Tomlinson has decision to make

The point guard position is quickly drying up as the early signing period approaches and one player that a handful of schools are looking at hard is Nate Tomlinson. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound point guard from Lee Academy (Me.) has one visit down and two more to go.

Tomlinson, a native of Australia, recently tripped to UNLV and a visit to Colorado this weekend is in the works. Saint Louis is also looking like a program that will host the three-star prospect, according to his coach Carl Parker. As the season approaches and the time to research more schools winds down, Parker said the trio is looking strong for the Aussie.

"He gets mail all the time but, to me, those are the only three that seem real, real, real serious," Parker said. "I would say (UNLV) recruited him the longest and the most serious but Colorado has been really serious as has Saint Louis so we'll see what happens."

Parker said SMU, Utah State and Wichita State are also looking hard at Tomlinson. Now comes a dilemma for the class of 2008 floor general. Sign in two weeks or wait until the spring?

"I'm not sure (what he'll do), to be honest," Parker said. "Since the signing period is coming up and he still wants to visit Saint Louis, I'd say he'll probably sign late. If he decides after the first two trips that one of those is where he wants to go, then he'd sign early probably. But if he wants to include Saint Louis or anyone else, he'll sign later.

"He knows basketball really well so I think when he gets out there on these visit that he's going to know when he's there if he gets along with the players and coaches. Nate is a pretty perceptive guy. He'll know if he can play with those guys or not. I know he really likes UNLV. I don't know if has ever met coach (Lon) Kruger (before his visit). I know that the coach from Colorado made an impact. He's been here twice and with his pro contacts, because he coached in the pros, obviously he's a very talented coach. He was successful with marginal talent at the Air Force so that is kind of intriguing too for Nate. I think after the visits, he'll have a feel. If he feels good one or another, he'll make a decision. If not, he'll wait."

Since returning to Lee Academy after a successful and productive summer with Australia's 19 and under national team, Parker said he's has seen a change in his point guard.

"He's stronger and now that it is his second year here he's much more confident because he feels like this is his team this year. He and the other returning player have taken ownership of the team and when you take ownership, you tend to play better. They've known me now for two years so they are thinking on the same wave length. We have a bunch of other new kids that are pretty talented and attitudes and approach is good."