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Who will Tubby get first for 2010 class?
By Marcus Fuller
Gophers coach Tubby Smith has made it pretty clear in his first two seasons here that he doesn't appear to be rushed when it comes to recruiting. And his classes have still turned out fine.
Despite receiving a commitment from Hopkins forward Rocye White in April 2008, Smith landed the other eight players in the last two recruiting classes in later months: August (Paul Carter), September (Rodney Williams Jr., Justin Cobbs, Colton Iverson), October (Trevor Mbakwe, Ralph Sampson III, Devron Bostick) and November (Devoe Joseph).
It shouldn't be all that surprising the University of Minnesota joins Northwestern as the only two Big Ten Conference men's basketball teams currently without a 2010 commitment. Ohio State (No. 1), Illinois (No. 3), Michigan State (No. 9) and Purdue (tied-No. 10) already have top 10 recruiting classes for 2010, according to Rivals.com.
Smith might not be in panic mode, but that doesn't mean Gophers fans aren't worried, especially when the state's talent pool is down and Minnesota's targets are slowly being snatched away.
This week alone has seen two of the best shooters in the country, both Iowa prospects with Gopher offers, make their decisions. Bishop Heelan forward Zach McCabe picked Iowa, which has four 2010 commitments (including Minnesota target Cody Larson). Marshalltown wing Chanse Creekmur followed Saturday by choosing Santa Clara (former Gophers and current Broncos assistant James Ware also helped land Hopkins guard Raymond Cowles and nearly got Williams in 2009).
McCabe and Creekmur were starting to build national reputations this summer, but Minnesota was still one of the better programs nearby that offered. It didn't seem out of the question to think one of them would strongly consider playing for Tubby Smith, but it didn't happen.
Now, where do the Gophers make their strongest effort for 2010?
Of course, Minnesota's No. 1 target is another Iowa product Harrison Barnes from Ames, but stealing the nation's top wing from Duke, North Carolina or Kansas would be like making a Final Four next year. It's a nice dream, but...duh...be realistic.
Smith is looking for a point guard or combo guard, a wing and a big man to fill his three available scholarships for 2010. There doesn't seem to be anyone close to committing to the Gophers, but here's a look at which players are tops on their list.
Point guard
Cory Joseph -- Brother of Gophers guard Devoe Joseph. Has elevated his stock considerably since leaving Canada for the U.S. after his sophomore year. Now that he's a five-star recruit, it seems inevitable he'll end up at a big-time program. Best offers: Arizona, Georgetown, Louisville and Marquette (Kansas could come soon). Gophers chances: Unlikely.
Vander Blue -- Former Wisconsin commit. Academic troubles forced him to reopen his recruitment, but I've heard the Badger state's top player might still become a part of Bo Ryan's 2010 class. Best offers: Arizona, Indiana, Marquette, Tennessee. Gophers chances: Unlikely.
Trevor Releford -- Brother of Kansas guard Travis Releford. He made a splash at the Sabes Invitational with KC Pump N Run this year. Unfortunately for the Gophers, the 5-foot-9 playmaker has been opening eyes everywhere else. Best offers: Oklahoma, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas A&M. Gophers chances: Possible.
Shooting guard
Trey Ziegler -- I only mention his name, because he's the top-ranked Gopher target at this position that is still available. But one report already mentioned his top 10 list with Minnesota absent. Best offers: Arizona, Michigan State, UCLA, Oklahoma. Gophers chances: Unlikely.
Aaron Cosby -- He visited the Gophers last November, so there's an early interest there. He hasn't been a huge hit this summer, but did play well at Indiana's elite camp. If Hoosiers coach Tom Crean really wants this kid, he could probably get him. We'll see. Best offers: Indiana, Oklahoma State, Butler, Minnesota. Gophers chances: Possible.
Jacob Thomas -- The state's top player would probably be the first to commit to the Gophers if there was an offer on the table. But Minnesota is looking at other options while it waits for his academics to improve. Thomas' shooting stroke could help the Gophers right away, but he might have to go to junior college. Best offers: Southern Illinois and Long Beach State. Gophers chances: Possible.
Small forward
Harrison Barnes -- No. 1-ranked recruit by Rivals.com, ESPN.com and others. Nuff said. Best offers: Duke, North Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky. Gophers chances: Unlikely.
Casey Prather -- One of the biggest recruiting 2010 efforts for Minnesota was to get on Prather's current list. But there's one problem: The Tennessee native is strongly considering another Big Ten school though. Not only did he say recently Michigan will be on his final list, but he's already planning a trip there. Best offers: Wake Forest, Alabama, Clemson, Vanderbilt. Gophers chances: Unlikely.
