Media keeps saying Duke has #1 class

[KA4Prez]

Rivals rankings for teams don't go based on total.

UK would be #1 on Rivals if Murray was updated and put in the top 10. It was already confirmed by someone from Rivals (not sure who), but they posted it on the forum.

I'm guessing they plan to update it by the end of summer, if they do. However, UK has the #1 class.

 

[KMKAT]

Rivals rankings for teams don't go based on total.

UK would be #1 on Rivals if Murray was updated and put in the top 10. It was already confirmed by someone from Rivals (not sure who), but they posted it on the forum.

I'm guessing they plan to update it by the end of summer, if they do. However, UK has the #1 class.

Jason Spear got a response from Bossi on the Rivals 'recruitin' board and Bossi said he was considering extending the ranking period.

Well, if you are still able to bring in players, why don't you just update the rankings and not just consider it.
A Murray signing justifies it along with any other highly ranked player.

You can't ignore that signing, and Humphries simply keeps that door open until practice starts.

 

[BigKari]

Boom! Player and Team rankings have been updated on Rivals. Jamal Murray #9, Kentucky #1.

 

[Hoskins91]

Just for clarification, my post earlier was referencing rsci, which is the only ranking system I pay attention to. I have no idea where everybody is ranked on Rivals. We still won't be on there because it's a point system based on their average ranking.

 

[Rondoed]

Anyone who says Duke has the #1 class is not very smart and is not making a knowledgeable comment.

 

[DodgerDukie1985]

Ingram will be very good but I don't see him having take-over-a-game impact like Okafor last year or Skal this year and Thornton will be a step down (not a big step, but a step) from Jones.

Ingram could have that type of impact offensively, but he won't bring the two-way game Justise Winslow brought. He could alter some shots because of his length/athleticism; however, he won't be a guy Duke will be able to put at the four spot consistently like they were with Winslow because he's nowhere near as strong. Agree on Thornton. He could be better defensively than Tyus, but Tyus was amazing at running an offense and he had that knack for playing his best in the big games and hitting big shots at the end of games.

Jeter is a four star at best but he gets the duke bump.

I see Chase as a Brice Johnson type of guy. Brice was a four star guy going into Carolina out of high school, is a four year guy and become a solid player. If Chase follows that route, I'd be happy.

but lets not ignore Kennard. Guy is a stud.

Luke is the one I'm most excited about long-term in this class for Duke.

Jeter HAD to go to Duke. No way he gets away with the constant traveling and feet shuffling anywhere else.

Tyler Hansbrough disagrees

 

[Mime-Is-Money]

Stuff like this irritates me. There is not a kentucky fan alive that doesn't want to be #1 at the end of the season. That is standard, but what I don't get is why people feel it necessary to post statements like this which adds to the belief that fans view kentucky basketball as title or bust. Like every season that doesn't end in a title is a failure. If that is how you truly feel, then get ready for a lot of disappointing seasons, because most of them aren't going to end with a title, even if Cal stays til he's 73. I'm disappointed every time kentucky comes up short of a title, but the only season that was disappointing was the '12-'13 NIT season.

I'm happy if we have a good season, but I'm happiest if we do cut down the nets and the end of the season.

This past season was a ton of fun. Not discounting that. But everyone's goal on here and the team is to be #1 at the end of the season. Recruiting rankings to start the year pale in comparison.

 

[crazyqx83]

They do have the number one class. They have four five stars, including three guys in the top 15 in rsci. If Murray were moved up to the top 5, their average ranking is still much higher. If Matthews was closer to or still a five star we'd have an argument, but based by the rankings they still take it.

Let's look at the classes a little closer.

Skal, briscoe and Murray are all projected as immediate impact players. Murray is the lowest ranked and he could arguably be the best or 2nd best prospect of either duke or our class.

Three of our incoming freshmen are projected to be top 20 picks in the 2016 draft. Only one of duke's recruits is projected to even be drafted.

I like Ingram a lot. Problem is, he's going to be forced to play the 4 at 6'8 and 190 pounds because duke's best players are in the backcourt.

Jeter and Kennard are overvalued. I'd only take Thornton over Matthews in our class. Kennard is close to a wash with Matthews.

