MU #1 on ESPN's "Top 5 Sleeper Recruiting classes"

[BubbaWilliams]

http://insider.espn.go.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/9234719/top-five-sleeper-recruiting-classes-2013-basketball-class-rankings

For those of you without insider:
We've spent much of the 2013 recruiting cycle focused on the teams at the top of the class rankings, in particular Kentucky's historic haul of talent. But a top-ranked class doesn't necessarily translate to NCAA tournament success -- just ask UCLA and UK, which finished No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the 2012 class rankings.

Likewise, landing a class ranked outside the top 10 doesn't mean your team's hopes are doomed. Finding the right fit, meshing players and developing talent all play a role in how recruiting classes grow and excel at the college level. With that in mind, we've identified five sleeper recruiting classes -- defined here as any class ranked outside the top 10 in our 2013 class rankings -- most likely to outperform their ranking.


Courtesy of Jerald Hawkins/City of Palms
Marquette signee JaJuan Johnson is a big-time producer who can score in a variety of ways.
1. Marquette (No. 11 class)
Coach Buzz Williams has a class that is tough, athletic and can score on the perimeter with a trio of top-100 recruits. ESPN 100 shooting guard JaJuan Johnson can score at a high rate in a variety of ways and plays with great urgency. ESPN 100 small forward Deonte Burton is a power driver who scores through contact and is tough as nails. ESPN 100 point guard Duane Wilson can score as well as any point guard in the class and is excellent in drive, draw and kick situations. Rounding out the five-man class, three-star combo guard John Dawson excels on and off the ball either scoring or setting up the offense, while juco power forward Jameel McKay will add rebounding and the ability to finish in the paint. Burton, Wilson and McKay are all local kids as well, so wearing that Marquette uniform will mean a great deal to them. This class has all of the ingredients to be a very productive group from day one and keep the Golden Eagles in the postseason for years to come.

[MU72491]

Good article, I think a lot of people outside of big time MU fans will be surprised about the impact McKay will make in his two years at Marquette

[kryza]

Good article, I think a lot of people outside of big time MU fans will be surprised about the impact McKay will make in his two years at Marquette

I dunno its gotten pretty darn tough to discount a Buzz Juco nowadays.

[MU72491]

You think the people in badger land think this guy can play?

[Dawson Rental]

http://insider.espn.go.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/9234719/top-five-sleeper-recruiting-classes-2013-basketball-class-rankings

For those of you without insider:
We've spent much of the 2013 recruiting cycle focused on the teams at the top of the class rankings, in particular Kentucky's historic haul of talent. But a top-ranked class doesn't necessarily translate to NCAA tournament success -- just ask UCLA and UK, which finished No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the 2012 class rankings.

Likewise, landing a class ranked outside the top 10 doesn't mean your team's hopes are doomed. Finding the right fit, meshing players and developing talent all play a role in how recruiting classes grow and excel at the college level. With that in mind, we've identified five sleeper recruiting classes -- defined here as any class ranked outside the top 10 in our 2013 class rankings -- most likely to outperform their ranking.


Courtesy of Jerald Hawkins/City of Palms
Marquette signee JaJuan Johnson is a big-time producer who can score in a variety of ways.
1. Marquette (No. 11 class)
Coach Buzz Williams has a class that is tough, athletic and can score on the perimeter with a trio of top-100 recruits. ESPN 100 shooting guard JaJuan Johnson can score at a high rate in a variety of ways and plays with great urgency. ESPN 100 small forward Deonte Burton is a power driver who scores through contact and is tough as nails. ESPN 100 point guard Duane Wilson can score as well as any point guard in the class and is excellent in drive, draw and kick situations. Rounding out the five-man class, three-star combo guard John Dawson excels on and off the ball either scoring or setting up the offense, while juco power forward Jameel McKay will add rebounding and the ability to finish in the paint. Burton, Wilson and McKay are all local kids as well, so wearing that Marquette uniform will mean a great deal to them. This class has all of the ingredients to be a very productive group from day one and keep the Golden Eagles in the postseason for years to come.

This Hawkins guy obviously doesn't know what he's talking about saying Duane can score as well as any point guard in this class.  Hasn't he heard of Bronson Koenig?

[martyconlonontherun]

One thing about this class is that it doesn't have a ton of bust potential. There aren't any bad apples, all seem like decent students, and all have games that translate to the next level. Burton is the only guy I could see being a bust but his potential is hard to ignore. JJJ and DW have very high floors.

[Aughnanure]

Good article, I think a lot of people outside of big time MU fans will be surprised about the impact McKay will make in his two years at Marquette

His last 3 have been pretty excellent. If he can be our next Butler, Crowder, or DJO - watch out.

[MU_LOL]

This gets me unbelievably excited for the next season. 

[Galway Eagle]

His last 3 have been pretty excellent. If he can be our next Butler, Crowder, or DJO - watch out.

