Here’s a look at some programs that are sure to improve thanks to talent-laden freshman classes and top notch junior college transfers.
- Kentucky Send a record 5 players out to the first round of the NBA Draft, get 5 top 40 high school seniors coming back. So goes the talent flow for the Kentucky Wildcats. Between PG Brandon Knight, SG Doron Lamb, SF Stacey Poole, PF Terrence Jones and C Enes Kanter, the Wildcats could field an all-freshman starting squad that might actually have a shot at winning the SEC crown. Look for heavy newcomer contribution out of these 5 (and transfer Eloy Vargas) thanks to a greatly depleted Kentucky roster.
- Memphis Though not quite 5 in the top 40 like Kentucky boasts, the Memphis Tigers did sign 5 of the top 100 recruits in the country. While there’s no top-10 recruit in their incoming class, the Tigers offset this lack of star power with sheer solidity top to bottom. SG Will Barton is the most highly regarded of all the prospects and will team with fellow 5-star freshman PG Joe Jackson to form a young and promising backcourt down in Memphis.
- North Carolina Headlined by the 2 recruit in the nation, SF Harrison Barnes, the Tarheels bring in an expectedly accomplished class. Barnes is joined by fellow top-10 frosh Reggie Bullock who should provide an outside presence. Point guard Kendall Marshall and Alabama transfer Justin Knox could also make immediate impacts for UNC.
- Ohio State PF Jared Sullinger is the big name in this group, bringing the Buckeyes a premiere post presence from the onset. Sullinger is joined by six other recruits in one of the country’s deepest classes. Fellow PF Deshaun Thomas and SG Jordan Sibert are also ranked in the top-40.
- NC State Welcoming just three players, the Wolfpack don’t have a lot of newbies, but the ones they do are among the best. PF C.J. Leslie and PG Ryan Harrow are top-20 recruits while SG Lorenzo Brown is safely in the top-40.
Individual player ranks are based off Rivals.com list