Back in August I wrote that the John Carroll boys basketball team could have as many as eight Division I players on its roster.

As of today, the Patriots have two down and six to go.

Senior Jakub Kusmieruk, a 7-foot-4, 290-pound center, will play for Central Florida next year while Josh Wiegand, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound senior forward will suit up for Loyola. Senior guard Mike Maczko also weighed numerous DI offers, but elected to wait until the spring signing period to make his college decision.

John Carroll head coach Tony Martin was happy with both his seniors’ choices.

“I was pleased with the decision because it’s one that Jakub and his parents looked at very thoroughly," said Martin of Kusmieruk's pick. "They’re not a family to rush into a decision. They weighed all the options that were there. And the best place for his development was Central Florida. Everyone who follows college basketball and Conference USA knows [UCF] is a program on the rise. They’ve invested quite a bit of money in facilities. He’s a growing player at a growing program.”

Kusmieruk sported scholarship offers from LaSalle, Loyola and Marist among others. He was receiving interest from schools like Georgetown, Oklahoma, Stanford and St. John’s.

Wiegand was recruited by American, Oral Roberts, Quinnipiac and The Citadel among others. According to Martin, the 3.7+ student found the most comfortable fit with Jimmy Patsos’ Loyola program.

“It’s a great opportunity for Josh to be a part of program that’s on the rise,” Martin said. “He enjoyed spending time with coach Patsos and the team on the official visit. He should get a great education there and have the opportunity to compete for playing time early on.”

Martin felt that both Kusmieruk and Wiegand could have waited until the spring signing period to receive additional “quote unquote high-major offers” to choose from. But both were completely sold on their respective choices.

"I think in this day and age of college basketball, there’s a thin line between [high- and low- major programs]," Martin said. “You saw Gardner-Webb upset Kentucky. There’s obviously appeal and cachet for some of the bigger name schools, but for me as a coach, my job is to help kids play the game they love and get an education. I’m never going to be a guy worried about the name of a school as much as the right fit for the kid.”

In Central Florida and Loyola, Kusmieruk and Wiegand both found that right fit.

Click here for The Sun's list of area high school players' college commitments.