Hail Cezar: Iowa in a large group pursuing basketball recruit Cezar Guerrero of southern California

I'm not a recruitnik, but I can get interested in Iowa's pursuit of Bellflower, Calif., guard Cezar Guerrero.

Why? Because landing Guerrero would send a clear sign that Fran McCaffery and his staff are formidable recruiters. Which is the only way they'll transform Iowa from a second-division team in the Big Ten into a contender.

McCaffery himself jetted off to southern California this week to see Guerrero's final game of the season for St. John Bosco High, a 60-47 playoff loss to Atascadero. Guerrero had 30 points in the loss, and averaged 28 this season.

He is a 6-footer who has a conditional offer from Kansas, and firmer offers from many others. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State had assistant coaches in attendance at Guerrero's game the other night. Florida State and Marquette are in the hunt.

Guerrero had given a verbal commitment to Western Kentucky, but decided he rushed into it too quickly and backed out.

Jerry Meyer of Rivals.com wrote today that Guerrero is likely to pay an official visit to Iowa next weekend, when the Hawkeyes close their regular-season with a home game against Purdue. Click here for Meyer's story. Registration may be required.

Here is an ESPN.com feature from January on Guerrero.

Older Iowa followers will remember that there has been a guard from Bellflower who played for the Hawkeyes. That was

Steve Carfino, a popular Hawkeye who played in 116 games at Iowa.