Moderator

  (2:59 PM)

Thanks for all your questions folks. I am just about to to get Dave on the phone.

Dave Telep

  (3:00 PM)

Hey guys, we are really excited about releasing our rankings for 2012, 2013 and 2014. Thanks for all the questions. Let's get to them.

Wesley (Hopewell, Virginia)

Dave, at this point, most all of the reports that I've read suggest that once Justin Anderson is through with his exams this week, he will likely announce his decision to become a Virginia Cavalier. Based on your gut instincts, how do you think the decision-making process will ultimately pan out? And assuming he does come to Charlottesville, how do you see Anderson being utilized in Tony Bennett's system? Go Hoos!

Dave Telep

  (3:01 PM)

Barring an unexpected hitch that would come as a shock to those recruiting Anderson and those in the know, I imagine it's sooner than later until he's a Cavalier. Tony Bennett doesn't have a dynamic athlete like this young man. He'll be a beast in transition. If he rebounds he's a different player.

bochu (chicago)

why did dajuan coleman drop in the rankings? He's the most skilled low post player in the class. I saw the late Tractor Traylor play in high school. Coleman has better footwork and positions himself better at the same stage.

Dave Telep

  (3:03 PM)

Sometimes it's not a function of a guy dropping but of others playing their way up. With Coleman I think he's fantastic. You know what you are going to get every time out. He punches the clock. I never saw him moving to No. 5 as a "drop." McGary's been great, more diverse and we took a bit of a flier on him. We'll see how it all plays out.

Matt (Evansville)

It seems as if Indiana's recruits have been slipping a bit in the rankings. Is this a direct result of their lackluster play on Indiana Elite the last few months or is there more to it?

Dave Telep

  (3:05 PM)

Matt, sometimes when you take guys so early, there's a chance others emerge. In this specific case, I think some of the 2013 guys have work to do. We've got a good read on Yogi and Hanner and I feel like we've ranked them accordingly. Yogi is the most intriguing to me because he's got a chance to make headway. Hanner has to develop a scoring move that he can rely on. Athletically and as a rebounder he excels.

Tom (NW D.C.)

DC has some great basketball players, but I don't see anyone mentioning how Mark Turgeon is also coming from Texas, where your rankings are littered with TX Guys. Are there any TX players Turgeon was really on the hunt for at A&M that you think he will try to push hard for at UMD?

Dave Telep

  (3:06 PM)

Tom, that's a great point. Here's the counterpoint: those Texas guys have been fairly loyal to the Big 12 country the past few years. I think Turgeon will dip into Texas, but I'm not sold on MD beating UT for the No. 1 player in the state and Baylor's locking up their share. Will he visit Texas? Sure he will, but he'll be even more national at MD.

robert (texas)

does unc have a shot at any bigs in 2012 class? they will need them.

Dave Telep

  (3:08 PM)

I think North Carolina is actively looking for guys whose play and situations fit their mold. Tony Parker is one of them but some of the higher guys like Coleman and Drummond aren't setting up well for them. Tarczewski is one they like. If I were Roy Williams, I'd revisit Robert Carter, make a run at Shaq Goodwin stick my nose in there on Shaquille Cleare.

Dave (PA)

Dave, I've been reading that Arizona has peaked the interest of Shabazz Muhammad as well as Brandon Ashley. What would you say their chances are with either of these elite players? Thanks.

Dave Telep

  (3:09 PM)

Let's get this straight right off the bat: Sean Miller is rocking. To get Muhammad he's going to tangle with UCLA, Duke, North Carolina and a host of others. It can be done. Last time I took the temperature of this one, UCLA had a little momentum. Don't see it ending any time soon so we'll see.

Stan (Phoenix)

What are coaches doing between now and the July evaluation period? Can they contact the recruits?

Dave Telep

  (3:11 PM)

Stan, some are vacationing, on the speaking tour or planning out their elite and public camps. June is a big elite camp month so cobbling up a hitlist and getting them onto campus before July is a priority

Cheesehead Sports Nut (Chicago, IL)

I personally like it when up and coming coaches (i.e. Brad Stevens) stay at the smaller programs they helped build instead of leaving for a bigger program that has been struggling. Do you like it when up and coming coaches stay at the program they helped build or do you think those coaches need to strike while the iron is hot?

Dave Telep

  (3:13 PM)

Great question on coaches. It really comes down a personal preference. With Stevens and Smart, they are well taken care of. They like being where they are at. The pressures that come with a BCS job often times aren't worth the cash. I think those guys are hot for a reason and that's becuase they are superior at their jobs. I think they are wise to bet on themselves and be selective. If you're good, your time will come again. They are just betting on themselves and enjoying the job they're at.

Matt (NJ)

When Jim Calhoun steps down do you think UCONN will take a slight step back in their recruiting efforts?

Dave Telep

  (3:14 PM)

There's a loaded question. It depends on a number of factors, first and foremost being his successor. A strong hire could actually generate momentum. Sanctions and a prolonged struggle to give the job away would have an adverse affect. Tough question, couldn't give you a straight answer at this point.

