Entrenched in a disappointing 7-14 season, there is perhaps no better time than now to discuss potential recruits for the NIU men’s basketball team.

NIU has been keeping tabs on class of 2012 point guard Fred Van Vleet since the 2009-10 season. Assistant coaches Todd Townsend and Sundance Wicks have been working together to monitor Van Vleet’s progress with the Rockford Auburn Knights.

Coaches are not allowed to comment on unsigned high school players, but Wicks demonstrated the team’s interest in Van Vleet when the fourth-year assistant coach invited Rockford Auburn to NIU’s annual Satellite Team Camp last June. After the camp, Roy Schmidt of ilprepbullseye.com, said Van Vleet showed that he is a pure scorer that will make the right decision more often than not.

Over winter break, Wicks was spotted at the 36th annual Elgin Holiday Tournament taking in the opening game between Rockford Auburn and Dundee Crown. The Knights rolled past Dundee Crown on the strength of 20 Van Vleet points. Dundee Crown head coach Lance Huber said Van Vleet showcased the rare ability to take over a game.

“I’ve seen him play twice and no disrespect to anyone else in this tournament, but if he’s not the best player here I would be shocked,” Huber said. “I think he’s the best player in Rockford.”

Huber spotted Wicks along with a scout from Illinois-Chicago in the stands, but believed Van Vleet could be a step above both programs.

“I saw NIU and UIC here and if either program gets him then that’s a steal, because I think he’s better than their level,” Huber said.

Van Vleet has received formal offers from NIU, Southern Illinois, Detroit, Drake, and MAC foe Kent State. Rockford Auburn head coach Bryan Ott couldn’t call any school a frontrunner for Van Vleet, but did say how impressed he has been with NIU throughout the recruiting process.

“It’s not like its just one guy from NIU recruiting Fred,” Ott said. “Most of the schools that are recruiting Fred, there is just one guy kind of assigned to him, but Townsend, Wicks, and Patton have all been involved. NIU has been following Fred before any other school too.”

Patton made a strong first impression on Van Vleet, but the 2012 product has also grown comfortable with Wicks and Townsend.

“I have a great relationship with Patton,” Van Vleet said. “I got a good vibe from him right away when I talked to him. But, I’ve talked to Townsend mostly. Both him and Wicks are young guys that like to have fun.”

While the Huskies’ lack of depth is seen by fans as a hindrance, Van Vleet likes the fact he could come into the program with a chance to play right away.

“I think it would be great to kind of take the reigns right off the bat,” Van Vleet said. “Have them work on building a program around me, get some of the other necessary pieces in there.”