Chat with Paul Biancardi

Welcome to SportsNation! On Monday, Scouts Inc.'s basketball recruiting expert Paul Biancardi will stop by to talk about college basketball's future stars. Check out the things to watch during the early signing period.
Biancardi, who spent 2007-08 as an assistant coach on Rick Majerus' staff at Saint Louis University, is the national recruiting director for ESPN Scouts Inc. He has 18 years of coaching experience at the Division I level. He was an assistant at Boston University, Boston College and Ohio State before becoming the head coach at Wright State, where he earned Horizon League Coach of the Year honors in the 2003-04 season.
Send your questions now and join Biancardi Monday at 2 p.m. ET!
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Paul Biancardi (2:00 PM)
Thanks for all your questions. An exciting and important week for college progams is here. National Signing Week starts Nov. 10. and ends Nov. 17
willie harris (memphis , tn)
How much impact will Adonis Thomas have on memphis team as a freshmen.
Paul Biancardi (2:02 PM)
He will have a tremendous impact because of his explosive athletic ability, skill level out to 17 feet and a relentless work ethic. He'll also be surrounded by some very good players -- Joe Jackson, Will Barton -- which will help him. How about your Memphis Tigers getting the No. 1 player from the state of Tenn. for two years in a row!
Marlon (Kansas City)
What are you hearing about the chances of Ben McClemore signing with the Jayhawks?
Paul Biancardi (2:04 PM)
Hi Marlon, McLemore is getting ready to make a decision soon, but may not sign until the late period. Half of his support group want him to go to Kansas and the other half want Missouri. I am going to lean towards Kansas.
Chris (Syracuse)
Should Syracuse fans expect Dion Waiters to be a impact freshman and play major mins this season? Thanks
Paul Biancardi (2:07 PM)
Yes, I anticipate Waiters to play major minutes and at times impact games. He posseses the skill level, instincts and college-ready body to perform in the brutal Big East. But most freshman hit an emotional wall during the season, but he should have a good season overall.
Jeff Daskul (Long Island, NY)
Waht are the odds of St. John's getting signed letters in November from Norvelle Pelle and Amir Garrett
Paul Biancardi (2:08 PM)
Hey Jeff, we see them getting Pelle and Garrett. They may get Pelle early, but it looks as though Garrett signing lately. But anticipate there's a very good chance of the Red Storm landing both.
Martin (New York)
Will St. John's be back in the top five with the addictions of Amir Garrett and Norvel Pelle?
Paul Biancardi (2:10 PM)
Lotta love from the Big Apple. If they get Pelle and Garrett, it should push them into the top 5 based on quality and quantity. A remarkable job by Steve Lavin. they already have four in the ESPNU 100 and if they add both that would be 6. Remarkable!
adam (chicago)
as of now, what are your thoughts on cody zeller's game? also, if you were make a logical guess and one that makes the most sense, where does cody go when he announces wed ?
Paul Biancardi (2:13 PM)
Here's the latest on Zeller. He will have a press conference at Wash. HS in Indiana soon. Still no word as to which way he's leaning between UNC, Butler and Indiana. I think Indiana needs him the most because he would be the first local star they kept at home under Tom Crean.
Jordan (Tampa)
Out of Shabazz Muhammad, Alex Murphy and Rodney Purvis do you see Duke signing any of them? Do you think more than one could sign?
Paul Biancardi (2:14 PM)
All three are the cream of the crop among underclassmen and I could see Duke landing all three very easily with the direction this program is heading right now.
Cody (North Carolina)
If the NBA does not have a lockout next year, do you see Kyrie Irving and Harrison Barnes staying school or turning pro?
Paul Biancardi (2:16 PM)
Hey Cody, all indications from talking to various NBA scouts, Irving and Barnes are projected lottery picks for next year. Because of that I don't see them staying in school.
Alan B> (North Carolina)
Zeller to IU?
Paul Biancardi (2:17 PM)
Alan, they definitely need him the most because it could start a landslide of in-state recruits to play with Zeller. He could be the face of the program when it comes to in-state and national players choosing IU.
Tim (ATL)
its hard to believe that oregon is only a few years removed from an Elite 8 appearance (2 of them, really) - but now the coaching change has left the team decimated. How important is this recruiting class, and how has the new staff done? thanks!
