Conference call: The biggest official visits of the weekend
School is back in session, and as a result, college visits are set to take place by the boatload.
This fall's conference rundown features will examine the most important visits for each power conference. This weekend, all eyes are on Georgia Tech, as the Yellow Jackets bring in two Rivals top-150 prospects. A commitment from any of the two would send a message to the rest of its competitors that they are back and in contention for the best.
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AAC: WICHITA STATE
There are no key visits being taking to Pac-12 members this weekend, so the American Athletic Conference gets tossed into the spotlight. Wichita State, which is entering its first year in the league, will play host to three prospects this weekend, including a top-150 guard from Memphis. Alex Lomax begins his official visit tour this weekend, and while Florida, Memphis, Missouri, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt remain in contention, the Shockers get the first chance to host the tough and gritty floor general. Along with him will be Serrel Smith, a shot-making guard from Florida; WSU is investing a lot in the state in conjunction with the recent hiring of former UCF head coach Donnie Jones. Greg Marshall’s staff will also host Andrew Gordon, a junior college big man from Florida.
ACC: GEORGIA TECH
In what could be the most important weekend of the Josh Pastner era at Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets host two top-150 talents in Nassir Little and Mike DeVoe. Each would bring immediate stability to the position that they represent but also a bevy of upside and versatility. Little, who's down to a final five that includes the Yellow Jackets, Miami, Duke, UNC and Arizona, planned his visit to Atlanta before publishing his cut list. Pastner and his staff were one of the first that believed Little was elite; if he decides that Georgia Tech is where he wants to be, it may be Pastner’s biggest win ever on the recruiting trail. Joining Little is DeVoe, a fellow Florida native who will also visit Wake Forest, Ohio State and Florida in the weeks ahead. Georgia Tech is not a clear favorite for either of the two, but getting each onto campus is a giant start.
BIG EAST: BUTLER
Butler has a major need in the frontcourt for next year, as they will lose two of their top contributors in spring, Kelan Martin and Tyler Wideman. This weekend, the Bulldogs welcome in an emerging name out of Texas, 2018 center Morris Udeze. A strong and competitive big man that does his work from 12 feet and in, just one visit is set for Udeze; the Bulldogs made it a point to host the Montverde CBD transfer before anyone else. He is down to a group of 10, so the process may still be in the middle stages. Butler is battling LSU, TCU, St. John’s, Tulsa, Iowa State, Ohio State, Florida Gulf Coast, Wichita State, New Orleans and TCU for his signature. The end may not be near, but LaVall Jordan and his staff will do all they can to make it so this weekend.
BIG 12: KANSAS
Kansas already has its next star guard waiting in the wings in California transfer and former top-50 prospect Charlie Moore. Moore has the chance to step in and immediately take up most of the minutes that will be left by potential All-American Devonte Graham. Then there's Malik Newman, a Mississippi State transfer who may depart next spring for the NBA. Given the potential available playing time in the backcourt - and in light of Bill Self’s willingness to rely on two-point guard lineups - the importance of this weekend’s visit from Devon Dotson should not be understated. Built in a similar bulldog mold of former KU star Frank Mason, Dotson will enter the college ranks as a complete competitor. Arizona is now out of the mix while others, including Florida, Maryland, NC State, Wake Forest, Miami and Virginia, are pursuing more heavily than ever. Kansas remains a favorite, and a good visit could lead to the Jayhawks’ next top-25 guard commitment.
BIG TEN: OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes will bring in Aaron Henry for an unofficial visit on Sunday. A 6-foot-5 small forward that nudged his way into Rivals’ top-150 rankings thanks to his play this summer, Henry has become a Midwest priority. Down to a final five of OSU, Michigan State, Illinois, Xavier and Butler, Henry will make a return visit to Columbus in two weeks for an official visit. Thanks to the staff’s previous relationship with Henry dating back to their time at his hometown Butler program, the Buckeyes sit in a good spot for him. No commitment is expected this weekend, but it could place the Buckeyes into an even better position with the versatile small forward.
SEC: ARKANSAS
Arkansas took a punch to the gut prior to the July evaluation periods as it lost the gem to its 2018 class when Reggie Perry, now a Mississippi State pledge, backed away from his commitment. All is not lost in Fayetteville, however, as they have kept in tow a strong three-man class. This weekend, the Hogs will host two of their top targets from the 2018 recruiting cycle. Top-100 forward Josh LeBlanc begins his first official visit. The lethal rebounder and versatile defender would slide in nicely alongside already committed Ethan Henderson in the frontcourt, though LSU remains the program to beat. On Sunday, Mike Anderson’s staff will host top 2020 in-state recruit and likely top-50 prospect Moses Moody. The Hogs have already offered and prioritized the high-level scorer.
