BREAKING: Cats nab another young-un
Various internet sources now reporting Kentucky has secured a verbal commitment from ... wait for it ... AN EIGHTH-GRADER.
Michael Avery, a 6'4" combo guard out of Southern California, joins the nascent UK Class of 2012.
Seriously.
Clark Francis, the infamous recruiting guru, has Avery ranked as his No. 8 player in the class, No. 2 at his position, inexplicably listed as power forward.
A brief writeup from an AAU event in which his team went undefeated among strong competition...
Marc Maggard spoke to Michael's father about the commitment on his latest podcast, which I recommend. Great way of hearing how some of this stuff goes.
Avery recently spent time playing with Indiana Elite, the top flight AAU team which brought the world Greg Oden and Mike Conley, among others, and which currently boasts Stephen Van Treese, another UK target.
Avery also has played a level "up" on teams with players such as Duke commit Mason Plumlee and Treese, meaning this kid is getting into some very heady company recruit-wise.
More as it comes...
[ED NOTE]...
For all of those folks talking about how sad this is, or how somehow we've crossed a line, what did you expect?
I'll address this in a future post, but you can't have it both ways. If you want elite talent a la UNC, Duke and Kansas, you have to be willing to play the game. We had a coach who was "above" such tactics. And it landed us more Mike Williamses and Sheray Thomases of late than it did Tywon Lawsons.
It's admittedly new ground for the program, but Billy Gillispie has a crack staff who is extremely visible on the AAU circuit. This trend, at least for now, of taking super early commitments is ahead of the curve. Maybe eventually, the game will change. But for now, I'd rather have a coach willing to play the game, short of cheating or shady street agents, than one who is above it and slowly fading into the woodwork.
End of brief rant...
0 recs |
131 comments
Comments
I can't help
Hell in 8th grade, my big decision was which type of cheerios to eat, not what school I'd be attending.
by piketaylor on May 1, 2008 1:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm too old ...
:-)
by Truzenzuzex on May 1, 2008 1:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hanging my head
by chirop1 on May 1, 2008 1:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
In a way ...
Well, you gotta keep up with the Jones', and the Floyd's, and the Williams' ...
by Truzenzuzex on May 1, 2008 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Over the top...
These kids are playing AAU events 300 days a year against high school juniors and seniors.
The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...
by JL Blue on May 1, 2008 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But I meant it ...
by Truzenzuzex on May 1, 2008 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Heh...
The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...
by JL Blue on May 1, 2008 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Soon ...
Just reality. Still seems ... a bit ... err... unctuous, I guess is the word I'm looking for. Not at any one coach or anything. Just in general.
by Truzenzuzex on May 1, 2008 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yikes!
by CW on May 1, 2008 1:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Being in 8th grade
Welcome to out first commit from the class of 2016! Wow!
by Thomas Hunt Morgan on May 1, 2008 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Very smart
by EEWildcat on May 1, 2008 1:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
But...
The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...
by JL Blue on May 1, 2008 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You shouldn't ...
Oops -- Hi Ken!
Just kidding. :-)
by Truzenzuzex on May 1, 2008 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm only 8 hours late in reading this ...
Sleep with one eye open :)
by Ken Howlett on May 1, 2008 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Derby Draw
by blbskue on May 1, 2008 1:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Also
I do agree with MJ on not interviewing the kid about it. I think a few years are in order before that takes place. A lot could change in 4+ years, like the commitment.
by blbskue on May 1, 2008 2:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed...
The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...
by JL Blue on May 1, 2008 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Only 1 year younger than Zollo
I don't remember there being a big difference between an 8th and 9th grader when I was that age. I expect the difference would narrow especially for an 8th grader who is spending time playing basketball with older kids.
by EEWildcat on May 1, 2008 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Look up: Mr. Show - HBO
One skit was of two low level college "scouts" watching 4 and 5 year olds play at day care and offering scholarships. They didn't have the money of big schools so they had to get in earlier and earlier.
Very funny stuff! And from 10-15 years ago.
by wilson452 on May 1, 2008 2:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
LITERALLLY
The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...
by JL Blue on May 1, 2008 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is just freaky!
NOT KIDDING! 100% True.
All in one freaky day.
by wilson452 on May 1, 2008 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't
by blbskue on May 1, 2008 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No no...
