GT pointed out that some of this JR UK class signed late and they have not been as good as advertised.

 

I was wondering if UK fans should have the same concern with Lucas and Patterson. Signing this late, should we expect the same as we got from the Jr class signees that came late?

Only time will tell.

What I've seen of Lucas (which I admit has not been a ton), I've been very impressed with him. I think he can come in and make an immediate impact and help the team out in a spot where they really need somene to take control and really lead the others. When I see him, I see a player who shows no fear... Plus, he comes from a family of great college basketball players.

 

Patterson... I think he would be a good UK player, but I don't see him as an immediate impact guy. I think his game is really going to take some time to truly develop into what a lot of people are already thinking it is.

 

The only harm I'm seeing in these guys signing this late is the fact that the cupboard is now bare, and if they choose to go elsewhere UK is up creek without a paddle.

I don't know if I'd say the copboard would be bare, but, it would hurt some... Even if Morris leaves, we still have Crawford, Bradley, Meeks, Jasper, Porter, Stephenson, Stewart, Carter, Williams, Harris....There's potential here, but, we would definately be a little thin on the inside...

Not necessarily the cupboard would be bare at UK with the players they'd have returning already (And I could make that argument as well), but the fact that the recruiting cupboard is bare... Patterson and Lucas are 2 of the select few high impact guys still around that have not yet signed... And if UK doesn't get them, aside from maybe Pettigrew, I'm not sure what direction they're going to have to turn to keep this class from being a loss.

Not necessarily the cupboard would be bare at UK with the players they'd have returning already (And I could make that argument as well), but the fact that the recruiting cupboard is bare... Patterson and Lucas are 2 of the select few high impact guys still around that have not yet signed... And if UK doesn't get them, aside from maybe Pettigrew, I'm not sure what direction they're going to have to turn to keep this class from being a loss.

 

Tubby really needs to get both of these guys, IMO, but he almost has to get at least one of them. If we miss out on both, the future is looking bleak. If I had to rank them, I would place more importance on getting Patterson, because we have some guard depth with Bradley, Crawford and the freshmen class...the front-line is thin, and if Morris leaves, will be non-existent. But, I really think we need them both pretty bad if we want to get things turned around quickly.

The difference IMO is the competition for these kids compared to Morris and Crawford.

 

Morris was UK, GTech, or the NBA.

 

Crawford was UM or UK.

 

Patterson is UK, UF, Duke, and WVU.

 

Lucas is UK, MD, and the Oklahomas...

Even if you don't think late signees may pan out as much as their hype, these two would be better than the alternative, which is the scraps that are left out there.

I think Patterson will be ok, one thing he exhibited in the state tournament was a nice touch, he made alot of freethrows and had a nice turn around jumper which he hadnt shown much of all year. The only thing will be for him is to do that against someone of his level and size. The key is landing him, but if UK dont land ateast one good big mant he future still dont look good, IMO you cant compete without a solid inside presence and UK has lacked that.

I don't know if I'd say the copboard would be bare, but, it would hurt some... Even if Morris leaves, we still have Crawford, Bradley, Meeks, Jasper, Porter, Stephenson, Stewart, Carter, Williams, Harris....There's potential here, but, we would definately be a little thin on the inside...

Potential ?

 

Maybe potential for a 14 loss year and and barely making it into the NCAA"s

The simple fact of the matter is most of the top 150 are committed by November and UK has been awful at that vital aspect of recruiting. More than anything what it does is take the focus off of in season and directly after the season recruiting off of the future and puts it squarely on the here and now. And if you miss like UK has done now you are not only behind the 8 ball for that season but the next as well. I firmly believe this is the biggest problem with the UK program right now...

I dont place a whole lot of importance in signing early. Ron Mercer and Wayne Turner were both late signees.

Dont get me wrong, I wish UK would sign a bunch of players in the fall!

I hope next year we are all but done by the end of November.

The simple fact of the matter is most of the top 150 are committed by November and UK has been awful at that vital aspect of recruiting. More than anything what it does is take the focus off of in season and directly after the season recruiting off of the future and puts it squarely on the here and now. And if you miss like UK has done now you are not only behind the 8 ball for that season but the next as well. I firmly believe this is the biggest problem with the UK program right now...

I think Tubby puts way to much stock in one or two guys, the joke around WV state tournament was Tubby and Coach K had season tickets to Huntington, which is good, but he has invested almost everything into two recruits, and probably will just land one. I think that really hurts them.

I agree with GT whole-heartedly

I dont place a whole lot of importance in signing early. Ron Mercer and Wayne Turner were both late signees.

Dont get me wrong, I wish UK would sign a bunch of players in the fall!

I hope next year we are all but done by the end of November.

You're clearly missing my point. It's not who you get it's what it allows you to do in staying what used to be ahead of the game. It's the prevailing philosophy for most of the big name programs that are sitting at the top...