College Basketball Teams Most in Need of a Monster Recruiting Class
Since the college basketball season is already a quarter of the way in, we have a pretty decent idea of what teams and rotations could look like for the rest of the 2016-17 season. With the early signing period also in the past, it means we can get a good feel for what kind of talent might be coming into college basketball next season.
There are going to be plenty of programs that need a lot from their Class of 2017 recruiting efforts. Some of these programs are struggling to make the postseason and need a lift from a talented freshmen class, while others are successful program who are losing quite a bit of talent and the roster needs to be overhauled.
Since Arizona, Duke, Kansas and Kentucky are so reliant on one-and-done freshmen every year, we've kept them out of this exercise because we already know they're going to rely heavily on freshmen for the 2017-18 season.
Here's a look at eight programs that need the Class of 2017 to have a big impact.
Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and information were obtained firsthand.
8. Georgia Tech
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Who they have: New head coach Josh Pastner has an important piece locked up for the future in 3-star point guard Jose Alvarado. The New York native remains the only commitment for the Yellow Jackets so far.
Why they need a big class: Taking over a new job often means overhauling the roster with new players, and Pastner has to do that in a big way at Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets have potentially five scholarships open for the Class of 2017, and they'll need to replace five seniors from this team.
Top 2017 targets: Alvarado is a nice start at point guard since he wants to help others, but Georgia Tech is going to need help around him. Point guard Amauri Hardy took an official to Georgia Tech in September while guard Mike Okauru is scheduled to take an official visit in December. Georgia Tech is also doing everything they can to try to keep 5-star shooting guard M.J. Walker from leaving Georgia. Graduate transfers could also come into play for the Yellow Jackets with such an inexperienced roster and so many holes.
Top 2018 targets: If Georgia Tech stays in Georgia and Florida, they'll have plenty of targets in the Class of 2018 as they've already shown interest in players like 4-stars Antwann Jones, Nassir Little, Drue Drinnon, Joseph Toppins and Jamie Lewis.
7. Alabama
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Who they have: Alabama is bringing in a five-man Class of 2017 haul with 5-star point guard Collin Sexton as the main addition. Sexton will get help from 4-star shooting guard John Petty, 4-star forward Alex Reese, 3-star wing Herb Jones and center Galin Smith.
Why they need a big class: The last recruiting haul didn't go as expected for Alabama as prized 5-star commitment Terrance Ferguson decommitted last winter before committing to Arizona and eventually ending up playing pro ball in Australia. Losing out on Ferguson's potential star power was a hit for the Crimson Tide, but they've bounced back nicely in the Class of 2017. Sexton has a chance to be an immediate star, and the rest of the class features plenty of potential impact players in the SEC.
Top 2017 targets: Alabama is already over the scholarship limit with this group so it would be a surprise if they decided to target another player. Replacing seniors like Jimmie Taylor and Shannon Hale is going to be tough, but the Tide have a top-10 class coming in that should compete for major minutes at all spots.
Top 2018 targets: Alabama doesn't have nearly as many scholarships to work with in the Class of 2018 but that number could also change if a player like Sexton becomes a one-and-done prospect. Mississippi native and 4-star guard Robert Woodard has been an Alabama target, along with 4-star guard Jules Bernard and 4-star forward Brandon Johns.
6. Syracuse
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Who they have: Syracuse owns two commitments in the Class of 2017 as 4-star big man Bourama Sidibe is pledged along with bouncy 3-star forward Oshae Brissett.
Why they need a big class: Since getting hit with scholarship restrictions from the NCAA sanctions, the Orange haven't needed to put together big recruiting classes, but this season could be different. Syracuse has four key seniors in DaJuan Coleman, Tyler Roberson, Andrew White and John Gillon, while sophomore Tyler Lydon could opt to go pro after his sophomore season. That means the Orange are going to need reinforcements in the Class of 2017.
Top 2017 targets: Shooting guard Hamidou Diallo has been a major target for Syracuse as the 5-star prospect has seen the campus on an official visit. The Orange have also been involved with 5-star center Mohamed Bamba as the native of Harlem wouldn't have to go far if he opted to play for Syracuse. Keep an eye out for graduate transfers with Syracuse as well since head coach Jim Boeheim landed both Gillon and White for this season.
Top 2018 targets: Syracuse could have another big class of players coming in 2018 as they've started to lay the groundwork for that year. New York, New Jersey and Maryland have a lot of talented 2018 prospects as the Orange have looked at 5-stars Jalen Smith and Louis King and 4-stars like Nazreon Reid, Isaiah Mucius and Hameir Wright.
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5. North Carolina
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Who they have: The Class of 2017 recruiting haul is headlined by 5-star point guard Jalek Felton—the nephew of former Tar Heel great Ray Felton. North Carolina also holds commitments from 3-star shooting guard Andrew Platek and 3-star big men Brandon Huffman and Sterling Manley.
Why they need a big class: The future of North Carolina basketball is a big question mark after this season since so much of the roster is upperclassmen. Big men Kennedy Meeks and Isaiah Hicks are both seniors that will need to be replaced while point guards Nate Britt, Stillman White and Joel Berry are all upperclassmen. Junior Justin Jackson also tested the NBA draft waters last season and could opt to leave school after this season. That means the Tar Heels need an influx of talent in this class to keep things going.
Top 2017 targets: North Carolina is remaining active in the Class of 2017 as they're still pursuing 5-star wings Kevin Knox and Jarred Vanderbilt. Both of those players are likely to make a spring decision, so keep an eye out if North Carolina can get these guys on campus before the end of the season. Vanderbilt already took an official visit to North Carolina on October while Knox is scheduled to take one in February.
