John Calipari on the Recruiting Trail [UPDATED]
by Glenn Logan on Apr 10, 2010 11:13 AM EDT
in Kentucky Wildcats Basketball
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PrintSo it begins.
Coach Calipari has visited C.J. Leslie this week and his apparently heading out to Los Angeles with John Wall for the Wooden Award ceremonies. Out there, he will reportedly visit Terrence Jones, another UK target.
For the record, and in the order of importance, here are are the players I would really like to see Kentucky get this spring:
- Brandon Knight -- Outstanding one-guard talent is nothing but a winner. Can shoot the three, get to the rack, finish, handle and pass. A+ student. What's not to like?
- C.J. Leslie -- Ridiculously long and athletic combo forward who can shoot it with range and rebounds like he weighs 250 instead of 205.
- Terrence Jones -- Outstanding, athletic forward who can face or post. Has a terrific handle and is the prototype for a DDM forward.
- Doron Lamb -- Solid, athletic combo guard who can comfortably run the point for short periods. has a sweet stroke that will only get better.
- Josh Selby -- Athletic freak who can score from anywhere. Almost always the most dynamic player on the floor. Finishes at the rim, and can get his own shot anytime.
- Terrence Ross -- Big, long 2-guard prospect who can shoot it with range and has the length and feet to be a good, multiple-position defender.
It's time to reload, ladies and gentlemen of the Big Blue Nation. Coach Cal is on the case, and in this part of the coaching game, he is simply the best, period. Get ready to welcome some hot new blue-bloods.
Note: Instead of starting a new post, I'm just going to update this one with today's recruiting news. The updates follow the jump. Keep an eye on my Twitter account for even more updates.
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What is Jones waiting for? "Just the right day," he said.
Heh.
- Josh Selby interview | Vaught's Views
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Though the players were kind to each other, the partisan UofL crowd wasn't so friendly toward Poole. Boos drowned out the cheers from UK fans during his introduction. He also heard it when he failed to complete his first dunk attempted in the allotted timeframe.
Don't worry about it, Stacey. They'll be booing next year too, when we're pounding them into the floor of their shiny new arena.
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IndyStar.com | Recruiting Central | The Indianapolis Star
As reported Friday, it Pike junior Marquis Teague is nearing a college decision and it will likely come next week.
This is a biggie. If Calipari lands Teague, Cardinal fans may commit mass suicide. If you think the invective directed at Cal is bad from the River City right now, it is nothing compared to what will happen if Teague comes to UK. Pitino has been on this guy for much longer than Calipari, but word is that UK has made up all that ground.
If Teague goes to the 'Ville, it will be a loss, but not a huge one for UK. The reverse is not true.
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At times Jones looks gangly and awkward, but he makes plays. He can dribble with either hand and he has a slow three-pointer, but it goes in if he has time to shoot. He has very long arms, which disrupts opponent's shots. He's also a quick jumper, which enables him to beat opponents for rebounds.
I really like this guy's game. I hope we get him.
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DraftExpress: Nike Hoop Summit Practices, Day Two
If you're following recruiting, this is a must-read. A ton of UK prospects are discussed in here. -
Ohio State’s Turner takes Wooden honor over Collins, field / LJWorld.com
entucky and Kansas appear to be co-leaders for Doron Lamb, a 6-foot-4 senior guard from Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., Oak Hill coach Steve Smith told kentucky.rivals.com.
It probably won't happen, but just imagine if UK beats out Louisville for Teague and Kansas for Lamb. How sweet would that be?
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DraftExpress: Nike Hoop Summit Practices, Day Three
Tons of updates for you on UK recruits. [UPDATED 4/10/10 12:15]
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Hey, its what we pay him for
Time to deliver!
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
by chirop1 on Apr 9, 2010 7:42 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
It'll be fun
Ii haven’t looked forward to an “off-season” since last year. and it had been since about 2001-2003 before that.
Go Big Blue!
Tru, don't we have to be a little prudent here....
If Cal were to fill all the roster spots with freshmen, JUCO and most, if not all at this point would be considered 3-4 year players, then where does he put the expected win fall of talent from the 2011 class? I would expect that 5-6 players will be all that he takes so that the next recruits see the spots for them already available. A team of 10-11 players next year with 1-2 non-scholarship players. Might make for tired team next year with a short bench. Thoughts?
Doesn't sound much different than the set up we used this year
Wall, Bledsoe, Patterson, Cousins with Orton, Miller, Dodson
/shrug
I say you take whatever talent you can get this year and deal with next year when it happens. Never turn down the opportunity to sign the amazing talent in front of you in the hopes that you’ll have a better one next year.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
I don't think Cal will fill the roster this year.
I think we will wind up with 10 or 11 scholarship players and a couple of walk-ons with one-year deals.
I think we will have a five or six man class. I don’t expect any of the players who have declared to return, but Calipari will leave at least one scholly open against that possibility.
Marquis Teague in 2011 is a much bigger potential get than even Brandon Knight, so he’ll have to keep in mind that we only have one senior leaving next year.
If Knight comes, I don’t think Selby will, although Selby is closer to a “one and done” than Knight, so you never know.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
That's my take as well...
Cal left 1 scholarship open this past year in case Meeks returned. 10-11 scholarships this year, leaving hopefully 2 in hand, provided the freshmen do their work and UK isn’t penalized accordingly. Harrelson is the only sure scholarship loss next year, so walk ons, which Cal doesn’t like, may happen for next year. A one time thing. IMO.
I think he will leave roster spots open too.
