Nov. 15
The quickest way to become a great coach is by getting those verbal commitments from recruits in early October. Then you enjoy signing day!

Based on reports and conversations with numerous coaches and recruiting people, here are my top 10 recruiting classes for the early signing period (by conference, there are four from the ACC, two each from the Big Ten and C-USA, and one each from the Big East and SEC):

1. Duke (ACC): No surprise here. Year after year, the Dukies reload. Coach Mike Krzyzewski's class, according to recruiting guru Bob Gibbons (a man I respect so much), may surpass Michigan's 1991 Fab Five. That class had Chris Webber, Juwan Howard and Jalen Rose. That's quite an endorsement, though Duke's class is amazing: Shavlik Randolph, Shelden Williams, Michael Thompson, Sean Dockery and J.J. Redick, plus Lee Melchionni walking on. The beat goes on at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Coach K just keeps rolling them in.

2. North Carolina (ACC): Getting a commitment from Sean May is a major coup for coach Matt Doherty. It was widely believed that May, the son of former Indiana All-American Scott May, would play for the Hoosiers. The Tar Heels also added a top 10 backcourt in Rashad McCants and Raymond Felton. Carolina fans will be excited about this group.

3. Florida (SEC): Coach Billy Donovan has added another phenomenal class, led by Anthony Roberson of Saginaw, Mich. The Gators also welcome a pair of talented forwards in Matt Walsh and Mario Boggan.

4. Memphis (C-USA): Last year, coach John Calipari signed Dujuan Wagner. This season, he has brought in another blue-chip group, led by 6-foot-9 juco standout Qyntel Woods. The Tigers will move up if Amare Stoudamire decides to go to college -- most expect him to make the jump to the pro ranks.

5. Michigan State (Big Ten): Coach Tom Izzo gets quality talent year in and year out. He kept Kelvin Torbert in state and now 6-10 forward Paul Davis is staying close to home. Izzo also signed a scoring guard in Maurice Ager of Detroit.

6. Maryland (ACC): Another home run for the ACC. Coach Gary Williams has to be ecstatic to add the likes of point guard John Gilchrist, shooting guard Chris McCray and DeMatha High School forward Travis Garrison.

7. Illinois (Big Ten): Coach Bill Self welcomes point guard Dee Brown and a pair of big men in 6-10 James Augustine and 6-8 Kyle Wilson as part of a solid class.

8. Villanova (Big East): New coach Jay Wright has already had a major impact at the Big East school. He had great success recruiting the New York area when he was at Hofstra, and that has continued with the additions of point guard Allan Ray from St. Raymond's in the Bronx and Curtis Sumpter from Bishop Loughlin in Brooklyn. He also added Randy Foye of Newark, N.J.

9. Georgia Tech (ACC): Coach Paul Hewitt has done a marvelous job. Center Chris Bosh of Dallas was a big plus, and Jarrett Jack is a shooting guard supreme!

10. Louisville (C-USA): Coach Rick Pitino has had an impact right away. He got three dynamite commitments, and they signed even before they visited campus. Cardinal fans will be happy to see center Kendall Dartez, forward Francisco Garcia and guard Taquan Dean on board.