BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: CINCINNATI

October 12, 2008

COMMITMENT ALERT: Sean Kilpatrick, 6-foot-5 G from Notre Dame Prep

There was no doubt that Sean Kilpatrick wanted to play in the Big East and the Notre Dame Prep guard will get his wish and Mick Cronin and Cincinnati will be the beneficiaries as UC Gets Commitment from the 6'5 Wing Player (Cincinnati Enquirer) shortly after his official visit of this weekend.

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), John Riek (C)
2009 Commitment: Sean Kilpatrick (G)




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The scholarship situation for Mick Cronin and his Cincinnati Bearcats is a little unclear with a potential waiver for Mike Williams to apply for to receive a 6th year from the NCAA. Williams can apply for a 6th season after the 2008-2009 year, if granted, the Bearcats can potentially return all 13 players for 2009-2010. Of course, that number of 13 is assuming John Riek (see below) ends up enrolling at UC.

Even with the uncertainty of scholarships, the Bearcats received a quality verbal commitment this weekend when Notre Dame Prep guard Sean Kilpatrick made a commitment following a visit over the weekend.

Kilpatrick was a hot commodity last spring among Big East schools as he attempted to become eligible after his senior season at White Plains (NY) High School where he was an offensive machine, lighting up the scoreboard on many occasions and often in front of college coaches. Kilpatrick made a brief verbal commitment to St. John's at one point in the recruiting process and also has had Providence high on his list of interested schools, but after a visit to UC this past weekend, he felt it was time to end the recruiting process. Next up is a commitment to his academics to make certain there are no more hold-ups in getting his college career going. Kilpatrick was an AAU teammate of SU freshman Mookie Jones and WVU frosh Kevin Jones with the Westchester Hawks.

John Riek took the college basketball recruiting scene by storm in July of 2007 with a breakout performance at the Lebron James Skills Academy. Immediately following that performance the NBA Draft talk began to surface and a literal tug-of-war for his services began between those at Our Savior New American in Long Island and people trying to get him to the Winchendon School in New England. Eventually, Riek ended up at the Winchendon School where he played sparingly late in the season due to injuries. The injuries also hampered him greatly at the Orlando Pre-Draft camp as Riek still pursued his goal of being drafted this past June in the NBA Draft, but he ended up pulling out prior to the draft.

Several things still cloud Riek's future with the Bearcats and when (or if) it will begin. First is the matter of the SAT (or ACT) test to become eligible for the Bearcats. At this point, Riek is expected to take the test September 13th. Those close to Riek believe the NCAA Clearinghouse will allow his transcripts, but he will still need a qualifying test score (remember, the Big East does not allow members to accept partial qualifiers) to enter UC on a scholarship. Coach Byrnes at Winchendon acknowledged that Riek's English had a ways to go for him to foresee Riek being able to tackle the SAT's successfully. As of October 10th, Riek Will Miss the First Semester (ZagsBlog.net) at UC because a qualifying standardized test score had not been posted in time to allow him to enroll for the first semester. Riek still hopes to enroll in December.

Secondly, and an area likely to see the NCAA look very closely at, is the state of his amateur status. Riek burst onto the scene in Akron last summer (a performance he has yet to duplicate since) and he seems to have been pulled in every direction since, with it always being the intention of finding the shortest route to the NBA. A Hoops on Hoops blog piece by Dick 'Hoops' Weiss in early July took a look at the Riek situation, calling it a 'cautionary' tale about a young 7-footer who "went to IMG in Florida to work out, signed with an agent and became a major disappointment at the Orlando pre-draft camp." So, you can see where the question in that story comes, as Weiss indicates Riek 'signed' with an agent. It is possible 'Hoops' was just assuming that the move to IMG and the declaration for the draft was a process lined up by an agent, but in any event, expect the NCAA to look closely into this.

Even if Riek does not materialize, the rest of the 2008 class is promising for the Bearcats. Steven Toyloy was 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.

Toyloy, Riek 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. Even before the situation with Riek is cleared up, that is a full 13-player roster for the 2008-2009 season. To add Riek in September (or even December), the Bearcats would have to open up a roster spot. Riek becoming a 2009 recruit is also a possibility, would he opt for another shot at the professional ranks at that time??

Mick Cronin is adding talent and depth to the UC program with very good recruiting. These factors are certain to increase the college basketball odds of seeing the Bearcats challenge for a spot in March Madness in the near future under coach Cronin.