gorocks99;1449762 wrote:Jahlil Okafor trims his list to 8:

Arizona
Baylor
Duke
Illinois
Kentucky
Kansas
Michigan state
Ohio state

https://twitter.com/jahprobound/status/339805218747338752

Guessing Ohio State won't get him but with already having JaeSean Tate and Keita Bates-Diop then adding Tyus Jones and Jahlil Okafor to that class combined with what they should return that would be Mattas best shot at a title since Oden and Conley. They wont get Jones and Okafor but fun to dream.

#5 overall player Cliff Alexander and top PF had this to say:

"They want to develop me, get me like a Terrence Jones and I'm looking forward to that. [Karl Towns] and I can play together. He's a five and I'm a four. We'll work from there."

He's down to Kentucky, Michigan State and Illinois, but with that quote, I like our chances.

He did also comment on the other two, but definitely not as in-depth or anticipating who he will play with.

Azu,

I've heard that Mudiay is basically a Kentucky lock. How accurate is that? How does that affect Tyus Jones and Okafor?

I think most UK fans aren't holding out hope for Okafor and Jones because of the great odds they get Alexander and Mudiay. With Karl Towns, Marcus Lee and possibly Dakari Johnson at the 4/5 already, I don't see Okafor considering UK in a final 3 or 5.

I mean he has them listed in the top 8 because I think it automatically improves your reputation to list the bluebloods until near the end.

Azubuike24;1449844 wrote:I think most UK fans aren't holding out hope for Okafor and Jones because of the great odds they get Alexander and Mudiay. With Karl Towns, Marcus Lee and possibly Dakari Johnson at the 4/5 already, I don't see Okafor considering UK in a final 3 or 5.

I mean he has them listed in the top 8 because I think it automatically improves your reputation to list the bluebloods until near the end.

Pretty much what I was thinking. Thanks for he info.

It would seem to me that the biggest players for Jones and Okafor have to be Duke, MSU, and maybe now Kansas. Here's to hoping they commit to Izzo. lol

KU just hired that Howard guy who is one of the most connected with Texas and Chicago AAU. It just happens 4 of the top 15 players are from there. All 4 list Kansas.

It's going to be very close between UNC, UK and Kansas for the top class. All 3 will end up with 3 or 4 top 25 players.

I think Alexander is MSU all the way. He has been that way for quite some time. I dont think Cal can swoop in on this one.

Been hearing that Jones, Okafor, Winslow, and even Alexander may want to go somewhere together. That would be ridiculous, but also probably unlikely.

Sounds more and more like Kansas is really making up some ground for Jones and Okafor. Hiring an AAU coach who is plugged into Chicago AAU can't hurt with Okafor, and consequently, Jones.

Laley23;1449959 wrote:I think Alexander is MSU all the way. He has been that way for quite some time. I dont think Cal can swoop in on this one.

This surprises me. He just beasted on Okafor over this past weekend. Although not a true center, Alexander might be the best frontcourt player in the class.

He knows a lot more about what the MSU team will be next year than what the UK team will be. Also, I don't see him playing with Gary Harris, who likely goes to the NBA.

Azubuike24;1450385 wrote:This surprises me. He just beasted on Okafor over this past weekend. Although not a true center, Alexander might be the best frontcourt player in the class.

He knows a lot more about what the MSU team will be next year than what the UK team will be. Also, I don't see him playing with Gary Harris, who likely goes to the NBA.

That I think he is a strong MSU lean?

If so, its really just a feeling since I have been following the recruitment for almost 2 years now (when IU got involved). He always seemed to be an MSU lean. Every interview he mentioned Izzo or MSU. It never bodes well when other schools writers are forced to mention MSU/Izzo in their teams articles because so many of his answers include them.

But like I said, just a gut feeling, nothing concrete obviously.

2014 SG D'Angelo Russell commits to Ohio State!!! This is a huge get for Thad and the Buckeyes!!

I love that he is a southpaw as well.

Tiger2003;1454157 wrote:2014 SG D'Angelo Russell commits to Ohio State!!! This is a huge get for Thad and the Buckeyes!!

Yep, he's a great player. Definitely a great get for Matta and the Buckeyes.

Wasn't expecting a decision right now from him, but glad he's headed to Columbus.

Now go ALL IN on Okafor.

Midstate01;1454199 wrote:Now go ALL IN on Okafor.

I really think Okafor is going wherever Tyus Jones goes. Very rarely do package deals actually happen, but in this case, it seems like there's a good chance that it will. I'd love to see them end up at OSU. Do the Buckeyes have room for both?

ironman02;1454208 wrote:Do the Buckeyes have room for both?

Do I have enough room in my jean pockets for excessive amounts of cash? If not, I'd find a way!

OSU needs an impact class in 2014, as they will have a mass exodus of Seniors that year. Ross, Scott, Thompson and Williams will all be Seniors.

Russell is good, but he's not an elite, elite player. He's a nice 2nd or 3rd piece to a class, but if OSU were to land Okafor or Jones, now we're talking.

Here are some new rankings from today - http://247sports.com/Season/2014-Basketball/RecruitRankings?InstitutionGroup=HighSchool

IMO, the top players are in order, 1. Okafor, 2. Mudiay, 3. Jones, 4. Alexander, 5. Towns. Trey Lyles is a wild card, but I'm really not sure what happens with him. From what Laley posted earlier in this thread and what I've read, I could see him ending up at UCLA or something, and completely tanking.

Midstate01;1454199 wrote:Now go ALL IN on Okafor.

Bucks aren't getting Okafor and Jones

Never said that....

Tiger2003;1454157 wrote:2014 SG D'Angelo Russell commits to Ohio State!!! This is a huge get for Thad and the Buckeyes!!

Very nice :thumbup:

Russell, Bates-Diop, and Jae'Sean Tate should be a pretty darn good class in 2014. Mixed with the seniors that year I'm guessing that will be Ohio States best shot at a title over the next few years. Very excited for that year for the Buckeyes.

Midstate01;1454277 wrote:Never said that....

I know. Just saying I wouldn't count on it.

SportsAndLady;1454325 wrote:I know. Just saying I wouldn't count on it.

Im not counting on anything. All I said was now go ALL IN for okafor.

Nice get for OSU. 2014 is shaping up to be their best class in a few years.

Midstate01;1454342 wrote:Im not counting on anything. All I said was now go ALL IN for okafor.

Its a fucking figure of speech midstate lol

As of now Ohio St has as much chance with Okafor as anyone. I don't think anyone knows where he is leaning at this point. Either way this is a very good start to the class for OSU with Russell , Bates-Diop, Tate and Bell. Could be a very special group.