Paul Biancardi (2:20 PM)
Oregon has a difficult recruiting base because there isn't a lot of talent in the state, so they have to look at neighboring states or nationally. Jabari Brown's status will help the Ducks status immediately along with Bruce Barron and Brett Kingma. Dana Altman is an excellent coach, but first he has to recruit a team to develop into a contender in the Pac-10.
Nick (Chapel Hill)
Why is Indian so lucrative for Cody Zeller?
Paul Biancardi (2:23 PM)
Nick, lot of chatter about Zeller and deservedly so being the top rated available player in the ESPNU 100. Indiana has unmatched tradition, one of the best fanbases in all of college bball and a coach in Crean who has got Marquette where Indiana wants to be (Final 4). When your an in-state player and go to IU and you have success there is a life for you after college on the bball court most likely and a great connection with IU alums that is hard to beat. IU does a great job taking care of their own.
Tony (Boston)
Paul, Do you think Michael Carter Williams will be an immediate impact player for the orange next year??
Paul Biancardi (2:26 PM)
Carter-Williams will be an immediate contributor. Not sure he's ready to impact, but in due time he will because he can create for himself and his teammates. He has good size for his position with athleticism and good ball skills.
Joe (New York,NY)
There has been some speculation that Duke might lose its sharp shooter Andre Dawkins due to all the recent commits. I on the other hand believe that he slides into a starting role next year along side Rivers and Cook... your thoughts?
Paul Biancardi (2:28 PM)
Upon graduation of Smith and Singler, Dawkins' shooting will always be needed. I do believe he will get more playing time and enhance Duke's perimeter. At the end of the day, he will be the Blue Devil's best shooter.
Bill (Bucks County, PA)
What are the best early season tournaments to see East Coast prep talent?
Paul Biancardi (2:31 PM)
One of the best is National Prep Showcase in New Haven, Conn. where you can see all the best prospects on the East Coast. It goes from Nov. 19-24. It should be loaded!
Beau (Little Rock)
Does this Top 5 recruiting class for John Pelphrey give him another 2-3 years? Also will this 2011 class for Arkansas make them legit again in basketball and return them to a National Power?
Paul Biancardi (2:32 PM)
Beau, this will be the class -- if it stays together and develops -- could be the one that gets Ark. into the NCAA tourney. Also as they get better on the court, more recruits will want to join them.
Joe (New York)
How quickly can Rutgers turn it around with the recruits in their 2011 class? And who are the players to watch from those who have already committed to Rutgers?
Paul Biancardi (2:35 PM)
This is an excellent class by Rutgers with quality and quantity. Keep in mind they will be freshmen next year, which will be a learning curve in itself. As soon as this class physically matures and picks up all of coach Rice's system and philosophy. This class should compete and be in the upper echelon of the Big East by their junior year realistically.Kadeem Jack and Myle Mack are two to keep an eye on. Jack will be the spark and frontcourt player Rutgers needs. Mack is a winner who makes big shots.
Ricky (Jackson,Ms)
Do you think Renardo Sidney will be a one and done and also a lottery pick?
Paul Biancardi (2:37 PM)
Sidney has all the tools, skills and size to play in the NBA. He does struggle to keep himself in shape and play with intensity on a consistent basis. I could see him leaving after his first year, but I don't think he is lottery level at this time. He would have to tighten up his conditioning and play with greater effort on a consistent basis.
Brandon (Virginia)
With duke's recent recruiting success, do u think it's possible for a potential log jam of players at duke in the upcoming seasons?
Paul Biancardi (2:38 PM)
I don't think this will happen. With the graduation of Smith and Singler, there will be a tremendous void. Coach K wil be able to go 8 deep and develop his bench along with having great competition at practice to keep the starters on their toes.
Todd (Wilmington, nc)
UNC wilmington has 8 verbals for 7 scholarships. Who's verbal is falling through?
Paul Biancardi (2:40 PM)
Todd its a common practive that coaches over commit or sign based on info they have. They may know there is a player that is leaving the program and they may anticipate one of the verbals may not follow through. Usually this is not a big deal because the coaches know their systems and rosters far better than we do.
Jack (DC)
Speaking of Harrison Barnes, can we pile a little more pressure on this kid? Think he wishes he was wearing a darker blue? Big mistake...
