Cincinnati News, Connecticut News, DePaul News, DePaul Recruiting, Louisville News, NBA Draft Early Entry, Notre Dame News, Pittsburgh News, Providence Recruiting, West Virginia Recruiting

BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (6/16/2009)

Everyone still seems a little sleepy following the busy weekend covering the Rumble in the Bronx. You will be hard-pressed to find any better coverage of the weekend’s event than what Jeff Borzello and Matt Whitfield brough to NBE over the weekend. As the week moves along, we will have more from the Rumble. Last night we had a story on Fuquan Edwin as he discussed his two choices for college (Edwin Narrows List to Two schools). This week, Matt will hit the road for the NBA Top 100 camp while Jeff heads to Teaneck (NJ) for the pre-Summer Metro Showcase put on by the Hoop Group this weekend.

Hopefully everyone liked the style of our weekend reporting, we have the same plans for the busy ‘camp’ week in July with people covering the Lebron James Skills Academy, Reebok All-American camp, Hoop Group Elite and King City Classic.

One correction from our weekend coverage, NBE incorrectly noted Derrick Williams was playing for New Heights this weekend (editing error, not a reporter error). In fact, Williams was playin with the Sports University All-Stars and was a big key in their reaching the Silver Bracket Championship game.

Also, a few fans wondered why Tobias Harris was not playing in the Rumble in the Bronx. The 6-foot-8, 2010 prospect was attending the Maryland elite camp this past weekend. The Terrapins are one of his favorites. UM was one of several schools hosting elite camps this past weekend, including WVU from the Big East and they landed an early 2012 commitment from their camp (see blow).

Also, recruiting updates on Lance Stephenson, Roy Marble Jr. and DePaul with the final NBA draft decisions also noted below. Rick Pitino addresses the rumors with coach Willard, Mick Cronin gets an extension and Jamie Dixon dodges questions on USC. Also, a preseason look at next year’s Big East as all linked below…

We have not begun to look at the high school class of 2012 very much, but it does not mean that Big East coaches aren’t watching players closely. At this past weekend’s West Virginia Elite Camp, WVU Lands Columbus (OH) Standout (Charleston Gazette) Elijah Macon, a 6-foot-8 forward of Marion Franklin High School. Macon averaged 15 points per game as a freshman for coach Orlando McCoy and also plays with the talented All-Ohio Red AAU program.

NBE got a brief look at Macon at the Spiece event over a month ago and he showed impressive potential as an athletic forward with some nice skills for a 6-foot-8 youngster.
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Not really Big East related, but the saga of Lance Stephenson has continued and it looks like Maryland has Stopped Pursuing top Prospect Stephenson according to the Baltimore Sun.

Some of the rumblings this weekend in the stands at the Rumble in the Bronx had people with relationships with various AAU programs in the NYC/NJ area that ‘Born Ready’ will end up playing professionally overseas next year, an option the Stephenson family has denied to this point. With NCAA amateur status a possible question mark, taking the Brandon Jennings route and heading to Eupore for a season before entering the NBA draft could be the only option left standing in the end. Although he has not spoken to Stephenson directly, Jennings Says Lance Should Go To Europre (ZagsBlog.com) and the experience would be good for him.
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Here are some recruiting notes that are more Big East relevant. Illinois Prep Bulls-eye updates readers on the increased efforts locally of DePaul with the recent staff additions of Tracy Webster, David Booth and Billy Garrett as assistant coaches. The Blue Demons have recently offered class fo 2010 big man Phillip Jackson from Providence-St. Mel High School in Chicago. Jerry Wainwright and his new staff are also in pursuit of guard Reggie Smith from Thornton Township High School in Harvey (IL), guard Brandon Spearman from Simeon High School and 6-foot-10 Jordan Threloff from DeKalb (IL) High School. In the area’s loaded 2011 class, DePaul has made early scholarship offers to point guard George Marshall from Brooks High School in Chicago and 6-foot-9 Nnana Egwu from St. Ignatius College Prep. The Blue Demons are also aggressively pursuing, according to Prep Bulls-eye, 6-foot-5 shooting guard Jacob Williams from St. Patrick, De LaSalle teammates Dre Henley and Mike Shaw, 6-foot-2 Chasson Randle from Rock Island High School in Rock Island, IL, 6-foot-6 James Siakam from Brehm Prep in Carbondale, IL and 6-foot-5 Wayne Blackshear from Morgan Park High School.
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Roy Marble is the all-time leading scorer in Iowa men’s basketball history…and he has a son, Roy Jr. The younger Marble is a Chip off the Old Block (Gazette Online) as an athletic small forward that is a high-major prospect. Roy Jr., who attends high school near Detroit, recently visited Providence with his Mom and also has Michigan, Michigan State and, naturally, Iowa interested in his potential.
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Notre Dame fans had to wait right down to the wire for a decision from Luke Harangody on if he would return for his senior season or stay in the NBA Draft. With the chances slim he would be any better than a mid-2nd round selection this year as he is not a player GM’s believe will help their team move up in next year’s NBA power rankings, the Irish Get a Boost With Harangody’s Return (South Bend Tribune). The 2007-2008 Big East Player of the Year has a chance to become Notre Dame’s all-time leading scorer as well as the conference’s career leader in points.
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Although thier chances of moving significantly up the standings in 2009-2010, DePaul got some good news recently as Mac Koshwal is Sticking with DePaul (Chicago Tribune) and the 6-foot-10 big man will return for his junior year after slightly testing the NBA waters this spring.
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Connecticut is still unsure of the status of Ater Majok in their program. While the UConn Recruit Majok Withdraws from NBA Draft (Hartford Courant), the draw of a paycheck overseas could be too strong with the family responsibilities he has. Coach Calhoun will meet with Majok by week’s end and get more of a clearer picture.
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Now that the NBA Draft early declarations hav been finalized and we know who is returning to school for the 2009-2010 season, SNY’s Big East Preseason Basketball Predictions are published for fans to check out and talk about as Adam Zagoria plays the role of College Basketball handicapper.
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With all that has been happening at Louisville in the last month, the speculation of Rick Pitino’s future has been growing and seemed to hit a crescendo when Ralph Willard accepted a position as an assistant coach on the UL staff. Afterall, why would Willard leave a position of head coach at Holy Cross to become an assistant on a friend’s staff, one that he has turned down before? Why this time?

At a press conference where Pitino and Willard talked with the media on how Willard’s arrival will make the Cardinal basketball program better, Pitino Vows He’s Going the Distance (Louisville Courier-Journal) and this will be the job he retires from. He was not sounding like that time was coming soon, either.
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Another head coach in the Big East that is having his future speculated about is Jamie Dixon of Pittsburgh. Being a native of Southern California, having a squeeky clean image with the NCAA and having a very successful record makes him very in-demand for the opening at USC in the wake of Tim Floyd’s resignation. For now, in his typical form, Pitt’s Dixon Dodges Question and Spokesman Says Very Little More (LA Times) about his interest in the opening.
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Cincinnati is showing appreciation for the efforts of Mick Cronin in inheriting the post-Huggins mess of the Bearcats and re-building the program’s foundation back to a level of respectability. UC Extends Cronin’s Contract (Cincinnati Enquirer) for another two years through 2014. Now, if only coaching contracts meant something in the NCAA…but, either way, it is a well deserved symbol of the admins appreciation.
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