When UMD's four freshman arrived at College Park, the recruiting services had them ranked as follows:

1) Shaq Cleare

2) Jake Layman

3) Charles Mitchell

4) Seth Allen

At this point in the season - although there may be some disagreement here; and that debate is certainly welcome - I think the consensus would have them ranked this way in terms of overall performance:

1) Charles Mitchell

2) Seth Allen

3) Shaq Cleare

4) Jake Layman

By the time the season comes to a close, however, this is how I think we'll rank them:

1) Jake Layman

2) Charles Mitchell

3) Seth Allen

4) Shaq Cleare

Jake's performance against, UMES was particularly encouraging, IMHO. He hit a couple 3-pointers, which I expect will help his confidence; and he looked more comfortable and engaged in the game. As a result, I fully expect him to hit a few clutch 3-pointers during ACC play, and become increasingly more active - because he's more comfortable - when we get into the conference schedule.

I love Shaq, and think he may have the biggest upside of all of them. But he hasn't been playing the game nearly as long as the others, and it often takes big men a little longer to acclimate themselves to the college game.

Seth and Charles will continue to improve, but I expect Jake will really start coming into his own with the ACC schedule approaching.

How do you expect them to be ranked in terms of their overall performance when the season comes to a close?