Top Decruits Does Not Equal Championship

After landing two of the top five recruits on sites such as Rivals.com, Xavier Henry and DeMarcus Cusions, Memphis has been able to reload with big name recruits over the past few years. Last year they landed Derrick Rose who nearly led the Tigers to their first National Title until they collapsed and Mario Chalmers hit a three with just seconds remaining (See picture above). This year they got Tyreke Evans who is their clear star player who very well may lead Memphis to another final four. Memphis should not expect a championship or even a final four appearance with this class since they will lack experience and will have one starter most likely returning.
They may have the best recruiting class, however, just because you get the top freshman doesn't mean you will be going to the final four or compete for a championship. Cousins and Henry are one and done players and it takes time develop players at the college basketball level so your school can compete for championships. Teams that end up going to final fours and championships are not loaded with freshman as starters (Kansas, Florida, North Carolina, UCLA, UConn, Memphis(Rose only starting freshman)).These teams were led by sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Memphis will also lose Robert Dozier, Tyreke Evans, and Antonio Anderson. Evans is one of those one and done freshman, but if he stays Memphis could have a chance with Cousins, Henry, and Taggart, the only returning starter. The bottom line is you don’t win with four freshmen and one senior.
A few teams over the past decade were able to make it to the championship game. Ohio State was able to make it to the championship with freshman Mike Conley, Dequan Cook, and Greg Oden a few years ago only to fall to an experienced Florida team that ended up repeating that year. Syracuse was able to win the championship with Carmelo Anthony, Hakim Warrick, and Gary McNamara sadly over my Kansas Jayhawks. I would not be surprised if Memphis goes undefeated in CUSA or if they get a 1 or 2 seed. Whether they make it far in the tourney next year will depend on how well the freshman grow, and play together throughout next year.
John Calipari is one of the best recruiters in all of college basketball and is a very good coach as well. If Memphis is able to hang onto Tyreke Evans for some reason I think they could win it all. The problem that many coaches face is whether to hand out a scholarship to a player who will only be around for a year or to give one to recruit who will stick around for a few years and develop as a player. No matter how many freshmen Memphis may start this will be one team that no one will want to face next year or this year in the tournament.