Lacy, Permenter Out; Anderson on the way?

The Johnnie Lacy and Russ Permenter chapter is officially closed with the loudest noise out of these two coming from their Facebook pages in their year at Providence. 

With Vincent Council set to lead this team for the next three years and Naadir Tharpe on his way in a year and a half, the writing was on the wall for Lacy.  Heading into a prep season at Notre Dame Prep Lacy's reputation was solid, but he failed to impress when I saw him in his prep season and there simply wasn't room for him this past season with a fifth year point guard and an all-conference performer in front of him.  It would have been beneficial to Providence had he waited a year and backed up Council, but if you're Lacy the thought of staying as a lame duck backup point guard who wouldn't see the court again until the 2011-12 season couldn't have been appealling.

If Permenter couldn't crack the rotation this past season then he would never play at the Big East level.  With the under-developed James Still and Ray Hall on creaky knees getting playing time before Russ, there was little doubt that he was a one and done JUCO transfer.  And not the good kind.

The two questions facing Keno Davis and his staff are:

1. Who backs up Council, or takes over if he were to get hurt?
2. What do we do with two additional scholarships?

Enter Darion Anderson.  Providence struck gold in landing Tharpe as early as they did, but they also found themselves in a position of needing a backup for Council, while remaining sensitive to the message bringing in another point guard would send to Naadir.  What would be more tragic: if Council got hurt next year and Providence was left without a point guard on the roster, or Providence picks up a Bryon Allen type and turns off a prized commitment?

Anderson has experience, would be gone before Tharpe came to campus, and would come to PC with the expectation that he is the backup.  Where do I sign?

Unless they can get a big time addition to the 2010 class, the Providence staff might be better served to hold onto their remaining three open scholarships and spread them among 2011 and 2012.  The staff has continued to recruit under-the-radar big guys for 2010, but with Ron Giplaye apparenty qualified and ready to come to Providence it would be surprising to see them bring in another project big man this late in the game.

In an ideal world they bring in two kids for 2011 (Tharpe and a big or a stud 3) and two in 2012.  With Tharpe already in the fold for the '11 class, they can afford to be very selective with their other scholarship. 

The 2012 class could potentially become a program changer for Providence and with the way this staff gets after it on the recruiting trail you'd have to think they'd relish the opportunity to bring in two superstars in a class they are already in great shape with.  Some combination of Ricky Ledo, Khem Birch, and Nerlins Noel coming in on the heels of Tharpe, Coleman, and Young would mark a dramatic talent upgrade on Smith Hill.

4/11 Note: Received word yesterday that the rule regarding kids in Anderson's position may have changed and he may no longer be an option.  Stay tuned.