Yeah, we should never bring in freshmen, that is crazy. What team tries to recruit young great players to their program consistently?

 

(Five years from now if we continue to have no seniors ever then I will change but people are really making some blanketing statements about ONE season right now)

Yeah, we should never bring in freshmen, that is crazy. What team tries to recruit young great players to their program consistently?

 

It's pretty clear that experienced players are more successful come tournament time than a group of star freshman. Butler ring a bell? Duke? WVU? The list goes on and on. Sure it's great to go 35-3. But you need guys that have been around a while to go all the way. If there will ever be a year for UK to win a championship it'll be next year. Miller, Liggins, Lamb, Poole, Hood, Vargas should all be back from this years team and they'll be bringing in the #1 class again. It's all about having a good mix.

It's pretty clear that experienced players are more successful come tournament time than a group of star freshman. Butler ring a bell? Duke? WVU? The list goes on and on. Sure it's great to go 35-3. But you need guys that have been around a while to go all the way. If there will ever be a year for UK to win a championship it'll be next year. Miller, Liggins, Lamb, Poole, Hood, Vargas should all be back from this years team and they'll be bringing in the #1 class again. It's all about having a good mix.

 

And my only point was that we are still looking at a very small bubble (one season) and making this statement about no experience. Anyone that says Eric Bledsoe and Daniel Orton were sure things to leave for the pros last year preseason are crazy. Bledsoe was a maybe. Still how many teams have lost more than two freshman in any one season besides last years team? You are right, we will have a good chance next year with those returnees, and ideally we will hopefully see more of this blend of some young greats who leave right away and some who stay for two, three, four years.

And my only point was that we are still looking at a very small bubble (one season) and making this statement about no experience. Anyone that says Eric Bledsoe and Daniel Orton were sure things to leave for the pros last year preseason are crazy. Bledsoe was a maybe. Still how many teams have lost more than two freshman in any one season besides last years team? You are right, we will have a good chance next year with those returnees, and ideally we will hopefully see more of this blend of some young greats who leave right away and some who stay for two, three, four years.

 

And maybe Coach Cal should consider that when signing players. If you remember, his two final four teams were both experienced teams. Sure it's nice to sign the best class year in and year out but is it worth it when you know they are one and done? Coach Cal seems to think so, and his overall record is great.

And maybe Coach Cal should consider that when signing players. If you remember, his two final four teams were both experienced teams. Sure it's nice to sign the best class year in and year out but is it worth it when you know they are one and done? Coach Cal seems to think so, and his overall record is great.

 

This one could be argued over and over. The next arguement would be, look at who he had coming in his first year if he hadn't gotten that recruiting class, or for that matter would Patterson have really returned. Course then we look at next year's recruiting class which at this time has at least three one and done potentials. Still, I don't know many coaches who say no to Teague, Gilchrist, or Davis.

Still, I don't know the answer at this time, go for only two studs and then a bunch of fours or three star guys who want to be in college awhile? Choose the five star with the rawest talent knowing he is going to be a project his first couple years? Hope a McD's all-american has freshman and even sophmore struggles?? Its a question college bball as a whole is asking. For UK fans, I'd say we still have to take a wait and see approach as to how things work out.

 

As for tonight, we came back to reality. First four games were a glimpse at how good we can be (even w/o Kanter) mixed with only slight views of our flaws. Tonight our flaws took center stage and we hit a buzzsaw.

 

What frustrates me about Miller's play isn't that I think he should be a star, but that he fails to show consistent aggression. DeAndre Liggins is not necessarily the most skilled shooter or even ball handler, but he has hustle and he provides sparks.

 

Overall frustrating.

Tubby got ran out of town for getting 4 year players.

Tubby got ran out of town for getting 4 year players.

 

Ha, trust me sweet16, this whole recruiting debate about who to get and why has so many sides to it. I can't say anyone opinion is wrong, just that its definately different. People will argue about the Dukes and the UNC's and all that but we are seeing across the nation that many programs are seeing the effects of the recruiting landscape and the touted one and dones. P.S. next what about Butler comment I hear might drive me bonkers. No one doubts that you need balance amongst your team experience wise. Still, Butler in and of itself was an Anomaly for so many reasons last season. Mid-Major team, somewhat Cinderella story, very even parity filled NCAA field with few truley dominant teams even amongst the top, etc etc.

Ha, trust me sweet16, this whole recruiting debate about who to get and why has so many sides to it. I can't say anyone opinion is wrong, just that its definately different. People will argue about the Dukes and the UNC's and all that but we are seeing across the nation that many programs are seeing the effects of the recruiting landscape and the touted one and dones. P.S. next what about Butler comment I hear might drive me bonkers. No one doubts that you need balance amongst your team experience wise. Still, Butler in and of itself was an Anomaly for so many reasons last season. Mid-Major team, somewhat Cinderella story, very even parity filled NCAA field with few truley dominant teams even amongst the top, etc etc.

 

Yep i know, just had to throw the Tubby comment in there. There needs to be a balance with 3-4 year guys with the one and out guys.