Moderator

  (11:57 AM)

Hello everyone, thanks for all your questions. I am just about to get Dave on the phone.

Dave Telep

  (11:59 AM)

Great to be here celebrating the conclusion of the early signing period. We've got some situations that are fluid and will leak into the spring but we're pretty much putting a bow on this baby!

Drew (Chicago)

What kind of player is Michigan State getting in Gary Harris? Can be an impact player as a freshman? Also, what are your thoughts on the other three members of the 2012 Spartan class (Costello, Kaminski, and Valentine)?

Dave Telep

  (12:02 PM)

Gary Harris is a two-way player for the Spartans. There are fewer "alpha dogs" than most fans realize but I think Harris is one of them. He has big enough shoulders to carry the load and wants the ball in his hands at the end of the game. With 8 McDonald's AA's on the floor in the championship game at NBA Camp, Harris finished with the ball in his hands and made a game-winning shot. All I needed to see.

konnor Barlow (Taylorsville, KY)

What impact do you believe UCLA's mid-major losses will have on Shabazz?

Dave Telep

  (12:04 PM)

This is a question that's being asked all around the country. There are two ways to look at this and the best recruiters spin it their way. Obviously it has to be addressed with the recruits. Instead of dwelling on the losses, Ben Howland is likely to turn it around on Shabazz and say, "see what happened. We need YOU. You can help us avoid this. We need a star, a program changer and we don't lose if we have you and Kyle Anderson." If Muhammad sees himself in this light and your pitch is strong, you can overcome the ugly losses. The problem tends to be the people around the prospect who might be thinking otherwise. Delicate situation for sure.

Rick (North Carolina)

Mark Gottfried has put in quite a haul, can his class get even better?

Dave Telep

  (12:05 PM)

Mark Gottfried hit a triple and rounded third looking for the home run. If Amile Jefferson were to sway his way, he'd have himself a homer. Over the next few months, you'll hear other names mentioned to. They aren't done trying.

Joe (RI)

2 months ago Ray Lee was supposedly going to commit to Rhode Island, but he has now decided to wait till the spring. Who do u think he ends up with he is considering Rhode Island, Houston, Colorado and Psu?

Dave Telep

  (12:06 PM)

Ray Lee's off-the-court situation will dictate to a big degree what his recruiting situation brings. No idea where he ends up at this stage.

Jay (Providence)

Do you see cooley continue to have his recruiting success. Or is this year a one hit wonder.

Dave Telep

  (12:08 PM)

Jay, when Easy Ed was on BC's staff with Bill Coen, to me they were the best 1-2 punch in terms of evaluating prospects in the whole country. Cooley got his job at Fairfield and recruited at a high level. Will he have Top 10 classes at Providence every year? That's going to be tough but I bet he keeps getting players that will help the Friars ascend in what will be a different Big East going forward.

robert memphis tn [via mobile]

Whats the latest on jarnell stokes

Dave Telep

  (12:11 PM)

Stokes obviously didn't sign. 10 days ago he told me Shaq Goodwin to Memphis was a good sign for the Tigers; we'll see if that holds up. Arkansas, Florida, Memphis and Kentucky with Tennessee still alive.

Tom (Cincinnati, OH)

Dave,Why do recruiting analysts cater towards kids playing AAU ball? As a Jayhawks fan, I know Zach Peters' rankings dropped from the #1 overall prospect in his class to unranked within ESPN and to the 140's on Rivals. I can understand other players passing him up in the rankings, but how would that change his evaluation (i.e. 5 stars to 2)? Also, does it look like Andrew White will wait for the spring period? Thanks!Rock Chalk!

Dave Telep

  (12:12 PM)

Tom, Peters ranking has nothing to do with his AAU play, I saw him with his HS team last year too. This is a simple answer: you have to keep getting better. Period. You can't run and when given the chance to play vs the best, you have to perform. Peters is a role guy at the highest level, that's where he evolved to for a place like Kansas. Athletically, the rest of the pack caught up to him as he was big and effective as a FR but leveled out heading into his senior year. One of two things will happen. He will demonstrate improvement and we're wrong or he'll be a career rotation player for the Jayhawks.

