Kentucky Basketball Recruiting: Thoughts on 2013 Guards Andrew and Aaron Harrison

by jc25 on Jan 17, 2012 5:39 PM EST in Kentucky Wildcats Basketball

Seeing what John Calipari sees in the Harrison twins.

I attended a high school district tilt in Sugar Land, Texas yesterday--Bush vs. Travis--and did a write-up for Texas Longhorns site Barking Carnival (an SB Nation-owned blog). The game featured Texas commitment Cameron Ridley, but also two Kentucky targets in the class of 2013--Andrew Harrison and his twin brother Aaron Harrison.

The Harrison twins are two of Kentucky's key targets in the 2013 class, and they have continually maintained that kentucky is atop their list of schools. In a recent interview with Cats Pause's Jeff Drummond, their father Aaron Harrison, Sr. talked about the twins' interest in Kentucky.

"During the summertime, they really got to know (UK assistant Kenny) Payne, and after the visit, they felt much more comfortable with Coach Cal. He had been to see them seven or eight times during the summer, so that relationship has gotten a lot stronger.

According to Harrison Sr., Calipari has told the twins that they are his top priority in the backcourt for 2013. "They know that. They feel like he’s being sincere about that."

I was interested to see the twins play in person, and I didn't come away disappointed. The Harrisons combined for 36 points as Travis held on to beat Bush, 60-55.

Let’s get it out of the way right now: the Harrison twins are GOOD. Really good. They had a handful of "did you SEE that?!" plays, including Aaron hitting an NBA Range 3 and assertively rejecting a Ridley putback, and Andrew driving past Ridley to score on a nifty reverse scoop kiss off the glass.

This team is theirs. Both brothers played the entire game, save for the last minute when Aaron fouled out. The Tiger offensive philosophy is pretty much: let the Harrisons make plays. Travis primarily runs the dribble-drive motion offense made famous by Kentucky’s John Calipari, and they also run some high screens with a perimeter shooter. With no post presence, the Tiger offense is predicated on dribble penetration and hitting open shots.

For more of my thoughts on the Harrisons, check out the complete post.

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I bow to Calipari's judgement...

..but twins with attitude! We have observed the lumpy road of attitude adjustment before (and even currently), can you imagine doing it with a set of twins, with all the intertwined emotions that involves?

The knock on the Harrison brothers has been immaturity, wearing their emotions on their sleeve. It’s clearly evident in person. When either player didn’t get a foul call, they bird-dogged the ensuing defensive possession, leaving their teammates exposed.

I somehow don’t think the progression of measurement is times two, but more like squared. but time will tell.

by blenheim bard on Jan 17, 2012 6:57 PM EST reply actions