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Mid-major Basketball: 5 biggest takeaways from 2019 recruiting classes

By Tristan Freeman

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 27: Head coach Rick Stansbury of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers reacts in the fourth quarter against the Utah Utes during their 2018 National Invitation Tournament Championship semifinals game at Madison Square Garden on March 27, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 27: Head coach Rick Stansbury of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers reacts in the fourth quarter against the Utah Utes during their 2018 National Invitation Tournament Championship semifinals game at Madison Square Garden on March 27, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT – MARCH 21: The Old Dominion Monarchs mascot reacts in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers during the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at XL Center on March 21, 2019 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT – MARCH 21: The Old Dominion Monarchs mascot reacts in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers during the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at XL Center on March 21, 2019 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

5. Conference USA tops mid-major recruiting battles

So who did the best overall from the 25 mid-major conferences? Statistically speaking, it was Conference USA who collectively performed the best. There are eight programs ranked from 72-96 overall out of 353 in Division One. Charlotte and head coach Ron Sanchez led the way in the league with four three-star newcomers. Jahmir Young from DeMatha Catholic is ranked in the top-250 overall and with several transfers eligible for next season after sitting out, the 49ers are set to improve from their eight-win season.

Texas-San Antonio got a nice commitment from 6’11 center Jacob Germany, while Western Kentucky got a late pickup in top-200 guard Jordan Rawls. And programs such as Florida Atlantic, Rice, Louisiana Tech, Marshall and Middles Tennessee all landed at least a trio of three-star high school/JUCO prospects that can easily make an impact starting next season.

Conference USA has a ton of incoming talent on the way and that doesn’t even include last place UTEP, who despite having just one commit in this class has a ton of quality transfers who sat out last year. They have a great shot at finishing right at the top in 2020.

Next. Ranking nation's 25 best homecourt advantages. dark

Not too long ago, Conference USA was getting multiple bids in the NCAA Tournament. But multiple realignments combined with power conferences getting all the at-large bids have hurt the overall prestige and talent in the league recently. The hope is that a few of these incoming prospects combined with talented transfers will bring the league back to their high point a decade ago.

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