Your college hoops weekend recap

While recruiting can be difficult to follow, the storylines for the top two 2023 recruits, GG Jackson and DJ Wagner, are pretty clear. It’s a battle between two respective programs for both of them, and decisions could be coming soon. Check out the latest on both of their recruitments and much more in today’s Field of 68 Daily.

STARTING FIVE

1. South Carolina on the verge of landing GG Jackson?

When GG Jackson originally committed to North Carolina this offseason, it marked a massive recruiting win for Hubert Davis. But considering Jackson’s S.C. roots and his mother’s alumni status, the pull to stay home and play at South Carolina could be too the difference in landing the player some consider to be the 2023’s top prospect.

Reclassification rumors have surrounded Jackson for over a month, so the pieces would fit if he were to move up to play for South Carolina next season. (He reportedly favored the Gamecocks prior to Frank Martin’s firing.) With the Tar Heels landing Northwestern transfer Pete Nance, the Heels have no open scholarships for Jackson if he reclassifies.

For a team whose frontcourt consists of Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk, Citadel transfer Hayden Brown and returning center Josh Gray, South Carolina desperately needs an SEC-caliber big. With electrifying bounce and maturing perimeter skills, the 6-8, 210-pound forward fits that mold. IF the Gamecocks land him, that would provide a boost for them and bump up their competitiveness in Year 1 of the Lamont Paris era.

Of course, they’ll need a lot of from the supporting cast, including former Ohio State guard Meechie Johnson, before being viewed as a threat in the league.

2. Circle the Wagners

Another recruitment that has seen a change in the wind is DJ Wagner, 2023’s top perimeter prospect. With all due respect to Memphis, this has battle come down to Louisville and Kentucky. Because new coach Kenny Payne is a “family friend,” and DJ’s grandfather and former national champion guard Milt Wagner is on the staff, it looked as if the Cards had the edge here. Or not.

Considering John Calipari’s recruiting chops, Kentucky potentially retaking the lead shouldn’t come as a surprise. If it lands Wagner, then Duke should be worried about losing its No. 1 overall ranking for the 2023 class.

The Wildcats already have commitments from top-10 prospect Robert Dillingham, and combo guard who’s lethal off the bounce, and top-30 shooting guard Reed Sheppard, who impresses with highlight dunks and a smooth 3-point shot. Plus, Kentucky is still in contention for a number of five-star wing and frontcourt options (Justin Edwards, Ron Holland, and Aaron Bradshaw).

As for Louisville, it would be a devastating loss for Payne. The personal connection aside, it would hurt any momentum Louisville desperately needed entering this season.

Look out for a potential decision from Wagner at Peach Jam, which starts next week.

3. Pac-12 vs Big 12 in conference realignment showdown

When news emerged last Monday that another shift in realignment would occur, it didn’t look good for the Pac-12. Four to six more teams were reportedly off to the Big 12 following the departure of the Los Angeles schools (USC and UCLA) to the Big Ten. Talk about Oregon and Washington moving also ensued.

Yet despite brash proclamations of the Pac-12’s demise, the ten remaining programs are still surveying their options. That includes possibly expanding, collaborating with the ACC, or staying pat and seeing the revenue compared to what an 18-team Big 12 Conference would net.

The Pac-12 could still fold in a year or two if the Arizona schools or Washington and Oregon bolt. But I believe that with the Big Ten zeroing in on Notre Dame and the ACC’s TV deal obscuring its possibilities, there will be a pause in realignment movement. At least, until the next offseason. Of course, anything can happen with millions of dollars on the table.

4. Weekend recruiting recap

Mississippi State lands 3-star center Gai Chol

New coach Chris Jans has his first commitment, landing top-200 prospect center Gai Chol. The Georgia native is a seven-foot true center that gives Mississippi State much-needed size up front. New Mexico State transfer William McNair is the projected starter, but how he fares in the SEC is a major question. Chol gives them size and depth inside once he gets there.

