Monday, August 27, 2001

Xavier wants answer from guard




By Neil Schmidt
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        Xavier's recruitment of a point guard has turned into a high-stakes poker game. Two talented players are caught in the balance.

        “They need a decision, and we're not ready,” said Derrick Finn, father of Newburgh (Ind.) Castle High star Dedrick Finn. “It's frustrating. Dedrick's walking around in a funk. This is a lifetime decision.”

        Sunday, the Finns completed an unofficial visit to XU — their second visit to XU. They have an official visit scheduled to Mississippi State in two weeks and Tennessee two weeks later, both of which have offered scholarships. But Derrick Finn said XU coaches told their son they need his decision on XU's scholarship offer by midweek.

        It's no secret to the Finns that Todd Galloway of Middleburg (Va.) Notre Dame, XU's other top target at point guard, is scheduled to make an official visit Friday to XU.

        “We love Xavier,” Derrick Finn said. “But they're looking at other guards. Why can't we look at other schools?”

        Such is the nature of recruiting today. With players committing earlier and earlier, the pressure is on college coaches not to be stuck holding open scholarships for long.

        “I know (XU's coaches) have a job to do; they have to cover their butt,” Derrick Finn said.

        PrepStars.com, rating the top point guard prospects, rates Finn No. 16 and Galloway 18th. The 6-foot Finn averaged 20.5 points and 6.0 assists last season. The 5-11 Galloway averaged 16.7 points and 6.0 assists.

       



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