Posted by CoHoops Paul SeaverRutgers and St. John's each inked new head coaches this off season and both have hit the recruiting trails hard.
Rutgers head coach Mike Rice, who guided Robert Morris to near shocker in the first round of the NCAA Tournament over Villanova, has moved onto the Big East, taking over the Scarlet Knights.
Just a bit north of Rice, St. John's, who has fell into the bottom of the Big East over the past few years brings back a senior laden team in 2010-2011, however new head coach Steve Lavin has been pushing hard on the recruiting circuit this summer, as well.
On the final day in August, both Big East schools worked towards improving by reeling in some of their top targets.
Kadeem Jack, has announced his verbal commitment to Rutgers. Jack was once thought of as a potential reclassification recruit to help North Carolina down low, however, he will attend South Kent Prep (CT) and then Rutgers in 2011.
The 6-foot-9 Jack chose the Scarlet Knights over West Virginia, Miami (FL), and Arkansas.
Jack's future teammate this upcoming season at South Kent Prep (CT) will be swing man Maurice Harkless. Harkless also made his verbal announcement on the final day of August, choosing St. John's.
The former UConn commit, is a 6-foot-6 small forward and is rated the 81st overall prospect in the class of 2011. Harkless is the first big-name commitment earned by Steve Lavin and is one of the higher rated recruits to chose St. John's in recent time.
Both Jack and Harkless are natives of Queens, New York. Harkless will return to his hometown for his collegiate ball, while Jack will head a little further down the coast. Either way, each of them adds a needed dimension to the Big East schools looking to emerge from the cellar of the nation's largest conference.
*Photo: Maurice Harkless *Credit: maryland.scout.com
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