Rust belt recruiting road show

Fresh off their latest big catch, the Badger coaching staff has embarked on a whirlwind Rust Belt recruiting tour of sorts this week in Ohio and Pennsylvania. We're here to help you keep all the info straight.

First stop Tuesday was Cincinnati, turf which Lamont Paris has already been pounding hard since his arrival. Wisconsin has expressed interest in no fewer than three Queen City prospects in the Class of 2013: PG Kevin Johnson, SF Josh Davenport and prized PF Devin Williams. All three have reportedly been extended official UW offers at one point or another, but the validity of any of them is up for debate.

Wisconsin visited Davenport yesterday at Moeller HS and stopped by Withrow HS to see Williams. Williams in particular has a host of suitors and the list is growing. Head coach Tyrone Gibert indicated the 6'8" junior received an offer from UW, but that has proved inaccurate (per Evan Flood once again). One would expect UW's interest in Johnson to wane now that Bronson Koenig has verballed and the staff is stepping up its efforts with Geno Thorpe. However, this week's tour includes a stop at Johnson's Summit Country Day school on Thursday.

Today's agenda includes a stop outside Cincy for 2014 Middletown forward Vince Edwards before heading to Pennsylvania. Once there, UW will do its due diligence in the 2012 class by observing Beaver Falls forward Sheldon Jeter. While the Badgers will likely bank the last 2012 scholarship, Jeter is a 6'7" forward with length that appears to have decent potential after a 23 ppg, first team All-State junior campaign. [video]

Another visit with Thorpe caps the day. Meanwhile, back home, Greg Gard is planning to watch Matt Thomas yet again. It is possible that those two players will wind up in a first-come, first-served situation alongside Koenig in the 2013 class.

With Kyle Washington's move to an east coast prep school, he is being exposed to more high-caliber programs. Therefore, covering its back at the power forward position now becomes a point of emphasis for Wisconsin with its remaining offers.

In addition, evaluation has begun in earnest in the 2014 class. In addition to Edwards and Milwaukee native Kevon Looney, recruits like Chicago's Paul White, Indiana's Grant Evans and Dubuque's Seth Bonifas are already on Wisconsin's radar.

Check out the Basketball Recruiting Hub for more comprehensive info and see the updated B5Q scholarship grid.

--

Join the Badger conversation on Facebook! Go to our Facebook page and "like" us!

For more Wisconsin basketball coverage, follow Phil on Twitter @hoopsmarinara.