Kentucky without Noel

[REM08]

Originally Posted by InstiGATOR1

Not only are players different but recruiting classes are different. Let's say UK had signed exactly how they want last year. I think the class would have included Shabazz Muhammad and Anthony Bennett and maybe not Cauley.

I guess you would have had a better mix of one inside scorer in Bennett and one inside defender in Noel. Poythress might then have been better on the perimeter and Muhammad would stretch the D better and maybe you could have cobbled together PG play from Harrow, Goodwin etc.

The counter argument is that Bennett's team is worse this year and Muhammad appears to be a me first type who pounts about a game winning shot because he did not get to take it. Adding a couple of more me first players to UK's mix this year might not have made anything better.

I do think UK fan are way too hard on these kids. They are Frosh. How can you be mad at them for playing like Frosh. They dominated in high school on athleticism. So of course they struggle some when they face adversity for the first time in their careers. From my point of view UK fans should be elated when as in some recent seasons their Frosh have played better than Frosh, but not call a bunch of Frosh heartless or quitters for playing like Frosh.

I agree with your entire post. Ideally, tough-minded unselfish players like Teague and MKG from last year would have been available to go along with this class this year (or of course returning toughminded players who are good contributors).


Your last paragraph is especially accurate. UK fans, including myself, have been spoiled. We got so few 5 star kids in recent years before Cal that many UK fans forgot what a typical one is actually like. A good example is that Jamal Mashburn put up close to identical numbers to what Poythress as a freshmen has contributed.

Here's the catch (of sorts) for Cal though: The reason he's been able to get SO many top players in each class is because they're sure going to play for him will make them first rounders after one year. The catch is that, as is the case this year, if those players don't end up as ready as they thought they would be, they're still of the same mindset - that they're really wanting to leave after a year. Essentially, he's benefitting from this early entry mindset on the front end of recruiting, but isn't as likely (as a result) for the players to be open minded about returning if they need to. If they overacheive as freshmen, then its great for everyone. If not, its gonna be a rough year or two.

[dailydoublecat]

Originally Posted by DoctorGator

Thought I read somewhere that you are a teacher? Maybe I'm mistaken.

Ask UConn what its like to not be concerned at all about the academic side of the house.

The players will continue to go school I'm not concerned Alex is a great student just a puss on the court.

[REM08]

Originally Posted by gator34654

Let's say that only Noel leaves for the pros and the rest stay. How many spots will uk have for the recruits they've signed?

Exactly enough given that the 3 walk-ons who currently have temp scholarships will go back to being walk-ons and 2 other players will graduate.

Trust me though, many more than just Noel will leave.

[dailydoublecat]

Originally Posted by HALLGATOR

Heck he called Jones a selfish mf-er in the middle of a game from what I remember.

He exactly did and he was right and he is with telling them to listen or leave. People have to leave as I think we get Wiggins.
Jeff

[born2beagator]

Originally Posted by akaGatorhoops

I am not a cal, nor uk fan... But I can't revel in a team that is struggling after its star blew his knee out.

I can. Feel bad for the kid, and I am not glad he went down.

But the UK team? They deserve every bit of this. Them and their coach. This is a thing of beauty.

[gator34654]

UK will get a crop of 5 stars but like what we're seeing this year, can they play like a team? These 5 stars are all used to being "the man" and what you might get is individual play rather than teamwork. These guys want stats and headlines to prop their draft status since they see this as one and done.

The recipe worked for uk last year but it's no guarantee for winning a title.

[VolsFan07]

Originally Posted by gator34654

UK will get a crop of 5 stars but like what we're seeing this year, can they play like a team? These 5 stars are all used to being "the man" and what you might get is individual play rather than teamwork. These guys want stats and headlines to prop their draft status since they see this as one and done.

The recipe worked for uk last year but it's no guarantee for winning a title.

It's what Calipari does every year. I think this year is the exception, not the rule.

[gator85jd]

Originally Posted by JohnC1908

Now down 21, unreal. UK's assistant was ejected during a timeout. Frustration everywhere.

What did the assistant get ejected for?

[tommyuf21]

Originally Posted by VolsFan07

It's what Calipari does every year. I think this year is the exception, not the rule.

Last season was a perfect storm for UK. They had a couple of good holdovers, including a one excellent senior leader. Their two best players, Davis and MKG, were consumate team players who were unselfish and led by voice and example.

