Friday, April 17, 2009

Alex Tyus leaving Florida

Alex Tyus, a heralded big man for the Florida Gators, is transferring schools. This comes on the heels of a decommitment by DeShawn Painter and transferring of Allan Chaney.

Will bring you more as it develops.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Villanova, Carolina top recruiting rankings.

Villanova and North Carolina, two final four participants, top Rivals' and ESPN's recruiting team rankings, respectively.

Villanova, who leads Rivals' rankings with standout PF Mouphtaou Yarou (#10), are followed closely by a Texas squad with two outstanding wings in Avery Bradley (#4) and Jordan Hamilton (#6). Georgia Tech, North Carolina, and Kentucky round out the top five.

Rivals Top Ten:
1. Villanova
2. Texas
3. Georgia Tech
4. North Carolina
5. Kentucky
6. Oklahoma
7. UCLA
8. Kansas
9. Connecticut
10. Indiana

Carolina, led by super-standout John Henson, jumped to the top of ESPN's ranking followed closely by a guard-laden (and post players, surprisingly) Villanova bunch, the standard of coach Jay Wright. Texas, Oklahoma, and Georgia Tech round out the rankings from ESPN.

ESPN Top Ten:
1. North Carolina
2. Villanova
3. Texas
4. Oklahoma
5. Georgia Tech
6. Connecticut
7. Duke
8. Indiana
9. Kentucky
10. UCLA

Super-players Xavier Henry and John Wall both remained uncommitted. Jerry Meyer, from Rivals, explains if Henry or Wall picks Kentucky, they'll jump straight to #1. You can probably expect the same for Carolina should Wall pick the Tarheels (longshot).

Update on J. Wall and Henry brothers...

Keeping you posted, CollegeCarousel faithful:

The Henry brothers, who are scheduled to visit Kentucky in the upcoming days, are ever so close to making a decision on where they will attend college. The slips and word choices in public make it appear that the brothers are bound for the Big Blue of Kentucky. But is that the truth? CollegeCarousel has dug around and has been contacted by a few people that are in the know with these stars. From a compilation of information provided to us, we're expecting Xavier and CJ Henry to announce their college destination no later than Friday, a week from tomorrow.

Where to? Kansas fans can rejoice - it looks like you're adding two crucial keys to a promising future.

John Wall on the other hand has yet to publically narrow the list he currently holds. Remember, CollegeCarousel has always believed he is bound for Kentucky, but is it so now? Numerous sources have told us that although there has been no "silent verbal," the saga will end with Wall in a Kentucky uniform. When? Now that's the question. North Carolina has been publically eliminated (we said this looong ago) and the choice (publicly) will come down to the Devils of Duke and the Wildcats of Kentucky.

Soon, Kentucky will be able to claim the #1 recruiting class in the land. With Orton likely staying on board (publicly, yes; privately, maybe), Kentucky bluebloods will have something to rejoice about.

Based on Rival's Rankings, Kentucky's recruiting class will look like this:

***** - Wall
***** - Cousins
***** - Orton
**** - Hood

Is there a chance for another addition? We're learning that it's possible, but not quite probable. We'll keep you updated.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Arizona, Miller making the push

Newly hired Arizona coach Sean Miller and recruiting extraordinaire Book Richardson are putting the full court press on Jarrid Famous, a 6-foot-11 center out of Westchester (N.Y.) Community College who was the Mid-Hudson Conference and Region XV Player of the Year.

However, they're not alone. Pitt coach Jamie Dixon is also pursuing Famous before the late signing period, which begins tomorrow. It looks like Jarrid Famous will end up at Arizona.

Wall to enter NBA Draft?

Recent reports from the Word Wide Leader in sports, ESPN, have stated that John Wall is possibly eligible to enter the NBA draft since, according to them, he will turn 19 this calender year and is a fifth year senior, instead of forth year.

