March 2010

KEVIN WILLARD LANDS FIRST COMMITMENT AT SHU

Kevin Willard was only officially announced as the new head coach at Seton Hall earlier today, but the former Iona head coach and Rick Pitino protege has already made his first splash on the recruiting trail.

With next season’s Pirate roster in question with possible player transfers and three players, Jeff Robinson, Herb Pope and Jeremy Hazell, testing the NBA waters, Willard has hit the ground running on the recruiting in order to stock the Pirate roster.

You can log-in or sign up for NBE Premium access by SUBSCRIBING (HERE) for as low as $2.08 a month with our annual introductory membership to read on below for more the newest SHU Pirate…

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MERNAGH: HUGGINS IS CLOSE TO TITLE BEILEIN LEFT TO WIN

by RAY MERNAGH

West Virginia is Bob Huggins.

The man known to everyone as “Huggs” is a native son. He was born in Morgantown, right in the bosom of West Virginia University. He played point guard for the Mountaineers, transferring to WVU after one year at Ohio University. He was a good player until you factored in his will to win at any costs. According to many, that will made him great. Huggins once fouled BB Flennory of Duquesne so hard during a game that a friend of mine — who’s also a friend of Huggins — who was in the crowd that day remembers the lump in his chest that formed following the play.

“I swear to God,” he says, “I thought Huggs killed him.”

Huggins got that kind of intensity from his father, Charlie Huggins.

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TREY ZEIGLER: DOES UCLA HAVE EDGE NOW?

by RAY MERNAGH

UCLA, as everyone knows, struggled this year.

UCLA, as some might not know, just saw an assistant coach of seven years — Donny Daniels — leave to replace Leon Rice at Gonzaga.

Is that a promotion? There can be arguments made each way, maybe it’s a good move by Daniels made for Daniels…or maybe a mutual agreement between he and Howland for him to leave and land comfortably.

Daniels might be getting a bump in quality of life, considering the cost of living in Spokane as compared to the City of Angels. He also gets the same type of amenities — airport and plane right there for recruiting, big hoops budget — without as much pressure. Last, but not least, he puts himself in position to potentially be the man should the main man — Mark Few — finally decide to leave within five years or so (and he was never going to be in position to do that at UCLA) while not worrying if there’s any kind of fire to all the smoke surrounding Ben Howland’s status in Westwood.

On the other hand, Howland needs to restock and upgrade the talent level on his roster, preferably with a majority of three and four year guys. Tough guys, guys that won’t quit or look at him cross-eyed when he asks them to defend, rebound, screen and pass (maybe even before thinking about scoring!). So how does the opening on the UCLA staff help him go about that? First of all let’s look at what Howland told ESPN LA about the opening created by Daniels leaving.

You can log-in or sign up for NBE Premium access by SUBSCRIBING (HERE) for as low as $2.08 a month with our annual introductory membership to read on below for more on the UCLA and Zeigler connection…

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TEAM PHILLY 16-U IN ELITE MIX THIS SPRING

by MATT WHITFIELD

Last season Philly Elite made it all the way to the semifinals in Las Vegas where they lost to DC Assault. This season with the addition of the highly regarded Savon Goodman goals are set higher and the sky is the limit for the squad. NBE caught up with Goodman and fellow 2012 classmates Amile Jefferson and Brandon Taylor this past Saturday at the Playaz Spring Fling for their thoughts on this upcoming AAU season, their futures and the next level.

Savon Goodman is a 6-foot-6 sophomore forward who plays at the Academy of the New Church during the high school season. NBE saw Goodman flash his dominant potential this winter in the Big Apple Basketball Invitational earning MVP honors in a win over Impact Academy of Nevada with 32 points and 13 rebounds. Previously running on the AAU circuit with Team Final and ANC teammates Rakeem Christmas, Malcolm Gilbert and others, Goodman is likely to make a big impact this travel season with Team Philly.