Let's just say the fact that any of the kids we played shows for at Centre could actually REMEMBER that we played would be surprising, if not impossible.
Those kids sure know how to get wasted...or at least they did back in '95.
The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...
by JL Blue on May 1, 2008 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Still do
by blbskue on May 1, 2008 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well...
JL and I watched the UK-UMass FF game there before a show. I was sick and had no voice, we had been paid too much, lots of drinking and throwing of bottles from the couch out a window every time UK did something bad. I prayed so hard we would win. If not I felt we would be run out of town. All was fine!
by wilson452 on May 1, 2008 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ha
Hope your daughter ends up there. It's definitely not a place for everyone, considering the average high school is larger, but you get a great education and have a lot of fun.
by blbskue on May 2, 2008 8:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bottle smashing in the basement
The basement always made a good place for that sort of destruction. For a while there, we went through an unfortunate phase of releasing fire extinguishers down there too. That got expensive though and we had to put a stop to it!
by chirop1 on May 2, 2008 8:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So...
by kentuckygirl0724 on May 1, 2008 2:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Non-binding
by Acdixon on May 1, 2008 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let the names keep rolling...
If the kid has been scouted..."Clark Francis, the infamous recruiting guru, has Avery ranked as his No. 8 player in the class, No. 2 at his position, inexplicably listed as power forward".....then he is good for a verbal commitment.
One last thing this tells me is that Gillespie is sending the message that he is going to be here for a time. "Sure kid, I know you just finished seventh grade but I'm gonna be at UK when you graduate. Hey, do really good in school, take summer courses and you could be playing in college when you are 17! Get three years of college and finish with a degree and a good draft pick! I've got it all planned out for you. Here is the shot sheet I've mapped out......"
Keep blazing the trail Coach G!! Laying waste to rival coaches's dreams! :)
by bluecrip on May 1, 2008 3:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Would one of you Lexington residents please...
Thanks.
by tooblue on May 1, 2008 3:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
LOL!
by kentuckygirl0724 on May 1, 2008 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Financial Planning
Gotta go now, it's time to work on Carson's crossover dribble.
by tooblue on May 1, 2008 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not Complaining
by KingKentucky on May 1, 2008 3:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Unbelievable!
I'm an old guy, living in Florida and still have my season tickets for UK basketball. Ain't going to give them up because there is always a chance that Barnhart will quit and someone will actually bring in coaches who can raise us to the 'next' level. Isn't it a shame to say that Kentucky basketball needs to get to the next level?
A football question to ponder. What if the wheels fall off this year in football and we go 3-9 or 4-8. Brooks decides he's had enough. Do we still get Joker? If so, do we have to wait 4 years to have a winning season or will the faithful see how stupid that move was. Did we not think that maybe some coach with head coaching experience might be available? Sorry, Urban, we've already committed. There's that word again.
Seeing as how Tubby averaged 27 wins a season, Trooper only needs to win 36 next year to average the same.
by Paris10 on May 1, 2008 4:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow.
You seem to have a lot of the same charater traits as that guy.
Dont come with the negative waves man
by KingKentucky on May 1, 2008 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Going against the top programs
The Tubby comment at the end of your post was deliberately inflammatory and you know that you put it in there with all the maturity of the 8th grader we're recruiting just to get a rise out of some people. Shame on you.
by chirop1 on May 1, 2008 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Average W Per Season
Was Rupp UK's worst coach until lately?
Of course NOT.
by FortyYearCatFan on May 1, 2008 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm an old guy too ...
To each his own, I guess. We certainly don't require anyone here to like the current head coach, or the AD.
by Truzenzuzex on May 1, 2008 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The problem with early commitments.
After the offer, I never played the same way, and by the time I was a senior I had lost all interest in playing, mainly because I had become such a rock star in my own head that I was too good to practice and too nervous to play well. My Freshman numbers were 21 and 8, and my Sophomore numbers were 27 and 6 but fell to 19 and 5 by the end of the season. My junior year I was 13 and 5, and my senior year numbers were an apalling 4.3 and 4.
I went from being a good player to thinking my own crap didnt stink, and so i ended up forcing myself to try and play out of my comfort zone. I tell all of this to say that an early commitment is hard on a young player and I hope that the same doesnt happen to them.
by KingKentucky on May 1, 2008 4:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not just your fault?
by TheFakeGimelMartinez on May 1, 2008 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well...
