Corey Evans - Reprint from Rivals.com
The college football season continues to heat up, and with it, college basketball programs will begin to use the heightened platform to host their top targets. Just like last week, we will examine the most important slate of visits in each power league and also take a stab at who might commit in this week’s conference rundown.
ACC: LOUISVILLE
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Louisville has a desperate need in the frontcourt in the 2018 class, and while it did nab the transfer commitment of former UConn big man
in the summer, the Cardinals are in the hunt for one more this fall.
They hosted
, a five-star center, for his first official visit two weeks ago, and this weekend, Rick Pitino and his staff will welcome Rivals150 forward
. LSU, Xavier, Ohio State and UNC remain in contention, though Louisville remains the leader in the clubhouse for him. A commitment from Days is not imminent, but this weekend’s trip to Louisville could put the Cards further out in front.
There is word that
, the top available wing in the 2018 class, will be on hand Saturday. The Cardinals remain the favorite and getting him back onto campus does not hurt their cause.
Another to keep an eye on is
, who, just like Days, calls Florida home. He's another prospect for whom the Cardinals remain the favorite.
, a local product and one of the best scoring wings in the 2019 class, will be on hand Saturday for an unofficial visit.
OTHER KEY VISITS
Duke:
, ,
BIG EAST: XAVIER
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Unlike last year when it struck early and often, Xavier has just one commitment in hand, from local center
. That is due to change within the coming weeks and hopefully for Xavier fans, it will happen this weekend.
Four key targets hit their campus, the most important being
. A 6-foot-2 scoring guard and member of the Rivals150, Muhammad is the epitome of tough. He has the chance to evolve into an all-league defender, though the competition for his commitment is fierce - Ohio State, West Virginia, St. John’s and Virginia remain heavily in the mix.BIG TEN: OHIO STATE
FIBA
Ohio State football fell flat on its face last week, but the basketball program continues to draw some of the best 2018 talent to its campus. This basketball recruiting weekend will be no different, as four key targets visit Columbus.
Finally,
, a 6-foot-3 lead guard from Indianapolis, will take in the Big Ten program this weekend. Hunter is a Rivals150 guard who will visit Minnesota by the end of the month and is coming off his first official visit to Purdue.
OTHER KEY VISITS
Iowa: Trey Phipps,
,
,
Penn State: Jack Clark, Adrien Nunez,
,
BIG 12: WEST VIRGINIA
Kelly Kline/Under Armour
The Mountaineers already hold two commitments from class of 2018 prospects in Rivals150 guard
and big man
. They would love to add another to the frontcourt alongside Culver and this weekend, the Big 12 program welcomes two imposing big men.
Andrew Gordon, a junior college center from Northwest Florida, will check in on Bob Huggins’ program. He visited Wichita State to kick off the month, and he brings size and a rebounding presence to the paint.
, a Rivals150 forward, will join Gordon. Rhode Island, Xavier, Kansas and Miami round out Harris' top five, though it says here that the Mountaineers sit in a good spot for him.
A commitment is not expected this weekend from either big man, but both would be viewed as an immediate contributor next season with the Mountaineers.
OTHER KEY VISITS
,
, Jameson Richardson, Dayton Holman,
TCU:
,
,
PAC-12: USC
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USC is playing major catchup with five-star guard
, but getting the Chicago native on campus does help. Illinois and Xavier remain the programs to beat as Dosunmu heads to the West Coast for his first official visit.
However, the Trojans' coaching staff will have some help as all three of its Rivals150 commits,
,
and
, will be joining Dosunmu for their own official visit. There is a giant need for the Pac-12 bunch at the point guard position this recruiting cycle; a potential commitment from Dosunmu would establish USC's recruiting class as one of the best nationally.
Three other Rivals150 prospects from the 2019 class will also visit USC this weekend. The Trojans remain in a good spot with
, a five-star junior wing, and continue to gain traction with five-star center
and high-flying scoring guard
.
OTHER KEY VISITS
Utah:
,
SEC: Florida
Nick Lucero/Rivals.com
Florida was set to host its top lead guard target in the 2018 class last weekend,
, until Hurricane Irma changed the Gators’ plans. Now that everything is running at full throttle and as the football program prepares to host nationally ranked Tennessee, Mike White and his staff will not be short for elite, priority recruits on campus.
Dotson will finally get the chance to visit Gainesville, and with a good weekend in the Sunshine State, the Gators might be able to end the recruitment of the tough-nosed and talented five-star guard.
Additionally,
will make the short trek over from his Tampa abode. Florida wants two guards this fall; the thought of a Weaver-Dotson backcourt should make Gators fans salivate.
A surprise weekend visitor for the Gators is
, a 6-foot-8 wing that has kept his recruitment close to vest. However, White's program should be viewed as a favorite.
A final Rivals150 product,
, a member of the 2019 class, will make the trip to Florida on Saturday. Expect the Gators to celebrate at least one commitment from a weekend visitor by the time next weekend rolls around.
OTHER KEY VISITS
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