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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (6/4/2009)

Hopefully everyone got a chance to check out Pat Steven’s latest NBE Prep Corner – Vol 2.3 as he talked to some of the winningest coaches in the prep ranks on the 2009 Big East recruits that will be coming into the conference from prep school. Check out their thoughts on Alex Oriakhi, Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, Omari Lawrence, Mike Burwell, Mike Marra, Dan Jennings, Vincent Council, Malik Stith, Johnny Lacy, Sean Kilpatrick and James Southerland. it is an excellent piece that will give fans of the Big East a very unique perspective on some of the talent coming into the conference next season.

Speaking of Malik Stith, NBE contributor Zach Smart spends time Kickin’ It With Malik Stith as the incoming SJU frosh gets acclimated to his new life as a college student.

Elsewhere today, lots of stuff to go over. South Florida adds some beef to their future roster with a transfer addition from Kansas State. On the recruiting front, an article on Philadelphia 2011 prospect John Johnson, an update on elite 2010 prospect Will Barton and VERY detailed information on a pair of NY prospects from the class of 2011, Sidiki Johnson and Angel Nunez, that Arizona has an early bead on, but watch the Big East turn up the heat this summer.

Other news around the league includes a look at the nearly completed new facility at Syracuse, some NBA draft decision updates on Ater Majok and Scottie Reynolds, who both have the option to return to school if they choose, staff updates with Villanova and Louisville, banquet circuit notes from Jim Calhoun and Jamie Dixon and a look at the NCAA’s eligibility center’s thoughts on punishing schools after initially clearing a player…

In all today we have something, either in news or recruiting info, on 15 of the 16 teams. If you take a look at the linked article above from Pat Stevens, you will get something on all 16 Big East teams…those are news and notes covering the conference!!!

Read all about it today…

South Florida adds to their roster as the Bulls welcome Kansas State transfer Ron Anderson into the program. Anderson, a 6-foot-8, 245-lb power forward, averaged 5.2 points and 5.3 rebounds a game while playing 18.8 minutes per game coming off the bench for K-State last season. The native of Upper Marlboro (MD) has dropped considerable weight since earlier in his high school days. He was a member of the DC Assault AAU program and one of several to matriculate at Kansas State, including Michael Beasley.

USF coach Stan Heath indicated to the St. Petersburg Times that the Transfer Anderson Has ‘Great Energy’.

“The thing I’ve really been impressed with is that Ron has a good feel for the game, a good sense of when to pass on a double team, who’s the open man, what’s the right play to make,” Heath told Greg Auman of the St. Pete Times. “I think he gives us that combination guy I like that can play in and out, but more important, you’ve got a 4-man who can handle pressure, can pass the ball. I think he’s going to be a good assist-turnover guy, a guy who brings great energy to the court.”

The Bulls currently have one open scholarship on their roster for 2009-2010.
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Girard College is a tiny boarding school in the Philadelphia area, but one of the top players in the class of 2011 on the east coast is calling it home: John Johnson. In his sophomore season, Johnson led the Caviliers to a PIAA Class A state tournament championship by scoring 30 points in the finals in an 80-70 win over Kennedy Catholic. Already, Johnson is a two-time Associated Press Class A all-state performer.

Even playing for tiny Girard College, college coaches know all about the 6-foot-1 guard as Johnson told the Philadelphia Inquirer yesterday that he has scholarship offers from Villanova, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Penn State, St. Joe’s, La Salle, and Drexel as well as recruiting interest from UCLA, Kansas, Clemson, Kansas State, Marquette, Notre Dame and Arizona.

Johnson is proving you do not have to be at a local powerhouse to get attention as Girard College Produces Top Hoops Prospect (Philly Inquirer).
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The Shiver, which refers to itself as THE Independent Authority on KU Athletics caught up recently with elite 2010 prospect Will Barton to get his thoughts on Kansas and his recruitment. Barton Likes the Kansas Tradition and definitely seems to be talking as if he is more open than many believed a month ago when rumors of an imminent Kentucky commitment swirled.

