A big step toward the Big stage

Conferences are scheduling and holding media days, while the college basketball previews are coming fast and furious. The season is near (don’t forget to get your gear). And one program could be coming up on a significant moment.

Let’s get to the news.

STARTING FIVE

1. Is Cincy on the verge of a Top 10 recruiting class?

Cincinnati’s time in the American Athletic Conference is almost over and moving to the Big 12 — arguably the top college basketball league — will require a talent influx.

Coach Wes Miller is doing just that.

The Bearcats already have 4-star wing and top-60 commit Rayvon Griffith committed to its 2023 class. They’re currently in the mix for multiple top-100 players, including combo guard Jizzle James, forward Arrinten Page, and perhaps most importantly, Isaiah Collier, who 247Sports rates as the No. 1 overall prospect.

And at least one college hoops scout thinks Collier is headed to Cincy.

Michigan, USC and UCLA are also heavily recruiting the 6-3 point guard, though Cincinnati has been on him for a while. That early recruitment could pay off for a player who could end up being one of the highest-rated recruits in school history. For his part, Collier says Cincinnati, Michigan and USC have all been in regular contact. He’ll reportedly make a decision in November. As one would expect, it’s got fans and alumni giddy.

If he picks the Bearcats, there’s a great chance James and Page would both follow and give them a Top 10 recruiting class comprised of an impact player and quality depth. If that happens, expect more tweets like this because they’ll have a roster that could compete in the Big 12 from the start.

2. Most talented teams to miss the Big Dance

The Angels won’t make the MLB playoffs. Again. With Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani on the roster. It’s a reminder that talent doesn’t always guarantee a chance at a title, let alone a spot in the playoffs. Here are some talented college hoops teams who missed the NCAA Tournament. (The guys from the DTF podcast also covered this, so check that out.)

Washington, 2019-20

After 27 wins and a Pac-12 title in 2019, Washington brought in two 5-star prospects in Jaden McDaniels and Isaiah Stewart along with Kentucky transfer Quade Green. Things were looking good until Green was suspended for academic reasons, derailing the Huskies. A nine-game losing streak landed them in last place in the Pac-12 and nowhere near postseason contention.

North Carolina, 2019-20

The arrival of Cole Anthony was supposed to cement UNC as a title contender. Yet their postseason hopes were done long before COVID-19 ever came through, finishing under .500 overall. Armando Bacot was just a freshman that year and played second fiddle to Garrison Brooks, which is amazing to think about now.

Memphis, 2020-21

With 5-star freshman center Moussa Cisse and high-profile transfers (Deandre Williams and Landers Nolley), Memphis had a ton of depth and defense. And yet the team was average. Bad losses to Tulsa and a lack of signature wins doomed them to the NIT.

Duke, 2020-21

Despite having four 5-star freshmen, and a former 5-star scoring over 18 ppg in Matthew Hurt, nothing went right for Duke in Mike Krzyzewski’s penultimate season. It also didn’t help that Jalen Johnson, a top-10 overall prospect, left the team midway through. A trio of three-game losing streaks gave the Blue Devils a 13-11 (9-9) record and a non-NCAA Tournament season for the first time since 1995.

Kentucky, 2020-21

Kentucky had the No. 2 overall freshmen class, led by BJ Boston and the late Terrence Clarke. Olivier Sarr was the near-consensus top transfer that offseason as well, and they were a clear Final Four contender. Yet in the end, Creighton transfer Davion Mintz was the best newcomer, which wasn’t a good thing. None of the pieces fit and the Wildcats ended up with a miserable 9-16 (8-9) overall record.

3. Texas Tech loses Fardaws Aimaq to foot injury

Former WAC POY and DPOY Fardaws Aimaq was the centerpiece of Texas Tech’s 2022 class. He’s expected to anchor the defense and potentially log similar production to his 18.9 ppg and 13.6 rpg at Utah Valley. But a broken foot will sideline the 6-11 center.

Texas Tech will be evaluating Aimaq each month; the best-case scenario would be for him to return by year’s end. But considering that he’s just joining the team, the transition process will be hard for him midway through the season. The Red Raiders will miss his offense and the pressure is on Kevin Obanor to be the focal point of the frontcourt.

Yet the defense may not take much of a step back. Daniel Batcho, who transferred over from Arizona a year ago, doesn’t give much in terms of scoring but is a good defender at 6-11 and 250 pounds.

4. Don’t miss Ole Miss’ solid recruiting class

The Rebels entered Thursday with three 2023 commits, led by 4-star center Rashaud Marshall. With forwards Jacob Gazzo and Jordan Burks also in the fold, the frontcourt has been taken care of. But there weren’t any commits from anyone in the perimeter for Ole Miss … until now.

Josh Hubbard is a 4-star point guard and top-100 overall prospect out of Madison, Miss. He had a final six list that included both Mississippi programs, along with Xavier, USC, Houston and Seton Hall. He gives the Rebels a backup playmaker behind Daeshun Ruffin but could certainly vie for a starting spot next season. In an SEC recruiting arms race, Kermit Davis and Ole Miss are doing their best to keep up.

More recruiting news from Thursday:

• Notre Dame landed 4-star class of 2023 guard prospect Brady Dunlap.

• Binghamton picked up 2023 guard Evan Ashe.

• Four-star center Jacob McFarland will announce his college of choice today at 8:30 pm ET.

5. Is Isaiah Wong a top-20 player?

We’re in the Top 20 for the player power rankings as part of the teaser content for The Almanac (last chance to save with promo code HOOPS is this weekend!). Here’s the latest snapshot.

Keyonte George is a 5-star freshman who looked fantastic in Bayor’s exhibitions this offseason. Jalen Wilson and RJ Davis are coming off impressive play in runs to the national title game. But Isaiah Wong stands out — mainly because I could argue he was the third-best player on last year’s Elite Eight squad.

Don’t get me wrong, Wong has been very good in the past two years, averaging 15.3 ppg in the last season alone. He had 10 games of at least 20 points, including 21 in the team’s upset win over Auburn in the Round of 32. But Kameron McGusty (17.8 ppg) provided the scoring punch and the engine that made Miami go was point guard Charlie Moore, who allowed Wong to play off-ball.

Miami’s got an elite backcourt, as Wong will pair with Nijel Pack, who may be a better player than him. The senior guard is a quality overall player but the top-20 could be a reach for arguably the 3rd-best guy on last year’s roster. But it’s clear the Hurricanes need him to be top-20 good in order to return to the Big Dance.

TRIVIA TIME

How well do you know the none-and-dones?

With the NBA reportedly considering lowering the age to enter the NBA Draft back to 18, it prompted this week’s trivia question: Kevin Garnett was the first of 39 players drafted straight out of high school from 1995 to 2005.

Who was the last player drafted before the age change?

Answer at the bottom of The Daily.

THE FAST BREAK

Links as everyone plays Twitter detective with the Celtics.

• The 2023 USA basketball minicamp starts Oct. 7 and features more than 60 high school stars.

• Michigan State’s Tom Izzo says he’s “rejuvenated” and has no plans on retiring anytime soon.

• The Big Ten’s primary hoops official, Bo Boroski, will retire.

• Ex-UCLA Basketball point guard and 2-time national champion Greg Lee died at the age of 70.

• Is football success really so rare for basketball blue bloods?

• LSU football received sanctions for recruiting violations, but no decision yet on the hoops side.

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Trivia answer: Amir Johnson, who was selected 56th overall by the Pistons.