Amile Jefferson is a 6-foot-7 forward that plays for ANC’s Friends League rival Friends Central of Philadelphia in the winter months. A regular with Team Philly, Jefferson has been seeing Big East interest in recruiting for some time with his impressive ball skills for a player with his size and length. All of those skills were on display last fall at the Eddie Griffin Challenge where NBE saw Jefferson block shots, grab rebounds and attack the glass, run the floor and even showed solid ball-handling ability and ability to score out to the three-point arc.

A newer name on the scene is Brandon Taylor, a sophomore 6-foot-7 big man who was a key member of Trenton Catholic’s New Jersey state Tournament of Champions squad. Taylor did the little things inside and on the glass for an experience-laden Iron Mikes team and looks to be one to watch in the future.

Matt Whitfield sat down with the trio at the Spring Fling for a Q & A and also spoke with their coach Cedric Jones who updated NBE on Jefferson’s recruitment and the outlook of this 16-U team to be reckoned with…

You can log-in or sign up for NBE Premium access by SUBSCRIBING (HERE) for as low as $2.08 a month with our annual introductory membership to read on below for more on the Team Philly trio that will be sure to catch the attention of plenty of college coaches the next few years, in fact, they already have…

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MCDONALD’S Q&A: 10 WITH JAYVAUGHN PINKSTON

by PAT STEVENS

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Tom Konchalski makes the Jamal Mashburn comparison, but Jayvaughn Pinkston never saw him play.

He doesn’t go as far back to the three amigos – ‘Dre, Omar and Taliek.

Not even Charlie V.

Jayvaughn Pinkston just hoops, and in just a few years of working on his game he’s gotten himself to the McDonald’s All-American game just like those five Big East New Yorkers before him.

The Villanova-bound forward took some time with NBE for some light quick-hitters at Tuesday’s media day before hitting the court for the annual senior send-off Wednesday night on ESPN.

-Earliest Memory of McDonald’s Game…

Pinkston: I didn’t start playing basketball until late so I don’t really have one. Just when I found out that this was the biggest game I knew I wanted to be in it someday. It’s a great honor.
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-Anybody You Would Add To The McDonald’s Game…

Pinkston: Nobody particular. I felt everyone was good here.
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INTRIGUE TURNS INTO OFFER AS ST. JOHN’S HIRES LAVIN/JAMIE DIXON SPECULATION

Steve Lavin, the former coach at UCLA and for the last several years a college basketball analyst on ESPN, has been hired as the new head coach at St. John’s.

I reached out to Lavin last night asking about the opportunity at St. John’s and he responded that he was “intrigued” and urged me to “stay tuned” in an email.

Well, intrigue apparently turned in a job offer, one that Lavin has accepted according to several media reports.

Lavin has been with ESPN the past six years after being fired at UCLA following the 2002-2003 season. He coached the Bruins to the NCAA tournament six times in seven seasons, including one Elite Eight appearance and four trips to the Sweet 16. The 2002-2003 season, essentally a lame duck campaign, was his only losing season in Westwood.

Lavin inherits a St. John’s team with up to nine returning scholarship seniors. With that, though, comes a massive rebuilding job on the horizon with at least nine scholarships opening in the class of 2011.

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In other Big East news, there’s now some trepidation in the air for Pittsburgh basketball fans. Jamie Dixon went on a radio show earlier today and when asked about Oregon’s situation stated that he doesn’t ever comment on other jobs. Then one of the hosts, Ron Cook, asked him flat out: “You gonna be the Pitt coach next year?” Dixon laughed nervously and said “same thing I’m not going to talk even about the Pitt job search.” Dixon then canceled two other radio interviews he had scheduled the rest of the day. Now, within the last hour, another Pittsburgh radio voice — the controversial but well-connected Mark Madden — said on his show that a source has told him Dixon has accepted the Oregon job and it will be announced after the Final Four.

Who knows where this is going?

But Steve Lavin is back in college basketball now with plans to lead a resurgence at St. John’s. And speculation is out there now that Jamie Dixon might be gone from Pitt.

