Moore to visit Louisville this weekend? And some random thoughts

J.J. Moore, one of the two remaining players Rick Pitino is recruiting from the 2010 class, could be visiting the ‘Ville this weekend per a post Sunday on Jody Demling’s recruiting blog. Moore, a 6’6″, 190 lbs small forward from South Kent, Connecticut is rated as the no. 107 player in the 2010 class, but has seen his stock skyrocket in recent months. He is now down to four schools – St. John’s, Pitt, Florida, and Louisville – and is starting to take his visits. As far as I know, Moore has not visited Louisville or Florida yet.

J.J. Moore

Why does this matter? Welp, it matters because the other recruit Louisville is targeting in the 2010 class is Tobias Harris, the no. 5 player in the 2010 class according to Rivals. As Guy has documented over the past several weeks, it appears Louisville and Kentucky are at the top for Harris and the recruiting battle for his services could be fierce. The Harris family has done their due diligence and it is expected they will take all their official visits before announcing a decision. Tobias Harris will be at Big Blue Madness and will visit Louisville in the following weeks. Based on their rankings, it would appear Louisville would want Harris first and Moore second.

Tobias Harris

However, Louisville really likes Moore’s game. Slick Rick is essentially putting in all his time for the 2011 class, which is shaping up to be huge. From a Louisville recruiting perspective, 2010 will be Josh Langford (firm commitment for a while) and either Tobias Harris or J.J. Moore. Here’s my query and I am not saying this will happen, I’m just speculating: what happens if Moore visits, loves it, and chooses to commit? If you are the Slickster, do you accept it knowing Harris is still out there?

I don’t think like Slick Rick (as evidenced by his decision to nail Karen Sypher, JUST LOOK AT HER, SHE’S TROUBLE!!!), but if I received a commitment from J.J. Moore, a player who I have evaluated, offered a scholarship, and continued to recruit fairly hard, I accept it. That is not a knock on Tobias Harris in any way, the kid has got some serious skills and I would take him on my squad. I just think you take the kid who also has talent and loved his visit so much he chooses to commit on the spot. It also allows you to close the book on the 2010 class to focus solely on the blockbuster 2011 class in the works.

Having said all that, the ideal situation is Moore loves his visit, but does not commit. Harris visits later in October and loves it as well. You receive commitments from both of them and then have to either take both or choose one. Regardless, Louisville is a good position with both these kids and would not be disappointed with either of them.

Also, according to allkyhoops.com, it appears that Kentucky is looking to schedule a visit with Bowling Green star, Chane Behanan. The 6-7 power forward originally committed to Cincinnati, but since decommitting has received interest from Mississippi State, Alabama, Georgia, West Virginia, Oklahoma and Western Kentucky, along with UK. He is a 2011 recuit.

Guy and myself will keep you updated on the recruiting front as it appears to be close to making that final turn towards the stretch run.

3.18 pm update: I have not been able to confirm Moore will visit this coming weekend. Jeff Wafford of CardinalSports.com most recent update has Moore visiting Louisville October 16. As soon as there is definitive word, we’ll pass it along.