College basketball is the one sport that puts its “draft night” up against the opening of its season, and in the case of Vanderbilt men’s basketball there’s no competition.

The Commodores start Bryce Drew’s second season Friday at Memorial Gym against Austin Peay, an interesting matchup that will also serve as the Governors debut of coach Matt Figger.

It’s the second game of a doubleheader, the first pitting Stephanie White’s second Vandy women’s team against Hall of Famer Rick Insell and a good Middle Tennessee State squad.

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But the college basketball story right now in a state filled with compelling ones is a recruiting story. The early signing period started Wednesday and lasts a week, and before it ends Drew’s program may have locked up three recruits for 2018 who can change how this program looks. And plays. And thinks about its ceiling.

One or two great players can transform in college basketball, which actually helps explain why the FBI is now treating it like an organized crime family.

As other SEC programs deal with the fallout, Drew has sold the education, city and chance at ground-floor involvement in a rising program to point guard Darius Garland (Brentwood Academy), shooting guard Romeo Langford (New Albany, Ind.) and big man Simi Shittu (Saxton River, Vt.)

More:When Brentwood Academy basketball star Darius Garland is planning to sign

There are indications — in a land of rumors and writing on the wall that I call CrootinVille — that all three may be buying.

That’s three of the top 15 players in the country, per Rivals.com rankings, with Langford at No. 6, Shittu No. 8 and Garland No. 15. That’s Kentucky territory. These are three players who have offers from schools such as Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina, Kansas … name your favorite blueblood, that blueblood has been interested.

And in this age of short stays and freshman-loaded teams making deep runs, that’s a 2018-19 national contender in Memorial Gym. Drew already has signed forward Aaron Nesmith (Charleston, S.C.) for 2018, beating out Florida and South Carolina among others for him. He has a solid freshman class on campus now. This stuff can happen fast.

It also can change fast, so hold the parade until names appear on the dotted line. Three, two, one or none of these players could end up in Nashville next season. But I will frankly be surprised if Garland doesn’t stay home. And that alone, in the words of Scout.com analyst Brian Snow, “would be huge.”

More:Darius Garland gears up for season as his recruitment winds down

“A lot of times a five-star commitment is more of a perception thing for a program than a reality thing,” Snow said. “But Darius Garland is so good and will impact Vandy so much right away, it’s also huge on the court.”

When this matter is settled, that’s where the focus will return. There are so many interesting stories ahead in our state. If this Vanderbilt team successfully transitions from Luke Kornet to a fast, small-ball style, it can make Drew 2-for-2 in NCAA bids. White’s Vanderbilt team has a lot of youthful promise and shouldn’t be counted out for a bid.

The Lady Vols have the best chance of serious hardware among all the teams, thanks to the top recruiting class in the nation. They are going to be fascinating to watch. And Rick Barnes’ Vols are much better than the SEC media prediction of 13th in the league — I think they’re better than the Commodores, for one, and a legit NCAA hopeful.

Can Kermit Davis and MTSU overcome the losses of Reggie Upshaw and JaCorey Williams and rule Conference USA again? Giddy Potts, Tyrik Dixon, Brandon Walters and Alabama transfer Nick King would suggest there’s a good chance.

More:Belmont, Lipscomb, Tennessee State basketball teams all trending upward

Can Rick Byrd’s Belmont Bruins overcome the loss of star post player Evan Bradds? Dylan Windler, Amanze Egekeze and Austin Luke would like a word.

Tennessee State lost stars Tahjere McCall and Wayne Martin but still has Dana Ford on the sideline and quality returnees such as Darreon Reddick and Delano Spencer. The Tigers have seven new faces and a perspective builder to start the season — Friday night at Kansas.

Belmont women’s basketball has a championship pedigree and great ones in Kylee Smith and Sally McCabe. What we don’t know is how first-year coach Bart Brooks will do in place of Cam Newbauer, who has moved on to coach at Florida.

And if there’s a player and team deserving of more attention, it’s Garrison Mathews and his Lipscomb Bisons. Watch out for both this season.

But first, all eyes on CrootinVille.

Contact Joe Rexrode at jrexrode@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter @joerexrode.