I kill in the church leagues now though
by KingKentucky on May 1, 2008 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry I Offended
If I'm commenting on a site full of glad handers, we see no wrong, and the next Final Four is just around the corner people, than good luck and I hope the Easter Bunny gave you all the candy you wanted.
by Paris10 on May 1, 2008 4:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Glad handers?
There's plenty of room for dissonance and reasonable concern (the pre-hiring phenomenom in general bothers me) with many decisions. Its all in how you phrase it.
Internet forums get awfully boring if everyone agrees, but they become awfully annoying when they are filled with empty rhetoric wrapped in a sarcastic covering.
PS Yes the Easter Bunny brought me lots of chocolate. Did you get enough?
by chirop1 on May 1, 2008 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Easter Bunny
Oh, and don't apologize for having an opinion, even a stupid one. I won't apologize for calling it what it is.
The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...
by JL Blue on May 1, 2008 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To Quote Jim Rome
"This shows that your no longer KENTUCKY, your just kentucky."
Dude, Adolph Rupp isnt walking through that door, and besides your whole argument against Coach Brooks is totally hypothetical. Who gets this upset over a hypothetical situation?
We tried for who we thought would be a homerun coach, turns out that Donovan would have been a bad fit because he likes to bad mouth his players, we tried for who we thought would be good and we got a man who works 24 hours a day to make kentucky, KENTUCKY again.
By the way, Santa Clause said hi.
by KingKentucky on May 1, 2008 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can't really ...
And Gillispie has only had the head job at UK for 1 year. I think even an unreasonable person would give him more than that.
And the Easter Bunny was very kind to me this year, thank you. I was a very good boy this year.
:-)
by Truzenzuzex on May 1, 2008 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Easter Bunny...
by TheFakeGimelMartinez on May 1, 2008 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am in awe
With Tru's post today about USC...I really thought that was way too young! Well Shwit, what do I know? LOL
by kykat51 on May 1, 2008 4:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You can't ...
:-)
by Truzenzuzex on May 1, 2008 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tubby Smith
If you think what we got now anyway compares to Tubby tell me where.
by Paris10 on May 1, 2008 4:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
ROFL
Most people around here don't consider themselves Tubby fans or Gillispie fans... we are KENTUCKY fans. You can trade in your blue and white for maroon and yellow at any time.
by chirop1 on May 1, 2008 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your a tubby fan?
This site doesnt need any more people coming on here for a week to start an argument about the Tubbs. You will find that 95% of everybody on here liked tubby and are still fairly strong supporters. What you need to do is adjust your panties that seem to be in a wad, and calm down, and understand that Tubby started with a lot more talent than did Billy.
Does that make either of them a bad coach? No.
by KingKentucky on May 1, 2008 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think ...
Gillispie has done fine so far by any reasonable measure. Next year should give us a better read, and I do see more consistency in recruiting.
I just didn't expect to be committing 2012 recruits in 2008.
by Truzenzuzex on May 1, 2008 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought it was a joke
Needless the say, BCG has UK on track to be back in the elite status again. Keep up the good work, Coach.
by bevcat on May 1, 2008 4:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Enough
good luck and you all keep dreaming.
by Paris10 on May 1, 2008 4:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Giving up?
/end sarcasm
by chirop1 on May 1, 2008 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haw!
:-)
by Truzenzuzex on May 1, 2008 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
UK Early Commitments Before 2007 And 2008
Chris Harrison committed just before his Jr HS season. He was rated Top 100 then. He was NR as HS Sr.
Dominique Ferguson will be Top 5-10 as HS Sr.
KC Ross-Miller will remain Top 25. Dakotah Euton will drop to Top 50. GJ Vilarino has already dropped out of Top 100.
by FortyYearCatFan on May 1, 2008 4:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Paul McCoy
by SevenRings on May 1, 2008 4:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He was always ...
I wonder if Kentucky actually offered him. I don't think so.
by Truzenzuzex on May 1, 2008 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Give me your comments
2.Tearing up the Coliseum floor and throwing it on the trash heap.
It will be good to hear what real UK fans say about this.
by Paris10 on May 1, 2008 4:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
RE your comments
- Was discussed at length a year ago. Generally seen as a bush league move. In retrospect, it would have been just one more loss on the pile.
