Will Calipari Break The Pattern (Recruiting Class After #1 Class)

by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 24, 2009 11:04 AM EDT Comment 33 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.

0 recs | Comment 33 comments | Add comment

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

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

http://community.foxsports.com/goodmanonfox/blog/2009/10/27/walls_leadership_terrific_raw_7foot_jehovahs_witness_to_pac10

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

These rankings are as much about the NUMBER of recruits who come into a program in a given year as they are about the QUALITY.

Small classes rate lower.

What 40 is pointing out is a natural ebb and flow — that after a coach brings in a large class (which stands a greater chance of being highly rated), he often needs fewer guys the next year, or has fewer scholarships to give. Smaller classes often follow larger classes.

It is only natural for there to be such ebb and flow, and I’m not at all worried about the next few years.

Finally, I’m not sure why we’re supposed to think the ‘93 class was not a great one. I don’t know too many coaches who wouldn’t have traded us for that group. Anthony Epps was All-SEC, All-SEC Tournament, All-NCAA Regional Team. And he was the WEAKEST guy in that class. The other two played pro ball after stellar college careers.

Sheppard was a Parade All American who went on to win a National Championship and become the MOP of the NCAA Final Four before playing pro ball. It doesn’t get much better than that. Mark Pope played six years in the pros after earning All-SEC Tournament honors.

There were no flies on that class.

If Mark Pope, Jeff Sheppard, and Anthony Epps aren’t a Top 10 class, that says more about the ratings than it does about them. I’d be interested in seeing what classes were supposedly ranked above that one. I’ll guarantee you there weren’t ten better classes than that one that year.

by Ken Pomeroy on Oct 26, 2009 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

93 Class Was Not Highly Rated

And you missed the point.

Despite having 3 good additions, it was a HUGE dropoff after the #1 rated 92 class.

Epps turned out fine but he had few scholarship offers in 1993. Sheppard was good but UK sought higher rated guards in 1993. Pope was a late addition after all of the misses in 1993.

by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 26, 2009 6:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Examples

UK sought guards Randy Livingston or Damon Flint and forwards Charles O’Bannon or Jason Osborne as 1993 recruits. All were McDonalds A-A that year. None signed at UK.

A few examples of (much) higher rated classes in 1993 are LSU (3 McD A-A), UNC (also 3 McD A-A), and Cincy (2 McD A-A).

by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 26, 2009 7:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here are Top 100 In 1993 Class (By HoopScoop) And 1991 Too

http://www.hoopscooponline.com/members/top100classof1993.html

Sheppard is around Top 50 but Epps not listed (and Pope was transfer, originally 1991 class).

http://www.hoopscooponline.com/members/top100classof1991.html

Pope was rated about 90th in that class.

by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 26, 2009 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That is so true.

You could sign two 5 stars and nobody else and somebody with 5 recruits ( two 4 stars and three 3 stars) would be ranked higher.

by Grasslands1 on Oct 26, 2009 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But None Of the 1993 UK Recruits Was 5 Star Recruit

Sheppard (Top 50) was 4 star. Pope (Top 75 to 100) was 3 star. Epps (Top 200 to 250) was 2 star.

The 1992 class had 3-5 stars (Rhodes, Delk, McCarty) and 2-4 stars (Prickett, Dent).

by FortyYearCatFan on Oct 26, 2009 11:34 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

Who ?

Leroy Edwards..

by 59Bennett on Oct 24, 2009 12:25 PM EDT 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

Oh him..

35 yrs before my time…

by 59Bennett on Oct 24, 2009 12:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Mistake..

24 yrs…

by 59Bennett on Oct 24, 2009 12:40 PM EDT 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