Conference Call: Key weekend visitors, Sept. 15-17
The college football season continues to heat up, and with it, college basketball programs will begin to use the heightened platform to host their top targets. Just like last week, we will examine the most important slate of visits in each power league and also take a stab at who might commit in this week’s conference rundown.
MORE: Nembhard trims list | Coaches off to fast starts at new positions
ACC: LOUISVILLE
Louisville has a desperate need in the frontcourt in the 2018 class, and while it did nab the transfer commitment of former UConn big man Steven Enoch in the summer, the Cardinals are in the hunt for one more this fall.
They hosted Moses Brown, a five-star center, for his first official visit two weeks ago, and this weekend, Rick Pitino and his staff will welcome Rivals150 forward Darius Days. LSU, Xavier, Ohio State and UNC remain in contention, though Louisville remains the leader in the clubhouse for him. A commitment from Days is not imminent, but this weekend’s trip to Louisville could put the Cards further out in front.
There is word that Romeo Langford, the top available wing in the 2018 class, will be on hand Saturday. The Cardinals remain the favorite and getting him back onto campus does not hurt their cause.
Another to keep an eye on is Balsa Koprivica, who, just like Days, calls Florida home. He's another prospect for whom the Cardinals remain the favorite. David Johnson, a local product and one of the best scoring wings in the 2019 class, will be on hand Saturday for an unofficial visit; on Friday, he committed to the Cardinals.
OTHER KEY VISITS
BIG EAST: XAVIER
Unlike last year when it struck early and often, Xavier has just one commitment in hand, from local center Jake Walter. That is due to change within the coming weeks and hopefully for Xavier fans, it will happen this weekend.
Four key targets hit their campus, the most important being Luther Muhammad. A 6-foot-2 scoring guard and member of the Rivals150, Muhammad is the epitome of tough. He has the chance to evolve into an all-league defender, though the competition for his commitment is fierce - Ohio State, West Virginia, St. John’s and Virginia remain heavily in the mix.
Saddiq Bey, another Rivals150 prospect, will also head to the 513 to check in on what Chris Mack’s program has to offer. Finally, local big man Jaxson Hayes will stay close to home this weekend and join the duo at Xavier. He may be the likeliest of visitors to commit to the Musketeers.
BIG TEN: OHIO STATE
Ohio State football fell flat on its face last week, but the basketball program continues to draw some of the best 2018 talent to its campus. This basketball recruiting weekend will be no different, as four key targets visit Columbus.
Andrew Nembhard, the highest-rated visitor, will begin his official visit tour. Joining him will be a classmate at Montverde, though in the prep program, Morris Udeze. Then there will be Duane Washington Jr., a savvy combo guard most valued for his scoring. The nephew of Derek Fisher, Washington Jr. recently relocated to the West Coast for his senior year, though his family remains in the Detroit area.
Finally, Eric Hunter, a 6-foot-3 lead guard from Indianapolis, will take in the Big Ten program this weekend. Hunter is a Rivals150 guard who will visit Minnesota by the end of the month and is coming off his first official visit to Purdue.
OTHER KEY VISITS
Iowa: Trey Phipps, Bryce Thompson
Michigan: Noah Locke, D.J. Carton
Nebraska: Nate Roberts, Xavier Johnson
Penn State: Jack Clark, Adrien Nunez, Casey Morsell, Eric Dixon
BIG 12: WEST VIRGINIA
The Mountaineers already hold two commitments from class of 2018 prospects in Rivals150 guard Jordan McCabe and big man Derek Culver. They would love to add another to the frontcourt alongside Culver and this weekend, the Big 12 program welcomes two imposing big men.
Andrew Gordon, a junior college center from Northwest Florida, will check in on Bob Huggins’ program. He visited Wichita State to kick off the month, and he brings size and a rebounding presence to the paint. Jermaine Harris, a Rivals150 forward, will join Gordon. Rhode Island, Xavier, Kansas and Miami round out Harris' top five, though it says here that the Mountaineers sit in a good spot for him.
A commitment is not expected this weekend from either big man, but both would be viewed as an immediate contributor next season with the Mountaineers.
OTHER KEY VISITS
Oklahoma: Tyreek Smith, Samuell Williamson, Jameson Richardson, Dayton Holman, Rondel Walker
PAC-12: USC
USC is playing major catchup with five-star guard Ayo Dosunmu, but getting the Chicago native on campus does help. Illinois and Xavier remain the programs to beat as Dosunmu heads to the West Coast for his first official visit.
However, the Trojans' coaching staff will have some help as all three of its Rivals150 commits, Kevin Porter, J’Raan Brooks and Taeshon Cherry, will be joining Dosunmu for their own official visit. There is a giant need for the Pac-12 bunch at the point guard position this recruiting cycle; a potential commitment from Dosunmu would establish USC's recruiting class as one of the best nationally.
Four other Rivals150 prospects from the 2019 class will also visit USC this weekend. The Trojans remain in a good spot with Cassius Stanley, a five-star junior wing, and continue to gain traction with five-star center Carl Lewis and high-flying scoring guard PJ Fuller. Also in town will be Rivals150 wing Emmanuel Taban and his summer teammate D'Maurian Williams. Taban and Williams will also see UCLA and Pepperdine during the weekend.
OTHER KEY VISITS
SEC: Florida
Florida was set to host its top lead guard target in the 2018 class last weekend, Devon Dotson, until Hurricane Irma changed the Gators’ plans. Now that everything is running at full throttle and as the football program prepares to host nationally ranked Tennessee, Mike White and his staff will not be short for elite, priority recruits on campus.
Dotson will finally get the chance to visit Gainesville, and with a good weekend in the Sunshine State, the Gators might be able to end the recruitment of the tough-nosed and talented five-star guard.
Additionally, Elijah Weaver will make the short trek over from his Tampa abode. Florida wants two guards this fall; the thought of a Weaver-Dotson backcourt should make Gators fans salivate.
Colin Castleton, just like Weaver, will stay in-state this weekend, and the Gators are a favorite; Castleton could be on commitment watch.
A surprise weekend visitor for the Gators is Khavon Moore, a 6-foot-8 wing that has kept his recruitment close to vest. However, White's program should be viewed as a favorite.
Deuce Dean, a member of the 2019 class, will make the trip to Florida on Saturday as he will be joined by top-50 2020 wing BJ Boston. Expect the Gators to celebrate at least one commitment from a weekend visitor by the time next weekend rolls around.
OTHER KEY VISITS
Arkansas: Reggie Chaney, Jordan Phillips
Georgia: Will Richardson, Marcus Watson
Kentucky: Immanuel Quickley, Keldon Johnson
