If the University of Minnesota basketball team makes a significant leap forward in the near future, it will be because of coach Richard Pitino's past two recruiting classes.
After filling several needs and building a foundation with a solid six-player class in 2015, third-year coach Pitino is expected to sign his second straight top 25 recruiting class Wednesday: Hopkins guard Amir Coffey, Rochester John Marshall wing Michael Hurt and Southwest Christian Academy (Ark.) forward Eric Curry.
The last time the Gophers had consecutive top 25 recruiting classes was 2008 and 2009 under Pitino's predecessor, Tubby Smith.
Pitino's 2015 class was ranked as high as No.