Four-man Panthers class boasts numerous facets

By Ken Cross

(Throughout the early summer, I will look at each Big East team and how its 2011 recruiting efforts will change the face of that team for the upcoming 2011-12 season.  These are done in alphabetical order and do not reflect a rating of each team’s recruiting efforts.  Pittsburgh is the eighth of the 16 teams.)

Pitt Panthers coach Jamie Dixon lost three experienced starters in Brad Wanamaker, Gary McGhee, and Gilbert Brown. No doubt, Pittsburgh will find it’s way early from the guard play of Travon Woodall and Ashton Gibbs, but at some point the returning size inside plus freshmen Khem Birch and Malcolm Gilbert will take it’s toll on Panthers’ opponents.  

Depending on who you talk to, Birch was the best center of the 2011 class which obviously made him an easy five-star performer across the recruiting boards.  His 6-9, 210-lb. frame boasts length and he is very athletic on both ends of the floor.  Not many 18-year-old players have the level of length and athleticism that Birch possesses, so it may be just a matter of time before he takes over the five-spot on a regular basis.  Nasir Robinson would probably be the four with Talib Zanna contributing as well.

Malcolm Gilbert, though, could pass both of these players and find a home in the paint as well.  Gilbert is another five-star product and a Philadelphia native who prepped at the Academy of New Church.  With his 6-11, 214-pound frame, he is built to play the physical post game.  He is already a great shot blocker and if he beats his man to the spot, he will automatically have the advantage because of his size.

If these two players come in and make an immediate impact, it will be interesting to see how Dixon mixes them with Robinson, Zanna, Dante Taylor, and J.J. Moore.  These are four talented post players who are already on the Panthers’ roster and it is not like they are taking the summer off and/or are not going to improve by October.

Gibbs shot an unbelievable 49% from the three point line while Woodall dished 174 assists against only 77 turnovers.  This could be one of the top three most productive backcourts in not only the talent-rich Big East, but in the nation.  The key on the outside is development of depth.  Lamar Patterson will most certainly figure in as he was a consistent ball-handler, who just needs to pick up his scoring prowess.

Dixon inked 6-7, 190-lb. shooter Durand Johnson of the Brewster Academy in New Hampshire.  Johnson, a four-star guard, will give Gibbs a nice complement early as he is known for his tenacity and ability to create his own shot as he is a bonified scorer.

John Johnson, a 6-1 point guard out of Life Center Academy, is the final member of Dixon’s four-man class.  He is a creative ball-handler and can score as well.  Seeing him on the floor with Woodall and Gibbs would be an interesting triplicate in how Pitt could flip the game to a quick, dribble-drive team where the dribble penetration would: (1) get shots for their plethora of bigs; (2) set up the three, especially with Gibbs; or (3) allow any of these outstanding guards to beat their men to the basket off the dribble.

As much as the Panthers will be known for their size and strength, the perimeter will still be a major headache for opponents.

 

Harris happy to be newest member of Rams’ staff

KINGSTON, RHODE ISLAND – Earlier this afternoon, the University of Rhode Island issued a press release that former NC State assistant Larry Harris is the newest member of Jim Baron’s coaching staff at Rhody, joining Pat Clarke and Preston Murphy.  Chris DiSano of College Chalktalk and Cox Sports caught up with Harris to get his thoughts about the new gig at URI:

CD: What made the University of Rhode Island a good fit for you?

Harris:  Jim Baron.  He and I have known eachother for 30 years.  He’s a hard worker day-in and day-out and that’s the type of guy I want to be around and environment I want to be a part of.

CD: What will you bring that can complement this staff?

Harris: Experience.  I’ve been around this game for 27 years and that’s why Jim brought me up here.  I’m confident that I have a great understanding of how to deal with kids and help them maximize potential, and I’m anxious to help Jim and the staff in any way I can.

CD: You began your coaching career at Duquesne and now find yourself back in the A-10.  What is your opinion of the league?

