52 minutes ago, TheDeuce said:

Then why has Cal been struggling to land the elite recruits in past years? 

There’s other coaches out there that have great relationships with young recruits, Cal isn’t the only coach in America that preaches he can put you in the NBA, that could be one good reason.

1 hour ago, nikeman49 said:

I appreciate your opinion but still think that “Kentucky “ on the uniform means everything to young recruits.

 

15 minutes ago, nikeman49 said:

There’s other coaches out there that have great relationships with young recruits, Cal isn’t the only coach in America that preaches he can put you in the NBA, that could be one good reason.

Your contradicting yourself.  So which is it.  If Kentucky means everything than why would a relationship with another coach make any difference.  

2 hours ago, TheDeuce said:

Then why has Cal been struggling to land the elite recruits in past years? 

And why did Billy Gillispie and Tubby Smith in his later years struggle as well?  And why did Cal all of a sudden bring a monster class his first year, the top two players of which were going to Memphis until Cal left there?

Most of this class will follow Cal if he leaves for Texas.  Reed Sheppard probably won't.  I wouldn't count on any of the others.

4 hours ago, TheDeuce said:

Then why has Cal been struggling to land the elite recruits in past years? 

He needs a new sales gimmick.

6 hours ago, nikeman49 said:

I appreciate your opinion but still think that “Kentucky “ on the uniform means everything to young recruits.

If it meant everything then people wouldn’t have been mad at Tubby and his not getting the top guys much. If the Kentucky name just meant more, Tubby wouldn’t have struggled to get recruits either. Yes the Kentucky name, looks good for kids to say hey Kentucky offered me because it is a name kids know. However, the Kentucky name also isn’t getting to come. Not to mention the Rupp arena environment in general isn’t even as fun of an environment as other places. Not to mention the fanbase is also used against UK usually by other coaches, with how quickly fans would turn on coaches and players if you don’t perform. 
 

The name Kentucky would get a coach in the door to see a player. The name isn’t going to be the one that sells a player to come though. 

 

42 minutes ago, TheDeuce said:

 

That's fantastic. LOL 

45 minutes ago, TheDeuce said:

 

 

I don’t think Cal is all to blame and I don’t think he is free of any blame. The truth lies in the middle. This roster was his design, but sometimes you have to play the hand you are dealt. 
 

Could a single player on this UK team get meaningful minutes on any of Cal’s better teams? Oscar is far and away the best player and how many bigs has Cal had that were significantly better? Cousins, Patterson, Davis, Willie, Noel, Towns, and Bam are hands down. I’d probably take Randle, Jones, Lyles, and maybe even Harrellson (he was much bigger and played bigger IMO) Nobody else on this team sniffs the floor for many of Cal’s teams in the past. When this team was being assembled Cal was expecting another elite player (Sharpe) to be the alpha.

 

I’m frustrated but not all recruiting classes are created equal top to bottom. It is less X’s and O’s and more Jimmy’s and Joe’s.
 

When you have Cal and you have to reload all the time these things will happen. We have a class that should fit more into Cal’s mold next year, but we will have to accept this year as what it is a down year for talent. 

12 minutes ago, Matney said:

Could a single player on this UK team get meaningful minutes on any of Cal’s better teams? Oscar is far and away the best player and how many bigs has Cal had that were significantly better? Cousins, Patterson, Davis, Willie, Noel, Towns, and Bam are hands down. I’d probably take Randle, Jones, Lyles, and maybe even Harrellson (he was much bigger and played bigger IMO) Nobody else on this team sniffs the floor for many of Cal’s teams in the past. When this team was being assembled Cal was expecting another elite player (Sharpe) to be the alpha.

This is a very good point and it's why I want Cal back solely for the class he has coming in next year.  Of course, he could bolt for Texas and it's a moot point. 

All that said, his recruiting has slipped, his offense has not been catered to his talent, and this year is not the only year where the team had talent deficiencies. 

30 minutes ago, Randy Parker said:

This is a very good point and it's why I want Cal back solely for the class he has coming in next year.  Of course, he could bolt for Texas and it's a moot point. 

All that said, his recruiting has slipped, his offense has not been catered to his talent, and this year is not the only year where the team had talent deficiencies. 

I agree. His recruiting has slipped. I partially credit that to other teams (notably Duke) embracing the “get as much talent as possible” mold that at one time only Cal took and him not reacting as quick as he once would have. 
 

The way I see it is when Cal gets “his guys” we are in the thick of it. The last time that happened was Fox, Monk, and Bam I feel. Since then we have missed on players. I know Cunningham’s brother cost us. Penny cost us. Sharpe cost us and those things are out of Cal’s control, but that doesn’t change the fact that we missed and the fan base hurts. 
 

I want to keep Cal. No questions about it. I just hope Cal feels the same way with a fan base that I feel is out of touch and the former Co-Captain of the Middlesboro Chess Club stoking the fire like he knows anything about high level basketball. 

6 hours ago, Matney said:

I don’t think Cal is all to blame and I don’t think he is free of any blame. The truth lies in the middle. This roster was his design, but sometimes you have to play the hand you are dealt. 
 

Could a single player on this UK team get meaningful minutes on any of Cal’s better teams? Oscar is far and away the best player and how many bigs has Cal had that were significantly better? Cousins, Patterson, Davis, Willie, Noel, Towns, and Bam are hands down. I’d probably take Randle, Jones, Lyles, and maybe even Harrellson (he was much bigger and played bigger IMO) Nobody else on this team sniffs the floor for many of Cal’s teams in the past. When this team was being assembled Cal was expecting another elite player (Sharpe) to be the alpha.

 

I’m frustrated but not all recruiting classes are created equal top to bottom. It is less X’s and O’s and more Jimmy’s and Joe’s.
 

When you have Cal and you have to reload all the time these things will happen. We have a class that should fit more into Cal’s mold next year, but we will have to accept this year as what it is a down year for talent. 

As a non-UK hoops fan on the outside looking in, this seems to me to be a fair and accurate assessment.  While Cal was ahead of the curve when it came to consistently loading up on one-and-dones, other programs (notably Duke) quickly closed the gap.  

And as a side note, I see Deuce and the Parker brat all chummy and liking each other’s posts a lot on this thread. 
 

The end times approach. 

On 1/9/2023 at 5:43 PM, 4 Quarters said:

We hear about this unreal class just about every year.  Let him go.

He hasn't had a class like this since KAT, Booker, Lyles and etc.

But I understand your sentiment. I'd prefer to roll those dice one last time.

On 1/9/2023 at 6:00 PM, nikeman49 said:

Hopefully something works out here and Cal moves on, Ky basketball needs this change, let Cal prove he is better at another program, but don’t really think that is going to happen, with the right replacement, that great class coming next season comes here anyway.

That class isn't coming for Kentucky. They are coming for Calipari. Kiss them goodbye, except for maybe Reed Sheppard.