Benn to the Big East

Bilal Benn, a 6-foot-5 195 pound guard from Philadelphia, PA who's completing a prep year at Hargrave Military Academy made his college decision on Friday. He is heading back home to a rising Big East program. Read Benn's thoughts on his commitment.

With Villanova getting hot on the basketball court at just the right time, going 10-2 in their last 12 games, they've also stoked the fires on the recruiting front. That recent success paid off on Friday when Benn picked the Wildcats over offers from UTEP, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Baylor, and Xavier. He had also received interest from Florida, Wake Forest, Miami, and Texas this winter.

He was actually very close to committing to Villanova in October of 2004, but decided to wait just to be sure.

"I didn't want to rush into anything," Benn told us last night after Hargrave's 107-64 win over Louisburg Junior College. "I felt comfortable making the decision now. Basically, there was nothing that I didn't like in the first place. It's a decision that I have to live with for the rest of my life, so I wanted to take my time."

Benn is a hardnosed, versatile guard with a "Big East body", who should fit well in Villanova's three guard attack with his ability to create off the dribble and guard three positions. In fact, defense is a trait that he takes great pride in.

"My biggest strength is my man-to-man defense, and how hard I play," Benn said. I just want to play and I'll do whatever they ask me to."

As Benn awaits admission to Villanova he told us that he has really worked hard this year in the classroom at Hargrave Military Academy.

"I'm doing well in school this year. I made the Dean's List first semester, and just missed it this last time. I did much better on the SAT the last time I took it, and scored a 930."

Benn is the fourth member of Villanova's 2005 recruiting class, joining 6-foot-6 G/F Dwayne Anderson from St. Thomas More in Connecticut, 6-foot-8 C Frank Tchuisi from St. Benedict's in New Jersey, and 6-foot-8 PF Dante Cunningham from undefeated Potomac HS in Maryland.