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Happy Fourth of July Weekend, BBN! Some of you may have started your long weekend yesterday. If so, I hope it started off with a bang.
The news broke on Thursday that All American Kofi Cockburn was entering his name in the transfer portal and considering skipping out on the NBA Draft to come back to college. I didn’t think much of it until later that evening when talk of Cockburn coming to UK started to pick up steam.
It did so even more yesterday as many college basketball recruiting analysts, local and national alike, were saying that if Cockburn did return to college he would go to Kentucky because he wanted to be on a contender and the Antigua/Coleman connection.
John Calipari and staff have an already loaded roster but that hasn’t stopped them from adding one more piece. Jalen Duren was at the center of that talk earlier this week as the #1 recruit in the class of 2022 visited Monday and Tuesday. The staff felt good about the visit and Duren included Kentucky in his Final Five that he released yesterday.
It feels inevitable that either Cockburn or Duren will be added to the roster. Calipari is pursuing and wants both guys but he will only be able to take one. The thought is Calipari will take whichever guy wants to commit first and that will most likely be Cockburn as he has to make a decision regarding his NBA future by July 7th. Duren still has the Peach Jam to play in and the entire reclassification process to go through if that’s the route he chooses to take.
I did see some fans around social media and in some comment sections/message boards concerned that Calipari would have “too many players”. It’s odd to me because the complaint usually is that he doesn’t have enough players.
I like the approach of Calipari getting all of the talent and figuring it out from there. Kentucky is going to be damn good, but adding either Cockburn or Duren will put them as the preseason favorite to win it along with Gonzaga.
It’s clear that being 9-16 lit a fire under John Calipari and he’s not going to go through that ever again.
Tweets of the Day
As @Andrew__Slater reported a short while ago, Illinois big man Kofi Cockburn is in the transfer portal.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) July 1, 2021
If he opts to return to CBB, he’d arguably be the best transfer in the sport next season.
Will note: Two Illinois assistants recently left the program for Kentucky.
YUP
Just so you know how this works:
— Chris Hatfield (@ChrisDHatfield) July 2, 2021
Right now Kentucky is gonna get Kofi Cockburn and Jalen Duren. If they don’t get them, Kentucky simply did not want them and it’s not a miss by Antigua.
Louisville fans, and college basketball fans in general, are terrified of what Kentucky could be if they land either guy. It’s apparent.
Quickies
John Calipari has a (good) point guard problem | Your Sports Edge- Remember only having two options at point guard last season, one decent and the other not very good? Not happening this season.
Kentucky cracks top ten with Davion Mintz return | Watch Stadium- Mintz is bringing point guard experience, shooting, and the drive to get to the Final Four as a super senior.
Calipari has the team looking like the Comeback Cats | Cats Pause- Cal has been a man possessed putting together one of the deepest, most talented, and most experienced rosters in the country. Imagine him once the season begins.
Draft prospects facing stay or go decisions | CBS- Former Cat Johnny Juzang has a big decision to make and I think he goes back to UCLA for one more season. Would set up one helluva matchup this season.
Kentucky finished 12th in Director Cup standings | Cats Illustrated- It was a highly successful season for the non-revenue sports as Kentucky finished just outside of the top ten. Great job!
Heisman committee with a bogus decision on Reggie Bush | ESPN- Basically if the NCAA gives Southern Cal their wins back, Reggie Bush gets his Heisman Trophy back. We all know the NCAA isn’t going to do that so it’s a gutless decision by the Heisman folks.
Trevor Bauer investigation bigger than previously thought | USA Today- Bauer was placed on leave while the MLB and police investigate an alleged sexual assault and it appears as if the investigation is more than those involved had anticipated.
FAU honors Howard Schnellenberger | WDRB- He is a legend at both Kentucky and Louisville, now the late/great Howard Schnellenberger will be honored by the program he started from the ground up at FAU.
Reds get a big win over the Cubs | Cincy Enquirer- It’s a 2-1 win as the Reds take an early 1-0 series lead over Division rivals Chicago Cubs.