Epperson & the highest ranked class since Baby Boilers

[SnowLeopard]

According to 247, 2017 is tied with 2013 as the highest ranked recruiting class since Baby Boilers

Another 4 star addition, like Epperson, will put this class clear at the top

How are we doing with Epperson?

2013 #27 (AJ, Ray panned out. Jay and RJ didn't. Par)
2014 #31 (Haas, Vince, Mathias, PJ. Outperform rankings)
2015 #38 (Swanigan, Cline, Weatherford)
2016 #96 (Carsen)
2017 #27

 

[Dakota Girl]

According to 247, 2017 is tied with 2013 as the highest ranked recruiting class since Baby Boilers

Another 4 star addition, like Epperson, will put this class clear at the top

How are we doing with Epperson?

2013 #27 (AJ, Ray panned out. Jay and RJ didn't. Par)
2014 #31 (Haas, Vince, Mathias, PJ. Outperform rankings)
2015 #38 (Swanigan, Cline, Weatherford)
2016 #96 (Carsen)
2017 #27

Small adjustment from my point of view:
In 2013 I feel like Simpson must be taken out of the equation. There is no way to account for an unknown heart condition in recruiting. Just glad the kid survived it.

Based on short term results I would say each of the 2015's is playing to the ranking.
I suspect Carsen will outperform his Rank.
In summary it is second tier recruiting which will keep you in the top 25 teams and the tournament but unlikely to reach the F4. An increase in 5 star recruit frequency from 1 every 15 years to 1 every 3 years might push PU up to F4 capability. Stopping the one and done tourney performances is the first step.

 

[boiler62]

According to 247, 2017 is tied with 2013 as the highest ranked recruiting class since Baby Boilers

Another 4 star addition, like Epperson, will put this class clear at the top

How are we doing with Epperson?

2013 #27 (AJ, Ray panned out. Jay and RJ didn't. Par)
2014 #31 (Haas, Vince, Mathias, PJ. Outperform rankings)
2015 #38 (Swanigan, Cline, Weatherford)
2016 #96 (Carsen)
2017 #27

Seems like you missed a class: Kendall, Bryson and Basil!

 

[C'ville Boiler]

Seems like you missed a class: Kendall, Bryson and Basil!

Yes. 2013 had them. Kendall was in the 60s I believe, Scott was around 75 and Smotherman was in the 120 range I think

 

[SIBoiler2]

Yes. 2013 had them. Kendall was in the 60s I believe, Scott was around 75 and Smotherman was in the 120 range I think

Since rankings are based on the available talent nationally in a given class 2013 must have sucked if Kendall was in the 60s and Scott was 75

 

[Boiler Buck]

As a fan I will say....God help Purdue if this class isn't special......as this class will be given quick opportunities to become special. Haas & Swanigan likely are gone after this year, and the 4 Juniors are gone then soon after, certainly opportunities will be abundant.

The key is to have a guy or two in classes whatever the ranking that out perform their rankings while @ the same time the rest of the class lives up to their billing....then a class can become special. If we can get Epperson to be at least as good as advertised, and have 1-2 of these potential guys really turn out to be special then it could be a special class.

 

[TC4THREE]

As a fan I will say....God help Purdue if this class isn't special......as this class will be given quick opportunities to become special. Haas & Swanigan likely are gone after this year, and the 4 Juniors are gone then soon after, certainly opportunities will be abundant.

The key is to have a guy or two in classes whatever the ranking that out perform their rankings while @ the same time the rest of the class lives up to their billing....then a class can become special. If we can get Epperson to be at least as good as advertised, and have 1-2 of these potential guys really turn out to be special then it could be a special class.

