Final 2004 Class Insiders Rankings

Insiders has posted their final top 100 rankings from the hoops high school class of 2004 (thanks RamblinRed for the tip). This is done by recruiting analyst Dave Telep. All four GT recruits make the list:

49..... Ra'Sean Dickey
89..... Anthony Morrow
90..... Buck Fredrick
93..... Jeremis Smith

Other ACC teams stack up like this:

UNC...........Williams #7, Smith #11(NBA), Thomas #40
Duke...........Livingston #2(NBA), Nelson #30, McClure #57
FSU............Swann #36, Rich #39
NCST.........Simmons #24, Brackman #42, Grant #70
UVA..........Singletary #35
MD............Gist #60
VT...........Cooke #74
Clemson.......Sam Perry #85

Overall 19 players from the top 100, far distancing itself from other conferences in getting top talent. Of course the group could be stronger without the NBA defections or the nightime job at least one recruit had (Jameson Curry wasn't burning the candle at both ends, but he was burning something). If you want to read a good article on Curry from the Washington Post - click here.

Not only this, but the ACC generally returns the bulk of the talent from last year. There were some important vacancies, but if you thought the ACC was tough last season, just wait.

By the way, Randolph Morris moved up to #8 in the rankings. Ok, Ok, I'll let it go soon. By the way, just heard that one of UK's project 7-footers (with Morris they will have 3 7-footers) will be redshirting for his sophomore season. Tubby's comment - "In hindsight we should have redshirted him last year". Tubby, come on..... in hindsight you didn't have Morris starting at center. So guess what - you don't need this kid anymore. You thought you needed him last year, so you kept his eligibility open. Now you don't need him, so you want to put him on the shelf for another year. As the song goes - "Tubby luv da kids"...... Really, I will let it go. I promise.

On a sad note, one of Maryland's recruits was involved in a car accident (story here). The good news is that it looks like he should make a full recovery.

Here is Dickey V's take on the top recruiting classes. You knew he could not get through one article without mention of UNC and Duke. Couldn't do it!!! (By the way, is it me, or does it look like Tubby Smith needs some Exlax in that picture?)