It’s looking like Lonnie Walker, Darryl Morsell or ‘next class’ for Villanova

For some time, adding a guard has seemed to be the biggest need for a class that features Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, Jermaine Samuels, and (for eligibility purposes) Omari Spellman as well. That’s a lot of size and toughness that can play inside the arc - the need is somebody who can play outside of it.

Following Justin Smith’s commitment to Indiana, it’s looking more and more likely that guards Lonnie Walker and Darryl Morsell are the only potential additions to Villanova’s 2017 recruiting class.

Trevon Duval is going to wait until the spring to decide, and ‘Nova may keep kicking the tires on him but it seems entirely dependent on whether Jalen Brunson stays in school (likely) or heads to the NBA (less likely). And depsite ESPN’s Jeff Borzello claiming the ‘Cats are still recruiting Quade Green ($), there’s really never been any real buzz between the two parties.

That leaves Walker and Morsell. Both prospects have been to campus multiple times, and both have received the Villanova coaching staff for in-home visits in recent weeks. And both seem set to take the rest of their visits and “decide when they’re ready.” That last part can be frustrating for a fan.

Both players are perfect fits at Villanova, and in Walker’s case the ‘Cats have been on him since he was a lesser-known commodity in Reading. Ghosts of the past start to creep in to fan’s minds when it comes to recruiting elite local talent like Walker. The difference now is that Villanova will be fine with or without either player.

Landing Walker or Morsell would finish off another great class, but even if ‘Nova whiffs on both it isn’t cause for panic. Jay Wright has made a living the past few years by identifying his key targets and zeroing in. If he lands them, great. If he doesnt land them, he moves on to the next class instead of moving on to a player who might not fit in the same class.

That’s exactly what we should expect to happen here, and continue to happen in the future.