UK/Louisville Recruiting Updates: Post-Madness Edition

Louisville:

-  As expected, Louisville assistant Walter McCarty made a trip to Pike County last week and observed Shelby Valley’s Elisha Justice in open gym. The Cardinals are considering Justice as a first-season walk-on with the opportunity to earn a scholarship in the second season.

-  The rumor is still out there that Louisville is interested in bringing in Scott County’s Ge’lawn Guyn. The interesting side note is that the Cardinals supposedly want Guyn in the 2011 class, which would mean he would have to reclassify.

-  2010 forward J.J. Moore is currently on an official visit to Louisville; Moore is a 6-6, 3-star forward that is described by Rivals.com as an “athletic swing man.” Moore ranks #107 on the Rivals150 List for 2010 and is also considering Florida, Pittsburgh and St. John’s. In addition, he has picked up offers from UConn, Marquette, Providence and Rutgers.

-   Jesse “The Takeover” Morgan has verbally committed to Seton Hall. The 6-foot-4, 180-pound combo guard from Philly committed after a weekend visit to campus. Louisville had an offer out to Morgan, but the Cardinals were late in the game on his recruitment.

Kentucky:

-  The basketball portion of the John Calipari era is officially underway as Kentucky launched the season with Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena last night. The event was one of the more explosive UK events in recent memory (despite what Jerry Tipton might tell you).

-  Several recruits that were present at Big Blue Madness were 2010 forward Tobias Harris, 2010 point guard Kyrie Irving, 2011 forward Achraf Yacoubou and 2011 junior Michael Gilchrist.

-  2010 forward C.J. Leslie was expected at the event, but was not there; I have been told from an unverified source that there is more to this story and I am working hard to find out more. Let me say this – if this rumor is indeed true, the Big Blue Nation will be very surprised when they find out were Leslie was last night.

-  The aforementioned Ge’lawn Guyn was in the crowd at Big Blue Madness last night according to post on Twitter by Peegs.com (Indiana site). Guyn was expected at Indiana’s madness, which has to be disappointing for Hoosier fans.

-  There was a rumor that 2010 big man Adreian Payne had narrowed his list to Kentucky and West Virginia but I am now told that this is false and his recruitment is still wide open.