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Wednesday, April 16, 2008

BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: CINCINNATI

April 16, 2008

COMMITMENT ALERT: Steven Toyloy, C/BF from Miami-Dade Community College

Mick Cronin and the Cincinnati Bearcats have added a third commitment for the spring signing period when Steven Toyloy committed to the Bearcats following a weekend visit to the Cincinnati campus. Today, when the spring signing period is set to begin, the Bearcats are expecting 2 Guards, Center to Sign With UC (Cincinnati Enquirer).

Projected 2008-2009 Roster:

Seniors: Mike Williams (PF)
Juniors: Deonta Vaughn (PG), Steven Toyloy (C/BF)
Sophomores: Larry Davis (SG), Rashad Bishop (G/F), Kenny Belton (F/C), Alvin Mitchell (G/F), Anthony McClain (C), Darnell Wilks (F)
Freshmen: Yancy Gates (BF), Cashmere Wright (PG), Dion Dixon (G), Varez Ward (G)
Early 2009 Commitment: Danny McElroy (F)



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Steven Toyloy wass a player of definite need for the Bearcats and Mick Cronin to land in the spring period. With 10 freshman and sophomores expected on the roster next season, UC definitely could have used a veteran big man to add some muscle to the line-up next year. Toyloy averaged about 12 points and 12 rebounds a game as a JUCO sophomore for Miami-Dade CC. As a freshman, the 6'8, 265 lb Toyloy led the nation in rebounding with over 13/game. Toyloy is a big, physical presence that should be comfortable in the physical Big East, allowing Anthony McClain some help in the pivot.

On the strength of a big senior season, Crane Tech guard Dion Dixon has emerged as the top unsigned prospect in Illinois. With a scoring average of 25 points per game for Crane, Dixon can obviously score the basketball. Cincinnati definitely has a need for players who can put the ball in the basket and while on an official visit in early March the match was made and Dixon decided the Bearcats would be his future home.

Varez Ward is a strong defensive guard that could see time at either backcourt position in his career with the Bearcats. The Montogmery (AL) native played this past year at the Patterson (NC) school. The 6'2, 185 lbs guard is known as an athletic player willing to get after it on defense and atatck the basket offensively.

Toyloy, Ward and Dixon join Cashmere Wright, originally a Clemson Tiger commit, and local standout Yancy Gates of Withrow HS in the 2008 UC class. Wright will join a roster where Deonta Vaughn would be a junior and the only other point guard in the program, meaning Wright could have a chance to see some early playing time his first two years and have the chance to run the show in his final two seasons. With Jamaul Warren and Alvin Gentry being seniors this season, Wright and Dixon should have plenty of chances to see a lot of playing time as freshman with Vaughn and sophomore (to-be) Larry Davis. Gates is a 6'8 powerful post player expected to contribute rigth away on the frontline.

Cincinnati already has one 2009 commitment (Danny McElroy) and one senior on the projected 2008-2009 roster in Mike Williams. However, Williams is likely to petition the NCAA for a 6th year of eligibility after missing all of last season with an injury. The UC roster is currently full at 13 for the 2008-2009 season and they might not have any seniors if Williams is allowed a 6th year from the NCAA. The class of 2009, at this point, does not have any scholarships open, but with a glut of players (10) as freshman and sophomores, things willlikely work themselves out as players assess their futures. Alvin Mitchell is currently on probation with the basketball program, so his future, although better now than a month or so ago, could still be in doubt. At this point, we expect him to return next season.



A great resource on UC recruiting can be found at Bearcat News. They have the possibility of another large class for 2008 and already have a commitment from Withrow HS standout Yancy Gates, who got the ball rolling earlier in the spring.

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