As the college basketball early signing period comes to a close later this week, Colorado fans have a lot to smile about. The Buffs snagged two of the top 100 players in the country and added depth to their already solid backcourt.
I wrote about the continued success that Tad Boyle was having on the recruiting trail last month but now that the class has pretty much been completed, Buffs fans can take a step back and admire, arguably, one of the best recruiting classes CU has ever had.
According to ESPN.com, the Buffs’ 2012 recruiting class has been ranked as the 21st best in the nation, including two top-100 commits in Josh Scott and Xavier Johnson. The rest of the class is rounded out with PF Wesley Gordon, SF Chris Jenkins and most recently a verbal commitment from in-state PG Xavier Talton.
But it could have been even better.
On Monday CU lost out on two prized recruits, Tyrone Wallace and Damyean Dotson, with the most notable being Wallace. Wallace narrowed his choice down between Cal and Colorado, eventually deciding to stay in-state and play for the Golden Bears. Going into his senior year of high school in Bakersfield, Wallace was considered one of the top guards in the state and would have been a nice addition to the Buffs’ class. However, I think that seeing how crowded Colorado’s guard position already is eventually swayed his decision in favor of Cal.
Regardless of the players that didn’t commit to CU, Colorado’s fan base has to be excited about this 2012 class and what it could mean for the future of Buffs basketball. Slowly, but surely, over the past year or so Colorado has begun to have some success on the hardwood and it has translated into a renewed passion for CU basketball. With all of the positive changes that the program is experiencing (a new practice facility, a new conference and a new player in the NBA) you have to be impressed with how Boyle is using those factors on the recruiting trail.
As the season gets started Friday night against Fort Lewis, the Buffs look to utilize some of the talent that Boyle has already brought to the program. Tad’s first recruit when he got to CU was a lanky forward out of San Antonio, TX named Andre Roberson. After having a stand-out year last season as a freshman, Roberson is primed for a break-out year and will be one of the top players in the conference. Freshmen guards Spencer Dinwiddie and Askia Booker will both be expected to contribute this season and it is rumored that Dinwiddie will be one of the starters come Friday. Damiene Cain, who committed to CU but then decided to not play basketball, has changed his mind once again and began practicing with the Buffs on Monday. He will be a welcome addition once he gets a few weeks of practice under his belt and gets back into game shape.
All in all the basketball program is on the rise and with Tad Boyle at the helm, CU will continue to get better and better.
Look for the complete season preview later this week.
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