This class is the typical overvalued duke class. They hit gold last year. I just don't see it out of this group.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I am curious to see what Jeter does at Duke. My gut feeling tells me that he ends up riding the pine and getting recruited over, then transferring. But I felt the same way about guys like Zoubek and Kelly and they ended up having decent Senior years at Duke. I think he is overrated, but I've only seen the All-Star games to judge him on. He definitely didn't do anything to make me think he is a future superstar. The other guys for Duke looked pretty good. Not sure about Thornton, since I haven't seen him play.

I would think that UK's class is better based on the latest rankings.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

Let's look at the classes a little closer.

Skal, briscoe and Murray are all projected as immediate impact players. Murray is the lowest ranked and he could arguably be the best or 2nd best prospect of either duke or our class.

Three of our incoming freshmen are projected to be top 20 picks in the 2016 draft. Only one of duke's recruits is projected to even be drafted.

I like Ingram a lot. Problem is, he's going to be forced to play the 4 at 6'8 and 190 pounds because duke's best players are in the backcourt.

Jeter and Kennard are overvalued. I'd only take Thornton over Matthews in our class. Kennard is close to a wash with Matthews.

This class is the typical overvalued duke class. They hit gold last year. I just don't see it out of this group.

You sir are a genius and deserve recognition for such an astute and awesome breakdown.

 

[BigKari]

Duke is in for a rude awakening this season. They struggled on defense last season, but actually became a very good defensive team at the end of the year, Winslow was absolutely invaluable and Okafor really improved alot too. That trio of freshmen was like lightning striking for Duke and they are all gone now. Jeter, Ingram, and Thornton are a step or two down offensively, and a giant leap down defensively. Kennard and Allen are not physical enough to even be average wing defenders. This Duke team will score no doubt, but UK and others will have a field day against that "defense"

 

[weatherbird]

I'm happy if we have a good season, but I'm happiest if we do cut down the nets and the end of the season.

This past season was a ton of fun. Not discounting that. But everyone's goal on here and the team is to be #1 at the end of the season. Recruiting rankings to start the year pale in comparison.

Again, I agree that we all have the same goal, which is to cut down the nets. We are all disappointed when the season ends short of that. However, statements like "all I care about is titles", makes the fanbase seem unreasonable. Sometimes those statements aren't meant the way they sound, but sometimes that is in fact the mindset of some fans. A season is not a failure just because they don't win a title. I have a lot of really fond memories of last year, and it was a great ride, even though it didn't end in a title. I wasn't the happiest, but I was still really happy with the entire season's results.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Which team would you pick to win if the classes went head to head?

G Murray
G Briscoe
G Matthews
F Labissiere
C Humphries- assuming he is able to reclassify.

OR

G Thornton
G Kennard
F Ingram
F Jeter
C Vrankovic

If I were a betting man, I would put my money on UK in a game with just the HS recruits play.

Add in Mulder and it's not even close.

 

[TUL]

Duke is in for a rude awakening this season. They struggled on defense last season, but actually became a very good defensive team at the end of the year, Winslow was absolutely invaluable and Okafor really improved alot too. That trio of freshmen was like lightning striking for Duke and they are all gone now. Jeter, Ingram, and Thornton are a step or two down offensively, and a giant leap down defensively. Kennard and Allen are not physical enough to even be average wing defenders. This Duke team will score no doubt, but UK and others will have a field day against that "defense"

Not sure this is true. When it comes to D, nobody coming in will be as good as Winslow on D, but Thornton is a better defender than Tyus Jones, and frankly the combined D of Plumlee/Jefferson/Jeter/Obi will be at least as good on D as Okafor, who wasnt a great defender.

As far as O, the trio who left were fantastic, as was Quinn Cook. Ingram will likely POUR in the points, but replacing all four guys who left will be tough.

Duke will be a top five team this year, partially because of the talent on the team and partially because it is a down year. Duke can win the title, just like six or seven other teams can. Most Duke fans I know, however, are thinking it is a lot more likely to happen for Duke in 2017.

 

[KA4Prez]

The media better change and report that now UK has the top class, since Murray is updated in the rankings.

 

[ukhoops1]

its cuz ESPN has duke class #1

 

[Mark Gastineau]

Uh, they had #1 last season as well & came away w/ the title.

So this isn't a first-time thing with them, as your post suggest.

Amen.

