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Men's basketball: Alford turns to JC players to fill gaps

By Jeremy Fowler
Wednesday, April 11, 2007

It appears coach Steve Alford already is tapping into the "gap-fillers" market.

Forward Johnnie Harris, a 6-foot-8, 250-pound bruiser from Chipola (Fla.) junior college, will make an official visit this weekend to the University of New Mexico, according to Scout.com and JucoJunction.com.

The late signing period begins today.

Chipola coach Greg Haier didn't return a phone message left at his office Tuesday. The UNM media relations department said Alford, who is out of town recruiting, has a policy not to comment on any recruits.

In a recent meeting with the media, Alford called junior college players "gap-fillers" - basically, guys who fit a glaring need.

Harris' stature alone fits the glaring need for size. All the Lobos have in the post are 6-9 junior Daniel Faris and 6-11 Derek Oestreicher, a redshirt freshman last season. Then there's 6-7 Sean Imadiyi, sort of a small forward, and seven wing players.

JucoJunction.com lists Harris as the No. 61 junior college player in the country. Harris, who will reportedly visit Miami (Ohio), as well, averaged 7.5 points and 4.6 rebounds on a Chipola team that advanced to the National Junior College championship game.

A UNM booster said the Lobos are also interested in 6-8 Ejike Hart from Hillsborough (Fla.) Junior College. JucoJunction.com rated Hart, a former Houston commitment, behind Harris at No. 68.

A down-low junior college banger will likely replace 6-7 Reggie Huffman, a former Ritchie McKay commitment who plans to sign with the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Alford, the former Iowa coach, has four open scholarships for next season that he can use or save for the next recruiting class. Sophomore guard David Kanyinda will not be on scholarship next season.

Three players from the 2007 high school class - 6-5 Jake Kelly, 6-7 Jarryd Cole and 6-1 Dairese Gary - signed with Iowa when Alford was coach. New Iowa coach Todd Lickliter said he's confident Kelly and Cole will remain with the Hawkeyes program, according to Hawkeye Nation. Gary has reportedly asked for his release from Iowa but likely won't follow Alford, sources say.

Assistants: Alford's latest two assistants finally cracked the school's staff directory.

Iowa's Billy Garrett and Pepperdine's Ryan Miller are officially Lobos, a UNM official said Tuesday.

Athletics Director Paul Krebs confirmed to The Tribune last week Garrett and Miller would fill out Alford's staff that already includes associate head coach Craig Neal.

Garrett and Miller are out recruiting but should visit Albuquerque on Thursday.

Garrett followed Alford after serving as his Hawkeyes assistant last season. Miller, the brother of Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Miller, served on Pepperdine's staff for one season.

It's possible Miller could give the Lobos an inside track on top-150 recruit Darrington Hobson out of Decatur (Ill.) Christian.

The 6-7 Hobson has verbally committed to Pepperdine, and sources say Miller was involved in his recruiting.

Rivals.com ranks Dobson as the No. 116 recruit in the 2007 class.