First of all I'm not trying to get anybody mad at me. Being from Pineville I am no fan of Middlesboro basketball. But I believe we have all let our personal beliefs get to involved (me included). I'm not for sure because I didn't start this thread, but I believe it was started so we could all congratulate Miller on an honor most mountain kids don't get. We can critize the flaws of Miller's game some other time.

I have watched Miller play for many years and I must say he is a very good shooter. I know he will get the chance to play on the next level. Louisville might be a stretch, but Pitino knows that shooting is very important and he has a way of making players exceed all our expectations. Best of luck to Mr. Miller he has always played the game the way it should be played...... hard and with class.

IMO, Miller doesn't posses the "All around game" that it takes to play at a school such as UofL. He can shoot the ball very well, but let's get real. This topic reminds me of Blake Hubbs of Cawood last year. We is he playing this year?

 

Let's also remember that Miller has made more 3's than any high school player in the history of Kentucky basketball. He has more size and more athletic ability.

 

Also, while playing in the Middlesboro High School program may not have been great for him, it hasn't been the only team he has been a part of. Since his freshman year he has played on a highly competitive AAU team in Tennessee, the name of the team slips my mind. They did however compete in the national AAU tournament a few years in a row. AAU is where most colleges find their players.

I am just happy that not every kid that gets a letter, invite to a game, or interest from a D1 school, that a fan gets on here and hypes it to the moon. Miller is a good player and does have all those 3's to prove it. Just keep it in perspective that there is a ton of sharp shooting kids in Kentucky and they see much better defenses that what Miller is seeing. Those numbers would not exist in the 11th or 7th regions. That is just a plain fact.

While I don't want to speculate on Miller's ability to play Big East basketball, I will say that he is not NBA material. With that in mind and knowing that there is life after basketball, I think if he does have the opportunity to go to UL even to sit the bench, he should jump at it. Being a UL or UK benchwarmer, especially if he can become a fan favorite by knocking down a few threes when he gets the chance, opens a lot of doors after college that being a star for a small college or even an OVC school will not. We've all seen it, companies love to trot out a former UK/UL player to impress clients and job opportunities are what college is all about.

If Pitino wants to evaluate and consider a high school shooter like Miller, than he is doing what any college would, evaluate and consider recruiting him to play college basketball.

 

All this speculation about pro, Big East and going to sign is entirely too speculative....let Pitino and staff evaluate Miller, to see if he can meet a need of #2 (shooting guard).

 

Any good college coach and Pitino is that, not only wants to observe the player in a game, but often in a practice setting, an evaluation setting and meet any potential recruit, to discuss role, academics, body height/weight, athleticism, etc....If Louisville is recruiting him, than congratulations Mr. Miller and work hard at attaining your goal of playing college basketball.

I am just happy that not every kid that gets a letter, invite to a game, or interest from a D1 school, that a fan gets on here and hypes it to the moon. Miller is a good player and does have all those 3's to prove it. Just keep it in perspective that there is a ton of sharp shooting kids in Kentucky and they see much better defenses that what Miller is seeing. Those numbers would not exist in the 11th or 7th regions. That is just a plain fact.

 

 

Again, getting a letter from a D1 school is a lot different than getting personally invited over the phone to come to campus for an official visit. We could debate the defense that Miller sees all day long but plain and simple, he averages about 30 a game, shoots 85% (J.J. Reddick shoots 86.9) from the charity stripe, and shoots 43% from behind the arc (which is exactly what J.J. Reddick shoots).

 

There are VERY few kids in Kentucky shooting like this. Heck there are very few kids who could shoot 43% from the arc without anybody on them.

Wow, now we have JJ Redick comparisons? It's getting deep in here.

 

Has Miller spoken to Pitino yet? Received a hand written letter from him? Emails?

Wow, now we have JJ Redick comparisons? It's getting deep in here.

 

Has Miller spoken to Pitino yet? Received a hand written letter from him? Emails?

 

The J.J. reddick comparisons I made were only for defending the fact that he is better than a good shooter. Nobody says that J.J. Reddick, who has almost the exact numbers as Miller, is only a good shooter because he takes a lot of shots or that anybody could shoot as good as Reddick if they wanted to. Why?? Because he creates shots like nobody else can and takes a split second to get the ball off. He also shoots for a high efficiency even when everybody knows he is going to shoot and puts extra pressure on him. In this manner of speaking, Miller's game is very comparable to Reddick's.

