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Rival Views: Most significant class of 2017 spring commitment

More than any year in recent memory, there were several big-time prospects available in May of their senior year. Of those 2017 five-stars who took their time in making a decision, which one will make the biggest impact?

National basketball analysts Eric Bossi and Corey Evans have rival views.

MORE: Bossi's Best - Package deals | Rivals analyst roundtable

BOSSI'S VIEW: TREVON DUVAL, DUKE

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Earlier in the spring, I wrote that there was no more single important recruit to a program than 2017's top point guard Trevon Duval was to Duke. And that was before Frank Jackson – who figured to be one of the Blue Devils' few legitimate ball-handling options next season – blew up at the NBA Draft Combine, hired an agent and elected to stay in the 2017 NBA Draft.

With Jackson gone, Duval became an absolute must and Mike Krzyzewski and his staff came through.

A downhill player who is at his best attacking the rim, Duval is going to be given all of the responsibility and playing time that he can handle as the only proven – at least against elite high school competition – point guard on the roster. That's got to be a little scary for Coach K and his staff, but considering what things could be looking like in Durham without Duval, it's something with which they will deal.

Even though Duke's roster has been depleted by early entry to the NBA, Duval will still have a couple of weapons such as senior Grayson Allen and big-time freshman big man Wendell Carter. Now it will be up to somebody such as Marques Bolden to live up to his high school reputation, and five-star wing Gary Trent needs to be ready to rock.

I would also keep an eye on what the addition of Kevin Knox could mean for Kentucky. Not that the Wildcats really needed another five-star prospect in their top-ranked recruiting class, but John Calipari's 2012 NCAA Championship team featured a big, versatile wing in Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. I'm not sure that Knox is as good (especially on defense) as MKG, but between him and five-star Jarred Vanderbilt the Wildcats may be able to approximate what MKG meant to that 2012 title team.

EVANS' VIEW: MOHAMED BAMBA, TEXAS

No 2017 spring commitment was as significant as Texas' addition of Mohamed Bamba.

Bamba is a 7-foot pterodactyl on the defensive end of the floor who makes life a living nightmare for opposing posts and slashers. The five-star center might be a sign of change for Texas, which has been unable to smoothly transfer Shaka Smart's system to Austin.

Sporting excellent feet, unbelievable length (Bamba boasts a 7-foot-9 wingspan), instincts and a feel for the game, Bamba will be a monster backline defender in the post. Last season, Texas struggled through a disappointing 11-22 campaign. The Longhorns completed the year 202nd in steals nationally. But when Smart’s teams were clicking, as in 2011 when VCU reached the Final Four, the Rams ranked in the top-five nationally in steals.

What those winning teams at VCU had in common was rim-protecting big men that allowed guards to take chances in the passing lanes. No one is saying that Matt Coleman, Kerwin Roach or Andrew Jones is the second coming of Briante Weber. However, the addition of Bamba remains as significant as ever, as it allows Texas to be more aggressive, which could result in a more fun, winning culture.

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