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To recap: Weeks ago, we got good information about the New Mexico transfer and his family looking toward Purdue as a preferred fit - we don't want to go so far as to say "where they want to go," but I'm not sure that would be entirely inaccurate - and recently got some compelling reason to believe Purdue does want the immediately eligible 6-foot-5 two-year guard transfer.
Now, again, mixed messages. As good a source as there can possibly be here on Neal's end says that he's not sure Purdue is a factor - which we take to mean "involved" - as of yet and this comes as visits to Ole Miss and Texas A&M have already been set, reportedly.
Purdue is going to recruit guards again this spring. We think it will be all in on Neal, but right now can't say that for absolute certain. Also possible that whatever Purdue lean might have been in play a month ago has been softened by the deluge of interest that's come the kid's way.
Point being, there seems to be some sentiment among fans that Neal is already on next season's roster. That is taking a lot for granted here.
That being said, with or without Neal, Purdue is going to keep looking for guard, wing and post help. So we can rule out "power forward" and "shooter" as needs, but everything else is on the table, pretty much.
Rutgers decommitment Maishe Dailey could get a look and he might fit the need profile. He's a tall, long, reasonably athletic 6-foot-6ish wing in the mold of a Zak Irvin. Purdue recruited him before he committed to Rutgers, but never offered. There was some unevenness in that recruitment because he was talking about going to prep school and being a 2017, so some people might have been recruiting him for that year as opposed to right away. He committed to Rutgers after it offered a 2016 spot. He is probably a guy prep school or a redshirt year would help, but we're basing that solely on what we saw last summer, which was obviously a long time ago now.
His story is very Caris LeVert-ish in the sense that he's a long, tall scoring wing from Ohio who re-opened after a coaching change, and has some long-range promise as is raw physically. Not comparing them as players necessarily, just as stories.
Purdue remains involved with Desmond Bane also and will continue to take a close look there and maybe bring him in for another visit to sit down and talk to him. That one might be a layup if Purdue offers.
Opinion: We filmed and watched Bane's game from last weekend and not sure what to think of him as a prospect at a Big Ten level. Thing is, he's bigger and stronger than everyone he plays at the smallest-school level and basically plays like LeBron during his first stint with the Cavs, where everything goes through him and he either shoots threes or puts his head down and barrels to the basket. Really hard to say how that would translate at a Big Ten level, and while he is big and athletic, the quickness and lateral movement and stuff needed to defend at a major level are hard to gauge against that level of competition. (BN)
Again, there is no huge hurry. Football is Job 1 for whoever comes in and that remains months away. In a perfect world, Purdue wouldn't probably want its guy (or gal) in place sooner rather than later, but not at the expense of rushing through the process.
Two things …
We do expect Xavier A.D. Greg Christopher to be a viable consideration and we do know that Purdue has at least reached out to former quarterback Jim Everett in California, though we don't know how legitimate a candidate he will be. Everett's been pretty successful in business since his NFL career ended.
And we'll continue to mention the Mike Berghoff possibility until the day Purdue president Mitch Daniels hires someone else, but that it is looking pretty unlikely at this point that the Trustees chair will take on the A.D. role. That was never an unfounded theory, though.
There has been some sentiment to add to the search committee, but we're not aware of that happening as of yet. (staff)
Does that mean he is absolutely coming back? Well, this does afford him a chance to enhance his stock to the point he doesn't, but a lot of people would be surprised - stunned really - if he wasn't back next season. But nothing can be ruled out up front, because things can change if he wows people in whatever workouts he takes part in. He is player scouts should already know well from his involvement with USA Basketball and the McDonald's All-America experience.
Don't be surprised if/when Vince Edwards declares too. We expect him to.
Again: There is no downside to this at all.
Not sure Isaac Haas is thinking about this stuff yet, so we don't know if he'll do it, but there'd be very little reason not to.
But our expectation right now would be for that frontcourt trio to return intact next season. (BN)
Same day as Alstott, Purdue had Center Grove's Russ Yeast and Missouri running back Mike McNair on campus, among some others.
Yeast is a three-star recruit who's committed to Kentucky but has been listening to Purdue for quite some time, ever since he camped in West Lafayette before his junior year. He is committed to UK, but obviously is keeping an open mind about things, because he's actively fielding interest from Northwestern and others too.
McNair was making his fourth visit to Purdue and seems to believe he might be an offer candidate based on his conversations with its staff. He also attended a camp last summer, then two games this fall, if we understood what he said correctly.
Purdue has offered a slew of new offensive linemen these past few days.
Also, four-star Cincinnati running back Jarell White said he is visiting Purdue April 2. Now that spring break is over on campus, springtime visits may really pick up because more and more high school kids' schedules are opening up.
The core juniors this year include Jaren Jackson, Kris Wilkes, Malik Williams, Paul Scruggs and Jack Nunge, all of which are being seriously recruited by Purdue, some being more reasonable shots than others.
Not sure there's a clear fray at this for Wilkes, while Scruggs is a long shot for Purdue, we're quite certain. Jackson is a player they'll have a chance at. Maryland and Michigan State are gonna be among prime players there, too, and with Williams, we have good indication that Purdue is strong with him, but Indiana, Michigan State, Iowa, etc., will give him a lot to think about.
We'll cover both those exhibitions in June. (BN)
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