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NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing 2020 F Marcus Bagley’s final 3 schools

By Tristan Freeman

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 16: Kenny Wooten #14 of the Oregon Ducks is introduced before the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Washington Huskies at T-Mobile Arena on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 16: Kenny Wooten #14 of the Oregon Ducks is introduced before the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament against the Washington Huskies at T-Mobile Arena on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: Darius McNeill #1 of the California Golden Bears looks for an opening against the UCLA Bruins during the first half at Pauley Pavilion on January 05, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: Darius McNeill #1 of the California Golden Bears looks for an opening against the UCLA Bruins during the first half at Pauley Pavilion on January 05, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /

California Bears

For those who have been following Bagley’s recruiting process, it’s not a big surprise that the Bears have made the final cut. Whether it’s from the previous coaching staff or since Mark Fox was hired this offseason as the new head coach, the program has been after the top-50 forward arguably the hardest. They’re as close to being the “hometown” school for Bagley and their education reputation is as impressive as it comes.

The obvious “pro” with Bagley joining California is that he’d become the face for the program as long as he’s there. If he’s as good offensively as projected, Bagley could drop 20 ppg and be an All-Pac 12 performer. That wouldn’t happen right away at Arizona State and with the Wildcats, he could simply be a mere role player to the bigger recruits that arrive.

Of course, the obvious “con” for Bagley is that he would essentially be forgetting playing in the NCAA Tournament in college. After an 8-23 (3-15) season, the Bears suffered a ton of roster turnover. Their best players (Justice Sueing and Darius McNeill) transferred, along with three other role players. There are a couple of good three-star recruits coming in but the odds of Cal winning more than 12 games next season is slim.

Next. All-Decade teams for Pac-12 Basketball (2010-2019). dark

Bagley arriving would be a nice boost but the team is a long ways away from being in NCAA Tournament contention. And even if Bagley plays well, that doesn’t mean that his draft stock would improve by producing for a bad team. Cal’s consistent pursuit of Bagley landed them a final-3 spot but unless he really wants to play for the Bears, look for this to be a state of Arizona showdown.

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