Drummond the newest Red Fox?

As first reported by SNY's Adam Zagoria, Villanova forward Casiem Drummond has been granted permission to transfer. According to the report, Villanova has allowed Drummond to speak to Marist, Siena, and Boston University regarding his change of address. Drummond was in attendance last Saturday to watch the Red Foxes shock conference-rival Iona in the final seconds of the team's 51-50 win. I also saw Drummond speaking with assistants and players outside the coaches complex following the post-game press conference. Drummond would provide Marist a big man that could shift the balance of power in the MAAC. While it's no guarantee that Marist will be Drummond's ultimtate choice, I think the odds of this happening are fairly high. First off, I would rule out Siena immediately. Although Siena is the odds-on-favorite to win the MAAC and return to the NCAA Tournament, the Saints are losing a wealth of talent next season. Preseason player of the year and perennial first team selection Kenny Hasbrouck will graduate following this season. Siena will also lose sixth man Josh Duell, a former teammate of Ryan Schneider at Vermont. The loss of Hasbrouck could have the same effect as Rider losing Jason Thompson. Marist's biggest loss will be senior Ryan Schneider. Schneider leads the Foxes in scoring and rebounding, but Marist will not look anything next year like it does currently. Freshman Dorvell Carter will return from injury and Daye Kaba, a Boston College transfer, will be eligible to return to NCAA action. David Devezin, Dejuan Goodwin, Javon Parris, and Lawrence Williams will all return. Marist's potential lineup could include Villanova and Boston College transfers, in addition to Devezin, who originally played at Texas A&M.
I also think Chuck Martin's charisma and recruiting skill will play a huge factor in Casiem Drummond's decision. Every coach that comes in for a press conference at the McCann Center praises Martin's ability to run an offense and recruit players.
In my mind, Drummond will decide between Boston University and Marist. Drummond could decide that Hasbrouck's loss is not enough to deter him from choosing perennial contender Siena, but Marist and Boston are losing the least. Boston only loses one starter that averages 4.5 ppg. The other senior is a role player and the final senior has yet to see game action this season. Marist and Boston will keep their teams intact for the most part, while Marist will be adding two valuable pieces, not counting the recruiting class from next year. Siena has also recruited power forward OD Anosike for next season, a player likely to compete for time with Drummond. Boston University is tabbed as the favorite in the America East conference this season. The fact that Boston loses virtually no talent and will compete for an NCAA bid every year represents a problem for Chuck Martin and his staff. The player who may have had the biggest recruiting impact is Dejuan Goodwin. He ended the Iona game in heroic fashion and sent the Red Fox faithful into a frenzy following his game-winning fadeaway with 1.4 seconds left. The atmosphere, coaching staff, and opportunity could be enough to persuade Drummond to choose Poughkeepsie. We will wait and see though.