Is It Basketball Season Yet?

The Cincinnati BUNGLES have ruined another NFL season for me. I can't wait for college basketball to get under way!

Again anybody who has not read 'Xavier Tales' needs to do so. Very nice book by Michael Perry.

XU has an updated floor most people know but they have also updated the HOF inside Cintas Center with some more pictures of JPosey and the NBA title with the Celtics uni on and new DWest shoes and jersey. West is about a size 17 at minimum. Ugle sneaks too IMO.

Chris Braswell visited Bloomington this weekend but the Hoosiers are at 14 players currently. Tom Crean reportedly has told Braswell to wait until spring to sign his LOI. These coaches are a rather scandalous bunch, always looking to upgrade. I have seen some video on this kid and he will remind you a bit of DWest. Now I am not comparing him to #30 just saying he has shades of his game which are similar. Charlotte is hot on his trail and Maryland was courting him as well. He is in the Rivals top 100 and decommitted from Georgetown last season. FWIW I think Sean and company should focus on landing the Russian at IMG academy. Having a 6'11" PF to play alongside Frease down the line would spell trouble for most A10 teams.

Aldridge Dismissed from 'Cats

It has become clear why Nick Aldridge was dismissed from the 'Cats. This morning's edition of the Enquirer said he was busted trafficking in drugs. WTF?! He could have been a contributor when he became eligible in December and was a solid player. Looks like he has screwed himself out of a decent future for the time being. Hopefully he will get it together.

Also big time recruit Jordan Sibert out of Princeton has committed to the Buckeyes. He was on a visit this weekend and took in the OSU-Troy game. Matta continues to get the best of the best out of the state of Ohio and I would not be suprised if he lands '10 recruit out of Dayton named Adriean Payne. That would make the sky fall in Cryerland.

Parrom to X

Kevin Parrom has committed to X on his official visit this weekend. He is rated #84 overall in the Rivals top 150 and is a small forward. I have read think Justin Cage with a jumpshot. He is a 6-6 200 pound player from NYC (go Book!) who has transferred to South Kent Prep (CT) after an incident with coach Orlando Antigua at St. Raymonds. 'Incident' meaning punched him in the face but no charges were filed and Omari Lawrence also transferred from St. Raymonds. At one time many thought Lawrence and Parrom were to be a package deal but that obviously is not the case. We also have Chris Braswell a 6-8 PF who de-committed from Georgetown last season on campus this weekend. He is rated #78 overall and if we could snare him this weekend as well we would be more than happy to have two top 100 players in the fold for 09-10. IF DBrown leaves after this season we would have a third scholly available. Nice get coach Miller and staff on Parrom and there is a load of PT available at the small forward spot next season.

McElroy to BG

Danny McElroy (one time UC commit) has decided to play college basketball at Bowling Green State University. We have also seen local players Orlando Williams (Princeton) and Allen Roberts (Middletown) committ to Miami (OH) and today I read Marquis Horne (team mate of Williams) signed with former XU asst. John Groce at Ohio University. Overall I think the talent level is down in the '09 class for Ohio high school basketball but as you can see there are still plenty of 'mid major' targets out there. I will be interested to see where Bill Edwards Jr. signs. His dad was a beast at Wright State but at 6-5 240 there is some questions were 'Jr' would play position wise at the collegiate level.

Update 9/5

It has been awhile since I posted here so I thought I would give a couple quick updates:

-Chris Braswell (ranked #84 in Rivals) is a power forward from Maryland who will be on campus with Kevin Parrom next weekend. I feel there is a commitment to be had by both. Ari Stewart is leaning more towards Oregon and I am sure Ernie Kent will have him talk to Churchill Odia while he is on their campus.

-Drew Lavender and Anthony Myles (after an All Star season in China Pro League) will be teaming up for Hyeres Toulon Var Basket of the French Pro A League this season. Duncan plays for Elan Bearnais Pau-Orthez with former Oklahoma State player JamesOn Curry and Justin Doellman will be playing another season for Besancon Basket Comte Doubs. You have to love the names of these teams. And it is good to see some former Muskies making good coin at the pro game. Stan will be playing in Bosnia and Romain will be joining the Italian team he helped win the championship with in the Premier EuroLeague. I have heard coach Miller said Romain can make far more money playing across the pond than he could being the 13th man on some NBA roster.

-The schedule needs to be applauded in my mind. We should have some bumps early on with our young guards but by the time conference play rolls around I feel we should be hitting on all cylinders.

-Adrion Graves did end up transferring to Bowling Green. He reportedly also had offers from Toledo and Detroit Mercy.