Paul Biancardi (2:42 PM)
Barnes puts more pressure on himself than anyone could put on him. He is a mature young man on and off the floor. He's happy with the decision he made b/c he wants to bring UNC back to the NCAA tourney. With him and his freshman buddies Bullock and Marshall as well as some returning players, UNC could have a good season.
chris (New York)
assuming st johns gets pelle and garrett will they be ranked in the preseason next year? Also who will be their top recruit from the 2011 class right now sampson u think it will change?
Paul Biancardi (2:44 PM)
Hey Chris, I don't believe so. As great as a recruiting class that would be we are dealing with freshman. Though talented, the time its going to take to play at the speed of the Big East and learn a whole new system will take a few years. with patience, a preseason ranking will happen sooner rather than later. Right now the top recruit is Jakar Sampson -- an elite and versatile athlete.
Blaine (MS)
Hey paul, why is it, every year it seems like Rick Stansbury has a ok-to-not so good recruiting class, then ends up with a top 2 team in the Western Division of the SEC? How does he make that work, and will he EVER get over the hump and get us a really good recruiting class?
Paul Biancardi (2:46 PM)
Hey Blaine. Great question. Recruiting is something based on potential and production. Stansbury seems to find guys that don't have a high ranking but end up being better than everyone thinks which is a credit to him. He is also a good bball coach and seems to get his teams to peak well at the end of the season. He's landed his share of talent over the years, but by and large he gets it done with guys who are under the radar or takes chances on guys like Renardo Sidney and John Riek.
Jason (Maryland)
What are the chances Adjehi Baru committs to Maryland? Will it happen during the early signing period?
Paul Biancardi (2:48 PM)
Baru is exoected to commit to Maryland. Sources are saying that it will happen in the late signing period.
bubba (seattle)
so you see pelle going to st. johns, he has a visit to UW this weekend. Where do you see Chol going?
Paul Biancardi (2:50 PM)
Chol's going to sign late. He is heavily involved Bama, Kansas, Arizona, UNC, UW.Pelle is down to St. John's and Washington.
Paul Biancardi (2:53 PM)
Look for Jarrell Eddie. Once he gets acclimated to the rigors of the college game look for him to make a strong contribution. Looking down the road a bit, when Dorian Finney-Smith steps on campus, he will be a name to remember. 6-7 skilled forward who is a hard matchup.
Matt (Lexington, KY)
Your pick for Freshman of the Year in the 2011 Class?
Paul Biancardi (2:54 PM)
I'll say Austin Rivers because his game will translate well, he will be surrounded by good players and he will have the opportunity to impact Duke. He will be able to do this with his skills, instincts, approach and battle-tested game.
Tyler (Jersey City, NJ)
Do you think the 2011 recruiting for St. John's have any 1 and done players?
Paul Biancardi (2:55 PM)
No. That doesn't mean somebody doesn't leave. First they would have to have big freshman season to get on the draft board, but I think they will be around for a while in the Big East.
Jeff (Florida)
How is Tubby Smith's class in Minnesota looking?
Paul Biancardi (2:57 PM)
Coach Smith has a pair of ESPNU 100 perimeter players. Hollins has an old-school approach and toughness to the game that coach Smith will love on the floor and rub off on the players. Coleman is an explosive athlete who beats people off the dribble and has a good mid-range game. Two productive guys coming to the Big Ten.
Jack (DC)
I hate to say it, but will Quin Cook even see the court before his Junior year at Duke? Where will he play?
Paul Biancardi (3:00 PM)
Are you a Tar Heel or Blue Devil? ha ha. With Irving probably leaving, the biggest void on the team will be PG, so Cook should see the court as a freshman. He will take control and be an extension of Coach K on the court.
Kevin (Seattle)
Where is Cody Zeller going to end up. Is there a chance Butler can actually get this kind of player?
Paul Biancardi (3:03 PM)
We will finish the day with the most popular question of the day - Where will Cody Zeller go? With Butler's success there is a realistic possibilty that they land him. They are selling the fact that he could be the next Gordon Heyward. He has struggled making this decision and he's had the same three schools for a long time. Stay tuned for that big decision. Will he play with his brother? Will he be Crean's biggest recruit? Will he try and be the next Heyward?
Paul Biancardi (3:04 PM)
Thanks for all your questions and excitement about recruiting. Make sure you watch our Signing Day Show Friday from 1-3 on ESPNU. Plus our Recruiting Insider Show on Thursday 5-6 on ESPNU.
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