Will Calipari Break The Pattern (Recruiting Class After #1 Class)
by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 24, 2009 11:04 AM EDT
27 comments
UK has signed the #1 class in the nation several times since I've followed the Wildcats (starting in 1966).
The first #1 class was signed in 1971 (Grevey, Conner, Flynn, Guyette, et al). The 1972 class consisted of Roger Wood, David Miller, Reggie Warford, Marc Moseley, and Jeff Ray.
The next #1 class was in 1979 (Bowie, Hord, Minniefield, Hurt, et al). The 1980 class was rated almost that high, with Bret Bearup, Jim Master, Melvin Turpin, and Dicky Beal. That's the exception to a trend, I think.
Next #1 class was in 1984 (Davender, Madison, Lock, Jenkins, et al). The 1985 class was Irving Thomas. Period.
Then comes another #1 class in 1988 (Kemp, Mills, Woods, Farmer). The 1989 class was Jeff Brassow and Henry Thomas.
And then, another #1 class is signed in 1992 (Rhodes, Delk, McCarty, Prickett, Dent). The 1993 class was Jeff Sheppard and Anthony Epps, with transfer Mark Pope added in the summer.
The final #1 class (prior to 2009) was signed in 2004 (Morris, Crawford, Bradley, Rondo, Sparks). The 2005 class was Rekalin Sims, Jared Carter, and Adam Williams.
A clear trend is evident above. The year following a #1 recruiting class often sees a big drop-off in recruiting.
Will that pattern get broken by Calipari in 2010? I think so but we'll see what happens.
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We didn't have one
and dones before so I think Cal will break the pattern. With kids looking for playing time, they were not looking to follow a stud recruiting class before and sitting on the bench. We pretty much know of 4 players that will be leaving at the end of the year, Patterson, Stevenson, Harris, and Krebs. It is projected that Wall and Cousins also leave after one year. I would not bet right now that Cousins leaves that quick. Cal says he doesn’t give scholarships just to fill spots so I see us signing at least 4 quality players, especially front line players. A big question is do we get another top notch point guard to come in and share time with Bledsoe? We definitely need some shooters and frontline players and another point guard that will stay longer than a year.
by Grasslands1 on Oct 24, 2009 11:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
UK Has Never Had 1 & Done Player
Wall will be the first.
by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 24, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Think Cousins will join him???
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Oct 24, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps
But Wall is a sure thing.
by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 24, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
okay, this may not be a popular opinion
but I’ll give it anyway.
Cousins should have gone out to Cali with Orton and Patterson. He doesn’t appear to be in anywhere near the physical shape that those 2 are in. That doesn’t mean he won’t have a huge year on talent alone, but my guess is that he will spend the bulk of the early season getting in game shape to play this offense.
The player that Cousins most reminds me of is Antoine Walker. (Cousins 6’11", 260lb, Walker 6’9" 245lb according to Wikipedia) By the end of Antoine’s freshman year he was pulling in accolades that could have come right away, IMO. ‘Toine could have been a one and done player if his conditioning was better and with a stronger work ethic early on. Again, just an opinion. I’m sure Forty will correct it.
I’ll say this though, I met the kid while camping for Madness and he was awesome with my little ones, I absolutely want him gone in one year if he can do it. I just have my doubts.
"The IQ of a mob is the IQ of its most stupid member divided by the number of mobsters." --Terry Pratchett
by Ontherocks on Oct 25, 2009 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This seems to back up my point
as KSR posted today.
"The IQ of a mob is the IQ of its most stupid member divided by the number of mobsters." --Terry Pratchett
by Ontherocks on Oct 27, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And maybe not the last-
I wouldn’t mind one and done kids, if they are as good as J. Wall. A good mix of P. Pat and E. Bledsoe types in the mix works well also…
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
by iam4ukintn on Oct 24, 2009 11:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
We have had a few of 2 and done players
Isn’t it the same premise? Left to go pro. ‘King’ Rex, is the first one that comes to mind. Forty, you probably know how many of those UK has had, I would imagine.
:-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
by a2d2 on Oct 24, 2009 12:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Several 2 & Thru Players
LeRoy Edwards, Tom Payne, Rex Chapman, Antoine Walker, Ron Mercer, Rajon Rondo.
by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 24, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
1935
Left UK to play the 1930’s equivalent of pro basketball.
Perhaps the best “pure” post player ever coached by Rupp.
by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 24, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Better than Spivey?
No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!
by oldcat'69 on Oct 24, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes
Spivey was more mobile and taller but LE may have been the best “pure” post at UK.
by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 24, 2009 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL...I do not remember 1935 either :-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
by a2d2 on Oct 24, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jon Scott Website
Has a link to LeRoy Edwards and his basketball career. Well worth reading.
by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 24, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks Forty :-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
by a2d2 on Oct 24, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not Another Top Class, But
A top 5 2010 class. Jerry Meyer says UK in contention with 7 5* players and likely to sign 2 or 3, that pretty much clinches a top 5. Stacey Poole, now 4*, likely to move up by season end.
"Were we directed from Washington when to sow, and when to reap, we should soon want bread."
—Thomas Jefferson
by Wild Weasel on Oct 24, 2009 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It Can Be Done
Joe Hall signed back-2-back highly rated classes in 1979 and 1980. Eddie $utton did the same in 1987 and 1988.
by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 24, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I will go one further.....I expect him to sign a top 10 rated class for at least the next 3-5 years
EVERY year……quick note Forty…..that ’93 class turned out to be a pretty good one too….probably not rated well….but sure fit the bill…..
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Oct 24, 2009 2:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Top 10 Rated Classes Signed At UK (Since 1966)
1966, 1968, 1971, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1994, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2009.
3-in-a-row is the most consecutive – 1978-79-80, 1982-83-84, and 1986-87-88.
The 1993 class had some good recruits but was a big dropoff from 1992 and UK missed most of its top targets in 1993.
by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 24, 2009 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hehehe.....bet they wish they had come on board.....
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Oct 24, 2009 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's True Of The 72 & 73 Classes Also
They missed out on UK’s 1975 NC runner-up, 1976 NIT title, and 1977 Elite 8.
by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 25, 2009 7:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You have 4 consecutive
with 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001.
by Grasslands1 on Oct 25, 2009 12:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, I Guess So
I stand corrected.
1998 and 99 were Top 5, 2000 and 01 were Top 10.
by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 25, 2009 7:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BTW ESPN (Scouts Inc) Has UK #1 On List of 4 Top 25 Recruits
Brandon Knight. Doron Lamb. Terrence Jones. CJ Leslie.
Look for UK to land 1 of those G and 1 of those F.
by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 25, 2009 9:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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