First, we have to admit that neither of us has a diploma from Crystal Ball University or Tea Leaves Tech. That being said, we'll give playing the psychic a shot and try to predict in July who will have the top recruiting classes this November.

While there have been a number of early verbal commitments, there are a lot of top players still listing a lot of top schools with a list that literally changes by the minute.

There are, of course, the usual suspects starting with Duke, Arizona, Florida and North Carolina.

It appears that Maryland is going to be able to reap some benefits from its national champion status. Cincinnati and Connecticut may also be poised for big years. Where we have to go out on a limb is looking at some high major programs that are trying to make a big jump under new staffs. DePaul and Rutgers are two programs that come immediately to mind.

We are also not listing all the players being recruited by the schools shown below, nor, are we listing all the schools mentioned with the players shown below.

We're just doing some speculating -- something they tell you not to do when you play gin -- but we get to ante in for free and no money is changing hands.

Arizona
Current Verbal Commitments:
None
Other prospects: Brian Butch, 6'11, Appleton, Wis./West
Ndudi Ebi, 6'9, Houston, Texas/Westbury Christian
Ekene Ibekwe, 6'9, Carson, Calif.
Taurean Minor, 6'0, Houston, Texas/Booker T. Washington
David Padgett, 6'11, Reno, Nev.
Kendrick Perkins, 6'9, Beaumont, Texas/Ozen
Leon Powe, 6'6, Oakland, Calif./Oakland Tech
Mustafa Shakur, 6'3, Wynnewood, Pa./Friends Central
Ayinde Ubaka, 6'2, Oakland, Calif.
Note: The Wildcats are in what appears to be a rugged race with Duke, Indiana and Texas for Ebi. Our guess says that they are not going to wind up with Powe. Ibekwe is a great athlete with a lot of work ahead of him to reach his potential. If he stays in the west, it could be between U of A and USC, with UNLV having a shot. Arizona would like to land Perkins, but they are not the favorite here either. Wisconsin, Kansas, and UNC are all involved with Butch. Padgett has Stanford, Cal, Kansas and UNC on his list. As for guards, Ubaka will likely decide between Arizona and Cal. 'Zona is right in there with Syracuse, Villanova and UConn for one of the nation's top guards in Shakur.

Cincinnati
Current Verbal Commitments:
None
Other prospects:
Brandon Bass, 6'8, Baton Rouge, La./Capital
Shannon Brown, 6'3, Maywood, Ill./Proviso East
Olumuyiwa Famutimi, 6'5, Flint, MI/Northwestern
Corey Gibbs, 6'7, Atlanta, GA/Pace
Omari Israel, 6'7, Wheaton, MD/Good Counsel
Elijah Karron-Clarke, 6'6, Winchendon, MA/The Winchendon School
Taurean Minor, 6'0, Houston, TX/Booker T. Washington
Lorenzo Thompson, 6'8, Chicago, IL/Crane Tech
Emmanuel Willis, 6'7, Mendenhall, MS
Note: Cincy is going for the gusto. They have a better than 50-50 chance of landing both Bass and "Tac" Minor. Bass is considered one of the top power forwards. Minor is a strong, stocky point guard who can really score. Those two alone would give the Bearcats one of the top classes no matter what.

Connecticut
Current Verbal Commitments:
None
Other prospects:
Sean Banks, 6'6, Oradell, N.J./Bergen Catholic
Artie Bowers, 6'4, Newark, N.J./St. Benedict's
Thomas Gardner, 6'4, Portland, Ore./Jefferson
Elijah Karron-Clarke, 6'6, Winchendon, Mass./The Winchendon School
Taurean Minor, 6'0, Houston, Texas/Booker T. Washington
Mike Sawyer-Jones, 6'3, Braintree, Mass./Thayer Academy
Mustafa Shakur, 6'3, Wynnewood, Pa./Friends Central
Chris Taft, 6'10, Brooklyn, N.Y./Xaverian
Note: UConn leads the nation in recruiting the most-hyphenated names category. The Huskies have made their program on perimeter play and they are involved with some strong players here. Shakur is considered one of the elite guards in this class. Karron-Clarke is a New York native who finds ways to score. It's tough to pull prospects out of that "Jersey corridor," but Banks is worth the fight. Sawyer-Jones is a true high major talent.

