I think that's a fair assessment. If nobody at UofL is leaving early in the next two off seasons then I don't see a huge need for an impact from the freshmen that year so I'm fine with that. Although I do think Blackshear would need to make an impact for that team at the 2 spot.

 

I want to like Blackshear, I really do. My problem with him likely stems from the fact I hate watching his AAU team play. One game they will go toe to toe with another team loaded with D1 big timers, and the next they are losing to a bunch of kids that will be lucky to play D2. He'll play a decent amount as a freshman, I'm just not sure yet that he'll make much of a splash right out of the gate. Maybe he'll change my mind when I hit the road in a few weeks...

I want to like Blackshear, I really do. My problem with him likely stems from the fact I hate watching his AAU team play. One game they will go toe to toe with another team loaded with D1 big timers, and the next they are losing to a bunch of kids that will be lucky to play D2. He'll play a decent amount as a freshman, I'm just not sure yet that he'll make much of a splash right out of the gate. Maybe he'll change my mind when I hit the road in a few weeks...

I'm not disagreeing with you at all. You know much more about him then I do, my point is that where everything stands as of right now the 2 spot would be our weakness that year, thus needing him to step up. Whether or not that will happen is like you said, a whole other story.

I think it's pretty unrealistic to expect a "big splash" from freshman right away. Guys like Wall & Cousins are the exceptions and guys like Samules and Siva are the rule. How many truly high impact freshman are there this year? Five or so?

Well...Billy D to the Cardinals when RP is out. I actually hate that for U of L. I think BD has lost his touch.

Well...Billy D to the Cardinals when RP is out. I actually hate that for U of L. I think BD has lost his touch.

 

What about Travis Ford, John Pelphrey, or even Josh Pastner.

Don't forget Pitino has the best 3 point shooter he has ever seen sitting on the bench just waiting to be unleashed.

Don't forget Pitino has the best 3 point shooter he has ever seen sitting on the bench just waiting to be unleashed.

 

He is a secret weapon Rick is saving for the tourney.

What about Travis Ford, John Pelphrey, or even Josh Pastner.

 

U of L can have the first two. I want Pastner to eventually take over when Cal leaves though. :thumb:

I think it's pretty unrealistic to expect a "big splash" from freshman right away. Guys like Wall & Cousins are the exceptions and guys like Samules and Siva are the rule. How many truly high impact freshman are there this year? Five or so?

 

True. Most good classes take some time to develop. I like Indiana's freshman class this year, but it's not leading them to very man wins this season.

I think it's pretty unrealistic to expect a "big splash" from freshman right away. Guys like Wall & Cousins are the exceptions and guys like Samules and Siva are the rule. How many truly high impact freshman are there this year? Five or so?

 

OR,

 

You make some good points on this thread. I agree, he won't leave until he gets his name on the new arena next year, and coaches that 2011 class (assuming they stay committed).

 

Also I agree on the freshman thing, Wall and Cousins don't come around very often. Siva and Samuels will be very good players, but it takes time to develop them.

IMO Willard was brought in to ease transition. I believe Pitino is gone this or next year. He really, really is showing some uncharacteristic, of him, body language. He may still talk the good talk, but his non-verbals are so loud that it drowns out his voice. He is tired! IMO.