April 13, 2012

There was great news for Kentucky and UCLA.  John Calipari struck gold again, landing coveted big man Nerlens Noel.  The seven footer is the best shot blocker on the scholastic level that I have seen.  I watched him at the City of Palms tournament in Fort Myers last year and was really impressed.

Ben Howland had a great recruiting class.  First he got Kyle Anderson, who starred at St. Anthony’s under Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley.  Then came word that Shabbaz Muhammad picked the Bruins over Duke and Kentucky.  A scoring whiz, he will make the fans in Westwood have something to cheer about.  Now if Josh Smith can get in better shape, UCLA will be much better next season.

I see the Pac-12 improving as the Bruins and Arizona have two elite classes coming in.

The ESPNU top teams in recruiting, according to gurus Paul Bianciardi and Dave Telep, were Kentucky, Arizona, UCLA, Texas and Baylor.  I would also keep an eye on Indiana and NC State, bringing in solid talent.