C.J. Leslie Is the Answer UConn Is Searching for

As the recruiting trails have heated up over the last month, the UConn Huskies continue to try and add one more big name recruit to an average recruiting class that is headlined by small forward Roscoe Smith. 

Late in the game, it seems as if UConn is making a strong push in trying to convince C.J. Leslie to commit to playing for the Huskies. Leslie, a 6'8'', 210-pound power forward has the size and athleticism that would quickly help replace the loss of Stanley Robinson.

He would make an immediate impact on a team that is returning quality players in Atar Majok, Alex Oriahki, and Kemba Walker. UConn has struggled to win over recruits in recent years and this year has continued as Lamb and Knight went to Kentucky, Selby went to Kansas, and Josephs went to Texas.

Two weeks ago, Leslie once again confirmed that he hadn't made up his mind either way.  "I'm really not leaning toward to a school right now," Leslie said. "I'm still making my decision."

That has to be encouraging news for UConn fans, as Leslie was here visiting over the past weekend. He tweeted that he was having a fun time here, and as a decision looms there are three teams he is down to UConn, Kentucky, and N.C. State.

There is speculation that he really wanted to play at UConn with Brandon Knight, a friend who has committed to play at Kentucky for coach John Calipari. Kentucky has absolutely been the biggest winner on the recruiting trails.

If Leslie was to commit to becoming a Wildcat, that would give them possibly four five star recruits, and would reload with some of the finest young men after losing four terrific freshman this year to the NBA in Wall, Cousins, Bledsoe, and Orton who all jumped ship to the NBA Draft.

N.C. State is the hometown team here. Leslie is from Raleigh, N.C., and has had a strong personal connection with head coach Sidney Lowe spanning over the past three or four years. You have to like the Wolfpack's chances, simply because he can go there and help bring N.C. State back near the top of the ACC.

After meeting Leslie last night at the Spring Weekend festivities, I would be surprised if he commits to play in Storrs for Jim Calhoun. UConn has missed out on the big names ever since Rudy Gay came calling in 2005. Why would this year be any different?

There's no telling what type of team UConn will be in the Big East next year with the way the team stands now. If Leslie decides to come to UConn, the potential is through the roof on how successful the 2010-2011 campaign could be.

Only time will tell, and a decision will be made in the very near future.