re: why does cbb have an early signing period and football dont?

In the Old Days the Signing Period started on the First Saturday in December. Recruits who were ready to sign could sign a SEC Letter of Intent. This was binding I think among all SEC School, ACC, and some Independents I think. At the time it was not binding with the Old Southwest Conference. At the most of the Recruits signed on the First Saturday in December. Then they signed again on the First Wednesday in February which was the National Letter of Intent. Some years LSU did all it signings in December and then again in February. This was good for Recruits who had made of their minds and were ready to sign. At that time Recruiting was not a Media Circus as it is today. Any Recruit should have a good idea where they want to sign by December. They should go back to this. Anyone who wants to sign early in December can do so and if they want to wait until February then they can do that. Now most of the Recruits commit early and only the last ones that want to put on a show ESPN hold out.