But Buycks and Fulce were disappointing and TJ Taylor never made it past one week.  So I wouldn't get my hopes up.   

[MU72491]

I wouldn't call Bykes a disappointment, he obviously was no Butler DJO and Crowder, but he gave us some scoring that we really needed during his time here.  He for sure turned the ball over but over all I would say he was solid for Marquette

[Galway Eagle]

I wouldn't call Bykes a disappointment, he obviously was no Butler DJO and Crowder, but he gave us some scoring that we really needed during his time here.  He for sure turned the ball over but over all I would say he was solid for Marquette

Ya but when I see him putting up great numbers in the DLeague and NBA summer league it makes me think he never played to his potential while here. 

[T-Bone]

Ya but when I see him putting up great numbers in the DLeague and NBA summer league it makes me think he never played to his potential while here. 

Agreed.  If he had one more year of eligibility I think he would have been one of our leaders.  Somewhere along the line his game just didn't develop as fast as others. 

[4th and State]

Agreed.  If he had one more year of eligibility I think he would have been one of our leaders.  Somewhere along the line his game just didn't develop as fast as others. 

Also was playing out of position here.  Shouldn't have been a PG but we had no other options.

[Galway Eagle]

Also was playing out of position here.  Shouldn't have been a PG but we had no other options.

Pretty sure he ran a decent amount of point in 2010-2011

[4th and State]

Pretty sure he ran a decent amount of point in 2010-2011

He did and he was better suited to be a 2G at the time than a PG.  Like I said, though, we didn't have anyother options.  I can't speak to how he's playing now.  Is he still playing PG?

[Sunbelt15]

But Buycks and Fulce were disappointing and TJ Taylor never made it past one week.  So I wouldn't get my hopes up.   

Where is TJ Taylor now?

[Tums Festival]

But Buycks and Fulce were disappointing and TJ Taylor never made it past one week.  So I wouldn't get my hopes up.   

Fulce had injury issues, so I think he gets a pass. Plus he had a ton of heart and is a good guy.

As to people saying Burton has bust potential, I'm curious what that's being based on. The guy's a beast and could be a nice option down low because of his strength. Adrian Dantley (not saying Burton has his talent) wasn't the tallest guy on the floor either, but excelled on the block.

[Galway Eagle]

He did and he was better suited to be a 2G at the time than a PG.  Like I said, though, we didn't have anyother options.  I can't speak to how he's playing now.  Is he still playing PG?

Yes that's what's so frustrating about him killing it in the Dleague

[tower912]

Fulce wasn't a disappointment.   Just like Kinsella or Otule.   Injuries are beyond any control.     Buycks played his butt off out of position.    He did all anyone could have asked.   He just wasn't a star.   

[AirPunches]

Fulce had injury issues, so I think he gets a pass. Plus he had a ton of heart and is a good guy.

As to people saying Burton has bust potential, I'm curious what that's being based on. The guy's a beast and could be a nice option down low because of his strength. Adrian Dantley (not saying Burton has his talent) wasn't the tallest guy on the floor either, but excelled on the block.

Burton has bust potential because he is ranked so high and made minimal noise in the city conference last season. I think he will be a good one for MU though.

[foreverwarriors]

Yes that's what's so frustrating about him killing it in the Dleague

I'm not sure what league Buycks is in now (France Pro A?), but he's been retweeting a bunch of people today saying that he won MVP of the league.

Edit: AND it looks like it was done while playing PG: http://basketball.eurobasket.com/team/BCM_Gravelines_Dunkerque_Grand_Littoral/341?team=341

[Galway Eagle]

I'm not sure what league Buycks is in now (France Pro A?), but he's been retweeting a bunch of people today saying that he won MVP of the league.

Edit: AND it looks like it was done while playing PG: http://basketball.eurobasket.com/team/BCM_Gravelines_Dunkerque_Grand_Littoral/341?team=341

My point exactly, he upsets me because he's doing great now but was average for us. 

[seakm4]

You think the people in badger land think this guy can play?

He's not 7' with a 3 ball.  There's no way he's a ball player

[MUHoopsFan2]

My point exactly, he upsets me because he's doing great now but was average for us. 

It's called maturity. That is the way it is supposed to work.

[MUHoopsFan2]

Burton has bust potential because he is ranked so high and made minimal noise in the city conference last season. I think he will be a good one for MU though.

You base 'bust potential' on what he did in the City Conference!? You are kidding me right....?

I have this thing about lefty players that does not sit well with me, but he has all the tools to be the top player of this class on the floor.

I only worry about him being a bust in the classroom. Not on the floor. I also want to see someone guide him through 'Boot Camp.'

I just hope he does not go in a shell and not sure how far he can be pushed or what direction you go with him and how pampered he might be.

But talent wise, he has all the tools you need. One thing we cannot quantify is his heart and his head and his emotional and physcological makeup that I have no idea what to expect.    

Probably neither does he or Buzz. We will have to wait to see that in the fall.