Jerome Seagears

“I Will Be Attending Auburn University To Finish My Student Athletic Career!!! War Eagle,” he Tweeted.

Seagears’s announcement follows that of Eli Carter, who on Tuesday Tweeted he was headed to Florida, meaning two former Rutgers guards will suit up next season in the SEC. A week ago, junior wing Mike Poole said he would play for Iona.

All three players could get waivers to play immediately next season given the extenuating circumstances surrounding Rice’s firing.

“NCAA staff is prepared to move quickly in reviewing any request it receives,” the NCAA said in a recent email to The Associated Press.

Sources told SNY.tv that it’s yet to be decided by the NCAA if all the Rutgers players will be allowed to play without sitting.

The only “blanket” waiver the NCAA has ever done was in the Penn State case, and although this situation was different some have made comparisons between the Penn State and Rutgers cases.

Seagears had also visited Arkansas and also considered Baylor, Marquette, Cincinnati and West Virginia.

The 6-foot-1 native of Silver Springs, MD, averaged 6.5 points and 2.6 assists last season.

Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter

And like ZAGS on Facebook

Jordan Dickerson

“No, he didn’t commit [to Auburn],” Darrell Crawford told SNY.tv, referring to the 7-footer from Brooklyn. “He liked [Auburn].”

Dickerson visited the SEC school after the tragedy involving the shooting death of three people, including two former Auburn football players.

“It was crazy,” Crawford said. “It was quiet where he was at.”

One advantage Auburn might have is that Dickerson’s former IMG Academy teammate, guard Brian Greene Jr., is committed to the Tigers.

“They said they need a big and being the fact that he went to IMG with Brian Greene, that was another reason [he liked it],” Crawford said of Dickerson.

Next up is a tentative visit next week to SMU, which is also involved with 2012 uncommitted wing Savon Goodman of Philly Constitution.

“We’re pushing for Wednesday,” Crawford said.

Dickerson is also mulling Providence and South Carolina and has visited both.

“That’s it,” Crawford said. “We ain’t doing no more. Then we [are] gonna sit down and we’re gonna make our decision.”

Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter

And like ZAGS on Facebook

“Yes, sometime within the next two weeks,” Mobley said Tuesday by phone. ”I’m actually going to visit DePaul as soon as I get off spring break.” He said the DePaul visit was set for April 8-9.

The 6-foot-9, 215-pound power forward from St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, Wisc., has already taken visits to Auburn and Seton Hall.

As for Auburn, he said, “I like the facility, the campus. It’s a brand new arena. I like the team and it being closer to my home.”

Mobley is originally from Savannah, Ga.

As for Seton Hall, Mobley said, “I’ve never been to New York City so it being so close to New York City, there are places where you can go out.”

He also likes the idea of potentially playing in the Big East Conference, which sent 11 teams to the NCAAs.

“That says it all right there,” he said.

Wherever he lands, Mobley intends to be a factor.

“I’m going to be a three, face-up four man,” he said. “Being able to come back and step out to the three, rebound and run-and-gun and push the ball.”

FREE THROWS

Sources close to the Seton Hall program confirmed an earlier ZAGSBLOG report that junior forward Herb Pope would return for his senior season. Pope averaged 9.8 points and 7.9 rebounds this season.

Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter

And like ZAGS on Facebook

PITTSBURGH – Mike Rice’s homecoming had a happy ending.

In his first game in his hometown since leaving Robert Morris after last season, Rice led Rutgers to a convincing 63-54 victory over Auburn in the SEC/Big East Invitational at the Consol Energy Center.

“It’s fun,” said Rice, who estimated nearly 200 family and friends were in the crowd. “When you play the game it doesn’t matter where you play. But doing it in a city where a lot of my family and friends can see it, it was an enjoyable experience.”

Click here to read the full story at SNY.

Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter

And like ZAGS on Facebook.

The NCAA announced Wednesday that after a one-day suspension, the Auburn football star had been reinstated and is “immediately eligible to compete.”

The NCAA said that Newton’s father, Rev. Cecil Newton, and another unnamed person “worked together to actively market the student-athlete as a part of a pay-for-play scenario in return for Newton’s commitment to attend college and play football.”

Auburn has limited the access Newton’s father has to the athletics program and Mississippi State has disassociated the involved individual.

“The conduct of Cam Newton’s father and the involved individual is unacceptable and has no place in the SEC or in intercollegiate athletics,” said Mike Slive, Southeastern Conference Commissioner. “The actions taken by Auburn University and Mississippi State University make it clear this behavior will not be tolerated in the SEC.”

“Our members have established rules for a fair and equal recruitment of student-athletes, as well as to promote integrity in the recruiting process,” said Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president for academic and membership affairs. “In determining how a violation impacts a student-athlete’s eligibility, we must consider the young person’s responsibility. Based on the information available to the reinstatement staff at this time, we do not have sufficient evidence that Cam Newton or anyone from Auburn was aware of this activity, which led to his reinstatement. From a student-athlete reinstatement perspective, Auburn University met its obligation under NCAA bylaw 14.11.1. Under this threshold, the student-athlete has not participated while ineligible.”

“We are pleased that the NCAA has agreed with our position that Cam Newton has been and continues to be eligible to play football at Auburn University,” Auburn AD Jay Jacobs said.  “We appreciate the diligence and professionalism of the NCAA and its handling of this matter. “

Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter

And like ZAGS on Facebook.

