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January 23, 2006
Ray Hall Verbals
Good news for the Friars. On Monday, 6-11, 265 pound Ray Hall of Denver verbally committed to play at Providence College. Hall will bring some added size and strength to PC's front line, something that's sorely missing this season in the big and bruising Big East.
``It's a good up and coming program and it's in the Big East,'' Hall told the Journal Monday night. ``I can come in and bring a defensive presence.''
Hall visited PC for the Louisville game a few weeks back. After viewing video of him on assorted recruiting web sites, it's clear Hall is very big and very strong. He's also not going to run or jump out of any gym but as he continues to mature, his body will only improve. Hall also shows very good hands and lots of aggression close to the rim.
Hall was recruited by UCLA as late as last summer but the Bruins backed off. PC and San Diego State were the two schools he took offical visits to. Hall joins three guards - Jamal Barney, Brian McKenzie and Corey Lowe - in PC's class of 2006.
Kevin McNamara
Posted by Kevin at 10:15 PM
| Comments 5
January 11, 2006
PC Recruit news
PC's three fall recruits are keeping busy.
Corey Lowe and his undefeated Newton North (Mass.) High team will play at New Bedford this Sunday. The game could pose one of the stiffest tests of the regular season for Newton. Newton beat N.Bedford in last year's state tournament. The Whalers are led by another Div. I guard in Brian Rudolph.
Brian McKenzie is off to a fine start at Xaverian High in Brooklyn but the team is not a candidate to repeat as Catholic League and city champions.
Finally, Baltimore guard Jamal Barney is off to a superb start, averaging nearly 24 points and 9 rebounds a game. He may be the city's top guard prospect.
PC has three available scholarships to use on players in the spring. Count on Tim Welsh awarding at least two of those scholarships.
KEVIN McNAMARA
Posted by Kevin at 3:10 PM
| Comments 6
January 10, 2006
Key Injury
There was a key injury in the Big East last night.
Cincinnati senior Armein Kirkland tore his ACL in his left knee and will be lost for the season.
Here is the official release from UC..
UC’s KIRKLAND TEARS ACL; OUT FOR REMAINDER OF SEASON
CINCINNATI, Ohio -- University of Cincinnati senior forward Armein Kirkland will miss the remainder of the season for the 25th-ranked Bearcats with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Kirkland suffered the injury in Monday night’s 70-59 loss at No. 4-ranked Connecticut. He is expected to have surgery on Friday.
The 6-8 Kirkland started 15 of UC’s first 16 games this year and is the Bearcats’ fourth leading scorer (9.7). Kirkland was playing some of the best basketball of his four-year career at UC in recent weeks, scoring in double figures in nine of his last 12 games and helping the Bearcats compile a 10-game winning streak and crack the Top 25 national rankings.
Kirkland, a Tyler, Texas native, also averaged 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists while ranking third on the team in three-point field goals (19) and free throw percentage (.791).
“I am really disappointed for Armein and our team because our guys have been playing very well of late and he was a big part of that,” said UC head coach Andy Kennedy. “It is unfortunate for something like this to happen to a senior who has given so much to this program for four years. We will really miss him the rest of the season.”
Without Kirkland, the Bearcats are down to 8 players- the same number as Providence College.
PC plays at Cincy on Feb. 17
KEVIN McNAMARA
Posted by Kevin at 3:45 PM
