Azubuike was #31.

 

Here are some other top recruits brought in by Tubby:

 

1998

 

Tayshaun Prince #12

Jules Camara #31

 

1999

 

Keith Bogans #2

Marvin Stone #5

 

2000

 

Cliff Hawkins #36

Jason Parker #15 ... ranked in the top 10 by a couple analysts

 

2001

 

Rashaad Carruth #21

Chuck Hayes #46

 

Also, not in the list in the earlier post is Alleyne who was rated at #48 in 2003.

 

But those weren't listed as they didn't want to give any credit to Tubby.

I wrote an article entitled "The Calipari Effect" that talks about some of these issues if any of you guys are interested in reading.

 

http://www.makavellisports.blogspot.com

And for those that have any doubt that talent wins, consider this list of recent champions and where their recruiting class ranked:

 

Rank Team Rank Total Start End

1 North Carolina 429 2006 2006 ..... 2009 NCAA Champion

2 Duke 421 2002 2002

3 UCLA 388 2008 2008

4 Duke 351 1999 1999 ... 2001 NCAA Champion

5 UCLA 349 1998 1998

6 Kansas 346 2005 2005 .... 2008 NCAA Champion

7 Duke 339 2005 2005

8 Ohio State 338 2006 2006

9 North Carolina 325 2005 2005 ... 2005 & 2008 NCAA Champion

10 Duke 321 2006 2006 ... 2010 NCAA Champion

11 Texas 302 2004 2004

11 Connecticut 302 2006 2006

13 Kansas 292 2003 2003

14 Kentucky 290 1999 1999

15 North Carolina 287 2002 2002 ... 2005 NCAA Champion

16 Arizona 281 1998 1998

17 Texas 276 2006 2006

18 Virginia 275 1999 1999

19 Michigan 274 1999 1999

20 Syracuse 272 2007 2007

24 Florida 262 2007 2007 .... 2007 NCAA Champion

 

Talk all you want about how great Coach K is as a coach, but his real value is as a recruiter. He has by far dominated the recruiting battles over the past 10 years. That is why Calipari is going to get his title at UK. Talent wins and Cal is bringing in more talent than anyone right now. It might take 2-3 years or more depending on who stays and who goes, but he can not be denied a title if he keeps recruiting like he is.

 

Top players make coaches great. Look at John Wooden when they started cheating.

The common thread is the number of Final Four appearances during that time frame.

I thought Liggins was a 5 star?

I thought Liggins was a 5 star?

 

Depends on the recruiting service used... He was a 5 star on one and a 4 star on the other.