BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: VILLANOVA

May 21, 2008


Commitment Alert: Maurice Sutton, 6'10 (C/BF) from Largo HS (MD)


Villanova is set to add a big man to their 2008-2009 team as Maurice Sutton, a 6'10 Recruit Will Select Villanova (Philadelhia Daily News), according to sources, at a news conference today at his Maryland high schoo.

Projected 2008-2009 Roster:

Seniors: Frank Tchuisi (F), Dwayne Anderson (SG), Dante Cunningham (F), Shane Clark (F)
Juniors: Scottie Reynolds (G), Reggie Redding (G), Casseim Drummond (C)
Sophomores: Corey Stokes (G), Corey Fisher (PG), Antonio Pena (F), Taylor King (WF)
Freshmen: Maurice Sutton (C/BF)
2009 Commitments: Maalik Wayns (PG)



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It has been quite some time since Jay wright has had to add anyone to his roster at Villanova, but after transfers the last 12 months by Malcolm Grant, Andrew Ott and Bilal Benn, the Wildcat roster began to open up. Earlier this spring Taylor King opted to transfer into the program after leaving Duke and on the last official day to sign letters of intent, Wright and staff received word that Largo HS 6'10, 210 C/BF Maurice Sutton will sign with the Wildcats.

Sutton, because of his height and athletic ability, became a hot commodity this spring and chose Villanova over Indiana and Seton Hall. Other schools such as Syracuse, Kentucky and Boston College also had interest in the big man prospect.

At Largo High School (in Upper Marlboro, MD), Sutton averaged about 20 points and 10 rebounds this season playing for coach Lewis Howard.

Villanova returns virtually all of their contributors from a Sweet 16 club in 2007-2008. The Wildcats snuck into the NCAA Tournament field as one of the last teams in, but stunned Clemson out of the ACC with a huge comeback in round one and beat Siena in the 2nd round to move into the Sweet 16 as a 12-seed. The still have one scholarship open for the 2008-2009 season, but nothing seems imminent at this stage.

Even with the commitment of Maalik Wayns for the class of 2009, the Wildcats will still likely have four more scholarships open. A couple of the targets at the top of the Villanova recruiting list inlcude shooting guard Dominic Cheek of St. Anthony's in Jersey City (NJ) and small forward Isaiah Armwood who plays at Montrose Christian in Maryland. Those two recruits have seen the most interest from the 'Nova staff in the class of 2009 since the commitment from Wayns.

Aaric Murray, of Glen Mills (PA) high School, and David Bruce of Linden (NJ) are a couple of the big men on the early Villanova watch list. Pennsbury (PA) shooting guard Dalton Pepper is also closely looking at Villanova in the recruiting process as is Armwood's teammate, Terrel Vinson of Montrose Christian.

As the spring recruiting periods moves along into the summer months, expect Villanova to be very active on the recruiting trail for the class of 2009.