Mens Basketball

ESPN Evaluation : Scouts Grade: 79 (70-79: Major/Mid-Major Prospect - Player either can earn a scholarship to a top national Division I program or contribute significantly as a freshman at the mid-major level.)

July, 2009: This young lefty, knows how to play, brings effort every time out and can score using a variety of dribble moves and his effective 17' jump shot. As he continues to mature and improve he will naturally extend his shooting range, but in order to fully enjoy his promise at the next level, Joe needs to start to work on knocking down shots from outside the arc with more regularity. Right now, he is very efficient shooting inside the three point arc, but with more time in the gym and weight room he should be a dangerous perimeter threat.

May, 2009: O'Shea is a two-guard with tremendous savvy and a high basketball I.Q. He's a very efficient player who almost always makes the high percentage play and rarely commits any unforced turnovers. The southpaw has a sound skill set as he makes open shots from behind the three-point line and both handles and passes the ball efficiently within the flow of the offense. He won't create his own shot much at the next level but is very proficient at attacking close-outs and is a great decision maker with the ball in his hands. Defensively, he's always in the right position but lacks the quickness to contain more explosive athletes. Physically, he's got good size for the two-guard spot, but must continue to add weight to his upper body.

December, 2007: Joe is a shooter with good size and a high basketball I.Q. The lefty has a mechanically sound stroke with range well beyond the high school three-point line. He is equally effective when stepping into the pass or coming off of screens. He currently is unable to create his own shot as he lacks both the first step to get past his defender and the strength to get through traffic. He is a coach's son who plays that way, displaying an excellent feel for the game as he moves without the ball, makes good decisions, and rarely makes an unforced turnover. Defensively, his length gives him all he needs to be successful in Vermont although his lack of quickness and upper body strength will limit his effectiveness against better competition. Overall, he is a heady player and good shooter who will need to improve his physique.

Joe O'Shea is basketball through and through. He has a cerebral game, works very hard, can shoot the lights out and always makes the 'right' play'. Yesterday, the 6'4 lefty, made the 'right play' off the court, choosing to attend Holy Cross in the Patriot League conference.

O'Shea was said to be choosing between Yale, Brown, Princeton, and Vermont, but as things changed in the coaching world, so did O'Shea's recruitment. Apparently, O'Shea felt very comfortable with the team and coaching staff at Holy Cross, and also liked the idea of getting a scholarship from a top-notch skill.

The sharp-shooting two guard averaged close to 15 points per game and 6 rebounds per game last year for Burlington High School in leading them to a 2nd straight state title. Part of his intelligence on the court can be directly attributed to his father, Tom O'Shea, who coaches at St. Michael's College in Vermont and uncle, Tim O'Shea who is at Bryant University. O'Shea, who plays with Expressions Elite during the spring and summer period, is extremely efficient on the offensive end and can score in a variety of ways.

This is a very solid get for the Holy Cross Crusaders, under new head coach, Sean Kearney. For Kearney, coming into the New England area, and getting a local player like O'Shea is a statement signing.

Steve Carver, 6'8", 210 lbs. Forward, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in Kansas (Spiece Mo-Kan)

ESPN Evaluation : Scouts Grade: 80 (80-89: High Major Prospect: Player has the potential to start or significantly contribute as a freshman for most top national Division I programs.)

October, 2009: Carver has a strong athletic body and a good basketball IQ. He is comfortable playing on the perimeter, as well as, battling in the post. Steve can knock down the open 17 foot jump shot consistently; this will allow him to be an effective pick and pop player for Holy Cross. He is able to finish around the rim with a soft touch. He goes to the offensive glass routinely and will not accept a block out. Steve out works his opponents for the ball, gathering the majority of rebounds. Steve needs to develop his ball handling and passing skills when being pressured by quicker players. Still, this is a great get for Sean Kearney and Holy Cross .

Shawnee Mission Northwest junior Steve Carver drives to the basket during the Cougars' sub-state championship victory over Leavenworth.