Kadeem Jack

“I spoke to Kadeem Jack last [Monday] night and he gave me every indication that he will be attending South Kent next year,” South Kent coach Kelvin Jefferson said Tuesday.

Jack himself texted various Arizona media outlets with the same news.

“Felt like I needed 2 get my skills and my body and my confidence up so when I go into college I can make a much bigger impact,” Jack told Bruce Pascoe of the Arizona Daily Star.

Jack’s move to prep school was first reported here on April 27.

It was a surprising development because the 6-foot-9 senior forward holds offers from Arizona, ARkansas, UConn, Miami and St. John’s, yet he feels a prep year will benefit him.

“Do I think he needs to go?” Rice coach Moe Hicks asked SNY.tv last week, referring to prep school. “No, I don’t. I think he’s good enough to come right out of Rice High School and play at that high level. Ultimately, it’s his decision. I wish him the best.”

ST. JOHN’S STAFFING UPDATES

Mike Dunlap (Assistant Coach), Moe Hicks (Director of Basketball Operations) and Derrick Wrobel (Administrative Assistant to the Head Coach) will all be official at St. John’s under head coach Steve Lavin in the next 7-10 days, sources said.

That leaves one admininstrative spot left, which will likely be filled by one of the following:

·         Dwayne “Tiny” Morton, Lincoln High School, Brooklyn

·         Carlos Antonio Fordham, AAU and former J.C. coach from Detroit, Mich.

·         Matt Kovarik, Loyola (Md). No. 1 assistant coach, former Maryland assistant coach

·         Jerry Hobbie, former Houston assistant coach

·         David Gale, LA Clippers video assistant

HOFSTRA LOSING PLAYERS FAST

Former Hofstra player Halil Kanacevic, a 6-8 forward, has verbally committed to St. Joe’s. He must sit out a year and will be eligible in 2011. The commitment doesn’t impact the recruitment of former St. John’s signee Ronald Roberts, who is mulling St. Joe’s, Virginia and Georgia Tech. On Monday former coach Tim Welsh resigned in the wake of a DWI.

COTHRON TO AUBURN

Luke Cothron, a 6-8, 210-pound forward from Flora Macdonald Academy in North Carolina, chose Auburn over UConn and Tennessee, according to the Birmingham News.

“Because of Tony Barbee. He can help get me to the next level,” Cothron told the newspaper, referring to Auburn’s new coach. `”It’s close to home. They have that nice arena. And I like the up-tempo style Coach Barbee plays.”

Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter.

Seton Hall has already interviewed Siena coach Fran McCaffery, Robert Morris coach Mike Rice and Vermont coach Mike Lonergan.

A source with knowledge said Rice and Seton Hall had a “great conversation” and that the coach “will see” what happens next.

School officials have also reached out to former Seton Hall standout Adrian Griffin, now an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Cornell coach Steve Donahue could also be a factor but his team plays Kentucky here Thursday night in the Sweet 16.

The new coach will reportedly make between $500,000 and $550,000 per year.

Former Seton Hall coach Bobby Gonzalez was fired last week after four seasons.

Willard, 34, was named the 2010 MAAC Coach of the Year after leading the Gaels to a 21-9 record and a 12-3 mark in the league.

Willard comes from the Rick Pitino coaching tree, having spent six years at Louisville as an assistant and associate head coach. His father, Ralph, is currently Pitino’s No. 2.

The Iona roster is full of players from New York and New Jersey, including traditional powerhouses St. Benedict’s, St. Patrick and Don Bosco, so Willard has proven he can recruit players coached by Dan Hurley and Kevin Boyle.

Former Seton Hall standout Shaheen Holloway is also on Willard’s staff and bringing him back to South Orange as an assistant would be an added benefit.

BARBEE TAKES OVER AT AUBURN

Former UTEP coach Tony Barbee will be introduced Thursday as the new coach at Auburn.

Barbee led UTEP to three consecutive winning records, including a 26-7 mark this season. The Miners won the Conference USA regular season title and made the NCAA Tournament this season. Barbee spent six years at Memphis under John Calipari before that.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tony Barbee into the Auburn Family,” Auburn AD Jay Jacobs said. “Coach Barbee has a vision of competing for championships at Auburn, and the passion to get us there. He is a phenomenal coach, an outstanding recruiter and a fierce competitor.

Barbee, 38, will be formally introduced as Auburn’s 20th head coach on Thursday.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity to join the Auburn Family and proud to be the next head coach at Auburn,” Barbee said. “We have challenges in front of us, but we also have great opportunities with everything Auburn has to offer-a great university, outstanding community, tremendous fan support, and a terrific new arena and practice facility. The time is now to take Auburn basketball to new heights.”

COACHING CAROUSEL

**Elsewhere on the Coaching Carousel, Tom Pecora will wait until at least this weekend to make decisions about his staff at Fordham. Van Macon, Pecora’s top assistant at Hofstra, is in the mix to succeed Pecora at Hofstra. Pecora will be introduced Thursday at a 1 p.m press conference.

**Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News reports that UCLA coach Ben Howland has “zero interest” in the DePaul job, despite rumors.

RELATED CONTENT

**Seton Hall moving fast to replace Gonzo

**Bob Hurley advising Seton Hall on search

**Enough was Enough: Gonzo Fired

**Former Seton Hall Player Whitney Arrested

**Seton Hall recruits up in the air.

**Stix Mitchell charged with robbery, kidnapping

**Pat Knight says father could coach again.

(Photos courtesy Iona, Auburn Athletics)

Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter