ESPN Ranks MU's recruiting class #17

[HoopsMalone]

http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/classrankings?classyear=2010&classmonth=11&rank=17&viewmore=yes

Not bad considering we have two spots open still.  Interesting for them to cite Jones' ballhandling ability as a strength for him.  Hopefully he can help handle the ball for us.

[NCMUFan]

I know Aaron Bowen opened up his recruiting again, but did he commit to somewhere?  Also, we have lost a number of players to transfers, but Mo is the only current transfer into the program.  Any potential there with a transfer in? I know a transfer is not immediate help since the transfer has to sit out a year, but if he has a high potential ceiling, sitting out a year will only improve his game.

[Skatastrophy]

I know Aaron Bowen opened up his recruiting again, but did he commit to somewhere? 

I recall someone saying that Bowen wasn't progressing like he was expected to and is no longer high-major talent.  I may be misremembering though.

[bma725]

I recall someone saying that Bowen wasn't progressing like he was expected to and is no longer high-major talent.  I may be misremembering though.

He's still high major talent, maybe not projected to be a star at that level but he can definitely play high major ball.  Right now he's a fringe Top 100 kid, unranked by a lot of the services but getting love from Bob Gibbons and USA Today, which is probably about right. 

He's still getting looks from much of the SEC as well as the Florida schools in the ACC.  I know he took a visit to Liberty awhile back, and some thought he may commit there because of coach Layer, but that hasn't happened.  He's also transferred high schools, and is now at a Quality Education Academy in North Carolina, which has one of the top teams in the country.

[StillAWarrior]

He's still high major talent, maybe not projected to be a star at that level but he can definitely play high major ball.  Right now he's a fringe Top 100 kid, unranked by a lot of the services but getting love from Bob Gibbons and USA Today, which is probably about right. 

He's still getting looks from much of the SEC as well as the Florida schools in the ACC.  I know he took a visit to Liberty awhile back, and some thought he may commit there because of coach Layer, but that hasn't happened.  He's also transferred high schools, and is now at a Quality Education Academy in North Carolina, which has one of the top teams in the country.

Thanks, BMA.  As always you have great information.  Is Bowen even considering Marquette?  I remember the stats someone posted after Blue decomitted showing that players almost never recommit, so I suspect we're not in the game.  But, I was wondering if we're even in the game for Bowen.

[bma725]

Thanks, BMA.  As always you have great information.  Is Bowen even considering Marquette?  I remember the stats someone posted after Blue decomitted showing that players almost never recommit, so I suspect we're not in the game.  But, I was wondering if we're even in the game for Bowen.

Doubtful, but you never know.  At the very least, they've probably seen each other recently because Quality Education Academy is also home to a couple of MU targets at the PG position in 2010 and 2011, Stargell Love and Anthony Fields.

[foreverwarriors]

ESPN also ranks Vander as the 10th best early impact player (apologies if this link has already been shared...didn't see it anywhere)

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/basketball/mens/news/story?id=4666544

[Lighthouse 84]

Was this ranking before or after Reggie Smith signed?

[Hards Alumni]

Clearly before, there are only two signings listed.

we may move up if they update it.

[greenman]

Clearly before, there are only two signings listed.

we may move up if they update it.

Looks like we moved down one spot. I think not because of Reggie Smith, but because other teams moved up.

http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/classrankings?classyear=2010&classmonth=11&viewmore=yes&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncb%2frecruiting%2fclassrankings%3fclassyear%3d2010%26classmonth%3d11%26viewmore%3dyes

[Mayor McCheese]

Still good to see us in the top 25.  Back to back years, means we are getting that part of putting together a championship caliber team together.

[LastWarrior]

I find it interesting that there is only one other Big East team ahead of us... SU at #4.  Overall only three big east teams in the the top 25 (MU at #18 and GU at #20).  A very impressive class by the MU coaching staff.

Here's the ESPN recap of the class...

"Golden Eagles coach Buzz Williams has added a couple of perimeter impact guys who will play quite a bit from Day 1. Vander Blue (Madison, Wis./Memorial) is an athletic combo guard. He is a great passer and creator as a point guard and can move over and play a wing position and score. He is a very good slasher to the basket and can be effective making plays at end-of-clock situations. Jamail Jones (Decatur, Ga./Montverde) is an athletic wing who can shoot very well from midrange out to 20 feet and has solid length and size. Jones is also a good ballhandler and passer with the ability to draw and kick to the open man once he draws a second defender. Reggie Smith (Thornton, Ill./Thornton Township) is an extremely athletic and explosive scoring point guard. He has to continue to refine his point guard skills, but his physical ability is rare and Marquette has made a reputation of recruiting good wings and turning them into pros. These three kids will help the Golden Eagles move back into the thick of the Big East race."

http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/classrankings?classyear=2010&classmonth=11&rank=18&viewmore=yes

[Lennys Tap]

Junior's injury effectively moves him to the 2010 class, making it a top10 one even before our final signing.

[ecompt]

One decent big and this could be one of our best classes ever.

[martyconlonontherun]

Junior's injury effectively moves him to the 2010 class, making it a top10 one even before our final signing.

I don't like this logic. It's making us happy that this class is so great, but for whatever we gain in this class we lost from the previous class.