Aug. 7
There's a lot of celebration going on in Conference USA country! The boosters down in Memphis and Louisville have to jumping with joy, with John Calipari and Rick Pitino each landing a big-name recruit.

The Tigers received a verbal commitment from Kendrick Perkins, a highly regarded big man who some scouts feel may go to the NBA early. The Cardinals reportedly will hear a "yes" on a commitment from 6-foot-10, 300-pound James Lang of Birmingham, Ala.

Hold the presses, man! When we start rating these recruiting classes this early, we have a major, major dilemma.

There's nothing like a recruiting coup to get your juices flowing. It leads to all kinds of excitement. All the phone lines are lit up for the sports talk shows in those two areas, baby -- but hold the presses, man! When we start rating these recruiting classes this early, we have a major, major dilemma. That's because things can change so quickly.

You don't have to go any further than the Tigers' program for what could have been. Calipari generated so much excitement when Memphis received commitments from Amare Stoudamire, one of the top high school stars in America, and juco sensation Qyntel Woods.

The problem is, next season they won't be wearing the blue-and-white Memphis jersey, baby. Instead, they are going to the NBA as first-round draft picks. And there goes the high rating of one of the premier recruiting classes in America. So it's too early to celebrate. Who knows what will happen with Perkins and Lang? They may never set foot on a college campus.

Recruiting insiders like Bob Gibbons, Clark Francis and Dave Telep all feel Pitino could have a bonanza season. I can hear some Kentucky Wildcats' fans complaining if Pitino goes on a big-time roll. Anyone with his work ethic, energy, resumé and track record -- who also can sell the reality of 19,000 rabid fans at Freedom Hall and a style of play that players enjoy -- should recruit well. Don't be shocked when you see the logic of this equation: Pitino + Louisville = Success.

You can't blame the coaches. Pitino and Calipari have done their work and received commitments. Their fans are hopeful, with visions of grandeur if these young recruits show up on campus. But in this day and age, only time will tell ... when you see them actually register for classes, then you can believe they'll be there.