Harris: I have always had a great opinion of the A-10.  When I was at Duquesne, Temple was the No. 1 team in the country, West Virginia (then a member) was strong, and Rhode Island had some great teams back then too.  That’s continued through the years with the league boasting some outstanding programs.  My opinion and expectations of what this league brings to the table have always been very high.

CD: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned throughout your time in coaching?

Harris: That kids have changed.  Their way of thinking has changed.  Getting them to perform at a high level has changed.  But I think I’ve been able to have them believe in and trust me as an individual — and that’s where it begins.  They know I will do everything I can to help them reach their goals.

CD: What’s been the best moment in your coaching career to date?

Harris: Getting up here with Jimmy.  The more I’ve been up here in this state and been around these guys, the more I know I made a great decision in coming up here to Rhode Island.  And as far as the state itself is concerned, it’s a beautiful place.

_________________ 

 

Two Fighting Irish signees should contribute right away

By Ken Cross

(Throughout the early summer, I will look at each Big East team and how its 2011 recruiting efforts will change the face of that team for the upcoming 2011-12 season.  These are done in alphabetical order and do not reflect a rating of each team’s recruiting efforts.  Notre Dame is the seventh of the 16 teams.)

Rebuilding in the Big East could take on the pain of a metaphorical root canal, especially when you consider that Notre Dame coach Mike Brey started basically five seniors, had little bench, and has so far only signed two players for next season.

On the heels of all that, the 2010-11 edition of the Fighting Irish was one which many picked to make it to the Final Four, but a second round loss to Florida State derailed Notre Dame and sent the Irish home much earlier than anticipated.

Brey, who has won 65% of his games at ND, is a cool customer though as well as an outstanding coach and will make the Irish competitive in the upcoming season.  Notre Dame has four NCAA bids in the last five years and Brey has built the Fighting Irish into a winner.

Pat Connaughton of St. John’s Prep (Mass.) is a stealthy shooter who should be able to come in and contribute immediate as his athleticism is deceiving and he has a long enough wing span to cause opponents problems with his defense.  That wingspan may also give him the opportunity to go inside-out a little more as the irish are going to be looking for post talent as well.

The 6-4, 180-lb., Connaughton was the Gatorade Massachusetts Player of the Year as he was dominant on the baseball diamond as well as on the court.

Eric Katenda, a 6-8, 210-lb. forward, from Sunrise Christian in Kansas, will be well received inside.  Jack Cooley is the only Fighting Irish returnee with any real experience and he only averaged 10.3 mpg. last season.  Katenda chose the Irish over Wake Forest as he noted that he liked the style of offense Brey employs and feels like when Notre Dame uses a five-out guard scheme, he could be deceptive in his ability to make the outside jumper as a big man.

Brey noted last week that Notre Dame had picked up 6-10, 240-lb. Garrick Sherman, a transfer from Michigan State.  Sherman has to sit out a year and will be able to contribute beginning with the 2012-13 season.

 

Williams’ additions put Marquette in position

By Ken Cross

(Throughout the early summer, I will look at each Big East team and how its 2011 recruiting efforts will change the face of that team for the upcoming 2011-12 season.  These are done in alphabetical order and do not reflect a rating of each team’s recruiting efforts.  Marquette is the sixth of the 16 teams.)

The Marquette Golden Eagles must have breathed a collective sign of relief when Buzz Williams ignored overtures from Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Arkansas to stay in Milwaukee.  Williams always has had Marquette in contention and prepared by-game for it’s Big East competition; not to mention, he is one of the most underrated gameday coaches and situational coaches in college basketball.

Once again, Williams added pieces to give the Golden Eagles depth with which they can battle.  Castro Valley, California swingman Juan Anderson is a four-star recruit that should come in and help provide relief for the departed Jimmy Butler, who was the Eagles’ second leading scorer behind Darius Johnson-Odom and second leading rebounder behid Jae Crowder.

The 6-6, 210, Anderson may have more of an effect on the boards early because he seems to be more of an offensive threat in transition. He still managed 20 points as Castro Valley was upset by De LaSalle, 49-43, in the Division I NorCal Championship.

