jbwill2 Posted March 28, 2010 Posted March 28, 2010 John Calipari is an amazing recruiter. He seems to be the best in America at getting the "one and done" mega-stars. He certainly did this at Memphis, and in his first year at UK he has continued the trend. The UK 2009-2010 basketball season was very similar to the seasons Calipari has had at Memphis... amazing W-L records, conference titles and some tournament wins, but Calipari hasn't been able to take it all the way to a national championship. Does Calipari just need some more time at UK in order to win a national title, or is his coaching and recruiting style/philosophy (i.e., bring in the "one and done" mega-stars who only stay for a short time, plus the fact that many people think he's not a great Xs and Os coach) incompatible with winning national titles? It seems that experience and leadership really matter in the tournament (take a look at some of the recent winners), and Calipari's style is antithetical to playing with experienced players. Will UK fans be blessed/cursed (depending on how you look at it) with getting to watch very good UK teams who win a lot of games and SEC titles year in and year out, without winning national titles? If so, will UK fans put up with this?
HT721 Posted March 28, 2010 Posted March 28, 2010 He has had the pieces more than once to win a title, so I don't think it's necessarily his style or the type of players he recruits. It's more like luck. It takes a lot of talent, a lot of good coaching, and a lot of luck to win it all in today's tournament. Because 10 to 12 teams or more every year have the first two parts of the 3 part equation.
MJAlltheWay24 Posted March 28, 2010 Posted March 28, 2010 I think HT721 hit it on the head. I mean if you think about it, Coach Cal was one free throw away from winning it all in 2008. I am confident that UK will get an eighth title under Calipari. As much as I wanted to get one this year. I predicted at the beginning of the season that they would get to the Final Four. We were one game short, but I still consider it a very successful first year.
Michael Corleone Posted March 28, 2010 Posted March 28, 2010 Winning 6 in a row is tough. Dean Smith is one of the best all time and it took him several tries and he had just as much talent as Cal. Roy Williams had the title elude him for years and then he finally broke through. I believe Cal will win one but as a prior poster said it will take some luck.
FormerCawoodTrojan Posted March 28, 2010 Posted March 28, 2010 He has had the pieces more than once to win a title, so I don't think it's necessarily his style or the type of players he recruits. It's more like luck. It takes a lot of talent, a lot of good coaching, and a lot of luck to win it all in today's tournament. Because 10 to 12 teams or more every year have the first two parts of the 3 part equation. I think you are EXACTLY right. I would however wish for maybe one 1 and doner with some experience to make that run...oh well, he is our coach and will continue recruiting this style. We will see if it works.
NEXT Posted March 28, 2010 Posted March 28, 2010 You cannot just recruit athletes, you HAVE to recruit basketball players......you know the guys who make FT's and mid-range jumpers.
Michael Corleone Posted March 28, 2010 Posted March 28, 2010 You cannot just recruit athletes, you HAVE to recruit basketball players......you know the guys who make FT's and mid-range jumpers. Meet Brandon Knight.
MJAlltheWay24 Posted March 28, 2010 Posted March 28, 2010 You cannot just recruit athletes, you HAVE to recruit basketball players......you know the guys who make FT's and mid-range jumpers. I feel like most of those guys are don't make it out of the high schools and if they do, they find themselves at D-II, D-III, or small NAIA programs.
Voice of Reason Posted March 28, 2010 Posted March 28, 2010 The factor that works against Cal is experience. That was as big a problem as any for UK in the WVU game. Their talent helped them overcome their flaws against most teams but when you get to the end of the tournament those flaws get exposed even further. Teams get pushed to overcome another level of obstacles and inexperienced players have a harder time with the maturity, patience and execution needed. When you have one a doner's, it does hurt you regardless of how talented they are. I think as Cal builds his program and gets his more experienced players on the roster, he will get that title.
gametime Posted March 28, 2010 Posted March 28, 2010 Meet Brandon Knight. Love watching Knight play, but I have talked to several former teammates of his that weren't too fond of playing with him because of the number of times he shoots night in and night out. It will be very interesting to see how long it takes to break him of that habit no matter where he ends up...
