Early Storylines for College Basketball's Blue Bloods Part 1
It has only been a month since Virginia cut down the nets, and I already find myself missing college basketball. I know there are plenty of other sporting events to look forward to between now and November; but no such spectacle fills the void that the tournament's end leaves.
So...this year, Jay Wright takes another shot at bringing in potential one-and-done talent. This fall, Villanova will welcome in shooting guard Bryan Antoine and forward/big Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (15th and 16th in 247Sports composite rankings, respectively). Over the last five years, Wright has garnered praise for his efficient offenses, fueled by the freedom he gives his players to shoot at will. But in order to merit that freedom, he maintains that his players must stay engaged and aggressive on defense. Since both Antoine and Robinson-Earl project as quality defenders, with the former also known for his ability to shoot the three ball, I expect these five-stars to excel in Villanova's system.
Kansas
Can they finish this offseason strongly?
Over the last decade, the lowest Kansas has been ranked in the AP Preseason Poll is #13, which occurred in 2011 (and if you remember, they ended that season as the national runners-up to Kentucky). With that said, I can't remember a time where the Jayhawks had more uncertainty surrounding their roster. All-American forward/big Dedric Lawson (junior) and former five-star guard Quentin Grimes (freshman) have both indicated that they will keep their names in the NBA draft. Freshman point guard Devon Dotson also may leave for the Association.
Compounding the damage is a recruiting class void of any star power. Kansas currently has only one incoming recruit ranked in the top 100 of 247Sports composite rankings (forward Tristan Enaruna, ranked 61). Although, 6'5" wing Christian Braun just missed the cut, as he currently slots in at 101. Fun aside: he looks more inclined to be the frontman of a 90s-00s pop-punk band than a contributor at a blue blood.
So where can hope be found? Well, Dotson will likely return to Lawrence, and 247Sports' Evan Daniels aka the Recruiting Nostradamus predicted this week that the nations' fifth-ranked prospect, combo guard RJ Hampton, will commit to Kansas. Hampton would fit perfectly next to Dotson--his style of play revolves around his ability to slash and finish, whereas Dotson demonstrated his prowess in facilitating and distributing last season.
In addition to potentially landing Hampton, I expect Kansas to garner a commitment from Rayjon Tucker, whom ESPN deems the second best grad transfer available. Although he played in the Sun Belt last season (averaging 20ppg, 41% from 3 at Arkansas-Little Rock), the guy is yoked and has the athleticism to succeed in a power conference. He projects as a wing, but he can run a little point if needed. Why do I think he'll sign with Kansas? Well.....I don't have any sources, but he did live tweet his official visit to Lawrence. And the Jayhawks have a huge vacancy on the perimeter.
(update: Rayjon Tucker did NOT sign with Kansas, instead opting to commit to Memphis. Can't get 'em all right, I guess. RJ Hampton remains uncommitted.)
Part 2 on Kentucky, Duke, and UNC will be published next week.
Maybe it's the inevitably of another Warriors NBA title. Or another Patriots Super Bowl. Or another Alabama-Clemson CFB championship game...Or perhaps it's the fact that UNC added a top five recruit, a top 70 recruit, and two impact grad transfers over the last two weeks that has me excited and anticipatory. Who knows?
Regardless, I'm ready to see Coach K scowl, Penny Hardaway make unfounded, bombastic claims, Will Wade inexplicably maintain a job at LSU, and all of the other goodness that comes with college hoops.
Regardless, I'm ready to see Coach K scowl, Penny Hardaway make unfounded, bombastic claims, Will Wade inexplicably maintain a job at LSU, and all of the other goodness that comes with college hoops.
However, since I don't have access to any such Jimmy Neutron-type invention that can fast forward time, I guess I have to be patient. But I'm always down to do some reckless speculation during the offseason.
This year's Final Four made headlines for its lack of blue bloods--that wasn't much of a problem, as the semifinal and championship games delivered more entertainment than any Final Four has over the last five plus years. Still, I thought it would be fitting to look ahead to some intriguing storylines for the nation's most historical programs. And it's a lot less of an unproductive exercise than making any sort of "way too early" list.
