Indiana pipeline?

Actually, a Marion (Indiana) High School pipeline. As anyone who pays any attention knows, we have six-foot-one Julius Mays coming in next season Sidney Lowe’s hoops squad. Mays is touted by many as one of the top players in Indiana’s Class of 2008.

Dave Telep is now reporting that yesterday, Marion HS junior Scott Wood made the decision to join Mays at NC State in 2009. Both are listed as Shooting Guards, but Wood is 6′5″ (compared to the 6′1″ Mays) and is currently playing the 2 at MHS. Mays could play either the 1 or 2 position next season and then move to the 1 in 2009.

Wood says, “me and Julius are real good friends. On the court we have a real good chemistry. When Coach Lowe was there, he won his national championship with his high-school teammate and so that sparked a little bit of interest in us going there.”

Wasted Wednesday

No, I’m not wasted. My day is though!

So, after dropping my wife off at school I went by the local P&C (think Food Lion of the North) and picked up a 4 pack of Guinness and a 6-er of Harp. This before reading that TOB enjoyed a Black and Tan after the game Saturday! So, really you would call a Harp and Guinness a “Half and Half”, a variation of Black and Tan. Most pubs (like Hibernian) use Bass for a plain Black and Tan. Snakebites are good too (Guinness and Woodchuck). Anyways, point is, I started pounding the pints at 11:30 in preparation of the Third Eye Blind concert tonight. Oh, and I’m playing poker online. Therefore, have neglected the blog today, until now.

On to things Wolfpack.

IndyStar (Indiana): This year’s best in-state talent escapes

The state (Indiana) has four seniors ranked in the nation’s top 150 and all are headed out of state. Washington’s Tyler Zeller has committed to North Carolina, East Chicago Central’s Angel Garcia to Memphis, Warren Central’s Walter Offutt to Ohio State and Marion’s Julius Mays to North Carolina State. All are expected to sign today when the fall signing period begins.

N&O: Pack high on Meineke Car Care Bowl radar

Meineke Car Care Bowl officials are taking a strong look at N.C. State after the Pack’s four straight victories.

“N.C. State is very much on our radar,” executive director Will Webb said today. “If they win one more and become bowl eligible, we’d be very much interested in them.

“We’ve been watching them closely, especially the way they’ve come on. You have to be impressed with them given all the injuries they’ve had.”

Webb said representatives from the Charlotte-based bowl would be at the State-Wake Forest game on Saturday. The Demon Deacons also are high on the Meineke Care Care Bowl list, Webb said.

Just how good is Hickson???

Well, it seems, so good that a Kentucky fan who attended the McDonald’s AA game sent this message to Dick Vitale:

We all know how much you love the freshman stars in college basketball. I live in Louisville, and am a die hard Kentucky fan. Last March 28 the McDonalds All-American game came to Freedom Hall, and one player that I kept my eyes on was J.J. Hickson. I knew of him because he was considering UK at one point and really liked what he brought to the table. This guy is going to be a real star at N.C. State. I just wish Billy G would have gotten a chance to put his recruiting touch on this young man. Just don’t forget to mention this kid on your Diaper Dandy list because he has big time athleticism and a huge up side. He deserves the credit. 

Man, is everyone else getting as excited for hoops as I am?  I especially can’t wait for Thanksgiving, when hopefully our Pack will be on ESPN2 Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (for as long as they win in the Old Spice Classic).

Basketball Recruiting update

From Rivals dot com and Yahoo! Sports:

Traditionally, the ACC is a conference that attracts the country’s elite high school basketball players.
While the class of 2007 recruiting haul boasts a number of talented prospects, only three schools cracked the national top 30 team recruiting rankings.
The ACC checks in as the fifth best conference for incoming talent next season.

ACC rank (National rank)

1. Duke (8)
2. N.C. State (18)
3. Va. Tech (21)
4. Wake Forest
5. Florida State
6. Georgia Tech
7. Maryland
8. Boston College
9. Virginia
10. Miami
11. Clemson
12. North Carolina

Three programs crack national team rankings

Sidney Lowe didn’t take long to establish himself as a proven recruiter at N.C. State. The new Wolfpack coach proved he won’t hide in the shadows of Duke or North Carolina on the recruiting trail. His efforts, and NBA experience, helped lure Georgia big man J.J. Hickson to Raleigh. Hickson is the No. 10 ranked player in the country. He’ll be joined by Durham product Tracy Smith, a top-50 recruit that will line up alongside Hickson down low. Point guard Javi Gonzalez and wing Johnny Thomas round out the class, which ranked 18th nationally.

Best low post scorer: J.J. Hickson, NC State
Best shooter: Taylor King, Duke
Best rebounder: Jeff Allen, Virginia Tech
Best defender: Nolan Smith, Duke
Most versatile: Kyle Singler, Duke
Best in the clutch: Kyle Singler, Duke
Best basketball IQ: Kyle Singler, Duke
Best pro prospect: Kyle Singler, Duke
Impact player: Kyle Singler, Duke
Biggest sleeper: Jerai Grant, Clemson

Hickson picked N.C. State in large part because of Lowe’s NBA coaching credentials and immediate playing time. The Marietta, Ga., native could be a “one and done” player. The 6-foot-9 big man has an array of moves, and should have the ball in his hands more than most rookie post players in college basketball. His addition, mixed with last year’s overachieving team, could be the key to the Wolfpack making the NCAA tournament.