NCAA Basketball: A look at top early contenders for No. 1 prospect Cooper Flagg

Villanova Wildcats

Few programs have raised their respective stock in the past decade than Villanova, with a pair of still recent, national championships. But that was with Hall of Fame head coach Jay Wright, who was since replaced by Kyle Neptune. He had a rough first year but with this new rebuilt roster, the Wildcats could easily have a big year and erase any questions about him.

This kind of recruitment, however, will be tough for Neptune to win. He just doesn’t have the same kind of resume as the others right now and if Flagg joins the 2024 class, there just isn’t the time to make up ground, unless they make a Final Four run next season.

West Virginia Mountaineers

It’s amazing what a month of time can do. A month ago, the Mountaineers were viewed as a legit contender for Flagg, as they’ve been after him hard in the initial process. But that was with Hall of Fame head coach, Bob Huggins. He’s since been let go after a DUI arrest and there’s now a potentially ugly process between him and the University.

Assistant Josh Eilert is the interim head coach but there’s likely going to be a full search next offseason. So the reality is that class of 2024 and even 2025 prospects are likely not viable for the basketball program, especially like Flagg, until it’s clear who is running the program. For a team like Duke, it’s welcomed news that another contender likely is out of the mix now.