Well, in case you have not heard today, it looks like Ol' Roy is trying to get involved in the John Wall sweepstakes along with Coach Krzyzewskzzryzkwizyzki from Duke and of course, Coach Cal. This is an interesting test of wills, and we will find out right quick what the Kentucky brand combined the Dribble Drive Motion Offense and the charismatic John Calipari can do. At this precise moment, I think Wall is the #1 remaining target for Kentucky, he is said to be undecided, and this is shaping up into an almost Pattersonesque battle.
Right now, it seems that all but three of Coach Gillispie's verbal or LOI commitments have either re-opened their recruitment, decided to look elsewhere, or requested a release from UK. The latest domino to fall is 2010 top 10 recruit Dominique Ferguson. Seems like Coach Calipari will be starting mostly from scratch, although Jon Hood and Daniel Orton are still on board so far.
On the former Memphis commit recruiting front, it is looking more and more like Xavier Henry wants to go to Kansas. Of course, there has been recent speculation that Lance Stephenson may decide to bolt the fold at KU if Henry decides to matriculate there.
And now, for a few more tidbits of news for you night-owls:
- Kris tucker of Collegehoops.net accentuates the negative of Calipari (and Rick Pitino) in this piece.
- Coach Cal meets the UK football team.
- What Calipari means for the Gators. Interesting take.
- Andy Staples at SI.com looks at some of the successes and failures of how coaches handle iconic programs.
- Mark Fox of Nevada is Georgia's new coach. I think this is a great hire for the Dawgs.
- Calipari's hire at Kentucky has reignited the salary escalation debate.
- The Cincinnati Enquirer calls the recent spate of decommitments a mass exodus.
- Calipari can walk away from UK without owing a penny after only four years.
- Calipari vs. Pitino is a compelling story. Very.
- Just a reminder that Kentucky isn't the only school recently looking for a coach.
- Did Bruce Pearl's success at Tennessee shorten the careers of some other SEC coaches, including Gillispie and Smith?
- Is Bruce Pearl the John Calipari of the SEC when it comes to getting raises?
- OU will not let Capel get out of town easy.
- Around the SEC with Team Speed Kills.
- Penn State wins the NIT. Good for the Nittany Lions.
- Tim Floyd decides that Arizona just isn't for him after all.