DePaul Cathoic's Justin Nelson becomes Rutgers' first in-state recruit for the 2014. It's been a while since Florida's Josh Hicks came on board - RU's first commits have tended to be good ones including Mo Sanu, Betim Bujari, Ruhan Peele and Anthony Cioffi. Nelson is well respected in the Northern NJ circles and is close with a few big names that Flood will need to keep in state. Word is that, similar to 2013, many top NJ recruits are looking out of state. However, some of those dynamics could change pending a combination of 1) Campanile's hopeful growth into an ace recruiter; and 2) the right recruit can take a big leadership role in attracting other 2014 classmates (and of course, winning). Nelson seems to be all in on Rutgers, and he's here early enough to get in a lot of ears. Welcome to the Banks.

And keep the Big East name. And maybe the Garden. Meanwhile, Rutgers will be stuck in the Schlubby Schlub Schlub Conference for a year... and maybe not even have a conference tournament. Maybe they can find a way into the B1G next year.

Mike Rice is still the head coach of Rutgers basketball. Most expect him to still be that coach next year, but that doesn't stop the rumblings from starting. An editorial out of Providence speculated the URI coach is on his way to the banks after this season is over.

Yesterday was the Big East conference call. Mike Rice participated and updated everyone on Eli Carter. So far, Carter's fibula is healing as expected and surgery doesn't appear necessary. Carter will be checked weekly to make sure he's still progressing.