Predictions on unsigned Rivals150 class of 2016 prospects
With just a month and half to go until April’s spring signing period, 10 members of the 2016 Rivals150 remain undecided. Here is our best guess on each player's destination.
The skinny: The top player in the country, Josh Jackson is locked in on Arizona, Kansas and Michigan State. He’s been to Arizona and Kansas officially and as a native of Detroit, he’s quite familiar with the Michigan State campus. Arizona’s Sean Miller had the advantage of coaching him with USA Basketball. The word is Jackson really enjoyed his Kansas visit. Michigan State has a great class coming in and offers him the chance to play near his home. For now, this one is pretty much a coin flip but if the Spartans can land an official visit it could change the dynamic of Jackson's recruitment.
Prediction: Kansas
The skinny: Rawle Alkins moved to Word of God from New York for his final season of high school and he’s been quite active on the recruiting trail of late. Alkins took recent official visits to Arizona, UNLV and St. John’s and he’s also been on the campuses of North Carolina and N.C. State multiple times. He says that he still plans to use his two remaining official visits.
Prediction: Arizona
The skinny: A true five man who plays with his back to the basket, Marques Bolden is a throwback big guy who protects the rim and scores on the interior. Oklahoma has quietly been working him and could be in deeper than most give them credit for. He’s also been on the campus of TCU. However, at this point, Bolden looks to be locking in on a pair of bluebloods in Duke and Kentucky.
Prediction: Kentucky
The skinny: A quiet and reserved kid who doesn’t seek a lot of attention, Jarrett Allen has visited Houston, Kansas, Kentucky, Notre Dame and Texas. A slender and quick four man with huge upside, Allen can really run the floor. Currently, it’s starting to look like he will end up staying closer to home with Houston and Texas emerging as the frontrunners.
Prediction: Texas
The skinny: A four man who can face the basket and score off the dribble or as a jump shooter, Taurean Thompson took official visits to Syracuse and Xavier in the fall. While Syracuse was long considered a favorite, it’s looking more like others have a real chance. He’s recently seen Providence. Seton Hall and N.C. State are also making charges and Kansas is involved to some extent
Prediction: Seton Hall
The skinny: It’s a bit of a surprise that the recruitment of the smooth and athletic wing hasn’t attracted more suitors. However, the two he looks to be down to -– Louisville and Maryland -- are pretty impressive. Micah Thomas has seen the Cardinals officially and he’ll see the Terps in April.
Prediction: Maryland
The skinny: A tough wing who makes plays slashing to the hoop, Alpha Diallo still needs to clean up his ball handling a bit. His only official visit thus far was to VCU and it looked for a while that the Rams would be the team to beat. But, at this point you have to wonder what the holdup is there. South Carolina’s Frank Martin is expected in this weekend, Florida and Providence are also involved. Essentially, he’s wide open.
Prediction: South Carolina
The skinny: Deshawn Corprew initially committed to Arkansas Little-Rock and would have been the steal of the class. He opened things up right at the start of his senior season and Missouri, Kansas, Texas A&M and Louisville among others have become options for one of the most improved players in the class of 2016.
Prediction: Missouri
The skinny: Lucas Siewert was originally an Arizona State commitment, but the skilled power forward from Brazil opened things up when Herb Sendek was let go last spring. He’s yet to set any of his official visits but programs like Colorado, Creighton, UC Irvine, Boston College and even Arizona State have been showing interest.
Prediction: Colorado
The skinny: One of the hottest big man recruits in the country, Bruno Fernando is a wanted man down in the Southeast. UCF, Florida State, Alabama, LSU and many more are making strong runs and even Duke has shown some interest. There are rumblings that his current high school coach Kevin Boyle could end up in the mix for some college head coaching jobs so that could be something to watch down the road.
Prediction: Florida State