7/7/2016 basketball Edit

Tillman's focus narrowing; Thursday recruiting notebook

Brian Neubert • BoilerUpload

GoldandBlack.com staff

Purdue target lists ($): 2017 | 2018

Recruiting updates ($): Jaren Jackson | Kyle Young | Jordan Goodwin | Nojel Eastern

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. - As with many senior recruits around the country, the recruiting process started early and never let up.

Such was the case for Xavier Tillman, the 6-foot-8, 250-plus-pounder who was ID'd very early in his high school career by power programs, offered quickly by many of them and recruited accordingly ever since.

The field's been narrowed, the the power forward/center from Grand Rapids Christian and the Spiece Indy Heat summer program said Thursday at the Peach Jam.

"At first in the beginning, it was hectic and felt like a big burden to be calling every coach back," said Tillman, adding that it's always been important to him to reciprocate the interest of any school looking at him. "Now that it's narrowed down, it's easier.

"After (July), I'm going to start taking my officials," Tillman said. "I'm definitely going to visit to Michigan State, Purdue, Marquette, Notre Dame and Florida."

North Carolina State also remains a factor, too.

"It was the communication those schools showed me," Tillman said. "I got a good vibe from every one of those schools' head coaches and assistant coaches. Those are the types of guys I like to be around. It seems like I fit with them."

Purdue was one of the schools that offered Tillman after his freshman year and stayed with him the whole time.

"My comfort level with them is at an ultimate high," Tillman said. "I talk to Coach (Brandon Brantley) almost every day, and Coach (Matt) Painter. It's a great relationship I have with those guys and it's close to home. That seems like it would be a place I'd enjoy."

Purdue needs to replenish its front line with its 2017 class, a fact it's used with all its post targets for its crucial 2017 class.

"That's basically the No. 1 pitch," Tillman said. "They're the No. 1 team (statistically) in terms of throwing the ball in the post. That's something you have to look at.

"They said (Caleb Swanigan) might be gone next season and (Isaac Haas) could go, too. They need bigs to come in and produce right away and they think I can do that."

Recruiting updates ($): Jaren Jackson | Kyle Young | Jordan Goodwin | Nojel Eastern

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