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My list of schools is now down to 3. Msu, Pitt, and Stanford (no order). Umich no longer an option
— Cassius Winston (@cassiuswinston) September 9, 2015
Pitt is now in the final three for the services of four-star point guard, Cassius Winston. He recently cut the University of Michigan from consideration. As it turns out, the Wolverines reportedly pulled their offer when they received a verbal from another point guard prospect yesterday afternoon. Michigan's loss could potentially be Pitt's gain, although beating out in-state Michigan State is going to be tough to do for Jamie Dixon. Winston's 24/7 profile has a 100% Michigan State crystal ball prediction from their panel of experts.
The Detroit native is a four-star recruit by all of the major recruiting services. In fact, they all agree Winston is either the 28th or 29th best prospect in the entire country for the class of 2016, a rare occurrence where the websites all agree. Winston stands in somewhere between 6'0" and 6'2" and holds a number of offers, but has narrowed his choice down to Pitt, Michigan State, and Stanford.
Cassius Winston spent last weekend visiting Pittsburgh with his family, and is expected to be in East Lansing this weekend for Michigan State's big football game against Oregon. Pitt's best chance may be his relationship with assistant coach, Marlon "Smoke" Williamson. Winston played AAU ball in the Detroit circuit that Williamson is very familiar with, and still holds close ties there today. It appears it will be about whether or not Pitt can take him away from Michigan State, but Pitt finds itself in the middle of the recruitment of a very coveted point guard. It's a wait and see approach at this point, but it's better to be in the mix than on the outside.
Pitt currently holds one commitment in the class of 2016, and that's from touted forward Corey Manigault. The Panthers are expected to turn over at least four roster spots after this season with James Robinson, Sterling Smith, Rafael Maia, and Alonzo Nelson-Ododa being the seniors on the roster. Robinson appears to be the biggest loss among that group of players, and adding a player like Winston would help offset that departure.