SEC Notebook

Recruiting updates on some Southeastern Conference Schools:

It appears that Rashad Anderson (right) is still committed to the University of Connecticut. Anderson, a high scoring 6-5, 205 pound shooting guard from Kathleen H.S. in Lakeland, Fla., told Rivalshoops.com’s Russ Blake last night that he is committed to UCONN. However, he also indicated he wanted to keep his options open slightly.

Florida has not given up on Anderson and Rashad’s family has not closed the door yet on Billy Donovan. Anderson has also show prior interest in Alabama and Tennessee. But it appears the top two schools right now are UCONN and Florida.

Auburn:

Auburn basketball fans have a lot to look forward to when Terry Licorish, the outstanding forward, joins them next season. Licorish is a multi-talented player who can rough you up in the low post or from the perimeter. He played with Mount Zion Christian Academy last year and averaged almost 20 points and 11 rebounds per game.

Here's some news that just came in over the past week. Lonnie Jackson (left), a 6-8, 190 pound power forward/center at Okaloosa-Walton Community College in Niceville, FL, has committed to Mississippi. Jackson, a freshman at OWCC, was a qualifier out of Carver High School in Montgomery, AL, will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Arkansas:

One of the more intriguing prospects to verbal in the SEC is Rashard Sullivan, a 6-9, 220-pound forward from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Florida. He committed to Coach Nolan Richardson and the Arkansas program back on September 18th.

His coach, St. Thomas Aquinas leader Steve Strand, is sold on the future of this big man. “Rashard is extremely athletic, runs the floor and rebounds and shot blocks like a madman. He has good low post skills on offense. He fits the Arkansas style very well."

Nolan Richardson has always done a good job of developing players like Sullivan, who should learn a lot from one of the great college basketball head coaches. What Sullivan needs to do with that great amount of energy and athletic ability is to transform it into more production. Strand has done an excellent job so far with Sullivan. Give Rashard a couple of years and he is likely to be an all SEC player by the time he finishes up on the college level.

Alabama is awaiting the decision from Julian Terrell (right), a 6-9, 220 pound power forward from the Ezell-Harding Christian School in Antioch, Tenn.. Terrell plans to announce his college choice at a Thursday afternoon press conference. Terrell told the Rivalshoops.com that he will either pick Alabama or Vanderbilt at the press conference, which is tentatively scheduled for noon C.S.T. at Ezell-Harding. As of today, the press conference is still on.

What is surprising is that Terrell said he still needs to speak to his mom more to make a decision. You would have to believe that Terrell has a school in mind but isn’t willing to share it with the public. It’s likely the race is so close that it could change depending upon how Julian’s sitdown with his mom on Wednesday night goes. Coaches involved in the recruiting process will probably be called Wednesday night with Terrell’s decision.

Vanderbilt:

Vanderbilt is in the same position as Alabama. Vanderbilt has been selling Terrell on the balance of academics and athletics. Terrell has been listening to that pitch with great interest. In fact, when we ask Julian to list the strengths of Vanderbilt, academics is the one particular area he has indicated as being of great interest. If Vanderbilt wins this recruiting race, it’s likely Terrell will focus on that as his main reason. *Caution: This doesn’t mean he has chosen Vanderbilt. We are just putting out a theory if he were to choose Vanderbilt.

As most Volunteer basketball fans know by now, John WinchesterClick Tennessee: Here to view this Link. (left), a 6-3, 165 pound shooting/combo guard who until recently was at the Bonner Academy in Raleigh, N.C. Winchester has decided to change schools.

It’s likely Winchester will land somewhere near his Connecticut home. Milford Academy has been mentioned as the next school for Winchester to attend but there is no firm word on this yet happening. Sources told us that Winchester took a trip back home only a week ago and felt a little homesick. This is the reason being given for his departure.

Winchester has now opened up his recruiting process. Tennessee is still high on his list. But he might take some visits in the near future. Winchester might even take a visit to Massachusetts very soon. We will keep you posted on this developing story.

Kentucky:

A quick review of the Kentucky class is one with good marks. Brandon Stockton is a player who can score but it remains to be seen how much of an early impact he will have. Forward Bernard Cote has some nice size but his game is still developing. The player who is ready to make an impact is Antwain Barbour, a talented 6-5, 190 pound shooting guard from Wabash Valley J.C. in Mt. Carmel, Ill. A big part of Barbour’s decision was that his mom is only 80 miles away from Lexington. This was a big victory for Kentucky who outlasted Indiana, UNLV, and Cincinnati.

The tough part for Tubby Smith is about to come though. If Barbour has a great sophomore campaign, the temptation of jumping to the NBA is likely to be there.

Antwain can play a lot of different positions, and being a little bit bigger (6-5), he has a little bit of size to him, so he can play some three, but he can also play some point. It’s because of these reasons why the NBA scouts will look at him this winter.

*Again, a red flag here. This is not to say he won’t be at Kentucky. But it’s likely that Barbour will get some looks from scouts in the NBA.

There has been some speculation on the internet that Kei Madison, a forward, may be interested in speaking to the coaching staff of Indiana. The Hoosiers recently lost a tough recruiting battle for Sean May. North Carolina was able to land him. We have not confirmed this internet message board rumor.

One of our favorite players to watch this past summer was Steve Cowherd (right), a 6-2 point guard from Stoneman Douglass High School in Florida. Cowherd had a very good summer. He put on several brilliant displays at the National AAU tournament in Orlando, Florida. He has floor smarts, great court vision, and can also score. He will be one of the favorite players for Mississippi State fans in the future.

Put in the mix a player like Brandon Vincent, a 6-8, 230 pound power forward from Okaloosa-Walton C.C. in Niceville, Fla, and this is a very good recruiting class.

Vincent enjoyed a strong freshman season for the Raiders, who copped the Region VIII crown last March and paid a visit to the NJCAA Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan. Last season for O-W, Vincent averaged 8.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, shooting a meaty 54 percent from the floor

South Carolina & Georgia:

One of the bigger sleepers to emerge from last month's Charlie Weber Tournament, 6-6, 203 pound swingman Chad McKenzie of Richland Northeast H.S. in Columbia, S.C., has decided to sign in the spring.

McKenzie told the Rivalshoops.com that he has had contact this fall with N.C. State, Georgia Tech, Clemson, Virginia Tech, Georgia, South Carolina and UNC-Wilmington.

McKenzie turned in a number of sharp performances last month at the Charlie Weber Tournament with the TOPPs Sports squad. He attacks the basket with great success and plays with a high degree of intensity.

McKenzie averaged 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, one steal and three blocks per game as a junior at Richland Northeast. On top of being a solid basketball prospect, McKenzie is also a decent student. He said he carries a 3.0 GPA and has scored close to 1000 on the SAT.

Rivalshoops.com will keep you posted on McKenzie's recruitment throughout the winter, so stay tuned.

Tomorrow: The Big 10 Basketball Recruiting Notebook