In this week’s Three-Point Play, Rivals analyst Corey Evans outlines the domino effect that the Gators put into play, a Hunter Dickinson recap and prediction, and some recent FutureCast selections.
Wednesday's Leftovers: Pitt, Iowa State, UNC, UConn, more
1. GATOR DOMINOES
What a string of days it has been for Florida. Two weeks ago, the Gators sat without a single 2020 commitment. Much has changed since then, thanks to commitments from junior college standout Osayi Osifo and Rivals150 seniors Niels Lane and Samson Ruzhentsev. While this run is obviously great for Florida, it has also caused a domino effect that has impacted the recruitment of three four-star prospects.
Moses Moody was expected to visit Gainesville last weekend, but once Mike White and his staff felt good about their chances with Lane, they decided to change plans. Instead, Moody will visit Arkansas next weekend and the Hogs are now in an even better position with the in-state star. Michigan and Oregon are also involved, and keep an eye on Virginia as well.
I was oh-so-close to making a pick for Matthew Murrell two weeks ago in favor of the Gators but after landing Lane, Florida is all but out for the top-50 guard. Instead, Auburn, Ole Miss, Texas and Vanderbilt’s chances improve immensely. The Memphis native will visit Oxford this weekend and proximity could play a factor. However, if anyone can make a late run, it is Shaka Smart who will get have notched his final official visit date.
My FutureCast selection for P.J. Hall has been Florida for some time now but by taking Ruzhentsev, it looks as if the Gators are full in the frontcourt. Four finalists now remain for Hall, but his recruitment will ultimately come down to Clemson and Virginia Tech. He will visit Blacksburg this weekend.
2. HUNTER DICKINSON UPDATE
I find the recruitment of Hunter Dickinson one of the more intriguing ones this fall. His recruitment seems like it has taken eight years, and college interest has never been in short supply. Dickinson visited Notre Dame and Purdue over a year ago officially, and then visited Louisville this spring, and it felt as if a college choice was near.
The Boilermakers garnered most of the talk until a slew of others including Florida State, Michigan, Providence and then Duke all became involved. To the surprise to most, not only will Dickinson not attend Purdue, but the Boilermakers didn’t even make his final school list.
That is where we sit today with Duke, Florida State, Michigan and Notre Dame vying for his signature. He will visit South Bend again this weekend before heading to Durham the following weekend.
I would expect a college decision by early November. The Blue Devils have the momentum, but could the Nov. 1 commitment from Mark Williams - he is expected to choose Duke - push Dickinson elsewhere? Possibly, which is why the Wolverines may be the team to watch as things finally wind down.
3. FUTURECAST SELECTIONS
I am asked quite frequently why I select a certain school on the FutureCast for a specific player, which is why I wanted to explain five of my most recent predictions for members of the Rivals150.
I changed Gethro Muscadin from Texas Tech to Kansas. I thought for a long time that he was Lubbock-bound but, despite the recent penalties cast down upon KU, Muscadin seems to be favoring the Jayhawks. He could visit Louisville one last time before deciding, but momentum is definitely on the side of Kansas.
Daivion Bradford to Kansas State. I didn’t have a great feel on the bruising center for a while, but my intel says Bradford is Manhattan-bound.
Jamal Mashburn to Minnesota. Rick Pitino coached his father so it would only be right if son tutored son. Mashburn is also considering Cal and Wake Forest, but it looks like the Gophers are out in front with a decision set for Oct. 14.
Jaylin Williams from Oklahoma State to Arkansas. No one has recruited Williams longer than Mike Boynton and Williams' string of visits to Stillwater proves that. However, that distance will ultimately play a role in Williams' recruitment and work in Arkansas' favor.
Scottie Barnes from Oregon to Florida State. I am going against the grain here because many think that Barnes is a done-deal for the Ducks. I think Barnes will stay in his home state and play for Leonard Hamilton.
