Tiller ready to start visits

After winning a state championship last season at Wheeler High School in Marietta, Ga., John Tiller is looking to pick up another ring and more scholarship offers and opportunities to play at the next level. At an open gym on Tuesday night, he certainly helped himself out with his strong play. Just hours before hitting the hardwood, he met with the coaching staff from a Conference USA school.

Tiller was the top player at the open gym as he played strong on both ends of the floor, defending exceptionally well and finishing at and above the rim. Tiller will be a key figure in Wheeler's run back to the state title game. The coaches in attendance liked what they saw from the three-star prospect.

The coaching staff from Rice University had to be happy with what they saw. They conducted an in-home visit with Tiller before the open gym. Tiller will head to Houston this weekend and visit the Owls on his first official trip.

"I've never been on a visit so I'm excited," Tiller said. "He was just describing the academic situation out there and the playing time situation if I went out there."

Also watching on Tuesday was UAB, who made an in-home visit on Saturday. Tulane next Wednesday. The Green Wave had an official visit on the docket with Tiller but due to Hurricane Katrina, that trip is now off.

"I talk to them here and there. They are now at Texas A&M," Tiller said of Dave Dickerson's club. "That just puts another aspect in me thinking about where I want to go. Location will have a lot to do with it."

Also involved is Texas A&M and Virginia Tech. But he said he's still holding onto the idea that he'll sign in April instead of November.

"I just want to wait until the season ends and see how things are then," Tiller said. "I'll pretty much wait to sign."