Austrie headed to Big East

When Steve Lappas was fired from Massachusetts, the Minutemen also lost Craig Austrie, their top recruit in the class of 2005. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound shooting guard from Trinity Catholic High School in Stamford, Conn., became a hot recruit soon after he pulled out of his verbal commitment to the Atlantic 10 school. Now he's headed to the Big East.

Austrie spent Tuesday afternoon on a train en route to his Connecticut home after visiting Providence for an official visit. As the NCAA tournament churned out some classic games, Austrie was in Storrs, Conn., talking with Jim Calhoun and company at UConn for an unofficial visit.

With the knowledge gathered from both trips, Austrie has given a verbal commitment to Connecticut, according to Trinity Catholic head coach Mike Walsh.

"He decided late last night that he's going to play at the University of Connecticut," Walsh said. "He said he likes the chance to play for a team that will contend for a National Championship. I think that's every player's dream so when they offered the scholarship, it was an offer he couldn't refuse."

Jim Calhoun and his coaching staff also kept the best in-state player home.

"To be honest, it really means a lot to him. He's a Connecticut kid who grew up watching and admiring the program," Walsh said. "Now he'll finally have the challenge of playing for them. It's a great opportunity."

Austrie joins stellar group including McDonald's All-American Andrew Bynum, Jeff Adrien and Marcus Johnson.

Austrie will give the Huskies an explosive scoring guard that knows how to win. He captured two state championships alongside Duke forward David McClure while at Trinity Catholic. Austrie can light it up from deep and proved to be one of the best scorers in the Northeast this season.

"He's going to have earn his keep there but he's done a lot for us here and I don't know why he wouldn't continue that at Connecticut," Walsh said.

The Huskies weren't the only school trying to get into the picture with the shooting guard.

"The phone has been ringing off the hook since everything happened at UMass," Walsh said. "Since then, all hell has broken loose."

Florida, Georgia Tech and Southern Cal (offered) all inquired about getting into mix for Austrie's services.