Ty) (Syracuse)

What are the odds Syracuse lands Nerlens Noel, he'd be a great fit in the zone.

Dave Telep

  (12:14 PM)

Syracuse, quietly, has worked Nerlens Noel exceptionally hard. He's the prototype big man for their style so he's key. They have some players from his AAU program which never hurts and they're a factor.

Micah (Indiana)

Which one of IU's recruits do you think will have the most immediate impact? same question for Arizona. i believe it's Perea for IU and York for Zona.

Dave Telep

  (12:15 PM)

Micah, love where you're going with this. At IU, it'll be either Yogi Ferrell or Jeremy Hollowell right off the bat. Personally, I think Ferrell changes the entire complexion of their backcourt so I'd hand him the ball. From a chemistry standpoint, it's difficult to massage that with Jordan Hulls who has been there a long time. For Arizona, I'll go with Ashley but if Zona's backcourt doesn't settle down this year, watch for Gabe York because he's capable of coming in and getting buckets.

Tyler (ATL)

Dave Why did Shaq Goodwin pick Memphis over Georgia?

Dave Telep

  (12:16 PM)

The question isn't why did Shaq Goodwin pick Memphis over Georgia. The question is why didn't he pick UCLA over Memphis? The Bruins had his last visit but days afterwards he toppled for Memphis. This tells me that he liked Memphis above all during the fall period.

Ben (Auburn, AL)

With Auburn recently opening a new state-of-the-art arena and compiling a top-25 recruiting class, do you think Auburn is on the verge of being a competitive contender or just a pretender?

Dave Telep

  (12:18 PM)

Ben, since the middle of the summer we've trumpeted what Auburn has done. Jordan Price is one of the most improved guys out there. It's going to take multiple classes to right the ship and this is the first layer.

Chris (NY)

If Ridley doesn't go to Texas, where do you see him going? At heart he wants to be a longhorn, but the people around him are manipulating him...What could they gain by doing that?

Dave Telep

  (12:20 PM)

If Cameron Ridley doesn't sign with Texas (and he didn't) then it's about to get interesting in H-Town. My amateur sleuth work leads me to believe Houston could somehow wrangle itself into the mix. Right now, Ridley's circle is saying the right things about Texas but the fact that the period came and went lets us conclude all is not well with this commitment. Buckle up, this one could get interesting

Anthony (NYC)

Do you think the Jefferson ship has sailed on Villanova?

Dave Telep

  (12:21 PM)

No, the ship hasn't sailed for Villanova. When you're local, you always have an advantage. Chances are momma or his sisters, one of the groups, will keep a bug in his ear about Villanova. They aren't out.

Michael William Krzyzewski (Durham, NC)

What are the chances that Shabazz Muhammad and/or Tony Parker join me in the quest for 1,000 wins?

Dave Telep

  (12:23 PM)

Coach K, thanks for stopping by and congrats on 903. Hey, if you have any extra parking passes for a spot around Cameron Indoor Stadium can you send one my way? Also need a pair for the UNC game. As for your recruiting, Shabazz is going to take a long time. He's the key to you making a run at a Top 5 class. Tony Parker's family is divided. I liked your chances early but the longer it goes the tougher its going to be. This one is tough. Hope 904 is as sweet as the first 903.

Pete (Cincy)

Does Cronin have any help on the way to Cincinnati?

Dave Telep

  (12:25 PM)

Cincinnati didn't sign a single recruit. They want Chris Obekpa, a member of our ESPNU 100. They need more targets.

George (Juarez MX)

Shabazz will be a AZ Wildcat. what are the chances of that happening? if they do land him, will the class be the best of all time 4 top ten recruit and a top 50 player.

