Naadir Tharpe chooses Kansas, Andre Hollins expected to pick soon

What's up, Gophers fans?

First, the bad news. Gophers recruit Naadir Tharpe, a talented point guard from Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.), committed to Kansas Tuesday, according to multiple reports.

Now, the good news.

Memphis prep star Andre Hollins, a 6-2 combo guard for White Station, is still available. And his high school coach, Jesus Patino, said Wednesday that he expects Hollins to make a final decision after he returns from a weekend trip to Stanford Sunday.

"He's going to go and visit Stanford on Thursday and then he will [probably] take seven to 10 days," Patino said Wednesday.

Patino said Hollins, who visited the Gophers last month, doesn't have a favorite among Stanford, Harvard, Minnesota, Mississippi or Auburn, the five schools on his final list.

Hollins is listed as a shooting guard on most recruiting websites but the three-star guard on Rivals.com can play point guard, Patino said.

Patino said he recently created a presentation for Hollins that listed the pros and cons of the five schools. One of the benefits of attending Minnesota, Patino told Hollins, would be the opportunity to play for a "proven" coach.

Stanford's Johnny Dawkins is in his third season. Auburn's Tony Barbee will begin his inaugural season with the Tigers next month. Tommy Amaker is in his fourth year at Harvard but he's been a head coach for 13 seasons. And Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy is set to begin his fifth season with the Rebels.

"The other schools have young coaches," he said.

Patino said he's known Tubby Smith for years. During an earlier interview, he said he told Hollins that Minnesota's staff would look out for him.