Good read.
AAC final recruiting grades
Updated: May 12, 2014, 11:13 AM ET
By Paul Biancardi | ESPN.com
With most teams having put the finishing touches on their 2014 recruiting classes, here's a breakdown of how the teams in the American Athletic Conference did.
SMU Mustangs B+
In recruiting, sometimes it's about quantity. Other times it's about filling needs. And when you can acquire the type of star player who helps elevate your program to the next level, you have a difference-maker. That's what coach Larry Brown has done in landing ESPN 100 No. 5 prospect Emmanuel Mudiay. He has the talents to lift a program to a higher level thanks to his physical presence in the backcourt and his dynamic transition game. It will be exciting to watch his growth.
Cincinnati Bearcats B
Head coach Mick Cronin and his coaching staff know who are the best fits for their program. The Bearcats do an excellent job of bringing in elite talent and under-the-radar players who help them win, led by ESPN 100 Gary Clark, an undersized forward with a soft touch and long arms to rebound and block shots. Big man Quadri Moore has a natural face-up game that will be utilized. The other three additions are all junior college prospects.
Connecticut Huskies B
Winning a national championship always pays major dividends in recruiting. Coach Kevin Ollie went back to his roots in Los Angeles and landed one of the top scorers in the class in Daniel Hamilton, getting him before UConn won the national title. Power forward Rakim Lubin combines power and athleticism and will provide frontcourt depth, while junior college combo guard Sam Cassell Jr. has the tools to play right away. He has a good pedigree as his dad was a longtime NBA player and now serves as an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards.
Memphis Tigers B
Coach Josh Pastner has done a terrific job of recruiting, led by ESPN 100 player Dominic Magee. Magee is a left-handed burst of speed who creates a high-octane pace when he's on the court. In the half-court offense, he scores by slashing his way to the rim or nailing the pull-up jumper. Junior-college player Trahson Burrell can light up a scoreboard and Rashawn Powell, who sat out last season, will be a major factor as a scoring point guard. Firepower was needed in Memphis, and Pastner delivered.
South Florida Bulls B-
New head coach Orlando Antigua is a proven talent-evaluator and recruiter. He is assembling an impressive recruiting class in a short amount of time, and there's more talent left on the board. Troy Holston is a shooting guard who scores with his jump shot and driving to the basket. Recent commit Ruben Guerrero is a very intriguing prospect who should blossom in time because he has length, a strong basketball IQ and a face-up game. Dinero Mercurius is a skilled wing who attacks the rim.
UCF Knights B-
This is a terrific four-man class, led by one-time ESPN 100 shooting guard Adonys Henriquez. He is a skilled prospect who has above average basketball instincts. Right now, he is more potential than anything else, but he can develop into an all-league player. Terrell Miller is a wide body who can make shots out to the arc. Point guard B.J.Taylor is a smart player who can dribble to any spot on the floor and make the assist. Shooting guard Marshall Holmes brings a winning culture that can promote team chemistry.
East Carolina Pirates B-
Head coach Jeff Lebo and his staff do a very good job of evaluating talent without big reputations. Point guard Lance Tejada will be one of the surprise freshmen in the American. He's competitive and will make plays for his teammates by driving and dishing. Look for Tejada to create run-outs for transition baskets. Grant Bryant and Kanu Aja will provide good overall depth for the Pirates.
Temple Owls B-
One prospect head coach Fran Dunphy signed is power forward Obi Enechionyia. A combination of versatility and athletic ability makes him hard to defend. He has a huge upside, and Temple now has a frontcourt player who is ready to play an integral role.
Houston Cougars B-
New head coach Kelvin Sampson is working diligently to maintain a strong recruiting class. It's always the first order of business when a coach takes over a program. Local prospect P.J. Washington will be a productive player, and Torian Graham leads a trio of junior-college prospects who could make a difference. Graham, a one-time NC State commit, was highly-rated out of high school, so the ability is there. Can it transfer to the court?
Tulane Green Wave B-
The Green Wave secured a very good point guard in Keith Pinckney, who will grow and develop into a terrific player. He does a good job of handling the ball and setting up his teammates and can change speeds to elude an defender. When he is not dishing out assists, he can make shots inside the arc. He also shows strong leadership to be a starter.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane C
One signee from the early period is small forward Micah Littlejohn, who is an athletic wing with the ability to produce both inside the paint and by driving to the basket.