OPEN SHOT: Recruiting about to blow up

by JL Blue on Jul 1, 2007 8:00 AM EDT in Kentucky Wildcats Basketball

Not much time, as I'm moving today (absolutely fun with a 5-week old ... ugh), but couldn't not point you to the happenings around the web.

Hosting a slew of talented recruits from the 2007, '08 and 2010 classes, head coach Billy Gillispie has apparently been rolling strike after strike.

The biggest catch could well be an "imminent" verbal from 2010 rising sophomore, and top 10 in his class, K.C. Ross-Miller. Rivals.com has the update (premium).

Ross-Miller has been recruited by Gillispie for some time, and has long favored the coach. But apparently, as we had all hoped, the combination of the new facilities and Gillispie's zeal for recruiting may have craeted a monster.

Among the other recruits various outlets have reported as being on campus include potential 2007 recruits Leonard Washington -- a former Souther Cal commit who has a colorful history, to say the least, as well as a man's sized power game -- and Andre Clark, the lanky lefty big man, also a potential '07 guy. Darius Miller was said to be on campus as well, the Mason County standout, and a new name, former Syracuse and South Carolina transfer Mike Jones, whose grade issues have him eying JUCO, if he's not eligible now.

This is, of course, all in addition to Rotnei Clarke, the sharp-shooting Oklahoma PG, whose visit was known beforehand. Clarke told Matt Jones' KSR that his "loves Kentucky right now" and similar statements ran throughout the weekend.

More to come as it's reported.

Update [2007-7-1 8:38:1 by Truzenzuzex]: Marc Maggard has an interview at Kentucky Ink with K.C. Ross-Miller himself that doesn't cost $$, and it is, well ... promising, to say the very least.

Update [2007-7-1 15:44:58 by Truzenzuzex]: Reader piketaylor says that Rivals has confirmed a verbal commitment by K.C. Ross-Miller to UK.

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According to rivals

he has verballed to UK

a perpetual state of bliss

by piketaylor on Jul 1, 2007 3:31 PM EDT reply actions

I'm probably not alone in saying that

I have a huge man-crush on Coach G right now.

I have never witnessed anything like this since I've been following Kentucky basketball.

The next few years will be special.

a perpetual state of bliss

by piketaylor on Jul 1, 2007 3:50 PM EDT reply actions

I think ...

a lot of people do, because he has addressed a giant source of recent aggravation in the Big Blue Nation. That will get you a lot of love, fast.

by Glenn Logan on Jul 1, 2007 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions

How many PGs does it take....

to fill out a roster? I'm not understanding this. Are we seeing a new cliche` being formed here? It seems that BCG believes that "4 birds, two years out, are worth are worth one on gameday." Once again guys, I'm really not trying to bad mouth BCG, but how many verbals can we take? If we have a backup for the backup to the backup plan, at what point are the recruits going to say, "Well he's already received verbals from three other players at my position, what would it matter if I changed my mind?" We now have Vilarino and Ross- Miller, with a heavy lean on R. Clarke and all those in the next two years?

by blueblood on Jul 2, 2007 3:24 PM EDT reply actions

How many... and how long?

I think recruiting point guards (or any position) every year could be problematic if you thought the top guys would stay all four years.

I really think you have to plan on guys leaving after one or two years if you have the very best players.

And to know what BCG is up to, I think you just need to look at his quote from a couple weeks back where he said he wouldn't be done until every player on the roster was a McDonald's All-American and he had commitments locked up for McD's AA's for the next four years to replace them. (or something along those lines...)

by chirop1 on Jul 2, 2007 4:55 PM EDT reply actions

BCG and PG's

I think you also need to take a look at these players games and how felxible they are. Yes, they are all classified as PG's but many of them are much more than that. Liggins can play the 1,2, or 3 although I think you will see him at the three or one .(shots not good enough for the two) Rotnei Clarke could definitley be dangerous as a two guard with the shot he has receiving assists from the others and Vilarino and Ross Miller have played together often in the past and are very comfortable sharing the back court together. These players are all very versatile and while they are all high school point guards becuase they are the playres on their teams who initiate the offense they will not all be primary point guards in college.

I also agree with Chirop1 that you cant be sure how many years you will get out of these kids.

by davw83 on Jul 2, 2007 5:11 PM EDT reply actions

All valid arguments...

I have considered the amount of turnover when recruiting high caliber/NBA bound recruits, and this does make sense. However, I might disagree with the viability of putting Clark or Vilarino at the 2G. I just don't think they will be able to shoot effectively over a 6'4"-6'6" defender, however that's what tubby said about a certain 2G at UT also (Lofton) and we all know how much trouble he's having with 3pt FG%. Liggins is definitely Mr. Flexible at any guard spot, even at small forward most likely. Consider the matchup problems teams will have when BCG pulls out the 6'8" SF in the 3G and puts in a bouncy rocket that can shoot like a 2G and drive like SF, and replaces the 2G with another bouncy 2G who shoots even better than his predecessor. I definitely see some bragging rights and alot of fun games coming back our way.

by blueblood on Jul 3, 2007 10:53 AM EDT reply actions

Clarke

I just dont see the sense of bringing Clarke in if you dnot expect him to be a lights out shooter. By all accounts I have heard that is what this guy does. He can pull up from anywhere inside 40ft. I dont expect any problems with him shooting over taller players becuase our offense is going to have the D more spread out. Forget Tubby's last few season of poor outside shooting and people packing the lane in and not bothering to get out to our shooters. Its gonna be a whole new offense.

I am not sure about Vilarino as a 2. all ross Miller said was that they were comfortable sharing the point guard duties together. I am not sure exaclty how much time they have spent on the court at the same time.

by davw83 on Jul 3, 2007 12:52 PM EDT reply actions

I have nothing....

to stand on but my own opinion, you may very well be correct. He is definitely a sharpshooter, the guy is consistently on his game. I'm really interested to see how he plays in college, whether for UK or not. I wish him all the best.

by blueblood on Jul 3, 2007 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions