Class rankings 'bubble teams'

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This time of year in college basketball, "bubble team" is the trendy topic. So with that in mind, we wanted to take a look at eight "bubble teams" for our 2013 basketball recruiting class rankings -- one that just squeezed into the top 40 and seven more right on the cusp.

While lacking the hype and attention of the top-ranked classes, these underrated classes all have some immediate impact players and possible sleepers. They have strength not only in talent but also good fits for the coaching style and system of the school they will suit up for in the 2013-14 season.

South Carolina
South Carolina is just on the right side of the class rankings bubble, recently earning the last spot in the top 40 when, ironically, the other USC dropped out. Gamecocks head coach Frank Martin added perimeter scoring and rebounding, starting with ESPN 100 shooting guard Sindarius Thornwell (Lancaster, S.C./Oak Hill Academy), an athletic slasher and excellent passer who can make plays with the ball in his hands. Shooting guard Justin McKie (Columbia, S.C./Irmo) is an exceptional athlete who can score in a variety of ways off the dribble and with range to the arc. The final member of the class, Desmond Ringer (McDonough, Ga./Eagles Landing), is a 6-foot-9 aggressive rebounder on both ends who has improved his low-post scoring at a steady pace.

Which college basketball programs are on the bubble of making the recruiting class rankings top 40? Become an ESPN Insider and find out.

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Reggie Rankin

College Basketball Recruiting

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Reggie Rankin has coached in the SEC, Big 12, MAC, and others over 14 seasons. He has been a scout and analyst for RecruitingNation since 2007.