Meyers Mailbag: Vols recruiting on hold
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Is the controversy concerning the Tennessee basketball program going to put its recruiting efforts on hold this fall?
Does Duke have the potential of challenging Kentucky for the No. 1 spot in the 2011 national team recruiting rankings?
And does Illinois' 2011 recruiting class have the potential of being a top five class?
These questions and more are addressed by National Recruiting Analyst Jerry Meyer in this week's mailbag.
Tough times at Tennessee?
After the recent Bruce Pearl debacle, how do you see Adonis Thomas's recruitment playing out? Do you think Tennessee still has a good chance at landing him, or do you think he will now turn to other schools?
- Hunter from Knoxville
It is going to be tough for Tennessee to successfully recruit until the NCAA finishes its investigation. The bottom line is that recruits don't want to go to a school that is banned from postseason play. Not having the incentive of playing in March can take almost all the air out of a program.
Tennessee has been in good standing with Thomas, but I've always felt Memphis would be tough to beat in his recruitment. Certainly Tennessee's present issues only help the competition.
The best scenario for Tennessee is for the NCAA to make a quick ruling that is hopefully not that harsh. The longer this drags out, the more Tennessee's recruiting efforts will suffer.
Potential move
If Duke were to land Austin Rivers and Quinn Cook, where would that place them in the recruiting rankings?
- Randall from Murfressboro
If Duke were to land these two guards it would shoot them up from No. 9 to No. 2 if the other recruiting classes stay the same. In Rivers, Duke would have the No. 1-ranked prospect and in Cook, the No. 28-ranked prospect to go along with Michael Gbinije at No. 31, Tyler Adams at No. 54 and Marshall Plumlee at No. 82.
Kentucky's hold on the No. 1 ranking with three top 10 recruits and another five-star recruit is likely out of reach for the rest of the competition.
In regards to the No. 2 ranking, Louisville is also a major contender with the likelihood of adding Quincy Miller and Deuce Bello to its present No. 4-ranked class.
Class of the Big Ten?
If Illinois lands Mike Shaw, Chasson Randle and/or Quincy Miller for their 2011 class, where will Illinois be ranked for the Rivals 2011 inaugural team rankings? When will that listing come out?
- Jeff from Las Vegas
The inaugural rankings came out earlier this week, and Illinois registered at No. 8 with its class of Mycheal Henry (No. 36), Tracy Abrams (No. 50) and Nnanna Egwu (No. 93).
I don't see Illinois getting Miller, but let's assume they get Shaw and Randle. With Shaw at No. 58 and Randle at No. 68, Illinois would at least have the No. 4 spot the way the ranking stands.
What would be impressive about this hypothetical five-man class for Illinois is that these five prospects would fit perfectly on the court together as a cohesive unit.
Injury scare
Do you see Quinn Cook's injury scaring off any of his suitors?
- Mike from Durham
Not at all. Cook's injury appears to be a routine injury that he will recover from 100 percent. Cook is just too talented of a player to pass up on based on an injury. He has had a lot of exposure during his career, and all the schools are fully aware of his abilities.
Perfect match
Jerry, With Baylor possibly having a shot at landing Quincy Miller and LeBryan Nash, do you think their games are diverse enough to play on the floor together?
- Stephen from Seoul
Baylor is in the running for both of these elite prospects, but I don't think Baylor is in the lead for either one. Louisville is presently the team to beat for Miller, and Oklahoma State is the team to beat for Nash.
Nonetheless, Miller and Nash would be a tremendous complement to each other on the court. Miller is best defending a four man. Nash can guard the three and the four. Offensively Miller is best as a versatile four man, who can also be effective as a three man or even five man. Nash is best as an all purpose three man, who is also capable of playing the two or the four.
Beyond their ability to play various and different positions, Miller's finesse game based on length and Nash's power game based on strength compliment each other.
Jerry Meyer is a national basketball recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. Click here to send him a question or comment for his mailbag.
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