BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: LOUISVILLE

October 15, 2007

VERBAL COMMITMENT ALERTS: Terrence Jennings, 6'10 C from Notre Dame Prep and Kyle Kuric, 6'5 G/F from Evansville (IN).


Projected 2008-2009 Roster


Seniors: Andre McGee (PG), Terrence Williams (SF)
Juniors: Edgar Sosa (G), Jerry Smith (G), Derrick Caracter (BF), Earl Clark (G/F), Reginald Delk (G)
Sophomores: George Goode (F), Preston Knowles (G)
Freshmen: Melquan Bolding (G), Samardo Samuels (BF/C), Terrence Jennings (C), Kyle Kuric (G/F), Clarence Holloway (C)


It was a BUSY weekend at Louisville as Kyle Kuric Decided he Will Play Hoops at U of L (Louisville Courier-Journal) and Terrence Jennings, a Top 15 Prospect in 2008, Commits to Cards (Louisville Courier-Journal) while on campus to celebrate Midnight Madness festivities.



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It certainly has been a busy, busy time to follow Louisville recruiting the last several months. For the class of 2008 we have seen Rick Pitino seal commitments from Martez Walker, Jeff Withey, Melquan Bolding, Samardo Samuels and now Kyle Kuric and Terrence Jennings. Walker and Withey subsequently de-committed, as did an early 2009 commitment, Lamont 'Mo Mo' Jones, but Rick Pitino marches on and has his sights set firmly on the big prize in the class of 2008, Tyreke Evans.

The 6'10 Jennings recently created a stir when he de-committed from Maryland and his sudden departure from Mt. Zion Prep School as well. After settling in at Notre Dame Prep, Jennings said he wanted to look around and visit some schools. Rumors persisted that Louisville was a major player, but the Jennings camp had a list of schools they were interested in and Louisville was not among them. However, a few short weeks later, Jennings visits Louisville for Midnight Madness and commits on his first visit since backing out on his Maryland verbal.

Jennings joins Samardo Samuels and thr redshirting Clarency Holloway to give the Cardinals a HUGE trio of freshmen for the 2008-2009 season. Jennings is the player with tremendous upside as he is a gifted athelte at 6'10. He runs the floor extremely well and can use that athletic ability to blog shots and hit the offensive boards. He needs to gain strength to be more of a consistent force on the defensive end and posting up, but he is also developing more game away from the hoop. Since he was orgininally part of the 2006 class, Jennings is slightly older than most of his peers in the class of 2008, so you would have liked to see him begin to fill out a little more by this time.

Coming into Louisville with much less hype is Kyle Kuric. The 6'5 G/F from Reitz Memorial out of Evansville (IN) has been a big time scorer on the high school and AAU levels, putting up over 25 PPG last season as a junior. Everyone knew Kuric could dial it in from long range, however his ability to slash to the hoop this summer impressed many onlookers and saw his recruitment take off. He was still a priority target for many of the best mid-major schools in the country (Southern Illinois, Bradley, Butler, etc) and schools like Duke, Louisville and Michigan were showing significant interest as well. Louisville first approached Kuric about being an invited walk-on with a promise of a future scholarship. The fact he was seriously considering that offer over some impressive scholarship offers showed how much he liked Louisville. When the Cards and coach Rick Pitino came back with a full ride for 2008 in August, it seemed like only a matter of time before Kuric would pull the trigger. After narrowing it down between Southern Illinois and Louisville, Kuric made a trip to Louisville last weekend and gave the Cards a verbal commitment in person.

Jennings and Kuric join Bolding and Samuels in the incoming class for 2008. Again, on paper, Rick Pitino has 'over-recruited' the class with 14 scholarships currently distributed. Rumors have come out that senior Terrence Farley could redshirt this season as he is behind David Padgett and Derrick Caracter on the depth chart this year. Farley has looked really good this Fall, but a knee injury to Juan Palacios might spell an immediate need for his services if. Of course, the injury to Palacios also could bring the possibility of a medical redshirt for him if his recovery lasts longer than the initial prognosis of up to six weeks.

As with any talented Louisville team, there are possibilities for early departures for the NBA. Rumors in New Jersey insist that Caracter and Earl Clark, both sophomores, will aggressively look into the 2008 NBA Draft. Strong seasons by Edgar Sosa and Terrence Williams could also have them testing the waters. Also, since Pitino has been at Louisville, players trasnferring out of the program is also a common practice with all the talent he brings in annually.

As we head towards the early signing period, the attention will remain on Louisville's recruitment of Tyreke Evans, who is also being courted aggressively by Villanova, Memphis, Seton Hall, UConn and Texas. Many believe Louisville has been the leader for a long time and that has not changed to this point. However, until he actually signs the LOI, this recruitment is not over. We will continue to follow the potential twists and turns to the end in the Evans saga.