The WAR CLOSET is back and this edition is full of hoops recruiting scoop along with updates on summer workouts of the complete team. Remember what is discussed in the War Closet stays in the Closet. Let's get to the big news first, CTB had what people are calling a triple play in recruiting, getting commitments from 3 top ranked recruits with in a 5 day period. Overjoyed with Mamidi Diakites commitment, CTB was a little surprised when receiving early pledges from both Matt Coleman and Michael Porter. I can't mention names but we are also receiving a visit from a player from New Zealand who actually went to the same school that another team mate went to. More on recruiting in the next WAR CLOSET as there are many top ranked recruits waiting on CTB's decisions.
We have some interesting nuggets on summer practice. Mike Tobey has become an Ultimate Fighter and is undefeated after 3 fights. Malcolm has been offered a professors position here at UVA and evidently CTB has petitioned the NCAA to allow Malcolm 2 more years of eligibility. This of course has never been done before however with the thought that it would encourage student athletes to achieve higher education, it is seriously being considered by the committee who all agree Malcolm would be the perfect pioneer of the program. We understand that Marial Shayok did not go home to Canada and instead went to a ranch in New Mexico and chased rabbits every day to improve his speed. He was thinking of a bunny ranch in Texas but figured he probably wouldn't be running all that much. Isaiah grew almost 3 inches and spent the summer teaching dunks to his father Dominque. Finally the word on London is while in California he met up with Magic Johnson and they had a chance to workout together. Evidently Magic was so impressed that he called the Laker organization who offered London the chance to play in the Laker Summer League. Turns out London led the Lakers in both points and assists, Kobe was second. London was disappointed that he was only 3rd in rebounding. That's it for this edition of War Closet.

UVa picked up another commitment from a defensive back today, as three-star Georgia native Jordan Mack chose the Wahoos. Solid looking prospect who had some other nice offers including GT, Vandy, and Wisconsin.

Jordan Mack from Norcross, GA has committed. Another good looking safety prospect.

Greetings from John Paul Jones Arena, where NBPA Top 100 Camp will get underway here in about 45 minutes. I've got a list of 12 players I'm going to be tracking in terms of UVa's interests including both of the 2016 commits.

As I have in years past, I'll let you know what game I'm watching and who is playing for each team. I try my best to provide in-game updates but they won't focus on the score/stats as much as the scouting component. Toward the end of games, especially early in the camp, I'll have interview responsibility so if I vanish for a while that's why. Also, remember that they do automatic rotations every six minutes so who "won" is sometimes not that big of a deal. Last year, I tried to hold most of the Q&A here until after the games were over and we'll try that tonight and the rest of the week as well. So at the end of the day, I'll give you guys the green light to fire away with questions and do my best to answer them.

One quick recruiting update: Word is that the planned unofficial visit for Michael Porter and Trae Young after camp is still in the works. I've heard that Young is expected to go to Duke and Carolina after the camp as well. I have not heard if Porter is planning on accompanying him for those visits or not but UVa sources felt good about the duo seeing at least a little more of Virginia before heading out after camp is over.

Check back in shortly.

Just what I thought unfortunately, Florida beating up in Canes 3-0 and still in first inning. I was really wanting Miami. Miami's a great hitting team, but Florida's a great hitting, fielding, and pitching team. Much easier route I believe through UM than UF.

Anyways, guess we'll have to come up big again to take out Gators, and they're deep with pitching so five games won't bother them. I'm thinking we might see Connor Jones again Friday as it will be almost a full week since he pitched Saturday.

UVa makes the cut for five-star rising junior Michael Porter.

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He is in town this week. I can't wait to hear the practice reports! Jarred is going to bring a unique skill set to our team!

UVa has landed its 11th commit in the class of 2016, as William Fleming DB Darrius Bratton has chosen the Wahoos after picking up an offer earlier this month. Should have a full story for you tomorrow.

Join us on this month's Virginia Huddle Report with special guests Jason Wallace and Keith McMeans

http://www.huddlecasts.com/#!virginia-huddle/cq1p

UVA has received commitments from 11 players who will come to UVA for the 2016-17 class. The group is led by 3 RHPs who are all on Under Armour's first team - Nicholson, Kranick, and Murdock. Harrison (OF) and Jones (another 6'5" SS) are on the 2nd team. Wentz (1B), Blakely (C), and Richardson (SS) are on the 3rd team. Lastly Felitti (LHP), Tedder (LHP), and Allocca (3B) were HM. Oak continues to reload.

Quarterback Matt Johns is the focus of the latest summer CUE series video from the good folks over at VaSportsTV.

