Best Recruiting Class?

[JJ_Hickman_07]

Now I'm sure it's already been mentioned and talked about. But is this years men's basketball team recruiting the best we've ever had?

I know we have the McDonald's All-American Scotty Hopson and Bobby Maze and I have been to the Rocky Top League and watched them play and they are great. And I'm pretty sure we have never recruited a McDonald's All-American before so that makes this class stand out more than any other already. But is there any other great players coming in that I have over looked? And is this our greatest recruiting class yet?

[TennTradition]

Vincent Yarbrough was a McD AA.

This has to be one of the best classes ever brought to the hill, though. The next few years should be exciting.

[molsen81]

Just a heads up here in Las Vegas: There's some youth b-ball tournament going on here right now and there are UT recruiters (I assume they're legit recruiters and not boosters) everywhere. My relatives from the Atlanta area brought a group of soon-to-be Seniors they sponsor over here and the recruiters are all over this 6'9 guy. I'll try to get his name Friday.

[ryancy]

this class was great, but the 2010 class is going to be amazing if it lives up to expectations!

[sportsnut624]

2010 We're recruiting the best out there. Should be another exciting year for recruits.

[velovol]

Right now this has to be the best class. He 2 deep filled every need for his style of play. How many coaches can say that in a basketball class.
Point Guard - West,Maze
Athletic Swingman - Woolridge, Hopson, Negudu
Rebounding Role Player - Jurrick

[G0V0LS33]

I agree that this year is the best we have brought in...I would love to hear more about that info in Las Vegas as that sounds good...It is a great time to be a basketvol!

[csheaton]

I wouldn't say "best." But yes definitely the class with the most talent and potential we've had at UT. I reserve my judgement for recruiting classes until after they're all finished playing here. I don't know about one specific class, but for me the best group was the guys that played under Buzz and then overacheived when Pearl got here. Bradshaw, Lofton, Jujuan, Stanley Asumnu, CJ Watson etc...The 2005-2007 teams were some of my favorite ever at UT. They were the epitomy of volunteers. And their hard work and persistence eventually payed off. I remember sitting in Thompson Bowling Arena on senior day early 2005 against a talented LSU team, wondering if we would ever be good at basketball again. We won that game, and everything since then has been a dream come true. Lets keep it going...

[VOLnMiami]

For sure the best class I personally have ever seen...I also think We play a bit different and under control this season than last...Maze is going to be fantastic in this style of play and I don't see him making too many mistakes...He's a pure shooter too...The rest of the group just takes my breath away...I honestly haven't been this excited over a UT team since the Ernie and Bernie show "Oh god I just showed my age" ;)

[csheaton]

Originally Posted by VOLnMiami

For sure the best class I personally have ever seen...I also think We play a bit different and under control this season than last...Maze is going to be fantastic in this style of play and I don't see him making too many mistakes...He's a pure shooter too...The rest of the group just takes my breath away...I honestly haven't been this excited over a UT team since the Ernie and Bernie show "Oh god I just showed my age" ;)

How similar do you think Maze and Ramar Smith are? Not in terms of talent but style of play. Seems like they are both really good at creating their own shots, but Maze is a better passer and takes care of the ball better. Only thing Ramar might have had an advantage on was his strength and taking it strong to the rim. Who has the better long range shot? I know Ramar wasn't all that good with his.

[Gorilla33]

[quote=csheaton;1486121]How similar do you think Maze and Ramar Smith are? Not in terms of talent but style of play. Seems like they are both really good at creating their own shots, but Maze is a better passer and takes care of the ball better. Only thing Ramar might have had an advantage on was his strength and taking it strong to the rim. Who has the better long range shot? I know Ramar wasn't all that good with his.[/QUOTE]

Understatement of the day!

[csheaton]

[quote=Gorilla33;1486126]

Originally Posted by csheaton

How similar do you think Maze and Ramar Smith are? Not in terms of talent but style of play. Seems like they are both really good at creating their own shots, but Maze is a better passer and takes care of the ball better. Only thing Ramar might have had an advantage on was his strength and taking it strong to the rim. Who has the better long range shot? I know Ramar wasn't all that good with his.[/QUOTE]

Understatement of the day!

Haha yeah I had to say it that way because he was even worse with his free throws. I remember that one game he was 0-12 from the stripe. Absolutely atrocious

[velovol]

Originally Posted by csheaton

Bradshaw, Lofton, Jujuan, Stanley Asumnu, CJ Watson etc...The 2005-2007 teams were some of my favorite ever at UT.

That was a team, not a recruiting class.

Also in basketball it is much easier than fball when it comes to predicting how well talent will pan out. So you are a little safer on predicting how players will perform.

[cotton]

Originally Posted by JJ_Hickman_07

And I'm pretty sure we have never recruited a McDonald's All-American before so that makes this class stand out more than any other already.

UT has had somewhere around a half-dozen McDonald's all-americas since they started awarding that honor. Check here for the list of distinguished honorees:

http://www.volnation.com/forum/tenne...th#post1221321

[IPorange]

Of course, he was hitting over 75 % the last half of the season including a 3 game stretch of not missing one and finished well above 50 %, but never mind that. Let's focus on that game where he was 0-12.