Kentucky HS players or McDonald's All-Americans?

[OldhamOldie]

I have seen Carson Williams, Quentin Goodin and Mason Faulkner all play this season. They are all outstanding performers, will do very well at the next level. It makes it sad for me as a UK fan to know the flagship school of this commonwealth did not even consider any of those three.

 

All three of these kids will be four-year players and get better as each season goes on in college. My question: Would you rather root for these players for four years who will work at their game and improve, or continue to get the one and done mercenaries that are making it hard for fans like myself to remain fans of UK's program?

[sweet16]

I would love for UK to recruit local kids but it would take them 3-4 years to get playing time. for example Willis.

 

If the player is willing to do that then by all means come to UK but I think most would rather go to a school where they could get some playing time from the start.

 

I also remember when Tubby recruited 4 years players and look what happened to him.

[SnottieDrippen]

One and dones. I don't watch basketball to get a warm and fuzzy feeling when a senior finally makes his first tournament appearance. That's fine for a lot of programs trying to reach national prominence, but Kentucky is already established as a powerhouse. They don't have to wait four years to make tournament runs.

 

It's hard for me to understand why a fan would lose interest in a winning team.

[stay_strong]

None of those mentioned have the talent to play at uk. Sorry truth is the truth.

[OldhamOldie]

One and dones. I don't watch basketball to get a warm and fuzzy feeling when a senior finally makes his first tournament appearance. That's fine for a lot of programs trying to reach national prominence, but Kentucky is already established as a powerhouse. They don't have to wait four years to make tournament runs.

 

It's hard for me to understand why a fan would lose interest in a winning team.

 

They are only at UK for money they will get in the NBA, no dedication to the program or fan base, is one reason. They are steered by AAU power brokers and would-be agents, so many of us do not identify with the players as we know they are just mercenaries. Myself, I like to see players who are there as real students with the intent to earn a degree as well. I know those days are gone for the most part, but many of these one and dones across the country are broke, degree-less, with no future at all after they are used at said university. Winning is fine, but at any cost? Not to me, but that is just my opinion.

[OldhamOldie]

None of those mentioned have the talent to play at uk. Sorry truth is the truth.

 

Really? Goodin is going to Xavier, which is better than UK this year. UK, meanwhile, brought in a complete bust in Skal, another All-American in Briscoe whom the fans are calling "Brick-Oh" because of his free throws. So just because UK recruits a player, does not mean they are going to pan out either.

[gametime]

You take the high school Larry Bird. I'll take Bam. Winning is fun...

 

[video=youtube_share;sWboe12e8qM]

[SnottieDrippen]

They are only at UK for money they will get in the NBA, no dedication to the program or fan base, is one reason. They are steered by AAU power brokers and would-be agents, so many of us do not identify with the players as we know they are just mercenaries. Myself, I like to see players who are there as real students with the intent to earn a degree as well. I know those days are gone for the most part, but many of these one and dones across the country are broke, degree-less, with no future at all after they are used at said university. Winning is fine, but at any cost? Not to me, but that is just my opinion.

 

Just like every other student is at UK for the money they will make when their time there comes to an end.

 

As for the bolded, they aren't there to become part of the family. They are trying to become professionals.

[OldhamOldie]

You take the high school Larry Bird. I'll take Bam. Winning is fun...

 

I'm still waiting for you to post the thread on Mick Cronin and Curtis Bostic. It will be a BGP all-timer for views, agreed?

 

Here is a view of the Skal bust from the press.

 

From Projected Top Pick to Struggling Reserve: The Decline of Skal Labissiere | Bleacher Report

[OldhamOldie]

Just like every other student is at UK for the money they will make when their time there comes to an end.

 

As for the bolded, they aren't there to become part of the family. They are trying to become professionals.

 

Noted and agreed. They are certainly not becoming beloved by the UK fans you hear on the radio talk shows, so you might be right.

[Maddog15]

If they could play at UK, they would be recruited by UK.

[OldhamOldie]

You take the high school Larry Bird. I'll take Bam. Winning is fun...

 

...and the decline of modern-day education in this great country. Know it will never happen again, but the NBA really needs to allow these gentlemen to go straight from high school to the NBA. Stop wasting our educational resources when they have zero interest in education, please!

[gametime]

You'll be waiting a while.

 

You never heard me hyping up Skal. Have said 2015 class stunk for a long time. 2016 is an all timer. Like Carson and Quentin a lot, but they aren't even remotely close to Bam, Fox and Monk. It's JV vs Varsity...

[gametime]

...and the decline of modern-day education in this great country. Know it will never happen again, but the NBA really needs to allow these gentlemen to go straight from high school to the NBA. Stop wasting our educational resources when they have zero interest in education, please!

 

So you know these kids and the value they place on education? Get your hands out of their pockets and move along...

[Staman2]

Like I said in other post I'll take Carson over anyone. Won't see a player work harder then him... NKU got a steal.. I'll put Carson against "Bam" any day