Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball Recruiting: Early look at each program’s 2019 class

By Justin Thind

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 12: A general interior view of the empty court during the semifinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 12, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 12: A general interior view of the empty court during the semifinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 12, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – DECEMBER 2: Head Coach Richard Pitino of the Minnesota Golden Gophers shouts instructions to his team in the first half the Ohio State Buckeyes on December 2, 2018 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – DECEMBER 2: Head Coach Richard Pitino of the Minnesota Golden Gophers shouts instructions to his team in the first half the Ohio State Buckeyes on December 2, 2018 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Richard Pitino’s time at Minnesota hasn’t yielded the kind of overall success that many hoped it would. He can still turn things around, but this year’s recruiting class might not do him any favors if it ends as-is. So far, the Golden Gophers only have one commitment, SG Tre Williams. Williams recently saw his ranking skyrocket to 109th overall (247Sports’  Composite), while picking up his fourth star in the process.

Such a thin class is worrisome considering that Minnesota loses two starters, Big Ten all-time leading rebounder Jordan Murphy and guard Dupree McBrayer, as well three bench pieces (Brock Stull, Matz Stockman, and Jarvis Johnson). After losing so much, Pitino really needed to replenish some of that contribution in this recruiting cycle; however, all hope is not lost in regards to making another addition just yet.

Minnesota still has a good shot to land top-150 overall combo guard Grant Sherfield. Sherfield was once signed to UCLA, but Steve Alford’s firing allowed him to get a release from his Letter of Intent and look elsewhere. Minnesota is getting the first of his three upcoming official visits, so that is a good sign for Gopher fans. He’s a big need for Minnesota at this point, as it doesn’t look like many of their other targets are heavily considering the program at this point.

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