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From UVa:

Virginia and Villanova Announce Two-Game Series
Cavaliers to host Villanova on Dec. 19 and visit Philadelphia in 2016-17

The defending regular-season champions of the Atlantic Coast and BIG EAST conferences are set to meet in 2015-16 as part of a two-year agreement between Virginia and Villanova, the schools announced on Tuesday (June 16).

In 2015-16, Virginia will host Villanova on Saturday, Dec. 19 at John Paul Jones Arena. The Cavaliers will play the Wildcats at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia in 2016-17.

“We are excited to announce a two-game series with Villanova,” Virginia head coach Tony Bennett said. “Villanova has a storied history and has been one of the premier basketball programs over the past few seasons. I have a lot of respect for coach Jay Wright and his program, and we look forward to a couple of highly-competitive nonconference games.”

“We are really excited to play an outstanding program with a great coach in Tony Bennett,” stated Villanova head coach Jay Wright. “We compete as an academic institution with Virginia and we have so much respect for the basketball program and its tradition of success. This is a great series for Villanova and we’re really looking forward to it.”

The Cavaliers and Wildcats have been two of the most successful programs in the country over the past two seasons. Virginia has won 30 games in each of the past two campaigns and the Cavaliers claimed their second consecutive ACC regular-season title in 2014-15. Villanova established a new school record with 33 victories in 2014-15 while claiming the BIG EAST regular season and tournament titles. The Cavaliers finished No. 8 and Villanova was No. 9 in the final USA Today Coaches’ Poll this season.

Virginia and Villanova last met during the NIT in the 2003-04 season when the Wildcats defeated the Cavaliers 73-63 at The Pavilion in Villanova, Pa. The Cavaliers own a 4-2 advantage over the Wildcats in the all-time series that dates back to 1981.

2015-2016 Men's Basketball Season Ticket Information:
Season ticket renewals for the 2015-16 season began on Monday, June 1. The season ticket priority-ordering deadline for renewals is Aug. 7.

Fans interested in purchasing new season tickets should complete the season ticket request form online. Requests for new season tickets will be filled based on Virginia Athletics Foundation Priority Point order beginning Aug. 24.

Season tickets are expected to sell out for UVa’s 15-game home schedule. The ACC will release the complete schedule in late August.

For more information regarding season tickets, fans should contact the Virginia Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-542-UVA1 (8821)

Our only run came on a bases loaded sac fly. This team just continues to amaze.

Malik Muller is a 6'3" guard from Frankfurt Germany has decided to transfer.

Muller is the eighth player to leave Tech’s men’s basketball program since Williams took over as coach in March 2014. Three players have decided to transfer since the start of last season, including Muller, guard Adam Smith (transferred to Georgia Tech) and forward Joey van Zegeren (transferred to Northwestern).

Before the start of the season, guard Ben Emelogu (transferred to Southern Methodist) and forwards Marshall Wood (transferred to Richmond), Trevor Thompson (transferred to Ohio State) and Maurice Kirby (transferred to Coffeyville Community College) all moved on to other programs. Forward C.J. Barksdale gave up basketball due to injuries.

WOW!!!!! Thank God we have Coach Bennett at the helm!

I know we loseTowns , Kirby and Sborz but hoo else.

I suspect that there are many, like me, who did not immediately recognize the name. He is one of the four club baseball players who were asked to join the team after the deluge of injuries. While he has never played, he is with the team in Omaha and is enjoying what could be a once in a life time experience. Some of the best experiences in life are those that are not anticipated.

Now that Arkansas has been eliminated, the start time for UVa's matchup with Florida is set. Check this thread later for game updates.

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Vandy with a walk-off dinger in the 9th. That damn lightning saved their a$$es last night!

Check out this article on Casey Crawford. Putting a good head and great education to work!

http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/comp...nning-us-mortgage-share-from-banks/ar-BBlcKED

Miami wins 4-3.

Weather pushed yesterday's game between Vandy and Fullerton to resume today. Schedule could make for another sleepless night for UVa fans...

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From time to time I provide an update on this site with respect to my guitar playing son. I have many friends on this board and this is a good way to reach out to many of them. Hans Kristian is now 16 and a Hoo through and through, but I doubt UVA will be his final destination as Berklee College of Music in Boston is his most likely destination. However, his older brother will enroll at UVA´s School of Engineering this fall so there is always that!

Anyway, Hans Kristian had the tremendous honor to meet Jackson Browne this week. They talked for hours and played guitar for many of them. It is not every day you get a chance to meet a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and when that member wants to meet your son and play guitar with him, well that is a very special thing to experience. I have attached a brief video taken from their guitar playing session on Wednesday: Login to view embedded media
If you are interested in following Hans Kristian you can do so at: www.facebook.com/HKNGuitar

In case you missed it on the front page, check out Ferber's preview of tonight's matchup in the winner's bracket between Virginia and Florida.

Link: Previewing UVa/UF tonight