[MD Buckeye]

ESPN - UCLA's class could help Bruins to another Final Four - Insider

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

UCLA's class could help Bruins to another Final Four

Every year, coaching changes and commitments from players have a major impact on action that takes place in the time span between the early and late signing periods for college basketball. When the season ends and the coaching carousel begins to move, a number of talented players also start to move, often switching their allegiance to new college basketball programs if their original school of choice hires a new coach. Also, some players who give verbal pledges to schools decide against signing a letter of intent during the early signing period. This generally happens if the player believes he can play at a higher level or if his school of choice starts to recruit better talent and he fears will not receive playing time.
This heightened level of activity among coaches and players serves to dramatically alter the national recruiting scene and the rankings of the top recruiting hauls in the country. The 2008 recruiting class has experienced its share of coaching and player movement. This has helped some programs skyrocket in the rankings, while other programs have dropped in the rankings due to losing players to other teams.

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3. Ohio State, six signed prospects

The Buckeyes have one of the most versatile classes in the country. When he plays with intensity, B.J. Mullens gives Ohio State a superior inside presence, which will come in handy given Kosta Koufos' early departure for the NBA. The Buckeyes added two juco players since the early signing period, bringing power forward Nicola Kecman and point guard Jeremie Simmons on board. Both players will bring maturity to a very young team and mesh perfectly with ESPN 100 prospects Will Buford, Walter Offutt and Anthony Crater.