2017 Recruiting Class Could Be The Best Yet

[stever20]

I think folks might like ESPN's team ratings over 247....
Xavier 8 Chris Mack and his staff have been busy over the last four months, securing five commitments and positioning the Musketeers as the best class in the Big East thus far. The highlight is ESPN 100 guard Paul Scruggs (No. 28), one of the more sought-after point guards in the 2017 class. Xavier beat out the likes of Indiana, Michigan State and Connecticut for Scruggs, whose toughness and ability to play on or off the ball will fit well with the Musketeers. The other ESPN 100 prospect in the group is Naji Marshall (No. 85), a versatile perimeter player who had a very strong spring and summer. He can make plays with the ball in his hands, and is a tough finisher. Four-star forward Jared Ridder is one of the best shooters in the 2017 class, and his size enables him to play some small-ball four if necessary. Four-star wing Elias Harden, out of Atlanta, had several SEC schools on him, but Xavier went into the south and got him. He can score in the mid-range and behind the arc, and is also a capable defender due to his size and length. Rounding out the class is 6-foot-11 center Kentrevious Jones, another Georgia native. Jones is a true post player who will rebound and bring some touch around the rim. Xavier will continue to look for another big guy into the spring.

Butler 16 Few programs have been more strategic with their 2017 recruiting classes than Butler has, especially early in the cycle. The Bulldogs not only evaluated and targeted players who were both able to make an immediate impact, but they also went after were also realistic targets, got them all on campus early and closed four different commitments before the end of October. Their class includes a pair of ESPN 100 products in Christian David and Kyle Young, one of the most versatile perimeter players in the country in Jerald Butler and a shot-making combo guard in Cooper Neese. Collectively this is a group that is as versatile as it is talented. All four players are capable of playing multiple positions. While Butler still has a scholarship available, they have the luxury of being able to hold it in case an impact player or a transfer becomes available.

Creighton 17 There are few programs in the country that were more proactive with their 2017 class then Creighton. Coach Greg McDermott and his staff landed all three of their commitments, including two ESPN 100 prospects, before the end of their junior years. In Ty-Shon Alexander and Mitchell Ballock they have one of the best incoming shooting tandems in the country and a pair of perimeter players who fit their style of play perfectly. Hunter Thompson may not be quite as uniquely talented, but he is an emerging 6-foot-10 big man who also fits their offensive style and will be capable of playing both frontcourt positions. The Blue Jays might not be done yet either, as they are still in the mix for five-star small forward Brian Bowen and would love to add a skilled big wing in that mold.

Georgetown 26 The Hoyas got their man when they landed a commitment from Tremont Waters. A four-star floor general and one of the most skilled guards in the class, Waters will make an immediate contribution and should be capable of challenging for a starting spot from Day 1. The Hoyas got another boost when they landed a commitment from Antwan Walker, an athletic and rugged forward capable of playing multiple positions. They would love to add a true center to the class but, given the lack of quality options left on the board, are likely to entertain transfers as well.

Villanova 27 The defending national champions hold a pair of commitments along their front line from multi-positional players. Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree is a local product who could see time at either the four or five spots and could impact the game with his athleticism, motor and shot blocking. ESPN 100 small forward Jermaine Samuels has grown from a volume scorer to one of the hardest-working and grittiest players on the East Coast. He's a proven scorer inside of 18 feet, as he developed his perimeter skill set and is capable of guarding three different positions. Villanova is among the finalists for Lonnie Walker, Quade Green and Trevon Duval but would presumably also be open to new names later in the class, especially a bigger ball-handling guard.

and wait for it.....
St John's at 40 After turning over the vast majority of their roster in the 18 months since Chris Mullin took the reins at his alma mater, St. John's came into this class with the luxury of looking for quality and not quantity. When the Red Storm landed a commitment from 7-foot center Zach Brown in July they found just that. Brown has had his fair share of concerns off the floor, but there's no denying his talent between the lines. A one-time UConn pledge, Brown has the size to immediately impact the game on both ends of the floor. The Johnnies are also after five-star local products like Mohamed Bamba and Hamidou Diallo but are otherwise focused on getting an early start on their 2018 recruiting class where they already hold an early commitment from Boubacar Diakite and are hoping to take advantage of a talent rich class in the tri-state area.

[stever20]

looking at 2014 ESPN ratings....
7 Georgetown
12 Seton Hall
23 Xavier
27 Providence
37 Villanova

will be interesting when all is said and done how ESPN's numbers look compared to 247's.

[stever20]

looking at 247's updated thru this morning.
8 Xavier
14 Butler
33 Villanova
41 Creighton
46 Georgetown
47 Marquette
49 Providence
64 DePaul
77 Seton Hall
81 St John's

looking, only got left 13 5 star guys and 11 4 star guys right now. The early signing period ends on Wednesday, so will be interesting to see how many more of those are gone by then.

[adoraz]

looking at 247's updated thru this morning.
8 Xavier
14 Butler
33 Villanova
41 Creighton
46 Georgetown
47 Marquette
49 Providence
64 DePaul
77 Seton Hall
81 St John's

looking, only got left 13 5 star guys and 11 4 star guys right now. The early signing period ends on Wednesday, so will be interesting to see how many more of those are gone by then.