Dave Telep

  (12:29 PM)

George, you getting greedy over there? Shabazz Muhammad to Arizona would be a shocker at this stage. However, anything's possible and they have the time to keep working it. IF they got him, that would be one of the best classes in the last decade, if not the best. Only three schools (UNC 06, UNC 02 and UK10) have landed three Top 10 kids in same year. Four would be a joke. Now, not everyone values Grant Jarrett the same way we do but I contend in two years we'll be proven correct on this kid, so we value their class a little higher than some.

Mark (Bangor, ME)

Hi Dave: I was wondering what UNC is looking to do with their approximately 3 available scholarships in 2013? The class they just signed is great, but who would they be looking at to go along with Hicks?

Dave Telep

  (12:31 PM)

Mark, UNC has an offer out to PG Nate Britt but they're going to need more beef. The best in-state big outside of Hicks is Kennedy Meeks but he's not a court runner. Regardless, he's a winner and cut from the Sean May mold. We'll see if they move on him.

Jack (Detroit)

Does unlv have a strong chance with anyone left in 2012? and do you expect Rice to continue the good recruiting?

Dave Telep

  (12:36 PM)

UNLV gets to "babysit" Shabazz every day. Grant Rice, Bishop Gorman's coach, has a brother you may have head of: Dave Rice, head coach at UNLV. They have the hometown thing working for them. Outside of Muhammad, they aren't on any other big timers except maybe Anthony Bennett but that's a long shot.

Jeff (Brookyln)

How good is Andrew Wiggins??

Dave Telep

  (12:37 PM)

Let me lay out Andrew Wiggins career for you. Three more years of HS. College decision. 1-2 years of college, lottery pick in draft. 12-14 years in the NBA. Retired early with a lot of money. Any questions.

Greg (San Diego)

How good is Tyus Jones

Dave Telep

  (12:38 PM)

Greg, Tyus Jones is the best natural point guard in the country. Andrew Harrison may be a better prospect, that's up for debate. No one has command and talent to run a team like Jones. He's a mini Chris Paul at the same stage.

Mike (Miami)

How good are the 2013 and 2014 classes compared to 2012?

Dave Telep

  (12:39 PM)

We tend to overvalue the younger classes early because we know less about them and its more exciting to look to the future. Having said that, I BELIEVE the 2014 group is special. Could be a banner class. The first three guys in 2013 -- Parker, Noel, Randle -- are special and might be the strongest 1-2-3 punch since 2007. Good things are on the horizon, despite my mea culpa to be patient.

Dave Telep

  (12:39 PM)

We tend to overvalue the younger classes early because we know less about them and its more exciting to look to the future. Having said that, I BELIEVE the 2014 group is special. Could be a banner class. The first three guys in 2013 -- Parker, Noel, Randle -- are special and might be the strongest 1-2-3 punch since 2007. Good things are on the horizon, despite my mea culpa to be patient.

Scott (Detroit)

Hey who's Seton Hall going after and who can they realistically sign for 2012?

Dave Telep

  (12:42 PM)

Wish I could answer that for you. Following this chat, I'm hopping a plane to CT for the National Prep Showcase. I bet I'll run into the Pirates there and they'll be trolling for sleepers. Maybe they reconnect with NC PG Madison Jones but they're in the market for talent and won't be discriminating as to where it comes from.

Mark (Florida)

Does Kasey Hill have the potential to be top 5-10 in his class by next year? his potential seems scary

Dave Telep

  (12:43 PM)

Kasey Hill has major game. Athletically, he's a dynamo at the rim. If he's going to ascend that high, he's got to demonstrate command of his team and cut down on the high-risk/reward turnovers. My advice would be to keep it simple. He's such a high level player the game can be easy for him. However, when he tries to complicate it and force the action, he gets into trouble. Having said that, most elite programs in the country will make a pitch for him. He's quite the player.

Ashley (Lincoln)

Nebraska just finished its ridiculously nice practice/locker room facility (you seriously HAVE to check it out if you haven't seen pics) and is building a brand new, 200 million dollar arena. With that and even decent early success in the B1G, can they finally start bringing in some top recruits?

