I don't disagree about it being close. It usually is between the top 3-5. However, I will say that I've seen both play and was far more impressed than Wiggins. He, IMO, is on another level, above the next 4, who are all good. With that said, what makes it tough is honestly, I think the "next 4", referring to Parker, Randle and the Harrison's, could all have been #1 in this year's class. Shabazz is a great player. Noel is a great player. However, I think 2012 was just an overall weak class whereas 2013 is a monster. Throw Wiggins in there, who ALL SITES vaulted immediately to #1 and it makes it crazy good.

Since you've actually seen Wiggins in game action, I trust your judgement. I have to say, with the amount of excitment surrounding the kid's game, I am very much looking forward to seeing him play. (Is it true that he plays the entire game wearing a crown?) If he doesn't turn out to be a cross bewteen LeBron James and a gryphon, however, I am going to be very disappointed. A lot of hype to live up to, and with his reclassification, it will probably only build.

Az, Ironman02 has stated that the Heels are back in this race (God I hope not). What are your thoughts on the probability that he chooses Kentucky? I still contend that FSU is being dragged along solely because the fact that Wiggins' father played there, similar to how the Harrison bros played Maryland. Just my opinion, of course.

Interesting blog entry from Jahlil Okafor, the top-rated center and No. 2 overall player in the class of 2014. He talks in the entry about how he’s turned off by the negative recruiting of other schools who mention competing programs – Duke in particular – in a false light and how Duke is one of the schools that he’s visited who has not partaken in any form of that type of dirty recruiting.

Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio State and Texas are the schools expected to be in major contention, with Arizona, Florida and Georgetown also in the mix.

Jahlil Okafor wrote:Another thing I really loved about the coaches [at Duke] was that I never heard about another school the whole time I was there. They just focused on what they could do for me. So many schools talk about Duke it’s crazy. I don’t like when coaches say: “Don’t go to Duke and end up setting screens.” That’s a major turnoff to me.

Plus, I don’t know what they’re watching because I’ve never thought big men did that at Duke. I look at Mason and they always get him the ball. Then Duke showed me how they helped develop Elton Brand and Carlos Boozer and Christian Laettner and other guys. They put lots of big men in the league so that’s just a lie when people say that.

http://www.usatodayhss.com/news/article/top-junior-center-jahlil-okafor-duke-visit-basketball-season

What players are considered to be the marquee long-distance shooters in the class of 2013? If you believe your team has signed or is striving to sign the next J.J. Redick or Salim Stoudamire, list them here.

Duke is bringing in the smooth, 6-4 Texan Matt Jones, believed by many if not to be the best, then one of the best three-point marksmen in the class, with silly range that will make Cameron crazier than usual.

Who knows about Wiggins. I mean I'd say UK has as good a shot as any, but it sounds like he's really looking at his options.

Aaron Harrison and James Young are both considered elite shooters.

Beejay Anya will decide between NCSU and Indiana next Tuesday.

Matt Thomas out of Wisconsin is another. He signed with Iowa State.

I love to follow the games each year of as many great shooters as possible, so it's always nice to get a head start on who to perhaps follow. I will miss watching the exploits of Keiton Page. He was a blast the last four years.

Azubuike24;1309528 wrote:Who knows about Wiggins. I mean I'd say UK has as good a shot as any, but it sounds like he's really looking at his options.

Yeah, very true. I think I just got worried that Carolina might grab this guy and wanted somebody to reassure me I have nothing to worry about, haha. That would honestly be a nightmare, especially if he's as good as billed. I mean I am confident in the team that K is building and think that Duke could be in VERY good position if a couple of pieces fall into place that many think might, but I just don't think I could stomach watching Andrew Wiggins in baby blue.

Not to say it's completely fair to Carolina, but look at the last 6'8, #1 overall recruit, potential one-and-done (Barnes) that went to Carolina and look at his stock. He stayed 2 years, his stock dropped. Wiggins isn't Barnes, but it would be naive to think recruits don't think at this stuff, which is a very comparable precedent.

Prediction: Wiggins to KU.. Yes sirrrrrr

SportsAndLady;1309749 wrote:Prediction: Wiggins to KU.. Yes sirrrrrr

Are Kansas fans reasonably optimistic that this might actually happen? I have to say, I would be quite delighted if that were the result and Wiggins decided to play basketball in the center of a cornfield. Anything as far away as possible from a tobacco plantation. And, sorry, Az, but UK has had it way too good of late. It'd be nice to see Calipari lose out on a big one for once. Sort of an ego-check. The guy has pretty much cleaned house three straight years now.

As good a coach as Bill Self is when the odds appear to be against him with players that are relatively unheralded, at least in terms of national love from the media, it might be scary what he could do with Wiggins.

Azubuike24;1309528 wrote:Who knows about Wiggins. I mean I'd say UK has as good a shot as any, but it sounds like he's really looking at his options.

Aaron Harrison and James Young are both considered elite shooters.

Beejay Anya will decide between NCSU and Indiana next Tuesday.

