Kentucky Basketball: Shaping up for 2010-11
by Glenn Logan on May 16, 2010 12:18 PM EDT
in Kentucky Wildcats Basketball
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PrintWith the addition of Eloy Vargas to the 2010-11 version of the Kentucky Wildcats, a big, missing piece of the puzzle finally snapped into place yesterday.
Vargas was considered to be the #2 player in the state of Florida behind Kenny Boynton in 2008, when he committed to Billy Donovan and the Florida Gators. Vargas is a versatile big man who can play the 4 or the 5, can post, face and shoot, block shots and defend both positions on the college level. Vargas also runs the floor very well and can rebound the ball.
"So why," you ask, "did Vargas leave Florida for Miami Dade, and why didn't Donovan play him more?" The answer, as near as I can tell, is twofold: Injury and academics. Like Patrick Patterson, Vargas has had a history of ankle problems in high school that carried over into his first year at Florida, which eventually required surgery. Given the apparent fact that Vargas did well academically at Miami Dade, we can probably postulate that his injuries along with the pressure of being a first-year freshman contributed to the academic difficulties he had at Florida. Vargas had a terrific year at Miami Dade, averaging 25 points on 47% shooting, 77% from the line, 40% from the arc (only 4/10 though), 14 rebounds/game (38% offensive) and 3.4 blocks.
Of course, translating first-year JUCO players' stats into production on a top D-I team is difficult, as we saw from Darnell Dodson. Dodson was spotty in his performance and suffered from a great deal of time in Coach Cal's doghouse for whatever reason. In the end, although Dodson was a significant contributor in some games, there were all too many in which he either didn't appear, or didn't play well. He was just up and down all year.
Big men, however, tend to do a bit better in the translation, particularly big men who were highly ranked and for whatever reason, wound up going the JUCO route. Just to be clear, I don't think Kentucky fans should expect Vargas to come in and become DeMarcus Cousins Jr. He just isn't that type of player, nor that type of talent. But Vargas is 6'10" and 220#, and that's something you can't teach. He is also very versatile in the mold of Patrick Patterson, and although he doesn't have the strength of Patterson (to say nothing of the mental toughness), he has a lot in common with him game-wise.
The other area of concern, magnified by the poor performance of the Wildcats in the fall semester of 2009, is academics. UK cannot afford to bring in another academic ne'er-do-well, but according to reports, Vargas has straightened up his attitude on that score. Of course, JUCO academics are not major college academics just as JUCO basketball is not major college basketball, so we'll have to reserve judgment on that and hope for the best. But we do have this report from Vargas' AAU coach to the Tuscon Citizen:
According to Vargas’ AAU coach, Kenny Gillion, grades are not a concern with his former player. Gillion told me last month that Vargas was a straight-A student at Miami-Dade Junior College this year.
That's very encouraging, and if he brings that same effort to Kentucky, Vargas could be a difference-maker.
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I agree about not needing someone else who might be a risk one the academic side.
Anyone remember being in college and you grade point got low? What classes did you take the next semester?
JUCOs are a great place to get ‘grade healthy’ again. Let’s hope he doesn’t get influenced by the say scholars who had the low grades remaining at UK.
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
Well ...
… I think that two years of maturity and an academically successful year in JUCO makes that risk very small.
It is said that Vargas’ academic problems were largely due to his lack of English language skills, coming as he does from Spanish-speaking Dominican Republic. The additional two years in the USA have no doubt addressed that problem to a large degree, and if he really did have straight A’s in MDC (which I see no reason to dispute), he is arguably less risky than Terrence Jones, who is known to have had academic issues.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on May 16, 2010 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
When I
started back to school after my time in the service and a few years of factory work, I went to Jefferson Community College and my experience there was that the instructors and courses were equivalent to that at EKU where I eventually graduated. I feel that if he has matured emotionally he shouldn’t have any problems with his course work. It really all depends on internal motivation.
I woke up feeling BLUE this morning. It's gonna be a great day.
'same' instead of 'say' sorry
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
just for the record
According to their website, Miami Dade College has at least some claim to be the largest institution of higher learning in the world, numbering over 170,000 students. It features over 300 academic programs and is obviously something pretty special as community colleges go.
Even before checking out the website I was going to point out that in many cases, a student is more likely to meet a qualified instructor at a community college than at a large public university, since the bulk of instruction at the latter institution is provided by graduate students. Community colleges can’t hire graduate students.
The BB program’s grade woes are either due to players bagging on their spring semester totally, or on their failure to take classes seriously at all (missing class, not turning in assignments). There are easy classes available. Ten players, four classes each to monitor is not a heavy workload. I’ll be glad to take care of this problem for my alma mater for a reasonable fee, contact creature c/o ASOB.
