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With the Pittsburgh Hoops World Classic playing for the first time at Pitt's Petersen Events Center, it only made sense that the spotlight would shine on a pair of Panthers recruits.

The attention on Keith Benjamin and Ronald Ramon this weekend overshadowed that of any of the USA & World All-Stars, even though two of those players are among the nation's most coveted prospects.

In the college basketball world, that's only fitting. Much of the recruiting groundwork is done not in the spotlight but the shadows. While fans focus on Benjamin and Ramon, college coaches are concentrating on a pair of verbally committed but as-of-yet-unsigned players.

Churchill Odia is a smooth, 6-foot-6 point guard from Maryland's Montrose Christian via Nigeria who chose Xavier. Maurice Shaw is a high-flying 6-9 forward from Bridgton (Maine) Academy via Seattle who picked Purdue.

Both are "keeping their options open."

That neither Odia nor Shaw has signed a binding national letter of intent makes them hot property in the late signing period, which started Wednesday and lasts a month.

Consider: When Emeka Okafor came to the Hoops Classic three years ago, among those that came to see him were then-Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson, then-North Carolina coach Matt Doherty, new Texas Tech coach Bob Knight and Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun.

Securing a player of that caliber could mean the difference between keeping or losing your job (see: Richardson, Doherty), between making the NCAA Tournament (Knight) and winning the national championship (Calhoun).

Division I coaches weren't allowed to attend the Hoops Classic on Saturday night because it's not sanctioned by the NCAA, but that doesn't mean there wasn't recruiting -- or at least talk of it -- going on at The Pete.

Shaw is still trying to catch someone's eye.

"The coaches can't come here, so I don't know how much it helps," Shaw said. "I'm just trying to have fun."

Odia is ranked No. 28 in the senior class by HoopScoop recruiting service, despite not being able to play for his high school as a senior. His stock is soaring after an impressive performance at the Nike Hoops Summit against top point guards Sebastian Telfair (Louisville) and Shaun Livingston (Duke).

There is talk that Telfair and Livingston could jump straight to the NBA if they are projected as lottery picks. After holding his own against them, if not outplaying them, Odia could opt to do the same.

"It's every basketball player's dream to play in The League," Odia said. "If I can go right now, I'll go."

Odia, however, also lists obtaining a college degree among his goals. Xavier remains a consideration, as do Louisville (if Telfair goes pro) and Oregon State. Odia knows that he has leverage and is in no hurry to make up his mind.

Pitt and Miami are among the other schools Odia is considering visiting, but the Panthers' chances could be hampered by their returning cast and incoming recruits. Not only do they have their starting point guard back in Carl Krauser, but will add the highly regarded Ramon, as well.

"Any school I go to, I want to start right away," Odia said. "I'm here to compete. Each day I play basketball, I compete."

Shaw was set on Purdue until Boilermakers coach Gene Keady announced that this would be his last season. When Southern Illinois' Matt Painter -- and not Purdue assistant Cuonzo Martin, who recruited Shaw -- was named Keady's successor, Shaw started having second thoughts.

Now, Shaw is also considering Baylor, DePaul, Georgia and Miami. There are a couple of catches. For one, Shaw is not yet fully qualified. Another is that the might be looking to find a place that will take his first cousin, former Penn Hills star Drew Schifino, who was dismissed from West Virginia.

"We are trying to do that," said Shaw, who spent two weeks at Schifino's home last month. The two worked out at Penn Hills with the Indians before they won the PIAA Class AAAA championship. "That could be a very good possibility. If that can happen, it would be fun. I could see us playing together."

Schifino is another story for another day, as the recruiting talk continues to sweep past the spotlight and into the shadows.

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