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Each day of the college basketball corruption trial in federal court has brought forth new names of players and coaches. One of the names brought up on Tuesday was LSU Tigers coach Will Wade.
According to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, a transcript of a phone call was read during court that wasn’t admitted into evidence where Wade spoke over the phone with Christian Dawkins about a 2019 recruit, Balsa Koprivica, a top 40 recruit at the Montverde Academy in Florida.
In that phone call, according to reports, Dawkins asked Wade about LSU’s interest in Koprivica, and Wade tells him, “ ... Here’s my thing: I can get you what you need, but it’s got to work.”
Of course, Wade has been killing it on the recruiting trail for LSU since he arrived. This year, Wade brought in the no. 4 overall class to Baton Rouge, including three top 40 players.
You have to wonder if the NCAA, when this is finished, will take a heavier look into Will Wade’s time at LSU.
Don’t forget, according to Yahoo, the NCAA has already been looking into Wade’s recruiting tactics. Obviously nothing has materialized out of that yet, but yesterday’s news from court makes you wonder.
One other thing to consider: Wade has long been viewed by those who cover college basketball as a potential John Calipari replacement at Kentucky, with the idea that LSU improved steadily under his leadership while he was a force on the recruiting trail.
With this, you have to wonder how it might potentially change how Wade is viewed by bigger programs, and if he’ll even last at LSU.
Now on to the rest of your Wednesday morning Quickies...
Tweets of the Day
Text exchange between Louisville asst Kenny Johnson and head coach Rick Pitino concerning Brian "Tugs" Bowen.
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) October 16, 2018
Johnson: "Coach, DePaul is trying to pay Bowen $200,000 to come there. Crazy world! Oregon, DePaul…desperate times."
"Yep," Pitino responded. "We are going to be OK."
Well, that’s awfully interesting.
Big facts as the 2018-19 NBA season opens:
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) October 16, 2018
3⃣1⃣ of our former players were on opening-day rosters, 6⃣ more than anyone else
1⃣9⃣ teams feature #NBACats
7⃣ teams feature multiple Wildcats
More than 6⃣ pct. of the league is made up of Cats
➡️ https://t.co/KHsfs3tlDk pic.twitter.com/jmoIdxsLO1
Cal is probably showing this to every recruit he wants.
Your Quickies
John Calipari shares his thoughts on the state of college basketball - ESPN
Cal remains worried about the idea of players jumping to the G-League with no fallback.
UK Football happy to get back to work - Kentucky Sports Radio
CJ Conrad said losing to Texas A&M “pissed off” Kentucky.
Reid Travis won’t put pressure on himself - Vaughts Views
Travis is thought to be a missing piece for this team, but Travis knows that this is another step in his career.
CJ Conrad brings homecoming to UK Children’s Hospital- Kentucky Sports Radio
Always love seeing these things from Kentucky’s student-athletes.
Freddie Maggard helps players with life after football - Herald Leader
It’s a tailor-made role for the former Wildcat.
UK Midseason All-Americans prove recruiting experts wrong - Courier Journal
Josh Allen and Bunchy Stallings weren’t five-star recruits, but have been among the best in the country at their positions this season.
UK Soccer notches another win with 3-0 victory over Ohio State - UK Athletics
The No. 3 Wildcats now sit at 11-1-1 on the season.
Zion Williamson’s recruitment to Kansas comes up in hoops scandal trial - Yahoo
Of course Williamson went to Duke, but corruption doesn’t exist in college basketball, right Coach K?
Coach K’s take on CBB trial is “ridiculous, absurd” - Yahoo
Dan Wetzel calls out Coach K for his comments about the trials being a “blip”.
Ohio St. Defensive End Nick Bosa to focus on NFL Draft - Bleacher Report
Some thought Bosa would return from a core injury to help the Buckeyes in their bid for a national title, but it doesn’t appear so.
Can NFL expect more players to follow Bosa’s lead? - Sports Illustrated
It’s plausible that other players in similar situations could take the same route.
Lane Kiffin offers scholarship to 11-year-old - ESPN
He’s the son of former USC standout QB Matt Leinart.
37 crazy predictions for the NBA Season - ESPN
Anthony Davis certainly has a chance to win Defensive Player of the Year.
Get used to weird, unpredictable, high-scoring NFL - The Ringer
High-scoring offenses and week-to-week unpredictability are here to stay.
Bears OT Bobby Massie claims he lost 12 lbs during game against Dolphins - Windy City Gridiron
Hardly believable, but quite a feat if true.