By Ryan Burnet

Last week I ranted and raved about the paltry number of blue-chip recruits the Midwest has been producing as of late. But this morning I decided to skip ahead a few chapters in this book, and take a long hard look what 2010 might hold in store for the B10, at least as far as hoops is concerned. To say what I saw was encouraging, would be an understatement. There are about 25 consensus blue-chip players in this class and eight of them hail from Big Ten Country. But perhaps more importantly, both Illinois and Ohio State are in position to end up with top five recruiting classes. Of the 25 five-star hoopsters in the class of 2010, 13 of those players have already committed to universities. Of that thirteen, OSU can lay claim to three, and Illinois has commitments from two of them. Only one other school in the nation, Texas, has multiple commitments from this crop of blue-chips.

OSU in particular has a chance to land a very, VERY special class. Jared Sullinger clearly the number one forward in this class. He’s a monster on the offensive glass and shows great touch around the basket. He’s already a better offensive player in the post than B.J. Mullens or Greg Oden was when they arrived on campus (or now). He isn’t a dominant defender yet, but that could come. If it does, Sullinger could end up being a carbon copy of another slightly short PF, Elton Brand. Meanwhile, another commit, 6′6 210 lb. forward DeShaun Thomas looks like a beefy Evan Turner minus the mid-range jumper. But Thad Mata’s most exciting prospect has got to be five-star SG Jordan Sibert. Remember, usually a stud HS guard comes to campus he’s considered a slasher or a shooter. Rarely can a player do both. But this 6′4 swingman out of Cincy has a lightening quick accurate release, a devastating fist step, and tremendous body control. If he improves his court vision and passing, he could end up being the best freshman in the country. 

I know 2010 is a ways a way, and we won’t know what the recruiting God’s have in store for any of these programs for another few months. But the early returns are very, very promising for the B10 (by the way, Purdue is looking solid as well, if unspectacular). Maybe, my theory on the Midwest producing sub-par talent won’t end up holding true, and the last five years will prove to be merely an athletic recession  to match the industrial one our region has been struggling through. Or maybe, 2010 will prove to be just a blip on the radar. I for one, am looking at 2010 like an athletic stimulus package. Maybe it turns this conference around, maybe it doesn’t. But knowing that the check is in the mail is pretty damn exciting.