Notes: Hall MVP at Senior Bowl, Legion shines

Michigan cornerback Leon Hall received mixed reviews during the week of practice leading up to Saturday's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., with one analyst insisting he needed a big game to keep his lofty draft status intact. Hall responded with an MVP performance in the North's 27-0 win.

Hall collected four solo tackles and one pass breakup and provided lockdown in earning defensive most valuable player honors as voted by NFL executives.

The game had a Big Ten flavor, with Penn State running back Tony Hunt earning overall game MVP honors with 39 ards and a touchdown on eight carries, and Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton earning offensive MVP honors.

Michigan linebacker David Harris looked great, tying for team-high honors with five tackles (including three solo stops and one tackle for loss), while linebacker Prescott Burgess added three tackles (two solo).

Defensive end LaMarr Woodley pulled a hamstring earlier in the week and did not play.

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To hoops recruiting, and another big game for class of 2008 target Delvon Roe of Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward. Roe scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a 76-56 win over Cleveland St. Joseph Sat., Jan. 27.

St. Edward, now 15-0, is ranked first in The Cleveland Plain Dealer Division I poll and 14th in the country.

Wrote the Plain-Dealer: "The 6-8 Roe demonstrated why numerous powerhouse college programs are recruiting him. He had two dunks - one on a one-handed offensive rebound - and swished a 3-point shot. He dished five assists and had five of St. Edward's 10 blocked shots."

"It's all about half-court defense," Roe said. "When you pressure the ball, play good help defense and deny the passing lanes and entry passes, it can make teams play out of their element."

Roe is Rival.com's No. 5 player in the country. North Carolina is now his reported leader, with Michigan State and Michigan still in the mix.

Oak Hill Academy (Va.), meanwhile, continued its winning ways, spurred by Michigan signee Alex Legion. The Warriors, ranked No. 3 by USA Today, beat Our Savior New American (N.Y.) 94-64 as part of the four-game Pittsburgh High School Basketball Classic at the A.J. Palumbo Center that drew an estimated 4,000 spectators behind Legion's 26 points.