 

And for your second question, who knows?? Miller doesn't flaunt his achievements. If I knew for sure, I would flaunt for him, but I don't. I am 100% sure though that he will meet and conversate with Rick himself when he goes up for his visit.

I am just happy that not every kid that gets a letter, invite to a game, or interest from a D1 school, that a fan gets on here and hypes it to the moon. Miller is a good player and does have all those 3's to prove it. Just keep it in perspective that there is a ton of sharp shooting kids in Kentucky and they see much better defenses that what Miller is seeing. Those numbers would not exist in the 11th or 7th regions. That is just a plain fact.

 

Good Post.

The J.J. reddick comparisons I made were only for defending the fact that he is better than a good shooter. Nobody says that J.J. Reddick, who has almost the exact numbers as Miller, is only a good shooter because he takes a lot of shots or that anybody could shoot as good as Reddick if they wanted to. Why?? Because he creates shots like nobody else can and takes a split second to get the ball off. He also shoots for a high efficiency even when everybody knows he is going to shoot and puts extra pressure on him. In this manner of speaking, Miller's game is very comparable to Reddick's.

 

And for your second question, who knows?? Miller doesn't flaunt his achievements. If I knew for sure, I would flaunt for him, but I don't. I am 100% sure though that he will meet and conversate with Rick himself when he goes up for his visit.

Is Duke on the kid? I'm sure Leader K is looking for the next JJ. Isn't everybody?

To even think about comparing the two is laughable. No matter if its style or not. JJ almost exclusively gets his shots from off the ball movement and getting himself open. Stuart's movement without the ball from what I have seen is minimal. His shots come from his own decision that "I'm going to shoot."

If you knew for sure you would flaunt for him? What if he hadn't talked to RickyP? What would you flaunt?

100% sure? Wow, thats good to know Nostradamus. Being gameday, I'm sure Rick will have his mind on a lot of things other than Miller. If it is an official visit, then he'll for sure speak with him because he will be there all weekend. If its unofficial, that remains to be seen. You might see him speaking with Willard or Masiello.

I'm interested to see where he fits in scholarship wise anyway. If I'm not mistaken Dean is the only senior, there may be one more. Then the Cards have commits from 4 others, two being about 6' or 6'1 guards. Just looking for clarification on where the kid might fit in their plans.

Is Duke on the kid? I'm sure Leader K is looking for the next JJ. Isn't everybody?

To even think about comparing the two is laughable. No matter if its style or not. JJ almost exclusively gets his shots from off the ball movement and getting himself open. Stuart's movement without the ball from what I have seen is minimal. His shots come from his own decision that "I'm going to shoot."

If you knew for sure you would flaunt for him? What if he hadn't talked to RickyP? What would you flaunt?

100% sure? Wow, thats good to know Nostradamus. Being gameday, I'm sure Rick will have his mind on a lot of things other than Miller. If it is an official visit, then he'll for sure speak with him because he will be there all weekend. If its unofficial, that remains to be seen. You might see him speaking with Willard or Masiello.

I'm interested to see where he fits in scholarship wise anyway. If I'm not mistaken Dean is the only senior, there may be one more. Then the Cards have commits from 4 others, two being about 6' or 6'1 guards. Just looking for clarification on where the kid might fit in their plans.

 

 

First of all, get off the kids back. Why are you riding him so hard?? Is it because Bell County has never had a talent like this come through?? Is it because when you look through the record book, there is nothing to be found regarding anyone from Bell County and Miller is in about 5 categories by himself?? Is it because the kid torches Bell everytime he plays them??

 

If you knew for sure you would flaunt for him? What if he hadn't talked to RickyP? What would you flaunt?

100% sure? Wow, thats good to know Nostradamus.

 

This whole comment is laughable. You obviously know nothing about the recruiting process. The only thing you know about it is what you saw on Blue Chips or something. In recruiting at big schools, the first contact ALWAYS, comes from the assistant coach (recruiting coordinator). Then, if the school is interested enough, the head coach gets involved with calling and what not. Seeing as this is the first contact, nobody should have expected it to be Ricky himself. What do you think this is, fantasyland, where head coaches make all the calls to players they have never met.

 

When Stuart goes on his visit, the coaches have told him that they will have a sit down and talk about the future and that Coach Pitino will be in attendance.

 

And what are you going to do if he doesn't get a scholarship?? Are you going to keep riding him?? Fact is, they dont just give out walk-on opportunities to anyone. As I said earlier, the roster can only be about 12-15 men deep and to be considered one of those, whether on scholarship or not, would be a great honor.

