Big East battle for Stokes

Corey Stokes is not committed anywhere. Not yet, at least. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound shooting guard from St. Benedict's High School in Newark, N.J., took a weekend visit to UConn and has a trip planned this weekend to see Villanova. A decision could soon follow.

Stokes, the No. 27 ranked player in the class of 2007, is in the homestretch of the recruiting process. He took a visit to Storrs, Conn., to see the Huskies play host to Louisville. Everything went as well as he expected, Stokes said.

"It was great. I loved it," Stokes said. "It was my second time up there and it was good to see everything again. We met up at the arena and went by the locker room before the game and talked to the players and coaches. I had a chance to hear coach (Jim) Calhoun talk to his players about Louisville and how important it was to them to be the Big East champs."

"I just loved the environment around the program. The fans are great and they have a great coach and coaching staff," Stokes said. "I have a great relationship with the players, especially Rudy Gay."

Stokes said the coaching staff has made a strong impression.

"I love that program. I have a cool relationship with the players and the staff. Coach Calhoun reminds me a lot of my coach, Danny Hurley. They have a lot of the same things in common," Stokes said. "Both coaches (Calhoun and Villanova's Jay Wright) have a family bond with their players."

His next stop takes him to the Big East tournament to watch Villanova in New York City. The Wildcats round out his top two programs and Stokes says the Big East power has a lot to offer as well.

"They have the same qualities as UConn," Stokes said. "It is going to be tough."

What will be one of the key deciding factors then?

"Simple things like what players are going to be there when I get there and how much playing time will I be able to get when I get there," Stokes said.

With two trips to UConn under his belt and a weekend visit to see Villanova, Stokes knows people are wondering when he will make his decision. It is coming.

"Most likely by the end of April," Stokes said. "Or maybe the beginning of April."

Buckle up Big East. One of the nation's top guards is getting closer to deciding.