Looking back at 2010-Great talent, but with a couple of head cases and still only one game from the Final Four.

2011-Not as much talent as the other two, but Knight led that team and pushed them to some great improvement to make the Final Four. I give Cal a lot of credit for bringing them along Remember that team (before last Tuesday) was the last UK team that we beat.

I think the arguments about Cal not being a good coach are tired and worn out. There is no question that he is among the best in his profession. I think its fair to say that he knows the game as well as anyone. However, part of your work is recruiting and bringing in guys that you can develop. I'd say that if you asked him (off the record) if he was happy with the job he did putting this team together, he'd probably give himself a failing grade.

Still, anyone who thinks that this season is some kind of bellweather of things to come for UK needs a dose of reality. I remember the talk around here in 2010 and people openly wondering if we would ever beat Kentucky again. We had a couple of tough years, but Billy got us back on track.

[dailydoublecat]

Originally Posted by born2beagator

I can. Feel bad for the kid, and I am not glad he went down.

But the UK team? They deserve every bit of this. Them and their coach. This is a thing of beauty.

I'm glad someone is enjoying this. Another man's trash is another man's treasure they say!!
Jeff

[born2beagator]

I'm eager to see what happens when the next group of mercenaries gets there next year. They have maybe one one and done this season. Does Cal just bench all the kids who played this season?

[UFG8rGuy3283]

Originally Posted by dailydoublecat

I'm glad someone is enjoying this. Another man's trash is another man's treasure they say!!
Jeff

I actually think this is going to change quite a bit at UK.

Let me ask this...aside from physical talent, what do the UK commits coming in next year look like from an attitude perspective? A lot has been made about Chris Walker having an attitude issue, but what about the Harrisons or the others?

Something Rosario said in the post game really struck me. He said with him, Murph and KB having a great work ethic this year amd expecting the same from the freshman/others, it has made this team continue to improve.

UK doesn't have any of that leadership and I wonder if there's any coming in next year like there was with Davis and MKG. There's a reason you hear about senior leadership.

For my UK friends, how does Cal approach that part of recruiting, meaning the attitudes? Does he focus on that much or is it all about getting the most physically talented players?

If I'm rambling, forgive me, I have a 2 year old hanging on me as I type on my smart phone

[akaGatorhoops]

Say what you will about cal, he has been absolutely incredible at getting young, superstars to buy-in to his team concept, hard work and defensive intensity. This group has done non
e of that. And IMO, this says more about those kids than it does calipari.

[UFG8rGuy3283]

Originally Posted by akaGatorhoops

Say what you will about cal, he has been absolutely incredible at getting young, superstars to buy-in to his team concept, hard work and defensive intensity. This group has done non
e of that. And IMO, this says more about those kids than it does calipari.

I guess that's the catch 22. Is it a matter of being able to read the kid to see of he will buy in? IMO, he missed from that perspective. It's probably the toughest part of recruiting one and dones.

I have to wonder if this will change Cal's philosophy a bit.

[gatordd]

Originally Posted by UFG8rGuy3283

I guess that's the catch 22. Is it a matter of being able to read the kid to see of he will buy in? IMO, he missed from that perspective. It's probably the toughest part of recruiting one and dones.

I have to wonder if this will change Cal's philosophy a bit.

Cal will continue to recruit one and dones and have success most years while at UK

[born2beagator]

Originally Posted by gatordd

Cal will continue to recruit one and dones and have success most years while at UK

At least until he slips up again and has to bolt before the hammer comes down like all his other jobs

[UFG8rGuy3283]

Originally Posted by gatordd

Cal will continue to recruit one and dones and have success most years while at UK

I don't know that it's that simple. Going through a year like this would have to make him at least re-evaluate a bit, no?

[dailydoublecat]

Calipari does look at the intangibles when recruiting. The Harrison's play with passion but they also pout if they don't like the calls. I can't speak about the rest!!

Where is Bert??

[dailydoublecat]

Originally Posted by born2beagator

At least until he slips up again and has to bolt before the hammer comes down like all his other jobs

Keep holding on to that hope. I'm still not convinced Calipari is here more than 2 more years IMHO and I can't blame him.
Jeff

[gatordd]

Originally Posted by UFG8rGuy3283

I don't know that it's that simple. Going through a year like this would have to make him at least re-evaluate a bit, no?

Lets talk next season....Cal knows what hes doing. Hes a salesman, he sells dreams. Kids will continue to roll in on promises of fortune/fame.