Well, at this point, there is only one player to watch. Tyler Smith. But don’t expect him to decide right on Wednesday when signing period begins.
Iowa is still recruiting Tyler Smith, a 6-7, 210-pound small forward from Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia. Smith initially signed with Tennessee but elected to attend the prep school after high school.
“They are still in the top two,” Coleman said of the Hawkeyes. “It’s them and Pittsburgh leading Kentucky and Memphis. It’s the same four schools. I think Iowa, sometime in the next few days … is going to be in to talk to him.”
Iowa coach Steve Alford is in Virginia already to watch seniors Jeff Horner, Greg Brunner and Erek Hansen compete at the Portsmouth Invitational pre-draft camp.
Coleman said Smith, a Rivals.com four-star prospect, may not make a decision on Wednesday. The signing period lasts into May.
And Kentucky is trying to put a late run on Smith.
Tyler Smith, a 6-foot-7 forward from Pulaski, Tenn., appears to be a prime target for UK. After serving as co-host for Rajon Rondo’s farewell announcement, UK Coach Tubby Smith went to Pulaski to talk to the prospect.
Other coaches who went to Pulaski last week were Steve Alford (Iowa), Mike Anderson (Missouri) and Rick Stansbury (Mississippi State), said Billy Smith, the prospect’s father.
The perceived leader, Pittsburgh, had used all its visits.
Billy Smith did not offer any hint on when his son would commit.
And you can just bet there will be whispers in Tyler Smith’s ear that Barry Rohrssen — the primary assistant to recruit him — will not be with Pitt very much longer, perhaps not even this coming season.
Kentucky is in desperate need of talent with Rondo going into the NBA draft, with an agent, and freshman Adam Williams transferring out of the school. They don’t just need talent, they are going to need some bodies.