College Basketball Journal: PC's Bullock, URI's Terrell showcasing their talents (original) (raw)

While freshman stars like DeAndre Ayton and Marvin Bagley maneuver for the top spots in June's NBA Draft, other collegians are hoping their professional dreams come into focus as well.

Last weekend, PC’s Rodney Bullock and URI’s Jared Terrell both performed well at the Portsmouth Invitational. The event showcases graduating seniors who are seen as potential NBA Draft picks but lie outside of the top 40 or so rated players. In three games Bullock averaged 16 points on 47-percent shooting. In his best game he hit for 24 points, seven rebounds and passed for five assists. Terrell averaged 14.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game and helped lead his team to the championship game of the tournament. Terrell shot 51 percent from the floor.

Arkansas guard Jaylen Barford was named the MVP of the tournament. Marquette's Andrew Rowsey, Seton Hall's Desi Rodriguez and Virginia Commonwealth's Justin Tillman all earned all-tourney honors. Neither URI's E.C. Matthews nor PC's Kyron Cartwright was invited to the PIT but both players are hoping to attract interest before the draft.

On the prep scene

It's all-star season for the top prep players in the country and Providence signees David Duke Jr., and A.J. Reeves are slated to play on the same team at the Allen Iverson Roundball Classic in Virginia this weekend. St. Andrews’ guard Cole Swider played in the high profile Hoop Summit last Friday representing Team USA. Swider scored 10 points but the Americans lost to a World All-Star team, 89-76. R.J. Barrett, a Canadian headed to Duke, scored 20 points for the winners and established himself as the top prospect in the Class of 2018.

Swider, who is headed to Villanova, finished as the 34th prospect in the class according to ESPN. PC’s Duke (45) and Reeves (50th) also made the top 50. Jermaine Harris, URI’s top recruit, came in at No. 84.

The Big East will be welcoming eight top-100 recruits, according to ESPN. Villanova has three, headed by No. 26 Jahvon Quinerly. He’s expected to help replace Naismith award winner Jalen Brunson as the Wildcats point guard next season.

Schedule update

Here are a few developing schedule tidbits for the 2018-19 season: Comic Con has been moved back a week so the Friars will be able to open this season at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Cooley said the Friars will face Wichita State in the Veterans Classic, which is held in Annapolis, Md., and also participate in the Hall of Fame Classic at Mohegan Sun. No matchups for that November tourney have been set but George Washington, Michigan and South Carolina are also invited. The Friars, by the way, are slated to play in the Maui Classic in 2020.

The Rams will spend this Christmas at the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu. Other participating schools include Bucknell, Charlotte, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana State, TCU and UNLV.

Due to some date conflicts, the Friars and Brown are discussing a break in their long-running series. There is nothing final on that front but the Bears will play another Big East team when they travel to face Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Announcement coming

College basketball is bracing for major changes when the NCAA’s Commission on College Basketball announces its proposals on Tuesday. The panel of 13 individuals, led by ex-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and including former coaches John Thompson III and Mike Montgomery, will issue a report with recommendations to clear up college basketball recruiting and the varied relationships among schools, agents, shoe companies and the NBA.

-- kmcnamar@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @KevinMcNamara33