The late signing period for the 2018 class started last week, meaning the stretch run is officially here for the outgoing seniors. The two April live periods take place the next two weekends, as the focus turns to the 2019 class. With graduate transfers and early-entry decisions also looming, though, building rosters for the 2018-19 season is still paramount. And there are four ESPN 100 seniors still uncommitted. What’s the latest?
Romeo Langford (No. 5)
It’s nearing the end of the road for Langford, who has had the same three schools on his list for months: Kansas, Indiana and Vanderbilt. For most of the winter, it seemed like Indiana and Vanderbilt were battling for the lead, but Kansas has made a strong push over the last few weeks. Early decisions by Malik Newman and Lagerald Vick to head to the NBA only help the Jayhawks’ cause, opening up minutes on the wing. Meanwhile, Indiana is looking to keep Langford home and has made him a priority since the day Archie Miller took over in Bloomington last spring. Vanderbilt is hoping Langford is the missing piece to an elite recruiting class that already includes five-stars Darius Garland and Simisola Shittu. Langford has shut it down and is ready for decision time, which will come on April 30. It’s still too close to feel entirely confident about a prediction, but at this moment, the Hoosiers are earning most of the buzz. It’s also worth noting Langford is having an announcement at his high school, open to the public -- meaning there will be 4000 Indiana fans in the building.
Prediction: Indiana
Confidence level: 55 percent
Others in the mix: Kansas, Vanderbilt
Jordan Brown (No. 31)
After UCLA took commitments from Moses Brown and Shareef O'Neal, the Bruins fell out of the mix for the five-star power forward. Jordan Brown has had a long list of schools since the fall, but Stanford has made a charge and the Cardinal could be in a good position right now. Arizona has also been involved again lately and is hoping to stay in the mix. He has already visited California, St. John’s and Louisiana (his father’s alma mater). Gonzaga and Oregon have also been mainstays on his list for months. As it stands, Stanford has some momentum -- but there are new schools entering the picture. North Carolina and Louisville have both spoken to his father recently.
Prediction: Stanford
Confidence level: 40 percent
Others in the mix: North Carolina, Arizona, California, St. John’s, Louisiana, Gonzaga, Oregon, Louisville
Brandon Williams (No. 37)
This one could end sooner than originally expected. The former Arizona commit has visited Arizona State and Oregon the last two weekends, but then cut the Sun Devils from his list Monday night. Williams moved up his official visit to Gonzaga to next weekend, after originally scheduling it for June. Mark Few also visited with Williams on Monday. Sean Miller had an in-home visit with Williams last week and Arizona is certainly still an option. All three schools are offering Williams the opportunity to play right away. Arizona has plenty of minutes available in the backcourt, while Oregon and Gonzaga both return point guards in Payton Pritchard and Josh Perkins, respectively, but either can play alongside other ball handlers. Oregon emerged as the favorite shortly after his decommitment from Arizona, but Gonzaga is making a strong push.
Prediction: Oregon
Confidence level: 45 percent
Others in the mix: Arizona, Gonzaga
Courtney Ramey (No. 56)
Ramey, a former Louisville commit, only recently cut his list of schools to 10. Georgia and Mississippi made an effort after spring coaching changes, yet didn’t make the cut. Ohio State, Oregon, SMU and Minnesota were all involved at one point or another and found themselves in Ramey’s final 10. Louisville is the wild card on his list, and the Cardinals have gained some traction since Chris Mack took over. They’ll hope to make up ground during an in-home visit Wednesday. Illinois was also squarely in the mix; the Fighting Illini landed juco point guard Andres Felix last week. So there could still be some movement in the next few weeks, but Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma State and South Carolina look like the strongest options for now. Shaka Smart, Mike Boynton, Frank Martin and Cuonzo Martin have all visited with Ramey in the last few weeks, and Ramey took official visits to Texas and Oklahoma State in December. Texas has the most buzz right now, but Missouri is pushing.
Prediction: Texas
Confidence level: 35 percent
Others in the mix: Missouri, Louisville, Oklahoma State, South Carolina, SMU