Brandon Wright Was Never Coming UK

[Spanish Moss]

Make that Brandan Wright.

Just goes to show you never can tell. All this time I thought we lost this young man, who we were told was a UK fan, but it turns out that was all a hoax. We never had a shot at him. "You can't lose something you never had" Articles like this are a reason I don't pay any attention to recruiting gurus. Any Tom, Dick and Harry can go watch high school players and speculate on what is in their mind or what school they are going to pick. So don't get your hopes up until the LOI is signed, sealed and delivered.

Matt's words.

Well folks it is time for a reality check….contrary to what you may have read on the internet last year, Brandon Wright was never coming to UK. The very first recruit interview that I ever did was with Wright last September and I remember looking at Rob Gidel and saying “well there is no way that kid comes to UK.” Wright has often been considered to have been a UK lean that simply changed his mind due to UK mishaps on the recruiting trail. But that is simply incorrect.

http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=1269

[Spanish Moss]

Is it Brandon or Brandan? Oh well, no matter how you spell his name, you can spell him gone and I learned something in this article.

I thought for some reason Tubby Smith blew it by losing him to UNC but as it turns out, the only thing Tubby blew was not understanding where he stood with young Mr. Wright.

I hope all of the Five Stars big men we are chasing are not pipe dreams.

[ukbob]

Not sure that gives me any comfort.

He is not the only one not coming or didn't come either.

[bleedbluelady]

Tubby needs a female on his staff. Someone who can tell him when a guy is leading him on. ;):P

[RCS]

Tubby's has had two problems lately with recruiting, 1) not landing any star forwards, which is strange and I will never understand 2) Probably a bigger problem, not realizing where he stood with said top forwards. He had no back up plans, or at least his back up plans were not really good options. Stevenson was a nice backup plan, but the year before that Sims was a terrible back up plan.

We really needed to sign a SF and a PF last year and only got a PF. We haven't signed a guy who could bang down low since Chuck Hayes, which is 6 years ago at this point. That is a problem. Wright would have been fantastic to have, but losing Hansborough was more devastating IMO. Him and Morris would make a dynamic duo. He is a banger, a rebounder and very good offensively to boot. Plus I think he may stay longer than some think. He is a tweener in the NBA but a fantastic PF/C in college. He may leave after this year but I don't think that is definite. What could have been. Add Hansborough and this is a Final 4 team. Add Wright and we are better, but not as good. This goes for last year and this year.

[RaleighCat]

I'll sleep no better knowing UK wasn't on Brandan's short list. The kid was in Nashville for crying out loud. Not like we shouldn't be on top of talent like that within 500 miles of Memorial Coliseum.

Watch the game tomorrow and tell me if Wright/Thompson/Stephenson could help us. Then ask if the Carter-for-Hansbrough trade off is working out. And this is just one program (UNC), not to mention the kids who are choosing lesser programs. Ye gads we've got work to do to ensure our '06 class gets some big time help for the future.

[Prince21]

RCS wrote: He had no back up plans, or at least his back up plans were not really good options. Stevenson was a nice backup plan, but the year before that Sims was a terrible back up plan.


I don't think you can say Sims was a bad backup plan, he was the JuCo player of the year, he just didn't pan out in Tubby's system. There's a difference. Anyway, it's rare for a "backup plan" to come in a contribute right away, which is why Stevenson has surprised so many.

But to the point on Brandan Wright...I don't even know what to say. I remember coming home from school and getting on here every day to see if he had committed yet. Now to hear that we weren't even a finalist makes me wonder. All I know is that we definitely need Patrick Patterson and a center in case Randolph leaves. I don't know what wouldn't be enticing about Tubby Smith saying to me, "You can come to the University of Kentucky and start at power forward for us probably at day one." I know I would jump out of my shoes if that happened to me. I just don't see where the holdup is.

[Will Lavender]

UK would have a hard time beating UNC for any big man unless he's right in our back yard, like Carter was. So it's quite possible that there was no short list for Brandan Wright. He might have simply been going to UNC the whole time.

