Crittle has leader, others trying to make a move

Josh Crittle, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound power forward from Chicago (Ill.) Hales Franciscan, has a leader and a couple of other programs are close behind. The three-star big man is hoping to find some answers in the fall before he makes his decision.

Crittle said he has an official visit set up with Kansas State on Sept. 15 and Oregon on Sept. 29. Marquette and Southern Illinois will also likely get official visits in the fall but dates have yet to be set up, he said. Crittle has been to Marquette before unofficially and has an in-home visit with head coach Tom Crean on Sept. 10.

Marquette is atop his list, Crittle says, but Oregon has made a strong push of late. Crittle's Mean Streets AAU teammates Matt Humphrey (also Hales Franciscan teammate) and Mike Dunigan committed to Oregon in July.

"At first there was a misunderstanding with Oregon because they thought that I didn't want to go to school with Mike. But that doesn't really matter to me because I've been playing with him for the last three years.

"It gives them a little bit of an advantage (having both committed) but Marquette is still the leader right now. But Oregon is right behind them," Crittle said. "I just love coach Crean and I love the environment up there. The location of the school is a plus."

Even with a leader, Crittle said he is looking forward to seeing some new schools and he hopes to answer some important questions when he hits the road.

"After I take all of my visits, I'll make my decision," Crittle said. "Do they have the coaching staff and the facilities that are going to help me get to the next level and give me a good education? That's the big question that I'm trying to ask and answer."