HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Much of the discussion around the Big East the last day has centered on the press release from the Big East conference detailing the home and away opponents each Big East team faces in conference play next season. Yesterday we posted our 2008-2009 Big East Conference Schedule Analysis as we look at what each team has in front of them next year in Big East play.

One match-up that fans have been waiting for in the Big East is the return of Bob Huggins to Cincinnati and it is on the schedule this year. Coach Huggins Looks Forward to Visit (Cincinnati Enquirer) back to Fifth Third Arena and definitely will have some revenge on his mind for the shellacking Mick Cronin’s squad put on WVU and Huggins (who was dressed in a hideous gold suit) at WVU last season, 62-39.

Georgetown adds a little help to their line-up for next season from a source believed to be ready to suit up for the 2009-2010 season.

Elsewhere, around the league, the UConn players have been busy playing pick-up and a return of a healthy AJ Price looks promising. Also, a list of names that the assistant coaches of UConn might be checking out next week for readers to chew on. Villanova is making a strong push for another top player in the 2009 class and a little more on their recent commitment. Tevin Baskin has narrowed his list while Jordan Prosser and Tom Droney look forward to impressive showings in July as well.

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Villanova kicks of July with a bang with a commitment from a highly regarded forward. It is the calm before the July storm, but there is a lot of recruiting updates around the internet today with information on players such as Dominic Cheek at the U-18 Team Trials, Aaric Murray looking forward to a big July, Talib Zanna making a name for himself among recruiters and an introduction to B-More’s Donte Holmes.

High school players continue to move from school to school. There is an update on Lamont Jones, who is in search of a school, Daryus Quarles and Omari Lawrence are other Big East targets on the move as well.

There is also a look at four Chicago-area players to watch this month. Lance Stephenson’s father has a school in mind for his son. Could a Pitt-Memphis match-up come together for Madison Square Garden this December?

CollegeHoopsNet.com kicks off their top 144 teams in 144 days and a Big East school checks in at #142…read below to see who it is!

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According to Alex Schwartz of Northstar Basketball, Villanova has landed a verbal commitment from their #1 forward target, Montrose Christian’s Isaiah Armwood.

Back in May, Isaiah Armwood Talked Recruiting with Ron Bailey of the NBE Basketball Report and i95ballerz.com and talked very highly of Villanova. Syracuse and Georgetown were other Big East schools of interest to Armwood.

Verbal Commitment Alert: Isaiah Armwood, 6′8 (F) Montrose Christian of Rockville (MD)

The month of July started out with a bang with a commitment for Villanova as Isaiah Armwood made the call. With the news of Armwood to Villanova (zagsblog.net), joining Maalik Wayns in the class of 2009, Jay Wright could be on the verge of a monster class.

Projected 2008-2009 Roster:

Seniors: Frank Tchuisi (F), Dwayne Anderson (SG), Dante Cunningham (F), Shane Clark (F)
Juniors: Scottie Reynolds (G), Reggie Redding (G), Casseim Drummond (C)
Sophomores: Corey Stokes (G), Corey Fisher (PG), Antonio Pena (F), Taylor King (WF)
Freshmen: Maurice Sutton (C/BF)
2009 Commitments: Maalik Wayns (PG), Isaiah Armwood (F)

For more on Armwood’s commitment and the Wildcats recruiting situation, please visit our Villanova Team Page.

Hope everyone got a chance to check out Jeff Borzello’s articles over the weekend that detailed the action from the Hoop Group High School Showcase that took place at Rutgers recently. Borzello got a look at some of the best players from new Jersey at the event and breaks down the action and recruiting news from the event.

Hoop Group High School Showcase, Part I
Hoop Group High School Showcase, Part II

Also over the weekend we added a Big East Recruiting Update on Marquette as 7-footer Liam McMorrow joined their program. Also, there is an update available on a player from the DC-area that has Syracuse among his leaders: Joston Thomas: A Big East School Among Leaders.

In today’s news and notes around the Big East, Keno Davis might be trying to add a late addition for Providence. Keon Lawrence is looking to leave Missouri for a school closer to his New Jersey home. Connecticut sees another player leave, but finally has a long-awaited recruit on campus filling the spot. Cincinnati looks for a new gear from an incoming recruit and USF gets a big man in school. Also, an introduction to one of St. Benedict’s young stars that will keep Dan Hurley’s program winning for years to come.

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BY JEFF BORZELLO

Although the Hoop Group Showcase at Rutgers University was chock-full of surprises throughout the two-day tournament, the ending did not catch anyone off-guard. Led by the 2010 duo of Markus Kennedy and Kyrie Irving, St. Patrick’s steamrolled its way through the field, culminating in a dominant victory over Windsor (CT) in the championship game. However, the tournament was not without surprises, as only 50 percent of the expected Final Four of St. Pat’s, St. Benedict’s, St. Anthony and Paterson Catholic actually reached the semifinals. St. Anthony’s, playing without Dominic Cheek, bowed out to NIA School White in the third round, while PC’s great comeback fell short against Susquehanna Twp (Pa.) in the third round as well.

One thing to note: most of the top teams were not at full strength, as several players were elsewhere this past weekend. Let’s take a closer look at some of the notable teams and players from the two-day showcase in part one of a two-part series.

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