Williams also netted a pair of three-star guards in Derrick Williams, a 6-0, 205, point guard from the Hotchkiss (Ak.) School and Notre Dame Prep (Tenn.) guard Todd Mayo.  Derrick Williams has virtually the same physical stature as Junior Cadougan, who will be the heir apparent on the point to start the season.  Cadougan was second in assists last season, so adding another physical point man is a plus for Marquette.

Mayo has a famous brother, O.J., who turned it up for the Memphis Grizzlies in the playoffs as they went to the Western Conference semifinals this past season.  He has made his own niche in the game as he is very confident and strokes a sweet jump shot.  With his scoring prowess, it is unlikely Williams will use him much on the point as he could give Johnson-Odom a very strong complement  as a shooting guard in the Marquette three-point attack.

 

 

Cardinals’ class complements returnees

By Ken Cross

(Throughout the early summer, I will look at each Big East team and how its 2011 recruiting efforts will change the face of that team for the upcoming 2011-12 season.  These are done in alphabetical order and do not reflect a rating of each team’s recruiting efforts.  Louisville is the fifth of the 16 teams.)

Rick Pitino lost Preston Knowles to graduation and then George Goode transferred to Missouri.  Beyond that, little else has changed as the Cardinals will have a shot at a Big East title and beyond.  Pitino’s recruiting class is easily a Top 5 offering that sees one five-star, three four-stars, and a three-star player ready to put on red and black uniforms and compete in one of college basketball’s most fascinating systems.

Charles Behanan, the five-star post from Bowling Green, Ky., is as athletic as anyone in the nation.  He is noted for his offensive game both inside and outside, so he will immediately add to a Cardinals team that has superior chemistry coming into the season.  It is certainly amazing to watch a 6-6, 250-lb. forward face his opponent and blow by him off the dribble.

Pitino also inked a major shooting guard in Wayne Blackshear of Morgan Park in Chicago.  Blackshear is arguably as physical of a presence as Behanan. His leaping ability helps him on the boards at each end of the floor and in transition.  Blackshear has lots of length and quickness and plays with the desire that Pitino implores in his players.

Louisville wasn’t finished with signing big, physical talent as Zach Price of Jeffersontown High School in Louisville also inked early.  At 6-11, 240, Price  was noted as one of the top 10 centers in the nation and like Blackshear and Behanan, he will not shy away from contact.  He has a soft touch and very good hands.  Pitino thinks his biggest adjustment will come with the conditioning that he will acquire in getting used to the major college game.

The Cardinals picked up a gem late in Rockdale, Georgia product Kevin Ware, who had originally committed to Tennessee.  However, once Bruce Pearl was let go in Knoxville, the 6-5, 175-lb. Ware immediately wanted to re-open his recruitment and landed with the Cardinals.  Ware is known for getting to the rim and could be in the same echelon as Behanan, athletically.  Pitino will immediately look at improving his mid-range jumper to give him another key weapon in his arsenal.

Pitino reached to the Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, Mass. to pull sleek Angel Nunez.  With his 6-7 frame, Nunez is a very consistent three-point shooter that fits the Louisville style very well.  He has been compared favorably to former Louisville star and current Sacramento King Francisco Garcia.

With four starters returning and a plethora of Cardinals who saw major minutes off the bench, it would generally be tough for a new recruiting class to get much run.  This group and their reputation is certainly different and can give Louisville a solid shot in the impeccably tough Big East and maybe even help carry the Cardinals back to the Final Four.

 

 

 

Hoyas beef up in the post

By Ken Cross

(Throughout the early summer, I will look at each Big East team and how its 2011 recruiting efforts will change the face of that team for the upcoming 2011-12 season.  These are done in alphabetical order and do not reflect a rating of each team’s recruiting efforts.  Georgetown is the fourth of the 16 teams.)

Losing it’s top two scorers in Chris Wright and Austin Freeman and leading rebounder Julian Vaughn means that the Hoyas could be rebuilding around the play of guard Jason Clark, who could be destined for more play on the point than the wing in ’11-’12.

