Advertisement
basketball Edit

Early signing period breakdown: Big Ten

The early signing period is now over and the Fighting Illini of Illinois surprisingly sit atop the Big Ten rankings. John Groce secured a five-star big man and a pair of four-star point guards to edge out the Michigan State Spartans for the top spot.

MORE: ACC Breakdown | Big East | Big 12 | Podcast | 2017 Rivals.com team rankings

1. ILLINOIS (No. 13 overall)

Advertisement
Trent Frazier
Trent Frazier

The class: C Jeremiah Tilmon (No. 25), PG Trent Frazier (No. 101), PG Da’Monte Williams (No. 106), SG Javon Pickett (NR 3-star)

Analysis: Illinois locked down the top class in the Big Ten during the early signing period, but it didn’t come without some drama. Five-star center Tilmon had been committed for a while, but rumors surfaced in the past few weeks that he wasn’t going to sign during the early signing period, which led many to believe he would possibly flip to Saint Louis. He ended up sticking with the Fighting Illini and joins four-star point guards Frazier and Williams along with shooting guard Pickett to give John Groce a talented 2017 class.

2. MICHIGAN STATE (No. 16 overall)

The class: PF Jaren Jackson (No. 15), C Xavier Tillman (No. 86)

Analysis: Tom Izzo added two very talented power forwards during the early signing period that will only continue to make the frontcourt a strength for the Spartans. Jackson had a monster travel season in developing into one of the more versatile forwards. Tillman will also be a presence inside in East Lansing.

3. WISCONSIN (No. 24 overall)

The class: PF Nate Reuvers (No. 84), PG Brad Davison (No. 92), SG Kobe King (NR, 3-star)

Analysis: Greg Gard added three players that fit the Badgers perfectly during the early signing period. Reuvers is a long post player that can step out and stretch defenses with his jumper. Davison is another talented shooter that can run a team as the point guard.

4. MICHIGAN (No. 33 overall)

The class: SG Jordan Poole (No. 95), PF Isaiah Livers (No. 120), PG Eli Brooks (NR)

Analysis: The Wolverines snuck into the back end of the team rankings with the work they put in during the early signing period. Poole and Livers headline the class as four-star prospects. Brooks fits the mold of the player not known by many that turns out to be a good player for John Beilein.

5. MARYLAND

The class: SG Darryl Morsell (No. 93), C Bruno Fernando (No. 112)

Analysis: The Terps fall just outside of the Rivals team rankings, but they added two players during the early signing period that will help immediately. Morsell is an athletic two-guard that blew up over the summer as he turned into a big-time scorer with a competitive streak. Fernando is a post player out of IMG Academy that continues to develop.

6. IOWA

The class: SG Connor McCaffery (No. 110), C Luka Garza (No. 134), PF Jack Nunge (NR, 3-star)

Analysis: Like Wisconsin, Iowa did a terrific job getting players that fit their program. The Hawkeyes added three players that can shoot the cover off the ball. Garza also gives them a presence on the block as he’s crafty scorer in the low post.

7. MINNESOTA

The class: PG Isaiah Washington (No. 62), PG Jamir Harris (NR, 3-star)

Analysis: Richard Pitino added one of the toughest players in the country to his class in the four-star Washington. He’s the type of player that should be ready to produce early in his college career and the Golden Gophers can build around. Harris is another point guard that will add stability to the backcourt.

8. PURDUE

The class: SG Nojel Eastern (No. 75), SF Aaron Wheeler (NR, 3-star), PF Matt Haarms (NR, 3-star)

Analysis: Matt Painter added a nice trio of players during the early signing period. The headliner came late in the process as four-star Eastern picked the Boilermakers over several other top programs. He’ll be able to put up numbers immediately.

9. OHIO STATE

The class: C Kaleb Wesson (No. 87), PG Braxton Beverly (NR, 3-star)

Analysis: Ohio State locked down one of the best in its own backyard early with Wesson. Thad Matta also tapped into the prep school ranks to find a solid point guard in Beverly.

10. INDIANA

The class: SF Justin Smith (No. 105), SG Al Durham (NR, 3-star), PF Clifton Moore (NR, 3-star)

Analysis: The four-star Smith was the biggest addition during the early signing period for Tom Crean. The athletic wing is a big-time slasher that can also shoot from the perimeter. Durham is a talented guard that can play both spots in the backcourt, while Moore will do the same in the post.

11. NORTHWESTERN

The class: SG Anthony Gaines (NR, 3-star)

Analysis: Gaines was the lone addition for Chris Collins during the early signing period. He’s an athlete at 6-foot-4 with a lot of upside on the wing.

12. NEBRASKA

The class: SG Nana Akenten (NR, 3-star)

Analysis: Tim Miles only added one prospect during the early signing period, but Akenten looks like a prospect worth taking a shot on. The three-star prospect is long and lanky, but looks to have great potential.

13. RUTGERS

The class: PG Geo Baker (NR)

Analysis: Baker doesn’t have a ranking, but the 6-foot-2 lead guard is somebody first-year coach Steve Pikiell is hoping he can build around the next few years. Baker has a pure jump shot and can make plays for others.

14. PENN STATE

The class: None.

Analysis: The Nittany Lions came up empty during the early signing period.

Advertisement