 

[Mark Gastineau]

Jeter's another Casey Sanders, by the way.

I really hope not!

 

[Mark Gastineau]

Had Duke played Kentucky, they would've lost.

Too bad we'll never really know. Would have been a game for the ages.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I haven't looked at changes since the Murray commitment. But Kentucky's top3 recruits match-up very well with Dukes top3, atleast as far as the numbers go. But Matthews dip last year keeps him a good ~20 spots below Duke's 4th guy and that's where the difference lies. Plus I think Duke has another bottom feeder recruit, but it still factors in. Some a month ago linked an aggregate site for all the rankings, and Duke still came away with #1.

But while Duke has the #1 class as far as the rankings go, I think Skal and now reports of Murray's recent performances, make them two potential game-changers. Only Ingram can realistically be a true stud for Duke, and even he might be a year away from that. So by the eye test, I'd still go with our class.

 

[BigKari]

I haven't looked at changes since the Murray commitment. But Kentucky's top3 recruits match-up very well with Dukes top3, atleast as far as the numbers go. But Matthews dip last year keeps him a good ~20 spots below Duke's 4th guy and that's where the difference lies. Plus I think Duke has another bottom feeder recruit, but it still factors in. Some a month ago linked an aggregate site for all the rankings, and Duke still came away with #1.

But while Duke has the #1 class as far as the rankings go, I think Skal and now reports of Murray's recent performances, make them two potential game-changers. Only Ingram can realistically be a true stud for Duke, and even he might be a year away from that. So by the eye test, I'd still go with our class.

Really that's where the difference lies, between Matthews and Kennard? Sorry, but Matthews is by far the better pro prospect. Kennard will struggle to defend at the college level, just imagine the struggle he'll face in the NBA. I think Kennard is potent enough on offense to make it to the league. Matthews will surprise people who think he's just a defensive specialist, he is developing into a legitimate two way player. Matthews will be in the league sooner than most people think.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

They go by a number system. As of now Kennard has the higher RSCI (?) score by like 10-15 spots. This isn't about who WE think is better. It's not about who has the higher ceiling or who is the better NBA prospect. Scouts think Kennard is higher and therefor it helps put Duke at the top spot.

But again, that being said, With Dukes 5th recruit being a non-factor, CM being slept on a bit, and sure-fire recruits like Skal and Murray, I wouldn't trade our class for any other.

 

[Neue Regel]

Duke is in for a rude awakening this season. They struggled on defense last season, but actually became a very good defensive team at the end of the year, Winslow was absolutely invaluable and Okafor really improved alot too. That trio of freshmen was like lightning striking for Duke and they are all gone now. Jeter, Ingram, and Thornton are a step or two down offensively, and a giant leap down defensively. Kennard and Allen are not physical enough to even be average wing defenders. This Duke team will score no doubt, but UK and others will have a field day against that "defense"

Neither Duke nor Kentucky will be as good as last years version but as far as your comments about Kennard and Allen. I think Matt Jones is going to be playing quite a bit in that backcourt and he is a very good defender.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I look for Jones to guard Murray. That will be a tough matchup for both guys. Jones is a very good defender, but Murray is a great offensive player. It's strength on strength.

Same with Labissiere against Jefferson. Jefferson might make it tough on Labissiere, but I think Skal will still do fine.

Poythress will likely give Ingram fits with his muscle (if he is healthy enough to play). I think that is a matchup that definitely favors the Cats.

I like Ulis against Thornton. Ulis should give Thornton fits with it being his first big college game.

Briscoe might struggle a bit against the more experienced Allen.

I think it should be a great game. Both teams have a good mixture of young talent and experience. Great early test for both.

 

[Bigblueforever]

I look for Jones to guard Murray. That will be a tough matchup for both guys. Jones is a very good defender, but Murray is a great offensive player. It's strength on strength.

Same with Labissiere against Jefferson. Jefferson might make it tough on Labissiere, but I think Skal will still do fine.

Poythress will likely give Ingram fits with his muscle (if he is healthy enough to play). I think that is a matchup that definitely favors the Cats.

I like Ulis against Thornton. Ulis should give Thornton fits with it being his first big college game.

Briscoe might struggle a bit against the more experienced Allen.

I think it should be a great game. Both teams have a good mixture of young talent and experience. Great early test for both.

Agree on test for both.