Tom Moore may be close to landing his first big name recruit for the Quinnipiac University men’s basketball program.

The only catch is the player, University of Connecticut guard Rob Garrison, would have to sit out next season per NCAA transfer rules.

Garrison has yet to announce his departure from UConn, but both Niagara and Quinnipiac have received permission to talk to him about joining their programs. Garrison will make an unofficial visit to the Quinnipiac campus Tuesday after visiting Niagara the weekend of April 13-15.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Garrison is still considered a member of the UConn men’s basketball team and is finishing up spring semester classes. He was recruited by Moore after a standout senior season at Niagara Falls (N.Y.) High, considered an elite scholastic level boys’ basketball program.

As a sophomore for UConn last season Garrison played sparingly in 12 games after finding himself behind A.J. Price, Craig Austrie and Doug Wiggins in coach Jim Calhoun’s backcourt rotation. Garrison appeared in 17 games as a freshman, averaging 1.9 points and 2.1 assists.

-- Sean O'Rourke