2017 Recruiting Class Could Be The Best Yet

[stever20]

The thing that's interesting if you compare where the schools are ranked now vs when this thread started-
2017 Top 50 on July 23
#7 Creighton- now #18 -11
#21 Seton Hall- now #44 -23
#22 St. John's- now #45 -23
#23 Villanova now #13 +10
#26 Providence now #22 +4
#37 Xavier- now #7 +30
#38 DePaul- now #59 -21
#43 Marquette- now #68 -25
#50 Butler- now 17 +33
net 26 spots worse....

now-
#7 Xavier
#13 Villanova
#17 Butler
#18 Creighton
#22 Providence
#44 Seton Hall
#45 St John's
#59 DePaul
#68 Marquette

I would argue though that the team ratings now are MUCH better than they were at the start of the thread.
July 22- avg of top 5 classes- 19.8
now- avg of top 5 classes- 15.4

It'd be nice if one of SH/SJ/D/Marq/Geo could get into that #25 range as well.

2014 was/is the top dog because it had 4 top 20 classes. Sure 2016 had 6 top 50- but of those none were top 20, and 3 were in the 41 and up range.

[xusandy]

I've posted several times here,including during year 1 of the New BE, that we'll be able to tell potential recruits that (1) bball is the #1 sport here (no football to compete with for attention), (2) we've got the best nationwide TV coverage of any league (and our FOX partnership has been key on this point), and (3) you can get a REAL education here that will prep you well for wherever life takes you. -- a particularly important message to kids with at least a glimmer of intelligence and to parents who really care.) I've also opined that these 3 factors will eventually mean that we can collectively go after and get a lion's share of each entering class. Maybe we're now starting to see the proof of the value of our NOT being a football driven conference. I fearlessly predict even better(!!!) recruiting results in the future.

[adoraz]

Lol Stever has ate so much crow this topic.

2017: 11 four stars
2016: 1 five star and 12 four stars
2015: 2 five stars and 9 four stars

For the thousandth time, Stever, if you want to know the purpose of this topic just read the title. For the first month you downplayed our recruiting in 2017. Now that the number of 4 star recruits has continued to grow (shocking) and didn't stop like you predicted, not even you can deny the results. So you've moved on to other trivial things to downplay our league.

AAC btw still only has 1 four star recruit. ACC has 7 (and zero 5 star).

And 2014 had 1 5 star and 16 4 star guys. Going to be really tough to beat that class. With 4 top 20 classes.

And with needing a 5 star and 5 more 4 star guys to top 2014, there is only 72 4-5 star guys left. And there's only 72 4 star guys left out of 142. You say there's still half left then. That's true. But 40 of those 72 guys are in the top 60. And those are the guys that the Big East doesn't get all that many of.

So in other words, we should end up with the second best recruiting class (out of 5), which is already following up two strong classes (in 15/16). And we still have a shot at the best class? Sounds pretty good, no?

Adding in the other classes
2017: 0 five star and 11 four stars
2016: 1 five star and 12 four stars
2015: 2 five stars and 9 four stars
2014: 1 five star and 16 four stars
2013: 0 five star and 10 four stars

We've already surpassed the 2013 class. That 2014 class was following up a weak 2013 class. That's not the case with 2017 (vs 2016), which makes it even more impressive. Also worth noting the 2014 class, while very good, was also top heavy (5 top 50 teams, last year's class had 6).

All things considered, this is going to be a monster class and recruiting is stronger than ever.

[stever20]

Lol Stever has ate so much crow this topic.

2017: 11 four stars
2016: 1 five star and 12 four stars
2015: 2 five stars and 9 four stars

For the thousandth time, Stever, if you want to know the purpose of this topic just read the title. For the first month you downplayed our recruiting in 2017. Now that the number of 4 star recruits has continued to grow (shocking) and didn't stop like you predicted, not even you can deny the results. So you've moved on to other trivial things to downplay our league.

AAC btw still only has 1 four star recruit. ACC has 7 (and zero 5 star).

And 2014 had 1 5 star and 16 4 star guys. Going to be really tough to beat that class. With 4 top 20 classes.

And with needing a 5 star and 5 more 4 star guys to top 2014, there is only 72 4-5 star guys left. And there's only 72 4 star guys left out of 142. You say there's still half left then. That's true. But 40 of those 72 guys are in the top 60. And those are the guys that the Big East doesn't get all that many of.

So in other words, we should end up with the second best recruiting class (out of 5), which is already following up two strong classes (in 15/16). And we still have a shot at the best class? Sounds pretty good, no?

