Booker to Kentucky; Looney to UCLA

Moss Point (MS) shooting guard Devin Booker announced today that he is playing his college basketball at the University of Kentucky.

Booker chose Kentucky over Michigan, Michigan State and Missouri.

Kentucky picks up its third recruit in the class of 2014. Booker joins Rivals five-star center Karl Towns of St. Joseph's (NJ) and point guard Tyler Ulis of Marian Catholic (IL).

The Wildcats could add another piece to the puzzle this evening. Five-star shooting guard James Blackmon is announcing his college decision, and Kentucky is in good position.

Savon Goodman Next to UCLA?

Yesterday, Tony Parker, a 2012 Miller Grove (GA) center, announced his commitment to UCLA at a press conference held at his high school. He chose UCLA over Georgia, Kansas, Ohio State and Duke.

Parker joined Shabazz Muhammad, Kyle Anderson and Jordan Adams to help UCLA acquire the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation by ESPN and No. 2 by both Rivals and Scout.

Following the commitment of Parker, UCLA commit Anderson took to Twitter to express his joy of the commitment and also mentioned who else he wanted to team up with as a future Bruin.

Shabazz Muhammad Commits to UCLA

Many sources indicated before his much anticipated decision that Shabazz Muhammad, (Bishop Gorman, NV) the No. 1 rated player by Rivals and No. 2 by ESPN, committed to UCLA.

Muhammad, who's always had a strong UCLA lean, made his final decision public when he announced for Ben Howland's Bruins on ESPNU's Signing Day Special.

"I chose to be a Bruin," he said when announcing his college decision.

Muhammad joins, my No. 1 player in the 2012 class, Kyle Anderson, a 6-9 point guard from St. Anthony in New Jersey as well as Jordan Adams of Oak Hill Academy.

Kyle Anderson Commits to UCLA

Kyle Anderson (St. Anthony, NJ) said a while back that he'd know his decision on September 19 and he didn't go back on his word. The 6-7 point-forward opted to select UCLA, over hometown favorite Seton Hall, Georgetown, St. Johns and Florida.

Anderson joins a three man class that features top-100 players Jordan Adams and Dominic Artis.

He has always been a point guard despite his lengthy frame and will have the chance to play in the backcourt with the Bruins despite already having one of the best point guards in the class headed to UCLA.

"Coach Howland said that I will be fighting for the point guard spot," he told Alex Kline of the Recruit Scoop. "As long as I'm on the court, I'll be good."

The Bruins aren't done with their 2012 class. UCLA is still in good standing with Shabazz Muhammad, the No. 1 recruit in the nation, who everyone believes has a UCLA lean.

If Howland is able to acquire Muhammad, the Bruins will undoubtedly, have the best class in the nation.

UCLA Guard Matt Carlino Will Transfer

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Freshman Matt Carlino, who has yet to touch the floor this season for the UCLA Bruins (3-4) has decided to transfer to another school according to head coach Ben Howland.

Carlino, from Bloomington, Indiana, chose UCLA over Arizona, Arizona State, Butler, Indiana, and USC.

Carlino was obviously not happy with the playing time he received at UCLA.

Carlino could have been a nice addition to a battered backcourt that needs help off the bench.

Coach Howland said he was totally blindsided by the news because Carlino had such a great practice the day before.

"Obviously I'm disappointed because it leaves us shorthanded," Howland said.

Howland had many chances to play the freshman after Carlino returned from a concussion injury sustained during the pre-season. However, Howland did not and Carlino decides to move on to another program where he can be successful.

I see the schools that initially had a chance at acquiring Carlino out of high school making a push towards acquiring the 6-foot-3 guard. He hasn't touched the court throughout this whole year, and could still have his 4-years of eligibility.

UCLA host Cal Poly at home December 11, which was the most likely time Bruin fans would have finally witnessed Carlino in action.

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UCLA Rediscovers Their Identity

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

The UCLA Bruins (3-3) did not generate a lot of buzz, and is currently riding a three game losing streak.

However, that three-game losing streak could possibly be in jeopardy if the referees did not bail the Kansas Jayhawks (7-0) out late in the ball game by calling a foul on a loose ball.

Nonetheless, during that game, Ben Howland's team showcased their unique talent, and ability to hang with the elite teams in the country.

The mastermind pacing the sidelines for UCLA, Howland, made a great decision electing not to start freshman Joshua Smith due to his recent foul troubles.

Smith stayed out of foul trouble for most of the game, and made the Jayhawks work for every attempts in the post.

Smith came away with 17 points, 13 rebounds, no turnovers, while shooting 50 percent from the field.

That seems to be the equation for success and I would expect to see Howland continue to bring Smith off the bench until he learns to play defense without fouling.

I would be willing to say, if Smith did not face foul trouble at VCU, or Villanova, the Bruins are (5-1).

Not to mention, Tyler Honeycutt is playing like a pro in the making. Honeycutt exploded on No. 4 Kansas for 33 points, and nine rebounds, while hitting the game tying three with five seconds left in the game.

UCLA in recent years has been able to conquer with great play from their guards and frontcourt. This season, if Smith can stay out of foul trouble, I think UCLA has a great shot at winning the conference title and possibly creating matchup problems for teams in the tournament.

The Bruins currently have two solid lead guards in Lazeric Jones, and Malcolm Lee. Honeycutt is the Bruins superstar, while Smith poses as the great competitor down low.

One game never makes your season, but it certainly dictates the pace. The Bruins have finally established themselves as competitors, and gained a lot of confidence despite falling by one in Lawrence.

UCLA has until December 18, 2010 to welcome in another top-25 opponent. The Bruins will face off against the No. 25 BYU Cougars and could pick up a marquee win as their non-conference schedule nears a close.

