Predictions on top five Hoophall Classic attendees
This weekend’s Spalding Hoophall Classic kicks off in Springfield, Mass. on Saturday. Rivals.com will be on hand all weekend to cover the action, and in advance we take a look at five key targets expected to be in attendance.
The best player in the class of 2018, Marvin Bagley III has been in the national spotlight since he first stepped foot onto a high school playing floor as a freshman in Phoenix. Since then, the attention for the imposing power forward has only increased. He may not be ready to commit, but the skilled and graceful forward is at least focusing on a group of six that consists of Arizona, Arizona State, Duke, Kentucky, Oregon and UCLA. Bagley recently told us that he’s in no hurry to set up any visits or make a decision.
Bossi's prediction: Arizona
Evans' prediction: Arizona
Where do things stand with Trevon Duval? That might be the biggest mystery of the 2017 class. Of late, there has been a lot of buzz connecting the big-time athlete and shifty ball-handler to Duke, but is there anything other than “buzz”? Nobody seems to have a true pulse for his recruitment and though he visited Kansas unofficially in October and has said he will be setting official visits soon, he’s yet to do so. His final five of Arizona, Baylor, Duke, Kansas and Seton Hall are all in play. Without much intel, any guess at where he might be leaning is exactly that, a guess.
Bossi's prediction: Seton Hall
Evans' prediction: Kansas
With a nearly eight-foot wingspan, Bamba is an imposing shot blocker with athleticism. As long as his arms are, it feels like his recruitment has gone on even longer. He’s visited Texas and Michigan officially and has also seen Duke, Kentucky and Harvard. He seems to be in no hurry to make a decision. Bamba is a thorough kid and isn’t likely to make a decision until after the college season and potential early departures to the NBA shake themselves out.
Bossi's prediction: Duke
Evans' prediction: Texas
Bowen initially indicated that a decision could come during December. It’s now January and the 6-foot-7 small forward has remained close to vest with where things stand with his recruitment. Finalists Michigan State and Creighton have gotten recent unofficial visits while Arizona and Texas remain in hot pursuit. A college decision could come at any time as a commitment to any of his final schools would not be a surprise.
Bossi's prediction: Arizona
Evans' prediction: Arizona
The four-star point guard is expected to announce his decision Monday after his Mouth of Wilson (Va.) Oak Hill team plays 2017’s No. 1 player Michael Porter, Jr. of Seattle (Wash.) Nathan Hale. Despite the fact that Stanford has remained in the hunt for the guard’s commitment, this is more about a battle between Shaka Smart and Mike Krzyzewski. Smart and Texas were the early leaders, then in the late summer and early fall the Blue Devils made a big run. Now, it looks like he might be back leaning towards playing in Austin.
Bossi's prediction: Texas
Evans' prediction: Texas