Nolan (San Antonio)

I believe that Anthony Davis will be special, but at 190 pounds won't it take him awhile to have an impact as a college big man?

Dave Telep

  (3:16 PM)

Bet on Anthony Davis. College strength programs at the highest level help. As to impacting as a freshman, he's going to do it. It won't be like the impact he'll have four years from now but I'm willing to bet you notice him on the floor from time to time.

Heels4ever2009 (Carolina Country)

Tar Heel 2012 Recruit Paige is a left handed PG and so is Marshall. Does it help or hurt a team if both PG's are left handed or is this a stupid question and I have to much time on my hands.

Dave Telep

  (3:17 PM)

Interesting thought. Neither helps nor hurts now get back to work!

Rob Mayer (Oakville, Missouri)

Dave, big fan of yours, thanks for taking the questions. Now that Rodney Purvis has decommitted from Louiseville, where do you see the talented guard ending up?

Dave Telep

  (3:18 PM)

Rob, Purvis is going to get pulled by the NC State staff toward Raleigh. Duke is going to recruit him as well. Missouri just took a commitment from his buddy Tyrek Coger and Louisville, though its a long shot, hasn't tossed in the towel. UK is mixing it up with him. He's been over NC State a lot this spring. Buckle up!

Greg (NC)

DT, at your old job you didn't have a lot of guys to spin ideas off of. Now on ESPN I see so many scouts contributing to the bb recruiting. Does it make it easier or harder to finalize lists when many people have a say in the rankings?

Dave Telep

  (3:20 PM)

Greg, great question. I love that we have so many guys (and great evaluators) at our disposal. They're getting used to me and I'm getting to know them better as well. Most of us knew each other pretty well going into the season. I think its a benefit, especially since with a handful of guys we can see more. My job is processing the information we have at our disposal and compiling the lists. We then bounce them around, make tweaks and share ideas. When there's a tough call it goes to me, its got to be done. Overall, it's an extremely positive experience and one we use teamwork to accomplish.

kris (texas )

why isnt anthony bennett higher? every time is see him play he dominates, plus hes really improved his shot from 3 hasnt he?

Dave Telep

  (3:22 PM)

I think Anthony Bennett stands a chance to move up. Sometimes, it takes a young man a while to truly recognize his strengths. With Anthony, myself and a host of others see him as a matchup problem as a PF. When we've rated him highest its coming off games where he's playing the four with energy and rebounding. When he turns himself into a 3-point shooter he loses his overall floor balance. To me, if he can fall in love with who he is, which is a potential face-up four who can run, play at the rim and get after it with energy, then he'll move up. Good prospect, nice ceiling and most important has the ability to hit the ceiling.

Matt (Memphis, TN)

Tell me you see Stokes heading to Memphis?

Dave Telep

  (3:24 PM)

Matt, Memphis is going to be a player for Stokes. Tennessee, under Bruce Pearl, would have gotten him. He's a quiet kid who I can't see going too far from home. Not sure how it plays out but Tigers are trying.

noah (la)

Hey Dave, thanks for all the hard work. With the new top 100 out UCLA looks to be in the mix for alot of the names on the list. Who do you think will realistically land in Westwood?

Dave Telep

  (3:26 PM)

I think if UCLA could handpick one recruit it would Shabazz Muhammad. They've been gathering steam behind the scenes for him. There's a real chance with Shaq Goodwin and Jordan Adams as well provided McCray is the hire post-July.

JB (texas)

Being a longhorn fan i would love DeAndre Daniels, but KU has a better fit for him with surrounding talent unlike my horns? Where SHOULD he go?

Dave Telep

  (3:27 PM)

JB, DeAndre Daniels is one of the most unique and drawn out recruitments I've ever seen. Scratch that, it may in fact be the longest. As of last week, it was down to Texas and Kansas. However, Paul Biancardi raised a great point during our Recruiting Insider show last week. If he didn't sign (he has three weeks to turn in his LOI) then you can expect other teams to play the waiting game. Daniels shut down communication with guys on the Longhorns team last week so the players themselves are in the dark as to what is happening. Texas, Kansas, University of Delaware (gotta plug my alma mater at this point, right?), it doesn't matter. Just make a decision. It's hard to be a great player with a cluttered mind. I hope DeAndre finds some peace with his decision and settles in on HIS choice, whatever that may be.

Tim (Chicago)

Dave, I know he's hard to scout but what will it take for Steve Adams to crack the rankings?

Dave Telep

  (3:29 PM)

We haven't seen Steven Adams and hesitate to mess with international guys (I know, we included Andrew Wiggins). Here's what I know about Adams. He's viewed as an excellent prospect and coming from Australia he shouldn't be a surprise. The folks down there know what to do with a good big guy because they've given a lot of them to US colleges. I'd forget about the ranking and know that you have coming to campus a bonafide high-major big man.

Chris (NY)

with Cameron Ridley in the fold, and a ton of talent in Texas, what type of class do you see Texas getting? who can we seriously get? Shaquille Cleare? L.J. Rose? Sheppard? Reese?

