By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Today is the first day of the fall signing period, but only two of Xavier's three 2004 recruits are expected to sign national letters of intent this week.

Churchill Odia of Montrose Christian (Md.) School likely will wait until the late signing period in April, said his high school coach, Stu Vetter. The other two, Moeller's Josh Duncan and Hargrave Military (Va.) Academy's Stanley Burrell will sign today.

"It's a smart move for the player to wait until April," said Vetter, who advises most of his players not to sign in the fall. "If I'm a good player, why should I sign early not knowing what the circumstances will be in April. A player signs a great deal based on who's coaching the team. I don't tell players they can't sign early, I just advise them not to."

Vetter said Odia's oral commitment is solid, and Vetter fully expects Odia to sign with Xavier in April. Vetter said Odia, who hoopscooponline.com ranks as the 25th-best prospect nationally, is protecting himself if XU's coaching situation changes.

"If players and parents were completely informed, they wouldn't sign a letter of intent," Vetter said.

Xavier's recruiting plan will be unchanged if Odia waits until April to sign. The Musketeers have three scholarships to give for 2004, and Odia will receive one of them when he signs.

It is not necessary for players to sign letters of intent. University of Missouri freshman Linas Kleiza, who played at Montrose Christian, never signed with the Tigers, on the advice of Vetter, but kept his oral commitment. Theoretically, Kleiza could have gone anywhere with an open scholarship because he never signed. A letter of intent simply ends the recruiting process.

Vetter said at 6-foot-6, Odia is a true point guard. Burrell, on the other hand, at 6-3, will play shooting guard this season. Big man Duncan led Moeller to a state title last season.

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E-mail ddow@enquirer.com