John Wooden, college basketball’s most revered living legend, expounded on many topics. One of his topics was “progress” and for Wooden, slow and steady was the order of the day.

“You must never stand still. You’re either moving upward a little bit or you’re going the other way. You can’t expect to go upward too quickly, but you can sure go down very quickly.

“The slide happens in a hurry. Progress comes steadily if you are patient and prepare diligently.”

Under Ben Howland, the UCLA Bruins have been consistent in their wins on the court and steady in its recruiting off the floor. In 2005, Howland’s class checked in at No. 13. A year later the Bruins signed the 21st ranked class and followed it with a No. 12 effort last year.

This time around, not only have the Bruins once again demonstrated a steady recruiting hand, they’ve hit the jackpot. Highlighted by the most competitive wing in America, Jrue Holiday, the Bruins climbed the mountain and occupy the top spot in Scout.com’s early signing period rankings.

A plethora of backcourt players mixed in with an energy power forward gave Howland his first-ever top-ranked recruiting class. In case you may have forgotten, the Bruins played for the national title two years ago and made the Final Four last season. With Holiday at the helm, Howland should steadily progress toward bringing a national title home to Westwood.

Frankly, we didn’t strongly consider another class for the top ranking but concede classes 2-5 are up for debate. Ohio State’s second-ranked group is built around future pros B.J. Mullens and William Buford.

Georgetown, whose class we believe to be solid without Greg Monroe, shot up once the top-ranked player in the country pledged his allegiance.

Skip Prosser is no longer with us but his “Big Three” recruiting class is set to pay homage to the man who worked so diligently to bring Al-Farouq Aminu, Ty Walker and Tony Woods to Winston-Salem.

Rounding out the Top 5 is Louisville. On sheer talent alone and in a year when numerous big time frontcourts have been assembled, Louisville’s may pack the biggest 1-2 punch. Samardo Samuels and Terrence Jennings will be a dynamic handful inside.