- Don't recall any real discussion about it around here, nor did the local news outlets in E-town pick up on it. If as you say it was just trashed, my view is that it was a huge revenue loss. People would have paid good money to have a piece of the floor framed and hanging on their wall.
by chirop1 on May 1, 2008 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Floor sales
- they didn't trash the whole thing, they kept the important bits
- It wasn't a modular floor....that thing was NAILED DOWN. not feasible to spend the money to pull it up intact because...
- when they tried to sell off the Rupp floor they failed horribly...most of it is STILL in storage.
- Since so much of it was just sitting there MANY more fans got to take home a piece of it that ever would have if it had been sold.
by sylvar on May 2, 2008 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
UMass, et al.
In fact, in my opinion, Tru and FortyYear are amongst the most ardent Tubby defenders, but being a Tubby defender doesn't mean you have to bash Coach G. I happen to like them both. I happen to believe that Coach G. is moving the program in the right direction. Did he have a tough first year? Yep. But we are poised to be better in the coming years. One need only look at the marked in-season improvement this year to see that. They don't just throw around SEC Coach of the Year trophies for nothing.
by Acdixon on May 1, 2008 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
UK Has A Very Good Coach
Tubby's happy where he is. Gillispie too.
The rest is visible with eyes on the back of your head. God put them on the front of it for a good reason.
Look forward.
by FortyYearCatFan on May 1, 2008 5:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Just let him recruit...
But I trust our coach. I train professional caddies for a living. I've done it many years and have trained hundreds. Not only that, I work with them by observing them to help them get better at what they do. With my experience, I can watch a caddie from 100 yards away and tell you if he is doing a good job or not in about 5 minutes. Is it possible that my opinion is wrong? Sure. Maybe the caddie is doing a terrible job but has made a special connection with his player that cannot be seen from that far away. But I would say 97% of the time I can tell and I am right.
Our coach has the same kind of experience and knowledge base and feel for talent as well. You have to develop it over the many years of watching basketball and watching players develop. If he thinks a young guy can help us in 4 to 5 years I trust him. Could he be wrong? Yep. Could the kid be a bust? No doubt. But he could also be a jersey hanging in the rafters many years from now and I know if I was that kid, I would want the chance. In fact, wanted the chance. Unfortunately, I was not good enough.
by hoopchi on May 1, 2008 5:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
RE: NBA busts
by Acdixon on May 1, 2008 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You forgot one...
Ouch that still stings, but if your talking about his airness you have to talk about the guy picked before him. One of our own, one of the biggest NBA busts.
by KingKentucky on May 1, 2008 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
1973 #1 Pick From Loyola IL
by FortyYearCatFan on May 1, 2008 5:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Doug Collins
Mark this one down! I'm dropping facts from web sites on FortyYear! That's gotta be a first. :)
by Acdixon on May 1, 2008 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
collins
by UKWildCatFanatic on May 1, 2008 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Figures I'd get it wrong
by Acdixon on May 1, 2008 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
8 years
interesting fact: he was the one who hit the two free throws to put the US ahead of Russia in that controversial 1972 gold medal game.
I didn't know that before...it was in here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Collins
by UKWildCatFanatic on May 1, 2008 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep, LaRue Martin
My wife would say I Told Yo So.
by FortyYearCatFan on May 1, 2008 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your day will come
:)
by TheFakeGimelMartinez on May 1, 2008 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
JL, I rather enjoyed your rant.....
These kids are giving a verbal commitment. That's it. They are not using their own blood to sign a binding document with Coach Gillispie and the University of Kentucky to sell their 14-year-old souls to the devil. These kids, their families and the coaching staff can change their minds at anytime. I wouldn't think that these are your average 8th grade students. If they are warranting the attention of UK at the age of 14, then I am thinking they must be something extremely special. These are young kids with dreams of the NBA in their heads. Getting into an excellent college that will ensure that dream becomes a reality is very likely a high priority for them and their families right now.
I will take a coaching staff that recruits 8th grade kids over a coach who openly and actively recruits committed kids any day.
by BigSkyCat on May 1, 2008 5:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Something that concerns me
These kids are giving a verbal commitment. That's it. They are not using their own blood to sign a binding document with Coach Gillispie and the University of Kentucky to sell their 14-year-old souls to the devil. These kids, their families and the coaching staff can change their minds at anytime.
