Matthew Pilgrim a possible Wildcat?

Matt Jones and Marc Maggard are reporting that Matthew Pilgrim of Hampton ~~College~~ University in Hampton, Va. (an old stomping ground of mine) may be the "mystery transfer" that had been discussed recently. Maggard says on TCP that he is visiting today and "will likely be a Cat before he leaves."

You can take a look at his stats here (Courtesy of StatSheet.com)

2 months ago Truzenzuzex Comment 27 comments 0 recs |

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I suppose..

I just need to have faith in BCG on this one. I’ve never seen the kid, nor even heard of him till this week, but there doesn’t seem to be much on the stat line that recommends him for UK. A lightly-recruited 2-star out of high school, whose minutes diminished in his sophomore season at Hampton, averaged 8 and 5 in the MEAC, and a 42% FT shooter. Missed nine games with a broken foot his freshman year and sat out four his soph year for some reason (injury? discipline?). But ….. fortunately for all of us, I’m not the coach.

by rockatao on May 15, 2008 2:35 PM EDT 0 recs

Yeah ...

Matt Jones has an update on him here. The staff is describing him as “a bit of a flier.”

He has good size and excellent athleticism. Maggard said that Hampton just wasn’t a good situation for him, whatever that’s worth. But, 6’8”, 225# athletes are a hot commodity. Who knows?

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on May 15, 2008 2:39 PM EDT up 0 recs

FWIW

Found this about him on NBADraft:
http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/matthewpilgrim.html

Not a bad rating for a Soph….Somebody out there thinks highly of him.

by sylvar on May 15, 2008 3:18 PM EDT 0 recs

I saw that

.. and what makes that article even more remarkable is that it was written in February of his freshman year, after he had missed the first nine games of that season with the broken foot. So, at that time, he had only played 10-12 college games. Just seems like a reach to be projecting him into the NBA that soon.

I'm not familiar with that site.  Do they write puff pieces on everybody, or do they do a pretty good job of evaluating players?

by rockatao on May 15, 2008 3:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

His Potential

is rated pretty high on the nbadraft.net site….that has to be a positive, Right? The fact that someone sees great potential in one so young? Even after injury? 85 is a pretty decent score, isn’t it? (I am assuming that the reviews are written by knowledgeable, legitimate NBA scouts when I say this)

Unfortunately, he wouldn’t be able to contribute in games immediately, due to the transfer and the fact that he will have to sit out the 2008/2009 season. But, another fairly large, relatively skilled body to throw at the boys in practice will most definitely be beneficial. Sure, he may need brush up on say—his free throws, but he will have all this season to work his little behind off and improve.

As for the idea that we don’t want him because he would be filling the last spot for 2009, well, technically I don’t believe we have actually SIGNED anyone for that class. Please, feel free to correct me if I am wrong on this. There is always the possibility that one of those (I am going with the worst case scenario here) will not pan out. Maybe BCG is more of “gambling man”, than a “save for a rainy day” kind of guy, who knows. And in reality, assuming he isn’t returning, won’t Derrick’s scholarship be open for the next two years? So, whoever takes Derrick’s scholarship won’t necessarily be taking away from someone else we are coveting for 2009. Unless of course we have already filled that scholarship….forgive me, I can’t keep track!

by BigSkyCat on May 15, 2008 4:19 PM EDT up 0 recs

I saw that ...

... I’m a bit skeptical, but it’s somewhat encouraging.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on May 15, 2008 6:12 PM EDT up 0 recs

Never

heard of him.

by kentuckygirl0724 on May 15, 2008 3:35 PM EDT 0 recs

Never Heard Of Heshimu Evans Before 1996 Either

He turned out OK.

Pilgrim may be a late bloomer.

by FortyYearCatFan on May 15, 2008 8:29 PM EDT up 0 recs

HMM

Not really sure on this one. The thing I dont like about it is our 09 class would be virtually full and there are some good big men we are in on for 09.

DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!

by davw83 on May 15, 2008 3:52 PM EDT 0 recs

Renardo Sidney Renardo Sidney Renardo Sidney

Scout still lists him with high interst in UK, but no offer. Either they’re wrong, or BCG knows something, etc. At 6’9”, 240, and 5 stars, I hope there’s a really good reason we seem to be ignoring this guy for 2009. It seems if we could get him it’s a better take than Pilgrim.

In my head I keep seeing Matt Pilgrim = Derrick Caracter. Lot’s of potential, but attitude issues. Though the early NBA scouting reports on Pilgrim give me hope. Maybe he is the real deal.

In Coach we trust.

by blbskue on May 15, 2008 4:17 PM EDT 0 recs

Everything I have heard about Sidney...

...points to him staying out West. I don’t know how hard we’re recruiting him, but I’d be willing to bet that he has an offer. Rivals and Scouts don’t keep those lists very up-to-date from what I can tell.

A lot of people are ignoring that Pilgrim will have a full year to practice with the team. This means he has a year to learn the system and go up against Patrick Patterson on a near daily basis. There are no 2009, 5-Star recruits who will have this SIGNIFICANT advantage, nevermind that he will be a junior by the time he hits the court.

We’ve seen what can happen to a player given this opportunity in Perry Stevenson last year. There were (and are as far as I’m aware) no websites projecting Perry Stevenson as a future first round draft pick, so imagine how someone with the alleged skills of Pilgrim will fare with that kind of experience…

Maggard has indicated that Hampton was running a very guard & perimeter-oriented system that did not favor Pilgrim’s interior game (though he is also supposed to be solid on the perimeter), and that’s one of the reasons for his transfer. Take that for what it’s worth.

by BBallSophist on May 15, 2008 4:56 PM EDT up 0 recs

I think ...

... Sydney will stay out West. He’s also developing the same kind of hangers-on that dogged Mayo, he has been on the radar a very long time. He is completely a creature of AAU ball, and it may be that Gillispe doesn’t think he’s the kind of one-and-done player we want.

Guys like Sydney make me nervous. Better if he goes elsewhere, I think.

But you make a great point about Pilgrim. You have to be concerned about the allegations of “attitude issues,” but assuming he can right the ship, he would be just the sort of player that would fit well in this system. As Matt Jones suggested, it looks like they are “taking a flier” on him. He has the tools to become a very good college player, from what I can tell.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on May 15, 2008 6:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

I wasn't aware

of the West coast leanings/AAU mindset of Sydney. Given all that and his hype, he likely is a one and done, which no matter the abilities I don’t want.

I also like the points BBallSophist makes – I agree that giving a guy like Pilgrim, with his possible potential, a year to develop and practice could make him a beast in two years. Also, if any coach in the land can fix his attitute it’s BCG.

by blbskue on May 16, 2008 8:18 AM EDT up 0 recs

"In coach we trust"

Ha! With some of the decisions recently made one wonders, but I keep telling myself to, likewise, trust the man who gets paid millions to pull the trigger on these decisions.

If Matt Pilgrim=Derrick Caracter and Caracter was recruited by Slick Rick, does Pitino=Gillispie? And if so is that a bad thing?

by Thomas Hunt Morgan on May 15, 2008 9:22 PM EDT up 0 recs

Pitino Is A Very Good Coach And Recruiter

Gillispie has shown his recruiting mettle but must still do so as a coach. He’s good but < Pitino as a coach.

It will be a very good thing if Gillispie = Pitino someday. Very few coaches do = Pitino.

by FortyYearCatFan on May 15, 2008 9:30 PM EDT up 0 recs

Heh ...

He’s 1-1 against him. So far, I’d say Gillispie is his equal.

I think Pitino is a fine coach, and with his record, I don’t actually believe I could make a logical case that Gillispie is a better coach than Pitino. Traitor Rick does have some years on him, and those years matter.