2008 Top 25 Recruiting Classes	Notable Recruits / Scout Rankings
1 UCLA Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: UCLA class: Chemistry won't be a problem as Holiday, Anderson have history; Gordon is perfect clean up man and Lee helps at two spots	Jrue Holiday / No. 3 Malcolm Lee / 22 Jerime Anderson / 28 Drew Gordon / 31
2 Ohio State Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Ohio State class: Mullens, Buford are legitimate impact freshman who should continue program's pipeline to the pros	B.J. Mullens / 6 William Buford / 12 Anthony Crater / 84 Walter Offutt / 29 SG
3 Georgetown Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Georgetown class: Last year the backcourt was re-tooled and this time around the frontcourt gets revamped with nation's top prospect	Greg Monroe / 1 Henry Sims / 43 Chris Braswell / 52 Jason Clark / 89
4 Wake Forest Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Wake Forest class: Skip Prosser's dream class realized as the "Big Three" give Wake Forest major street cred	Al-Farouq Aminu / 8 Ty Walker / 21 Tony Woods / 47
5 Louisville Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Louisville class: Pitino might be sitting on a frontcourt that could rule the land; complimentary guys are very good players	Samardo Samuels / 2 Terrence Jennings / 2* Jared Swopshire / 88 Melquan Bolding / 26 SF Kyle Kuric / NR
6 North Carolina Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: North Carolina class: Think about this: Heels landed Scout.com's No. 3 and 4 power forward prospects in the same class	Ed Davis / 10 Tyler Zeller / 16 Larry Drew / 78
7 Arizona Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Arizona class: This group was assembled swiftly and Jennings is charged with adding octane to an already high-powered attack	Brandon Jennings / 7 Jeff Withey / 33 Emmanuel Negedu / 50 Brendan Lavender / NR
8 Florida Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Florida class: Major frontcourt re-tooling centers around ever-improving Kadji and the versatility of Vargas	Kenny Kadji / 25 Eloy Vargas / 30 Allan Chaney / 61 Ray Shipman / 66 Erving Walker / 27 PG
9 Kansas Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Kansas class: Self rallied for the Twins and battled for others; another Top 10 effort on its way to Lawrence	Marcus Morris / 2* Travis Releford / 37 Markieff Morris / 5* Mario Little / Top 10JC Quintrell Thomas / 92
10 Mississippi State Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Mississippi State class: Bost is a complete steal and Hopson won't be a 4-year player; Osby brings versatility to attack	Scotty Hopson / 11 Dee Bost / 6* Romero Osby / 49
11 Oregon Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Oregon class: Kent's Midwest pipeline couldn't have worked out any better for the Chicago-centered Ducks	Michael Dunigan / 18 Matthew Humphrey / 75 Drew Wiley / 91 Teondre Williams / 25 SG Josh Crittle / 27 C
12 Alabama Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Alabama class: Everyone knows Steele and Green but don't sleep on Mitchell coming in and exploding for Tide	JaMychal Green / 17 Tony Mitchell / 34 Andrew Steele / 79
13 Florida State Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Florida State class: Dulkys doesn't have the fanfare but he's got the stroke; Gibson is the long term that could pay dividends	Chris Singleton / 27 Xavier Gibson / 53 Deividas Dulkys / T-15* Luke Loucks / 13PG Pierre Jordan / NR
14 Kentucky Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Kentucky class: Cats put the country on notice when they scored Liggins and guarded borders with Miller move	DeAndre Liggins / 20 Darius Miller / 35
15 Washington Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Washington class: Quietly assembled, the Huskies bring in 4 guys who will have strong roles for many years	Scott Suggs / 45 Isaiah Thomas / 8* Elston Turner, Jr. / 71 Tyreese Breshers / 83
16 Michigan State Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Michigan State class: Roe is flat-out one of the most talented kids Izzo ever recruited and the kind of guy dedicated to winning	Delvon Roe / 9 Korie Lucious / 90 Draymond Green / 98
17 West Virginia Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: West Virginia class: The Mountaineers won possibly signing day’s biggest recruiting battle of the day when it outlasted 6 other teams to secure a Top 25 recruiting class	Kevin Jones / 48 Roscoe Davis / 59 Darryl Bryant / 37 PG
18 Duke Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Duke class: Blue Devils beat two in-state teams and UVA for Williams, another high school all-american	Elliot Williams / 14 Olek Czyz / 87
19 Maryland Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Maryland class: Gilchrist is a mid-year decision and you can mark Mosley down as a consistent 4-year scorer	Sean Mosley / 39 Gus Gilchrist / No. 55 2006
20 Louisiana State Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Louisiana State class: Does anyone agree that the frontcourt was an area of emphasis? All signees 6-7 or taller!	J'mison Morgan / 29 Delwan Graham / 68 Storm Warren / 31 PF Dennis Harris / NR
21 Syracuse Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Syracuse class: You want wings? Jim Boeheim's got 'em and not only are they talented but they'll compliment each other well	Kris Joseph / 41 Mookie Jones / 57 James Southerland / 39 SF
22 Connecticut Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Connecticut class: Walker is the short and long term solution at point for Huskies while Miles can get buckets	Kemba Walker / 23 Nate Miles / 4*
23 Nevada Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Nevada class: Nevada's class impressive as program took advantage when commits de-committed and picked Pack	Luke Babbitt / 19 Mark McLaughlin / 76
24 Southern Cal Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Southern Cal class: DeRozan's meteoric rise -- he may be the best prospect in the class -- gives USC glitzy star power	Demar DeRozan / 5 Donte Smith / Juco Malik Story / 26 SG Percy Miller / NR
25T Clemson Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Clemson class: This class will fly under the radar until it arrives on campus and unfurls a series of good players	Catalin Baciu / 46 Andre Young / 85 Tanner Smith / 21 SF
25T Virginia Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Virginia class: The frontcourt has been rebuilt with big bodies and Landesburg brings versatility to the backcourt	Sylven Landesberg / 38 John Brandenburg / 81 Assane Sene / NR
25T Indiana Telep's Class notes Dave Telep's Class Notes: Indiana class: With Bud Mackey we're talking about an elite class; without him the group has a bonafide star in Ebanks	Devin Ebanks / 13 Terrell Holloway / 16 PG Tom Pritchard / NR Matt Roth / NR