As already stated, he will be getting a scholarship one way or the other now.

I would love to see him come here and do very well. Nothing like a KY boy on the roster, but at the end of the day just give me the best players in the country. I don't care if they are from KY, OH, IN, etc.

It is going to be a very interesting 2 weeks is all I know for sure.

 

We have Kanter and Poole - which are 2 solid additions.

 

We are likely going to get Knight and Leslie - which would be 4 solid additions.

 

We are talking to Justice - which would be a nice 4-year player, a great leader and someone that will win over the entire state every time he steps on the court. What I hear on Justice and it's pretty much straight from the horse's mouth is that if a scholarship is in play, he will definitely listen

 

Next, we are in play with Doron Lamb, Luke Cothron, Terrence Ross, Terrence Jones, Josh Selby and possibly even Cory Joseph (although not as publicly as the others) - we could potentially get 1-3 of that group

 

Even then, we will be left with a few roster holes (assuming everyone leaves as expected) and will need to add another 1-3 players, most likely. So, where do we turn?

 

One thing I'll say on recruiting is that I sense no panic from anyone at UK. It's almost as if they have a few aces in the hole, so to speak. When Tubby Smith was bringing in mediocre talent for a season or two, there was some panic coming from around the program. That's not there right now. Everyone I speak to says "just let it all play out".

 

I have full confidence that Calipari is on top of things.

 

Here's something else to consider - what if Orton and Dodson leave but then all of a sudden some of the others decide to come back and shock the world. I'm not saying that will happen or even that it should happen, but you just never know with 18-year olds. Cousins, Wall and Bledsoe are a tight group. Patterson has a degree, but he obviously loves Kentucky and he doesn't seem to be a kid that is in desparation mode for money. What if they decide to make a run to be one of college basketball's all-time greatest teams?

 

You add a talented group of newcomers in with a seasoned group like that and you're talking about a '96 Kentucky or '76 Indiana type teams. I'm not saying anyone would buy into a return, but if it that idea can be sold - I know one man that can sell it.

Sometimes it's important to have solid leaders, as well. I like this move for 2 reasons:

 

1) kids don't come any better than Justice off the court and he CAN play a little

 

2) why not kick Louisville below the belt by stealing one of their players and giving him the scholarship that Pitino isn't giving him; media win against a rival

 

Justice is talented, but I'm unsure the word steal applies when going after a walk-on.

Justice is not as gifted as some of the talent Calipari is chasing, but he is a quality kid and gets everything out of his abilities. It can't hurt to have someone like that on your roster.

It is going to be a very interesting 2 weeks is all I know for sure.

 

We have Kanter and Poole - which are 2 solid additions.

 

We are likely going to get Knight and Leslie - which would be 4 solid additions.

 

We are talking to Justice - which would be a nice 4-year player, a great leader and someone that will win over the entire state every time he steps on the court. What I hear on Justice and it's pretty much straight from the horse's mouth is that if a scholarship is in play, he will definitely listen

 

Next, we are in play with Doron Lamb, Luke Cothron, Terrence Ross, Terrence Jones, Josh Selby and possibly even Cory Joseph (although not as publicly as the others) - we could potentially get 1-3 of that group

 

Even then, we will be left with a few roster holes (assuming everyone leaves as expected) and will need to add another 1-3 players, most likely. So, where do we turn?

 

One thing I'll say on recruiting is that I sense no panic from anyone at UK. It's almost as if they have a few aces in the hole, so to speak. When Tubby Smith was bringing in mediocre talent for a season or two, there was some panic coming from around the program. That's not there right now. Everyone I speak to says "just let it all play out".

 

I have full confidence that Calipari is on top of things.

 

Here's something else to consider - what if Orton and Dodson leave but then all of a sudden some of the others decide to come back and shock the world. I'm not saying that will happen or even that it should happen, but you just never know with 18-year olds. Cousins, Wall and Bledsoe are a tight group. Patterson has a degree, but he obviously loves Kentucky and he doesn't seem to be a kid that is in desparation mode for money. What if they decide to make a run to be one of college basketball's all-time greatest teams?

