that things will soon be changing. With UK throwing all of the Kings gold at Calipari to come over to the Big Blue Nation, things are fixing to change on the scene. Right now, everything hinges on Meeks and Patterson staying another year (which both really need anyway). If Orton stays with his commitment as well as Hood, things are looking up. Factor in Porter leaving or going academic scholarship, AJ Stewart possibly transferring, and Tucker backing out on his scholarship offer, and Williams possibly being sent to Walk On Status...we now have slots available to draw in Wall, Cousins, OR Henry OR all 3(the #1,2, and 3 recruits in nation respectively, all committed or leaning heavily towards Calipari at Memphis). You have the POSSIBILITY of a 1996 UK roster in the makings (basically the best College lineup EVER, besides MAYBE one mid 60s roster for UCLA), a 11+ deep TALENTED roster. While extremely farfetched (due to lack of available scholarships), UK can POSSIBLY be drawing in 5 top 35 recruits next year (#1, 2, 3, 22, 32)...nearly unfair as a Freshman class. With a few key moves, Calipari can take UK from NIT to national contenders in less than a month...but he can also be building a roster that could loose as many as 5 players to the NBA after his first season. Just imagine this line up.... PG- Wall, Vilarino, Liggins SG- Meeks, Henry, Porter SF- Miller, Harris, Hood PF- Patterson, Cousins, C- Orton, Stevenson Granted alot of these big names are 1 and out players, but so was Derrick Rose, and Memphis played for the national title last year mainly due to him. Obviously I am a UK Fan (even through the sluggish offense of Tubby and questionable stubbornness of Gillispie), but I really think this could be big things in the making. I feel Gillispie should have got atleast 1-2 more years no matter how bad he did, but now that he is already gone, I think Calipari was a Home Run landing at the headcoach position. Anyone else worried for the safety of their team? I just hope I don't have to eat dirt and we loose ALL possible 09 recruits worth their scholarship, that would SUCK.
As much as I hate to say it being a Vols fan...I think UK made a great move. I can see Calipri having UK "back on the map" so to speak after the last couple of disappointing years.
UK will actually be a contender now, but theres no way they will be the front runners next year. In other news...Duke got Curry, and the plumlee brothers. Throw in Williams and Ryan Kelly and were going to the big house!!
I heard Gottlieb saying the same thing on espn the other day and found it pretty interesting. UK doesn't have the type of players (yet) that fit the style of Coach Cal and even if he does bring in those big named freshmen it doesn't mean that they're going to be an instant contended. Look at Carolina when Roy Williams took over, they had McCants, May and Felton, 3 lottery picks who all fit perfectly into Williams' style. His first year with these players were somewhat of a struggle as a new offensive/defensive system can not be immediately successfully implemented. I hope to see UK return to prominence, they have too much history not to be. But, just don't expect it to be an overnight phenomena.
I think the money thing is blown out of proportion, his contract is for right at $4mil a year....Donovan is already making 3.5mil at FLA (a FOOTBALL school at that), and many more are around 2.5 mil. Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Probably. UK fans are so divided and wishy washy right now, and we STILL top the nation in attendance. UK jerseys on the court sells tickets, from OR to FL to MD. Maybe Cal can reunite the fan base and get everyone back on the same page, instead of the constant bickering about Smith and Gillispie's coaching ability. You kid about GW, but games like that were one of many reasons Gillispie got the boot. Loosing at home on senior night to GA, not knowing how to substitute players whatsoever, arrogant to the press, stubborn with everyone, and his number one skill of recruitment really didn't pan out, unless of course you count the 8th grader he offered a scholarship to out in CA LOL....just wasn't a match. Maybe Cal will be. Crawl first though? That's pretty laughable, they had one of their worst seasons in HISTORY, and they still finished up .500 in a major conference. Not defending this year as it was sickening to watch, but I'd say they are already walking. What I quoted above is where the problem lies....HOW ON EARTH DID THEY GET SCHOLARSHIPS IN THE FIRST PLACE? UK has been handing them out to mediocre wannabe players left and right, we are over the limit as we speak, with a bunch of jersey fillers who don't even really deserve to be there. It's a sad day when UK is relying on players like Kevin Galloway and Harrelson. A Joke really. Michael Porter starting at UK? Pshh, he would be a good fit for a program such as Gardner Webb maybe.:d We aren't down and out yet, as far as the new recruits go. Williams is likely to be moved to preferred walkon status