Well, we're here to debunk this. Wall is not eligible to enter the NBA Draft and Wall won't enter the NBA Draft this year. After CollegeCarousel spoke with a few sources, we learned that if Wall were eligible, the NBA Players Association would not allow it based on not being a year removed from his high school graduation date.

Like we have reported all along, Wall will play ball at the college level.

Xavier Henry close to a decision?

Xavier Henry, ESPN's #1 ranked prospect, is getting ever so close to a decision about where he will play his college ball. Right now, it appears to be a two-team race with Kentucky and Kansas, with Memphis a distant third.

CollegeCarousel has been informed that through back channels, Henry favors the Wildcats of Kentucky. Although not 100%, many around the Kentucky basketball office that Xavier will be playing for Kentucky, as will his brother, CJ, who will join the team as a walk-on. Henry plans on visiting Lexington shortly after the Jordan game with his brother, and expects to make a decision after that. Coincidence? Not likely. We believe that the visit is to just ensure everything is well.

Although Kansas is pushing hard, CollegeCarousel feels that Kentucky is the leader for his services.

A lot depends on the status of Daniel Orton, who has yet to decommit from the Wildcats.

UPDATE:
Responding to comments on subject:

I think the Orton/Henry "feud" was blown out of proportion. The Orton comment was made in reference to the last remaining Kansas scholarship and if he would be the choice to take it. I now think it is highly unlikely that Orton becomes a Jayhawk.

Stephenson close to committing?

Lance Stephenson, a highly-rated wing player out of the New York area, is closing in on a commitment. Now where to? That's the question. It's down to two, sources close to the situation tell CollegeCarousel. Kansas and Cincinnati will be the next destination for Stephenson. If you're a gambler, put your money on Stephenson to choose Cincinnati.

Where does this put Kansas with another highly-rated guard, Xavier Henry? That's the determining factor. It appears that Bill Self would rather have Henry, but Henry looks less certain on becoming a Jayhawk.

Wall doesn't list UK; what does it mean?

In a recent ESPN chat with Duke commit Mason Pumlee and North Carolina commit John Henson, John Wall, a 5-star point guard looking at a variety of different schools, was asked a few questions about his likely destination.

Nathan, Lexington, Ky: John, can you give us your current list of schools?

SportsNation John Wall: (2:38 PM ET ) Memphis, Kansas, Baylor, NC State, Miami, Duke, Carolina, Florida.

Where is Kentucky, you're asking. Well, no need to fear, Kentucky is right there. A plausible decoy is the likely scenario. Expect it to come down to Kentucky and Duke, with having an outside shot, depending on the status of PG CarolinaTy Lawson.

From the list provided, this is the way it will shake down:

Kentucky
Duke
North Carolina

Kansas, Baylor, Florida, NC State, Memphis and Miami are all but out.

Collins, Aldrich stick with Kansas

Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich, two important pieces to Kansas' probable championship run next season, have decided they want the opportunity to win their second title in three years. Both Collins (junior) and Aldrich (sophomore) have let it be known that they will play with the Jayhawks next season.

What does this mean for Orton?

With a frontline already consisting of Aldrich, and the two Morris twins, and Thomas Quintrell, where does the spot for Orton come in? Add to that, possibly adding Henry (?) or Stephenson to the last remaining scholarship spot and you have a tight bind in Phog Allen land.

This alone helps Kentucky in trying to keep the 5-star big man in a Kentucky uniform for next season. Is it likely? We're not sure. Does this help the Big Blue? Most definately.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Bledsoe close to becoming a Gator?

Sources have let it be known that Eric Bledsoe, a combo guard considering Kentucky, Cincinnati, and Florida.

Kentucky is making a strong push for Bledsoe, although reports said he appears to be bound for the University of Florida. Cincinnati, who also is in the running, is the third place team in this run for the guard. With official news about the destination of John Wall being announced soon, look for Bledsoe to commit before Wall and I would put my money on Kentucky or Florida.

Kentucky close to Big Three?

