Which is the Best Recruiting Class Since 2002 (Rivals DB)?

[DaCat]

If we land Miller Kopp, it starts an interesting discussion about the best recruiting class since 2002. Why 2002? that's how far back the Rivals BB database goes. Of course the jury is still out for the most recent 3 classes, but projections are allowed.

 

[TheC]

This is difficult to answer because with all the past classes, we now have data on how good of college players they turned out to be. With that bias hard to overcome, it seems pretty obvious that 2014 is the best class.

 

[DaCat]

This is difficult to answer because with all the past classes, we now have data on how good of college players they turned out to be. With that bias hard to overcome, it seems pretty obvious that 2014 is the best class.

True. But that's what makes the discussion interesting now, the wild speculation and hype. If we land Kopp, this class could be the best yet. At least in terms of player rankings, 3/4 are 4-stars.

 

[freewillie07]

With Kopp, this will be the most talented incoming NU basketball recruiting class ever. Definitely.

However, it may not wind up being as impactful as the 2014 class because the program was essentially a blank canvass for BMac, Lindsey, Law and Skelly to leave their mark upon. By contrast, Nance is going to have to compete with Rap and Falzon for playing time. Kopp has a good chance to start as a freshman but he will have to beat out Gaines and Turner. I love that Lathon is playing at IMG as a senior.

So, 2018 will go down as the best recruiting class since at least 2002. And it will only get better, I think. But we may not see quite as many four-year starters going forward. Which is ok!

 

[GOUNUII]

With Kopp, this will be the most talented incoming NU basketball recruiting class ever. Definitely.

However, it may not wind up being as impactful as the 2014 class because the program was essentially a blank canvass for BMac, Lindsey, Law and Skelly to leave their mark upon. By contrast, Nance is going to have to compete with Rap and Falzon for playing time. Kopp has a good chance to start as a freshman but he will have to beat out Gaines and Turner. I love that Lathon is playing at IMG as a senior.

So, 2018 will go down as the best recruiting class since at least 2002. And it will only get better, I think. But we may not see quite as many four-year starters going forward. Which is ok!

No. It will not "definitely" be the most talented incoming NU basketball class ever. Confining ourselves to post 2000 classes, and assuming Kopp is a Cat, it will be the most highly rated class. Something often different than "most talented."

The 2014 class turned out to be immensely talented. Three high quality starters at key positions and a valued 6th man forming the nucleus of a team that proved capable of punching our ticket to the Dance and Gonzaga in the mouth. With Kopp, I like the 2018 class a lot. But he, Nance and Lathon have a long ways to go in achieving the level of play we have seen from B-Mac, Law and Lindsey. I recommend avoiding reliance on star ratings and Top 150 rankings. Young and Nance are both developmental prospects ... Nance as much as Young IMHO. Lathon and Kopp are both solid BIG type prospects. None of the four has immediate difference maker written all over them. All were recruited by NU for their fit and developmental skill sets. Just like the 2014 class. Hopefully, they will turn out as well or better. Nance, IMO, will be the key to whatever collective success they achieve.

GOUNUII

 

[hdhntr1]

If we land Miller Kopp, it starts an interesting discussion about the best recruiting class since 2002. Why 2002? that's how far back the Rivals BB database goes. Of course the jury is still out for the most recent 3 classes, but projections are allowed.

The 2018 class has yet to play a minute. While it looks outstanding, it has yet to deliver so how can we say it is the best? 2014 has taken us to the promised land so it gets very high marks. 2002 never reached its potential

 

[7th Cir. Cat]

"capable of punching our ticket to the Dance and Gonzaga in the mouth." Damn, that's a great turn of phrase. Well done.

 

[SmellyCat]

Regardless of the correct answer, I think the 2018 class (which doesn't include Turner officially, but sort of does) certainly has me the most excited. The 2014 class had one guy that made me ecstatic before I ever saw him - Law. I severely underestimated the rest. Glad I was wrong.

 

[GOUNUII]

"capable of punching our ticket to the Dance and Gonzaga in the mouth." Damn, that's a great turn of phrase. Well done.

"turn of phrase" ... haven't heard that expression for a while.

And thanks for the shout out. Having been a NU hoops fan for 40 years, I have absorbed more than a few fandom beat downs. Makes it all the sweeter now to see the Purple doing the punching and dunking.

Go Cats !!!

GOUNUII

 

[GOUNUII]

Regardless of the correct answer, I think the 2018 class (which doesn't include Turner officially, but sort of does) certainly has me the most excited. The 2014 class had one guy that made me ecstatic before I ever saw him - Law. I severely underestimated the rest. Glad I was wrong.