Adding in the other classes
2017: 0 five star and 11 four stars
2016: 1 five star and 12 four stars
2015: 2 five stars and 9 four stars
2014: 1 five star and 16 four stars
2013: 0 five star and 10 four stars

We've already surpassed the 2013 class. That 2014 class was following up a weak 2013 class. That's not the case with 2017 (vs 2016), which makes it even more impressive. Also worth noting the 2014 class, while very good, was also top heavy (5 top 50 teams, last year's class had 6).

All things considered, this is going to be a monster class and recruiting is stronger than ever.

2015 and 16 weren't strong classes. Only 13 and 11 top recruits. Compared to 17 in '14 and 11 already this year.

And I'll take 4 top 20 classes over 0 top 20 and only 3 top 40 any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

And like I've said, the big reason for the improvement is the tournament. March matters folks. Kids want to play in the NCAA tournament and do well.

1 thing that will be interesting to watch, will we get any 5 stars?

[adoraz]

2015 and 16 weren't strong classes. Only 13 and 11 top recruits. Compared to 17 in '14 and 11 already this year.

And I'll take 4 top 20 classes over 0 top 20 and only 3 top 40 any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

And like I've said, the big reason for the improvement is the tournament. March matters folks. Kids want to play in the NCAA tournament and do well.

1 thing that will be interesting to watch, will we get any 5 stars?

15 and especially 16 (6 top 50 classes, more than any other year) were indeed strong classes. I was happy with them, but everything is relative. That's my opinion, I know you have higher standards (such as the AAC's recruiting). At it simplest form, 2015/16 were stronger than the 2013 class, so the point stands.

To answer the 5 star question, Nova is currently favored with 5 star player Lonnie Walker (#19 overall). X is favored with Paul Scruggs (ranked #30). Currently 5 star by some, though not 247 composite. Based on his ranking seems he could jump to 5 stars. Then there's other players who could make the jump, like SJU's Zach Brown who was 5* several months ago but dropped due to legal issues. Jermaine Samuels, already committed, is #39 and would just need to jump 14/15 spots.

So yeah, probably.

[stever20]

2015 and 16 weren't strong classes. Only 13 and 11 top recruits. Compared to 17 in '14 and 11 already this year.

And I'll take 4 top 20 classes over 0 top 20 and only 3 top 40 any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

And like I've said, the big reason for the improvement is the tournament. March matters folks. Kids want to play in the NCAA tournament and do well.

1 thing that will be interesting to watch, will we get any 5 stars?

15 and especially 16 (6 top 50 classes, more than any other year) were indeed strong classes. I was happy with them, but everything is relative. That's my opinion, I know you have higher standards (such as the AAC's recruiting). At it simplest form, 2015/16 were stronger than the 2013 class, so the point stands.

To answer the 5 star question, Nova is currently favored with 5 star player Lonnie Walker (#19 overall). X is favored with Paul Scruggs (ranked #30). Currently 5 star by some, though not 247 composite. Based on his ranking seems he could jump to 5 stars. Then there's other players who could make the jump, like SJU's Zach Brown who was 5* several months ago but dropped due to legal issues. Jermaine Samuels, already committed, is #39 and would just need to jump 14/15 spots.

So yeah, probably.

There's not much of a difference between a 45 and a 54 class.

2013 class as I've said repeatedly is a swing class that is brutal to evaluate. a lot of unknowns with that class- have to remember Creighton, Butler, and Xavier were all recruiting to the MVC/A10.. Also, just looking, for whatever reason there were not as many 4 star players overall as in other years...
2013 115 4 star plus players(oh, and Seton Hall got #116).
2014 123 4 star plus players
2015 134 4 star plus players
2016 128 4 star plus players
2017 139 4 star plus players(down from 142 yesterday)

So 2013 getting 11 of the top 116 players vs 2015 getting 11 of the top 134 players- not that big of a difference. And just looking, 2015 Big East had 2 guys in the last 10 of the 4 star guys. 2016 had 2 guys from 117 on as well. So 2013 11 top 116, 2015 9 top 116. 2016 11 top 116 guys. So the 2013 class not quite as weak as it looks. So it's not like you can say that the 2013 class was all that much weaker than the 2015/16 classes at all.

And was curious. 2017 so far, we have 9 of the top 116 guys. But that's just so far. Still got a ways to go.

just in case you were wondering, 2014 had the lowest of the 4 star guys was #107. So BE had 17 of the top 107 guys. Going to be really difficult to top that.