That last sentence concerns me. How many of these sophomore/freshmen/8th grader verbals can we expect to completely pan out? Right now, I'd say that a verbal commitment doesn't guarantee UK anything. If Coach K shows up at this kids house 3 years from now and cries, he might change his mind.
I'm hesitant to start making "Welcome to the Family" posts for young kids who verbal. But I understand what Gillispie and the rest of the college basketball world is trying to do; secure the projected top talent as best as they can. This is some sort of crazy futures trading game now.
by TheFakeGimelMartinez on May 1, 2008 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
verbal
by UKWildCatFanatic on May 1, 2008 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, I am not making any........
I also realize that these early verbal commitments might not pan out, and the younger the players are that BCG goes after, there is obviously more time before that player reaches his junior year and actual signing age. He will most surely be inundated with other offers. The unfortunate reality is that for every Billy Gillispie, there will be twice as many Bruce Pearl's in the recruiting world. But I am still quite excited about the fact that we are getting to some of these kids FIRST. Hopefully, in this bizarre game of recruiting that will count for something and make a difference with some kids and their families.
As for Coach K crying, well, I would really hope that sight would scare the kid enough not to attend Duke. And, actually, I am beginning to wonder if that isn't true, some of Duke's players do appear "soft" to me. : )
by BigSkyCat on May 1, 2008 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Expectations Game...
Even Tubby Smith diehards would have to admit that Kentucky stopped having the appearance of a "destination" school under Smith. That says nothing about his track record or his value ... those are totally different animals.
But changing perceptions is very hard, and one of the only ways in recruiting to do this is to make your school the place kids want to be ...
Short of a return to the Final Four/prominence, something that may come or may not come, you have to get that "buzz" back.
I think -- and I am just speculating -- that on some level, Gillispie is trying to get that feeling back that Kentucky is a hot pick.
Remember, a 16-year-old kid right now was EIGHT YEARS OLD the last time UK made the Final Four.
While many UK fans seem aghast at the thought, that is the main reason that a kid can "choose Kansas State or Florida State over Kentucky."
And part of changing that is getting back on the radar ... Patterson and Rondo will help a TON with this ... witness Ferguson's specific mention of Patterson's development.
The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...
by JL Blue on May 1, 2008 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think ...
:-)
by Truzenzuzex on May 1, 2008 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
math
by UKWildCatFanatic on May 1, 2008 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chris Lofton
Is this true?
by NYCCats on May 1, 2008 6:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That ...
I am so sorry he is having to suffer that. I pray he will recover fully, and soon. He seems like a high-quality young man.
by Truzenzuzex on May 1, 2008 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ESPN Article Confirms It
by FortyYearCatFan on May 1, 2008 6:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Linky
by TheFakeGimelMartinez on May 1, 2008 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Welcome Michael Avery
Looking forward to seeing you in the Blue and White!
by EEWildcat on May 1, 2008 7:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Take some advice, Michael
by TheFakeGimelMartinez on May 1, 2008 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL
But ken, look how far down I got before jumping back in.
Is Avery old enough to know that young girls get wooly?
by wilson452 on May 1, 2008 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Everybody needs a breather
by Ken Howlett on May 1, 2008 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
6'4", athletic...
I bet he knows more about women than even your pool boy. ;)
by EEWildcat on May 2, 2008 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My pool boy
I just know my wife has not been nagging me for being on ASoB at 1 am lately. HMMM???
by wilson452 on May 2, 2008 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who the heck is "Matt"?
This kid go by Michael or Matt?
by NYCCats on May 1, 2008 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And one more beauty from that article. . .
Um. . . so do I?
(I know what he's trying to say, it just came across as funny.)
by NYCCats on May 1, 2008 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow.........
by Chuck Alexinis on May 1, 2008 9:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
embarrassed
by ukfan4sure on May 1, 2008 9:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I cannot say
by cdnWildcatfan on May 2, 2008 12:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
not sure if this has been posted on here any where
by i got the blues on May 2, 2008 12:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Best Move Pitino could make...
You could be the best coach ever there! and not have to live in the shadow of Denny Crum.
But you should probably start thinking up some kind of good excuse for why you still suck like "Jamal Mashburn is not walking through that door." Or something else like that.