You and a bunch of others were guilty of that underestimation. Fortunately for us, Collins was not.

GOUNUII

 

[Deeringfish]

If I could go back in a time machine and measure how I felt about 2014 then and how I feel about 2018 (with Kopp or Bey). I have to go with 2018. My memory is that though the others were highly regarded, only Law was a really big splash. This 2018 group has three really big splashes and mystery big man that who knows how far Coach James can take him.
Going forward in the time machine 2018 will have a stronger team ahead of them forcing greater competition than 2014 had IMO. Plus we are done with all those injuries, that is not happening anymore.

 

[GOUNUII]

If I could go back in a time machine and measure how I felt about 2014 then and how I feel about 2018 (with Kopp or Bey). I have to go with 2018. My memory is that though the others were highly regarded, only Law was a really big splash. This 2018 group has three really big splashes and mystery big man that who knows how far Coach James can take him.
Going forward in the time machine 2018 will have a stronger team ahead of them forcing greater competition than 2014 had IMO. Plus we are done with all those injuries, that is not happening anymore.

The big splash you speak of was real. But largely because Vic was local and had serious name recognition. That was really important for a first year coach starting with what Collins inherited. He also received the ratings and rankings that drive most fan impressions.

Even then, however, B-Mac was the best basketball recruit and Lindsey had the highest upside.

I still think Nance will turn out to be the x-factor in any 2014 vs 2018 comparison. If he blossoms, and we get what we think we're getting in Kopp and Lathon, I think everybody will be happy with the class 2-3 years from now.

GOUNUII

 

[DaCat]

The fun thing to contemplate is whether the 2014 class wins a B1G championship and takes us deep into the tournament. That would be a tough act to top by the 2018 class. But if 2018 is the core of a Final Four team, then they could lay claim to the greatest class title.

 

[hdhntr1]

If I could go back in a time machine and measure how I felt about 2014 then and how I feel about 2018 (with Kopp or Bey). I have to go with 2018. My memory is that though the others were highly regarded, only Law was a really big splash. This 2018 group has three really big splashes and mystery big man that who knows how far Coach James can take him.
Going forward in the time machine 2018 will have a stronger team ahead of them forcing greater competition than 2014 had IMO. Plus we are done with all those injuries, that is not happening anymore.

2018 may get there but not yet. 2014 still has the distinction of being best and most important recruiting class. I was excited about it at the time because I saw several things very important. Yes Law but also the first time out recruiting other BIG teams for guys, the first time in a while having more than one PG on the roster at one time and first legitimate PF in more than a decade in Skelly. And that was not coming off some great performance. And they have done their job. They took us to the promised land for the first time.

 

[Sec.112]

I think these discussions should be separated into two different "categories."

1) What class was most highly touted BEFORE they played their first game?
2) In my not-so-humble opinion, the other discussion for another time is: after all is said and and done, what class truly produced the best during their time at NU? Obviously, the 2018 group doesn't fit into that discussion.

I agree 2014 and 2018 are the leaders for most-highly touted class, so far.

I may be reaching here, but the class that should be given some consideration as most highly touted is the 2008 freshman class - Rowley, Luka, Fruendt, Shurna and Curletti.

Rowley is the only player that has me leaning in this direction. I may be wrong but was he top-90ish in a few rankings? If so, that gives you a top 100 player to go with Luka who was top 150.

Of course, many of us know the outcome of the Rowley experience, but it's recruiting perception and rankings we're talking about, right?

For some reason, Fruendt was also pretty highly regarded statewide.

Shurna is one of a zillion lessons for anybody who wants to judge players before they step on campus. He was nowhere on anybody's radar.

I know it may be a stretch that Rowley was top 100. I need some verification. If he is, then this class should be part of the discussion.

But in the end, probably a distant third or fourth.

 

[GOUNUII]

I think these discussions should be separated into two different "categories."

1) What class was most highly touted BEFORE they played their first game?
2) In my not-so-humble opinion, the other discussion for another time is: after all is said and and done, what class truly produced the best during their time at NU? Obviously, the 2018 group doesn't fit into that discussion.

I agree 2014 and 2018 are the leaders for most-highly touted class, so far.

I may be reaching here, but the class that should be given some consideration as most highly touted is the 2008 freshman class - Rowley, Luka, Fruendt, Shurna and Curletti.

Rowley is the only player that has me leaning in this direction. I may be wrong but was he top-90ish in a few rankings? If so, that gives you a top 100 player to go with Luka who was top 150.