Top 2018 targets: Owning two Class of 2018 commitments already, North Carolina is off to a good start with 4-star guards Rechon "Leaky" Black and Coby White. Head coach Roy Williams was spotted this summer targeting 5-star prospects like Zion Williamson and Romeo Langford along with 4-star in-state wing Jairus Hamilton.
4. UCLA
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Who they have: Head coach Steve Alford secured a five-man class for 2017, headlined by 5-star wing Kris Wilkes and 5-star guard Jaylen Hands. Cody Riley is a high-end, 4-star forward who is staying local to play for the Bruins while 4-star center Jalen Hill has some upside. For fans of freshman sensation Lonzo Ball, his younger brother LiAngelo Ball, a 3-star guard, is also committed to UCLA.
Why they need a big class: The 2016-17 season could be Final Four-or-bust for UCLA since they're potentially losing so many key players from this team. Seniors Isaac Hamilton and Bryce Alford are both accomplished scorers, while freshman Lonzo Ball leads the nation in assists and is likely heading for the NBA after the season. Replacing at least three players of that caliber is going to be tough to do and Alford has to make this class the future of UCLA basketball.
Top 2017 targets: The five-man class that UCLA has might be it for them since they're already projected to be one over the scholarship limit. Things could change for the Bruins if freshman forward T.J. Leaf opts to go pro, but the Bruins already own a top-five class and should be pleased with their current group.
Top 2018 targets: With UCLA once again recruiting from coast to coast, big men might be the key for its Class of 2018 efforts. Since Lonzo Ball has two brothers coming in the Class of 2017 and Class of 2019 (LaMelo Ball is also pledged to the Bruins for that class) and Jaylen Hands is taking over at point guard, the Bruins need to replace Thomas Welsh inside. The state of California has plenty of intriguing big men the Bruins could target, including Jordan Brown, Miles Norris and Shareef O'Neal.
3. Iowa State Cyclones
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Who they have: Getting 4-star point guard Lindell Wigginton was huge for Iowa State in the Class of 2017 as he joins 3-star guard Darius McNeill and 3-star wing Terrence Lewis.
Why they need a big class: Iowa State has nine players averaging at least 15 minutes per game so far this season and five of those players are seniors, so head coach Steve Prohm has a lot of experience to replace. Besides replacing a ton of the lineup, Prohm also needs to lay more of the foundation for the the future of Iowa State basketball, since most of those seniors were recruited by former coach Fred Hoiberg.
Top 2017 targets: The three-man class is a nice start for Iowa State and you also have to factor in the Cyclones getting two players eligible who are currently on campus this season. Junior college transfer Ray Kasongo should provide help in the frontcourt to help replace Merrill Holden and Darrell Bowie. Cameron Lard was a Class of 2016 recruit who did not qualify and should also help next season once he is eligible. Those two, plus the high school recruits, means Steve Prohm has five new players at his disposal next season.
Top 2018 targets: Iowa State was very aggressive offering scholarships to Class of 2018 prospects this year as they've been hard after players like 4-star big man Race Thompson, wing Talen Horton-Tucker, shooting guard Torrence Watson and 5-star guards Courtney Ramey and Ayo Dosunmu. The Cyclones have a potentially big class for that year and will target multiple positions.
2. Illinois Fighting Illini
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Who they have: Landing 5-star, in-state center Jeremiah Tilmon was a huge coup for the Illini as he joins 4-star guards Trent Frazier and DaMonte Williams and 3-star wing Javon Pickett to form the Class of 2017 recruiting haul for Illinois.
Why they need a big class: The Fighting Illini have missed three straight NCAA tournaments for the first time since the '70s as they've struggled to find success the past few seasons. This class is hugely important to the future of Illinois basketball, because Tilmon is a potential impact center from the moment he steps foot on campus while the other three commitments all have the upside to be good Big Ten players.
Top 2017 targets: Illinois probably isn't finished in the Class of 2017 as they're still recruiting Australian center Jacob Epperson from La Lumiere Prep. Epperson has visited Champaign twice, including once in late November, as the 4-star center remains an Illinois priority.
Top 2018 targets: The Class of 2018 gets interesting for Illinois as 4-star guard Tim Finke, the younger brother of Illinois sophomore Michael Finke, is a major target. The Illini have also been involved with in-state, 5-star guard Ayo Dosunmu from powerhouse Morgan Park while 5-star guard Courtney Ramey has also been a target at guard. In the frontcourt, 4-star forward Trevion Williams visited Illinois for an unofficial in late October as he's been targeted by Illinois as well.
1. Washington Huskies
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Who they have: Five-star wing forward Michael Porter Jr. is another potential one-and-done player for the Huskies. Porter is joined by in-state, 4-star guards Daejon Davis and Jaylen Nowell as well as 3-star point guard Blake Harris and 3-star big man Mamoudou Diarra.
Why they need a big class: Even with a potential top NBA draft pick in Markelle Fultz, the Huskies have struggled to a 4-4 start during the 2016-17 season as they're going to have an uphill battle making the NCAA tournament. Since Fultz is likely to leave after this season, the Washington Class of 2017 recruiting haul will need to have a big impact right away as Porter will be the team's go-to player and guards like Davis, Nowell and Harris could get early minutes.
Top 2017 targets: Since the Huskies have signed five players and only have one senior, they'll likely stand pat with its current Class of 2017 recruiting haul. With five players coming in at multiple positions, the Huskies did a nice job of balancing the large class across multiple areas of need.
Top 2018 targets: Michael Porter Jr.'s younger brother Jontay Porter is committed in the Class of 2018 to Washington as the hiring of their father, Michael Porter Sr., appears to be paying off. Jontay Porter is considered a 4-star prospect by Scout.com. With Washington having 10 underclassmen on scholarship with a five-man recruiting class coming in, don't be surprised if the Class of 2018 haul is a small one for the Huskies.
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