momentum, the Mizzou Basketball program has been wildly quiet since Cam’Ron Fletcher committed to Kentucky, effectively dashing the hopes of Missouri fans in landing their perfect recruiting class.

But hope is still eternal, and as long as Caleb Love remains uncommitted, the Tigers have a shot at landing who I would call their top target.

When Love released his official visit dates yesterday, Mizzou was up first.

I enjoyed Louisville being the chicken emoji, and North Carolina being lambs. I guess it works, but maybe it’s a sign that the Tigers are the only really accurate emoji in the tweet (it isn't). But a few quick notes (hat tip to Matt Harris on the research):

• Kansas’ big recruiting event is Night At The Phog, and this year it’s October 4th. Love visits the following weekend. And KU football has a bye week. The buzz on campus will be limited... as if there’s a buzz for KU football.
• North Carolina has a big recruiting event, Late Night with Roy Williams, on October 12th, and Love is visiting beforehand during UNC Football’s game against Appalachian State.
• Hoosier Hysteria is Indiana’s big night on October 5th. The Hoosier Football team plays Ohio State... so the stands might be full (for a change), but they should get trounced.
• Louisville, like KU, has a bye week for football.
• Arizona, the last of the finalists, is trying to work out an unofficial visit but nothing has been set. I... don’t really like their chances.

So overall Missouri is facing as much of an even playing field as they possibly could. Throughout his recruitment Love has been very measured and patient, and this approach shows he’s making sure he’s focused on the schools and the opportunity at those schools and not allowing himself to be wowed by a huge event.

I still don’t know if I see Love landing at Missouri, but this is the best possible outcome for Missouri. I’m not sure if them leading off is a good thing or a bad thing, but it feels like Love is letting the process play out. Maybe that’s enough for Cuonzo Martin to keep the door open and eventually close the deal. Who knows?