• Louisville has big upcoming weekend

  • By Mike LaPlante | September 2, 2010 6:37:14 AM PDT
This is what the state of Kentucky envisioned when it thought of Rick Pitino and John Calipari coaching the state's two biggest schools -- a healthy rivalry on the same level of North Carolina and Duke with two elite coaches, with big personalities, attracting top-level talent and competing for national championships. Calipari has grabbed most of the recent attention and has the UK faithful buzzing with back-to-back No. 1 recruiting classes in 2009 and 2010 along with the front runner's position again in 2011. Now it is Pitino's opportunity to seize some momentum. Louisville has already put together a strong recruiting class with the likes of Wayne Blackshear (Chicago, Ill./ Morgan Park), Zach Price (Louisville, Ky./ Jeffersontown) and Ryan Taylor (Indianapolis, Ind./ Lawrence North), but this Labor Day weekend the Cardinals have a major opportunity to take a big step in putting together an elite class for 2011 as the Cardinals have a star-studded group of rising seniors coming to campus.ESPNU 100 players Quincy Miller (High Point, N.C./ Westchester Academy), Josiah Turner (Sacramento, Calif./Sacramento), Deuce Bello (High Point, N.C./ Westchester Academy), Chane Behanan (Bowling Green, KY./Bowling Green) and Price will be together in Louisville checking out the school's academic program, facilities and festivities. The weekend guests will get a small glimpse of the in-state rivalry between Louisville and Kentucky as the state's heavweights square off on the gridiron. The difference maker in this group is obviously Miller. The 6-foot-10 forward, who has long list of schools including Baylor, Miami, Wake Forest, Marquette, Kentucky, Duke, Oklahoma, Texas and UCLA, is as talented as anyone in the country and would go a long way in Louisville's quest at building a national contender. Another key player in the process could be Bello, who has a similar list of schools as Miller. He says the two are strongly considering attending the same college and are looking forward to their visits."It should be a great weekend. There should be a lot going on with the football game and everything," said Bello. "I am looking forward to seeing the new facility and spending time with the coaches and players."ESPN National Recruiting Director Paul Biancardi sees how pivotal this weekend could be for the Cardinals. "This is a vital recruiting weekend. I am sure they are excited up in Louisville to have this talented group of players on campus," said Biancardi. "Coach Pitino already has three talented players committed; if things work out in the Cardinals' favor they would have the makings of a potent class."

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