Jelan Kendrick -- This Southern point-wing has made the biggest jump in the rankings so far this summer. Smith and assistant Ron Jirsa's ties to his native Georgia won't help as much as it did with Sampson. As his stock rises, Kendrick becomes tougher to sell on Minnesota. Best offers: Kentucky, Texas, Wake Forest, Georgetown. Gophers chances: Unlikely.
Power forward
Robert Gilchrist -- It seemed strange that a 6-8, 220-pound kid from London, England would end up at Tubby's team camp with a Wisconsin AAU team. But it worked out great for the Gophers, who are one of the first to see him play extensively. He's more of a shooter, so he could fit into what they're looking for on the wing. Best offers: none. Gophers chances: Possible.
Carlos Emmory -- If Emmory were entering the Big Ten right now, the only player more athletic than him would be Minnesota's incoming freshman Rodney Williams. That alone should be enough to make the 6-6, 225-pound local product a target for the Gophers. But he's likely headed to prep school or junior college? Best offers: none. Gophers chances: Unknown.
Center
Alex Kirk -- Another player who impressed Minnesota at the Sabes Invite enough to get an offer. Too bad he plays for Houston Hoops, one of the top AAU teams in the country. Now, all of the top programs on the West Coast know quite a bit about the New Mexico big man. Best offers: Arizona, Arizona State, Maryland, Southern California. Gophers chances: Unlikely.
Elliot Eliason -- Similar to the way Iverson fell under the radar until his final AAU season, Eliason hasn't quite grabbed the attention of big name schools. He might be more comfortable at a mid-major program though. It will be hard to beat out Creighton and Colorado State (former Gophers assistant Niko Medved is recruiting him). Best offers: Washington State, Minnesota, Nebraska. Gophers chances: Unlikely.
Alec Brown, Chad Calcaterra, Jake Kreuser -- None of these three in-state 6-foot-11 players have an offer from the Gophers, but they might be the only option for Minnesota if other strong big man targets don't surface. Calcaterra, who used to have an offer from Smith, might not commit if there was more interest again. Best offers of three: Auburn, Santa Clara, Colorado State. Gophers chances: Possible.
Smith's first 2010 commitment could come from one of these recruits, but chances are there are others out there who aren't even listed. Who will it be? Only time will tell.
http://blogs.twincities.com/gophers/2009/07/who-will-tubby-get-first-for-2.html
Go Gophers!!
By Marcus Fuller
Gophers coach Tubby Smith has made it pretty clear in his first two seasons here that he doesn't appear to be rushed when it comes to recruiting. And his classes have still turned out fine.
Despite receiving a commitment from Hopkins forward Rocye White in April 2008, Smith landed the other eight players in the last two recruiting classes in later months: August (Paul Carter), September (Rodney Williams Jr., Justin Cobbs, Colton Iverson), October (Trevor Mbakwe, Ralph Sampson III, Devron Bostick) and November (Devoe Joseph).
It shouldn't be all that surprising the University of Minnesota joins Northwestern as the only two Big Ten Conference men's basketball teams currently without a 2010 commitment. Ohio State (No. 1), Illinois (No. 3), Michigan State (No. 9) and Purdue (tied-No. 10) already have top 10 recruiting classes for 2010, according to Rivals.com.
Smith might not be in panic mode, but that doesn't mean Gophers fans aren't worried, especially when the state's talent pool is down and Minnesota's targets are slowly being snatched away.
This week alone has seen two of the best shooters in the country, both Iowa prospects with Gopher offers, make their decisions. Bishop Heelan forward Zach McCabe picked Iowa, which has four 2010 commitments (including Minnesota target Cody Larson). Marshalltown wing Chanse Creekmur followed Saturday by choosing Santa Clara (former Gophers and current Broncos assistant James Ware also helped land Hopkins guard Raymond Cowles and nearly got Williams in 2009).
McCabe and Creekmur were starting to build national reputations this summer, but Minnesota was still one of the better programs nearby that offered. It didn't seem out of the question to think one of them would strongly consider playing for Tubby Smith, but it didn't happen.
Now, where do the Gophers make their strongest effort for 2010?
Of course, Minnesota's No. 1 target is another Iowa product Harrison Barnes from Ames, but stealing the nation's top wing from Duke, North Carolina or Kansas would be like making a Final Four next year. It's a nice dream, but...duh...be realistic.
Smith is looking for a point guard or combo guard, a wing and a big man to fill his three available scholarships for 2010. There doesn't seem to be anyone close to committing to the Gophers, but here's a look at which players are tops on their list.