Still, I think it’s instructive that the first time they met, despite the fact that Louisville had at least an equal team to TAMU, and the fact they were playing the game 75 miles away from Louisville’s campus, Pitino came out on the short end. One game does not make all the difference, though. Still, Pitino is clearly not the same coach now he was when he was at Kentucky, and I’m convinced, not for the better.

But if you compare overall records, I think your point would have to be conceded easily.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on May 16, 2008 7:14 AM EDT up 0 recs

Pitino > Gillispie (I Think)

Pitino at Boston U and Providence was 133-74 (19 W and 10.6 L avg) in 7 years. 4-2 NCAA.

Gillispie at UTEP and Texas A&M was 100-58 (20 W and 11.6 L avg) in 5 years. 3-3 NCAA.

Very comparable at same point in their careers.

Pitino 36-20 his first 2 years at UK. Gillispie 18-13 after 1 year at UK. Similar start for both.

Gillispie clearly on an uptick. Pitino clearly not but still > Gillispie as a coach (I think).

by FortyYearCatFan on May 16, 2008 8:54 AM EDT up 0 recs

Statistically ...

... I can’t argue the point. Pitino’s statistics are much better, no question, the end.

But coaching isn’t about statistics, particularly when you are comparing different career lengths. I’m not saying that Gillispie is a better coach today than Pitino is today, I am saying that your conclusion doesn’t necessarily follow from past statistics if we are talking about the here and now.

I believe your conclusion is indisputable based on the totality of both men’s careers, but then again, it may not be true in the here and now. But I am not totally sold yet on Gillispie’s coaching given some really strange decisions last year. This year, perhaps he can allay those lingering doubts. Who knows, maybe we will even find a way to send the Cardinals home red-faced and red-assed to match those ugly uni’s next year. :-)

If that happens, we may be able to reopen this debate.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on May 16, 2008 10:59 AM EDT up 0 recs

If Gillipie Is = Pitino In 7 Years

UK fans will be happy.

If he is = Tubby, I’d be happy but many UK fans might disagree.

Right now, he’s where Pitino was in 1991 or Tubby in 1997. Good but unproven at UK level.

by FortyYearCatFan on May 16, 2008 11:50 AM EDT up 0 recs

Yep ...

... I’d say that’s right.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on May 16, 2008 3:54 PM EDT up 0 recs

Some thoughts

1) Knock on wood, but this guy could be a back-up plan were Patterson to leave after this season, which frees up another scholly.

2) I worry about his attitude, but since he is a transfer he won’t suit up for a year. This means that BCG has an entire season to see what this guy is made of.

3) We’ve seen this past season what Coach can do with talented players who underachieve, ie: Crawford, Bradley, Stevenson… If he has the talent people say, I would think he could be worth the risk.

Still not a crook!

by TrickyD26 on May 15, 2008 4:17 PM EDT 0 recs

Matt Pilgrim

Brother of Mike Pilgrim (briefly a Cincy Bearcat who transferred) and nephew of Louie Orr (ex-Syracuse basketball star recruited there by Rick Pitino then ex-Seton Hall coach).

Nondescript player on Cincy Withrow in 2005 who went to Bridgton ME (prep school, alma mater of “Woo” Obrzut) in 2006. Late bloomer with good potential. Not UK level player according to a Cincy AAU coach whom I just called to ask about Pilgrim.

by FortyYearCatFan on May 15, 2008 10:05 PM EDT 0 recs

I did a little 5 minute

research on Mike Pilgrim – am I reading this correctly? Went to Cincy, then transferred to Seton Hall, then transferred again to the University of Arkansas Monticello Roll Weevils???

Of course, not really relevant to his brother, but it seems the Pilgrim brothers can’t stay put. At least Matt is trying to transfer UP, not end up at, well, U of Arkansas Monticello.

Please correct me if I am misinterpreting Mike’s career.

by blbskue on May 16, 2008 8:25 AM EDT up 0 recs