Ye olde notebook:
We're chugging toward the college football season, but this also happens to be the July recruiting period for college hoops.
As one would expect, WVU's Bob Huggins and staff have been on the road. (Ever wonder what Huggins' frequent flier miles account looks like?) The Mountaineers will have four openings for the 2017 class with Nate Adrian, Tarik Phillip, Teyvon Myers and Brandon Watkins all set for their last go-around.
Remember, though, one 2017 scholarship has been set aside for South Charleston's Brandon Knapper, who signed with WVU but will make a pit stop at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia.
So that leaves three openings. As one might guess, the recruiting board is in a constant state of flux. But my sources say the latest board includes these five targets to watch:
Kyle Young - A four-star, 6-foot-6 small forward from Massillon, Ohio. Huggins is apparently hoping to work his Ohio magic again and out-recruit Ohio State, among a long list of others.
Sterling Manley - A 6-10, 230-pound center, Manley is from Pickerington Central High in, yep, Ohio. Erik Martin is leading the charge here. Others offering include Nebraska, Pitt, Xavier and Wisconsin.
Jordan McCabe - While on the topic of Wisconsin, WVU is on this three-star point guard from that state, Kaukana specifically. DePaul, Minnesota and Missouri have also offered.
Antwan Walker - This 6-7, 215-pound Washington, D.C., standout is called a "late bloomer" originally in the 2016 class. The H.D. Woodson High product is now going to Hargrave and is in the 2017 class. Georgetown has been on Walker.
Kiyon Boyd - The 6-5 shooting guard is also a H.D. Woodson guy. He's been rated among the nation's Top 20 players in the 2018 247 Composite ranking and is drawing lots of attention. Maryland is also on him.
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While on the subject of WVU basketball, I spoke with Huggins recently. He had quite a few interesting things to say.
First, he pointed to his 2016-17 backcourt.
"Those guys have the potential to be as good a group as any in the country," he said. "Dax [Miles] is on the verge of being a three-year starter. Tarik [Phillip] has two years under his belt, and had a heck of a year last year. And J.C. [Jevon Carter] got better as last season went along.
"All three are terrific defenders. They make our pressure go. They can all make shots and bounce it."
Of course, the frontcourt is where concern comes into play. Gone are Devin Williams and Jon Holton. Elijah Macon, Nate Adrian and Esa Ahmad will have to step up - among others. Huggins was asked about true freshmen Maciej Bender and Sagaba Konate as well as redshirt freshman Lamont West. All are forwards.
"I think all three of those guys will play," Huggins said. "Lamont had a redshirt year and is bigger and stronger. His understanding of what we need from him is better. He's a good perimeter shooter. He's long. He's going to be a very good rebounder at both ends.
"Bender is going to be a lot like Nate. He's taller than Nate. He can make perimeter shots like Nate. It's a matter of learning to play defense at this level ... But he's been really good."
The coach said Bender returned to his native Poland to play on the 18-under national team, but will be back for the start of school.
Oh, and Konate, from here forward to be called "Sags" by Huggins?
"He's as big and strong and physical of a freshman as there is out there," said the coach. "We need him to rebound the ball and he's very capable of doing that ... He's probably our best rim protector."
Also, Huggins was asked about redshirting.
"I don't see any of the 'bigs' being redshirted," he said. "It depends on how the other guys play. Beetle [Bolden] got hurt last season, but we didn't make a decision on Lamont until right before the first exhibition game."
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And finally ...
It was a sad scene at the Suncrest United Methodist Church on Saturday.
Those loyal to this column know the tragic story of WVU athletic Hall of Fame member Maurice Robinson's family.
Unfortunately, Robinson's son Marcel, who fought sickle cell anemia, cancer and kidney disease, passed away last Tuesday at the age of 40. His life was celebrated Saturday and officiated by the Rev. Junius Lewis, a former WVU center.
Lewis was a former teammate of "Mo" Robinson. Also present Saturday were ex-teammates Huggins, Tony Robertson, Russell Chapman, Earnie Hall, Dave Allara and Warren Baker.
"It's a terrible thing," Huggins said of Marcel's passing. "That's why we have to continue to be diligent in regard to research and finding a cure to these diseases - so we don't lose great people like Marcel so early."
Well said, coach.