After slogging through this season, Tubby Smith's rebuilding project at Minnesota will hit its major stride. Smith landed a consensus Top 25 recruiting class to supplant an 08-09 team that might be an NIT team.
Before Christmas this year, we'll see Minnesota battle Louisville. Yes, a battle of the two former Kentucky coaches: Smith and Rick Pitino. Louisville should win the game, but watch for how close Minnesota comes.
With this recruiting class -- ranked 22nd on Rivals, 10th on ESPN.com and 11th on Scout -- Smith has Minnesota back on the map. There were four signings announced:
Wings Royce White and Rodney Williams, Juco power forward Trevor Mbakwe and point guard Justin Cobbs
White is a combo forward and Williams seems more like a perimeter player. They will form a nice tandem in the Big Ten.
But Smith isn't the only one getting it done in the Big Ten. Indiana snagged a consensus Top 10 recruiting class. I told you Tom Crean had the Hoosiers on their way.
The class -- rated seventh by Rivals, eighth by ESPN.com and seventh by Scout -- has six signees. After all, there's a lot to replace at Indiana.
Three wings: Maurice Creek, Derek Elston and Christian Watford
One point man: Jordan Hulls
Two big fellas: Bobby Capobianco and Bawa Muniru
Creek's a stud, so're Elston, Watford and Hulls. Nice start for Crean.
Elsewhere
-- Perennially big-time (at least these days) Tennessee snagged one recruit, but got a good one: 6-9 power forward Kenny Hall will head to Knoxville.
-- UNC is the consensus No. 1 recruiting program.
-- Memphis keeps landing in the Top 5.
-- 'Nova reloaded.
-- Texas got a pair of studs.
-- Kentucky did well ... again. Will it turn into wins?
More at a later time.
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