No he wont, its NCST. Indiana has pulled out of the running and is focusing only on Vonleh. Speculation is that Jurkin and Perea have both or will both be cleared/qualified by the NCAA meaning IU cant take a 7 man class this year. So its Vonleh and a 6 man or the 5 they have now.

While on the LSU site, I just saw where LSU got 5 star Jarrell Martin, their 3rd ESPN top 100 recruit. Not bad for a new coach.

reclegend22;1309796 wrote:Are Kansas fans reasonably optimistic that this might actually happen? I have to say, I would be quite delighted if that were the result and Wiggins decided to play basketball in the center of a cornfield. Anything as far away as possible from a tobacco plantation. And, sorry, Az, but UK has had it way too good of late. It'd be nice to see Calipari lose out on a big one for once. Sort of an ego-check. The guy has pretty much cleaned house three straight years now.

As good a coach as Bill Self is when the odds appear to be against him with players that are relatively unheralded, at least in terms of national love from the media, it might be scary what he could do with Wiggins.

Haha, no I don't think any reasonable ku fans expect him to choose ku although im certainly not going to say its an impossibility.

Right now its the typical "so take it fwiw but I have a source within ku that says expect great news about wiggins.."

cats gone wild;1310042 wrote:While on the LSU site, I just saw where LSU got 5 star Jarrell Martin, their 3rd ESPN top 100 recruit. Not bad for a new coach.

The SEC is cleaning up in recruiting. Just the top 100 alone, 78 of the 100 are committed. 19 of 78 are headed to SEC schools, including 12 of the top 50.

Kentucky - 4, 5, 10, 17
Florida - 8, 9
LSU - 12, 40, 65
Tennessee - 14
Arkansas - 16, 61
South Carolina - 42
Missouri - 49, 70
Alabama - 59, 92
Texas A&M - 80
Vanderbilt - 81

This isn't a new trend. The SEC has been in the top 2 or 3 in basketball recruiting for a decade. The issue has always been coaching and commitment to basketball. Neither are even on close to on-par with the Big East or ACC.

on the ESPn top 100, the SEC has 7 out of 8 of the top 15 (7 of the top 15 havent committed yet).

Az hit the nail on the head. Get a coach who can coach and Ill take notice. Until then, its Florida and UK and nothing else...despite the apparent talent influx each year. Big Ten coaches run circles around the SEC.

B1G as well. I do think the coaching has improved, bringing in guys like Anthony Grant, Cuonzo Martin, Frank Martin and Tony Barbee (and I'll throw Mark Fox, Trent Johnson in there too), but they still have to prove it.

Billy Donovan can coach. Kevin Stallings can coach. It's no surprise those two have been successful mainstays.

Azubuike24;1310396 wrote:B1G as well. I do think the coaching has improved, bringing in guys like Anthony Grant, Cuonzo Martin, Frank Martin and Tony Barbee (and I'll throw Mark Fox, Trent Johnson in there too), but they still have to prove it.

Billy Donovan can coach. Kevin Stallings can coach. It's no surprise those two have been successful mainstays.

Forgot about Stallings. But the point remains, the SEC has had good players for years, but those 3 are the only ones who can coach a lick. Now, they have some newer and younger faces in charge, and I think they can turn it around. But, as of now, its still unproven and Ill reserve judgement on any coach outside of Stallings, Billy and Cal.

Azubuike24;1310396 wrote:B1G as well. I do think the coaching has improved, bringing in guys like Anthony Grant, Cuonzo Martin, Frank Martin and Tony Barbee (and I'll throw Mark Fox, Trent Johnson in there too), but they still have to prove it.

Billy Donovan can coach. Kevin Stallings can coach. It's no surprise those two have been successful mainstays.

Trent Johnson was fired from his post at LSU, no?

And I think the best coach in the SEC outside of Donovan and Calipari (and perhaps Stallings, although he has never proven much of anything in March) might be the one you didn't mention. Mike Anderson. Once he gets a team full of his kids that is suited to play the "40 Minutes of Hell" that Anderson learned under the tutelage of Nolan Richardson in Fayetteville in the '80s and '90s, I think Arkansas is going to be a force and compete for conference titles. I've always admired Anderson's teams and the high level of energy with which he gets them to play on both ends of the floor. He turned the lights back on at UAB, a once proud program that was dead when Anderson arrived, and then took Missouri to the brink of a Final Four.

College basketball writer Michael O'Brien of the Chicago Sun-Times tweeting yesterday that, after Jabari Parker's recent college visits to East Lansing and Durham, Duke is the front-runner in the sweepstakes for the No. 2 overall player in next year's class. Parker visits Florida this weekend.

You obviously never know with these things, but I think I'd be stunned if Parker didn't choose to be a Blue Devil. I've had a good feeling about this one for awhile. We'll see.

Wale tweeted this picture today. Doesn't hurt recruiting.

Birdie tweeted this just a little bit ago.

reclegend22;1311575 wrote:Birdie tweeted this just a little bit ago.

Greatness.

killer_ewok wrote:Greatness.

Tupac was amazing. Think I am going to have to go watch Above the Rim now.

Chris McCullough is headed to Syracuse.