Nerlens Noel to Georgetown Over Kentucky Says Former Teammate

Georges Niang, who is headed to Iowa State next season, tweeted out on Wednesday that Noel will be headed to Georgetown next season. He later followed up his prediction by saying it was just his personal opinion, but it's not shocking that the Tilton School teammate of Noel might have some inside insight.

Noel is expected to announce his college decision during a live announcement on ESPNU at 7:30 p.m. He is choosing between Georgetown, Kentucky, and Syracuse, though many have predicted that he would end up as a Wildcat. He tweeted out on Monday that he's gon shock the world!! which might add some credence to Niang's opinion.

If Niang is right about Noel becoming a Hoya, it would be a massive addition for John Thompson III. Noel is known as a defensive force and is the best shot-blocking big guy to come through the high school ranks in the last 20-25 years,  according to Will Gunter, 247Sports' national basketball recruiting analyst.

Georgetown has struggled a bit on the recruiting trail the last two years and could really use a big win like landing Noel on Wednesday night.

Georgetown to land a guy like Noel would show they can still compete with the big boys of the world and I don't know if there is a mindset that they can do right now, Gunter said. You don't see them landing that one-and-done impact player right now. This will show that'd they be able.

Scout.com's Evan Daniels reported last week that were a lot of rumors about Noel heading to Georgetown. He tweeted on Wednesday that he thought Noel would head to Kentucky, but that it was a close call.

Daniels joins six out of seven ESPN analysts in picking Noel to Kentucky. The 6-foot-10 center would be a natural replacement for National Player of the Year Anthony Davis, who is expected to be the first pick in the NBA Draft.

The Wildcats are also expected to lose Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Terrence Jones, Doron Lamb, and Marquis Teague to the NBA Draft. Calipari already has put together the No. 2 recruiting class in the country, according to Scout.com, but could use a Noel or Shabazz Muhammad, the No. 1 player in the country who is also announcing on Wednesday, to fill in some additional holes.

For Kentucky it's huge because of what they are about to lose -- just from a standpoint of filling the roster with high quality players, Gunter said. If they are going to be a contender next year they have to have these kids.