Go to Oregon State. Heck, go to Arkansas.

Go anywhere you want, for that matter. But make a decision already.

It’s been quite a journey for Heritage Christian Academy point guard Lamar Hurd. The high school senior verbally committed to play basketball at Baylor but reneged just two days before the late signing period began. He said he also almost committed to Northwestern and Houston but is now considering Oregon State and Arkansas, in addition to NU.

The deadline to accept a college offer for most students was May 1. Other high school seniors going on to institutions of higher education have already sent back replies to the thick envelopes that arrived on their doorsteps in early April.

But not Hurd.

He has left schools hanging, bypassing the original signing period, as well as the late one. NU men’s basketball coach Bill Carmody, for instance, offered Hurd a scholarship in the fall within a week of meeting him, and an NU assistant coach called the senior to reiterate the offer last week on the eve of Hurd’s trip to Oregon State. The Beavers have also extended a scholarship offer to Hurd.

Still, he won’t commit.

Last week, the senior spent a few days in Corvallis, Ore., and returned to his home in Texas even more indecisive than before he left.

“There’s not a great difference between (NU and Oregon State),” Hurd said.

No difference? Huh?

Hurd cited the athleticism of Oregon State as a positive over the Wildcats’ smaller lineup, but equated the schools in terms of atmosphere and academics. Hurd did praise NU’s communication studies program, his intended major. Oregon State, on the other hand, will not inaugurate its brand new communications department until 2003, Hurd said.

The senior said he bonded with members of both the Beavers and Cats squads on visits to the schools.

Good, so he’ll fit in at NU. That’s important, I guess.

But socialization doesn’t certify happiness. And since the Cats have had a problem with players changing their minds – read: five transfers in 13 months – maybe Hurd should look elsewhere for a place to spend his next four years.

But Hurd’s indecisiveness might not be the problem. It might just be NU’s recruiting strategy.

Is a true point guard right for the program’s last scholarship?

NU doesn’t need another player at the point guard spot. Yes, the Cats are losing starting point guard Collier Drayton, but they have a new one waiting in the wings, the recently signed T.J. Parker of Lisle.

Maybe NU should save its remaining scholarship for a big man to replace graduating senior Tavaras Hardy. The Cats have no one to step into Hardy’s shoes and monitor the paint. (Of course, at this point in the recruiting process, quality big men are nowhere to be found – except for China’s Yao Ming. But a scholarship to NU might not be able to compete with the NBA’s riches.)

And, most importantly, with the trouble NU has had with athletes leaving the program, is the indecisive Hurd really what the Cats need? If the team suffers through a poor 2003 season, will he change his mind again?

It’s possible, even probable.

Maybe Hurd will decide to come to Evanston after his trip to Fayetteville, Ark. Maybe he’ll decide Oregon State is where he belongs. Maybe the Razorbacks – the long-shot as of Wednesday night, according to Hurd – will get the nod.

“A decision just needs to be made,” Hurd said.

My thoughts exactly.