Team Rankings: Five classes who could outplay their On3 team ranking

On3 imageby:Jamie Shaw02/16/22

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On Monday, On3 updated its 2022 basketball rankings. With that update, there is a new team ranking as well. Everyone sees that Duke, Kentucky, and Kansas are at the top, but some of the programs ranked lower could have very successful classes.

Here are five classes that could outplay their current On3 team ranking.

Updated On3 Team Rankings
Updated On3 2022 Rankings

No. 19 Notre Dame

6-5 SG JJ Starling No. 21
6-7 PF Ven Allen Lubin No. 62
6-9 C Dom Campbell No. 96

Mike Brey injected his roster with athleticism and toughness with this class, which provides a bit of a change of pace for his recent teams. A look at Blake Wesley’s success this season shows a clear path for the role Starling could play. He is a lengthy, athletic, and confident scorer. Lubin is a tough guy who drives in straight lines, rebounds, and defends with a motor. Campbell is a low post-strong guy. He fights for rebounds and has good hands and touch, maybe a little in the Luke Harangody mold.

No. 46 Cincinnati

6-5 SG Daniel Skillings No. 48
6-6 SF Josh Reed No. 131
7-0 PF Sage Tolentino 3-Star

This class is one Wes Miller needs to bring in with a move to the Big-12 consistently. Skillings is a skilled scorer who has the upside to being one of the league’s leading scorers as he continues to progress. Reed is a jack-of-all-trades wing who can guard up and down a lineup. With a 7-foot-plus wingspan, he is a high IQ complementary player on the offensive end. Tolentino is a developmental big who is skilled and moves very well.

No. 51 VCU

6-10 C Christian Fermin No. 125
6-7 SF Alphonzo Billups No. 130

Mike Rhoades signs two players in the top 150 to the A10. Fermin is a high motor, long-armed post player who can rebound and block shots right away. He knows what and who he is and thrives in his role. Billups is a high upside local recruit. At 6-7, he can handle shoot and pass and fits win with the length positionless style Rhoades likes playing.

No. 52 Penn State

6-4 SG Jameel Brown No. 138
6-8 PF Kebba Njie 3-Star
6-5 SF Evan Mahaffey 3-Star
5-10 PG Kanye Clary 3-Star
6-8 PF Demetrius Lilley 3-Star

The intrigue of this class comes in the upside and development. Brown is the headliner on signing day. He has good length and can shoot it with range. Njie is a strong post player; you know what you get with rebounds and finishes around the rim. The upside of this class comes with the development of Mahaffey and Lilley. Mahaffey is a do-it-all type wing who can defend multiple positions and is a high IQ off-ball cutter. Lilley is a skilled big, with touch out to the three-point line and some handle. Both Lilley and Mahaffey were in the 150 conversations.

No. 71 Boston College

6-5 CG Donald Hand, Jr. No. 66
6-6 SF Prince Aligbe No. 117
6-10 C Armani Mighty No. 116
6-5 SG Chas Kelly 3-Star

This class for Earl Grant has a little bit of everything. Hand, Jr. is an aggressive three-level scorer who can confidently handle and shoot. Mighty is an upside big who is lengthy, athletic, and moves well. Aligbe is strong with good length, can shoot it, and has been on the big stage. Kelly is a smooth connector piece.