February 12, 200719 yr Not unless he had learned to play defense. 3 years later and I still don't see Lofton playing defense. And on Saturday, we saw how defense can keep you in games. Last year, we saw how good defense can shut Lofton down in the game at Rupp. This was the "in the know" reason why UK(and many others- UL/Pitino) didn't offer Lofton a Scholly. Even UT got him late in the recruiting season, and this was before Bruce Pearl was there. UT wasn't a hot school. IF you truly saw Lofton play that much, and you are connected with mid major colleges and recruiting, you knew that they were salivating over Lofton, because they knew his shortcomings would get him passed by from the major programs. His lack of defensive effort or ability, along with his percived lack of conditioning drove the major programs away. Now give the kid and Bruce Pearls coaching staff credit for helping him improve in these areas more than many kids I've seen, but his Freshman year, he was not yet the player he is now. You would have been a fool to take Lofton over Rondo, Crawford, Bradley, Brewer, Green, Noah, Morris, or Horford 3 years ago. But hindsight is 20/20, and recruiting is a crapshoot.
February 12, 200719 yr Scouts has UK on his list without an offer. But they also have Kansas and Louisville on there with no offer. What do you say about Pitino and Self?
February 12, 200719 yr As late as the end of March, Chris didn't even list Tennessee. His top four were Cincinnati, Arkansas, Notre Dame, and Florida, with only Cincy and ND offering. The only reason UT even entered the equation (in April) was because (and I'm quoting) "With Jackie Butler turning pro and the possibility Damin Harris will not qualify academically, Tennessee is looking to sign at least one player this spring. The latest target is now 6-foot-1, 185-pound combo guard Chris Lofton of Mason Co. (Ky.) High School." Translation? Dumb luck. UT would be in the exact same situation if they didn't have a scholly open up late. I believe that if UK had one scholarship, ONE, that was available, they'd have gone after Chris. It didn't happen.
February 12, 200719 yr My problem with this huge recruiting class is that Tubby basically got 2 of the same type of players in Bradley and Crawford. They are both shoot first, drive second type players. They are both around 6'3". And to be a shooter first, neither are great shooters!
February 12, 200719 yr Are we really having this debate again. You mean you didn't know that the most important players to UK are those who have never and will never put on a UK jersey?
February 12, 200719 yr To answer the question, they would help a lot. To spin it another way, how much would these two help all the other teams who decided to pass on them?
February 12, 200719 yr To answer the question, they would help a lot. To spin it another way, how much would these two help all the other teams who decided to pass on them? Don't you know for the TB'ers it is not the fault of others coaches for passing on them but it is Tubby's fault for passing on them.
February 12, 200719 yr Don't you know for the TB'ers it is not the fault of others coaches for passing on them but it is Tubby's fault for passing on them. :lol:
February 12, 200719 yr To answer the question, they would help a lot. To spin it another way, how much would these two help all the other teams who decided to pass on them? I would guess people fault Tubby because both wanted to go to UK but were not given the chance. Where else did they dream of playing that turned them away???
February 12, 200719 yr I would guess people fault Tubby because both wanted to go to UK but were not given the chance. Where else did they dream of playing that turned them away??? I still think the "Brewer dreaming of playing at UK" is made out to be bigger than it was.
February 12, 200719 yr Corey Brewer is one of my favorite players in the nation. But, he chose the program that was the best fit for him. Had he come to Kentucky, I don't think he would have blossomed into the type of player that he is today. That's not to say that Tubby & staff would not have developed him into a star. Instead, it's pointing out that Corey Brewer is much, much more efficient in an up-tempo style of play.
February 12, 200719 yr Corey Brewer is one of my favorite players in the nation. But, he chose the program that was the best fit for him. Had he come to Kentucky, I don't think he would have blossomed into the type of player that he is today. That's not to say that Tubby & staff would not have developed him into a star. Instead, it's pointing out that Corey Brewer is much, much more efficient in an up-tempo style of play. Might also be that he is the fifth offensive option that the opposing team tries to stop. That would open up some opportunities for him.
February 12, 200719 yr Might also be that he is the fifth offensive option that the opposing team tries to stop. That would open up some opportunities for him. If you think he's the 5th option, it's clear why your coaching career isn't headed to the next level... :jump:
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