April 11 marks the start of college basketball’s late signing period for all unsigned basketball prospects.  Coaches and fans alike will be anxiously awaiting the decisions that will determine school’s immediate basketball future.  Here are five of the top unsigned players and what to expect when they make their commitments over the next month:

1. Shabazz Muhammad, 6’6 SG, Las Vegas, NV (Rivals #1, ESPN #2)

Considering: Duke, Kentucky, UCLA

Muhammad is considered by many to be the best all-around player in the country.  He put on a show at the McDonald’s All-American Game, scoring 21 points and grabbing six rebounds and taking home the game’s MVP honors.  Whichever lucky school lands Muhammad will be landing a surefire stud as Muhammad is fantastic around the basket and is pretty much automatic from within 15 feet.  His perimeter shot could use some work, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a real flaw in his game.  Muhammad is set to commit on Wednesday night and tweeted a picture of the three schools he is considering: Duke, Kentucky, and UCLA.  You never want to count Kentucky head coach John Calipari out for a prospect, but many believe that it may be between Duke and UCLA with the Bruins holding the slight advantage.

Prediction: UCLA

2. Nerlens Noel, 6-10 C, Everett, MA (Rivals #3, ESPN #1)

Considering: Kentucky, Georgetown, Syracuse

Nerlens Noel may have been the number one overall recruit next year if he had not reclassified to the Class of 2012.  He is still the best defensive player in this year’s class and boasts an uncanny ability to block and alter shots at the rim (think Anthony Davis).  Noel is said to have narrowed his list to three schools: Kentucky, Georgetown, and Syracuse.  At Kentucky, Noel will immediately fill the void left by Anthony Davis and may make the Wildcats an instant favorite to repeat as national champions.  At Syracuse, Noel will take over the role left by Fab Melo.  That said, I don’t expect Calipari to miss out on both Shabazz Muhammad and Nerlens Noel and a dominant big man should be at the top of Big Blue Nation’s priorities.

Prediction: Kentucky

Anthony Bennett, 6’8 PF, Ontario, CN (Rivals #7, ESPN #7)

Considering: Florida, Washington, Kentucky, UNLV, Oregon

At 6’8, 230 lbs., Anthony Bennet will be a force down low in college but what will set him apart from other big men is his ability to go out on the perimeter and knock down a three.  Unfortunately for the fans of the five schools listed above, Bennett is said to be the furthest of any top unsigned prospect from making a decision.  He has yet to make an official visit to a school, so we may have to wait until May for a decision from Bennett.  Rivals.com believes Bennett may be leaning towards Florida, where he would partner with returning big man Patric Young to formulate one of the most lethal front-courts in the SEC and perhaps the country.

Prediction: Florida

Devonta Pollard, 6,7 SF, De Kalb, MS (Rivals #9, ESPN #28)

Considering: Alabama, Missouri, Georgetown, Texas

Pollard is an extremely athletic small forward that has no trouble finishing around the rim and getting out in transition.  His game has been compared to that of Travis Outlaw. He is extremely long and lanky, is already an above average rebounder, and possesses the ability to block shots.  It’s hard not to love Pollard’s story, as he has had to overcome the death of his father and his family home getting burnt down all within a 21-month period. Pollard will choose between Alabama, Missouri, Georgetown, and Texas and some believe that he is close to making his decision.  As of yet, he has only taken official visits to Alabama and Georgetown and it could be down to those two schools.  This race is too close to call right now, but I will go out on a limb and guess that Pollard will want to stay closer to home.

Prediction: Alabama

Tony Parker, 6’9 C, Lithonia, GA (Rivals #33, ESPN #26)

Considering: Duke, UCLA, Ohio State, Kansas, Memphis, Georgetown, Georgia

Parker is a big boy at 6’9, 270 lbs. and has been able to dominate high school using brute strength along with a variety of good post moves.  Unfortunately for the fans of the seven schools listed above, Parker may be the most indecisive unsigned prospect.  He has pushed back his announcement several times and may have been the only player who went to the McDonald’s All-American Game and actually added schools to his list.  Parker is said to really like Kansas because of female strength & conditioning coach Andrea Hudy and the atmosphere in Allen Fieldhouse, but may be put off by assistant coach Danny Manning’s decision to leave the Jayhawks to become the head coach at Tulsa and the fact that KU already has three incoming big men in their 2012 class.  He is also said to love UCLA because of the prospect of potentially playing with incoming freshman Kyle Anderson.  Duke, Georgia, and Memphis are high on mom’s list because of the closeness to home, but Mason Plumlee’s decision to return to Duke may hurt them.  Expect this decision to be drawn out as long as possible.

Prediction: who knows???