Big East Recruiting Round-Up: Volume Two
Posted by Patrick Prendergast on December 2nd, 2011Big East Recruiting Round-up is a recurring feature that will focus on, well, recruiting. Rumors, buzz, rankings…..everything potentially shiny and new.
Nerlens Noel Poll Results!
Nerlens Noel, Heavily Desired by Providence Fans...
When last we met on the recruiting trail, super class of 2013 center Nerlens Noel was a hot topic of discussion. He had semi-revealed a short list of five schools, four of which reside in the Big East. So we did what any red-blooded American college basketball site would do and took it to the voters. The turnout was great and all of the hanging chads have been counted. They apparently voted early and often in the Ocean State because, as you can see below, the results were overwhelmingly in favor of Providence. Perhaps we should rename ‘Friartown’ to ‘Nerlenstown.’ If you’d like to get a late vote in, the polls will remain open so go for it!
Will the Bernie Fine Controversy Hurt Syracuse’s Recruiting Efforts?
Syracuse recruits comment on whether or not Bernie Fine allegations impact their decision. It is important to note that this check-in occurred on November 23 which was before the Laurie Fine telephone call recording broke. Further, with head coach Jim Boeheim now being called into question it is reasonable to believe some recruits will take a wait-and-see approach. As noted in our previous round-up, Syracuse has signed two highly-rated recruits out of the class of 2012 in DaJuan Coleman (6’10″ center – Jamesville DeWitt – NY – Ranks: Rivals: 27, ESPN: 14) and Jerami Grant 6’7″ – forward – DeMatha – MD – Ranks: Rivals: 60 , ESPN: 43)
I’ll Have What He’s Having
Two highly regarded 2013 prospects are talking about joining forces and attending the same school and a couple of Big East schools are in the mix. 6’3″ shooting Isaiah Lewis (Christ the King – NY – Ranks: Rivals: 52, ESPN: N/R) and the #52 ranked and 6’7″ small forward Brannen Greene (Mary Persons – GA – Ranks: Rivals 35, ESPN: 20) indicated that Louisville and St. John’s are among a group of schools they would consider attending together. Memphis, Florida State, Florida and Kansas comprise the rest of that list. It should be noted that Lewis and Greene continue to be recruited separately. In addition to Louisville, whom Greene has visited, he holds offers from Big East foes Connecticut and Providence.
News and Notes
- Marquette received a bit of a scare when it was reported that 2012 signee Aaron Durley, a 6’11” forward, was heading to junior college as opposed to Milwaukee. Fortunately for the Golden Eagles, the report by RCS Sports turned out to be false as Durley remains faithful to Marquette.
- Multiple reports on Thursday indicated 6’6″ forward Andrew White (’12 – Miller School – VA; Ranks – Rivals: 56, ESPN 51) will make his college decision on Friday. Cincinnati, Georgetown, Kansas and North Carolina State are looking like the front-runners.
- NBE reported that Georgetown, VCU and Penn State are in the best shape with the 6’3″ shooting guard Josh Hart (’13 – Sidwell Friends School – DC; Ranks – Rivals: 79, ESPN: N/R).
- Pittsburgh welcomed a few big Philadelphia Area prep stars to their game last Friday versus Penn at the Palestra, as reported by Adam Zagoria. In attendance were: 6’7″ forward Amile Jefferson (’12 – Friends Central – PA; Ranks – Rivals: 36, ESPN 24). Jefferson has other Big East offfers from Villanova, Connecticut, Syracuse and West Virginia. 6’6″ forward Rondae Jefferson (’13 – Chester – PA; Ranks – Rivals: 19, ESPN: 33). He has additional Big East interest from Villanova, Providence and Georgetown, according to Rivals.com. 6’5″ shooting guard Davon Reed (’12 – Princeton Day – NJ – Not nationally ranked), who holds Big East offers from Rutgers, West Virginia and Seton Hall, per ESPN.
- Zagoria also reported that Seton Hall had three recruits present for its victory over St. Peter’s last Saturday. 6’9″ forward Austin Colbert (’13 – Hotchkiss School – CT; Ranks – Rivals: 44, ESPN: 41), who is also being looked at by Villanova, Georgetown and Pittsburgh (offer per Rivals.com). 6’3″ shooting guard Hallice Cooke, (’13 – St. Anthony – NJ; Ranks – Rivals: 119, ESPN: N/R) where South Florida, Cincinnati, Notre Dame and Villanova are also in the picture per Rivals.com. 6’0″ point guard Isaiah Briscoe (’15 – St. Benedict’s – NJ), who is garnering national interest already, was there as well.
- 6’7″ forward Tyler Roberson (’13 – Roselle Catholic -NJ; Ranks: Rivals: 36, ESPN: 27) has eight schools on his list including Connecticut, Louisville, Syracuse, Rutgers, Cincinatti and Marquette. (Adam Zagoria, via Twitter)
- Class of 2013 6’2″ point guard Nate Britt, Jr., who had been considering Georgetown and Villanova among others, made his decision on Wednesday and opted for North Carolina. Britt, out of Gonzaga College HS in Washington, DC is ranked nationally #11 by Rivals.com and #15 by ESPN.
Twitter: @FriarFrenzy