About an hour ago I thought Dixon was probably just leveraging the interest that’s out there to improve his financial situation at Pitt (similar to what he did a few years ago with Arizona State’s interest). After hearing the interview with Cook, and the report from Madden, I’m not so sure. One source inside Pitt athletics responded to my question about if there’s anything to this by laughing out loud and saying “he’s not going anywhere.”

Another source at Pitt said unequivocally, “he’s staying at Pitt, all this speculation is going on because he didn’t answer one question, it’s a joke. I don’t know why he didn’t answer.”

Either do I. Dixon is about the most honorable guy I’ve come across and his refusal to state that he’d be at Pitt next year makes me very, very curious.

Stay tuned.

MOORE LOOKING TO ADD SCORING PUNCH FOR PANTHERS

South Kent senior hopes to make immediate impact at Pitt upon arrival for Jamie Dixon

By Zach Smart

Port Chester, N.Y.–If J.J. Moore wasn’t such a laid back, cool customer (off the court, that is), he would probably consider creating a new facebook account. Under a surname that is…

Moore has been sifting through a flurry of messages from both friends and strangers, urging him to bring his innate scoring ability to Pittsburgh next season.

Moore knows the adjustment to the higher stratosphere will be marathon and not a sprint, albeit the South Kent Prep (CT) senior says he’s ready for the challenge.

No question, Moore is geared on offering immediate contributions at Pitt, where he’s bent on emerging as a viable scoring option from the get-go.

You can log-in or sign up for NBE Premium access by SUBSCRIBING (HERE) for as low as $2.08 a month with our annual introductory membership to read on below for more on Moore as he discusses his game and Gary Charles talks of his impact in the Big East…

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COACHING CAROUSEL SPINS ALONG

Now that Seton Hall has closed the deal on their coaching search by hiring Iona coach Kevin Willard in a move that will become official on Wednesday, it looks like St. John’s will close their coaching search as well with former UCLA head coach and current ESPN analyst Steve Lavin the frontrunner for the position. The Red Storm had interviewd Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt, who turned down the position, and Boston College coach Al Skinner and now have their sites set on Lavin.

Lavin and St. John’s are on the Verge of a Deal (NY Post) for the man who has been out of coaching since 2003 after being fired at UCLA following his only losing season.

Prior to the 2002-03 season, Lavin posted six straight 20-plus win seasons, going to the NCAA Tournament every year with one Elite Eight and four Sweet 16 appearances.

Lavin confirmed his interest in the position to NBE’s Ray Mernagh yesterday afternoon in a text message that he was “very intrigued” in the position and now it appears on the verge of getting done.

DePaul, you are now on the clock…

In a related twist…Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com is confirming what the Boston Globe originally reported that BC’s Al Skinner Will Be Fired this afternoon. BC athletic director Gene DeFillipo is the same guy who fired football coach Jeff Jagodzinski after learning that he interviewed for the New York Jets opening. As mentioned above Skinner interviewed this week for the St. John’s opening.

Goodman speculates that that DeFillipo will reach out to guys like Cornell’s Steve Donahue, Harvard’s Tommy Amaker and Richmond’s Chris Mooney. Sources tell Goodman that contact with Donahue has already been made.

MERNAGH: WITH KEVIN WILLARD TO SETON HALL FOCUS NOW SHIFTS TO ST. JOHN’S & DEPAUL COACHING SEARCHES

by RAY MERNAGH

Let me say right away that Kevin Willard has done a solid, solid job in his three years in New Rochelle, New York.

Willard has turned what was a mess into a possible MAAC championship team next season and has the backing of the Grassroots/AAU hierarchy in the New York metropolitan area. Gary Charles of the Long Island Panthers has given his blessing to the hire, while Kimani Young of New Heights also sees it as a positive sign for the future of Seton Hall basketball.

“Willard is a great hire,” Young said in a text message this morning. “Good coach, great skill development stuff from his pro experience with the Celtics and his teams play hard defensively and free offensively.”

Willard is a risk because he hasn’t produced a certified winner yet. His program had their first winning season this year but didn’t get to the post-season. Mike Rice seemed like the perfect candidate but his aggressive sideline demeanor might have been too Gonzo-like for the administration’s liking. Rice will still have options, including returning to a really solid situation at Robert Morris for another run.

