NCAA Basketball: Which 2018 recruiting classes could be most influential?

Northwestern Wildcats

Class ranking: No. 25 nationally

2017-18 was more than disappointing for Northwestern basketball. After making their first NCAA Tournament in the year prior, the Wildcats were bringing back the majority of their roster and they were expected to rise up the Big Ten rankings. Instead, the team floundered to a 15-17 (6-12) record. Replacing the senior class of Bryant McIntosh, Scottie Lindsey, and Gavin Skelly will not be easy but at least head coach Chris Collins is bringing in a highly-regarded group of recruits.

According to 247Sports All-Time Recruits listing for Northwestern, three of their incoming recruits this season are in their top-four of program history. Leading the way is 6’8″ power forward Pete Nance, who is coincidentally the best recruit to ever commit to play in Evanston. Nance is the son of former NBA star Larry Nance and the brother of current Cleveland Cavalier Larry Nance Jr.

In addition, the program is bringing in two other fringe top-100 recruits in Miller Kopp (No. 109) and Jordan Lathon (No. 118). This top trio coming in will instantly see valuable minutes as freshmen making up for the loss of the talented senior class. It might not be easy but the talent is there for Coach Collins to turn these players into stars.

Rounding out the class is Ryan Young (No. 290), a 6’10” power forward. He stretches the floor well and is an excellent passer out of the post. Young will likely be able to learn behind Dererk Pardon as a freshman before stepping into a bigger role as a sophomore.

This is the kind of recruiting class that Northwestern desperately needed. These players will hopefully launch Northwestern back to near the top of the Big Ten while also reaching the NCAA Tournament once again. If this occurs, you can expect more highly-rated recruits to head to Northwestern.