While they await the arrival of a highly-touted recruiting class, the Ohio State men's basketball coaching staff is already putting on the full court press for the 2002 season.

All three Buckeyes coaches -- head man Jim O'Brien and assistants Dave Spiller and Paul Biancardi -- are in Indianapolis at the Nike All-American Camp, scouring the gym at the National Instititute for Fitness and Sports (NIFS) for the prospects that can help their program.

BSB was able to speak with a number of touted recruits prior to evening games on July 9, and here's what they had to say about Ohio State and the prospect of the Buckeyes landing them:

LESTER ABRAM -- A 6-5 swingman from Pontiac, Michigan, Abram committed to new Wolverines coach Tommy Amaker over the Buckeyes. He was, however, very impressed with the Schottenstein Center and said he nearly chose the Buckeyes.

"OSU has the best facility in the country," he said. "They have great academics and I got to know the coaches pretty well. But there are a lot of things to like about Michigan, too."

Abram is good friends with Detroit's Ricardo Billings, who is being courted hard by the Buckeyes and Michigan State, and said he believes Billings will choose the Buckeyes. That would be great news for OSU as Billings is a rising prospect on most recruiting lists.

JR MORRIS -- Another 6-5 swingman, the Milwaukee native also made the Buckeyes bridesmaids when he committed to Illinois.

DELCO ROWLEY -- Listed as tall as 6-8 by some publications, Rowley was measured at 6-6 by the Nike folks. He's playing with the posts and is having a little bit of trouble scoring inside against bigger players. But he hustles, goes after rebounds like a madman and, apparently, never stops talking.

He could decide between Ohio State and Michigan State as early as the end of the week.

TORIN FRANCIS -- The Massachusetts product eliminated OSU and will likely decide between the ACC and Florida.

LOGAN WHITE -- The Cleveland area guard is leaning toward Tulane due to academics, but may be rethinking that stance. He's apparently having bouts with homesickness at Nike, and that's not terribly far from Cleveland. What will happen if he goes to Louisiana? He said not to rule Ohio State out of the equation.

MARSHALL STRICKLAND -- A native of Maryland, Strickland was being pursued by the Buckeyes but was very honest when he said they were eliminated because "they've got their point guard already (in Brandon Fuss-Cheatham). I don't know how much I'd play there."

That's all the news we have for now.

We'll have an update on the July 9 evening games tomorrow in this same space. Stay with Buckeye Sports Bulletin for the latest in all Ohio State sports news.