Connecticut Recruiting, Ray Mernagh, Villanova Recruiting

CORY JOSEPH TO VISIT UNLV THIS WEEKEND

by RAY MERNAGH

Cory Joseph, considered by many the top guard — and most-college ready guard — in the 2010 class, is making his final visit a local one as he will be on UNLV’s campus this coming weekend. Joseph’s final five on his list of potential schools are Villanova, Connecticut, Texas, Minnesota and UNLV and he’s already visited the other four.

“Cory is visiting UNLV this weekend with his final visit,” Findlay assistant Todd Simon said in a text message this morning. I asked Simon if Joseph, a kid from Canada, has gotten used to the warm weather in Vegas and if that might play a role in his decision. Simon responded with “I think his decision will be made on a number of factors although I don’t think the weather is one of them.” UNLV may be a darkhorse but the Rebels are certainly a program worth looking at for any top-flight player, especially guards. Lon Kruger is one of the best coaches in the country. When you add the social life/experience of being a student-athlete at UNLV, the program’s renewed run of success, and his NBA coaching experience it all makes for a pretty complete picture for recruits to consider.

Joseph would be a huge get for any of his remaining five, and his play this season has only reinforced that. Findlay defeated #11 Christ School 80-64 at the Marshall County Hoopfest in Kentucky to improve to 9-0 as Joseph was named the game’s MVP with 22 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks. Tristan Thompson, a Texas commit, had 16 and 11 rebounds. Junior Nick Johnson scored 17 with 7 rebounds. Junior Jabari Brown scored 14. Senior Godwin Okonji scored 6 points to go with 8 rebounds. The next night Findlay improved to 10-0 on the season with a 78-41 win over Our Savior New American. Findlay went 2-0 at the event as Thompson scored 17 points to go with 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks to garner MVP honors for the second game. Junior Nick Johnson scored 17 including 3 of 5 from the arc along with 6 rebounds. Junior Jabari Brown scored 16 with 5 assists and 4 rebounds. Senior Godwin Okonji had 9 points and 15 rebounds, 3 steals. Senior Cory Joseph had 15 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, 3 steals. So far this season Findlay juggernaut is averaging 100 points a game while giving up 64. Coach Michael Peck is now 75-1 as a head coach at Findlay.

This Saturday Findlay faces off with defending Nevada state champion and perennial prep power Bishop Gorman at Orleans Arena in Vegas.

Stay tuned for a report later in the day on a Big East commitment and his play so far this season.

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