BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: VILLANOVA

July 1, 2008


Verbal Commitment Alert: Isaiah Armwood, 6'8 (F) Montrose Christian of Rockville (MD)


The month of July started out with a bang with a commitment for Villanova as Isaiah Armwood made the call. With the news of Armwood to Villanova (zagsblog.net), joining Maalik Wayns in the class of 2009, Jay Wright could be on the verge of a monster class.

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), Isaiah Armwood (F)



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We had not heard much from Villanova for quite a long time on the recruiting trail until the May commitment of Maurice Sutton as their roster had been pretty set. However, the class of 2009 has been pointed towards as a big class for Jay Wright and the Wildcats and it is off to a tremendous start.

Joining early commitment Maalik Wayns for the class of 2009 is forward Isaiah Armwood, who plays at Montrose Christian in Maryland. Armwood has long been considered Villanova's to lose and he made the call for the Wildcats today.

Armwood is a 6'8, 195 lb combo forward who is an intriguing prospect because he has length and athletic ability that few 6'8 players in the class can bring. His skill set seems to be ready to explode with the ability to go beyond the arc and take a big forward to the perimeter. Against a smaller forward, Armwood can take them inside. He has the potential to remind Wildcat fans of Curtis Sumpter with the inside/out match-up problems he can cause opponents.

Armwood averaged about 13 points and 10 rebounds last season for Montrose Christian and coach Stu Vetter. He missed much of the 2nd half of the season with a sprained MCL in his knee. Prior to entering the Big East, he will have to add some weight and strength to battle in the Big East.

Villanova still has three scholarships open for the class of 2009. From the get-go, shooting guard Dominic Cheek of St. Anthony's in Jersey City (NJ) has been at the top of Jay Wright's wish list for 2009 and the interest has been mutual. However, Cheek still has yet to narrow down his long list of suitors, but expect the Wildcats to be in it right until the very end.

Adding a true center is also a must for the Wildcats and 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 with a chance for one of the nation's best classes.