Good Read on Hoops Class from Rivals

STALLINGS TALKS 2008 CLASS
"Stallings is bringing in what Rivals.com recruiting analysts say will be a possible top-15 class, which easily would be his best in the rankings during his tenure at Vanderbilt. It consists of four four-star prospects, each in the Rivals150: point guard Brad Tinsley (No. 93 overall, No. 16 at his position), power forward Steve Tchiengang (87th, 27th), and small forwards Jeff Taylor (52nd, 10th) and Lance Goulbourne (72nd, 12th).
Kevin Stallings has put together a talented 2008 recruiting class for Vanderbilt.How did he do it?
"It certainly has to do with the successes we've experienced as a program the last four to five years (including three NCAA Tournament appearances and two Sweet 16s)," Stallings said. "It also helps when guys can look and say, 'Well, they've had the last two players of the year in the league (Derrick Byars and Shan Foster), and you go there and guys get better and you have a chance to play and show what you can do and have success.' "
Stallings diplomatically said it was too soon to say which player would have the greatest immediate impact, but Taylor is the highest-ranked player, and with the departure of Foster, Taylor certainly looks as if he'll have every chance to start from Day One.
"We've really helped ourselves," Stallings said. "We have four quality guys who are going to come in and impact our program hopefully sooner rather than later. I think so much of who emerges depends on need.
"The person who impacts the quickest is not always the one who impacts the most over time. Sometimes it is, but I think all four of them are capable of coming in and having an impact next year. I'm not saying all four will, but I think all four are capable."
Not to be forgotten in the class is redshirt freshman Festus Ezeli, a 6-11 center with a 7-5 wingspan. Ezeli has been clashing in practice for the past year with A.J. Ogilvy, and Stallings says Ezeli, a Nigerian, has made great strides and should provide a major presence defensively."