[adoraz]

2015 and 16 weren't strong classes. Only 13 and 11 top recruits. Compared to 17 in '14 and 11 already this year.

And I'll take 4 top 20 classes over 0 top 20 and only 3 top 40 any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

And like I've said, the big reason for the improvement is the tournament. March matters folks. Kids want to play in the NCAA tournament and do well.

1 thing that will be interesting to watch, will we get any 5 stars?

15 and especially 16 (6 top 50 classes, more than any other year) were indeed strong classes. I was happy with them, but everything is relative. That's my opinion, I know you have higher standards (such as the AAC's recruiting). At it simplest form, 2015/16 were stronger than the 2013 class, so the point stands.

To answer the 5 star question, Nova is currently favored with 5 star player Lonnie Walker (#19 overall). X is favored with Paul Scruggs (ranked #30). Currently 5 star by some, though not 247 composite. Based on his ranking seems he could jump to 5 stars. Then there's other players who could make the jump, like SJU's Zach Brown who was 5* several months ago but dropped due to legal issues. Jermaine Samuels, already committed, is #39 and would just need to jump 14/15 spots.

So yeah, probably.

There's not much of a difference between a 45 and a 54 class.

2013 class as I've said repeatedly is a swing class that is brutal to evaluate. a lot of unknowns with that class- have to remember Creighton, Butler, and Xavier were all recruiting to the MVC/A10.. Also, just looking, for whatever reason there were not as many 4 star players overall as in other years...
2013 115 4 star plus players(oh, and Seton Hall got #116).
2014 123 4 star plus players
2015 134 4 star plus players
2016 128 4 star plus players
2017 139 4 star plus players(down from 142 yesterday)

So 2013 getting 11 of the top 116 players vs 2015 getting 11 of the top 134 players- not that big of a difference. And just looking, 2015 Big East had 2 guys in the last 10 of the 4 star guys. 2016 had 2 guys from 117 on as well. So 2013 11 top 116, 2015 9 top 116. 2016 11 top 116 guys. So the 2013 class not quite as weak as it looks. So it's not like you can say that the 2013 class was all that much weaker than the 2015/16 classes at all.

And was curious. 2017 so far, we have 9 of the top 116 guys. But that's just so far. Still got a ways to go.

just in case you were wondering, 2014 had the lowest of the 4 star guys was #107. So BE had 17 of the top 107 guys. Going to be really difficult to top that.

Honestly, who cares? Who cares exactly how much worse the 2013 class was? Seems like you're trying to distract from the fact that 2013 was the worst class and 2017 is shaping up to be one of the best, if not the best.

Nonetheless, glad we are already using the 2014 class as a benchmark for the 2017 class. I think most likely we'll end up with a class SLIGHTLY below the 2014 class at the top (predicting 1 five star, 14 four stars), but more balanced and 6/7 top 50 teams vs 5 in 2014. We'll see.

[stever20]

I'd rather have 4 top 20's and then 1 other top 50 than say 2 or 3 top 20's and then more in the 30-50 range.

just doing a simple thing....
using the 4 classes ranks. 5 points 1-10, 4 11-20, 3 21-30, 2 31-40, 1 41-50
2013 5+0+0+2+3=10
2014 5+12+0+0+1=18
2015 0+4+9+0+0=13
2016 0+0+9+0+3=12
2017 so far- 5+12+3+0+2=22

So right now at least, Big East in fantastic shape. Now, I'd still argue it's pretty darn early. When PC can jump up 30 spots with 1 guy, that just shows how fluid the ranks are right now. Kentucky gets 1 top 5 guy, and they'll move into the top 35. Duke gets a 2nd good guy, and they'll move into the top 10. If Big East can maintain this pace, they would have the best yet. Let's see how this looks come November. It does look very promising.

[GumbyDamnit!]

Nonetheless, glad we are already using the 2014 class as a benchmark for the 2017 class. I think most likely we'll end up with a class SLIGHTLY below the 2014 class at the top (predicting 1 five star, 14 four stars), but more balanced and 6/7 top 50 teams vs 5 in 2014. We'll see.

From the beginning I liked the BE "assets" and how they would be utilized to lure recruits. The message to me from our coaches was:
1. We are a BB league. Come be the BMOC. You'll always be 2nd fiddle to the FB players at the P5 schools.
2. Development / future. Look how many players are in the NBA from our programs.
3. MSG. The mecca of hoops. Come play the BET on a Saturday night under the brightest lights in the country.
4. Education. You're going to be set for real life when you graduate from these schools.
5. New TV contract. Every game on national TV. Your parents and friends will never miss a game.
6.Tradition. Our teams have won championships and made FF's. (we'll come back to this in a minute).

So here's this fledgling conference putting out it's messaging in 2013/14. They see names like Marquette, Villanova, G'town, Butler and Xavier and how can you not get excited. All of those team were relevant and doing damage in March. The coaches talk about points #1 - #6 from day one, but on the court, collectively the conference starts to struggle a bit. Stevens leaves, Buzz leaves, Lavin leaves, Purnell: gone; Marq falls off the table, G'town is a shell of it's once mighty self; not one team gets to the E8 the first two years. I'm sure other coaches used all of that to their advantage in home visits. "Stick with the P5 programs, the BE isn't ready for prime time; it's falling apart already." So years 2015 & 16, while decent recruiting years, didn't match the original hype of the BE. #6 on the list is no longer a sure thing. Where's Marq and G'town; why can't Nova get out of the first weekend?

Last year comes and both Nova and X are in the Top 10 all year. SHU is back and the North Jersey hoop scene is hopping again. PC has an AA/lottery pick and another NBA player drafted. Marq a lottery pick. Butler seems locked back in to the Butler way. And the icing, the Nat. F'ing Championship," where the BE representative knocks off a teams from the B10, ACC, B12, B12, ACC in succession,

So the BE coaches continue to talk about BB only, and education and bright lights, and TV and then add: "Oh yeah, and maybe you caught that National Championship game? Who won that one again?" And all the 2017 recruits (and all the top tier transfers) look at the BE a 2nd time and say, "it can provide me everything I'm looking for," and not P5 coach can deny that fact.

Maybe I'm full of crap (most likely) or maybe 2017 is a glimpse of the entire conference maturing into what we all hoped for when 10 underdog schools decided to change the college hoops landscape and join forces. Either way nothing but bright skies ahead.

[Xudash]

Nonetheless, glad we are already using the 2014 class as a benchmark for the 2017 class. I think most likely we'll end up with a class SLIGHTLY below the 2014 class at the top (predicting 1 five star, 14 four stars), but more balanced and 6/7 top 50 teams vs 5 in 2014. We'll see.

From the beginning I liked the BE "assets" and how they would be utilized to lure recruits. The message to me from our coaches was:
1. We are a BB league. Come be the BMOC. You'll always be 2nd fiddle to the FB players at the P5 schools.
2. Development / future. Look how many players are in the NBA from our programs.
3. MSG. The mecca of hoops. Come play the BET on a Saturday night under the brightest lights in the country.
4. Education. You're going to be set for real life when you graduate from these schools.
5. New TV contract. Every game on national TV. Your parents and friends will never miss a game.
6.Tradition. Our teams have won championships and made FF's. (we'll come back to this in a minute).

So here's this fledgling conference putting out it's messaging in 2013/14. They see names like Marquette, Villanova, G'town, Butler and Xavier and how can you not get excited. All of those team were relevant and doing damage in March. The coaches talk about points #1 - #6 from day one, but on the court, collectively the conference starts to struggle a bit. Stevens leaves, Buzz leaves, Lavin leaves, Purnell: gone; Marq falls off the table, G'town is a shell of it's once mighty self; not one team gets to the E8 the first two years. I'm sure other coaches used all of that to their advantage in home visits. "Stick with the P5 programs, the BE isn't ready for prime time; it's falling apart already." So years 2015 & 16, while decent recruiting years, didn't match the original hype of the BE. #6 on the list is no longer a sure thing. Where's Marq and G'town; why can't Nova get out of the first weekend?

Last year comes and both Nova and X are in the Top 10 all year. SHU is back and the North Jersey hoop scene is hopping again. PC has an AA/lottery pick and another NBA player drafted. Marq a lottery pick. Butler seems locked back in to the Butler way. And the icing, the Nat. F'ing Championship," where the BE representative knocks off a teams from the B10, ACC, B12, B12, ACC in succession,

So the BE coaches continue to talk about BB only, and education and bright lights, and TV and then add: "Oh yeah, and maybe you caught that National Championship game? Who won that one again?" And all the 2017 recruits (and all the top tier transfers) look at the BE a 2nd time and say, "it can provide me everything I'm looking for," and not P5 coach can deny that fact.

Maybe I'm full of crap (most likely) or maybe 2017 is a glimpse of the entire conference maturing into what we all hoped for when 10 underdog schools decided to change the college hoops landscape and join forces. Either way nothing but bright skies ahead.

I like how you think, because you think clearly!