Point guard
Cory Joseph -- Brother of Gophers guard Devoe Joseph. Has elevated his stock considerably since leaving Canada for the U.S. after his sophomore year. Now that he's a five-star recruit, it seems inevitable he'll end up at a big-time program. Best offers: Arizona, Georgetown, Louisville and Marquette (Kansas could come soon). Gophers chances: Unlikely.
Vander Blue -- Former Wisconsin commit. Academic troubles forced him to reopen his recruitment, but I've heard the Badger state's top player might still become a part of Bo Ryan's 2010 class. Best offers: Arizona, Indiana, Marquette, Tennessee. Gophers chances: Unlikely.
Trevor Releford -- Brother of Kansas guard Travis Releford. He made a splash at the Sabes Invitational with KC Pump N Run this year. Unfortunately for the Gophers, the 5-foot-9 playmaker has been opening eyes everywhere else. Best offers: Oklahoma, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas A&M. Gophers chances: Possible.
Shooting guard
Trey Ziegler -- I only mention his name, because he's the top-ranked Gopher target at this position that is still available. But one report already mentioned his top 10 list with Minnesota absent. Best offers: Arizona, Michigan State, UCLA, Oklahoma. Gophers chances: Unlikely.
Aaron Cosby -- He visited the Gophers last November, so there's an early interest there. He hasn't been a huge hit this summer, but did play well at Indiana's elite camp. If Hoosiers coach Tom Crean really wants this kid, he could probably get him. We'll see. Best offers: Indiana, Oklahoma State, Butler, Minnesota. Gophers chances: Possible.
Jacob Thomas -- The state's top player would probably be the first to commit to the Gophers if there was an offer on the table. But Minnesota is looking at other options while it waits for his academics to improve. Thomas' shooting stroke could help the Gophers right away, but he might have to go to junior college. Best offers: Southern Illinois and Long Beach State. Gophers chances: Possible.
Small forward
Harrison Barnes -- No. 1-ranked recruit by Rivals.com, ESPN.com and others. Nuff said. Best offers: Duke, North Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky. Gophers chances: Unlikely.
Casey Prather -- One of the biggest recruiting 2010 efforts for Minnesota was to get on Prather's current list. But there's one problem: The Tennessee native is strongly considering another Big Ten school though. Not only did he say recently Michigan will be on his final list, but he's already planning a trip there. Best offers: Wake Forest, Alabama, Clemson, Vanderbilt. Gophers chances: Unlikely.
Jelan Kendrick -- This Southern point-wing has made the biggest jump in the rankings so far this summer. Smith and assistant Ron Jirsa's ties to his native Georgia won't help as much as it did with Sampson. As his stock rises, Kendrick becomes tougher to sell on Minnesota. Best offers: Kentucky, Texas, Wake Forest, Georgetown. Gophers chances: Unlikely.
Power forward
Robert Gilchrist -- It seemed strange that a 6-8, 220-pound kid from London, England would end up at Tubby's team camp with a Wisconsin AAU team. But it worked out great for the Gophers, who are one of the first to see him play extensively. He's more of a shooter, so he could fit into what they're looking for on the wing. Best offers: none. Gophers chances: Possible.
Carlos Emmory -- If Emmory were entering the Big Ten right now, the only player more athletic than him would be Minnesota's incoming freshman Rodney Williams. That alone should be enough to make the 6-6, 225-pound local product a target for the Gophers. But he's likely headed to prep school or junior college? Best offers: none. Gophers chances: Unknown.
Center
Alex Kirk -- Another player who impressed Minnesota at the Sabes Invite enough to get an offer. Too bad he plays for Houston Hoops, one of the top AAU teams in the country. Now, all of the top programs on the West Coast know quite a bit about the New Mexico big man. Best offers: Arizona, Arizona State, Maryland, Southern California. Gophers chances: Unlikely.
Elliot Eliason -- Similar to the way Iverson fell under the radar until his final AAU season, Eliason hasn't quite grabbed the attention of big name schools. He might be more comfortable at a mid-major program though. It will be hard to beat out Creighton and Colorado State (former Gophers assistant Niko Medved is recruiting him). Best offers: Washington State, Minnesota, Nebraska. Gophers chances: Unlikely.
Alec Brown, Chad Calcaterra, Jake Kreuser -- None of these three in-state 6-foot-11 players have an offer from the Gophers, but they might be the only option for Minnesota if other strong big man targets don't surface. Calcaterra, who used to have an offer from Smith, might not commit if there was more interest again. Best offers of three: Auburn, Santa Clara, Colorado State. Gophers chances: Possible.
Smith's first 2010 commitment could come from one of these recruits, but chances are there are others out there who aren't even listed. Who will it be? Only time will tell.
http://blogs.twincities.com/gophers/2009/07/who-will-tubby-get-first-for-2.html
Go Gophers!!