The month of June has produced an impressive run of commitments from the 2018 Rivals150. With 2018 recruiting classes starting to take shape, which teams should feel the best about their efforts up to this point? As usual, National Basketball Analysts Eric Bossi and Corey Evans have Rival Views.
BOSSI'S VIEW: ARIZONA
By the end of the week, I am expecting at least 43 members of the current 2018 Rivals150 will have made their college choices. With almost one third of the top talent in the class of 2018 off the board, Sean Miller and Arizona should be feeling the best about where they stand. After all, the Wildcats already hold a commitment from an athletic and skilled five-star power forward in Shareef O'Neal. Plus, they've already wrapped up a very capable point guard in high end four-star Brandon Williams.
Additionally, five-star point guard Jahvon Quinerly just wrapped up an official visit to Tucson and holds the U of A in high esteem and the Miller and the Wildcats should be right in the mix for five-star big men Marvin Bagley III and Bol Bol. As Miller and his staff look to break through to the Final Four, they seem to be in good shape to add more of the type of players that should eventually get them over the hump.
While Arizona has a terrific start in 2018, they aren't the only Pac-12 school doing well. Under new head coach Wyking Jones, California is making serious noise as well. The Bears already have a pair of four-star commits in combo forward Jacobi Gordon and tough scoring guard Matt Bradley. It's as good a start as anybody could have hoped for.
Also, you have to be impressed by what Tom Izzo and the Spartans have done in locking down local talent in Michigan. Four-star point guard Foster Loyer is a big-time shooter while forward Thomas Kithier has a motor and toughness. Wing Gabe Brown isn't yet ranked in the Rivals150, but Spartans fans can expect him to debut in the next update. The Spartans also look to be very much in the mix with another in-state four-star product, high-upside four man Marcus Bingham.
EVAN'S VIEW: MARYLAND
Maryland had one of the sneakier classes in 2017 and 2018 has brought even more optimism to the Big Ten program. One of the top breakout performers from the spring, Aaron Wiggins’ versatility, toughness and talent level should make him an instant producer in College Park. He should be able to replace Jared Nickens on the perimeter and provide an immediate spark next year.
Wiggins’ commitment wasn’t the only one for the Terrapins in June as they secured a pledge from five-star center Jalen Smith. His upside is staggering. With Smith and Wiggins in the fold, the Terps are on great footing for future success.
Despite not making much noise of late on the recruiting front, Arkansas has had a top-five class for close to a year now thanks to three Rivals150 commitments, the highest being five-star big man Reggie Perry. The rising senior will be a major presence in Fayetteville and Arkansas fans should be excited for the program's future.
Louisville has also had a nice start to 2018 thanks to a pair of four-star guard commitments, Courtney Ramey and Anfernee Simons. Both leave an immediate mark on the ACC program. Ramey should fill in nicely for Quentin Snider while Simons will have the chance to put up points from the get-go next year.