Michael Chandler/courier-journal.comBy Paul Seaver (TheArenaPulse) Xavier was a double-overtime, heartbreaking loss from the Elite 8 last season and despite losing star guard Jordan Crawford to the NBA Draft, Chris Mack has a squad that can threaten atop the Atlantic-10, yet again.
As the season looms closer for Mack and the Musketeers, Xavier has continued to receive great news in terms of recruiting. Michael Chandler, one of the top centers from the class of 2011, verbally committed to Xavier this past weekend.
Xavier now boasts a strong, four-man class for next season, a class that already includes two ESPNU Top 100 prospects in Chandler and 6-foot-5 wing man Dezmine Wells. Chandler, considered as the fourth rated center in the class, has great size at 6-foot-10 with an increasing upside and the characteristics of a "true center."
The Indianapolis native chose the Musketeers over Providence, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Also over the weekend, Mack received word that one of the top prospects from the class of 2012, D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera had pledged an early commitment to Xavier. Smith-Rivera is the 29th ranked prospect among the class of 2012.
Aside from a stellar weekend for Mack and Xavier, numerous other commitments made their calls, here's a look at some of the other decisions:
Texas guard Kyan Anderson is headed to the Big East. The 5-foot-11 point guard has verbally committed to Providence following an official visit this past weekend. Anderson chose the Friars over Oklahoma, Ole Miss, USC, and Bradley.
North Texas head coach Johnny Jones has locked up his fifth commitment from the class of 2011. 6-foot-10 center Forrest Robinson chose the Mean Green over Houston, Texas Tech, Utah, Iowa State, and USC.
6-foot-4 California shooting guard Danny Cheek has verbally committed to Northern Arizona. Described as an explosive athlete, Cheek is the first prospect to chose the Lumberjacks for 2011.
Bruce English is the headed to the WCC. The California shooting guard out of Lutheran H.S. (CA) has verbally committed to Loyola Marymount.
5-foot-10 point guard Shaquille Boga has verbally committed to UW-Milwaukee. Boga, a guard out of the St. Louis area chose the Panthers over Missouri State, Bradley, Nebraska, and Wichita State.
Hargrave Military Academy (VA) prospect, Cory Hensley has verbally committed to Gardner-Webb. The 6-foot-8 power forward is described as a "face-up" four man who excels at the high post. Hensley chose Gardner-Webb over The Citadel, Campbell, and UMKC.
Morehead State has scored a commitment from 6-foot-8 power forward Jeff Drew. Drew joins Will Bailey as the second commit for the Eagles next season.
*Photo: Michael Chandler *Credit: courier-journal.com
For college basketball news and updates follow The Arena Pulse on Twitter (@TheArenaPulse)
Original Story:
http://thearenapulse.blogspot.com/201...