He seems to do it fairly often and isnt as concerned with filling all the spots as filling them with talent.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
Heh.
If you have ten players who are really good, you are probably okay. The only thing that can get you in trouble is a Tennessee situation or a bunch of injuries.
UK was very lucky injury-wise this year after a couple of years as the walking wounded. There is no doubt that Calipari’s practice style is much easier on the players than Gillispie’s was. We saw zero stress reactions this year, and under Gillispie, we had one or two a year.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Apr 10, 2010 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Duke
Generally only has 10-11 scholarship players and 1-2 walk-ons.
Works for K.
Why not UK?
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 10, 2010 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions
True.
No reason it won’t, unless there is a rash of injuries or … ahem … other things.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Apr 10, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions
uk1972
IMO we’ll see 2 oe 3 one-and-done in this class, especially if they go deep in nest yr’s tourney. That’s the price of success. If we had had a so, so yr this yr i dont think bled and ort would have declared. Just one man’s opinion.
I'd be surprised ...
… if we see more than two. Knight does not look like a one-and-done prospect (although I could be wrong), and neither does Leslie or Jones. Kanter could be, and so could Selby if he comes.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I believe
I read that Kanter has already said he’s one and done, maybe i’m wrong. At any rate, if next year’s class is successful, then I think we could see 3 gone. We didnt expect Orton to declare either, but that’s the price of success. Some guys, and/or their ‘advisors’ will think that they’re ready for the NBA.
by bigbill992001 on Apr 10, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
He probably is.
It has been widely assumed that he will be.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Apr 10, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
A nickel's worth...
Isn’t it great to even be having this conversation of being in the chase for the nation’s top recruits??
Now this is KY BASKETBALL!! Love it…
If your wings don't sweep....
My prediction:
The are ALL coming. They were just waiting for the mass exodus. Let the fun begin!!
It is not worth an intelligent man’s time to be in the majority. By definition, there are already enough people to do that.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Apr 10, 2010 11:21 AM EDT reply actions
That's very unlikely.
But I like your thinking! :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Apr 10, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Lol!
Oh..they’re comin’! :)
It is not worth an intelligent man’s time to be in the majority. By definition, there are already enough people to do that.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Apr 10, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I think we get at least 4 if not 5 of them
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
You know you love it. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Apr 10, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Isn't it absolutely fabulous that we get to have all this excitement
AFTER basketball season is over?
Yeah.
It’s also kind of strange that I don’t feel near as full of angst as I have in past years. It’s nice to be excited about recruiting, rather than wringing my hands about it.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Apr 10, 2010 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I can't wait-
Until Wednesday afternoon. My thinking is, if Brandon Knight chooses UK, then several more will commit soon. After watching the Mcdonalds game, I like Terrance Jones and Josh Selby the best. C.J. Leslie and Doron Lamb looked good too. I haven’t seen M. Teague, but I read somewhere he was going to be a walk on at L’ville. Why wouldn’t Pitino offer him a scholly?
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
Not Exactly
Knight UK likely. Selby KU more likely. Jones, maybe but not yet (and not for sure).
Leslie, maybe but less likely with Wall gone. Lamb, good chance.
Teague has a scholarship offer from Louisville.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 10, 2010 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
OK Thanks-
I agree about Knight and Selby. I really think we need Jones. I thought Leslie was a done deal and Lamb a good chance. It only makes sense that Teague got a scholarship offered. It’s too bad that M. Gilchrist will not be available yet…
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
Leslie ...
… is being strongly wooed by North Carolina State. He only lives a few miles from their campus. They are a very strong competitor for his services.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Yes, I remember that now that you mention it-
But really, no disrespect intended, he can showcase his skills better at UK. Just tell him to talk to John Wall. :-)
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
Yes, that's right.
And I think it will make a difference.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
He would probably "showcase his skills" better at NC State
considering he would be guaranteed 35 minutes per game there, and likely make up 30% of the team’s scoring. He would be the program, basically.
by mrmondaynite on Apr 10, 2010 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions
respect our home
Cal is our gift from Mr big guy upstairs but he needs to remember that Kentucky is where he should be staying mostly for recruiting visits – there are great players here in his backayrd – those big names are OK but are boys at home is where Cal should be starting – anybody else with my thoughts on the matter?
I wish that were true.
But sadly, basketball in the state of Kentucky is in serious, multi-year decline.
I hope that one day he will be able to do that.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Apr 11, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't mean to be rude... but that's BS
If you want to win the KHSAA state title… you’re absolutely right.
But if you want to win national titles, you have to recruit nationally. This isn’t the 1950’s anymore. Kentucky isn’t the hotbed of talent it once was. The head coach at Kentucky should always recruit any talent in the state that has the potential to play high division 1 basketball, but the majority of every recruiting class should be the best players available regardless of where they live.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
1970's
The KY talent level dropped off after that.
Never has returned to that level.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 12, 2010 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Okay... since this is a different era than the first 5 titles
Lets look at 96 and 98. Derek Anderson was a transcendant talent that was originally allowed to leave the state. Anthony Epps was a solid if unspectacular glue guy that the team needed to play under control. Scott Padgett grew into more of a player than anyone ever imagined. Cameron Mills could do one thing… and that one thing he did well.
I’d hardly say that 2 players per team qualifies as “several.” We have Darius Miller and John Hood. If we can win a title in the next two years, that will satisfy your Kentucky kid quota for the modern era.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
Anderson, Epps, Padgett, Mills
All but DA were HS sleepers. Even DA was (sort of) in that category.
by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 12, 2010 4:28 PM EDT reply actions
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