With the NBA draft now a distant memory, it is once again time for college basketball betting enthusiasts to examine which schools have the best draft classes heading into the 2011 – 12 seasons. Last year, a plethora of players many of us believed were going to be one and done type players, chose to stay in college due to a possible strike in the NBA. As a result, their schools will remain strong, but will also have to contend with these other schools that had excellent recruiting months. Here is our sports betting look at the top recruiting schools this offseason.

Michigan State Spartans – The Spartans started off strong last season, before dropping off and ultimately not going very far in the March Madness tournament. As a result, the Spartans coaching staff, made sure that this offseason was going to be a big one from a recruiting stand point. The crown jewel of Michigan State’s class is a six foot six inch small forward named Branden Dawson. While Dawson is no Kalin Lucas, he still provides the Spartans with that much needed go to player in big game situations.

Ohio State Buckeyes – Regardless of the return of power forward Jarred Sullinger, the Buckeyes once again possess one of the best draft classes in school history. This offseason, the Buckeyes recruited center Amir Williams and point guard Shannon Scott, two stand outs in the McDonalds High School game. Small forwards Sam Thompson and LaQuinton Ross provide the Buckeyes with different options for the low post heading into 2011 – 12.

Texas Longhorns – After losing their big three of Canadians Tristan Thompson and Corey Joseph, as well as American Jordan Hamilton, to the NBA Draft, the Longhorns rebounded rather nicely. Texas loves Canadians, as they recruited point guard Myck Kabongo who is considered to be the best point guard in this year’s draft class. Similar to last two first overall NBA draft choices John Wall and Kyrie Irving, Kabongo is considered to be a one and done player.

With the NBA draft just a few weeks away, sports betting enthusiasts handicapping college basketball are growing more and more curious as to how 2011 National Champion UConn will do in the 2011 – 12 seasons. After winning the National Championship against the Butler Bulldogs, former Connecticut star Kemba Walker made no secret of his intention to enter this year’s NBA draft. Then, making matters more intriguing, several of our betting online colleagues, ran stories that Conn boss Jim Calhoun was retiring. With that in mind, here is a look at the UConn Huskies offseason.

Last week was a big one for NCAA basketball handicappers, as recruiting week got underway. Leading the recruiting charge was National Champion the Connecticut Huskies, led by Head Coach Jim Calhoun. The fact that Calhoun, a coach with a number of health problems, led the way in recruiting indicates the 69 year old personally doesn’t have any intention of retiring soon. However, ultimately, if the health concerns get to be too much, Connecticut may just buy out Calhoun’s contract, in order to force him to deal with his health issues.

What is also intriguing with Calhoun retiring is the fact that Connecticut kept on the Huskies Coaching staff, despite a scandal involving a booster that doubled as an agent. For those unfamiliar with the NCAA, boosters and agents are deemed illegal when dealing with college players. Regardless of the scandal, Calhoun, was able to get a verbal commitment from Omar Calhoun a 2012 recruit who is seen by many experts as one of the top scorers in the nation. Aside from Omar Calhoun, Jim Calhoun was also able to lockup 2011 recruit DeAndre Daniels. Meaning to say, at least on paper, the Huskies shouldn’t drop down too many positions with the loss of Kemba Walker to the NBA.