 

You add a talented group of newcomers in with a seasoned group like that and you're talking about a '96 Kentucky or '76 Indiana type teams. I'm not saying anyone would buy into a return, but if it that idea can be sold - I know one man that can sell it.

 

Nice post Wireman,

 

I agree Cal and the others know more than the public knows. The only thing about next year is we won't have the luxury of a Cousins. He makes a good team great.

Justice is talented, but I'm unsure the word steal applies when going after a walk-on.

 

Historically neither school likes to lose a potential KY recruit they are pursuing to the other. Considering Justice is not from Louisville, steal might be too strong of a word.

 

I believe the rivalry is what some are referring to as he will be guaranteed a scholarship now.

I don't think I've ever seen a player in Kentucky get bashed the way he's getting blasted tonight on the different sites. This should never happen to a kid before he even reaches college.

I don't think I've ever seen a player in Kentucky get bashed the way he's getting blasted tonight on the different sites. This should never happen to a kid before he even reaches college.

 

Very true, it's partly because he doesn't come from Lexington, Louisville or some other big area, but instead is a homegrown kid from Eastern KY.

 

He has worked his tail off his whole life and has taken nothing for granted but still gets no respect. He is a great athlete and people SHOULD wish him nothing but the best.

Very true, it's partly because he doesn't come from Lexington, Louisville or some other big area, but instead is a homegrown kid from Eastern KY.

 

He has worked his tail off his whole life and has taken nothing for granted but still gets no respect. He is a great athlete and people SHOULD wish him nothing but the best.

 

I've never seen where picking a school to walk-on could be so high pressured. He seems like a high quality young man from the times I've been around him. Its one thing to constructively critique a player or say where he should be ranked or not ranked, but the harsh cynical statements on a youth is too far.

 

Who knows, maybe he'll never get more than a minute at a time on the court at UL, but why attack the kid as if he is a criminal or common thug. Here's hoping he gets through this without any loss of confidence.

 

Head up EJ. Better days ahead.

I don't think I've ever seen a player in Kentucky get bashed the way he's getting blasted tonight on the different sites. This should never happen to a kid before he even reaches college.

 

Kinda makes you understand why some people are critical of the UK fanbase. Justice is as good a kid as you will come across, and Catspause and KSR posters are just tearing him apart without even knowing the situation.

 

Pitino has made Justice feel pretty confident that he is capable of playing at Louisville and that a scholarship will almost definitely be offered. Cal calls and asks him to decommitt from Louisville, but doesn't offer a scholarship... just tells him that there will be scholarships available this year. Justice wants confirmation that this isn't a probable one year situation and the UK fanbase goes nuts. Cal has made no committment to Justice, but things now appear to outsiders that Cal has shown interest but Justice has made demands and still prefers Louisville. If part of Cal's goal was to switch the negativity of not signing Mr. Basketball from himself to the player then goal accomplished...

I hope this kid does what makes him most comfortable, and what he thinks will help him in his goal of becoming a coach in the future. It doesn't seem (from the talk on BGP) as if PT is his primary deciding factor.

 

I have a question, what current college coaches have yielded the most coaches from players/assistants that have played/worked under them? Serious question, because I don't know.

I hope this kid does what makes him most comfortable, and what he thinks will help him in his goal of becoming a coach in the future. It doesn't seem (from the talk on BGP) as if PT is his primary deciding factor.

 

I have a question, what current college coaches have yielded the most coaches from players/assistants that have played/worked under them? Serious question, because I don't know.

 

So far, there are 21 former Pitino players and assistant coaches who have went on to become head coaches at the D-1 level.

I don't think I've ever seen a player in Kentucky get bashed the way he's getting blasted tonight on the different sites. This should never happen to a kid before he even reaches college.

 

I always felt kind of bad for Dakota Euton as well and he had toendure these criticisms and attacks while still in high school. Fortunately for Elisha, the season is over and he won't have to endure the senseless taunts from the student section. I wish him well.

Justice is talented, but I'm unsure the word steal applies when going after a walk-on.

 

Ask Pitino what he thinks about this move. He is absolutely irate over this situation according to several folks.