Haha!
I’ll be looking for inquires to forward. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on May 16, 2010 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought the poor grade average was for the fall semester. Am I wrong?
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
It was for fall.
Spring grades have not been released yet. Hopefully, they’ll be a lot better.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
John Wall tweeted that his 2nd semester GPA was 3.5...........looks like he did his part....
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
Your guess is as good as mine.
Soon, I guess.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
The APR report
for this spring semester is not due to the NCAA until 6 weeks after the fall semester begins. (I guess universites haven’t heard of computers and file transfer protocols.)
miami dade
Wikipedia indicates that Miami Dade College, Junior College, and Community College are all one and the same thing (they’ve changed their name many times).
Seriously, if they let players sign up for any class that is open, I don’t understand why they have problems. There are easy classes, there are easy instructors. Maybe the players are more focused on having fun in their non-BB time than we even imagine.
2010-11 Roster
http://bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/roster2010-11.html as of now, anyway.
by FortyYearCatFan on May 16, 2010 1:23 PM EDT reply actions
do not mean to beat a dead horse...
as i will believe Cal is our coach until he is not. that being said, the following article appeared in today’s memphis paper. it was written by the beat writer for the grizzlies and he never had an axe to grind with Cal.
for me, the bottom line is that there will be some doubt – albeit very small – about cal’s status until the bulls, nets and cavs get other coaches announced. the only reason i posted this article is to present an unemtional thought on the situation by someone who closely covers basketball in memphis.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/may/16/dont-rule-out-calipari-going-to-cleveland/
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on May 16, 2010 1:53 PM EDT reply actions
Agree about the doubt.
I’ve been busy that last few days so I haven’t had a chance to comment a ton and I’m sure this thread probably isn’t the best place for this discussion (sorry, Tru) but I actually appreciate you bringing up this topic again as I have a few things to say about it…… : )
While Coach’s twitter message was very definitive and totally works for me, and after such an absolute statement he would look like a total jacka** if he went back on his word now so I have a hard time believing that he would, the hard truth is that until Lebron signs with someone (Chicago, Cleveland, Nets, whoever) or as you mention, until the teams with coaching vacancies hire someone, the chatter amongst ESPN, sportswriters and the like will remain.
In checking with my NBA peeps : ) — apparently Lebron’s free agency begins July 1st and he can officially sign starting July 8th. So, while that doesn’t give any kind of actual deadline (just when he is eligible to sign someplace) and I suppose if he wanted to Lebron could very well drag the decision out a while after that date as he does hold all the cards and I would guess that most teams that have enough flexibility and can seriously make a run at him due to the fact that they have enough cap space would in all reality wait on him, but in all reality the "where will Lebron go, or will he stay in Cleveland" and "will he take Calipari with him, etc., etc." talk will continue incessantly, and unfortunately, we will probably have to endure it for the next 46+ days, at least.
A couple replys
1. Cal said it took him a long time to get the UK job. He intends to keep it for a while.
2. He said he wants a NC before he retires, and have a perfect season 40-0. No place else to get that but here.
3. The life span of an NBA coach is 2+ years. Cal knows this is the only place he can basically write his own ticket.
I turst Cal's word
I think I’ll trust his word based on what I have seen of his character these past 13 months.
I’ll start with the noogie he gave Cousins. That’s a dad telling his kid you’re OK. Hoops for Haiti. The way he handled Liggins and, then, Coach Strickland.
If I’m wrong, let’s shut this site down, because we are all morons. And I doubt that.
No matter where you're at, there you are
Wish it were that easy cincy
We are not morons, regardless of when he leaves.
Now, bite your tongue smash your fingers for suggesting shutting this site down. ;-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Interesting article memphis
I don’t agree with him totally. I’m not sure how much colleges would want Cal if he leaves yet another school (after saying he isn’t, again), should he then decide to return to the college level. Okay, they probably would still want him, but I think there would be a real cause for concern (leaving again) that would result in his salary most likely having several large stipulations.
And a little question for you…..Did these rumors surface every year Cal was at Memphis, or just occasionally?
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
pretty much every year for the last 5 or 6 years
first was other colleges, then nba.
as i said before, if you say he won’t leave, you will be right every time except once.
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on May 17, 2010 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I read it early today ...
… and found it thoroughly unconvincing for two reasons:
1. He never unequivocally told Memphians he would be back like he did this time;
2. This makes no sense:
Calipari ultimately leaves when the opportunity is clearly a step or two above his current occupation. And he’s reached Rick Pitino status in that Calipari can jump to the NBA and comfortably back into a college job if the pros don’t work out again.