I will pay for your plane ticket and your moving fees to take the Dallas Mavericks back to the basement of the NBA like you did with the Celtics who are JUST NOW recovering.
GO RICK GO!!!
But before you do hold a press conference telling U of L how much you love them, the fans, and the tradition there.
That way you will feel comfortable.
I hate you
by KingKentucky on May 2, 2008 3:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll be damned...
As for the Miami job... I thought they hired the kid who used to work in the film room that had no head coaching experience? He sat there at the presser with Riley.
In all fairness to Rick and the Celtics, they are not "just now recovering." They made a run to the Eastern Conference finals a few years back with Walker and Pierce as their main pieces. I'm thinking they lost to either the Pistons (at the beginning of their run) or maybe the Nets (at the end of their run).
The severe derth of talent in Dallas' history would make his "walking through that door" commentary a little empty wouldn't it? "Dirk Nowitzky isn't walking through that door... oh wait, here he comes now."
(As an aside, my above post about this being a 100 post thread turned out to be somewhat prophetic.)
by chirop1 on May 2, 2008 7:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tongue in cheek
And I realize that Dallas has a huge amount of aging talent. I was just being fececious and playing off the comments made earlier by the Traitor.
by KingKentucky on May 2, 2008 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Color me ...
I hate Doyell less now that a couple of years ago, but it will be some time before I believe something like this coming from him.
by Truzenzuzex on May 2, 2008 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lee Todd not happy
"When news of the commitment reached a meeting of the UK Athletics Association Board of Directors on Thursday, it stunned school President Lee T. Todd Jr.
"An eighth-grader?!" he blurted out.
After noting that plenty of time remained for such an early commitment to be rescinded, Todd expressed his wish that Kentucky not regularly seek a college choice from a child who had not yet entered high school."
by blbskue on May 2, 2008 8:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Todd
by kentuckygirl0724 on May 2, 2008 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think ...
Most adults would prefer that kids choose college when there is reason to believe that they are making that decision as an adult. When someone is 17 or 18 years old, our society presumes that they are near enough to being considered an adult to make at least a semi-responsible decision.
But when a 14 year-old makes that kind of decision, I would say the presumption is, if not reversed, subject to significant skepticism. I think that is the concern of Dr. Todd, and I think it is warranted. I agree with his hope that we see this kind of thing rarely.
We all know, and must accept this as the cutting edge of recruiting. I suspect the NCAA will be addressing this issue soon, and there may or may not be legislation. But Todd's reaction is illustrative of what we can expect from the other college presidents if this becomes a widespread trend.
by Truzenzuzex on May 2, 2008 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
by kentuckygirl0724 on May 2, 2008 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hypocritical ...
Please. These college presidents shit gold because of their athletic programs, so feigning moral outrage is just, as the French would say, Gar-Bahje.
The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...
by JL Blue on May 2, 2008 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where ...
I see none from Todd's comments. I do see some concern, which I believe is shared by many.
Imputing hypocrisy to him based on the comments he made there seems a bit over the top to me.
by Truzenzuzex on May 2, 2008 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well...
I see no reason for incredulity unless he feels this is somehow a rotten place to take things.
Ergo, outrage.
The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...
by JL Blue on May 2, 2008 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think ...
Is this a "rotten place to take things?" I hardly think that is relevant, either to him or anyone else. We are already there, and have been for some time. From the standpoint of being a "consenting adult," is there really a significant difference between the 8th and 9th grade? I hardly think so.
But I think many fans, particularly older ones, feel that such commitments are somehow just wrong. They aren't in any measurable or strict sense, but I can appreciate the consternation some feel that we have come to this point, Todd included.
by Truzenzuzex on May 2, 2008 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Todd
by davw83 on May 2, 2008 10:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Agree
by FortyYearCatFan on May 3, 2008 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Verbal Commitment
by chirop1 on May 2, 2008 10:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
In this case ...
Gillispie cannot have direct contact with the young man until his junior year in high school. All contacts will have to go through his coach, his parents or other persons representing his interests.
by Truzenzuzex on May 2, 2008 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I got it
by davw83 on May 2, 2008 12:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Me too.
by kentuckygirl0724 on May 2, 2008 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Spare the rod and
by bluecrip on May 3, 2008 5:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

by 