The Bruins displayed how well they can play with Smith on the floor, however, establishing depth will be critical.

It's not a promise that Smith can stay out of foul trouble every game. If UCLA has any shot at becoming Pac-10 champions over the Washington Huskies, or even proving that they are competitors, they'll need to establish depth.

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Jayhawks Defense In Need of Quick Improvement

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

The No. 4 Kansas Jayhawks (7-0) escaped a tough one at home against the UCLA Bruins (3-3) 77-76 after a questionable call seven-tenths before the buzzer sounded.

The Jayhawks pride took a hit with the close win at home against an unestablished team like UCLA.

The game would not even have come down to a free-throw if the Jayhawks jump out on Tyler Honeycutt, who scored 33 points, and grabbed nine boards, instead of giving him a good look at the three.

This is the second straight game the Jayhawks struggled to contain the opposition. UCLA posted 76 tonight, and the Arizona Wildcats scored 79 points the game before.

Both teams used their guards to penetrate the lane, and dishing out to teammates to create offense.

Both also possessed great big men that took it to the Morris twins inside, which helped dictate the tempo.

The Jayhawks have to get their act together fast if they want to stay undefeated. Their next game is against the No. 15 Memphis Tigers at a neutral location.

Memphis has the guards to penetrate into the lane and finish around the rim. This is something Kansas has yet to stop, dribble penetration.

The dribble drive has been Kansas' weakness throughout the year, and up next is a team with some of the best guards in the country. Will Barton can break down a defense, along with 6-foot-9 wingman Wesley Witherspoon.

Kansas' huge question mark this season was who was going to match the defensive intensity that Cole Aldrich provided inside; that question has went unanswered for the most part of the season.

With, or without Josh Selby, Kansas has to defend to win. There isn't a team in the NCAA that can get by game-by-game without defending the basketball.

The Jayhawks have being aided by their offense early-on, but something tells me Memphis isn't going to allow Kansas' offense to overwhelm them.

This is a crucial game early on for both teams. Both offenses can score on every possession, but the game will ultimately be decided on which team plays defense.

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Duke Reels In Point Guard Quinn Cook

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Quinn Cook, a 6-foot-1 guard from Oak Hill Academy recruitment has constructed a lot of buzz lately. His top three featured the North Carolina Tar Heels, UCLA Bruins, and Duke Blue Devils.

Tar Heels Head Coach Roy Williams grappled the chance to come visit point guard Cook recently but did not travel. That potentially damaged the chances of the 'Heels acquiring Cook.

Cook has coherently been pegged with Duke, and with Austin Rivers committing the Blue Devils seemed to make sense.

UCLA also made sense with the notion, that Cook could team up with Norman Powell and the Bruins always do a great job with guards.

Nonetheless, Cook ended the suspense with a verbal commitment to Duke. "It's just an honor for me to play there," Cook said.

Cook will team up with Rivers in what he said will be a "scary, scary" backcourt. "We knew by our visit together that we were going to play together," said Cook about teaming up with Rivers.

Cook followed up by saying his decision took longer because he wanted to make sure and talk to his family before making a commitment.

Kyrie Irving's decision to stay or go will not effect Cook at all saying it's a "win-win" situation for him. "If Kyrie [Irving] stays I'll get a chance to go against the best point guard in college basketball every day," Cook said. "If he leaves it's the opportunity for me to start. It's a win-win situation in my eyes."

Cook joins an already stacked 2011 class that features No. 1 overall player Rivers, top-five small forward Michael Gbinije, and center Marshall Plumlee.

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J'Mison Morgan Will Have A Big Effect for Baylor

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

If you ask most, the biggest player in the Big 12 this season will be Kansas State, for obvious reasons. The Wildcats returned more than they lost. However, the biggest improvement will be the team from Waco in Baylor.

Baylor returned LaceDarius Dunn, and Quincy Acey. They also brought in a top-tier freshman talent in Perry Jones from Duncanville, Texas.

With that roster, the Bears were said to compete with every team in the Big 12. However, after a major transfer, the Bears can set their eyes on a Big 12 championship.

J'Mison Morgan, a former center from UCLA, was granted the eligibility to play right away for the Bears during the 2010-11 season.

Morgan, who has two years of eligibility left, will come in and pose a physical post threat.

Looking into his previous statistics, he doesn't seem like the biggest acquisition for the Bears. However, with his 6-foot-10 frame, and ability to play physical in the post, the Bears have themselves a solid post presence.

With Jones and Morgan boasted in the frontcourt, and Acey and Dunn, the Bears have a lot to look forward to next season.

If the Bears establish a second-unit to commend their starters, they will have a chance to play for a Big 12 championship. 

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CBB Rumors: Recruit Chasson Randle to Purdue?

Posted by CoHoops Josh Dhani

Chasson Randle ranks sixth in the nation among all point guard recruits. 

He has had many offers, including new recent ones in Kansas and UCLA. But now, according to QCtimes.com, Randle has now narrowed down his list to what schools he will play for.

It's believed that the top three schools that brings him the most interest are Illinois, Purdue, and Stanford. 

Randle looks like he will fit nicely in any one of those three schools, since they haven't gotten anyone in the 2011 Class that's a point guard and that is committed to them.

Randle seems like a perfect guy, then. 

But fans of those three schools shouldn't start jumping and getting excited. There's a good chance Randle could in fact choose a school like Kansas instead.

UCLA Bruins Turning the Page on 2009-10 Season

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Not to long ago, the UCLA family lost hall-of-famer John Wooden. 

He is no question the greatest basketball coach in college basketball history, and arguably the best ever.

Now after mourning over the fallen icon, UCLA is going to go-hard next season.

Ask around, UCLA is one of the most storied basketball programs in the nation.