BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: RUTGERS

February 8, 2008


VERBAL COMMITMENT ALERT: Dane Miller, (F) Rush-Henrietta HS (NY)



Projected 2008-2009 Roster:


SENIORS: Anthony Farmer (PG), Jaron Griffin (G/F), JR Inman (F), Courtney Nelson (PG)
JUNIORS: Hamady N'Diaye (C)
SOPHOMORES: Corey Chandler (G), Justin Sofman (G), Earl Pettis (G), Mike Cobourn (PG)
FRESHMEN: Mike Rosario (G), Christian Morris (C), Patrick Jackson (SF)
EARLY 2009 COMMITMENT: Dane Miller (F)


Fred Hill and staff have landed a commitment in the class of 2009 when Dane Miller of Rochester, NY decided to pledge to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights program. Hill, Rutgers Land Big-time Recruit (Home News Tribune) from an area that Syracuse has long dominated for recruits.

-
Read More...Click 'Read More' Below!!!

-



Versatile forward Dane Miller hopes to start a trend by committing to Rutgers. The 6'6 forward as been his area's top college prospect for a few years and is having a big season for Rush-Henrietta High School, averaging 21 ppg, 17 rebounds and 4 blocks a game. Miller has long been on the Big East radar and Syracuse has followed his development closely, however the Orange seem pretty full at the forward position, opening up Miller's recruitment. Providence, Cincinnati and St. John's were also heavily involved among the Big East schools, but Rutgers was the one showing him the most attention as a priority in their class.

Miller is a very good athlete than can play inside or out. He is just 6'6, so his success at the college level will be determined by his ability to transition fully on the wing. He is a solid ballhandler and passer for a big man, but the wing skills still need to develop to be a full time small forward in the Big East. Still, only a junior, so he will have plenty of time to work on his skill development. There is a lot to work with here and the potential to be a quality Big East player is very evident.

Rutgers is likely not done in the class of 2008, either. The still have one scholarship open anre in definite need of a power forward. The Knights lost out late in their attempts to land Quintrell Thomas and Dwight Miller, so the power forward position will likely be addressed this spring.

I expect Fred Hill and staff to leave no stone unturned this spring while trying to add help at the power forward position. The off-again, on-again recruitment of Marvel Waithe could be re-opened as well as a look into the JUCO ranks. From the perspective of balancing classes, a JUCO could be a wise direction as Hamady N'Diaye would be the only other junior on the roster and the pickings in the high school class of 2008 is very slim.

The rest of the 2008 class is solid, led by St. Anthony's (NJ) guard Michael Rosario who is rumored to be headed to the McDonald's All-American Game. Rosario is joined by Boys & Girls (NYC) HS small forward Patrick Jackson and NYC big man Christian Morris.

With Miller on board for 2009, and likely three more scholarships left after adding a big man this spring, St. Benedict center Gregory Echenique, St. Anthony guard Dominic Cheek and St. Raymond (N.Y.) swingman Kevin Parrom believed to be among the top targets of the Scarlet Knights. Parrom plays a position similar to Miller and Echenique has Duke on his mind. Cheek is definitely looking to stay close to home, but Rutgers would have to pass Villanova and Seton Hall in the pecking order to land him of the local schools in consideration.

Other 2009 early targets include guards Justin Crosgile of DePaul Catholic (NJ), Russell Smith of Archbishop Molloy (NYC) and Durand Scott of Rice HS (NYC). Wings Paris Bennett of St. Patrick (NJ), Sherrod Wright of Mt. Vernon (NY) and Brian Oliver of Oak Hill Academy have been followed closely by RU. Big men, David Bruce of Linden (NJ), James Padgett of Lincoln HS (NYC) and Dan Jennings of Oak Hill are also hearing a lot from the Rutgers staff.

Fred Hill and his staff have a lot of good contacts in the NYC/NJ area and there is a lot of talent there to land. Rutgers is, piece by piece, laying a foundation for their future. Pieces like Mike Coburn, Corey Chandler and Mike Rosario seem to have the ball rolling, now they need to address their frontline.