John Thompson III cashed in though as four of his five signees are post players, headlined by Scott County Central (Mo.) forward Otto Porter, who is one of three four-star signees.  With his size, Porter is a nice outside shooter with range which makes him harder to defend. He chose Georgetown over Missouri and Kansas and needs to beef up his strength, going forward.

DeMatha product Mikael Hopkins will join Porter in the post as Hopkins is much stronger at this point, but probably not quite the overall shooter.  At 6-8, 210, Hopkins gets up and down in transition, a plus for an 18-year old of this size.

Georgetown was also able to pluck away Tyler Adams from Ole Miss and Mississippi State.  Adams, a 6-8, 260-lb. post form Brandon, Mississippi, give the Hoyas a massive presence to build around as he should see plenty of playing time in the upcoming season.

Signing Adams proves that the Hoyas’ presence in the south will pick up immensely now that former Mississippi State assistant Robert Kirby is on Thompson’s staff.  Adams had originally given a verbal commitment to Duke before changing to the Hoyas last fall. His signing placed Georgetown solidly in the Top 20 in the nation in recruiting for 2011.

Greg Whittington of Oakland Mills (Md.) was the fourth big to sign with the Hoyas.  He led his high school to a 25-1 record this past season and is considered one of the better ball-handling big men in the class of 2011.  He can score the ball from the outside as well.

Jabril Trawick, a 6-5, 200-lb. of Abington Friends School, will give Thompson a much-needed three-point shooter with the departure of Wright and Freeman.  Trawick, a Philadelphia native, developed impeccably over the last season at Abington Friends and was Georgetown’s only signee at guard as Clark, Vee Sanford and Markel Stokes return to the perimeter and are most likely to push for starting assignments.

 

 

DePaul taking shape under Purnell

By Ken Cross

(Throughout the early summer, I will look at each Big East team and how its 2011 recruiting efforts will change the face of that team for the upcoming 2011-12 season.  These are done in alphabetical order and do not reflect a rating of each team’s recruiting efforts.  DePaul is the third of the 16 teams.)

Oliver Purnell knows a thing or two about rebuilding as indicated by his turnaround efforts at Radford, Old Dominion, Dayton, and Clemson.  However, bringing the DePaul Blue Demons into the mainstream of Big East basketball wars could be his biggest challenge. 

Purnell had an excellent freshman class a year ago with point guard Brandon Young and forward Cleveland Melvin, last season’s Big East Rookie of the Year, leading the way as focal points going forward.  For his 2011 class, several outlets have tabbed it in the top 25-30 in the land.

Purnell adds another point guard to the mix in four-star recruit Shane Larkin, a 5-11, 150-lb. facilitator from Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Fla.  Larkin, son of former Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin, can play on the wing as well as a distributor.  The possibilities with Young, Larkin, and talented Moses Morgan as a potential backcourt should bring the Blue Demons up several levels from a competitive stand point.

Purnell added a triplicate of three-star guards in 6-4, 185-lb. Jamie Crockett of Crete Monee (Ill.) High School, Macari Brooks, a 6-2, 170-lb. guard from Rich South (Ill.), and Charles McKinney, a 6-3, 190-lb. swing guard from the Quality Education Academy in Winston-Salem, N.C.

McKinney is effective on both ends of the floor and is usually around the glass on both boards.   Brooks will try to use his physicality and will show a definite penchant for going to the basket.  Both Brooks and Crockett were huge signings for Purnell because he served notice that the Blue Demons are adament about their recruiting presence in the Chicagoland area. 

Purnell also added depth in the post where 6-9, 215-lb. center Derrell Robertson of  Mendenhall, Miss. and 6-8, 220-lb. power forward Montray Clemons of the Evelyn Mack Learning Center in Charlotte will compete with returning starters in Melvin and Krys Farber as well as junior Tony Freeland and Devin Hill, who returns from injury.

Clemons and Melvin were teammates at Maine East High School in Park Ridge, Illinois before Clemons spent the past season prepping in Charlotte.  Robertson’s athletic ability and shot blocking on the interior should complement Melvin nicely as he had 40 blocks to lead DePaul in ’10-’11.