Any hire is a risk, but it’s crucial that Willard has the backing of guys like Charles and Young if he’s to have a chance of being successful in South Orange.

If the Seton Hall team returns intact they should be in the NCAA Tournament next season but that’s far from certain with players exploring professional options and a coaching change. I wonder if it would be better for the Hall if the team doesn’t return in full — if it does and they win a few games in March, does Willard become a hot name for bigger jobs almost right away? Rick Pitino pushed hard for Willard and in the end his endorsement apparently still has a ton of weight behind it.

Rick Pitino is a very powerful man.

Now his protege Willard has to compete with him.
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All of this of course puts St. John’s on the clock. Word out of New York City is that Lavin could be the guy as soon as this afternoon and two sources I spoke to this AM both agreed that it looks like Lavin is the guy. One really interesting take comes from Mark Blaudschun of the Boston Globe who writes here that Lavin would bring Dave Leitao and Slice Rohrssen with him as assistants.

I reached out to Lavin — who’s always been incredibly helpful to me when asked for analysis on different situations in college basketball — this morning but haven’t heard back as of yet. Hiring Lavin, and if Blaudschun is correct on his potential staff, would make a huge splash in New York. St. John’s needs someone who wants to be in New York City and embrace the challenge. If Lavin falls through or doesn’t work out some in NYC Circles have told me Jimmy Baron at Rhode Island would be someone the Johnnies should look at.
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DePaul is hoping to make waves of their own in Chicago. The hunch here is that they will throw the bank at Butler’s Brad Stevens.

Reports out of Chicago are saying Stevens and Leonard Hamilton are high on the list. Hamilton can recruit but he’s considered a sub-par coach and his record kind of points to that (.520 winning percentage, 300 plus wins and losses).

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Look for Branden Frazier to honor his commitment to Hofstra if the Pride hire assistant Van Macon. If not, Frazier will look to go elsewhere.

WEST VIRGINIA: COUNTRY ROADS LEAD TO INDIANAPOLIS

Mountaineers advance to Final Four for first time since 1959 after 73-66 win over Kentucky

West Virginia fans are expected to hit the country roads this weekend en masse onto I-70 West and make the journey from Morgantown to Indianapolis to cheer on their beloved Mountaineers. WVU is in the 2010 NCAA Final Four and will take on Duke in Saturday’s doubleheader nightcap at Lucas Oil Stadium (purchase your tickets HERE!).

This past Saturday night WVU executed Bob Huggins’ gameplan to perfection on the defensive end of the floor as they held Kentucky to 34% shooting from the field. The young Wildcats were unable to solve the 1-3-1 zone defense utilized by West Virginia and settled for three-point miss after three-point miss. The win was the 10th in a row for the Mountaineers which also included the 2010 Big East Tournament championship.

Balanced scoring with four players in double figures, led by senior Da’Sean Butler’s 18 points and junior Joe Mazzulla’s career-high 17, paced WVU offensively. Butler is quickly cementing himself into Mountaineer lore as one of the greatest players in their rich basketball history.

“We know we always have a shot at winning no matter what when Da’Sean is on the court,” said Mountaineer forward Kevin Jones after the Big East Tournament championship game. “He’s without a doubt one of the best on the court, and no shot is a bad shot for him. It gives us that much more confidence when he’s on the court.”

The Mountaineers won their latest on Saturday by doing whatever it takes. Contributions came from players up and down the roster, even if they were not scoring they played a role defensively and on the glass, just like they have throughout the 10-game winning streak. Cam Thoroughman and John Flowers came off the bench to provide some toughness in the paint against the bigger duo of DeMarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson inside while contesting every shot and rebound.

‘We talked about it all the time. We are what we are,” Huggins said back in New York City. “We’re just going to keep competing. If the day comes where we’re going to lose in the next few weeks, we’re going down swinging.”

So far that day has yet to come and Huggins’ words after the Big East Tournament seemed prophetic now as the improved Mountaineer defense has allowed them to grind out wins despite some slow starts on the offensive end.