I'll bet you that Haas is back next year.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

Since rankings are based on the available talent nationally in a given class 2013 must have sucked if Kendall was in the 60s and Scott was 75

Actually 2013 was pretty strong at the top:
1. Andrew Wiggins 2. Julius Randle 3. Aaron Gordon 4. Jabari Parker 5. Andrew Harrison 6. Chris Walker 7. Aaron Harrison 8. Noah Vonleh 9. Dakari Johnson 10. Kasey Hill

It's also the class that contained Zac Irvin (UM), Joel Embid (Kansas), Derrick Walton (UM), Demetrius Jackson (ND), Zach LaVinie (UCLA), Troy Williams (IU), Kendrick Nunn (Illini), Malcolm Hill (Illini), Bronson Koenig (Whisky), Kris Jenkins (Nova), Josh Hart (Nova), & Derek Willis (UK).

I'd say that's a pretty solid overall class in the college game with a number of good NBA prospects but probably none become major NBA players in the top tier.

 

[cprh9u]

Yes. 2013 had them. Kendall was in the 60s I believe, Scott was around 75 and Smotherman was in the 120 range I think

This. 2013 was not a good class, although it looked good at the time. 2012 had AJH and Ray (good), Jay (inconclusive) and RJ (bad) and also looked good at the time. Most classes look good initially.

 

[TopSecretBoiler]

an epperson addition is needed. it would really complete the class nicely.

 

[StateStreet123]

How are we doing with Epperson?
___________________________________

I read that he attended the Villanova game. Is he a true center or more of a face-up type player? Should he commit (and I think he should!) I like the height of this class.

PG/G Eastern 6'6
G/F Ewing 6'7
G/F Wheeler 6'8
F/C Epperson 6'11
F/C Haarms 7'2

 

[Boiler Buck]

I'll bet you that Haas is back next year.

As a fan - I hope you are right as it would be real great to have Haas back next year. Still one has to look @ the crazy of the NBA where Myers Leonard was taken from Illinois early just because of his size and what they thought was NBA mobility....at pick 11. Anything is possible, but with Haas's size & the exposure Haas is going to get this year, I think there is better than a 50-50 shot he is gone as some NBA nut case will lay claim to Haas' NBA potential. But like I say....I sure hope you are right though.

 

[BoilerDaddy]

As a fan - I hope you are right as it would be real great to have Haas back next year. Still one has to look @ the crazy of the NBA where Myers Leonard was taken from Illinois early just because of his size and what they thought was NBA mobility....at pick 11. Anything is possible, but with Haas's size & the exposure Haas is going to get this year, I think there is better than a 50-50 shot he is gone as some NBA nut case will lay claim to Haas' NBA potential. But like I say....I sure hope you are right though.

Myers Leonard was far more mobile. I don't think that Haas would be drafted if he were to leave after this season.

 

[boilerzz]

How are we doing with Epperson?
___________________________________

I read that he attended the Villanova game. Is he a true center or more of a face-up type player? Should he commit (and I think he should!) I like the height of this class.

PG/G Eastern 6'6
G/F Ewing 6'7
G/F Wheeler 6'8
F/C Epperson 6'11
F/C Haarms 7'2

He wasn't at the Nova game. He was at the McNeese State game Friday and then came back Saturday for a visit.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

As a fan - I hope you are right as it would be real great to have Haas back next year. Still one has to look @ the crazy of the NBA where Myers Leonard was taken from Illinois early just because of his size and what they thought was NBA mobility....at pick 11. Anything is possible, but with Haas's size & the exposure Haas is going to get this year, I think there is better than a 50-50 shot he is gone as some NBA nut case will lay claim to Haas' NBA potential. But like I say....I sure hope you are right though.

Myers-Leonard is much more mobile than Haas is and can step out to his the three. Haas is much more of a traditional center that would have been a top 5 pick 20 years ago in the mid-90's NBA. He can provide a TON of matchup problems for NBA teams but probably only in spurts as teams could use his size against his team much easier than in the college game.

 

[cprh9u]

As a fan - I hope you are right as it would be real great to have Haas back next year. Still one has to look @ the crazy of the NBA where Myers Leonard was taken from Illinois early just because of his size and what they thought was NBA mobility....at pick 11. Anything is possible, but with Haas's size & the exposure Haas is going to get this year, I think there is better than a 50-50 shot he is gone as some NBA nut case will lay claim to Haas' NBA potential. But like I say....I sure hope you are right though.

