Been thinking about it a lot today..... here is my bold (and perhaps totally wrong predictions) on Utah's 2016 hoops class.
We have 2 schollies (3 if Poeltl declares for the draft, which I think coaches probably expect).
Note that these predictions are just my own guesses, nothing less, nothing more...
1) Jayce Johnson - I just get a good vibe there. He's a talented top 50 guy. I think he likes the program and there is still some competition there, but I think he ends up a Ute when all is said and done. 80% confident.
2) JaQuori McLaughlin - Not as confident about this one. In fact, least confident about the 3. Of the five or six guards Utah has shown interest in (not named Frank Jackson), I like his game the best. Good body control, athletic, great vision, and a really good passer. I'd be stoked if we landed him.
3) Lauri Markannen - Kid from Finland. Hanno is his coach. I know UNC is after him still (and Lauri's dad played for Roy Williams I think), so that is tough competition. But after missing out on Tillie, I think coaches will be all-in to land the other high-profile international guy.
I like a lot of other guys in this class.... Mitch Lightfoot being one for sure. Reading some of his quotes makes me think he is awfully high on Arizona. But Arizona could be stringing him along until they find out which of their blue-chip recruits they'll land. Maybe Mitch is fine with that. I'd be stoked to get Mitch, but for some reason I don't have as good of a vibe there.
A few other random thoughts I'm interested to hear discussion on....
1) People who would know continually tell me how good Bonam is. I can't wait to see this guy play. I saw Jon Rothstein (a national guy) say Bonam had lost 25 pounds, which seems hard to believe. He didn't look particularly heavy when I saw his JC film. He might be in really great shape right now.
2) If Utah doesn't get exactly what they want in this 2016 class, I could see a scenario where they only use 2 of their scholarships, and save one more for the 2017 class. They are almost certain to have another really good season this year, and I think this staff has some really good connections to some 2017 recruits. With another year of sustained success, Utah might be able to carry over a little more recruiting momentum if they don't get what they think they should be able to get this year.
Just some thoughts. Would love to hear thoughts.
We have 2 schollies (3 if Poeltl declares for the draft, which I think coaches probably expect).
Note that these predictions are just my own guesses, nothing less, nothing more...
1) Jayce Johnson - I just get a good vibe there. He's a talented top 50 guy. I think he likes the program and there is still some competition there, but I think he ends up a Ute when all is said and done. 80% confident.
2) JaQuori McLaughlin - Not as confident about this one. In fact, least confident about the 3. Of the five or six guards Utah has shown interest in (not named Frank Jackson), I like his game the best. Good body control, athletic, great vision, and a really good passer. I'd be stoked if we landed him.
3) Lauri Markannen - Kid from Finland. Hanno is his coach. I know UNC is after him still (and Lauri's dad played for Roy Williams I think), so that is tough competition. But after missing out on Tillie, I think coaches will be all-in to land the other high-profile international guy.
I like a lot of other guys in this class.... Mitch Lightfoot being one for sure. Reading some of his quotes makes me think he is awfully high on Arizona. But Arizona could be stringing him along until they find out which of their blue-chip recruits they'll land. Maybe Mitch is fine with that. I'd be stoked to get Mitch, but for some reason I don't have as good of a vibe there.
A few other random thoughts I'm interested to hear discussion on....
1) People who would know continually tell me how good Bonam is. I can't wait to see this guy play. I saw Jon Rothstein (a national guy) say Bonam had lost 25 pounds, which seems hard to believe. He didn't look particularly heavy when I saw his JC film. He might be in really great shape right now.
2) If Utah doesn't get exactly what they want in this 2016 class, I could see a scenario where they only use 2 of their scholarships, and save one more for the 2017 class. They are almost certain to have another really good season this year, and I think this staff has some really good connections to some 2017 recruits. With another year of sustained success, Utah might be able to carry over a little more recruiting momentum if they don't get what they think they should be able to get this year.
Just some thoughts. Would love to hear thoughts.
