Who Will Have Better 2017 College Basketball Recruiting Class: Duke or Kentucky?

Over the last five years, Duke and Kentucky have featured the best college basketball recruits in the country.

The Blue Devils and Wildcats have both been No. 1 and No. 2 the last three years in Scout.com's team recruiting rankings. Both programs have landed impressive numbers of 5-star recruits and one-and-done prospects.

However, Duke and Kentucky found themselves with one combined commitment entering the early signing period of 2017, as only 4-star shooting guard Alex O'Connell had signed on with Mike Krzyzewski.

Things changed this week, and since so many of the nation's 5-star prospects remain uncommitted, there is plenty of time for these blue-blood programs.

Kentucky's Class so Far

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It felt strange entering the early signing period with no commitments under star recruiter John Calipari. That changed quickly once signing week began as the Wildcats landed two 5-star prospects in center Nick Richards and forward P.J. Washington.

Kentucky has a reputation with recruiting and developing elite big men, and the 7'0" Richards is one of the better rebounders and rim protectors in the class. Richards will add another quality body to Kentucky's rotation of big men, which could include Isaac Humphries, Tai Wynyard, Sacha Killeya-Jones and potentially Wenyen Gabriel or Bam Adebayo.

Washington is another athletic and versatile forward who can regularly put up double-doubles. Slightly on the smaller side at 6'8" but with explosive leaping ability, he can snatch rebounds over bigger players. He's also capable of scoring in multiple ways.

Duke's Class so Far

Landing 5-star shooting guard Gary Trent Jr. during the start of the early signing period was huge for Duke, as it gave the Blue Devils a lethal scorer who should step in and produce right away. Matt Jones is a senior, and if Grayson Allen leaves for the NBA after his junior year, Trent can give Duke a physical, college-ready guard with an advanced scoring package.

O'Connell, who committed earlier, will add depth on the perimeter. He may not play a vital role immediately—especially with Trent in the same class and Frank Jackson and Luke Kennard potentially returning—but he can knock down shots and pass well. He could fit in a number of Duke lineups.

Kentucky's Remaining Targets

With two quality frontcourt players already in the fold, the Wildcats have turned their recruiting attention to perimeter players, although they're still in on some other 5-star forwards.

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Center Mohamed Bamba has taken an unofficial visit to Kentucky, and the 5-star big man would be another post player who could join the Kentucky rotation.

Small forward Kevin Knox also has an official visit scheduled to Kentucky in January, as he continues to list the Wildcats as one of his main schools. At the 2-guard, 5-star New Yorker Hamidou Diallo recently included Kentucky when he cut his list to six schools, while 5-star shooting guard Lonnie Walker took an official visit in early November.

For point guards, 5-star Oklahoma native Trae Young and 5-star Pennsylvanian Quade Green both took official visits to Lexington this fall. Meanwhile, the team has made a push for 4-star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a former Florida commit who recently reopened his recruitment.

Jarred Vanderbilt, another 5-star forward from Texas, has already seen Kentucky on an official visit this fall. He's listed the Wildcats in his top five.

Duke's Remaining Targets 

The Blue Devils are still in pursuit of a handful of 5-star prospects. Wendell Carter, a 5-star big man from Georgia, and Knox have already taken official visits to Duke, and both are friends with Trent through USA Basketball.

After Trent committed to Duke, he acknowledged to Scout.com's Evan Daniels that he's trying to get the duo to join him:

Besides Carter and Knox, Duke had 4-star point guard Matt Coleman on campus for an official visit in September as the Blue Devils try to attract another ball-handler. The coaching staff has also shown interest in Bamba; he is likely to make a decision in the spring.

If Duke can get Carter and Knox to join Trent, that trio has already helped USA Basketball to two gold medals the last two summers. Landing another player or two after that would make for another ridiculous class.

The Better Class Will Be...

The 2016 class between the two came down to 5-star center Marques Bolden, who picked Duke. A similar situation could unfold in 2017, especially since Bamba and Knox are considering both schools.

The Blue Devils may win out from a functional perspective; they are in position to land a class that can all play together in one lineup.

While Calipari keeps doing a great job of landing elite forwards and big men, shooting is a major question mark for the future of Kentucky basketball. The program doesn't have any stud wings or shooters committed or on the roster unless some potential one-and-done guys return.

If the Duke class features Trent, Knox and Carter, those three players fit well together and have already had international success. They'd help form the top spot among the two programs.

Recruiting ratings via Scout.com.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and information obtained firsthand.