Conference Call: Last giant visit weekend set to begin
The last giant weekend for visits is set to commence as the 2018 recruiting class becomes clearer by the day. In this week’s conference rundown, we divulge on the most crucial visits per power conference as Duke, Arizona and Indiana have been awaiting the next string of days all summer long as they host top targets for official visits.
MORE: Five-star Ayo Dosunmo commits to Illinois | Arizona hit with decommit
ACC: DUKE
Duke will host its top frontcourt target this weekend, the famed Zion Williamson. The five-star has already been to Kansas and Kentucky and while most of the talk has centered around those two programs as likely landing spots, the Blue Devils should not be discounted in the race for the five-star sensation. For its Countdown to Craziness event this weekend, the Blue Devils’ version of Midnight Madness, the program will be hosting other five-star talents including 2019 forwards Matt Hurt and Armando Bacot, along with top-five sophomores Isaiah Todd and R.J. Hampton.
Other Key Visits:
Notre Dame: Hunter Dickinson, Justin Moore, Dominiq Penn
Virginia Tech: Jon Kabongo, Aundre Hyatt, Kobe Langley, Keyshaun Langley, Au’Diese Toney, Bruce Guy
BIG EAST: MARQUETTE
Each year, Steve Wojciechowski seems to outdo himself on the recruiting trail. While it will be difficult to match what he and his staff did in 2017, this weekend could put Marquette's 2018 class over the top. Five-star scoring guard Quentin Grimes will head to Milwaukee for a weekend’s stay, a vital one for the Golden Eagles. Marquette hasn’t been thought of as a likely landing spot but the program has remained heavily in the mix and were a major presence during Grimes’ travel games this summer. Kansas and Texas remain the programs to beat, but the fact that Wojciechowski and his staff was able to get Grimes to spend an official visit on the program shows just how serious the Texan is about playing for the Big East crew.
BIG TEN: INDIANA
We talked at lengthy during this week’s Twitter Tuesday about the importance of this weekend for Indiana. While the Hoosiers have hosted Romeo Langford and Darius Garland numerous times for unofficial visits, this weekend will be the first-year staff’s chance to host the duo together for a 48-hour stay. Garland, a super skilled and talented lead guard, and Langford, one of the top scorers in the 2018 class, are two tremendous complementary pieces that would immediately infuse an extra layer of talent and upside into Indiana's program. While neither is expected to make a commitment before the end of the month, a strong few days in Bloomington could significantly boost IU’s chances. Three of Indiana's four 2018 commitments will be on campus this weekend hoping to help Archie Miller and staff in the recruiting efforts. Also heading to Hoosier Hysteria this weekend is four-star 2019 standouts Keion Brooks and Trayce Jackson-Davis.
Other Key Visits:
Penn State: Jared Rhoden, Myles Dread, Rasir Bolton, Tolu Jacobs, Dahmir Bishop, Seth Lundy, Mikeal Jones
BIG 12: TCU
No other power conference program boasts more 2018 commitments than TCU. Could the Horned Frogs add even further to their sparkling group this weekend? Jamie Dixon and his staff will do their very best as they bring in rugged and tough-nosed big man Reggie Chaney for an official visit. A 6-foot-8 prospect that can be used at either spots in the frontcourt, Chaney is one of the top rebounders in his class nationally. Chaney would help bolster the future TCU frontline and securing the commitment of one of the top in-state prospects would help from an optics standpoint, as well. TCU heads into the season with the chance to fight for a spot within the Big 12 upper echelon; Chaney’s commitment could solidify such a position for the years ahead.
PAC-12: ARIZONA
There haven’t been many positive stories about the Arizona basketball program since the FBI sting that saw assistant coach Book Richardson arrested on bribery charges. This weekend, the Wildcats will attempt to get back on proper ground with some standout class of 2019 and 2020 prospects. Josh Green, a top-50 junior guard, along with sophomores Nico Mannion, Josh Christopher and Jason Harris, all members of the Rivals150, will be in Tucson for the program’s Red-Blue Game. More importantly, Brandon Williams and Shareef O’Neal, two of Arizona’s class of 2018 commitments, will be officially visiting the program. Five-star guard Jahvon Quinerly decommitted Thursday and is implicated in the pay-for-play scheme involving Richardson. Where that leaves Williams and O'Neal remains to be seen.
Other Key Visits:
SEC: MISSISSIPPI STATE
Mississippi State doesn’t have much more of a need in the 2018 recruiting thanks to commitments of five-star forward Reggie Perry and Rivals150 wing D.J. Stewart. However, the Bulldogs have remained in the hunt for one more this fall as Jairus Hamilton would be the perfect prospect to complete what would be a top-25 recruiting class. A 6-foot-7 combo forward that can be used in a variety of capacities, Hamilton’s recruitment has been kept close to vest. Boston College and Maryland have already hosted the four-star forward for an official visit and Mississippi State will get its chance this weekend. The Terps remain the program to beat, though the Bulldogs have been one of the sneakier programs when it comes to securing big commitments under Ben Howland.
Other Key Visits: