Want to ask ESPN RecruitingNation national recruiting director Paul Biancardi a question about basketball recruiting? Tweet it to @PaulBiancardi using the hashtag #AskCoachB.
@PaulBiancardi Do you expect Arkansas to get better with the players they are bringing in? How high are the recruits ceiling? #AskCoachB
— Matt Hart (@IAmMattHart) February 27, 2014
Good timing on this question as your Hogs beat Kentucky at Rupp Arena last night. Arkansas is now 4-1 in its last five SEC games.
Now to your question. The Hogs have three good players coming in next season: ESPN 100 PG Anton Beard (North Little Rock, Ark./Parkview) and a pair of three-star prospects in Trey Thompson (Madison, Ark./Forest City) and Nick Babb (Arlington, Texas/James Martin ).
Each brings a different set of skills. Beard, a top 20 point guard in the class, is capable of taking over games with his scoring or by spreading the ball around and making teammates better. This lefty is strong and competitive and understands his position.
Thompson is a big body with soft hands. If he can get in shape his ability to change ends of the floor and his rebounding, along with his scoring, will improve.
Babb has good size at the shooting guard spot with the IQ to pass and a shooting touch with range to make shots.
As far as upside goes, they all have room to grow and they all can make a contribution next year. I don't see a future pro in this group, but I do see three good SEC players. Of the trio I believe Beard is the most college ready and can have the most impact.
For Mike Anderson and his staff, recruiting has never been a problem here or when they were at Missouri. They do a very good job of evaluating the prospects who fit Anderson's values and style of play.