Although DePaul lost top 10 recruit Anthony Davis to Kentucky, it serves as a reminder of Purnell’s insistence of using Chicagoland talent to help make the Blue Demons a factor again.  The fact that DePaul was in the talented big man’s final four selections proves that Purnell and his staff have developed a major presence locally in just over a year on the job

 

Boatright is lone UConn signee

By Ken Cross

(Throughout the early summer, I will look at each Big East team and how its 2011 recruiting efforts will change the face of that team for the upcoming 2011-12 season.  These are done in alphabetical order and do not reflect a rating of each team’s recruiting efforts.  Connecticut is the second of the 16 teams.)

Coming off of it’s national championship, UConn proved why recruiting ratings inside of conferences are generally misleading.  While St. John’s, Louisville, and West Virginia loaded their rosters to replenish their needs, the Huskies signed only one player, Ryan Boatright, a 5-10 point guard from Aurora East (Ill.) High School.

With that, the Huskies return five key sophomores and a junior although they lost Kemba Walker, arguably the player of the year for ’10-’11 in college basketball and post-man Charles Okwandu.  Then, Jamal Coombs-McDaniel decided to transfer in May after he was arrested on a marijuana charge in late April and he expressed he wanted more playing time as well. 

Meanwhile, Boatright brings relief for Shabazz Napier at either the point or two-guard spot. This allows Napier to play continue his role as a shooter as he  had 141 three-point attempts, second on the team, so his long-range game is an important entity going forward.

Boatright’s has extraordinary ball-handling skills and has been on the radar of D-1 programs since 2007 when he committed to USC before his freshman year of high school.  Boatright averaged 31.2 ppg. as a senior in high school and had a game-high of 55.

 

Bearcats address depth in recruiting haul

By Ken Cross

(Over the upcoming summer months, I will look at each Big East team and how its 2011 recruiting efforts will change the face of that team for the upcoming 2011-12 season.  These are done in alphabetical order and do not reflect a rating of each team’s recruiting efforts.  Cincinnati is the first of the 16 teams.)

Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin was looking for depth on the front line when he began assembling this year’s class as he lost three key post players which included starters Rashad Bishop and Ibrahima Thomas.  Cronin added Memphis (Tenn.) Whitehaven forward Octavius Ellis, a 6-8, 185-pound forward, 6-7 Newark, N.J. product Shaquille Thomas, and recently Cheikh Mbodj, a 6-9, 245-pound center from Grayson County (Tx.) Junior College.

Thomas, a four-star recruit in most evaluations, is a long athletic presence on both ends of the floor and averaged 28 ppg. and 8.0 apg. for NIA Prep.  His ability to shoot the three-pointer along with taking his man off the dribble make him a threat to log major minutes right off the bat. 

Ellis has a noted wingspan at 7-foot-2 inches.  He averaged 16.8 ppg., but was a major force on defense in the paint.  Meanwhile, Mbodj is also a noted shotblocker who shot 50.8% from the floor this past season.

Cronin also added three guards to his backcourt in 6-5, 195-pound Jeremaine Sanders, a left-hander, from New York City’s esteemed Brother Rice High school.  He was the all-Manhattan player of the year as he averaged 18.1 ppg.  Sanders is a long-range shooter, who could join Rashad Bishop and Sean Kilpatrick in giving Cronin a three-point game which can make Gates, who shot 51.1% from the floor a year ago, more effective inside.

At 6-2, Huntington (WVa.) Prep guard Jeremiah Davis can operate behind point guard Casmere Wright as well as take the two-guard position to be a scorer.  Davis has the skills to slash off the wing as well as run the point. 

Cronin’s final guard is Ge-Lawn Guyn of South Kent (Conn.) Prep and is a native of neighboring Georgetown, Ky.  Guyn has a powerful frame at 6-2, 180, and like Davis, is noted for his ability to get to the rim.  His defense may be ahead of his offense at this point, but as he matures in Cronin’s attacking system, he should flourish offensively.  Cronin loves his toughness and attitude which will be a plus for Guyn coming in as a freshman.