Where is he going to jump back to? Not Kentucky. Not any other major basketball power I can see.
Calipari has been waiting years for the chance to coach Kentucky. The reasoning behind these people’s claims blithely ignore that as though it didn’t matter. I think it matters.
It mattered to Pitino. He continues to regret his decision to leave UK, and Calipari could not fail to know that. The two may be rivals, but they are more similar than different.
Is it possible he winds up in the NBA in spite of his unequivocal denial? Yes. Is it likely? Not at all.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I'll reiterate what I had posted on other threads:
1. Where is any documentation stating Cal has any desire to coach again in the NBA. Everyone is just assuming that notion, particularly those that rate NBA over NCAA basketball.
2. A major point noone has mentioned – Its well documented that Cal and Lebron have developed a good relationship. Would Cal want to put that friendship at risk by coaching Lebron? The odds of winning a NBA championship are long in the best of circumstances and they would be joined at the hip so anything short of a ring would put a tremendous pressure on that relationship. Staying at Kentucky gives him "king of the hill" college publicity, continued friendships with Lebron and others, job security, a damn good paycheck and unmatched fan adulation. He ain’t going nowhere!
3. I’ll also add: Cal saw what happened when you go to the NBA and try to come back to the NCAA – you get stuck at Louisville. ’-)
crap
meant #3…I know, I know, preview is my friend.
by blue kentucky girl on May 16, 2010 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
do not mean..............
Memphis Wildcat, would you mind posting who this “someone” is? No fault of your’s but I for one am weary of all these “unknown sources, reliable sources, a source at ESPN, an internet blog”, etc., etc., etc. reporting so called very reliable information. It seems like it is always shadowy and dark and unconfirmed. You know if I were a reporter I would cut a chogie for the
nearest communicative device to be first to get my story on and in the news. If you know this “source” personally and committed to not dsiclose their identity then fine. I respect you for that.
by WildcatBlue1930Adolph on May 17, 2010 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
nature of the beast
ron tillery is the nba beat writer for memphis paper. of all the journalists here, he seems the most level headed. not saying much i know given the bar is so low, but he really had no reason to wade into the debate
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on May 17, 2010 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey Guys and Gals
You have all undoubtably forgotten when “traitor Rick” was here. This is like a mating ritual. We will have this annually until Cal retires or leaves. It just comes with the territory. He said NO and I’m taking him at his word. After all he didn’t say never, only I will be back next year.
Happy Days are here again The sky is all ways BLUE again Happy days are here again !
I accepted when he left for the NBA
I have never accepted when he returned to coaching at UofL. That was uncool.
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Keep in mind ...
… Traitor Rick still regrets that decision. Do you think Calipari is unaware of that?
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I am choosing to sit in that camp for now. :-)
Being he knows that he would regret it.
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
+1
however………………can you say Nick Saban?
by bigbill992001 on May 16, 2010 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey Guys and Gals.........
Yeah. I know. That’s what bothers me. Seriously, I love UK and want them to have the best. Cal
is just that. However when you have the “best” every planet in the Solar System wants him/her too. Sounding off a little I guess. LOL
by WildcatBlue1930Adolph on May 17, 2010 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions
a2
That’s the nature of the beast. People in high profile positions are all looking to keep their names “out there” It’s true on wall street,coaching,NASCAR and all things in between.
Happy Days are here again The sky is all ways BLUE again Happy days are here again !
Two Commentaries
Calipari’s contract negotiations history at Memphis according to Jerry Tipton.
And, the next John Wall, don’t you just hate those the next stories?:
Harold Miner, the Baby Jordan or Demarcus Cousins, the next Shaq? Well there are some very early similarities between Wall and Rodney Purvis.
"There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." --James Madison
cal isnt going anywhere for awhile
IF he doesn’t go this year… he will not get another chance at a playoff team(BULLS) and possibly the best player in the nba at the same time… this would be probably calipari’s best offer for years to come….IF calipari does what he has said he will do(come back) then i believe calipari will be here for 5-7 years or untill a title is won.. what ever comes first
Breaking News!!
Bat Cats complete amazing turnaround and make SEC post-season by sweeping defending NC LSU 6-4 with 4 runs in 8th. Logan Darnell WP in relief.
UK 6-7-1, LSU 4-7-1.
One more series next weekend at Dawgs.
"There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." --James Madison
Neglected To Mention
That the 4 runs in 8th came on grand slam by Marcus Nidifer.
"There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." --James Madison
Just what the Doctor ordered!
Rebounds and free throws! If he does that well, he could average close to double figures in both categories allowing Kanter to do his thing!
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