We touched on this in the War Room, but I'll update it again here and discuss where things go from this point on with Arizona's top targets just so it's all in one place.
Still in play
Brian "Tugs" Bowen: The five-star forward continues to say he will make his decision before the end of the new year. As of now Arizona has positioned itself well and the fit is starting to make an impact more than anything else for both the Wildcats and Texas. Michigan State has long been the leader but as of late that has started to shift and it wouldn't be a shock to see him in Tucson. UA has built some momentum at the right time.
Brandon McCoy: Arizona is certainly still in the mix for the five-star big man, but Oregon has started to open up its lead a bit more. McCoy told Rivals.com over the weekend he could take another official visit or he could not, but for now the Wildcats remain in his top five and his relationship with Sean Miller is a big reason why. The Ducks remain the team to beat as he heads toward making a decision after his senior season.
Trevon Duval: The top point guard in the class continues to move forward with his recruitment, but it will be interesting to see how much Arizona entertains it as it plays out. The Wildcats are currently on Duval's short list, and he said his plan is to take all five official trips once the calendar turns to 2017. However, there are going to be a number of questions about his eligibility that come up and already have. He's played at a number of different schools including API in Texas where Terrence Ferguson attended. He's now at IMG in Florida but that doesn't mean all is good.
Duke is starting to feel like the favorite in his recruitment, but I'm not so sure Arizona wants to have two commits who put them through some of the same trials Ferguson did in one class. DeAndre Ayton will have his own questions until he is cleared, so I'll be interested to see how UA approaches this one and if that official visit ever even takes place. Whatever school lands him there's no guarantee that he ends up being able to attend college. Also, don't forget he is an Under Armour circuit player and if you follow the path recent recruits who have gone overseas all have that same thread. From Ferguson to Emmanuel Mudiay to Brandon Jennings.
Hamidou Diallo: What once looked like a college player in the making has turned into maybe going pro right away and the latest is now that the 2017 prospect could enter college this season with Connecticut being the landing spot. Diallo is in Storrs for an official visit right now and there is plenty of talk that he could commit and enroll for the spring semester. It has been an interesting recruitment for sure and once he leaves the visit everyone will know more. While Arizona has recruited him and he has continued to express interest in the 'Cats this just doesn't have the feel of a recruitment that will end with him in Tucson. Stranger things have happened, but there is a lot going on with this one.
No longer in play
Kenny Wooten: The 2016 Nevada signee who ended doing a fifth-year prep season this year decided to end things a bit early despite seeing his stock rise recently. Arizona and Kansas were two of the programs that came in with offers during the fall and picked Arizona State earlier this week. The power forward prospect was someone UA was at least working on somewhat but he will no longer be an option as he will end up in Tempe.
Jarred Vanderbilt: The five-star versatile forward trimmed his list down and Arizona didn't make the cut. He will announce his decision Friday and he will pick from Kentucky, TCU, North Carolina and Oregon. UK is expected to be the choice and that will take him off the table as an option as well. UA was truly never really working tirelessly to get him especially when it landed Ira Lee who fills a lot of the same roles that Vanderbilt would. UPDATE: Vanderbilt has committed to Kentucky.
Still in play
Brian "Tugs" Bowen: The five-star forward continues to say he will make his decision before the end of the new year. As of now Arizona has positioned itself well and the fit is starting to make an impact more than anything else for both the Wildcats and Texas. Michigan State has long been the leader but as of late that has started to shift and it wouldn't be a shock to see him in Tucson. UA has built some momentum at the right time.
Brandon McCoy: Arizona is certainly still in the mix for the five-star big man, but Oregon has started to open up its lead a bit more. McCoy told Rivals.com over the weekend he could take another official visit or he could not, but for now the Wildcats remain in his top five and his relationship with Sean Miller is a big reason why. The Ducks remain the team to beat as he heads toward making a decision after his senior season.
Trevon Duval: The top point guard in the class continues to move forward with his recruitment, but it will be interesting to see how much Arizona entertains it as it plays out. The Wildcats are currently on Duval's short list, and he said his plan is to take all five official trips once the calendar turns to 2017. However, there are going to be a number of questions about his eligibility that come up and already have. He's played at a number of different schools including API in Texas where Terrence Ferguson attended. He's now at IMG in Florida but that doesn't mean all is good.
Duke is starting to feel like the favorite in his recruitment, but I'm not so sure Arizona wants to have two commits who put them through some of the same trials Ferguson did in one class. DeAndre Ayton will have his own questions until he is cleared, so I'll be interested to see how UA approaches this one and if that official visit ever even takes place. Whatever school lands him there's no guarantee that he ends up being able to attend college. Also, don't forget he is an Under Armour circuit player and if you follow the path recent recruits who have gone overseas all have that same thread. From Ferguson to Emmanuel Mudiay to Brandon Jennings.
Hamidou Diallo: What once looked like a college player in the making has turned into maybe going pro right away and the latest is now that the 2017 prospect could enter college this season with Connecticut being the landing spot. Diallo is in Storrs for an official visit right now and there is plenty of talk that he could commit and enroll for the spring semester. It has been an interesting recruitment for sure and once he leaves the visit everyone will know more. While Arizona has recruited him and he has continued to express interest in the 'Cats this just doesn't have the feel of a recruitment that will end with him in Tucson. Stranger things have happened, but there is a lot going on with this one.
No longer in play
Kenny Wooten: The 2016 Nevada signee who ended doing a fifth-year prep season this year decided to end things a bit early despite seeing his stock rise recently. Arizona and Kansas were two of the programs that came in with offers during the fall and picked Arizona State earlier this week. The power forward prospect was someone UA was at least working on somewhat but he will no longer be an option as he will end up in Tempe.
Jarred Vanderbilt: The five-star versatile forward trimmed his list down and Arizona didn't make the cut. He will announce his decision Friday and he will pick from Kentucky, TCU, North Carolina and Oregon. UK is expected to be the choice and that will take him off the table as an option as well. UA was truly never really working tirelessly to get him especially when it landed Ira Lee who fills a lot of the same roles that Vanderbilt would. UPDATE: Vanderbilt has committed to Kentucky.
