2011 Winners
1) Kentucky (374 pts)
#1 Anthony Davis
#3 Michael Gilchrist
#7 Marquis Teague
#19 Kyle Wiltjer
The Wildcats are the first team in RSCI history to compile three straight #1 classes. Success breeds success and with the rate the Calipari is placing guys into the NBA, this is exactly the sort of rapid fire reloading that will keep the program in the top tier.
2) Duke (355 pts)
#2 Austin Rivers
#28 Michael Gbinije
#31 Quinn Cook
#49 Alex Murphy
#61 Marshall Plumlee
#80 Tyler Adams
Having Alex Murphy reclassify for 2011 pushed this bunch into a solid second place with more depth but less high end talent as compared to Kentucky. (Are there any more Plumlee’s?)
3) St. John’s (322 pts)
#35 Dominique Pointer
#38 Maurice Harkless
#40 Jakarr Sampson
#47 D’Angelo Harrison
#51 Norvell Pelle
#73 Amir Garrett
Steve Lavin is recruiting with a vengeance and has St. John’s right back in the thick of things on the national level.
4) Ohio State (232 pts)
#32 Shannon Scott
#44 LaQuinton Ross
#46 Sam Thompson
#50 Amir Williams
The Buckeyes are in at #4 again for the 2nd year in a row and this time with 4 top 50’s.
5) Louisville (222 pts)
#24 Change Behanan
#26 Wayne Blackshear
#58 Zach Price
Kevin Ware
Ryan Taylor
Angel Nunez
Rick Pitino scored big with this group -- his best in 5 years.
6) Arizona (220 pts)
#14 Josiah Turner
#22 Nick Johnson
#59 Angelo Chol
#89 Sidiki Johnson
Sean Miller had a strong run in the 2010 NCAA tournament and turned down a number of job offers. Looking at this group, it’s easy to see why he might be inclined to stay and try to pick up where he left off.
7) Texas (205 pts)
#13 Myck Kobongo
#48 Sheldon McClellan
#68 Julien Lewis
#70 Jonathan Holmes
Sterling Gibbs
Once again, Rick Barnes brings in an impressive haul following up last year’s #6 finish.
8) North Carolina (185 pts)
#6 James McAdoo
#11 P.J. Hairston
Desmond Hubert
McAdoo and Hairston are future stars that will join an already star-studded roster that figures to be the favorite to win it all based upon early predictions.
9) Syracuse (178 pts)
#21 Rakeem Christmas
#25 Michael Carter-Williams
#79 Trevor Cooney
The Orange add some top end talent that should stack well against any in the Big East. Their second top 10 class in a row.
10) Arkansas (170 pts)
#20 B.J. Young
#42 Ky Madden
#71 Hunter Mickelson
Aaron Ross
Devonte Abron
Mike Anderson’s first year with the Razorbacks will be challenging due to some player defections but this bunch should help cushion the blow.
Honorable Mention
Alabama (148 pts)
Baylor (141 pts)
Illinois (126 pts)
Pittsburgh (117 pts)
Oklahoma State (111 pts)