now (terrible freshman this year) Porter has a wife and a newcoming baby, so he is either going to quit or transfer to academic scholarship. AJ Stewart was a near certain transfer, hopefully he sticks with his plan. Liggins might possibly transfer as well. And Tucker backed off of his scholarship offer. We have NINE people on the roster listed as a Junior, does anyone else see a problem with this? Besides Meeks and maybe Stevenson, not a one of them is worth a hoot. All we truly need is a solid point guard, and we would be set....a decent point would have easily reversed atleast 6 of our losses from this past season, we simply can't take care of the basketball. Lets just pretend that we keep the current recruits and the only extra brought on board is the One year and gone sensation John Wall (near certain NBA player after one year from reports so far). PG- Wall Vilarino and Liggins G- Meeks, Miller, Hood, Harris F/C- Patterson, Orton, Stevenson, and possibly even Cousins from AL This lineup has 4-5 NBA prospects, few schools claim that currently. That isn't considering what would happen if Cal brought his whole Trio of recruits in. With UK's current talent and a promising Freshman class, they are instantly boosted to favorites for the SEC next year, and will be back on the National level. Once Meeks class graduates next year, they will have a plethora of scholarships to do with as they please, and it will only be up from there. Al, Duke Puke....erase the D and E and then we can talk.... Kyle, I hope your right about MN, if Tubby keeps sweeping up the underrated instate talent up in MN, they will be a force to reckon with. You still wi
His track record in the last 4 years surpasses ANY coach in the NCAA. Xavier Henry is free to go anywhere from Maryland to Arizona. Same story (obviously) with Cousins and Wall. HIGHLY unlikely they will all come to UK, but a possibility no doubt. Henry likely follows parents footsteps to Kansas (especially if Meeks stays, who could blame him)...Cousins coming would likely run off Daniel Orton, but either of those Centers would be a STELLAR addition to Patterson down low. All it takes is a PG to rap up one of the best rosters around. Current UK talent would help them go deep and be able to keep up with Caliparis fast paced style. I'm not proclaiming that getting these recruits makes them the shoe in for a National Title, simply that a roster with 5-6 future NBA players HAS to be considered a favorite in the struggling SEC and back on the national page. I too will be interested in how these scholarships pan out, obviously NONE are guaranteed being one year renewable (besides shoe ins like Patterson, Miller, and Meeks if he returns), but just how much cutting back he has to do will be interesting. Gillispie already set up a situation where 2-3 cut backs HAD to be made regardless, but if Cal adds one or two more cut backs for his top recruits, that roster could look mighty different next year.
Not sure why South Carolina keeps getting brought up, They led the SEC all season pretty handily and should have been a SHOO-in for the big dance had they not fallen apart in the end of the season. One loss was by 1 point as well? Certainly not a huge upset, they were likely favored to be honest. I agree VMI, San Diego, and GW are inexcusable and even downright embarrassing losses for the program, as was the Georgia game at home. Calipari operates no differently than the worshiped Pitino, and Pitino was nearing religious status in the Bluegrass back in the 90s, up until his loosing the 97 championship by NOT playing Derrick Anderson. Many people STILL don't like him for that and obviously for leaving (which is silly, he built up a Dynasty and left a team for Smith to snatch a championship with) I just see good things happening with UK's facilities and pockets backing a coach like Calipari, maybe not.
They shouldn't be considered a front runner on the national level, yet they should be considered the newest NBA team? The only person possibly coming to Kentucky as a for sure one and out student is John Wall as a PG, and he is far from signing a LOI at this point....in fact, he may be heading to Duke now, after his recent visit with Coach K, the school still riding high on their rich tradition of 4 year graduating students. SEC sent 3, and I agree they sucked this year compared to years past. LSU won and gave UNC a run for their money for 3/4 of the game. All the more reason UK should have an easier road to shine earlier than if he came in years past of the SEC. So long as UNC looses one of their next two games, I honestly could care less Who or what comes to UK next year. A UNC loss will make my day. Got a question off topic, being in NC, are the radio call in shows pretty heated having Duke Wake UNC and NC ST so close together? Seems that the fan base HAS to be divided compared to UK....I can only imagine what kind of fan base UNC would have if Duke and Wake werent located right down the road....they'd surely even top UK's following.
