Rivals Roundtable: Primed programs, key games, five-star breakouts

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There are fewer than 90 days until the college basketball season tips off, and this week’s roundtable provides a peek ahead at what the year may hold. Today, Rivals analysts Rob Cassidy and Jason Jordan discuss three topics related to the upcoming season from programs primed to help themselves on the recruiting trail to which game they have circled in red ink on the schedule.

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1. WHICH PROGRAM DO YOU THINK IS ONE GOOD SEASON AWAY FROM A BIG BOOST IN RECRUITING PULL?

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Cassidy: I’ve talked about this as an absolutely pivotal season for Mike Woodson before and I’ll say it again here. What happens in Bloomington this year is likely to define the Woodson era at Indiana for better or worse. Another missed NCAA tournament would make two in a row and warm Woodson’s seat to the point of muffling his recruiting power. Living up to preseason expectations and competing for a Big Ten crown, however, would have his Indiana resume looking much different.

The Hoosiers have not qualified for three NCAA tournaments in four years for nearly a decade, and doing so under Woodson, who is armed with NIL cash and a growing reputation for putting players in the NBA Draft, would help the Hoosiers take the next step in winning additional major national recruiting battles.

Jordan: I’d definitely say Pitt. Jeff Capel is a name I hear frequently among players and parents as a guy they all love and relate to and he’s putting together NCAA tournament-worthy resumes. Most agree that Pitt should’ve danced last season, but Capel and Co. have moved on with a solid…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/rivals-roundtable-primed-programs-key-042209406.html

Author : NBC Sports

Publish date : 2024-08-10 04:22:09

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