Of course, many of us know the outcome of the Rowley experience, but it's recruiting perception and rankings we're talking about, right?

For some reason, Fruendt was also pretty highly regarded statewide.

Shurna is one of a zillion lessons for anybody who wants to judge players before they step on campus. He was nowhere on anybody's radar.

I know it may be a stretch that Rowley was top 100. I need some verification. If he is, then this class should be part of the discussion.

But in the end, probably a distant third or fourth.

I would break it down into best class at the time .... most highly touted at the time and ... best class in hindsight. The 18' class will be the most highly touted assuming we get Kopp. But I still believe the 14' class was the slightly better, more exciting class at the time they were signed.

GOUNUII

 

[freewillie07]

I would break it down into best class at the time .... most highly touted at the time and ... best class in hindsight. The 18' class will be the most highly touted assuming we get Kopp. But I still believe the 14' class was the slightly better, more exciting class at the time they were signed.

GOUNUII

Fair enough. Obviously with the benefit of hindsight, 2014 was a phenomenal recruiting class. I just think that, based only on what we know right now versus what we knew back then, that the 2018 class has the potential to make NU a Top 25 team for much of their time in purple. While the 2014 class shouldered the immense burden of rebuilding the program and making history.

2018 recruits are more touted, as you say, and CCC has the 2014 class largely to thank for getting them interested in the program he has built.

 

[SmellyCat]

Maybe it's just me, but I'm a bit nervous how so many people are so sure NU is getting Kopp (or hedging by saying Kopp OR Bey).

 

[Medill90]

The story on the 2014 class is that at the time it looked good, but not great. NU fans were excited about Law being a top 75 recruit. And it was great to see the coach pursue BMac and win, but he looked like a solid three star guard. Lindsey was all question markets and some here who had seen him play had serious questions based on what they observed. And then Skelly was a good get, but with the exception of Law, was part of a group that did not look to be program changers.

2014 has turned out to be a great class, with or without Vasser.

Two things should get recruits attention. First, if you get an offer from this staff it means you're a quality upper D1 prospect. Even if you're short on stars or nobody else is recruiting you.

The other thing is that this staff knows where your full potential is, and will get you there in a couple years. No disrespect to the other teams, but with the notable exception of Wisconsin, the league too often falls short in this regard.

Collins and staff have been consistently excellent identifying high quality talent and then helping that talent meet its potential. Some good players came through here and could get buy with less than full effort and work. Those days are long gone.

 

[freewillie07]

Maybe it's just me, but I'm a bit nervous how so many people are so sure NU is getting Kopp (or hedging by saying Kopp OR Bey).

It's no sure thing. But Kopp has had NU on his radar for a while and Collins has a better story to tell than he ever has before. Plus the prospect of instant playing time. And they've been in on him from the start. And they have an already solid recruiting class to point to.

I like the chances.

 

[Deeringfish]

Maybe it's just me, but I'm a bit nervous how so many people are so sure NU is getting Kopp (or hedging by saying Kopp OR Bey).

We are just trying to look confident in case they read the board. Gotta look like we have been there , done that.

 

[VirginiaWildcat]

We are just trying to look confident in case they read the board. Gotta look like we have been there , done that.

Nothing wrong with being confident.

 

[hdhntr1]

It's no sure thing. But Kopp has had NU on his radar for a while and Collins has a better story to tell than he ever has before. Plus the prospect of instant playing time. And they've been in on him from the start. And they have an already solid recruiting class to point to.

I like the chances.

Would seem the instant playing time might be harder to come by.

 

[SmellyCat]

It's no sure thing. But Kopp has had NU on his radar for a while and Collins has a better story to tell than he ever has before. Plus the prospect of instant playing time. And they've been in on him from the start. And they have an already solid recruiting class to point to.

I like the chances.

I do too, for these reasons and more, but it makes me nervous that we're talking as if it's already done.

 

[freewillie07]

Would seem the instant playing time might be harder to come by.

Disagree. He would certainly have a role as a knockdown shooter off the bench instantly as a freshman, at the very least. At best, he continues to improve his game and outplays Gaines and Turner for a starting spot where Scottie was.

 

[DaCat]

The 2018 class will easily be the highest rated class since 2002, if not in NU history, now that Kopp has made it official. And transfer AJ Turner was left out of the original post, but I guess he is technically a part of the 2018 class.

 

[hdhntr1]

The 2018 class will easily be the highest rated class since 2002, if not in NU history, now that Kopp has made it official. And transfer AJ Turner was left out of the original post, but I guess he is technically a part of the 2018 class.

The 2014 class may still be the most important