Knocking Duke for their academics or graduation percentage has got to be a no fly zone. Duke is essentially an Ivy league school and when the kids come away from there with a degree they have a degree that accounts for something and will get them a job. There are quality academic schools in every conference (Vandy-SEC, Standford-Pac10) but, other than the IVY league, you'll be hard pressed to find a conference with as many highly touted academic schools as there are in the ACC with Duke, UVA, UNC, Wake and BC (in that order in national rankings I'd imagine)
Who is down talking any program...you referred to these one and out player's recruitment as Selling your soul as a program, yet the team you refer to as having the best tradition and graduation percentages, wants him just as bad as everyone else (KNOWING this kid has NBA stamped on his forehead). Am I the only one who sees two very contradictory statements here? I never said UNC was subordinate to UK, I simply said that UK sells seats. Rupp is huge, the fanbase is even larger, and willing to travel at that.....anyone watch the SEC tourney (in Tampa FLORIDA), it was an ocean of blue...and when UK lost, it was a vacant house. With two back to back history making "losing" seasons, they STILL occupy in the top 3 attendance. I said I'd imagine UNC would be even bigger if they didnt have Duke a hop and a skip down the road, how could this not hold true? Anyway, Calipari should be a good fit here. UK fans are different, and its a BAD thing...they are never satisfied, and it is sickening. In 78 when Joe B Hall won the national title, the FIRST question he was asked was, So do you think you can win it next year?! which is typical of UK fans...many literally have no life besides UK basketball, creepy weird almost with some of these people. He will bring in good players, with an exciting game style, and have a very good winning record...which is what UK fans are foaming at the mouth for. He can worry about National titles after he wins us a SEC title and a bid to the big dance. Final Four placements are not something that even the elitist of UK fans can turn their nose up to, and I strongly feel Calipari can get them there....once you make it to the Final Four, the competition is so elite that it truly is anyone's ballgame at this point. UK general admissions are pretty standard I'd agree, I just wish their graduate schools were the same way so I wouldn't have to work as hard over these next two years. Talking UK baseball is like me referring to Duke football, not a strong point of either.
Let me first say I'm a Vols fan as well. IF and thats a big IF Meeks and Patterson stay, I think they have a sweet sixteen team next year. Right that down. lol. And you ARE a minority being a UK fan...lol
Maybe on here, but any team that averages over 22k attendance, certainly isn't a minority. :d Did Tyler Smith for sure go pro yet? Vols will need him next year pretty bad I think. They are sooooo talented just give up if they get down, I think it was something like 2-11 record when down at half.
Final Four in 2 years. He can flat out coach basketball. His numbers pretty much speak for themselves. I don't understand what's complicated about figuring this out. He did it at Umass... he did it at Memphis why would anyone think he's not going to go into Kentucky and put them on the map as well? Better chance there than almost anywhere in the nation. Right coach for the right program. Kentucky will be around a long time. And I wouldn't be surprised if they sniff sweet 16 even as soon as next season. Memphis was loaded with talent?
My whole problem with this coaching change is that NOW the rumor has my boy Bruce "Paint my Chest Orange" Pearl being eyed up by Memphis. Say it ain't so Bruce...say it ain't so!!
Bruce is a hell of a coach, although I did think that his team underacheived this year considering the talent that they brought back from 2 years ago. Hes got passion though thats for sure!
I'm sure the Duke/UCLA was humor, pointing out how absurd it is to say put UK basketball on the map. Now we are talking about racism in the 50s, nice. Josh, I don't think UNC passed them, but they are likely within 5 games if they haven't....they were within 12 early in the season....maybe they have.
Wait I go do a little work come back at lunch and we've gone from a good basketball thread to racism? :huh: Anyway it seems like Pearl may be staying. The word I'm hearing right now is that a statement from Pearl should be released within the hour saying he has no interest in leaving for Memphis! Please be true...please be true if its not :computer:
