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College Basketball: Ranking the top coaching moves of 2017-18 offseason

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 05: Georgetown University athletic director Lee Reed introduces NBA Hall of Famer and former Georgetown Hoyas player Patrick Ewing as the Georgetown Hoyas' new head basketball coach at John Thompson Jr. Athletic Center on April 5, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 05: Georgetown University athletic director Lee Reed introduces NBA Hall of Famer and former Georgetown Hoyas player Patrick Ewing as the Georgetown Hoyas' new head basketball coach at John Thompson Jr. Athletic Center on April 5, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – MARCH 20: Head coach Will Wade of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams reacts in the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Chesapeake Energy Arena on March 20, 2016 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – MARCH 20: Head coach Will Wade of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams reacts in the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Chesapeake Energy Arena on March 20, 2016 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

No. 4 Will Wade to LSU

While there is clearly some bad blood from the way he left the VCU Rams, former Chattanooga Mocs’ coach Will Wade has come into the vacancy left by Johnny Jones and had immediate success on the recruiting trail.

The 2017 Tigers’ recruiting class will bring in two four-star recruits, as well as three three-star recruits. The 2018 class already has a four-star recruit committed, and I expect Wade to sign some more talented players in the near future.

His immediate recruiting success was surprising, but no shocking. Even more importantly, however, Wade has proven himself as a solid coach at both of his last two programs and should continue to do so with the Tigers.

Do not expect LSU to have massive success next season, but the talent coming in through the recruiting class this season (and even next) is a huge step towards a successful future. A deep roster with solid athletes that have years of SEC experience are how you defeat John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats at the top of the SEC, and Wade has this team on that path.

The expectations at LSU are extremely high, but I think Wade can definitely meet and perhaps exceed them in the near future. Few conferences are taking as big of steps forward as the SEC year in and year out, and LSU must keep up or be left behind.