re: Tide Hoops | Recruiting

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2024 four-star big man Jesse McCulloch discusses recruitment


Jesse McCulloch is one of the more coveted bigs around the midwest in the junior class.

The 6-foot-9, 220-pound center out of Cleveland (Ohio) Lutheran East has four schools prioritizing him as of late and he has his first official visit set.

"Michigan State, Indiana, Ohio State and Alabama too," he said of the schools he feels prioritized by. "Alabama has been pushing."

He discussed the schools involved, recapped his unofficial visits to Michigan State, Ohio State and Indiana and discussed his timeframe on a decision.

Alabama: "I plan on taking a visit there soon. Coach [Nate] Oats flew in to see us in practice and stuff multiple times."

Indiana: "Coach [Mike] Woodson and coach [Brian] Walsh talk to me from there. I took a visit to them when they played Rutgers in football. It was a great visit. I really like their dorms, their facilities, the people around there, the team in general.

Michigan State: "I think they're a real good program. I talk to coach [Tom] Izzo a lot, coach Doug [Wojcik], TK [Thomas Kelley], the whole staff stays in contact. That's what I like about them."

Ohio State: "Coach [Jake] Diebler is really nice and coach [Chris] Holtmann. I took Ohio State unofficial when they played Rutgers in football. I like their program a lot and how they play and stuff."

Three of the schools in pursuit are all within driving distance of his hometown and so he shared whether proximity to home will play a factor in his decision.

"Close and not too far from home where I can get back to my family," he said.

Even though he has just one official set as of now to Michigan State on March3-5, it sounds as though he could be coming to a decision soon.

"Probably early 2023," McCulloch said of his timeframe.

What's he looking for in a school?

"Where I can play and make mistakes, I can learn through the system, play my role and win."

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2024 three-star Damarius Owens updates his recruitment


Damarius Owens is expanding his game during his junior season and his recruitment is expanding with it.

The 6-foot-8, 190-pound small forward out of Hudson (Ohio) Western Reserve Academy has had a handful of schools in pursuit including Marquette, Xavier, Syracuse and Virginia Tech but a new school is getting involved, he said.

"It's going pretty well," said the three-star prospect. "I am starting to get looks from Alabama so I am excited about that."

Following a 14 point, seven-rebound performance at Flyin to the Hoop over the weekend, Owens talked with 247Sports discussing each of the suitors in his recruitment.

Alabama: "They said they are looking forward to seeing me and to keep playing throughout the season. I like them. I talk to all of the coaching staff."

Marquette: "They're going pretty good. I am visiting soon on the 18th. I love Shaka. It's pretty exciting so I am looking forward to watching them."

Syracuse: "I like Syracuse. I grew up watching them so it's been a good experience. It's crazy, Red [Autry] is like another father-figure to me."

Virginia Tech: "I have been watching them since I was little."

Xavier: "The whole coaching staff made a Zoom call and talked to me."

Looking ahead and at these list of schools, he has two on his mind he wants to take officials to.

"I am looking forward to trying to take officials to Alabama and Virginia Tech," he said.

While some of his peers are getting their recruitment done early, Owens is in no rush.

"I am going to wait until after the AAU season," he said of the timeframe on his decision.

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Damarius Owens

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Alabama

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Marquette

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Syracuse

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Virginia Tech

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Xavier

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Do you think Dioubate can step right in and replace Clowney?

Just looked and he is only 6’7.

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idk where you got that

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