DePaul
Current Verbal Commitments:
None
Other prospects:
Gerald Brown, 6'4, Baltimore, Md./Douglas
Shannon Brown, 6'3, Maywood, Ill./Proviso East
Justin Cage, 6'5, Indianapolis, Ind./Pike
Khalif Ford, 6'0, Diamond Bar, Calif
Brandon Foust, 6'5, Columbus, Ohio/Brookhaven
Justin Hawkins, 6'6, Diamond Bar, Calif.
Elijah Karron-Clarke, 6'6, Winchendon, Mass./The Winchendon School
Ricky Lucas, 6'4, Herndon, Va.
Jai Miller, 6'0, Selma, Ala.
Tyler Smith, 6'3, Colora, Md./West Nottingham Prep
Lorenzo Thompson, 6'8, Chicago, Ill./Crane Tech
Jamaul Warren, 6'2, Fitchburg, Mass./Notre Dame Prep
Note: New coach Dave Leitao got around a lot at Connecticut, which was a program that recruited nationally. Therefore, it should be no surprise that the Blue Demons are popping up on a lot of top player's lists -- too many to mention them all here. DePaul has a shot at Brown despite Leitao's relatively late hiring. They have done well early with Ford, who is a real speed demon. Smith is a lefty who can score and play either guard position. Hawkins is a tough kid and a good offensive player. We believe that Leitao & Co. may not win the "name game," but will pull in a strong first recruiting class.

Duke
Current Verbal Commitments:
Kris Humphries, 6'9, Hopkins, Minn.
Other prospects:
Luol Deng, 6'8, Blairstown, N.J./Blair Academy
Ndudi Ebi, 6'9, Houston, Texas/Westbury Christian
Olumuyiwa Famutimi, 6'5, Flint, Mich./Northwestern
Leon Powe, 6'6, Oakland, Calif./Oakland Tech
Note: Humphries is a skilled forward. Deng is said to be all but done for Duke. The Blue Devils could also land Ebi. If Duke gets Deng and Ebi to go with Humphries and the incoming class, everybody else should hit the bunkers. Famutimi still has a lot of names on his list. Currently, it's hard to see Powe going that far away from home.

Florida
Current Verbal Commitments:
None
Other prospects: Akini Adkins, 6'9, Tallahassee, Fla.
Trevor Ariza, 6'8, Los Angeles, Calif./Westchester
T.J. Bannister, 6'0, Jacksonville, Fla./Arlington Country Day
Olumuyiwa Famutimi, 6'5, Flint, Mich./Northwestern
Thomas Gardner, 6'4, Portland, Ore./Jefferson
Kendrick Perkins, 6'9, Beaumont, Texas/Ozen
Leon Powe, 6'6, Oakland, Calif./Oakland Tech
Chris Richard, 6'8, Lakeland, Fla./Kathleen
Terrance Roberts, 6'8, Jersey City, N.J./St. Anthony
Note: See above for Famutimi and Powe. Bannister is one of the top point guards and Florida appears very strong with him. Adkins is also going to stay close to home and will likely choose between Florida and Florida State. Richard is another one of the top forwards in the class. Ariza has a nice upside. The Gators can stay in-state this year and get it done if they want.

Indiana
Current Verbal Commitments:
None
Other prospects:
Trevor Ariza, 6'8, Los Angeles, Calif./Westchester
Justin Cage, 6'5, Indianapolis, Ind./Pike
Ndudi Ebi, 6'9, Houston, Texas/Westbury Christian
Sonny Troutman, 6'5, Indianapolis, Ind./Brebeuf
Note: It's not one of the better years for in-state prospects but coach Mike Davis is a strong recruiter and still does well in the south. Indiana needs a couple of frontline players who can come in and play right away. Long, athletic types like Ebi. They might pull one in from a state like… Alabama… who knows?

Kansas
Current Verbal Commitments:
Jeremy Case, 5'11, McAllister, Okla.
J.R. Giddens, 6'5, Oklahoma City, Okla./John Marshall
Other prospects:
Shannon Brown, 6'3, Maywood, Ill./Proviso East
Brian Butch, 6'11, Appleton, Wis./West
Thomas Gardner, 6'4, Portland, Ore./Jefferson
David Padgett, 6'11, Reno, Nev.
Leon Powe, 6'6, Oakland, Calif./Oakland Tech
Brian Randle, 6'7, Peoria, Ill./Notre Dame
Omar Wilkes, 6'2, Los Angeles, Calif./Loyola
Nick Williams, 6'3, Chipola CC, Fla.
Note: Kansas is listed here because, well, because they are Kansas and they will pull in a couple of elite prospects. Is Roy trying to own the state of Oregon? Jayhawks already have residency in Cali.

