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Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
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Sunday / November 17.
  • Here are a few quick Saturday hits…

    Former Fordham wing Mike Moore committed to Hofstra on Friday night.

    “I did it last night,” Moore, a New Haven, Conn., native, said by phone. “I just liked everything. It was a good fit for me. I felt comfortable making the decision. I know the administration cared about basketball. I liked the facilities. It’s a well-rounded athletic program.”

    The 6-foot-5, 192-pound Moore chose Hofstra over VCU, Northeastern, Creighton and Cal-State Fullerton. He will sit out one year as per NCAA regulations and then have two years left.

    Two big names will remain in the state of Kentucky next year.

    Kentucky sophomore Patrick Patterson will withdraw his name from the NBA Draft and will return to the Wildcats for his junior season.

    Also, Louisville says coach Rick Pitino is not interested in returning to the NBA.

    “I have the chance to graduate in three years, which is important to me and my family,” the 6-foot-9 Patterson said. “I want to help Kentucky compete for a national title, and even more than that win its eighth national championship. I’m also really excited about playing for Coach Cal and developing my game in the dribble drive offense.”

    An All-SEC performer, Patterson was the only player in the SEC to rank in the top five in scoring (17.9 ppg) and rebounding (9.3 rpg). Patterson also led the SEC in double-doubles with 15, the eighth most in a single season in UK history.

    Recruiting expert Tom Konchalski talks Lance Stephenson, John Wall and Kevin Parrom.

    LANCE UPDATE NO. 1: A source within the Lincoln High school athletic department said the school is “planning a press conference at Lincoln within the upcoming weeks” to announce Stephenson’s decision. Take that for what it’s worth. No date has been set, and as far as we know Lance has still not made a decision.

    LANCE UPDATE NO. 2: Lance scored a game-high 21 points on 7-for-13 shooting (including 3-for-3 from 3) Saturday as the New York Panthers beat NYABC 91-81 in the second-round of the Is8/Nike Spring High School Classic.

    The Panthers will meet Syracuse-bound guard Brandon Triche and New York Elite in the quarterfinals on Sunday at 1.

    Former Fordham guard Trey Blue has committed to Illinois State and says Fordham point guard Jio Fontan should be allowed to leave, too.

    The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Blue was one of two players to obtain his release from Fordham and committed to Illinois State on Thursday.  He will sit for one year as per NCAA regulations, paying his way in the process, and then have three years of eligibility remaining.

    “I’m going to Illinois State,” Blue said Friday by phone. “Through my year at Fordham I had a rough year. I had family issues.”

    Blue’s girlfriend of five years, Jillian Henry, lost her sister and niece when they were murdered Jan. 24 in Chicago.

    PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The thundershowers had just turned to sunshine and Chris Melvin was standing on the turf at Rutgers Stadium surrounded by nearly 200 of the top high school football players on the East Coast.

    Divided into position groups and wearing numbers to identify them, the players performed drills under the watchful eyes of high school coaches who barked out suggestions and directions.
    NCAA regulations prevent college coaches from attending the Big Time Football Showcase, but Melvin says many are dying to know these elite-level players performed in the one-day event held May 7.

    “There are a lot of coaches trying to find out what’s going on here,” said Melvin, a recruiting analyst for EliteRecruits.com who is in charge of inviting the players. “By the time nine o’clock [tonight] hits I guarantee you my phone is going to be ringing beyond its capability. I’m sort of like Barack Obama right now. Everyone’s calling me trying to be my best friend.”

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