With DeMarcus Cousins already on the Kentucky Bandwagon, where does that leave the other two high-profile recruits currently targeted by Wildcat head coach John Calipari?

Xavier Henry, a 5-star wing player has narrowed his choices to Kansas, Kentucky, and Memphis. Although the main two appear to be Kansas and Kentucky, Xavier has let it be known he wants to play with his brother, who will walk-on at the school of their choosing. However, sources close to the situation are telling CollegeCarousel that Henry will decide within the next week on the school he will attend, and has made it clear that he won't have to visit the school (Kentucky) to make a commitment.
  • Henry to Kansas - 40%
  • Henry to Kentucky -45%
  • Henry to Memphis - 15%

John Wall, a 5-star point guard from North Carolina has let it be known through back channels that Duke and Kentucky are his likely suitors and perhaps the place of his next chapter. CollegeCarousel has talked to many people around the situation and news could break this week on the college choice for Wall. Although not confirmed with 100% validity, CollegeCarousel is prepared to declare Kentucky as the college destination of John Wall.
  • Wall to Duke - 25%
  • Wall to North Carolina - 10%
  • Wall to Kentucky - 65%

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Daniel Orton opening it up?

University of Kentucky commit Daniel Orton has been rumored to be asking for his release from the Kentucky and opening up his recruitment. Conflicting reports are telling CollegeCarousel that it's not set in stone yet. It does look likely, however, that Orton will not end up in Kentucky blue and will likely make it official after the Derby Classic.

“As I have said before, Daniel signed with Kentucky and that’s still where he is going,” Larry Orton said. “If something changes, we will let people now. But nothing has happened yet to change anything.”

Nolan Dennis asks for UM release; UK in sight?

Nolan Dennis, a 4-star shooting guard from Texas, has asked to be released from his commitment to the University of Memphis. Dennis, who committed to Memphis while John Calipari was head coach, looks to favor Kentucky as his next destination.

Dennis' mother states that Kentucky is where Nolan would like to attend. He committed to Memphis to follow Calipari.

UPDATE: News could break by the weekend that Dennis ends up at Kentucky.

DeMarcus Cousins commits to Kentucky

No surprise here:

Rivals.com #2 Player in the nation, DeMarcus Cousins has committed to play his basketball at the University of Kentucky. Cousins, a 6'10 PF averaged 29 points and 12 rebounds his senior season.

"Well, basically I went home (from the McDonald's All American Game) and tried to figure out which coach out of all the coaches recruiting me could help me get to the next level," said Cousins. "The answer was Coach Cal. Then I asked myself what school was best to me. And what school is better than Kentucky?"


"I'm working on John Wall and Xavier Henry right now," he said. "I think we have a chance to get them."

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Soloman Hill looking at Kentucky, Arizona?

One day after withdrawing his commit to Arizona once Lute Olsen stepped away, Soloman Hill committed to USC, but did not sign a LOI.

However, with the recent hiring of Sean Miller to the Arizona position, it is likely Hill will look at Arizona with possible interest.

The kicker, however, is Kentucky will look to get involved if Hill decommits from USC with new head coach John Calipari at the helm of the Wildcats.

Hill is a 6-foot-6-inch swingman rated the No. 3 small forward in America by recruiting service Rivals.com

Meeks to test NBA draft; Patterson to follow?

Jodie Meeks has decided to test the NBA Draft. He will not hire an agent which will allow him to return to Kentucky for his senior season if he is not satisfied with his draft prospects.

Meeks was named to four different All-American teams this season. He led the SEC in scoring 23.7 points a game.

Meeks was responsible for the 54-point outburst, the highest in NCAA this season, against Tennessee that made National News.

CollegeCarousel is prepared to say that Meeks is highly likely for a return.

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Patrick Patterson will also enter his name into the draft and not hire an agent, much like Meeks, in the next few days. Although the decision may be tougher for Patterson, CollegeCarousel thinks it is likely he returns. The decision that Patrick and his parents will make will, however, be tough.