I’m not sure if the incessant need to “rank” classes and players is actually an emotional or physical disorder, but if it is then the media certainly qualifies as the poster child. Even though signing classes are nothing more than a collection of signatures yet to produce anything other than publicity, you can find plenty of computation, positioning and anointing every time recruiters break out the NLI’s.
Ranking recruiting classes is tantamount to proclaiming a pantry full of ingredients a fantastic dish before they ever have the chance to come together in a recipe. Let’s face it, there have been plenty of things that look good in the shopping cart but just don’t deliver the anticipated results once on the plate. That could be poor cooking skills or an overhyped dish that doesn’t taste as good as it sounds. Then again it could be the ingredients themselves. They may not be as good as advertised. They may not ripen in time to deliver their best or it could be that the chemistry between the ingredients themselves just doesn’t combine for a good result. Whether we’re talking about protein and produce or speculating about signing classes, the most valid evaluation doesn’t come until you have an end product.
All too often the ranking of signing classes becomes little more than a math equation proclaiming those with the highest individually ranked athletes to be the top of the heap. The truly accurate assessment of a class has to include the roster and class needs of a program. It can’t ignore the fit of each signee in terms of a particular style of play. Consideration also has to be given to the potential of a collective class to play cohesively with each other as well as the classes in front of them or those to follow. And, without a doubt, the premium on those players who are not “marquis” signs is almost always grossly underestimated by those doing a review of a program’s recruiting efforts.
Lastly, it’s important to understand that nobody ranking these classes actually knows what the real needs and goals of a program happen to be unless they’re in house every day. It’s easy to sit back and say they need a big or immediate help at the point. That’s just stating the obvious and hardly a validation of any expertise. Knowing all the intangibles that go into their efforts is challenging, if not impossible, for someone looking in from the outside. What current players are not evolving or which ones are developing better than expected can change anticipated potential and future recruiting targets. Injuries and physical issues that may come into play long term with the current roster are not always on the table for public consumption. An interested and talented underclass prospect or a geographically regional standout at a specific position may lead to a decision to hold off on signing what may be perceived as a need this time around. Nobody wants to recruit over players or add an obstacle to their pursuit of that younger preference when the time comes.
With all that in mind, take a good objective look at recruiting classes. In today’s environment it’s also important to remember that they’re a never ending work in progress with late signings, transfers in and out as well as the possible addition of junior college players down the road. Understand that it’s actually a starting point rather than a finish line. It’s not uncommon for players to stagnate or plateau once they’ve signed their letter of intent and no longer have that dangling recruiting carrot in front of them. High school coaches love that little caveat.
Below are the current top 50 signing classes as presented by Blue Star Report, the nation’s longest running national evaluation and college showcase organization. UCLA leads the way early with an ultra-impressive five person class followed by Ohio State and first year head coach Kevin McGuff. Coming off a 2013 Final Four appearance, Louisville checks in at number three followed by Duke, UConn and Notre Dame. Texas lays claim to an impact class at seven followed by the SEC trio of South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Tennessee to wrap up the top ten. Keep in mind that two Blue Star Top 10 recruits (#2 A’Ja Wilson and #10 Kia Nurse) remain uncommitted and could reshape the upper echelon with Nurse’s looming decision and Wilson’s choice this spring.
Provided with the top 25 is a link to a signing article on that specific program’s web site or their home page if they have yet to post a release on their current signees.
1. UCLA
http://www.uclabruins.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30500&ATCLID=209306762
2. Ohio State
http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/111413aae.html
3. Louisville
http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/111413aaa.html
4. Duke
http://www.goduke.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPID=1846
5. UConn
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/w-baskbl/
6. Notre Dame
http://www.und.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/111413aaa.html
7. Texas
http://texassports.com/news/2013/11/13/WBB_1113135346.aspx
8. South Carolina
http://www.gamecocksonline.com/sports/w-baskbl/scar-w-baskbl-body-main.html
9. Vanderbilt
http://www.vucommodores.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/111313aat.html
10. Tennessee
http://www.utsports.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/111313aag.html
11. Maryland
http://www.umterps.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=29700&ATCLID=209307219
12. St. Johns
http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/111413aaa.html
13. Georgia
http://www.georgiadogs.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/111313aad.html
14. Purdue
http://www.purduesports.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/111313aaa.html
15. Pitt
http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/w-baskbl/pitt-w-baskbl-body.html
16. USC
http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/111413aab.html
17. Florida
http://www.gatorzone.com/story.php?id=26718
18. Cal
http://www.calbears.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30100&ATCLID=209306391
19. Kentucky
http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/w-baskbl/kty-w-baskbl-body.html
20. Wake Forrest
http://www.wakeforestsports.com/sports/w-baskbl/wake-w-baskbl-body.html
21. Michigan State
http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/111413aab.html
22. Virginia
http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/111313aab.html
23. Stanford
http://www.gostanford.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30600&ATCLID=209306494
24. Minnesota
http://www.gophersports.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/111313aaa.html
25. Miami
http://www.hurricanesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=28700&ATCLID=209306794
26. Michigan
27. Florida State
28. Marquette
29. Clemson
30. Iowa
31. Georgia Tech
32. Oklahoma
33. Auburn
34. Iowa State
35. Washington
36. Kansas
37. Mississippi State
38. Nebraska
39. Xavier
40. DePaul
41. Arizona
42. George Washington
43. Illinois
44. Virginia Tech
45. West Virginia
46. St. Louis
47. Wyoming
48. Baylor
49. Wisconsin-Green Bay
50. Providence
Mark Lewis is a national evaluator and photographer for Blue Star Basketball as well as the lead columnist for Blue Star Media. Twice ranked as one of the top 25 Division I assistant coaches in the game by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), he logged 25 years of college coaching experience at Memphis State, Cincinnati, Arizona State, Western Kentucky and Washington State. Lewis serves as a member of the prestigious McDonald’s All-American selection committee as well as the Naismith College Player and Coach of the Year committees.
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