Troy Leaf to UC Santa Barbara

After San Diego area backcourter Troy Leaf de-committed from San Diego State (the backcourt was getting over-populated) Nevada was mentioned, along with Portland and a pair of PAC-10 schools as possibilities

We thought somewhere in the West Coast Conference would be his next destination and the proper level for his talents.

We were wrong (again).

But not too far off.

Leaf has now committed to Coach Bob Williams and the Gauchos in the Big West Conference.

ESPN's Joel Francisco twittered this: "Troy Leaf has casted his lost with UCSB."

Expanding further elsewhere, Francisco wrote: "Troy Leaf, a 6-foot-1 shooting guard, cast his lot with the Gauchos of Santa Barbara after parting ways with San Diego State during his junior campaign, ESPN.com Recruiting Coordinator Joel Francisco.

"Troy's a deceptive two-guard who plays the game with a ton of moxy and scoring prowess," Francisco said. "His frame doesn't project well for the next level, but he is blessed with some bounce and a prolific shooting stroke that extends out to the 3-point line.

"He's fairly explosive in transition and he's quite good at getting his own shot while on the break. In the half court set, he could be very effective coming off of a screen to set up for the jump shot. He also moves well without the ball and possesses a high basketball IQ."