Dedrick Finn, the shortest member of Xavier's recruiting class, had gotten Thad Matta's longest look. The 6-foot point guard from Newburgh (Ind.) Castle High, recruited by Matta for nearly two years, gave XU a verbal commitment Tuesday.

        “The cornerstone to this class is Dedrick Finn,” said Dave Telep of BlueChipHoops.com. “There was no hiding the fact he was their No.1 priority this year. I would venture to say that was the plan all along, to try to build a recruiting class around him.”

        Hoop Scoop publisher Clark Francis said XU's four-man recruiting class ranks among the nation's top 15. The Musketeers have one scholarship left to give.

        “If you're Xavier and you get a top-20 class in your first year as coach, you ought to be thrilled,” Francis said.

        Finn is rated No.73 by BlueChipHoops, 89th by CNNSI.com, 90th by Hoop Scoop and 94th by ESPN.com. He joins 6-8 forward Angelo Smith, 6-7 forward Brandon Cole and 6-10 junior-college center Randy Holbrook as XU recruits who will begin play in the 2002-03 season.

        Finn averaged 20.5 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals last winter for a 19-4 team in Indiana's 4A (largest) classification, making the junior all-state team. He shot 51 percent from the field, including 43 percent on 3-pointers and 88 percent from the line.

        “I've been a head coach for 28 years in Indiana, and he's the real deal,” Castle coach Steve Brunes said. “He's a wonderful defender.

        “Coach Matta and (assistant John) Groce are the people he really liked. He considered Butler just because of them. When they went to Xavier — a move up — he was a little skeptical, but after he saw the facilities, they became his No.1 choice.”

        Finn took an unofficial visit to XU in June and returned last weekend for his official visit. XU was the only school he visited.

        Finn, from the Evansville area, is friendly with Smith, who's from Indianapolis Lawrence North.

        “It's kind of nice to have somebody I know (also going),” Finn said. “We played against (incoming XU freshman) Will Caudle in the junior-senior all-star game.”

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