The story indicates that Barton hopes to narrow his list later in the summer, once the AAU circuit slows down and set up some visits, which will be a group decision among family (Mom) and coaches. It is pretty much the same group of schools as the articles mentioned Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Texas, Miami, Georgetown, Arizona, Xavier, Marquette, Providence and Pittsburgh as some of the schools Barton rattled off.
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Sidiki Johnson, a 6-foot-8 PF from St. Raymond’s, and Angel Nunez, a 6-foot-7 SF who could be moving onto to the Winchendon School next year, are a pair of 2011 prospects that college programs are already following closely.

According to ZagsBlog.com, Arizona is Closing in on New York Duo as the staff which first recruited them when at Xavier has continued to do so in their early days with the Wildcats. Their efforts of bringing the talented youngesters west in the future is greatly helped by having Emmanuel ‘Book’ Richardson on the staff at Arizona.

There is still a lot to play out in their recruitments, but according to ZagsBlog.com, both indicate Arizona is currently leading.

ZagsBlog.com mentions that Nunez has interest from a slew of schools, including Arizona, Kentucky, Virginia Tech, Rutgers, Seton Hall, St. John’s, Wake Forest, Miami, UMass and Louisville.

Nunez and Johnson were two of the top players NBE saw at the Playaz Spring Fling Phase I back at the end of March. In addition to the schools mentioned in the ZagsBlog update, Nunez indicated to NBE that Oklahoma, Pittsburgh and DePaul were also showing interest. Johnson told NBE at the event that has interest from many schools, including Duke, Tennessee, West Virginia, St. John’s, Pittsburgh and Providence were showing interest with UMASS, Xavier, and Hofstra have all offered already at that point. Those early offers from Xavier and Sean Miller’s staff, including ‘Book’, is still holding a lot of weight with the pair.
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Villanova guard Scottie Reynolds declared for the NBA Draft earlier this spring, but he has yet to hire an agent and keeps the option of returning to the Wildcats for his senior season open. The 6-foot-2 Reynolds, who has to decide by June 15 if he will stay in the draft, has worked out for the Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves and has scheduled workouts with the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks. Reynolds is using the time to better his game, as well as get feedback on his professional opportunities.

I really actually like the feedback I’ve been getting,” Reynolds told the Philly Inquirer last week after a workout at the Davis Center. “It’s been real good. Whether I pursue this or not, it’s going to help me.”

“I know the things I have to get better at and I’ve gotten a lot better at them,” he said.

With most of the advice urging him to return to school for his senior season, either way, Villanova’s Reynolds is Facing a Big Decision (Philadelphia Inquirer) which he expects to make next week.
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Here is an article by Andy Katz of ESPN.com centering on the NCAA’s Eligibility center Wont Play the Blame Game when clearing a player and then opening it back up when new information surfaces, as in the case of Derrick Rose and Memphis.

Also in Katz’s update is this note on Ater Majok, who received a harsh review following a workout before NBA scouts in Oakland:

According to one of the NBA folks Katz talked to, Majok had “no feel for the game. He’s all-airport. His skill level is higher, but knowledge much lower.”

According to katz, a number of personnel directors said Majok has to go to school, and needs at least two to three years to develop his game, like former Connecticut star Hasheem Thabeet. “He won’t get drafted if he stays in the draft,” said one assistant general manager. “If he thinks staying in the draft will get him money for his family, he’s wrong.”

Some of Majok’s decision could be factored in by the NCAA investigation into the Connecticut freshman’s ties to the former agent/booster Josh Nochimson.
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Jim Calhoun spoke with Hartford Courant beat writer Mike Anthony on his banquet tour this week and Majok was one of the topics, as was Kemba Walker’s summer plans, Jerome Dyson’s rehab and Scottie Haralson’s future…basically, the same topics as the week before, but more timely updates as Calhoun Was at the Fransican Banquet (Courant) to present the Jim Calhoun Community Service Award to the family of Francis Oneglia.
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In his search to replace his son Richard on his Louisville coaching staff, Rick Pitino is hoping and old friend finally takes him up on an offer. Pitino Offers Job to Ralph Willard (ESPN.com), the current head coach of Holy Cross and former Pitt head coach. Pitino and Willard have been friends since high school and whenever a position is open on his staff Pitino says he offers it to his old pal.

