In order for schools to consistently be college basketball betting favorites they have to have a great recruitment program. Part of collegiate sports is the constant need to fill holes left by departing athletes, year in and year out. The reasons are innumerable; players can transfer, graduate, or even decide to enter the NBA draft. If teams don’t have a good recruiting program then they can go from winning a national title, to not even making the sweet sixteen. In college ball recruitment is everything and it’s even more important for NCAA betting fans to understand which schools are the best recruiters. So, which schools have the best recruiting class for the 2017 season?
#1 Washington Huskies College Basketball
The big catch for this recruiting class is ironically the son of recently hired Washington assistant coach Michael Porter Sr. His son, Michael Porter Jr., has been busy making a name for himself with an internet video that even made it to SportsCenter. Hailed by many as the #1 recruit snatching him up alone would get your school placed on this list. Throw in 4-star guard Jaylen Nowell and a couple of 3-star recruits in Blake Harris and Mamoudou and you have 2017s best recruiting class. The addition of Porter should be enough for the Huskies to make a splash across all the best college basketball betting websites.
#2 Auburn Tigers
Austin Wiley may the final piece the Tigers needed to be a force in the SEC. Standing at 6’10” 250 lbs. it’s easy to see why Wiley is expected to be such an impact player. What makes Wiley such a formidable weapon on offense is his ability to both take the ball to the rim and get off the floor quickly. Auburn also added 4-star recruit Davion Mitchell who is the perfect point guard to compliment Wiley’s play style. While they still have a long ways to go before becoming college basketball betting favorites, the addition of Mitchell and Wiley is a step in the right direction.
#3 UCLA Bruins
UCLA was lucky enough to get all their recruits to commit ahead of time; their 2017 class has been committed since last September. The most impactful of their recruits is 4-star guard Jaylen Hands. With his athletic build and dribbling abilities he will be the forerunner to replace Lonzo Ball. Jalen Hill is another 4-star recruit for this class and with the right coaching Hill can become a foundation for this Bruins team. Ironically, Lonzo’s brother Liangelo will also be joining the Bruins in 2017.
#4 Illinois Fighting Illini
John Groce has been Illinois’ head coach since 2012, yet, every year a coveted 5-star recruit seems to elude his grasp. Until this year when they convinced Jeremiah Tilmon – an in-state 5-star recruit – to commit to the Fighting Illini. Tilmon’s size and knack for getting the rebound should make an immediate difference for this Illinois team. Joining him is DaMonte Williams, son of Frank Williams whose alma mater is Illinois. Had they gotten another 4-star recruit they might’ve ranked higher on this list but Javon Pickett, a 3-star recruit, is still a great addition nonetheless.