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m e n ��� s b a s k e t b a l l r e c r u i t i n g Eye On 2014 Purdue likely looking to sign three in next recruiting class BY BRIAN NEUBERT BNeubert@GoldandBlack.com W part of Purdue���s 2014 class, at least at this point. Where the Boilermakers might find the big man they���re looking for remains to be seen. Massachusetts��� Alec Brennan, Georgia���s (by way of Toronto) Jabari Craig and Florida���s Ricky Doyle are all targets. Brennan is a 6-10 power forward from Milton Academy who���s known for his ability to step out and play on the perimeter. The son of a pair of architects ��� his mother earned her graduate degree from Purdue ��� Brennan is also an Ivy League-caliber student drawn to Purdue���s engineering program. ���Purdue has been at him as hard as I have ever seen a coach recruit someone, in my opinion,��� said Brennan���s AAU coach, Ty Boswell, referring to Boilermaker associate head coach Jack Owens. ���He calls me, he stays in touch with the family, and he���s done a great job.��� Ranked No. 130 in the Class of 2014 by Rivals.com, Brennan has options. Notre Dame, Stanford and the Ivy League are re- ith three scholarships, as of right now, to offer for its 2014 recruiting class, Purdue���s cast a wide geographic net in its recruitment of the current high school junior class. But as is now the case for Boilermaker football, Ohio is especially prominent. Two players Matt Painter and has targeted and stands a very, very good chance to land are Middletown forward Vince Edwards and Elida shooting guard/wing Dakota Mathias. Both would appear to be leaning significantly toward Purdue. ���They���re so high at the top of my interest in colleges it���s ridiculous,��� said Edwards, a versatile, effort-driven 6-foot-7 forward who ranks 63rd nationally in ���14 class by Rivals.com. ���It���s a great college, a great atmosphere. You have to love it. The fans are really into it. It���s a really good place to be.��� That���s been the gist of Edwards��� feeling toward Purdue since the very beginning, after the Boilermakers were the first to seriously recruit him, before offers came in from West Virginia, Xavier, Dayton and numerous others. His decision will come down to Purdue and Michigan, which has promised to offer him when he���s able to make it to Ann Arbor for a visit. Brian Neubert That has not yet happened. Minnesota is making Ohio forward Vince Edwards has said in no uncertain terms that a push, also. Purdue is his No. 1 choice among But it would take a lot to unseat Purdue at the colleges recruiting him. the top of his list, Edwards said. Edwards is known for his energy, intensity I think I can do a little bit and versatility, a player who���s his high school team���s more. Passing is one of primary ball-handler and its top post presence. the things a lot of these ���Coach (Matt) Painter wants me to fill that Robbie coaches seem to be noHummel role,��� Edwards said. ���That���s what he sees in ticing, and that���s a pretty me. But he says he thinks I might be able to do even nice compliment.��� a little bit more. Mathias averages 26 ���He wants me to fill that role and he thinks I can points, nine-and-a-half rereally be a huge asset for them as a freshman. He said bounds and six assists for he likes how I distribute the ball, how I crash (the his high school team this glass), how I���m unselfish, and anything he���d want me season and shooting 55 to do, that���s what I���ll do.��� percent, 39 percent from Edwards said he will decide on a college prior to three-point territory. his senior season at Middletown. West Virginia, Boston Mathias was just recently offered a Purdue, a de- College and several MAC velopment that might accelerate the recruiting pro- programs have joined cess for him, as he did not rule out the possibility of Purdue in offering early. committing following his junior season. Butler, Dayton, Xavier The 6-5 wing is known for his perimeter shooting. and Virginia are among ���(Painter) said I was more than just a shooter, that the schools who���ve sent I can do a lot of things,��� Mathias said, ���and that he coaches to see him. Lima News liked my passing ability and that I���m very versatile. He Edwards and Mathias Dakota Mathias was offered a scholarship by Purdue because of his ability to make said he likes those types of players. are two players who might shots from the perimeter and his versatility as a player. He could be on the verge of ���A lot of people just classify me as a shooter, but look like safe bets to be committing to the Boilermakers. 52 ��� Gold & Black IllustrateD ��� volume 23, issue 4 GBIprint.com GoldandBlack.com