Louisville
Current Verbal Commitments:
None
Other prospects:
Shagari Alleyne, 7'2, Bronx, N.Y./Rice
Trevor Ariza, 6'8, Los Angeles, Calif./Westchester
Sean Banks, 6'6, Oradell, N.J./Bergen Catholic
Olumuyiwa Famutimi, 6'5, Flint, Mich./Northwestern
Brandon Jenkins, 6'4, Detroit, Mich./Southeastern
Leon Powe, 6'6, Oakland, Calif./Oakland Tech
Jamaul Warren, 6'2, Fitchburg, Mass./Notre Dame Prep
Note: Neither of the "Two Ricks" believes in taking a long-term approach to building a program (Majerus) and Coach Pitino will follow up last year's strong recruits with comparable talent this year. Alleyne continues to improve every year but is still a project. Pittsburgh & Missouri are working Jenkins very hard. Jenkins is a nice combo (2-1) who can score. Pitino likes to keep his hand in the NY-NJ area and would love to pull Alleyne and/or Banks.

Maryland
Current Verbal Commitments:
None
Other prospects:
Trevor Ariza, 6'8, Los Angeles, Calif./Westchester
Will Bowers, 6'11, Severn, Md./Archbishop Spaulding
Ekene Ibekwe, 6'9, Carson, Calif.
Omari Israel, 6'7, Wheaton, Md./Good Counsel
Wayne Marshall, 6'9, Philadelphia, Pa./King
Mike Sawyer-Jones, 6'4, Braintree, Mas./Thayer Academy
Tyler Smith, 6'3, Colora, Md./West Nottingham Prep
Chris Taft, 6'10, Brooklyn, N.Y./Xaverian
Charlie Villanueva, 6'9, Blairstown, N.J./Blair Academy
Note: Sawyer-Jones is one of the top prospects in this class and is believed to be leaning strongly towards Maryland. The Terps are also strong with Marshall -- although they are facing good opposition from LaSalle. Ibekwe has been talking about Maryland for awhile now.

Memphis
Current Verbal Commitments:
None
Other prospects:
Kendrick Perkins, 6'9, Beaumont, TX/Ozen
Jamaul Warren, 6'2, Fitchburg, MA/Notre Dame Prep
Note: The kids are hip. Or, believe they are. What does that mean? It means that they know that Head Coach John Calipari has a pro background. They know that he won't hold players back. Look for Memphis to continue to be involved with the top talent nationwide and no longer have to rely on just Memphis talent. It's not your father's Memphis basketball program.

Michigan
Current Verbal Commitments:
Dion Harris, 6'4, Detroit, Mich./Redford
Other prospects:
Olumuyiwa Famutimi, 6'5, Flint, Mich./Northwestern
Drew Naymick, 6'10, North Muskegon, Mich.
Lorenzo Thompson, 6'8, Chicago, Ill./Crane Tech
Note: Naymick figures to stay in-state; UM or State, that's the question. Both he and Famutimi are huge recruits for recovering Wolverine program. Harris commitment a big help in what will likely be a steady marathon, not a sprint, towards former glory under the right guy -- Tommy Amaker.

Michigan State
Current Verbal Commitments:
Brandon Cotton, 6'1, Detroit, MI/St. Martin DePorres
Other prospects:
Shannon Brown, 6'3, Maywood, IL/Proviso East
Justin Cage, 6'5, Indianapolis, IN/Pike
Olumuyiwa Famutimi, 6'5, Flint, MI/Northwestern
Drew Naymick, 6'10, North Muskegon, MI
Lorenzo Thompson, 6'8, Chicago, IL/Crane Tech
Note: See Michigan above. Cotton can score. Contrary to belief, Brown looks good with green.

Mississippi State
Current Verbal Commitments:
Travis Outlaw, 6'9, Starkville, MS
Other prospects:
Jackie Butler, 6'10, McComb, Miss.
Patrick Horton, 6'4, Terry, Miss.
Vincent Hunter, 6'7, Little Rock, Ark./J.A. Fair
Jay Jackson, 6'2, Monroe, La./Ouachita
Paul Millsap, 6'7, Grambling, La.
Emmanuel Willis, 6'7, Mendenhall, Miss.
Note: The enigmatic Outlaw is talented. It will not be impossible, but it will be hard to beat State for Butler despite some stiff southern competition.

