BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (5/14/2008)
Around the league today…
Notre Dame awaits the decision from another potential transfer student as Scott Martin recently finished a visit to the South Bend campus. Pitt takes a shot with Mike Cook to see if the NCAA will grant a 6th year of eligibility. Cincinnati’s Mick Cronin and a 2009 recruit mutually part ways. Louisville and Cincinnati are interested in an Ohio forward out of the class of 2010. A 2009 NYC recruit that is a target of several Big East programs is in a little hot water.
Also, a nice article as CSTV.com catches up with Aaron Gray after his rookie NBA season. Also, all-tourney teams from the DC Assault AAU Tournament from last weekend can be found today.
Notre Dame already has transfer Ben Hansbrough coming into the program next season. Now, their sites are set on another possible transfer as Scott Martin is in the process of deciding on his new home after leaving Purdue. The 6’8 forward’s ND Visit is Over, But Martin’s Decision is on Hold (South Bend Tribune) as he completes a visit to Valparaiso today and will likely visit Butler this weekend. After those three visits, Martin will choose between the three schools at a time when it feels right.
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Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon has a team many feel is among the top 10 in the country heading into next season. Losing seniors Keith Benjamin, Ronald Ramon and Mike Cook has been pushed aside with the return of Levance Fields, Sam Young and DeJuan Blair, near the top of the league at their respective positions, and the continued improvement of Gilbert Brown. Now, Pitt might even have more depth as Dixon Submits Cook Appeal (FoxSports.com) for a 6th year of eligibility.
Cook, as many will remember, was lost for the season in Pitt’s overtime win against Duke in Madison Square Garden when he blew out his knee. Cook, who was a 5th year senior after transferring in from East Carolina, was injured in the 11th game of the season. The medical redshirt rule allows a player to take a redshirt if they played in 30% or less of the team’s games. However, the calculation of the number of games is a question that needs defining. Pitt played 37 games, however, the Big East Tournament counts as one (instead of the 4 Pitt played) and the NCAA Tournament does not count into the equation, meaning instead of 37, the NCAA is likely to rule Pitt played in 32 games. So, under this calculation, Cook played in 34% of the games. Making is even more less likely is that Cook is going for the rare 6th year of eligibility from the NCAA, not a more standard 5th.
Kevin Parrom of St. Raymond’s (NY) in the Bronx is in a little trouble today after being arrested at the school for allegedly punching Oliver Antigua, the head basketball coach at the school. St. Ray’s Parrom and Coach in Altercation (NY Daily News) during a team meeting. A 911 call was made and policed arrived and arrested Parrom.
Parrom is a 6’5 forward in the class of 2009 that has recruiting interest from Big East schools such as St. John’s, Pittsburgh, Rutgers and others.
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Danny McElroy committed to Mick Cronin’s University of Cincinnati program prior to his sophomore season in high school. Now, after averaging over 14 points and 7 rebounds a game as a junior, La Salle’s McElroy and the Bearcats Cut Ties (Cincinnati Enquirer) and the 6’7 forward has re-opened his recruitment. The decision was reached mutually between McElroy, his high school coach Dan Fleming and Cronin.
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Speaking of Cincinnati and recruiting, Jody Demling caught up with 2010 Ohio prospect Adreian Payne, a 6’9 power forward from Jefferson High School in Dayton. Playing for the powerful All-Ohio Red 16-U squad on the AAU circuit, Payne has interest in the Bearcats as well as Louisville from the Big East already. He also lists schools such as Dayton, Xavier, Ohio State, Michigan, Memphis, North Carolina and Kansas on his list. With UC and U of L on List for 2010 Star (Louisville Courier-Journal) and the attention the All-Ohio Red squad receives, Payne’s list could grow this spring and summer.
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Ron Bailey at i95Ballerz.com has his ’Take Your Best Shot’ All Tournament Teams from the 17-U and 16-U divisions from the DC Assault event last weekend. Many of these players are, or will be, targets of Big East schools on the recruiting trail.
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CSTV.com has a nice Q&A with a former Pittsburgh center, who just completed his rookie season in the NBA: Catching Up With Aaron Gray. Gray’s first season with the Bulls had some ups and downs, but closed strong and his 19-pt, 22-rebound performance April 16th against Toronto is a fine building block for the future.
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May 14th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
[...] NBE Basketball Report, this bit on a possible Pitt recruit having issues. A St. Raymond high school basketball player was [...]