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The start of the college basketball season is less than 90 days away, and this week’s roundtable offers a preview of what the year could hold. Today, Rivals analysts Rob Cassidy and Jason Jordan discuss three topics related to the upcoming season of programs poised to help themselves on the recruiting trail for which game they circled in red ink on the schedule.
More: Reading the tea leaves of five high-profile prospects
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1. WHICH PROGRAM DO YOU THINK IS A GOOD SEASON AWAY FROM A BIG BOOST IN RECRUITMENT?
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Cassidy: I talked about this as an absolutely pivotal season for Mike Woodson before and I will repeat it here. What happens in Bloomington this year will likely define the Woodson era in Indiana for better or for worse. Another missed NCAA tournament would make it two in a row and heat up Woodson’s spot to the point of stifling his recruiting power. Fulfilling preseason expectations and competing for the Big Ten crown, however, would make his Indiana resume look very different.
The Hoosiers have not qualified for three NCAA Tournaments in four years for nearly a decade, and doing so under Woodson, who is armed with NIL money and a growing reputation for placing players in the NBA Draft, would help the Hoosiers take the next step in winning other major national recruiting battles.
Jordan: I would definitely say Pitt. Jeff Capel is a name I hear often among players and parents, as a guy everyone loves and identifies with, and he’s putting together NCAA Tournament-worthy resumes. Most agree that Pitt should have danced last season, but Capel and Co. moved forward with a solid class of players who fit specific needs. If he can get over the hump this season, it could be just the boost he needs to elevate himself to the upper tier of four- and even five-star talent.
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2. LOOKING AT THE NEXT COLLEGE SEASON, WHAT SCHEDULED GAME ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO?
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Cassidy: If there are two things I love about sports, it’s homecoming and an angry fan base. And while we don’t, I have a date to Arkansas-node-Kentucky for now, the game will provide both. Some things are guaranteed here. The first is that the atmosphere inside Rupp will obviously be absolutely electric during João CalipariIt’s the return home. Secondly, I’m going to spend almost an hour reading the message board reactions of the team that loses the game. Both fan bases are so certain that they are better off because of the off-season coaching change for now, but this judgment could be the tipping point that causes doubt to begin to creep in on one side of the new rivalry.
I can’t wait to witness the pomp, the plot, and the heartache. Shoot my veins.
Jordan: Well, the best part of my choice is that I won’t have to wait because Duke and Kentucky opened the season on Nov. 12 in the Champions Classic. Now, I readily admit that it lost some of its intrigue with Calipari’s escape to Arkansas, but it increased curiosity about how Marcos Papa deal with the moment. Everyone will want to get their first national look Jon Scheyerthe talented group of young gunmen headed by Cooper Flagg and elite transfers Zion James face a completely renewed Wildcats team with many transfers. The rivalry is the rivalry and I feel like a lot of questions will be answered after this one.
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3. WHICH FORMER FIVE-STAR WHO DIDN’T BECOME A COLLEGE STAR TO THIS POINT DO YOU THINK COULD HAVE A BIG SEASON THIS YEAR?
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Cassidy: I feel that Tyrell Wing He has been showing flashes for some time and his improvement between the first and second year was remarkable. Now it looks like he might be ready to be the man for a LSU team that put some intriguing talents around them. Ward is best remembered for his thunderous tip that defeated Kentucky late last season, but the fact that he scored in double figures in seven of the Tigers’ last nine regular-season games is a good indicator. The fact that he shot 49 percent from the floor during that stretch is also encouraging. The 6-foot-1 wing has elite tools and looks like he’s on the verge of gaining the polish and confidence needed to become a big name nationally.
Jordan: I’m looking for a getaway season outside of Sean Stewart. Last season he got lost in the shuffle at Duke with all the talent in the frontcourt, but still managed to show why he was once a McDonald’s All-American by playing above the rim, doing all the dirty work at both ends and bringing energy. elite for 6-foot-2, 220 pounds. I see Stewart as a “necessary” kind of guy that you need to win, and be clear, Jake Diebler You’ll need your full skill set frequently. Perfect setting for a getaway.
