Tony Hopper of Apollo coached the Kentucky team last year. Delon Butler was the Apollo player ... he scored 10 points in the two games.

I guess Elisha Justice just made the team and gets the #1 jersey...

I'm certainly not right all the time, but I'm guessing I was right about this one ...

 

Guessed wrong. It is not a personal issue. It was a FACT that this was discussed pretty openly last year before and during the tryouts. That part of the strategy "going small" is a coach's choice. What was disappointing was that there were some clear locks based on reputation, and it was pretty clear several of the kids were not motivated. That attitude carried into practice and into the results. I for one think Kentucky can make a better showing although Indiana does have a considerable talent pool. But, there should be no "locks" on the positions. No motivation, no performance.

I guess Elisha Justice just made the team and gets the #1 jersey...

 

Its an honor, but doesn't always means #1 will lead the team. Look at the last few years.

Tony Hopper of Apollo coached the Kentucky team last year. Delon Butler was the Apollo player ... he scored 10 points in the two games.

 

Not bad. Hood had 4 points on some 15 or so shots in the 2nd game in Kentucky.

Guessed wrong. It is not a personal issue. It was a FACT that this was discussed pretty openly last year before and during the tryouts. That part of the strategy "going small" is a coach's choice. What was disappointing was that there were some clear locks based on reputation, and it was pretty clear several of the kids were not motivated. That attitude carried into practice and into the results. I for one think Kentucky can make a better showing although Indiana does have a considerable talent pool. But, there should be no "locks" on the positions. No motivation, no performance.

Let's face it ... there are some premier players that have so-so or poor tryouts that are going to make the team because they've proven over the course of their careers that their selection is warranted.

 

If Chad Jackson or Ge'Lawn Guyn or Dakotah Euton or Keisten Jones have a poor tryout, should they not be selected for the team?

Not bad. Hood had 4 points on some 15 or so shots in the 2nd game in Kentucky.

Didn't he score 20 in the first game?

Not to re-visit an old issue, but it was 98% decided before tryouts that the strategy would be to play "small" and who would be filling the slots. There were people that made the team that could have cared less and hardly showed up for the tryouts. There were people that made the team that were hurt for the tryouts. There were people that had very good tryouts that were later asked to join the team, but had already made plans. I would hope the situation would be better this year.

 

Agreed. The injury to Phares (6-7) and Jenkins (6-4) changed the plans. However, there is some locks on who gets selected even before the tryouts.

Let's face it ... there are some premier players that have so-so or poor tryouts that are going to make the team because they've proven over the course of their careers that their selection is warranted.

 

If Chad Jackson or Ge'Lawn Guyn or Dakotah Euton or Keisten Jones have a poor tryout, should they not be selected for the team?

 

I don't disagree that players can have bad days at all, but there is a difference between not performing well and not even showing up (or not showing up, period). A quote from last year..."some of the guys don't look like they want to be here". Regardless of the reputation, rewarding that kind of attitude could be a contributing factor to not performing well.

 

Granted, this is a really difficult time of year to get graduating seniors really interested in this kind of commitment, practice etc. to play at a high level, and maybe that is just the deal...play for fun, go with the most recognized players and try to increase the gate. Maybe that is how Indiana approaches the game, but just has superior talent. If the goal really is to beat Indiana, we have to approach it more seriously.

Didn't he score 20 in the first game?

 

17 I though. Which would be a 10.5 ppg average for a Mr. Basketball. Walt Allen really set it off a few years ago.

Not bad. Hood had 4 points on some 15 or so shots in the 2nd game in Kentucky.

Actually, eight points on 2-for-12 shooting.

17 I though. Which would be a 10.5 ppg average for a Mr. Basketball. Walt Allen really set it off a few years ago.

Hood scored 20 in the first game for a 14-point average.

 

Obviously your figures were off ... not surprising, given your agenda.

I did not get to see him play this year, but how about the 6-10 or so player from Manual--Nickolic(sp)? Ky. maybe could use his size.

Actually, eight points on 2-for-12 shooting.

Hood scored 20 in the first game for a 14-point average.

 

Obviously your figures were off ... not surprising, given your agenda.

 

Agenda?

Agenda?

Pro-Jenkins over Hood ...

Pro-Jenkins over Hood ...

 

Nope. The fact is, the Apollo kid was called out as being selected due to politics and only having 10 points. When in fact, Mr. Basketball didn't outshine by much.