Photo by Chris Wristen

David Dudzinski, 6'9" 215 lb Center/Forward, Kaneland High School in Maple Park, IL ("Velocity Black ")

Kaneland's Dave Dudzinski looks to shoot over the defense of Geneva's Tyler Scofield during a game last season at the United Center in Chicago. Dudzinski made a verbal commitment Tuesday to play basketball at Holy Cross.
(Sun-Times Media File)

ESPN Evaluation Scouts Grade: 86 (80-89: High Major Prospect: Player has the potential to start or significantly contribute as a freshman for most top national Division I programs.)

September, 2009: Dudzenski is a skilled power forward that competes and plays with energy and urgency. He runs the floor in transition and can finish above the rim with a clear path. He scores in the low post with turn shots and quick spins with great touch on both sides of the rim that he makes look easy because of his good hands. At times Dudzenski has trouble finishing in traffic but that will change once he gets stronger because he attacks with aggression and toughness. Dudzenski is at his best when he faces and knocks down mid range jumpers or in a pick and pop situation where he is extremely comfortable hitting shots to about 17 feet and has the ability to mix in the occasional three. Dudzenski is a deceptive athlete with great length and tremendous upside. A treat to watch compete.

Dave Dudzinski, the 6'9 class of 2010 center from Kaneland High School in Maple Park, IL has verbally committed to Holy Cross College. Dudzinski chose the Crusaders over offers from Loyola-Chicago and Lafayette. He also received considerable interest from a number of Ivy League schools.

According to Sean Connor, Dudzinski's traveling team coach with Velocity Black who confirmed the commitment, Dudzinski was won over when he took his official visit to Holy Cross a week ago. While he still decided to take his official to Loyola this past weekend and the Ramblers also did an outstanding job of recruiting him, there were plenty of factors that helped him decide that the Crusaders were an ideal fit.

First of all, Dudzinski was looking for a school that would offer him a great opportunity not only from a basketball standpoint but also academically, as he is an elite student. There is no question that Holy Cross fits the bill in both areas, as it allows him the chance to get immediate playing time and enables him to receive an outstanding education. Another big factor was that Dudzinski has family in the Worcester, MA area which undoubtedly makes getting away from home that much easier.

Dudzinski is a sound big man who has been well-schooled in the fundamentals of the game. He protects the ball well, can get after it on the glass, has proven to be a consistent back-to-the basket scorer and can intimidate defensively. In addition, he also continues to show improvement with respect to his ability to face up and convert shots from the perimeter and this could undoubtedly be the key to his college progression, as we expect him to see time at the 4 as well as the 5.

Dudzinski turned in some notable performances this past spring against quality competition while playing on the traveling team circuit for Velocity Black. Perhaps his best effort came at the Spiece Memorial Day Classic in Ft. Wayne, IN when he put up a double-double against highly regarded Ohio State University class of 2010 commit DeShaun Thomas.

Kudos undoubtedly goes out to Crusaders head coach Sean Kearney, who despite getting in a bit later than others did an outstanding job of recruiting Dudzinski. Kearney is a proven veteran when it comes to recruiting the state of Illinois and did a tremendous job in that area when he was an assistant at Northwestern University and the Associate Head Coach at Notre Dame.

HC's 3/16/07 NCAA game against Southern Illinios at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus Ohio

Fans Gather at HC's Pre Game reception at Max & Erma's Restaurant at the Crowned Plaza Hotel

More intrepid fans who journeyed all the way from Nor'easter ravaged Massachusetts

The Student Section. As we left an SIU fan came up to me and said that HC definitely had the best fans in the arena

Men's Basketball

ESPN Evaluation : Scouts Grade: 80 (80-89: High Major Prospect: Player has the potential to start or significantly contribute as a freshman for most top national Division I programs.)

ESPN Evaluation Scouts Grade: 86 (80-89: High Major Prospect: Player has the potential to start or significantly contribute as a freshman for most top national Division I programs.)