Dave Telep

  (3:30 PM)

Chris, I think Rose and Cleare are high up on the wishlist. J-Mychal Reese and Rose are eliminators for each other and Reese may be a Kansas lean.

Ty (( Syracuse ))

At this point, do you think Syracuse has locked up Dajuan Coleman's commitment ?

Dave Telep

  (3:31 PM)

Ty, personally, I'd be surprised to see Coleman go anywhere but Syracuse. He's right there. There isn't another elite college team that truly thinks they can pull him out of Boeheim's grasp but to your point, he hasn't done it yet. If I was a betting man, and I've been known to play a few hands, I'd put my money on the Cuse but if in three months he hasn't pledged I would hesitate to go all in.

Ben (memphis)

Why is Jarnell Stokes behind Alex Poythress and a few other prospects. When he has clearly out played them.

Dave Telep

  (3:33 PM)

They are different positions. Like them both. Poythress is transitioning to a small forward spot; Stokes is more PF/C. Poythress has a bigger ceiling and upside. We'll value him slightly higher provided he continues to demonstrate improvement like he has. Though Stokes' ceiling isn't as high he is in the process of maxing it out and there's plenty to be said for that.

Dave (Jersey)

Played in a men's league 2 yrs ago that Dajuan Wagner was playing in (and I'm not that good). How the mighty have fallen

Dave Telep

  (3:35 PM)

Wagner was one of the decade's best wing prospects. He was done in by injury. He never fully recovered and then had more physical problems on top of that. He was a HELLUVA HS player and did well in college too. If memory serves me correct, he pulled up one year at a major camp in a limo! Those were the days!

Chris (Ny)

when are you going to put Texas on McGary's list? He has said in the past that they are in his top four.

Dave Telep

  (3:36 PM)

Chris, Texas is on McGary's list. If its not listed there its an oversight on our part and one we'll correct.

Dave Telep

  (3:36 PM)

Chris, Texas is on McGary's list. If its not listed there its an oversight on our part and one we'll correct.

Lauren (Columbus)

How well will Matta be able to continue recruiting when he seems content to play a very tight lineup?

Dave Telep

  (3:37 PM)

Matta's been one of the 10 best recruiters of the last decade. They have a revolving door of talent. There's a dry spell in his recruiting backyard so he's going to have to escape his comfort zone and be a bit more national. In terms of his style, haven't heard it hurting him so far.

Ben (memphis)

With Damien Wilson committing to Memphis. Does this make Memphis' chances of getting both Jarnell Stokes and Shaq Goodwin better?

Dave Telep

  (3:39 PM)

Ben, it certainly doesn't hurt. It could really help open the state of Georgia to the Tigers and at this point, who wouldn't want to recruit in Georgia? The state has 3 Top 25 kids in 2012.

Tim (Atlanta)

Does Ohio State lead for any of the '12 players? Or at least among the few favorites for a recruit.

Dave Telep

  (3:43 PM)

Speaking of Ohio State, I was around TJ Warren last week and the Buckeyes are definitely in the mix there. They offered him the Bucks are in good shape there on that one. They've spent time with Tony Parker and Robert Carter and both continue to mention Matta's men.

Tony (Richmond, CA)

Dave, does back 2 back FF appearances open the door for Butler to recruit the next level of athlete both in and out of state? A Mitch McGrary, Gary Harris for example. As well as compete with big boys on a regular basis.

Dave Telep

  (3:45 PM)

Butler will only recruit "Butler" guys. Brad Stevens doesn't see rankings, he sees "fit." They will not change the formula that provided them with two championship game appearances.

jake (florida)

It seems as if Kentucky will not take home the number 1 class in 2012. I cant see any of the top guys committing there. Do they have a chance of landing muhammad, purvis, or ashley?

Dave Telep

  (3:48 PM)

Jake, UK's run at No. 1 recruiting classes was ridiculous. Never seen anything like it; they were too hot to keep it going. In the mix with Purvis, Ashley and Muhammad though doesn't seem like they enter the summer leading for any. They could land Ryan Harrow and that would take them out of the race for Purvis I would assume since Rodney would like to play PG in college.

Brett (Newport Beach)

Could Grant Jerrett and Brandon Ashley share the same front court?

Dave Telep

  (3:53 PM)

I'll say this about Arizona's recruiting and potential frontcourt. With Jerrett and the guards they have, adding Ashley would make them a prohibitive favorite to win a national championship. The Wildcats have good relationships with his AAU coaches but Ashley's been pretty vague about his choices so far.

Chris (Ny)

why did Cameron Ridley drop in the rankings?

Dave Telep

  (3:58 PM)

Cameron Ridley's "drop" was more a function of us getting a better read on him. It's my fault, I probably boosted him a little too high last time around. Now, he could erupt this summer because he's got the game inside to beast the competitors so he may work his way rick back up there.

Dave Telep

  (4:00 PM)

Folks, thanks for taking time out of the day and coming over. We're really excited about this rankings release and hope you make ESPN the singular place for recruiting information and rankings. We want you to trust us with your complete college basketball experience!