Not sure I understand this. Why would this class, in 3-4 years, be better than those other classes that are currently ranked higher, when they are also 3-4 years older?
There are two ways to catch up to, and pass, our conference and national competitors:
1) start with better players coming in, i.e. out-recruit them. Underwood has done well to assemble a full class this late in the year, but it's arguable that it was made necessary by NOT recruiting better earlier in the year, or because we were farther behind in talent than we thought in the fall. Still, as well as he's done, this group is middle-of-the-pack in the conference. It's not likely, by itself, to be good enough to elevate the team a whole lot.
2) out-coach them, both through skill development and team concepts. All the experts say Underwood is an excellent coach, and I tend to believe them, but it has to show up on the floor. This next year will be critical, I think, in showing what he can do as a coach -- improving guys skills in the offseason, and (with a more experienced assistant coaching staff in his system), teach and refine his offense and defense. If the team looks more fluid and cohesive and effective at running his schemes, then confidence will build (or be restored) that he can in fact "coach 'em up".
But as of now, using the information we have, it's not clear that this class, by itself, will necessarily outperform the other classes in the conference, let alone be enough to elevate the program. I am hopeful though. Of course, that's all we Illini fans have at this point -- hope.
