Ask the experts: Spring signing period wrap
Rivals.com basketball recruiting analysts Jerry Meyer and Eric Bossi weigh in on four current topics.
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Bossi: I don't really think so. There has certainly been some drama with five-stars DeAndre DanielsClick With the spring signing period wrapping up Wednesday, was this one as insignificant in terms of high-profile signings as you can recall?Here to view this Link. and Trevor LaceyClick With the spring signing period wrapping up Wednesday, was this one as insignificant in terms of high-profile signings as you can recall?Here to view this Link. dragging out their recruitment.
The saga of Kevin Ware has also been interesting to follow as he remains unsigned. But, by in large it seems that this spring was relatively quiet.
Meyer: We have had some last-minute drama with DeAndre Daniels and Trevor Lacey, both of whom are five-stars. There has also been some late movement with recruits changing schools due to coaching changes.
These prospects couldn't sign a second National Letter of Intent in the same year anyway. Why would a top recruit even bother to sign a letter of intent, especially this late in the game?
Seems like such an arbitrary and antiquated practice.
Bossi: Depending on what happens today with DeAndre DanielsClick Now that the 2011 class is completely signed, which high-profile schools did not address a serious need?Here to view this Link. and Jamari TraylorClick Now that the 2011 class is completely signed, which high-profile schools did not address a serious need?Here to view this Link., KansasClick Now that the 2011 class is completely signed, which high-profile schools did not address a serious need?Here to view this Link. could either have a top 10 class or really be left scrambling for players.
The Jayhawks won't land the impact big that they were hoping for, but adding some perimeter scoring and post depth would be very beneficial to them next year as they look to replace Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris and Josh Selby.
Meyer: Texas has a great recruiting class and might even land Daniels, but the class isn't going to replace the losses on the frontline. The Longhorns lost four frontline players.
Bossi: Frank HaithClick What coaches hired after the end of last season impressed you the most during this spring recruiting period?Here to view this Link. has done a nice job at MissouriClick What coaches hired after the end of last season impressed you the most during this spring recruiting period?Here to view this Link.. He has landed a pair of 2013 prospects, including four-star Ishmail WainrightClick What coaches hired after the end of last season impressed you the most during this spring recruiting period?Here to view this Link., but what's been most impressive is how aggressive his staff has been in getting guys onto campus for visits.
Mark Turgeon wins points at Maryland for keeping local star Nick Faust in the fold and he also looks as if he's assembled what could turn into one of the more regionally dominant recruiting staffs in the country with Scott Spinelli, Orlando Ranson and Dalonte Hill.
Meyer: Mark Turgeon has hit the ground running by hiring some high-powered recruiters for assistants and working relationships with the powerful AAU coaches in the region.
I was also impressed with Mark Gottfried landing a commitment from five-star Torian Graham to N.C. State.
Do you think the spring signing period will ever be changed because most of the action now happens in the fall?
Bossi: If it does get changed, I doubt it will happen any time soon. I actually think that it would be much better to eliminate the fall signing period than change the spring. The more time kids have to assess their options and grow comfortable with the job status of the coaches they are picking, the better.
I also wonder what benefit there is for a top prospect to ever sign a letter of intent. I'd like to see more power put in the hands of the kids who are being recruited.
Meyer: I doubt that it will change. People are taking a deeper look into the whole practice of signing a letter of intent instead of just signing scholarship papers. But I don't see what the impetus would be to change the signing period calendar.
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