(From the D-RC blog; info by Brett Vito):



The UNT men's basketball team just got done with its 2008 recruiting class and is already in the hunt for a couple of impressive players from the Class of 2009.

Rivals.com rates two players that have popped up in connection with UNT among the top 150 nationally. Reginald Buckner, a small forward from Memphis (Tenn.) Manassas, is rated No. 87 among players who will be seniors in the fall and has a scholarship offer from UNT. Ole Miss, Missouri, Bradley, Georgia State, Middle Tennessee, UTEP and Southeast Missouri have also offered Buckner, who is 6-8.

Houston Smiley power forward Augustine Rubit, who is ranked No. 147 among seniors, has also been offered by UNT. Tulane, Bradley, Santa Clara, South Alabama and Stephen F. Austin have also offered Rubit, who is 6-7.

Texashoops.com rates Rubit No. 23 on its list of the top players in the Class of 2009 and has the following evaluation of his skills:

"Thick paint player, good hands, finishes well at the rim, very good rebounder, works for position."

It's never too early to start looking ahead when it comes to prospects UNT's football and men's basketball teams are chasing, even though there is a lot of time left before the early signing period. Part of the fun of following recruiting is tracking players throughout the process -- how they play, who they are interested in playing for and where they end up when all is said and done.

Post your thoughts on the blog. Has UNT advanced its program to the point after consecutive 20-win seasons that it has a legitimate chance at signing a player ranked among the top 150 in his class nationally?

Obviously I would be thrilled to get a top ranked player like that. I think all of us won't be convinced of any of this until we see it though.

I'm just happy we're in the running to be honest.

It can happen. 2 NCAAs in 3 years would go a long way to help that.