That's understandable given the way UNC plays. Their big men can absolutely dominate in that system because it's so interior-oriented.

If I were a big man, and if I weren't such a staunch UK fan :D, that's where I would go. It's like a nightly showcase.

[RaleighCat]

I think he meant to say Sims was on the "Bad Back Plan."

[RaleighCat]

Will Lavender wrote: UK would have a hard time beating UNC for any big man unless he's right in our back yard, like Carter was. So it's quite possible that there was no short list for Brandan Wright. He might have simply been going to UNC the whole time.

That's understandable given the way UNC plays. Their big men can absolutely dominate in that system because it's so interior-oriented.

If I were a big man, and if I weren't such a staunch UK fan :D, that's where I would go. It's like a nightly showcase.


Carefull not to contradict, 'cause UNC is also known as a running team. Might they be both? We'll see tomorrow.

Dook is known as a program that demands defense, but also allows almost complete offensive freedom. Ben Howland is known as a tough-nosed-defensive coach- but two programs he's touched in the past 4 years are ranked sky high (UCLA and Pitt). The Bruins can score points with anyone.

What then is Kentucky's style that's supposed to attract recruits? Where is our nightly showcase?

[Will Lavender]

RaleighCat wrote: Will Lavender wrote: UK would have a hard time beating UNC for any big man unless he's right in our back yard, like Carter was. So it's quite possible that there was no short list for Brandan Wright. He might have simply been going to UNC the whole time.

That's understandable given the way UNC plays. Their big men can absolutely dominate in that system because it's so interior-oriented.

If I were a big man, and if I weren't such a staunch UK fan :D, that's where I would go. It's like a nightly showcase.


Carefull not to contradict, 'cause UNC is also known as a running team. Might they be both? We'll see tomorrow.

Dook is known as a program that demands defense, but also allows almost complete offensive freedom. Ben Howland is known as a tough-nosed-defensive coach- but two programs he's touched in the past 4 years are ranked sky high (UCLA and Pitt). The Bruins can score points with anyone.

What then is Kentucky's style that's supposed to attract recruits? Where is our nightly showcase?

They run, but when they run they're always looking for the blocks. That's the Carolina Break, isn't it?

And if you run, you can wear the other team down. There's nothing a big guy likes more than wearing the other team down, because, as Hansbrough showed the other night against OSU, big men can begin to dominate when their guys are winded and ragged.

Not sure you HAVE to have a showcase to attract talent, but it certainly helps. I couldn't tell you what Lute Olsen does that's special, yet he's recruited well. Or Jim Boeheim, who has a recent national championship. Or Gary Williams. Or even Mark Few, who's recruited all kinds of different players into a system that Dan Monson was turning into Point Guard U.

[ukbob]

RaleighCat wrote: Will Lavender wrote: UK would have a hard time beating UNC for any big man unless he's right in our back yard, like Carter was. So it's quite possible that there was no short list for Brandan Wright. He might have simply been going to UNC the whole time.

That's understandable given the way UNC plays. Their big men can absolutely dominate in that system because it's so interior-oriented.

If I were a big man, and if I weren't such a staunch UK fan :D, that's where I would go. It's like a nightly showcase.


Carefull not to contradict, 'cause UNC is also known as a running team. Might they be both? We'll see tomorrow.

Dook is known as a program that demands defense, but also allows almost complete offensive freedom. Ben Howland is known as a tough-nosed-defensive coach- but two programs he's touched in the past 4 years are ranked sky high (UCLA and Pitt). The Bruins can score points with anyone.

What then is Kentucky's style that's supposed to attract recruits? Where is our nightly showcase?


Got me.

UK has not had a true identity since the Suffocats, IMO. That team played off their stifling defense and scored tons off it. Everyone knew what we were going to do but most could not deal with it because they played it so well.

Since then we spend the entire year usually looking for what we are. And some years, like last year, we never find it.

I am anxious to see what we are this year because frankly, I have no idea. It would not shock me if most recruits have no idea either.

[ImForKy]

Spanish Moss wrote: Make that Brandan Wright.

