ESPN Men's Basketball Recruiting

Here is a peek at the 2008 recruiting hauls for the second half (listed alphabetically) of the Big 12 conference.

Nebraska, no commits
Last year was the first season at Nebraska for head coach Doc Sadler, who did a good job at UTEP before joining the Cornhuskers. Nebraska finished 17-14 overall, and 6-10 in the Big 12. Sadler and the Huskers had one of the nation's most bountiful recruiting classes with eight newcomers.

This season, the most dominant player is expected to be senior center Aleks Maric on a roster filled with former junior college standouts.

Nebraska now has only one available scholarship, but that could change. At the present it does not have any commitments, but it does plan to sign one or two recruits during November. They most likely will re-sign 6-6 G/F Roburt Sallie, a 2007 signee who enrolled at San Francisco City College to improve his academics. They are also recruiting 6-10 C/F Chris Otule (Fort Bend, Texas/Bush) and 6-7 F Jeff Taylor (Hobbs, N.M.).

Oklahoma, two commits
Last season was Jeff Capel's first at Oklahoma following his successful stint at Virginia Commonwealth. The Sooners had a 16-15 overall record and were 6-10 in the Big 12, ending their 25-year post-season appearance streak, which was the longest in Division I basketball.

The Sooners are looking to bounce back and will rely upon returnees, like senior center Longar Longar, to help right the ship and become contenders again in the tough Big 12.

Their most positive contributions could come from high school All-American, 6-9 PF Blake Griffin (Taylor Griffin's younger brother). Do not be surprised if Capel builds the program around him, similar to how Rick Barnes used Kevin Durant at Texas. Griffin has enormous potential and abilities and is much stronger than Durant.

Oklahoma plans to sign four recuits this year and now has two commitments: 6-11 C Orlando Allen (Paris, Texas/Junior College) and 6-6 G/F Ray Willis (Atlanta/Westlake). Allen gives the Sooners another big body in the low post, while Willis was an effective player for the Georgia Stars last summer and should contribute as a freshman.

The Sooners are considered the leaders for 6-5 G Willie Warren (Fort Worth, Texas, North Crowley). They are also in the hunt for 6-4 G Verdell Jones (Champaign, Ill./Central); 6-9 PF Ken Bowman (Hutchinson, Kan./Community College); 6-7 PF Juan Pattillo (College of Southern Idaho); 6-8 PF Kyle Cannon (San Jacinto, Texas/College); and 6-8 PF Dario Hunt (Goldsboro, N.C./Charis Prep).

Oklahoma State, one commit
Last season was disappointing for coach Sean Sutton and the Cowboys. After a 15-1 start and a No. 12 national ranking, their fortunes reversed. The Cowboys finished 22-13, 6-10 in the Big 12, and lost to Marist in the first round of the NIT.

Sutton has restructured his program and appears to have more of his type of players on the roster. The top returnee could be G Obi Muonelo, who suffered a broken leg last year and could be the team's top scorer this season. Oklahoma State's large seven-member 2007 recruiting class was headed by McDonald's All-American, 6-6 G/F James Anderson, who has been impressive in early practices.

The Cowboys plan to sign three recruits this year and presently have a commitment from 5-10 PG Keiton Page (Pawnee, Okla.). Page has good skills and is a dead-eye outside shooter. However, his size and athletic abilities could be problems.

During November, Oklahoma State hopes to sign 6-1 PG Rotnei Clarke (Claremore, Okla./Verdigris) and 6-9 PF Dee Proby (Angelina, Texas/Community College). They are also involved with several junior college players as possible spring recruits.

Texas, no commits
Last season, the Longhorns, led by Kevin Durant, had a successful year with a 25-10 overall record and a third place finish in the Big 12. This season Coach Rick Barnes is counting upon backcourt ace, sophomore D.J. Augustin, to be his main man.

Add to that talented freshmen 6-8 PF Alexis Wangmene, 6-11 C Clinton Chapman, and 6-0 PG Dogus Balbay, and Barnes has a large number of talented players and a variety of options. Unfortunately, one of the Longhorns' most promising recruits, 6-7 forward Gary Johnson, is not expected to play this season because of a heart condition.

Right now, Texas is planning to sign one or two players this year. It does not yet have a commitment and may not sign anyone this fall. Top prospects its interested in include 6-3 G J'Covan Brown (Port Arthur, Texas/Memorial); 6-5 G Tyreke Evans (Aston, Pa./American Christian); 6-7 G/F Wesley Witherspoon (Lilburn, Ga./Berkmar) and Jeff Taylor.

Texas A&M, no commits
New head coach Mark Turgeon takes over a talented Aggies team that had a 27-7 overall record, finished second in the Big 12 at 13-3 and eventually lost to Memphis in the Sweet 16. However, missing this year is, perhaps, the all-time greatest player at Texas A&M, point guard Acie Law IV. Turgeon will rely on senior guard Dominique Kirk, 6-2 Soph. 1/2G Donald Sloan, and 5-10 Fr. PG B.J. Holmes, to try to replace him.

Former coach Billy Gillispie left the program with one of the nation's most promising freshmen big men, 7-0 C DeAndre Jordan, who could make a major impact as a shotblocker, rebounder, and when he develops his post moves, a dominating inside scorer.

Texas A&M has two commitments, and its recruiting in the Class of 2008 is now completed. The Aggies have added two gifted Floridians, 6-1 PG Dashan Harris (Montverde, Fla./Montverde Academy) and 6-8 PF David Loubeau (Plantation, Fla./Westlake Prep). Harris is an excellent playmaker, scorer and defender. He has the talent to become the Aggies starting point guard as a freshman.

Loubeau was considered Class of 2009, but he took extra courses this past summer and now has the necessary academics to enroll as a freshman next fall. He should be included among the top 125 players in the Class of 2008. He played well for Team Breakdown last summer, and with continued development his season, he could be a significant contributor for the Aggies as a freshman.

Texas Tech, three commits
College basketball's all-time winningest coach, Bob Knight (890 career victories), led his Red Raiders to a 21-13 season, and a 9-7 record in the Big 12. After losing leading scorer Jarrius Jackson, he will depend upon senior guard Martin Zeno to be his leader and points producer this season.

The best of Knight's best recruiting class at Texas Tech is outstanding 5-11 PG John Roberson, who could have the most immediate impact.

The Red Raiders expect to sign four recruits this year and presently have three commitments. The most recent is talented athlete, 6-2 guard Tyree Graham (Durham, N.C./Village Christian Academy). Graham gives the Red Raiders a versatile, quick backcourt player, who defends well, can hit the 3-pointer and will likely play in a backup role next year.

6-9 C/F Robert Lewandowski (Stilwell, Kan./ Blue Valley West) is considered one of the top 2008 prospects in Kansas but is very underrated nationally. He did not play summer basketball and is still somewhat unknown. He chose Texas Tech over Washington State and was recruited by Vanderbilt, SMU, Tulane, Iowa and others. He has good outside shooting skills and is considered a perfect fit for Knight's style of play.

6-8 F Corbin Ray (Katy, Texas/Taylor) committed to the Red Raiders last April. He is rated among the top 10 seniors in Texas, and his versatility, shooting and passing skills make him an ideal player for Knight's motion offense.

All three of these recruits should get considerable playing time as freshmen.

Texas Tech would like to add one more player in the spring. Its top target is 6-7 F Jeff Taylor, whose father and uncle both played at Texas Tech. He does not have strong ties to any school and is considering Texas Tech, Texas, Nebraska, Kansas and UNLV.

Bob Gibbons is the editor and publisher of the All Star Sports Report and is widely regarded as the recruiting guru of college basketball.