1. Missouri Western St. [D+] 7 players 14.5 stars
Uglyskunk's second class since joining the MIAA is better than his first. He brings in an impressive 7 man class with only a D+ prestige. The class is headlined by four 3.5 star recruits: Gifford, Richburg, Long and Lever. Gifford and Lever may have the most potential of the group, but Lever is also the least ready to play right now. Hitchens and Gifford (ineligible) are good looking role players, while Adkins rounds out the class from Allen Country CC. A crafty lefty, he's known for his unstoppable left handed jumphook that lead him to averaging 31.7 ppg and converting over two-thirds of his FGs. If he finds the will to work hard enough, he'll be an offensive monster at this level. A few big classes in a row may hurt Western's balance a little bit, but it'll also mean that they'll be ready to compete just a few seasons after going 4-23.
2. Missouri S&T [A+] 5 players 14.25 stars
Gutted by graduation, Rolla welcomes in 5 new players to the Science and Technology Institute. A very balanced class, it's led by big man Maurice Ballenger, a 4 star big man out of Mississippi. Ballenger brings a little bit of everything to the table. A versatile juco, Mark Laney, is the second best recruit in the mix. He can play either wing spot, is a quick athlete and strong defender. He will bring much needed immediate production to a team that lost 4 starters (including the schools all time leading scorer, David Farmar). Victor Turner is a role-playing pass first PG that figures to see rotation minutes right away. Two wildcards join the fray wearing 3.5 stars each-- ineligible Dana Brantley and lazy Larry Waters. The latter is perhaps the most intriguing, as he is athletic enough to play right away, but his skills still need time to develop. With a redshirt season, he could be a star.
3. Missouri Southern St. [B] 4 players 11.5 stars
Mattster brings in a versatile class to Joplin. The class features two strong role players: William Pope (#173 PF, 3.5 stars) is an ideal SF who will be a strong rebounder at this level and Reginald (Reggie) Crouse (3.5 stars) is a hard working utility man who can play at least 3 positions. Question marks surround Charles Boone, a below average student-athlete in the classroom and on the court. None of those same questions bother Billy Smiechowski, a lengthy Pollock right out of the 'Lou who can dish as well as most guards.
4. S.W. Baptist [A+] 3 players 11 stars
Perenial powerhouse Southwest Baptist packs a punch with 3 more strong players. The best of them is David White, a highly sought after juco transfer from the small town of Sitka, Alaska (by way of Penn Valley CC in Missouri). White has struggled with grades, but doesn't struggle with his skills on the court-- he's ready to play in his 6'9 237 pound frame. There are no holes in his game, and White sends a message to all that Coach Jones is making a title run this year and next. Said Jones, "This year and next I'll have the best team in Division 2: Athletic, deep, talented-- we'll be able to score from everywhere and stop everyone from scoring. I'll be disappointed if we don't win two in a row." Another 4 star big man is four year player Barry Dawson. Dawson was also coveted by Truman State, but ultimately choose to suit up for the right shade of purple. Dawson can do it all and might be an All-American when all is said and done. Rounding out the class is a role playing wing in John Anderson. Anderson came to play all the way from the Pacific Northwest. Although he likely figures to be just a role player at this level, Anderson has no holes and will be able to play either wing spot, giving Coach Jones some freedom moving forward.
5. Wisconsin, Parkside [B] 3 players 9.5 stars
Just three seasons ago Parkside went all the way to Montana to get their coach, and so far it's paid off. The standout of this class is James Parker, a well-rounded power forward from Cloverdale, Indiana. Parker is a late bloomer who hopes that his skills catch up to his athleticism. When all is said and done he'll be lucky if his stat sheet matches up to length of his hair. A couple other solid 3 star guards round out this class, Richie Redding and William Coleman (Canada).
6. St. Joe's [A] 4 players ?
Little could be found out about this class headed to Renssalaer. Robert Urban attempts to play for the Pumas again after spending a season in the California sun. Urban (3.5 stars) should be a good scorer capable of playing multiple positions. Two ranked guards come from Texas: Douglas Starks (#199) and Paul Robbins (#198). Wallace Lackey, a lazy center out of Michigan, comes even more highly thought of (#150). The potential may be there for a strong class.
7. Indianapolis [A+] 3 players 9.5 stars
Isustud brings 3 new prospects to Naptown. Said stud of his class, "Signed 2 big men that I'm not happy with and will probably drop one after this season. However, I'm really excited about the guard I got." That quote puts it pretty well, although the author of this column believes that Lilly can be a player at this level. One of the aforementioned big men, Howard Lilly has the potential to be a solid D2 player. Engel, on the other hand, is a bit of a stiff who doesn't seem to be willing to put in the effort on the defensive end. The gem of the class is a four star guard named Michael Clayborn. He can do it all, and he may even be able to rebound by the time all is said and done. His development on the defensive end will tell if he's an All-American or just All-GLV level player.
8. Washburn [B+] 3 players 9.5 stars
Charley brings in 3 more quality recruits to the state capital. The best of them is his son, Charles Steward II. Lightning quick with an honors degree out of Joe T. Robinson HS, Steward's 5'10 frame can score from outside OR down low on some of the best in the game, allowing him to average 42 ppg in HS while winning the state championship. A hard worker and a strong rebounder for his size, Steward earns 3.5 stars and the prediction of an All-Conference player by this author. Rounding out the class are Gerald Holzmiller, a PF with a motor that never quits, and David Bowman, a monsterous 7'1 Center from neighboring Oklahoma who should provide an immediate impact on the board.
9. Truman St. [B+] 2 players 8 stars
Coming in at #9 on our list but #1 in our hearts is kmason and his Bulldogs, who signed the number one rated recruit and this season's only 4.5 star player. Thomas Walker does everything well, but what stands out is what he does outstanding and the way that he earned his nickname in Elwood. "The Black John Stockton" will turn into one of the best passers in recent D2 memory, his speed will allow him to get anywhere he wants on the court, and he may even turn into an exceptional shooter by the time he graduates. Walker is not alone, a beast of a role player accompanies him in Anthony Pierce. Pierce is a tenacious defender with a smooth touch from the charity stripe who should compliment Walker's skillset well. This efficient two man class only brings up the ninth spot in quantity, not quality, of recruits.
10. Central Missouri, Southern Indiana, Quincy, Mercyhurst... Incomplete information to round out the top 10, Central Missouri brings in two nice players, So. Indiana brings in three guys of varying quality, Quincy gets a good ineligible in Spencer Hopwood, and Mercyhurst's Pennsylvania pipeline was a mystery to this author at the time of printing.
1/3/2011 9:21 PM (edited)