Eh, if AJH couldn't get drafted after his junior year, Haas almost certainly won't be. Haas may have more ability on offense (questionable), but conditioning (funny to say with AJH), defensive presence, the ability to stay on the floor, mobility, footwork, etc. are all areas where AJH was greater than Haas IMHO.

 

[ImRonBurgandy?]

Haas is a load down low and pretty much automatic within 5ft in the college game. To me he is proving to be much more unstoppable than AJ was on a consistent basis. Obviously much different game. If Haas can show he can hit from out to 15ft and go 28-30mins/game, I think his stock goes up drastically. The fact that he is so dominant around the basket right now is alluring in itself. His defense is what it is. Big body, that takes up space.

 

[Bigohh]

Haas is a load down low and pretty much automatic within 5ft in the college game. To me he is proving to be much more unstoppable than AJ was on a consistent basis. Obviously much different game. If Haas can show he can hit from out to 15ft and go 28-30mins/game, I think his stock goes up drastically. The fact that he is so dominant around the basket right now is alluring in itself. His defense is what it is. Big body, that takes up space.

Haas has bad hands. Needs to be able to handle a pass and a contested rebound to be able to play in the NBA.

 

[Dakota Girl]

According to 247, 2017 is tied with 2013 as the highest ranked recruiting class since Baby Boilers

Another 4 star addition, like Epperson, will put this class clear at the top

How are we doing with Epperson?

2013 #27 (AJ, Ray panned out. Jay and RJ didn't. Par)
2014 #31 (Haas, Vince, Mathias, PJ. Outperform rankings)
2015 #38 (Swanigan, Cline, Weatherford)
2016 #96 (Carsen)
2017 #27

I read an article that said Nojel broke his ankle in two places in AAU prior to his junior year. His coach said he did not return to form until this summer. Maybe he will be better than we think, and we think he's really good now.

 

[BoilerStation]

Haas could go down as one of the best Centers to every play at Purdue but he is not what the NBA looks for anymore. Like somebody else said, 20 years ago he is a lottery pick, but nowadays I don't think he even gets drafted. Were he an elite shot blocker or even average shot blocker for his size he may of had a chance, but he just isn't mobile enough to keep up with how the NBA is played today. There have been hundreds if not thousands of great college basketball players that didn't stick or make it in the NBA and it takes nothing away from their college careers. I think Haas is here all 4 years and Biggie is for sure gone after this season. Other than size, Hammons is probably better than him in almost every way and look where he was taken. The Miles Leonard comparison was way off because Haas and him aren't even close to being the same type of player. Haas has to start knocking down 10 to 15 foot shots consistently to get drafted.

 

[CRBoiler]

Epperson looks like a great fit given the likely upcoming turnover among our bigs. But he sure has a lot of offers, including MSU & UNC. It's great to hear he visited recently. Does anyone have any more information on where we stand vs. other schools with Epperson? (e.g. from a friend of Jacob's childhood babysitter's uncle or something )

 

[ahhculdee]

Actually 2013 was pretty strong at the top:
1. Andrew Wiggins 2. Julius Randle 3. Aaron Gordon 4. Jabari Parker 5. Andrew Harrison 6. Chris Walker 7. Aaron Harrison 8. Noah Vonleh 9. Dakari Johnson 10. Kasey Hill

It's also the class that contained Zac Irvin (UM), Joel Embid (Kansas), Derrick Walton (UM), Demetrius Jackson (ND), Zach LaVinie (UCLA), Troy Williams (IU), Kendrick Nunn (Illini), Malcolm Hill (Illini), Bronson Koenig (Whisky), Kris Jenkins (Nova), Josh Hart (Nova), & Derek Willis (UK).

I'd say that's a pretty solid overall class in the college game with a number of good NBA prospects but probably none become major NBA players in the top tier.

Wiggins and Embid I see becoming stars, Handle will get there.

 

[boilerzz]

Haas has bad hands. Needs to be able to handle a pass and a contested rebound to be able to play in the NBA.

Did you stop watching him after his freshman year? He was much improved last year and I'm not sure I've seen him bobble a ball in either of the games this year.