See, to me the one thing that 2000 class proves is that rankings are the last thing we should go on. Or did I miss the part where Reiner, Worley, Brody Boyd, Courtney Scott, and Ryan Hogan led the Hawkeyes to glory? Yes, Reggie Evans speaks for himself, and Luke Recker was good in the 40 games he played for Iowa. But that class as a whole isn't a benchmark for anything other than the flaws in some of these rankings systems. On a purely statistical basis, Melsahn and BC may very well outproduce Recker and Evans during their time as Hawkeyes, and none of the recruiting services gave a rip about them.
Rather than argue about stars, offer lists, etc., can we just all agree that the fact that Fran has three guys signed on August 17 is a huge step forward for this program? Is it too much to admit that Fran is showing the ability to recruit from several different regions of the country, and that he is getting players from strong high school programs and elite AAU teams? Safe to say that Fran hasn't let the Hubbard fiasco get in the way of his current recruiting? Refreshing to note that we aren't primarily signing in-state guys who were thinking about playing Division II ball? Too homerish to point out that all three signees held Iowa offers for a while before they committed and didn't appear to be fall-back guys for the coaches? Overly optimistic to note that all three of these guys have the type of size and athleticism for their positions that has been in terribly short supply around Carver for the last 5-6 years at least?
The on-court performance will play itself out as it always does. There will be surprises and disappointments. But if you can't see how this year's recruiting is light years ahead of previous years just in terms of process, you aren't looking hard enough.