Justin Edwards to decide on July 17

The 5-star 2023 recruit is set to decide on the opening of the Peach Jam this weekend. The teams reportedly involved are Kentucky, Tennessee, and Auburn, with the Vols and Wildcats the teams to watch here. An SEC program will likely get his signature but which one will it be?

Duke closing in on a 2023 big man

The Blue Devils possess an embarrassment of riches in their No. 1 ranked 2023 recruiting class. The only lacking area is a true center, and if both Dereck Lively and Kyle Filipowski end up being one and dones, Duke could be without a five-man unless Christian Reeves becomes an impact player. But recent crystal balls predict that the program is locked in on one specific target.

Estrella is a consensus four-star big man who has impressed scouts the past few months. With a decision set to come before the start of next season, he may complete the staff’s work for the cycle.

5. Past realignment winners and losers

Realignment will be a word that we’re all going to have to get used to. So let’s remember how recent moves affected program. Since 2010, here are the programs that did the best and worst since switching leagues.

Winner: Liberty Flames (From Big South to ASUN in 2018)

It’s only been four seasons but the Flamers went from an irrelevant mid-major program and mid-tier in the Big South to a dominant 30-win team in the Atlantic Sun, along with a couple of NCAA Tournament appearances. They’ve yet to lose more than two games in league play in the regular season.

Loser: Missouri Tigers (From Big 12 to SEC in 2012)

The Tigers have just three NCAA Tournament appearances in 10 years. And when they aren’t dancing, they’ve been one of the worst power conference programs. If you remove the short they had five-star brothers, Michael and Jontay Porter, their time in the new conference has been even bleaker.

Winner: Creighton Bluejays (From Missouri Valley to Big East in 2013)

From a win-loss perspective, Creighton has been successful in both leagues, but winning at the Big East level is simply more impressive. They were a postseason team in 5 of 9 years (would’ve been 6 in 2020) and made the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1974. With Jay Wright retired, Greg McDermott may be the league’s top coach.

Loser: Pittsburgh Panthers (From Big East to ACC in 2013)

The Panthers used to be a contender. They made nine straight NCAA Tournament appearances (2002-2011) and were a 1 seed twice. But since moving to the ACC, the team has only made the Big Dance just twice in nine years, including a disastrous 0-18 ACC season in 2018. It’s been one of the biggest downward basketball program spirals in the past decade.

Winner: Houston Cougars (From Conference USA to AAC in 2013)

During the 1960s, 70s and 80s, the Cougars reached five Final Fours and boasted legendary teams and players. They stagnated while in Conference USA, but the move to the American Athletic Conference revived Houston — along with Kelvin Sampson’s arrival — with seven straight seasons of 20+ wins and a recent trip to the Final Four. And with another pending move to the Big 12, “realignment” may finally be working in their favor.

Loser: Nebraska Cornhuskers (From Big 12 to Big Ten in 2011)

Considering how little Nebraska accomplished in the Big 12 (one NCAA tourney appearance from 1996-2011), it’s hard to envision that the program could do worse. But that’s where they’ve been. The Cornhuskers have a combined Big Ten record of 16-54 in the past four years, which just won’t cut it in terms of even being respectable.

OFF THE CAROUSEL

A Cinderella story turns into a homecoming for Shaheen Holloway

Coach Holloway took one of the least desired jobs in the MAAC and turned the program into a consistent contender in league play. And of course, his work culminated in a historic Elite Eight run. He doesn’t have much distance to travel from Saint Peter’s to Seton Hall, but the competition in the Big East will be anything but an easy ride.

Check out this exclusive interview with the Field of 68 on how he plans to make his alma mater a mainstay in the Big Dance.

THE FAST BREAK

Links to read as you contemplate how you would reform Airbnb

• John Calipari and Kentucky Basketball are on a charity tour for tornado victims from past winter.

• Dana O’Neill of the Athletic talked with Gonzaga HC Mark Few about the current roster.

• Washington State has a tough non-conference matchup set with the Baylor Bears.

• Eric Bossi of 247sports heaps praises on top class of 2024 prospect, Naas Cunningham.

• Indiana class of 2023 target Jamie Kaiser set to visit the program soon.

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