UCLA
Just kidding.
Villanova
Will chasing five-stars pay off this year?
Yeah sure, 'Nova doesn't boast the long-term success necessary to earn true "blue blood" status; but winning two titles in four years is enough of a feat to make me to care about them every year. We'll call them a "new blood."
Last year, the Wildcats brought in the highest ranked recruit in program history in Jahvon Quinerly (29th in 247Sports composite rankings). That went over...not well. After playing 1 minute in an upset loss to Penn in December, Quinerly voiced his frustration on Instagram in what became one of the most hilarious college basketball stories of the season.
Quinerly averaged just 3 points on 33% shooting in 9 minutes per game last season. He has already announced his intention to transfer.
Yeah sure, 'Nova doesn't boast the long-term success necessary to earn true "blue blood" status; but winning two titles in four years is enough of a feat to make me to care about them every year. We'll call them a "new blood."
Last year, the Wildcats brought in the highest ranked recruit in program history in Jahvon Quinerly (29th in 247Sports composite rankings). That went over...not well. After playing 1 minute in an upset loss to Penn in December, Quinerly voiced his frustration on Instagram in what became one of the most hilarious college basketball stories of the season.
Quinerly averaged just 3 points on 33% shooting in 9 minutes per game last season. He has already announced his intention to transfer.
So...this year, Jay Wright takes another shot at bringing in potential one-and-done talent. This fall, Villanova will welcome in shooting guard Bryan Antoine and forward/big Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (15th and 16th in 247Sports composite rankings, respectively). Over the last five years, Wright has garnered praise for his efficient offenses, fueled by the freedom he gives his players to shoot at will. But in order to merit that freedom, he maintains that his players must stay engaged and aggressive on defense. Since both Antoine and Robinson-Earl project as quality defenders, with the former also known for his ability to shoot the three ball, I expect these five-stars to excel in Villanova's system.
Kansas
Can they finish this offseason strongly?
Over the last decade, the lowest Kansas has been ranked in the AP Preseason Poll is #13, which occurred in 2011 (and if you remember, they ended that season as the national runners-up to Kentucky). With that said, I can't remember a time where the Jayhawks had more uncertainty surrounding their roster. All-American forward/big Dedric Lawson (junior) and former five-star guard Quentin Grimes (freshman) have both indicated that they will keep their names in the NBA draft. Freshman point guard Devon Dotson also may leave for the Association.
Compounding the damage is a recruiting class void of any star power. Kansas currently has only one incoming recruit ranked in the top 100 of 247Sports composite rankings (forward Tristan Enaruna, ranked 61). Although, 6'5" wing Christian Braun just missed the cut, as he currently slots in at 101. Fun aside: he looks more inclined to be the frontman of a 90s-00s pop-punk band than a contributor at a blue blood.
So where can hope be found? Well, Dotson will likely return to Lawrence, and 247Sports' Evan Daniels aka the Recruiting Nostradamus predicted this week that the nations' fifth-ranked prospect, combo guard RJ Hampton, will commit to Kansas. Hampton would fit perfectly next to Dotson--his style of play revolves around his ability to slash and finish, whereas Dotson demonstrated his prowess in facilitating and distributing last season.
In addition to potentially landing Hampton, I expect Kansas to garner a commitment from Rayjon Tucker, whom ESPN deems the second best grad transfer available. Although he played in the Sun Belt last season (averaging 20ppg, 41% from 3 at Arkansas-Little Rock), the guy is yoked and has the athleticism to succeed in a power conference. He projects as a wing, but he can run a little point if needed. Why do I think he'll sign with Kansas? Well.....I don't have any sources, but he did live tweet his official visit to Lawrence. And the Jayhawks have a huge vacancy on the perimeter.
(update: Rayjon Tucker did NOT sign with Kansas, instead opting to commit to Memphis. Can't get 'em all right, I guess. RJ Hampton remains uncommitted.)
Part 2 on Kentucky, Duke, and UNC will be published next week.
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