Paul Biancardi

  (2:31 PM)

Good afternoon hoop fans! Today is the first day of the early signing period. It's an exciting time for high school recruits as they begin to select their schools as well as for colleges as they start to see the future of their programs take shape.

Ray T (Charlotte, NC)

Paul, Got a guess on John Wall? Baylor with Clifton, NC State, Memphis, maybe even Duke? Thanks.

Paul Biancardi

  (2:34 PM)

Hello Ray. I'm in Charlotte with you. I just got off the phone with Wall's high school coach. He's definitely gonna sign late. He's made one official visit to Kansas and he's strongly looking at Memphis, Baylor, N.C. State and Duke.

Mike (Ames, IA)

Paul - Can you give us your feeling on where Harrison Barnes ends up?

Paul Biancardi

  (2:35 PM)

OK, Mike, here we go. UNC is way out in front right now. Iowa State's next with Iowa a close third.

Joe - Salt Lake City, UT

Hey Paul, How do you think Kenny Boynton's decision to head to the Gators will affect Brandon Knight? Does he follow him to Florida or does Knight carve his own path at a school like Duke or UConn?

Paul Biancardi

  (2:38 PM)

Hi Joe. Boynton and Knight have had tremendous success together on Team Breakdown. I think they can carry this over to the next level together. At the same time, Knight has to look at all the situations that are best for him. But they've won AAU championships together so you never know.

Stony, Springfield, MA

How successful has Derek Kellogg been thus far at UMass, and how good can we expect the recruiting to be under his leadership? Has Calipari taught him well? Is Freddie Riley as good as we hope? Thanks.

Paul Biancardi

  (2:41 PM)

Stony, how's life in Massachusetts, my favorite state?? Derek Kellogg is in his dream job being a Springfield native and a UMass alum. Given the time and resources he will have strong recruiting classes and success at UMass. Coach Calipari has been an excellent mentor for him and Freddie Riley is a streaky shooter with nice size and length. When he starts making shots he can really get on a roll. You're gonna like him in Amherst.

Jack (NYC)

Paul, Can you handicap the Josh Smith sweepstakes? Does he stay west or head to a traditional eastern power?

Paul Biancardi

  (2:43 PM)

Good afternoon, Jack. Early favorites are UCLA, Washington and North Carolina, in that order. Gaddy going to UW really helps the Huskies because of his relationship with Smith. But his recruiting still has a long way to go.

John - Southie, Beantown

Thanks for the great work... what do you think about BC recruit Reggie Jackson and what are their prospects for the '09 class? Thanks

Paul Biancardi

  (2:49 PM)

Hi John, this is Paul from Eastie. Jackson was one of the biggest surprises out West after the summer evaluation period last year. He has unbelievable wing span, close to 7 feet. He's a very good athlete and explosive in the open court. Reggie possesses a solid feel for the game and really forces the action. Because to his length and athleticism, he has the potential to be an excellent defender. BC has no one on the board in '09 right now. Coach Skinner's MO is to find the right guys who may be under the radar but turn out to be very good. Trust Al and his staff to make the right decisions.

Lee Evans - Buffalo, NY

Hey Paul, great work... What are your thoughts on the University at Buffalo's Titus Robinson and M. Wyatt? Thanks a lot

Paul Biancardi

  (2:55 PM)

Thanks Lee! Is this Lee Evans from the Bills?? Robinson has a versatile offensive game. He can shoot it from deep and take defenders off the dribble. He's a lanky four-man with a lot of athleticism. Watt, is a 6-9, 210 post player.

Jake (Syracuse)

Paul, do you think Syracuse's recruiting class is shaping up nicely?

Paul Biancardi

  (2:59 PM)

Jake, James Southerland has smooth stroke and can really stroke the 3. He has just the type of body and athleticism that the Orange have recruited in the past. They're just the type of frames they look for. Triche has really good size for a guard. ESPNU's No. 93 overall. He's powerful and can spot up to shoot the 3. And don't forget, the 'Cuse already has three big time commitments in the class of 2010. Things are going smooth for Coach Boeheim and his staff.

Donny, Rosemount MN

What do you think of Tubby Smith's recruiting class of '09?

Paul Biancardi

  (3:01 PM)

Donny, I love Tubby's class. It's filled with athleticism, size and skill. This is a Top 20 class. I'd be very excited if I was a Gopher fan.

John Boy (Kentucky)

Any late bloomers in the class of 2009 that we'll see rise up the rankings before next season?

Paul Biancardi

  (3:08 PM)

There are always late bloomers, guys who develop through the course of the season. John Boy, here are a few names to keep an eye on. Chris Colvin and Marcus Jordan (son of Michael) both at Whitney Young in Chicago, Ivo Baltic from Missouri and in your back yard, 7-foot center Jamarious Sykes from Radcliffe, Ky. are kids to keep an eye on.

Jim Milwaukee, Wisconsin

What are your thoughts on the Illinois 4-man class and who will have the biggest impact on the Illini as a freshman? Also how could Brandon Paul possibly be left out of the ESPNU top 100 when he is a consensus top 50 player?

Paul Biancardi

  (3:18 PM)

We take pride in our rankings and while Paul is a very good player we feel there are more deserving players right now. Our Top 100 is an 'open enrollment' type where we can shuffle kids in and out based on play. Richardson and Griffey are the lead guys and should help the fastest and are the most talented. Griffey can really shoot it well for a guy his size and Richardson is explosive in the lane with a tremendous middle game.

Henry (bloomington)

Can you talk about the job Crean has done at IU? It seems like this might be one of the best recruiting jobs ever, given the restrictions that were placed on he and the university...Your thoughts?

Paul Biancardi

  (3:21 PM)

Henry, you just know that wherever Tom Crean goes things are going to get accomplished. They've signed a class that has depth for the future and talent in Creek and Watford. The rest of the class are good players who should contribute, especially based on the depletion of the roster last year. I'm not surprised at all by the job Crean and his staff have done. I expect his teams to get better and better every year.

Graham: Owensboro, KY

Where do you think that Xavier Henry (number one recruit in his class) will commit to next year?

Paul Biancardi

  (3:25 PM)

Hi Graham. Right now it's between Memphis and Kansas and I truly believe it will stay that way. He'll wait until the spring to make his decision so stay tuned. Xavier will be on our ESPNU recruiting TV show this Friday at 4 pm et so tune in.

nathan (michigan)

what have you heard and possibly seen about Oakland University's incoming freshman. They have a highly touted class and Ilija Milutinovic (who first decided on Oregon State before continuing his prep career) I hear all their freshman are dangerous and could put Oakland in the National Spotlight. Your insights?

Paul Biancardi

  (3:29 PM)

Nathan, Oakland's 2008 class is exceptionally strong for this program. I love Drew Maynard, who is a big guard, who is athletic and can really shoot it from the outside when he has space. And Jay Thames is a talented power forward. It's a five man class that can really impact coach Greg Kampe's success this season.

Paul Biancardi

  (3:30 PM)

I want to thank everyone for their excitement about high school recruiting! Please tune in to the ESPNU Insider show this Friday night from 4-6 pm on ESPNU. It will be filled with interviews from some of the top prospects in the country. Talk to you next Wednesday!