Dave Telep

  (12:46 PM)

Nebraska and Northwestern are the two programs in the country who in the last decade have not signed a Top 100 player. The new toys are great, but Nebraska doesn't have a natural recruiting base and that's a challenge. Love David Anwar's forays into Philly and the addition of Jeremy Cox to the staff will help. They're going to win by evaluating fits for Doc's program and bringing those guys in. The new buildings, etc, will help and changing leagues should give them a shot of momentum going forward.

Jay (Tucson)

Dave, do you think the McDonalds AA game voting is a broken system? What with only 2 voters being East of the Mississippi and a slew of them not even showing their faces on the AAU circuit. With the omission of T. Wroten, N. Johnson, J. Brown, and all other Westcoast players last year, something has to change.

Dave Telep

  (12:47 PM)

I'm an advocate for change in the McDonalds system. Some of the guys you mentioned last year did themselves in while others deserved to make it IMO. I would advocate an overhaul of the list of voters. The game, like every other aspect of recruiting, could use some changes but also gets it right a lot of time.

Joseph (NYC)

How good is D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera?

Dave Telep

  (12:48 PM)

Joseph, DSR is going to have a great college career. He's the classic undersized SG that scores a ton of points in college. He was tough to quantify in terms of position but once you get over that hump and recognize him as a guard, cease trying to convert him to a PG and let him do his thing, he has great value. Hoyas will love him.

Rick (Arkansas)

Mike Anderson has done a good job keeping recruits at Arkansas when he got here,do you see him getting elite talent while at Arkansas?

Dave Telep

  (12:50 PM)

Rick, Mike Anderson will have the Hogs in contention for elite guys but they need another bumper crop to come up through the state. IN-staters typically have great allegiance to the program and if Anderson has advance warning he could be tough to beat. He got the job too late to turn Archie Goodwin around so that's not a good gauge. The gauge is those 2014 and 2013 kids, guys like Tre Thompson.

Sean M. (Tucscon)

Mr. Telep. Lets say, hypothetically speaking, that I can find room for Shabazz and he joins the 2012 Wildcat class. Where would you rank those 5 players among the top classes of all time? What about the 4 man class as it stands now? One of the top-10 classes ever?

Dave Telep

  (12:51 PM)

Coach Miller, thanks for stopping by. Coach K was here earlier. To answer your hypothetical, the class would be silly good. My wife has outlawed the term "one for the ages" in our house so I can't say that anymore.

Dave (Vegas)

UNLV does have a good shot with Winston Shepard i hear though whos solid

Dave Telep

  (12:52 PM)

My bad. UNLV is in with Winston Shephard. The native Texan is an example of a potential ESPNU 100 spring kid they are runnin' with.

Andrei (Chicago, Il)

Any chance that Maryland adds anymore recruits to their 2012 class? How about Nate Britt in 2013?

Dave Telep

  (12:57 PM)

Maryland will prowl for more guys. Personally, I think they're going to need help from the coaching carousel to get another big timer. They could go overseas as well. Nate Britt, I've contended, is a litmus test recruit. UNC wants him, Duke's had three straight DC Assault PGs. MD has a former DC Assault coach on staff. Britt, whether he knows it or not, is a big test case for the power of relationships.

kevin (scottsville, ky)

does kentucky have a chance to land muhaamed or jefferson or bennett

Dave Telep

  (12:59 PM)

Kevin, UK isn't done. They're getting someone else. May be Jefferson, may be Bennett, could be Shabazz. Florida is a player for Bennett so is UConn and WVU. UK has earned the right to be considered one of the favorites for everyone on the availables list because they have a three-year run of success that has been unmatched. Never count them out. Can you believe they are in contention for four straight No. 1 classes? Stay tuned.

Dave Telep

  (1:00 PM)

OK, where did that hour go? Arizona is the big winner for the first period. UK is in contention for another ESPNU top class. Shabazz Muhammad ESPNU's alpha dog is on ice until the spring. This is shaping up to be quite the event filled spring. Stay tuned this weekend for coverage from the National Prep Showcase. Here's to a sleeper emerging from the campus of Albertus Magnus College!