 

And one last thing,

"Then the Cards have commits from 4 others, two being about 6' or 6'1 guards"

 

So much for size being a set back for Miller seeing as he is 6' himself. But go ahead and respond like you yourself have taken a tape measure to him and you know without a shadow of a doubt that he isn't 6'. That is exactly the type of thing I'm expecting out of someone of your class.

First of all, get off the kids back. Why are you riding him so hard?? Is it because Bell County has never had a talent like this come through?? Is it because when you look through the record book, there is nothing to be found regarding anyone from Bell County and Miller is in about 5 categories by himself?? Is it because the kid torches Bell everytime he plays them??

 

If you knew for sure you would flaunt for him? What if he hadn't talked to RickyP? What would you flaunt?

100% sure? Wow, thats good to know Nostradamus.

 

This whole comment is laughable. You obviously know nothing about the recruiting process. The only thing you know about it is what you saw on Blue Chips or something. In recruiting at big schools, the first contact ALWAYS, comes from the assistant coach (recruiting coordinator). Then, if the school is interested enough, the head coach gets involved with calling and what not. Seeing as this is the first contact, nobody should have expected it to be Ricky himself. What do you think this is, fantasyland, where head coaches make all the calls to players they have never met.

 

When Stuart goes on his visit, the coaches have told him that they will have a sit down and talk about the future and that Coach Pitino will be in attendance.

 

And what are you going to do if he doesn't get a scholarship?? Are you going to keep riding him?? Fact is, they dont just give out walk-on opportunities to anyone. As I said earlier, the roster can only be about 12-15 men deep and to be considered one of those, whether on scholarship or not, would be a great honor.

 

And one last thing,

"Then the Cards have commits from 4 others, two being about 6' or 6'1 guards"

 

So much for size being a set back for Miller seeing as he is 6' himself. But go ahead and respond like you yourself have taken a tape measure to him and you know without a shadow of a doubt that he isn't 6'. That is exactly the type of thing I'm expecting out of someone of your class.

I'm more riding the fans than Stuart. He's a good kid, so dont build him up for failure. Bell has had kids just as talented as Stuart, the system just doesnt allow a kid to run wild like Mboro's does. He torches Bell Co. everytime they play them? He may score his share of points, but Bell always comes out with the W. Isn't that what matters? Oh yeah, we are talking about Mboro, almost forgot. How many W's does Stuart have against Bell. Keep in mind these are some down years for Bell.

I know a lot more about the recruiting process than you do. Bank on it. If find it entertaining you dont know "everything" about the process with Stuart, but the next post you act like you know more and more. I know a little about what is going on from my contacts over there, but I'm not going to lay it all out there before anything ever happens.

Did you ever state if the visit was an official of unofficial? I honestly dont think you know what it is.

If he gets offered to walk on or whatever. Wonderful for him. I know it is an honor to get any kind of offer for a spot on the team of a school like Louisville.

Where size is a set back for Stuart is that these two guys coming in are PG's. Stuart is more of a 2G especially at the D1 level, but he doesnt have the size. He cant play PG in the BEast, unless he really works on that part of his game. Look back at Ricky's lineups and see how he likes the small 2G's. Best I can remember the only one is Delk, but Delk had the longest arms on the team, essentially giving him another couple inches. If he did want him to play PG, he'd be about 4 or 5 back.

By the way, I never said he was without a shadow of a doubt not 6'. That was bellco14. I said the kid is 5'11 or 6'.

Sorry to bring you down to earth, thats just the way it is.

I'm more riding the fans than Stuart. He's a good kid, so dont build him up for failure. Bell has had kids just as talented as Stuart, the system just doesnt allow a kid to run wild like Mboro's does. He torches Bell Co. everytime they play them? He may score his share of points, but Bell always comes out with the W. Isn't that what matters? Oh yeah, we are talking about Mboro, almost forgot. How many W's does Stuart have against Bell. Keep in mind these are some down years for Bell.

I know a lot more about the recruiting process than you do. Bank on it. If find it entertaining you dont know "everything" about the process with Stuart, but the next post you act like you know more and more. I know a little about what is going on from my contacts over there, but I'm not going to lay it all out there before anything ever happens.

Did you ever state if the visit was an official of unofficial? I honestly dont think you know what it is.

