In this edition of Rival Views, Rivals.com national recruiting analysts Eric Bossi and Corey Evans debate which program is in position to make the strongest finish to the 2017 recruiting cycle.
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BOSSI'S VIEW: GEORGIA TECH
Headed into his first season at Georgia Tech, few gave Josh Pastner and the Yellow Jackets much of a chance at being competitive in the ACC. After some early bumps, Tech finished just under .500 in ACC play and has an outside chance at making the NCAA Tournament.
Pastner and Tech also have a chance at making a strong finish in 2017 recruiting. Already on board are Rivals150 point guard Jose Alvarado and solid three-star forward Curtis Haywood. However, the Jackets are right in the mix with five-star shooting guard M.J. Walker and four-star small forward Jordan Tucker.
In addition to Georgia Tech, Walker has been most closely linked to Florida State and the McDonald’s All-American has visited the Seminoles officially. But, Walker has also been on campus in Atlanta for multiple unofficial visits and behind the scenes there is a lot of talk that distance could play a big factor.
As for Tucker, the smooth shooter took official visits to Indiana and Villanova in the fall before adding Georgia Tech and Oregon to his list. Things at Indiana are up in the air and because of Tucker’s move to the Atlanta area as a senior, he’s been able to see the Georgia Tech campus. Because of that, Pastner and has staff have made up some ground.
Other programs may land bigger names, but places like Duke and Kentucky are already in great shape and the impact that Walker or Tucker could have on the rebuild at Georgia Tech is significant. I wouldn’t rule out Pastner getting both of these guys, but I’d also be surprised if he doesn’t get at least one.
EVANS' VIEW: DUKE
The late signing period for the 2017 recruiting cycle begins in almost a month and Duke is sitting pretty with two five-stars signees in the form of Wendell Carter and Gary Trent. The Blue Devils also boast the signature of four-star wing Alex O’Connell, but much work needs to be done in the weeks ahead. as it is very likely that Duke strikes at least one more time in the spring.
The Blue Devils are squarely in the mix for five-star standouts Mo Bamba, Kevin Knox and Trevon Duval, all of whom have made it to the Durham campus within the past three weeks.
Duval may be the most significant recruit still left on the board for the Blue Devils, seeing that they have not signed a true point guard since Derryck Thornton in 2015. At the time being, Duke should be seen as the leader for Duval and he could single-handedly change the entire 2017-18 outlook for the Blue Devils.
Things are more of a mystery with Bamba and Knox, but Duke is a factor in both's recruitment. Bamba's process is a dead heat with the Blue Devils along with Kentucky, Texas and Michigan. Knox was at one point viewed as a heavy Duke lean, but Florida State and North Carolina have gained the most ground this winter.
Expect for Duke to find a way to finish things out on a strong note this spring.