A decision is expected from coach Willard by June 10th. According to Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com, this is Not the Right Move for Pitino and UL.
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In other staff news, it is official at Villanova as former Wildcat point guard Chris Walker Officially Becomes Member of Jay Wright’s Staff (Philly Daily News). Walker takes the open spot vacated by Pat Chambers who left to become the head coach at Boston U. shortly after the season ended.
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The arms race in college basketball could be the recent trend of schools building brand-new, shiny practice facilities on-campus, with enemities fit for a professional team with state of the art locker rooms and lounges and office suites for the staff. At Syracuse, they are building their basketball palace, a $19 million building next to Manley Fieldhouse. SU’s New Carmelo Center Nears Completion (Syracuse Post-Standard), funded partially by a $3 million donation from the former Orange star whose name is on the building and Anthony was instrumental in drafting early plans for the facility.

Expected to be open in time for the official start to October practices next fall for the men and womens teams, the facility will feature two full basketball courts, a weight room, a study area, new locker rooms and coaching offices and perhaps more importantly, an innovative training room.
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While on the meet and greet tour of Pitt boosters, Pittsburgh head coach Jamie Dixon stopped by in Erie (PA) where he gave a very detailed description of the ‘recruiting test’ the NCAA requires coaches to pass before they can actively recruit for the next school year. The NCAA tries to stay ahead of the curve on technological advances from e-mails to texting to, now, twitter, and coaches can find new rules popping up overnight, which may make scoring the required 80 on the open-book exan tougher than anticipated.

After the test is over, coach Dixon also has a busy summer ahead of him as Rebuilding Pitt and a World Tournament also Test Pitt Coach (GoErie.com).
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Tonight, the NBE Basketball Report will be present in Greenburgh (NY) for the 2nd Annual Frankie Williams Charity Classic 2009, presented by Frenji Sports.

– 32 Manhattan Avenue in Greenburgh, NY
– Game time is 7:30pm – doors open @ 6:30pm
– Admission is 10.00 adults & 5.00 kids under 13

All proceeds go to the Frankie Williams Foundation for the development of grassroots basketball and health awareness. The Frankie Williams Foundation is a non for profit program designed to help the youth of Greenburgh and White Plains.

Expected Rosters:

Blue Team
Coaches: Dwayne Morton (Lincoln HS), Tim Philip (Stepinac HS), Alex Macht (Penn St.)

Sean Kilpatrick (Cincinnati)
Dante Taylor (Pittsburgh)
Jordan Henriquez (Kansas State)
Andre Pope (St. Rose)
Sherrod Wright (George Mason)
Ralph Watts (Albany)
Durand Scott (Miami)
David Samuels (Class of 2010)
Daquan Brickhouse (Class of 2010)
Rashawn Stores (Undecided)
Antoine Mason (Class of 2010)
Kris Duravcevic (Undecided)

White Team
Coaches: Kenny Anderson (Retired NBA), Hassan Bilal (Roosevelt HS), Mickey Carey (Westchester CC)

Lance Stephenson (Undecided)
Tevin Baskin (Undecided)
Hassan Whiteside (Marshall)
Russ Smith (Class of 2010)
Omari Lawrence (St. John’s)
Kevin Parrom (Arizona)
Mike Buffalo (Class of 2010)
Ashton Pankey (Class of 2010)
Jo-Jo Swift (Morehead State)
Jordan Lessane (Undecided)
Brian Voelkel (Class of 2010)
Vaughn Allen (Undecided)

Hope to see anyone in the local area out for a fun night of hoops!!
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This Week’s Featured Ticket Deals:

Stanley Cup Final Tickets!

NBA Finals Tickets!

Bronx Bomber Tickets

World Champion Phillies Tickets!

Red Sox Ticket Deals!

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