Twitter Tuesday: Smart decision, race for Race, Northwestern, Maryland
Dominoes are beginning to fall on the recruiting front as some of the top prospects in the 2018 class are knocking off a few of the schools on their list while few others have already made a college decision. In this week’s #TwitterTuesday, we assess where Northwestern and Maryland may look in the 2018 class, the next five-star commitment could be Javonte Smart, and where things are with skilled and versatile junior forward Race Thompson.
Scott brings up the recent commitment of Cormac Ryan, a skilled and versatile 6-foot-4 guard that committed to Stanford on Sunday, choosing the Cardinal over Northwestern. Many believed that the Big Ten program was in the lead but now it must make a push with someone similar.
The name that repeatedly comes up is Robby Carmody. The 6-foot-4 wing is more of an off-guard prospect rather than someone like Ryan, who is best used on the ball. However, Carmody brings similar toughness, athleticism and versatility to the floor that would be welcomed at Northwestern. The issue here is that Michigan, Notre Dame, Maryland, Pitt and Purdue may sit in front for Carmody, as Miller Kopp may be a more attainable prospect.
Kopp is a 6-foot-6 small forward that is very skilled on the perimeter and an excellent decision-maker facing a half-court defense. A quality athlete that can score from various spots on the floor, Chris Collins’ group is likely within the top three for his talents, joined by Vanderbilt and Wichita State. If not Carmody or Kopp, Northwestern will continue to make a push for Talen Horton-Tucker, Ayo Dosunmu and Dwayne Cohill.
Maryland picked up one of the more surprising commitments this past weekend in Aaron Wiggins. The 6-foot-5 wing was one of the top breakouts from the travel circuit this spring and nailing things down with him prior to the summer was a major coup. Where might Maryland go next?
The Terps definitely want to add another point guard and not making the final list for Jahvon Quinerly definitely hurts. The Terps sit in a great spot with a few elite big men – Silvio DeSousa, Jalen Smith and Moses Brown.
DeSousa, a five-star big man that will finish out his high school career at IMG Academy in Florida this fall, is thought to be a Maryland lean. Smith, another top-25 prospect, has been rather mum with his recruitment but the Terps do sit in a solid position with the local recruit, though Villanova and Virginia remain within grasp. Lastly, Brown might not decide until the spring as the bluebloods will heavily be involved for the New York native, too.
It is anyone’s guess but a commitment from DeSousa or Smith is the likeliest.
There has been some whispers of late surrounding Javonte Smart. A 6-foot-3 lead guard that has played on the 17-under level of travel basketball since he was a freshman, Smart is one of the safest bests to succeed in college. Down to a final six of Oklahoma State, UCLA, Kansas, Florida State, Kentucky and LSU, any of those schools involved could land him.
Fresh off of the commitment of Tremont Waters, a top-50 senior guard, LSU has the chance to remain hot and pick up another tremendous piece on the perimeter. Will Wade has made his presence felt already in Baton Rouge as he was able to keep prior commits to the former staff, while also swinging elite rebounder Mayan Kiir’s commitment from VCU to LSU. Things are going well on the recruiting front and could be even better as Smart might be the next to pick LSU.
Race Thompson, a hard-playing, skilled and productive power forward out of Minnesota, has seen his recruitment remain steady over the past few months. Thompson is high on Indiana, Iowa State, Minnesota, Baylor and Marquette.
Minnesota has done all that it can, upon the hiring of Richard Pitino, in keeping the best in-state. The Gophers could be seen a favorite for Thompson. Iowa State coach Steve Prohm completed an in-home visit in the spring as Baylor, Marquette and Indiana have also continued to make Thompson feel wanted.
It would be difficult to label a clear favorite. Minnesota should be in it until the end thanks to its proximity. Thompson noted the system at Baylor and the new staff at Indiana, each of which have piqued his interest. Visits are in line to Michigan and Indiana for later in the month.