Against UK the Mountaineers made just 20 of their 54 field goal attempts. However 10 of those were from beyond the arc on the familiar Carrier Dome court in 23 attempts from three-point range. While John Calipari’s club was settling for 32 three-point attempts with a bigger front line, WVU was building a lead while their opponent was missing their first 20 attempts outside the arc.

The Mountaineer basketball program has also captivated their home state and they entire WVU community. Bob Huggins is a West Virginia alum and former basketball star that played the game how he coaches it, with a definite toughness. He knows how much sports means to the community and he has instilled that prode in his players.

“They understand how much it means to the people in the state of West Virginia,” Huggins said recently. “And they understand how much it means to the students at our university, and that’s because they are part of it. They’ve done an unbelievable job of becoming part of the community. And it’s like the governor told them, you guys might have to help me with exactly what he said, but basically what he said, “You are all West Virginians and you’re always going to be.” And I think they appreciated that and they take that to heart.”

What many college basketball fans might not realize is the long and rich tradition of West Virginia basketball. Names synonomous with greatness in the game such as Jerry West, ‘Hot’ Rod Hundley and Rod Thorn grace the WVU record books and led a program that was a national power in the 1950′s and into the 60′s. That history led Bob Huggins to the University as a player in 1975 after transferring from Ohio and a career in basketball came full circle in April of 2007 when the University named him their head coach.

Now with a Big East Tournament championship under their belt, the first for the Mountaineers since joining the Big East, and a trip to the Final Four for the first time in 51 years, maybe WVU and Huggins will get their due nationally in college basketball circles. Next up is another chance to take down perceived basketball royalty with Coach K and Duke ahead on Saturday. Win or lose, Huggins let everyone know where he stands on the national perception of the WVU program after the Big East Tournament championship in typical ‘Huggy Bear’ fashon.

“We know what we are,” siad Huggins. “John F. Kennedy said when they asked him to run for Vice President, because he was young, aristocratic and Catholic, he replied, ‘Why settle for second when first is available?’ And that’s how we’re going about things. I mean, that’s what is in us. So, you know, I learned a long time ago you don’t worry about what other people say.”

Coach is certainly right. First definitely looks like it could be in the Mountaineers this season. Two more wins and there will be no doubt in anyone’s mind.
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Here you go Mountaineer fans…your chance to see coach Huggins and the WVU Men’s basketball team attempt to make history in the 2010 NCAA Men’s basketball Final Four:

NCAA Tournament Final Four:

April 3rd & April 5th

– Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, IN)

2010 Final Four Tickets – Session 1 (Semifinals) April 3 2010

2010 Final Four Tickets – Session 2 (Championship) April 5 2010

2010 Final Four Tickets – Strip (Includes both Semifinals and the Championship) April 3 2010

2010 Final Four Tickets – Strip (Includes both Semifinals and the Championship) April 3, 2010 Buy 2010 Final Four Tickets – Strip (Includes both Semifinals and the Championship) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN on April 3, 2010

MYLES DAVIS ADDS TO IMPRESSIVE OFFER COLLECTION

2011 NJ guard catches attention of UConn and others this season

By Matt Whitfield

Myles Davis was already a well-known combination guard prospect in the northeast in the New Jersey class of 2011 heading into his junior season. Playing with St. Peter’s Prep and the NJ Playaz AAU program the last few seasons gave him plenty of opportunities to build that reputation. However, his reputation sky-rocketed nationally this past winter with his 33-point, 5-assist performance leading St. Peter’s Prep to an 84-81 upset victory over nationally ranked Oak Hill Academy in the 2010 Primetime Shootout. Davis tied a shootout record by making eight three-pointers in the contest. The effort came on the heels of a 31-point performance in another showcase event, the Newark Invitational, against Christ the King at the Prudential Center.

Davis, who is a cousin of former Pittsburgh star and current Panther assistant coach Brandin Knight, has been receiving a steady stream of college offers, many coming from Big East programs. His big performances on the biggest stages this season only enhanced his reputation among colleges and upped the quality of his scholarship offers, including the indication of an offer from one of the Big East power brokers on the recruiting trail following his Primetime Shootout performance.