If you're going to compare with the 2014 class then might as well use the full 247 rankings:

2014:
7 Georgetown
16 Seton Hall
17 Xavier
20 Providence
46 Villanova
54 Creighton
63 Butler
87 DePaul
94 Marquette
102 St. John's

2017:
8 Xavier
14 Butler
33 Villanova
41 Creighton
46 Georgetown
47 Marquette
49 Providence
64 DePaul
77 Seton Hall
81 St John's

I'd say the fact we should close with all teams in the top 100 is extremely impressive. Will probably be the most balanced class yet.

Speaking as a SJU fan, our class is ranked last in both. The 2014 class was a disappointment and contained a 3 star JUCO and a high school player ranked over #300 (side note, neither qualified or played for us).

However, the 2017 class I'm VERY optimistic about. It consists of only #84 Zach Brown. We are coming off of two strong classes and don't need anyone else, but Brown will be a "big" help where we need it.

Night and day, again coming from a fan of a team who finished last both years.

[stever20]

2014 avg class 50.6
2017 avg class 46.0(right now)

if the class was over right now, it'd be a win for 2017. There's still going to be some settling going on that will lower the Butler and even Xavier classes to some extent. And some of the others as well. Just since last week, it's dropped from 44 average class to 46 average class.

It really goes on which way you look at things....
2014 had by far the better individual classes. 4 top 20's.
2017 has by far more depth

it's really in the eye of the beholder. And it's likely to stay that way.

[GumbyDamnit!]

If you're going to compare with the 2014 class then might as well use the full 247 rankings:

2014:
7 Georgetown
16 Seton Hall
17 Xavier
20 Providence
46 Villanova
54 Creighton
63 Butler
87 DePaul
94 Marquette
102 St. John's

2017:
8 Xavier
14 Butler
33 Villanova
41 Creighton
46 Georgetown
47 Marquette
49 Providence
64 DePaul
77 Seton Hall
81 St John's

I'd say the fact we should close with all teams in the top 100 is extremely impressive. Will probably be the most balanced class yet.

Boom!

Good data.

5 in Top 50 vs 7 in top 50. Stever undoubtedly will say: "getting more Top 10-20 teams is better." But is say having the entire league participate in good recruiting classes is what we want. 4 years ago Josh Hart and Kris Jenkins were in that 75-100 range. They've got a NC and are on the Wooden Watch list as seniors. We keep getting players like that with a few 5*'s thrown in we will be more than fine.

[Barley]

Sounds like Nova has 2 in for official visits this weekend- Lonnie Walker and Quade Green.

ESPN lists Walker as being Arizona favorite at 60%. 247 has Arizona at 78% with Nova only at 7%.
ESPN lists Green as being Syracuse favorite at 65%. 247 has Syracuse at 78% with Nova only at 5%.

would be huge if Nova can get 1 of those 2.

Lonnie Walker commits to Miami FL.

[stever20]

Interesting about Walker....

updated BE Classes:
Xavier 8
Butler 15
Nova 33
Creighton 41
Georgetown 47
Marquette 48
Providence 50
DePaul 66
Seton Hall 77
St John's 81
avg now 46.6. So in span of a week, gone down by 2.6 spots avg. and looking, Kansas is still only 74 and Syracuse is 92- when they get guys, they're going to push that further down.

down to 12 5 star and 9 4 star guys. And 20 3 star guys in the top 200.

[stever20]

If you're going to compare with the 2014 class then might as well use the full 247 rankings:

2014:
7 Georgetown
16 Seton Hall
17 Xavier
20 Providence
46 Villanova
54 Creighton
63 Butler
87 DePaul
94 Marquette
102 St. John's

2017:
8 Xavier
14 Butler
33 Villanova
41 Creighton
46 Georgetown
47 Marquette
49 Providence
64 DePaul
77 Seton Hall
81 St John's

I'd say the fact we should close with all teams in the top 100 is extremely impressive. Will probably be the most balanced class yet.

Boom!

Good data.

5 in Top 50 vs 7 in top 50. Stever undoubtedly will say: "getting more Top 10-20 teams is better." But is say having the entire league participate in good recruiting classes is what we want. 4 years ago Josh Hart and Kris Jenkins were in that 75-100 range. They've got a NC and are on the Wooden Watch list as seniors. We keep getting players like that with a few 5*'s thrown in we will be more than fine.

The only problem with your statement is that unless they get more- Georgetown, Marquette, and Providence for sure won't finish top 50, and Creighton would be borderline if they don't get anyone.

[stever20]

looking this morning:
Xavier 8
Butler 16
Nova 35
Creighton 43
Georgetown 49
Marquette 50
Providence 52
DePaul 67
Seton Hall 77
St John's 81
avg class now down to 47.8. Down by 3.8 spots in 10 days. down to only 10 5 star and 7 4 star guys left. And 20 3 star guys in the top 200.

For whatever reason the guys the Big East gets come in relatively early in the process. End of July 8 4 star guys, End of Aug 10, End of Sep 13. Now 15. If anything, it's actually been even a bit earlier than before....

last 3 years going into this year- by end of September had 31 4/5 star guys. After that 10 4/5 star guys. So 76% over. This year it's 13/2. Would make it 44/12. Getting close to 80%.