No surprises as signing period opensWritten by: noreply@blogger.com (Tim Blair)As expected Marquette today announced that junior college standout Jae Crowder and Philadelphia prep star D.J. Newbill signed their letters of intent with the university.
Crowder, a dead-ringer for Denver Nuggets forward Rolando Balkman, fills the program's most immediate need -- replacing Lazar Hayward. At 6'6" and 220 pounds, Crowder figures to step into the Warriors' rotation and contribute immediately. Todd Rosiak delivered a terrific feature on Crowder earlier today (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/90816919.html). The official Marquette news release can be found here (http://www.gomarquette.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/041410aaa.html).
D.J. Newbill also formally signed with MU today after verbally committing in January. The official Marquette news release can be found here (http://www.gomarquette.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/041410aab.html). Newbill will join a talented group of freshmen guards this fall -- Vander Blue, Reggie Smith and Jamail Jones.
....Now things get interesting for Buzz Williams. By all accounts Williams and his staff are aggressively recruiting a number of talented players, one or two of whom could be on campus this fall. Among the names floating around --
- Former N.C. State commit Luke Cothron, a 6'8" forward. Cothron is thought to be a Crimson Tide lean but is considering MU along with Auburn, UConn and Tennessee (http://www.allkyhoops.com/2010/04/luke-cothron-no-longer-considering.html).
- 6'8" Davante Gardner (Kings Fork HS, Virginia) is reportedly deciding between MU and USF (http://blogs.tampabay.com/usf/2010/04/jones-tells-heath-hes-leaving-for-nba-draft.html).
- 6'11" Wake Forest signee Carson Desrosiers might be back on the market (http://blog.northstarbball.com/2010/04/11/carson-desrosiers-waiting-it-out.aspx). The Massachusetts product signed with Wake over MU and others during the early signing period and speculation abounds that he might re-open his recruiting pending a review of the Demon Deacons' new head coach Jeff Bzdelik.
- 6'10" Gorgui Dieng will visit Marquette and Colorado (http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20100410/DERBYFUN03/304120001/1002/sports/Derby+Festival+Classic+%7C+More+than+6+000+fans+watch+future+basketball+stars+from+Kentucky++Louisville). The Senegal native is also considering Louisville.
- 6'9" Reggie Murphy from Los Angeles (http://california.scout.com/2/958019.html) is said to be considering TCU, Oklahoma and MU with the Horned Frogs in good position to land him.
- 6'4" guard Patrick Swilling apparently did not sign today and he was very interested in Marquette several weeks ago (http://usc.scout.com/2/956656.html).
- Josh Langford, linked to Marquette after de-committing from Louisville, appears to have moved onto other suitors. (http://mississippi.scout.com/2/959826.html)
I'm sure there are many other kids in play for Marquette with nearly a month to go in the spring signing period. Of course, as constituted the Warriors are full-up on the scholarship front for next season (http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?page=8) so if Buzz is out recruiting, somebody is on their way out.
http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2010/04/no-surprises-as-signing-period-opens.html
All I can find on Swilling is that he is a 2 sport athlete, and by what I am reading is focusing on football. Is this the same guy?