Third time is not a charm for Tubby Smith's 2010 recruiting class

With two scholarships available following the signing of two prep prospects last fall, the Gophers had an opportunity to add more talent entering the late signing period.

The team gained two more scholarships when Paul Carter and Justin Cobbs decided to transfer, bringing their total to six available scholarships. The extra scholarships, however, haven't been converted into high-level talent. The team hasn't signed a player with more than three stars on rivals.com or scout.com.

The Gophers missed out on Cory Joseph, a five-star recruit at the top of their wish list who chose Texas.

They pursued Ben Brust, a prep guard from Illinois who was recently released from his LOI to Iowa, but backed off when Big Ten officials wouldn't allow him to accept a scholarship from another conference school. But Northwestern and Wisconsin appealed the league's ruling and won.

Since then, the Gophers have continued their search for talent in the final hour. They still expect Cobbs to transfer to another school, regardless of what he's told others about his intentions to stay.

According to scout.com, Maverick Ahanmisi, a fifth-year senior point guard from Stoneridge Prep (Tarazana, Calif.), will visit Minnesota Wednesday and probably accept a scholarship offer. Ahanmisi is not ranked on scout.com or rivals.com. The Gophers think he's more of a combo.

The Gophers have also asked Grand Rapids senior guard Eric Stark to join the program as a recruited walk-on, an offer he's expected to accept.

The Gophers also considered Milwaukee Lutheran's Chim Kadima, an undecided combo guard who decommitted from Iowa State.

I still believe Elliott Eliason, Oto Osenieks, Mo Walker and Austin Hollins all have potential. But this group is missing the immediate contributors featured in Tubby Smith's first two classes at Minnesota. A couple of them might redshirt. Some of these guys might surprise us. But after losing their top scorer (Lawrence Westbook) and top defender (Damian Johnson), it's hard to see how this class helps the Gophers get back to the NCAA tourney in 2011, considering what they've lost vs. what they've gained.

Not saying they'll miss next year's NCAA tournament, but the Gophers win based on their depth. And they're going to have a lot of youngsters on the bench next year. We'll see what happens.

After making the NIT in 2008, the Gophers added Devoe Joseph, Ralph Sampson III, Colton Iverson, Devron Bostick and Carter. In Year 1, Joseph proved to be a solid albeit inconsistent reserve, Iverson and Sampson started a bunch of games and Carter looked like a starting forward before an ankle injury sidelined him.

After making the NCAA tournament in 2009, the Gophers added one of the nation's top recruiting classes for the second year in a row. Royce White and Trevor Mbakwe didn't play last season, but they would have helped the Gophers in a lot of ways. Rodney Williams has NBA-level athleticism, but he's still developing as a player. Cobbs struggled in limited action his freshman year and will likely transfer. Still, the Gophers were better once the late signing period ended last year.

While the team has addressed its backcourt concerns, they're still in need of another post player. Without Paul Carter, they won't have a lot inside-outside players. Rodney Williams is more of a wing. Trevor Mbakwe is a true power forward.

Smith watched 6-10 forward Kevin Noreen (Minnesota Transitions) work out a few weeks ago, but I think the Gophers still question whether he can play in the Big Ten. And there are concerns about the reigning Mr. Basketball's lingering back injury.

That's why the team might end up saving their sixth available scholarship for next year's class.

White has had conversations with Gophers staffers about returning to the team. But one person familiar with the situation told me that the team is not ready to give him another chance because he hasn't gotten away from some of the people they've been concerned about.

But the source also left the door open to a possible return in the future ... seems like that's always the case with White.