North Carolina and Duke filled urgent needs for commitments during the past few days, but there was no sense of desperation.

"Duke and UNC wanted the players they got, but those programs certainly were not desperate," said Telep, the director of basketball recruiting for Scout.com.

Duke went into Collierville, Tenn., to land 6-foot-4 shooting guard Elliot Williams, who had plenty of reasons to stick a little closer to home, including a fistful of scholarship offers.

Duke seems to be a perfect fit for Williams, who plays at St. George's, an independent school with an enrollment of about 650.

"Our demographic is very similar to Duke's," St. George's coach Jeff Ruffin said. "Socially, Duke is a perfect it. Academically, it is perfect. And athletically, it is perfect."

North Carolina got a commitment from Washington, Ind., 6-11 forward Tyler Zeller, who was a prime target for Indiana, Purdue and Notre Dame.

Zeller repeatedly told recruiters that the distance from home was not a factor as was the case.

"I just never believed it," Telep said.

Williams' commitment is Duke's second in this class. The Blue Devils already had a commitment from Olek Czyz of Reno, Nev.

Zeller bolstered UNC's class of 6-8 forward Ed Davis of Richmond (Va.) Benedictine and 6-0 Larry Drew of Woodland Hills (Calif.) Taft.

SIGNING DAY: Commitments are not binding on recruits or schools, but players may sign binding national letters of intents beginning Wednesday.

The vast majority of the Scout.com top 100 players already have committed and few surprises are expected on signing day.

N.C. State commitment 6-4 C.J. Williams of Fayetteville Britt has scheduled a party for signing day.

The Pack also is expected to sign shooting guard Julius Mays of Marion, Ind.

WAKE FOREST EXCELS: Wake Forest is expected to sign one of the best basketball classes in the country -- Al-Farouq Aminu (6-8, Norcross, Ga.); Tony Woods (6-10, Rome, Ga.); and Ty Walker (7-0, New Hanover).

BASS PICKS CAMELS: Katelyn Bass has committed to Campbell University for women's basketball. Bass averaged a double-double in points and rebounds for each of the past three years at Wake Forest-Rolesville. She now attends St. David's.

Get $150+ in coupons in every Sunday N&O. Click here for convenient home delivery.