You can log-in or sign up for NBE Premium access by SUBSCRIBING (HERE) for as low as $2.08 a month with our annual introductory membership to read on below for more on Davis and see what is the latest on his recruitment…

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JABARIE HINDS: FOUR SCHOOLS AHEAD OF PACK

2011 Mount Vernon guard shines at CYP, has four top schools on him in recruiting

By Zach Smart

Port Chester, N.Y. — Jabarie Hinds electrified the crowd at the tiny gym at Our Lady of Mercy, exploding for a pair of one-handed dunks that showcased his prodigious vertical leap.

The 5-foot-11 southpaw also made crucial plays late in the fourth quarter, helping lift Team Frenji to a 98-91 victory over the New York Falcons in the semifinals of the CYP tournament.

Now it’s a matter of unfinished business for coach Tom Sampogna Frenji’s, which fell short of the title in 2008 despite a talent-leaking roster that included Kevin Jones, Mookie Jones and Sean Kilpatrick.

Sampogna, who served as an assistant at Port Chester during their period of basketball prosperity in the mid-2000s, heaped praise on Hinds after the game, calling him a “special” player.

His words surely resonate in the buffet-line of coaches who have been in pursuit of the Mount Vernon junior.

You can log-in or sign up for NBE Premium access by SUBSCRIBING (HERE) for as low as $2.08 a month with our annual introductory membership to read on below for more on Hinds and see what four schools lead for his services…

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OLANDER, ABRAHAM PICK BIG EAST SCHOOLS FOR 2010

BY JEFF BORZELLO

Two Big East teams became bigger for next season, as Connecticut received a commitment from Tyler Olander and Georgetown picked up a commitment from Moses Abraham.

Olander, a 6-9 big man from E.O. Smith High School (Conn.) originally was a 2011 prospect at Worcester Academy but he transferred back home and reclassified to 2010.

It’s no surprise that he chose the hometown Huskies as his college of choice.

“[It’s] close to home,” Olander said on Thursday. “I’m comfortable here, growing up here. My family, being close to home, can come to every game. I’m really comfortable with everything.”

He picked Connecticut over Wake Forest, Florida and Virginia.

Abraham burst onto the scene a few months ago after coming over to the States from Nigeria. He immediately made an impact at Progressive Christian (Md.) and received upwards of 30 scholarship offers from various schools.

His commitment to the Hoyas was first reported by the Washington Post, and confirmed to NBE Basketball Report by Progressive Christian coach Taj Hawkins.

Abraham chose Georgetown over Indiana, picking the Hoyas because his uncle thought it was the best place for him.

DURAND JOHNSON HAS MORE BIG EAST INTEREST

2011 SF from Baltimore also has ACC schools making offers along with Big East programs

After a good season playing alongside elite 2010 recruit Josh Selby for Herman Harried’s Lake Clifton High School squad Durand Johnson is looking forward to getting out on the AAU circuit with the Cecil Kirk program out of Baltimore.

“My high school season went OK, but it could have went better,” Johnson told NBE this week. “The AAU team I will be playing with is Cecil Kirk, the seem team as last year.”

It was with Cecil Kirk during last year’s AAU Nationals to close out July that the sharp-shooting small forward caught the attention of many high-major coaches with his ability to knock down long range shots. With the ability to shoot with range being a valued commodity in a player with size, Johnson stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 195 pounds, Johnson is certainly seeing plenty of interest from college coaches and has picked up several offers from Big East, ACC and Atlantic 10 schools.

You can log-in or sign up for NBE Premium access by SUBSCRIBING (HERE) for as low as $2.08 a month to read on below for more on Johnson and his recruitment…

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BEST GAME EVER?

by RAY MERNAGH

This game, a 101-96 double overtime win for Kansas State, was the best college basketball game I’ve ever seen.

Really.

I mean that.