If he gets offered to walk on or whatever. Wonderful for him. I know it is an honor to get any kind of offer for a spot on the team of a school like Louisville.

Where size is a set back for Stuart is that these two guys coming in are PG's. Stuart is more of a 2G especially at the D1 level, but he doesnt have the size. He cant play PG in the BEast, unless he really works on that part of his game. Look back at Ricky's lineups and see how he likes the small 2G's. Best I can remember the only one is Delk, but Delk had the longest arms on the team, essentially giving him another couple inches. If he did want him to play PG, he'd be about 4 or 5 back.

By the way, I never said he was without a shadow of a doubt not 6'. That was bellco14. I said the kid is 5'11 or 6'.

Sorry to bring you down to earth, thats just the way it is.

 

His share of points?? By his share do you mean 40+ in four different games against them?? Yeah I would say that is getting his share alright. Keep in mind, this has been a down decade for Middlesboro basketball. I'm glad you can hang your hat on a district championship.

 

You know a lot more about the recruiting process than me?? Bank on it?? I really don't even know how to say this without sounding a bit arrogant which I hate doing but for your information, I was recruited and signed by a D1 school. My brother was recruited and signed by a D1 school. My dad was recruited and signed by a D1 school. My grandfather was recruited and signed by a D1 school. I am a third generation D1 athlete and unless you have experienced the same, then no, you don't know more about the process than I do. Like I said, reading about it and watching it in movies isn't the same as experiencing it first hand.

 

I did say in an earlier post that is was an OFFICIAL visit.

 

Talking about what the kid has accomplished is not building him up for failure, I don't get why you keep saying that. It was you and bellco14 who brought up the whole, scholarship or walk-on situation when what the original topic itself was was simply that this is an incredible opportunity for an eastern Kentucky kid.

RECRUITING: I know how recruiting works, first hand. I have been on both sides, as a player being recruited, and as a person helping to recruit. I highly doubt this is an official visit. I dont know for sure and I COULD BE TOTALLY WRONG, but its highly unusual for a player, who has received no prior interest from a team, to just up and receive and invite for an official from that team, especially this late in the process. Maybe UofL thinks they have found a diamond in the rough, but that remains to be seen.

 

MILLER AS A PLAYER: I have nothing against Miller as a person. From all accounts he is a great kid. I also think that he is a great basketball player and athlete, and that he can shoot the lights out as good as anyone, create his own shot, and handle the ball extremely well. True he takes alot of shots, but he drains alot of shots too, and I have seen him hit several big time shots with 2 hands in his face, fading away. He is an impressive shooter, period. With his stats, he will go down as one of the best in this state, right up there with Lofton, and we all see what Lofton is doing.

 

WHY I DOUBT IT: Once again, I think his height will hurt him playing the 2G, which is where he will project because HE ISNT a point guard at the college level (6'0 from what I can tell. I am a lil over 6'1 and he was a tad shorter then me. He might be 5'11, but I wouldnt think any shorter). I also think the HS program he is coming from will hurt him. Who was the last major D1 basketball signee to come out of M'boro? Vouch, Miller can overcome both of these, but I am just saying that its gonna be tough. Also, look at the schools Miller is receiving interest from. Most of them NAIA or D2 or D3 schools. Not even D1AA. That makes me doubt that Pitino is really interested. UofL, UK, etc etc etc doesnt battle those schools for their recruits. They are fighting for McDonald All Americans and potential "straight out of HS to the pros" type players. I am not trying to knock Miller with any of this, just bringing everyone back to reality. I will also repeat that Miller is located NOWHERE on UofL's Rivals recruiting databases, and those people are pretty good about what they do. Vouch, they do miss a few kids, especially late recruits, but that is few and far between.

 

MY PROBLEM: Several have stated it clearly. The second a kid gets any kind of interest, whether it be legit or not, fans start hyping it up as if it is a done deal. I hate that. They build these kids up, only to watch them fall. LET THE KID EARN HIS WAY and quit making mountains out of mole hills!!! Let this play out. If Miller is good enough to be at UofL, Pitino will offer him, or at least give his the status of preferred walk-on. If Miller isnt good enough then you as a fan are just pouring salt on the wounds of a HS kid who thinks hes BIG TIME because some fan on BGP got online and started hyping him up.

 

IN CLOSING: I congratulate Miller on the oppurtunity to take ANY KIND of visit to UofL. I hope everything works out for him for the best at the next level and I believe he will be a asset to any team he joins, D1A or othewise.