North Carolina
Current Verbal Commitments:
None
Other prospects:
Shagari Alleyne, 7'2, Bronx, NY./.Rice
Trevor Ariza, 6'8, Los Angeles, Calif./Westchester
Brian Butch, 6'11, Appleton, Wis./West
Jaaron Green, 6'10, Durham, N.C./Mt. Zion, NC
Elijah Karron-Clarke, 6'6, Winchendon, Mass./The Winchendon School
Ekene Ibekwe, 6'9, Carson, Calif.
Kendrick Perkins, 6'9, Beaumont, Texas/Ozen
Chris Taft, 6'10, Brooklyn, N.Y./Xaverian
Note: One down year and people forget that UNC is still UNC. Go ahead, we dare ya'. Name a good big man who isn't listing UNC. Too many to list here, too early to predict. We're not shilling for the Tar Heels, but they're going to get someone good since the playing time is just sitting there. Will Butch leave Wisconsin for Kansas, North Carolina, or Arizona? Badgers are hanging tough. Another quality point guard would be nice, but with freshman Felton in residence, that may be decided later in the year.

Rutgers
Current Verbal Commitments:
None
Other prospects:
Artie Bowers, 6'4, Newark, N.J./St. Benedict's
Ricky Lucas, 6'4, Herndon, Va.
Jamal Nutter, 6'2, West Orange, N.J./Seton Hall Prep
Terrance Roberts, 6'8, Jersey City, N.J./St. Anthony's
Will Sheridan, 6'8, Hockessin, Del./Sanford
Darryl Watkins, 6'10, Paterson, N.J./Catholic
Note: Nutter seems to be favoring Rutgers at this moment. There is tremendous opportunity at Rutgers, which has been a sleeping giant for many a year now. Lucas may stay in the south, Notre Dame doing well with Sheridan. Not inconceivable that Rutgers could pull Roberts, Bowers, and/or Watkins, all of whom are club ball teammates with Nutter. It's not necessarily likely either, but it is something for Rutgers fans to dream about.

Syracuse
Current Verbal Commitments:
Demetris Nichols, 6'7, Barrington, R.I./St. Andrew's
Other prospects:
Elijah Karron-Clarke, 6'6, Winchendon, MA/The Winchendon School
Mustafa Shakur, 6'3, Wynnewood, PA/Friends Central
Chris Taft, 6'10, Brooklyn, NY/Xaverian
Charlie Villanueva, 6'9, Blairstown, NJ/Blair Academy
Note: Nichols is an outstanding wing forward prospect. Despite the evident return of Billy Edelin, the 'Cuse needs another top guard in the program. The Orangemen could use a jolt of vitamin C from Shakur.

Texas
Current Verbal Commitments:
None
Other prospects:
Ndudi Ebi, 6'9, Houston, Texas/Westbury Christian
Cartier Martin, 6'7, Houston, Texas/Nimitz
Taurean Minor, 6'0, Houston, Texas/Booker T. Washington
Kendrick Perkins, 6'9, Beaumont, Texas/Ozen
Note: Could be a big year for the Horns. They appear to be the leader for the exceptionally thin Martin, who is a very good athlete. Perkins… talking NBA… don't go there… UNC… Memphis… fool everybody and take a year at Texas A&M? Hard to say, but Ebi probably a more important recruit than Perkins as far as receiving bang for the buck.

Charlotte
Current Verbal Commitments:
Martin Iti, 6'11, Winchendon, Mass./The Winchendon School
Other prospects:
Omari Israel, 6'7, Wheaton, Md./Good Counsel
Marcus Sikes, 6'7, Middleburg, Va./Notre Dame Academy
Note: Iti is the best center prospect in the class. Of course, he may not ever play a minute of college basketball, but if he does, this is huge for Charlotte.

Villanova
Current Verbal Commitments:
None
Other prospects:
Artie Bowers, 6'4, Newark, N.J./St. Benedict's
Terrance Roberts, 6'8, Jersey City, N.J./St. Anthony's
Mustafa Shakur, 6'3, Wynnewood, Pa./Friends Central
Will Sheridan, 6'8, Hockessin, Del./Sanford
Chris Taft, 6'10, Brooklyn, N.Y./Xaverian
Charlie Villanueva, 6'9, Blairstown, N.J./Blair Academy
Darryl Watkins, 6'10, Paterson, N.J./Catholic
Note: Villanova had a very good class last year and another strong one would catapault them back into the elite. With Jay Wright as the head man they have a legitimate shot at anybody they feel they really want.

David Benezra and Mark Mayemura cover the national college basketball recruiting scene. E-mail at: hoopsusa@mindspring.com or call (818) 783-2244 or (818) 783-2212 for subscription information.