The powers that be, whoever they are — ESPN? CBS? NCAA? Rick Pitino?– should make sure this game is running on a continuous loop in any place that has TV’s every March. It should also be shown non-stop, 365 days a year, at the hoops Hall of Fame in Springfield. I want my brother to be able to walk his 15-year-old son into the Hall of Fame five years from now, fresh off the 1,340 mile drive from Wichita, look at the TV in the lobby and say, “watch Austin, this is when Curt Kelly blocks Jason Love’s shot at the rim.”

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LAQUINTON ROSS HAS ELITE PROGRAMS AFTER HIM

2011 forward comes to the Northeast and Big East schools join UK and others from SEC in his recruitment

Just after the calendar flipped from 2009 to the year 2010 the world of LaQuinton Ross flipped upsdide down as well. The versatile 6-foot-8, 220-pound junior forward left the comforts of home and Murrah High School in Mississippi for Life Center Academy of Burlington (NJ) to play for coach Wilson Arroyo.

Arriving in time to play in 14 games to close out the season, Ross averaged 18 points and 9 rebounds while getting acclimated to a new team and weather climate in the northeast.

“It’s going good,” said Ross on the transition from Murrah High School to Life Center Academy at the Big Apple Basketball Invitational shortly after his arrival. When asked if he was use this cold weather Ross responded, “No, It doesn’t get this cold back home.”

While the weather outside might be cold, Ross’ game was hot with Life Center as he teammed up with 2010 Syracuse-commit Dion Waiters to help Life Center reach the National Christian High School Championship game where they fell to a very strong Quality Education Academy team 69-67.

Despite being with Life Center for just half the season, coach Arroyo already has a good feel for Ross’ potential. The player the coach and his teammates refer to as ‘Q’ has a big-time future and that has led to some of the biggest names in college basketball to make a push in his recruitment.

“Q is a definite pro,” said Arroyo. “There is no doubt in my mind. Basketball comes so easy and natural for him.”

You can log-in or sign up for NBE Premium access by SUBSCRIBING (HERE) for as low as $2.08 a month to read on below for more on Ross and his recruitment, which has seen Big East schools populate his list of late…

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ANNUAL CYP TOURNEY SHOWCASES PLENTY OF BIG EAST TALENT

By Zach Smart

Port Chester, N.Y.–The two teams were playing in a bandbox gym that was slightly bigger than Jayvaughn Pinkston‘s last shoebox, so it was only fitting that the hulking 6-foot-6, 235-pound Villanova-commit dominated the house.

Pinkston, who navigated double-teams and got to the tin at will, utilized his manpower throughout a game that featured numerous lead changes and blink-quick spurts.

Pinkston bulldozed his way to cup, drawing Khalid Samuels (a senior at Blessed Sacrament, the alma mater of South Florida forward Jarrid Famous) final foul.

The crucial bucket gave a Frenji’s team dripping with talent (Pinkston, Oregon State-commit Devon Collier, Jermaine Sanders, Louisville-commit Russ Smith, Kadeem Jack, Jabarie Hinds and Vermont-bound forward Brian Voekel all suited up for Team Frenji) a 95-93 edge with 1:23 remaining.

Pinkston later closed the door with game-icing free throws, as Frenji’s escaped with a 100-96 win over Rodney Abrams in the 64th Annual Catholic Youth Program tournament at the Our Lady of Mercy church. The tournament is in fond memory of William R. Gallagher.

“At the end of the day we were the better team,” said Pinkston, who chose Villanova for the proximity to his Forte Greene, Brooklyn home, his relationship with Jay Wright and the school’s “tradition of winning.”

“It’s a small court so my big men were helping out and I’ve got some good guards you know, Russ (Smith) and Jabarie (Hinds). We worked together and stepped up.”

You can sign up for NBE Premium access and SUBSCRIBE (HERE) to read on below for more from last night’s CYP action. Included are player evals on the standout performers mentioned above as well as Kyrie Irving and recruiting updates on Sanders, Hinds and a NYC sleeper getting attention from West Virginia. Russ Smith also discusses his Louisville commitment. All that and more in the premium section. Earlier we also had a premium story from the event as a Big East Visit is Up Next for Kadeem Jack.

