I Bleed Blue and White

Today was the first official day that Class of 2010 players could sign their National Letter of Intent to play college basketball at a particular school. The early signing period lasts for one week and will end on November 18th.

Both 2010 Villanova verbal commitments have announced that they will be signing their letters of intent to play for Villanova tonight!

When that happens, both James Bell and Markus Kennedy will be officially part of the Villanova family! Welcome to the fold guys!

Markus Kennedy

James Bell

Kennedy is a 6′9″ power forward who has been described as a skilled passer out of the post with a great scoring touch. Bell, a 6′5″ wing ranked 76th nationally by Rivals, is a rangy athlete that can take it to the hoop as well as knock it down from outside. He’s also a great defender, which is something that Jay Wright requires of all his players.

This is a great follow-up to 2009’s heralded quartet. James Bell looks to step into Reggie Redding’s spot on the roster while Kennedy will provide quality depth in the seemingly-always-think ‘Nova frontcourt. Hopefully both come in next year ready to play and keep Villanova at the forefront of the college basketball scene. It seems that we may have finally gotten to the point where we are reloading, not rebuilding.

From here, it appears that it may be Cory Joseph and/or JayVaughn Pinkston or bust for 2010 recruiting. Both Joseph and Pinkston look to be signing in the spring.

Last week news broke that 2011 prospect Achraf Yacoubou would be visiting for Hoops Mania, and now you can add another visitor to the list. Myron P. Medcalf of the Star Tribune updates the Cory Joseph recruitment by giving us his final 6 schools. Villanova, UConn and Minnesota are going to receive official visits while Mississippi State, Florida and UNLV round out the final list.

Joseph, a 2010 combo-guard, will be an official visitor to Hoops Mania on October 23rd.

…Joseph is a perfect fit for ‘Nova in my mind…combo guard that can play both on and off the ball…hopefully we make a strong impression seeing we are the first official visit…

It's Fisher's time.

Corey Fisher has seen his role steadily increase over the past two seasons, and it looks like he is finally ready to assume a starting spot in the backcourt. We’ve got big ideas when it comes to Fisher this season, but it appears we aren’t the only ones.

‘Nova is likely to be pretty guard-oriented (similar to 2005-06) and if that vaunted 4 guard offense is to return, Mr. Fisher-Price is going to be one of the key ingredients. Here’s some morning links.

• The Sporting News listed Corey Fisher as one of eight pivotal players in college hoops for the coming season. They believe that it he shines, so will ‘Nova.
• Villanova By The Numbers also took part in the East Coast Bias Roundtable, and has posted their answers. Like us, they also see Fisher becoming one of the faces of the Big East.
• VUHoops has a new blogger on the staff. Derp’s first article helps you get to know ‘10 target Cory Joseph. Speaking of Joseph, Jay Wright and Chris Walker will both be going to see the recruit for in-home visits in the coming weeks. Two separate visits, that is. I like the sound of that.
• Brian Westbrook’s days as a Philadelphia Eagle could be numbered. Reportedly, he other 31 teams are foaming at the mouth.
• ESPN is going to show college hoops around the clock on November 17th. So if you are in the area, make sure to check out that St. Peter’s-Monmouth clash at 6 a.m.!
• After a win over FBS Temple and a blowout win in their home opener, head coach Andy Talley thinks the ‘Nova football team is overrated. Ouch.

ZagsBlog is reporting that Villanova is one of 8 in-home visits that Cory Joseph has on the docket in the next few weeks. According to Zagoria, Jay Wright and staff will be in to see him sometime next week.

Joseph is a 2010 combo guard. Villanova’s 2010 class already has James Bell and Markus Kennedy in the fold.

…I like it, but I’m still kind of torn on what is happening with our recruiting…Joseph is a great, great player and as a guy who can play the point and the wing, he’s got a lot of value…so I guess if he wants to come, you celebrate…but how does that affect 2011, or even James Bell for that matter?…

…A lot of this depends on what happens with Corey Fisher I suppose…

…Oh the problems of a well-established program…

Jeff Borzello of the NBE Basketball Report brings us the latest update on 2011 prospect Sterling Gibbs and it appears that Villanova is continuing to fade with the guard. Gibbs is taking a wait-and-see approach when it comes to Villanova, citing he needs to see what they do in 2010 if they are to remain an option.

“Villanova is in the mix,” he said. “I am looking to see what they end up doing as far as the 2010 class. Right now I don’t have any favorites,” he added. “All of the schools are equal right now.”

This shouldn’t come as any shock considering Jay Wright and his staff have stepped up their efforts to woo 2010 combo guard Cory Joseph. While that may not work out for ‘Nova in the end, it’s a safe bet to say the ship has probably sailed with Gibbs.

…To me, Gibbs is probably the guy who goes to Seton Hall or Pittsburgh and ends up killing us for 4 years…

Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog just twittered that 2010 PG Cory Joseph will be making two visits this weekend. The first will be on Saturday to Villanova before making the trip up to UConn on Sunday.

Joseph, who plays for Findlay Prep in Nevada, is ranked the 7th best player in 2010 by Rivals, and is currently on the East Coast for the Boost Mobile event being held in New York City.

…Great to see he is stopping by for an unofficial while he’s out East…we’ve mentioned before that 2010 recruiting is likely closed up save any defections, but of course the door has to be left open in case there are any early NBA-entrants (i.e. Corey Fisher)…

…That would leave a hole in the backcourt, which is an area that somebody like Kyrie Irving or Cory Joseph could fill…so if Joseph is squeezing in a visit, his interest in ‘Nova has to be real…