Michael Corleone Posted March 28, 2010 Posted March 28, 2010 The factor that works against Cal is experience. That was as big a problem as any for UK in the WVU game. Their talent helped them overcome their flaws against most teams but when you get to the end of the tournament those flaws get exposed even further. Teams get pushed to overcome another level of obstacles and inexperienced players have a harder time with the maturity, patience and execution needed. When you have one a doner's, it does hurt you regardless of how talented they are. I think as Cal builds his program and gets his more experienced players on the roster, he will get that title. I think you make some good points. I Bledsoe and Orton return then next year you have 5 guys who have been through the tournament. This year he had none. Every year isn't going to be several one and dones. Most years it will be one guy. So after a couple of years he will have a better blend of young and veteran.
Michael Corleone Posted March 28, 2010 Posted March 28, 2010 Love watching Knight play, but I have talked to several former teammates of his that weren't too fond of playing with him because of the number of times he shoots night in and night out. It will be very interesting to see how long it takes to break him of that habit no matter where he ends up... Does he make them? Not being smart but isn't he a good shooter?
Hatz Posted March 28, 2010 Posted March 28, 2010 John Calipari is an amazing recruiter. He seems to be the best in America at getting the "one and done" mega-stars. He certainly did this at Memphis, and in his first year at UK he has continued the trend. The UK 2009-2010 basketball season was very similar to the seasons Calipari has had at Memphis... amazing W-L records, conference titles and some tournament wins, but Calipari hasn't been able to take it all the way to a national championship. Does Calipari just need some more time at UK in order to win a national title, or is his coaching and recruiting style/philosophy (i.e., bring in the "one and done" mega-stars who only stay for a short time, plus the fact that many people think he's not a great Xs and Os coach) incompatible with winning national titles? It seems that experience and leadership really matter in the tournament (take a look at some of the recent winners), and Calipari's style is antithetical to playing with experienced players. Will UK fans be blessed/cursed (depending on how you look at it) with getting to watch very good UK teams who win a lot of games and SEC titles year in and year out, without winning national titles? If so, will UK fans put up with this? I heard almost the same identical arguments about: Dean Smith. In 1982 he finally broke through and won and that still took some help from Gene Brown. But he had his share of bad luck along the way. 1977 he had a very injured team that was better than Marquette but couldn't muster the win. He had Bob McAdoo go hardship. Rick Pitino. Exactly the same arguments made against him until 1996. Jim Boeheim. Roy Williams. Remember they had that win vs. Villanova in 2005 that a call went their way and gave them the impetus to pull out the win. Coach K. He went to Final Fours four times and lost until he pulled off one of the biggest upsets ever over UNLV and then won the title vs. Kansas. Luck and things working out for you is always part of the equation.
Jim Schue Posted March 28, 2010 Posted March 28, 2010 Does he make them? Not being smart but isn't he a good shooter? Does it matter? You can be the greatest shooter ever, but if you don't get your teammates involved, you aren't going to win many titles.
ColonelCrazy Posted March 28, 2010 Posted March 28, 2010 Love watching Knight play, but I have talked to several former teammates of his that weren't too fond of playing with him because of the number of times he shoots night in and night out. It will be very interesting to see how long it takes to break him of that habit no matter where he ends up... My intramural team heckles me too. I tell them that when you shoot 50% from the field you can shoot the rock whenever you want. :lol: Seriously though, Cal did such a good job with meshing this year's team that I will give him the benefit of the doubt. By all accounts, these kids are willing to listen to Cal. If they don't, they won't play. As far as questioning Cal's ability to win the big one. I think it's a very fair question. The problem is that it's too soon to label this an accurate statement at Kentucky. This is his FIRST YEAR and he had to make some major changes to the program, including personnel. I look forward to seeing these guys play for their 2nd year under Coach Cal. I think Dodson, Liggins and Miller will be very good next year. If Bledsoe & Orton come back, I think Kentucky will be in the conversation for a national title from Day 1 (again). Let's not forget that this team had 0 NCAA tournament experience. It showed in their inability to adjust under pressure. Part of that is Cal's fault; however, part of that is inevitable with inexperienced players on the big stage. Next year, we will still have that excuse (as we'll still rely on many freshman); however, we won't rely exclusively on frosh.
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