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MERNAGH’S SWEET BREAKDOWN FOR THURSDAY’S GAMES/PLUS MORE COACHING SCUTTLEBUTT

by RAY MERNAGH

Butler vs Syracuse

Butler winning this game would shock me more than any upset thus far in the tournament…yes, I truly mean that. Syracuse has too much firepower and Gordon Hayward doesn’t have enough help. Hayward is a great player but the Orange have multiple guys that can match or even exceed his level. This should be a 15-20 point win for the Orange and Wes Johnson should have a huge game.

Washington vs West Virginia

Could be a nip and tuck affair if Washington can get big games from both Pondexter and Thomas, but I think West Virginia comes out very strong in this one. The key will be rebounding and defense — and both are things that the Mountaineers do much better than UDub. If Lorenzo Romar’s club can keep WVU from crashing the boards they can win…but nobody has done that all year and I don’t see it starting tonight. The Mountaineers have prospered off the shoot it and go get it plan. That will put them into the Elite 8 after tonight.

Xavier vs Kansas State

Frank Martin.

I like him.

He’s good for college basketball

Don’t believe me?

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (3/25/2010)

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Things are definitely busy around college basketball. St. John’s looks to be narrowing in on naming their replacement for Norm Roberts as head coach. If they land their man, it could remove the reported top choice of Seton Hall in another direction as the coaching carousel is just starting to wind up. Because of that possibility, the SHU search seems to be expanding, but there are still a couple frontrunners identified.

Just to show you how quickly things are happening…in the 30 minutes from the last check of the news to posting our News & Notes, Paul Hewitt Spurns St. John’s and the impact will be felt upon multiple jobs and searches around the country.

Also there is some recruiting going on as Connecticut picks up a verbal commitment for their 2010 class and Pittsburgh head coach Jamie Dixon as well as Marquette head coach Buzz Williams were taking in games recently in the Pennsylvania state tournament.

All of this is happening on top of two Big East teams in action tonight in the Sweet 16 and the games are previewed below with Ray Mernagh’s thoughts and news on the games and coaching carousel coming up very shortly as well…your not going to want to miss it!

Read on below for all of the latest News & Notes around the Big East basketball conference. Sports fans should also visit StubHub.com – The Safe Way to Buy & Sell Tickets Online for tickets to any NCAA event or NBA, MLB, NHL game or UFC, WWE or concert tickets at an arena near you this spring, including:

UFC 111 Tickets (Georges St-Pierre vs. Dan Hardy) March 27 2010

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BIG EAST VISIT UP NEXT FOR KADEEM JACK

Fast-rising 2010 big man of Rice HS in Manhattan will visit Big East power on Saturday

by ZACH SMART

A loaded Team Frenji, decked to the gills with talented players such as Villanova-commit Jayvaughn Pinkston, Oregon State-commit Devon Collier, Jermaine Sanders, Louisville-commit Russ Smith, Kadeem Jack, Jabarie Hinds, and Vermont-bound forward Brian Voekel, escaped with a 100-96 win over Rodney Abrams in the 64th Annual Catholic Youth Program tournament at the Our Lady of Mercy church. The tournament is in fond memory of William R. Gallagher.

To give you a hint of how old and traditional this tournament is: Larry Brown, Donnie Walsh and Lenny Wilkins are among the boat-load of former and current NBA personalities to compete in the event. NBA players and Big East products such as Charlie Villanueva, Randy Foye, Tim Thomas, Ron Artest, Ryan Gomes and Hilton Armstrong have all played in this smurf-sized gym.

One of the next players who could possibly join the impressive list of CYP Tournament alumni in making an impact at the highest levels of the sport is Manhattan Rice High School senior big man Kadeem Jack. One of the hottest spring recruiting targets in the class of 2010 was impressive in the tough atmosphere last night and showed why colleges are coming on strong to try and secure a signature on a letter of intent from him later this spring.

You can sign up for NBE Premium access and SUBSCRIBE (HERE) to read on below for more on Jack who tells NBE he will be visiting a Big East campus this weekend…

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