Recruiting: Top Five Unsigned

Well, now that the Dawgs aren't going to the NCAA's (with Vanderbilt beating Florida and Alabama looking stronger, there just isn't much room for am at-large bid for UGA), I'm curious once again about recruiting.

UGA has an open scholarship, and perhaps two if Yante Maten opts for signing with an agent.

Here are my top five unsigned hoopsters for the class of 2017:

1.  Isaiah Miller

He's the high-flying combo guard from Newton County.  I know we have watched him, but we have yet to offer, and Miller doesn't have any other high major offers.  Leads me to believe that something's not quite right, and we ultimately will not offer.

2.  M.J. Walker

For some reason we have never been in the running for McDonald's All-American Walker.  I guess we have given up, because I don't get the sense that we are actively recruiting him.

3.  Ahmad Rand

Athletic forward from Lincoln County.  Would be a decent pick-up if Yante goes pro.

Derrick Walker was our previous insurance policy, but he committed to Tennessee.

4.  Avery Wilson

Wilson should be at or near the top of our list.  We need a guy who can handle the rock, and Wilson is a strongly built point guard who can also score.  Reminds me a bit of J.J. Frazier, in the sense that he is an overlooked guy who has real potential

5.  Isaiah Banks

Tough defender and uber athlete from the Metro Atlanta area has become well-known through the video of him throwing down a tomahawk dunk and breaking the backboard.  From all I have seen, Banks doesn't have any high major offers either.


Bottom Line:  I'd be satisfied with Wilson if Miller is unavailable.  I believe that a point guard is more of a need than another big man.

Any other potential recruits out there?

J.J. has off game

Shoots 4 of 17.  Dawgs lose to Kentucky.

Still wish we had J.J. for one more year.  But all my wishful thinking doesn't change the cold, hard facts.

J.J. will graduate.  UGA basketball is competent, but far from exciting.  Recruiting is decent, but we are going deep into the spring with yet another open scholarship.

Dawgs will go to the NIT.  I'll have to find some Cinderella to root for at the Big Dance.

Sigh.

Prediction: J.J. Frazier has the game of his life

Dawgs win by 5.

Go Dawgs.  Beat despised Cats!

If Fox is Fired

Give the reins to Jonas.

Coach Hayes is a local guy, someone who bleeds red and black, and an excellent recruiter.  I believe he would do things that Fox wouldn't.  Hayes would play his freshmen, establish reasonable substitution patterns, quit yanking guys after made three-pointers, play an up-tempo style of ball, use all of the available scholarships, and work as hard in the non-conference portion of the season as the SEC.

Hayes is our best shot for keeping Yante Maten for his senior year, and for Rayshaun Hammonds to remain committed to his signed letter.  Believe you me, Coach Pastner, the excellent coaching pick-up for Tech, would love to waltz in and secure Hammonds as a late addition to next year's signing class.

No guarantee any of the mid-major guys will come here anyway, or would have better success recruiting Atlanta than Fox.

Fox could lead us to victory in the SEC Tournament, and thereby secure an NCAA berth and at least one more year or a partial year as coach.  Happened to Coach Felton.

However, if the tornadoes stay far away this year, and Fox loses on Thursday to Tennessee, then let's not overlook our home-grown talent already residing in Athens.