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Conference Call: Redshirts primed to break out in 2017-18 season

RIVAL VIEWS: Best recent coaching hire?

Much has been said about the impressive class of 2017, but what about those that sat out and redshirted in 2016-17? In recent years, Justin Patton, Ethan Happ and Dazon Ingram have used it as a major tool in developing into NBA prospects. Who is primed to have a breakout season in 2017-18?

ACC

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If you are a casual basketball observer, you are no doubt aware of Virginia's offensive struggles. The Cavaliers will lose top playmaker London Perrantes this offseason, along with Jarred Reuter, Darius Thompson and Marial Shayok. Look for Huff, who ranked No. 50 in the 2016 Rivals150, to shine next year. The long-bodied center still must get stronger but, by sitting out his first year in Charlottesville, the North Carolina native may change some things for the Wahoos. NBA scouts came away impressed with Huff during fall workouts and I expect the near 7-footer to become the next pro prospect under Bennett’s watch.

BIG EAST

Spellman was forced sit out this past season due to academic issues. Regardless, the former McDonald’s All-American is going to be a major weapon under Jay Wright’s tutelage. Spellman can extend the defense with the perimeter jumper but also has the ability to convert in traffic thanks to his super-soft mitts and nifty footwork. He will become a go-to piece immediately. Losing Josh Hart and Kris Jenkins may be an issue for the Wildcats, but Spellman will hit the ground running next season.

BIG TEN

The Buckeyes missed the NCAA Tournament for the second-straight year thanks, in part, to issues in the frontcourt. While they will lose the services of Marc Loving, Thad Matta's program will gain the talents of Funderburk. Ranked No. 77 in the 2016 Rivals150, Funderburk is a long and athletic forward that can guard a ball screen but also make shots out to 15 feet. He should work well alongside Keita Bates-Diop, Jae’Sean Tate and Micah Potter next season, which might enable Ohio State to return to the NCAA Tournament.

BIG 12

Vital is an explosive forward that may become vital for the Bears next season and his importance next winter cannot be understated. With Ishmail Wainright graduating and Johnathan Motley potentially leaving for the NBA, Vital should be able to step in and play various spots on the floor for the Bears. He does have to become a better ballhandler and shooter, but Vital could fill the shoes of Wainwright in spurts. Vital can act as a small-ball power forward who competes with and out-toughs his opponents.

PAC-12

A super long and versatile small forward, Kodye Pugh decided to reclass into the 2016 class last spring enrolling a year early at Stanford. Sitting out this past winter to gain strength and better his overall skillset, expect for the Maryland native to pitch in immediately next college basketball season. Despite the primary strength being its frontcourt, Pugh will add excellent length and the ability to defend various spots on the floor. The lefty is also a fine athlete and had begun to extend the range on his jump shot prior to entering Stanford. While he may need a few games to get going, look for the 6-foot-7 redshirt freshman to become a key cog for the Cardinal and a nice piece in the basketball renaissance at Stanford.

SEC

Deciding to enroll a semester early at Kentucky, Hamidou Diallo took the second half of the college basketball season off using the redshirt option to acclimate himself into John Calipari’s system. A super bouncy, explosive and electric shooting guard that will become the next go-to scoring piece at UK, Diallo will be ready to star straight out of the gates. He has been knocked in the past for his hot and cold motor along with shaky shooting numbers. However, when things are clicking and Diallo is not settling from the floor, there aren’t many others that are as unstoppable as the former five-star prospect. The Wildcats lose Malik Monk, De’Aaron Fox and Isaiah Briscoe in the backcourt, which equates to volumes of shot opportunities; Diallo is primed to be up to the task.

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