Decision day in NYC

When Steve Lavin and Mike Rice took over the St. John's and Rutgers programs, they each knew that they had their work cut out for them. Tuesday night, each of them is expected to pick up a big piece of the puzzle they'll need to turn things around when Maurice Harkless and Kadeem Jack announce their decisions on the MSG network.

While he's made the news for making inroads with players from across the country, there's nobody that Lavin spent more time following than Harkless. Currently rated the 45th best player in the land, the 6-foot-6 small forward couldn't turn around during the month of July without seeing Lavin (often with an assistant or two) staring him down.

Now, several sources are confirming that Lavin's diligence will be rewarded with a verbal from Harkless. Harkless will do a year of prep school at South Kent (Conn.) Prep this year.

Moving down into New Jersey, sources are also confirming that Mike Rice and his staff will be awarded a verbal commitment from the 6-foot-9 Jack who is currently ranked #33 in the nation.

An athletic insider who will also prep at South Kent, Jack is a potential impact player on the interior.