Quick hits on recruiting: UPDATED

Here are a few recruiting nuggets that popped in the last day or so:

• The Big East Basketball report -- a must-read site -- found this link yesterday ...... the Washington Post recruiting blog spoke with Frank Ben-Eze's high school coach and it sounds like the big fella will make his college choice soon.
• If Ben-Eze goes elsewhere, maybe MU will turn up the heat on a pair of 7-footers playing in nearby Lake Forest, IL. According to Chicago Hoops, MU has expressed interest in these bigger fellas.
• SF Mookie Jones will visit Marquette University this weekend.
• SIU fans are whining about Josh Crittle's comments on the relatively weak MVC. Hey, the truth hurts. That said, SIU is a very good program.
• UVA's blogger seems convinced that his Wahoos are fading in the race to sign Lance Goulbourne. The 6'7" SF is considering MU, Vandy and UVa.
• Coach Rab is back with the latest installment on his blog, In Rab's Words. Funny stuff this time around.

UPDATED

• Marquette is actively recruiting 6'9" PF Erik Murphy of St. Mark's (MA) Academy. Of course, so are UVa, Duke, UF, UNC, Michigan, UConn and others. MU has been mentioned as an aggressive suitor of Murphy, in the class of 2009, for months. Ray Floriani covers the East Coast basketball scene for Hoopville.net and Basketball Times, and was in the gym to see Murphy play this past weekend at the Hoop Group Fall Jam Fest. Ray just emailed CS his impressions of Murphy's game:
  

Was very impressed with Erik Murphy at the Hoop Group Jam Fest. He showed good mobility, a nice drop step and the ability to run the floor and mix it up inside. Erik also maintained his cool in the semifinal I officiated against a team (Brooklyn Ballers) that got in your face and tried to intimidate.

Erik's dad Jay, a former Boston College star, said a large number of schools were in pursuit but he did mention Marquette specifically and prominently. Erik had a great visit and Florida but I believe all options will be weighed prior to deciding.

Also impressed with Erik's regimen. His dad works with him in the gym but there will be times a basketball is not picked up. Rather, Erik will jump rope and work on other agility , footwork and running drills. A refreshing thing to hear in this day when too many kids practice by only attempting three pointers and 'Sportscenter' moves.

More updates as they appear.....