Conference Call: Top bounceback 2018 recruiting classes

Recruiting success has a strong correlation with success on the hardwood. It is much easier to recruit when you have a product that can sell. Kids want to play for winners, which make it even more impressive with what some of these programs have already done for 2018 coming off 2016-2017 seasons that fell short of the NCAA Tournament.

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Much more work needs to be done by the staff, but Pitt’s ability to eek out the commitment of Bryce Golden prior to the July evaluation periods is a coup. While the top-150 power forward will never be the primary focus on opposing teams’ scouting reports, he does bring major energy, toughness and production from 15 feet and in. Pitt has also does a fine job of getting some of its top targets on campus in recent weeks. Dwayne Cohill, Noah Locke, Marcus Zegarowski, Curtis Aiken Jr. and Jake Forrester have visited the school in June, and the Panthers made the final five for top-75 forward Jerome Hunter.

The Blue Demons made some noise earlier this spring with the hiring of former La Lumiere head coach Shane Heirman, who came on board in an assistant coaching capacity. This triggered the commitment of Tyger Campbell, a four-star guard who then reclassified into the 2018 class. The top DePaul commit in the past five years, Campbell is a face-of-the-program type of prospect. And while he does not offer lofty NBA potential, he is the facilitating agent and talent that DePaul fans have been looking for. Alongside him is John Diener, a sharpshooting wing that should see wide open looks at the basket thanks to the playmaking of Campbell. Depaul isn't finished in 2018, but this still may be the most optimistic that Blue Demons' fans have felt since its last NIT bid in 2007.

Iowa just missed on an NCAA Tournament bid last year. But after a postseason spent in the NIT, the commitment of four-star wing Joey Wieskamp should help the Hawkeyes bounce back whenever he sets foot onto campus. The 6-foot-5 scoring wing has steadily improved during his high school playing days, as he is more than a one-dimensional prospect. Wieskamp is someone that can defend more than one position, he's become a better athlete and he's one of the more polished offensive players in his class. Iowa is out of scholarships on paper but is hanging around in hopes that they can secure the commitment of his travel teammate, Joey Hauser, and they remain involved with C.J. Fredrick, one of the top shooters in the 2018 class.

Jamie Dixon did fine work during his first year in Fort Worth, taking his alma mater to the NIT finals. Thanks to his efforts in the 2018 class, if TCU is unable to get back to the NCAA Tournament this year, the following year could be its breakthrough season. The Horned Frogs nailed down Kendric Davis more than a year ago; the lead guard is a tough and feisty floor general that can really defend. In the frontcourt is Angus McWilliam, a big man from New Zealand. If he were playing in the United States, he would be seen as a top-50 recruit. Together, the talented duo could place TCU among the best in the Big 12 for years to come.

California under-performed this past season, and after the coaching change that saw Cuonzo Martin leave his post in Berkeley, Wyking Jones has made a fluid transition from assistant to head coach. While replacing Ivan Rabb will be difficult for Cal, it has already nailed down two top-100 wings in the 2018 class. Both commitments came within 48 hours of each other. First, they landed Jacobi Gordon, a tough and gritty wing that buys in on the defensive end. Then, they offered Matt Bradley one day later and received his commitment the following day. The duo gives Cal a great start in the 2018 class, and the Golden Bears sit in a great spot with five-star center Jordan Brown.

Missouri has won just eight conference games over the past three years, but there is already hope that the Tigers can get back to the NCAA Tournament next season thanks to the enrollment of Michael Porter Jr., the top-ranked player in the 2017 class. If they cannot secure a tournament bid, the 2018 class should be the group that gets them over the hump. While there is much talk about Michael Porter Jr., Jontay Porter, Michael's younger brother, may have more of a lasting mark on the program. Unlike his older brother, Jontay Porter will probably not be a one-and-done prospect. Nonetheless, Jontay Porter is a five-star forward that is a dynamic offensive weapon in the half-court. There are whispers about a potential reclassification into the 2017 class this summer, but if he does remain in the 2018 class, he will be joined by Javon Pickett, who is a tough and valuable wing that can consistently make shots. Pickett and Porter are great starts to Cuonzo Martin’s first full class in Columbia.