Just goes to show you never can tell. All this time I thought we lost this young man, who we were told was a UK fan, but it turns out that was all a hoax. We never had a shot at him. "You can't lose something you never had" Articles like this are a reason I don't pay any attention to recruiting gurus. Any Tom, Dick and Harry can go watch high school players and speculate on what is in their mind or what school they are going to pick. So don't get your hopes up until the LOI is signed, sealed and delivered.

Matt's words.

Well folks it is time for a reality check….contrary to what you may have read on the internet last year, Brandon Wright was never coming to UK. The very first recruit interview that I ever did was with Wright last September and I remember looking at Rob Gidel and saying “well there is no way that kid comes to UK.” Wright has often been considered to have been a UK lean that simply changed his mind due to UK mishaps on the recruiting trail. But that is simply incorrect.

http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=1269



My question is, if in fact, Matt and Rob believed/knew that Brandon was never coming to UK, why didn't they say that last September rather than December 1 this year?:question

[Spanish Moss]

ImForKy wrote: My question is, if in fact, Matt and Rob believed/knew that Brandon was never coming to UK, why didn't they say that last September rather than December 1 this year?:question

This is the best question of the day. I would like to know the answer to that. All I have read in the past was; Brandan was a UK fan, he was UK's to lose and Tubby lost him. Some people said it was a Tubby whiff. Whiff. Whiff. Now we find out UK never had him or if I read it correctly, didn't even have a shot at him. So that was not a Tubby whiff. A whiff is a miss when somebody throws you the ball. I take it Brandan didn't throw Tubby the ball.

We are now being told he was headed to UNC, Duke or Vandy no matter how big a UK fan he was. Sorry, but if I am a high school AA who happens to be a UK fan, when the Cats call, I answer yes. I don't go to UNC. Now if I am a Transylvania fan or Berea College fan and I am a high school AA, if UNC calls I may listen. But not if I am a UK fan.

[hoosierhateruklover]

I have a hard time believing Wright wasn't a UK lean. He showed way too much interest and there is no reason to show that much interest ina school you are simple using. Why would Brandan use UK, there are no $$$ contracts in college basketball...but if this is true....whose to say lucas and patterson aren't in this same category?

[bleedbluelady]

hoosierhateruklover wrote: He showed way too much interest and there is no reason to show that much interest ina school you are simple using.

Where did you/we hear that he showed that much interest in UK? Ionly know I heard it second/third/fourth hand. Did anybody hear this directly from Brandonor the UK staff? Seriously. :nada:

Edit: Along with many of you, I don't feel any better with this info. I'm just wondering how in the heck we were soooo clueless. :nada:

[Will Lavender]

bleedbluelady wrote: hoosierhateruklover wrote: He showed way too much interest and there is no reason to show that much interest ina school you are simple using.

Where did you/we hear that he showed that much interest in UK? Ionly know I heard it second/third/fourth hand. Did anybody hear this directly from Brandonor the UK staff? Seriously. :nada:

Edit: Along with many of you, I don't feel any better with this info. I'm just wondering how in the heck we were soooo clueless. :nada:

I specifically remember one article where Wright was quoted as saying something like, "I love Coach Hanson. We talk every day. Sometimes he just calls me up and we just talk about how I'm doing and stuff like that."

I might be way off, but this article just firms up something I've always believed. I think these kids have a school in mind, and they just take their visits (this isn't ALWAYS the case, probably, but sometimes) to simply see what's out there.

The recruiting "experts" tell us that one school is in the lead, another school is second, another is third, and so on. I just don't think it works like that. When Jones says that Wright was never considering UK, it could mean that he just knew he wanted to go to UNC all along.

[NotFrank]

ImForKy wrote: Spanish Moss wrote: Make that Brandan Wright.

Just goes to show you never can tell. All this time I thought we lost this young man, who we were told was a UK fan, but it turns out that was all a hoax. We never had a shot at him. "You can't lose something you never had" Articles like this are a reason I don't pay any attention to recruiting gurus. Any Tom, Dick and Harry can go watch high school players and speculate on what is in their mind or what school they are going to pick. So don't get your hopes up until the LOI is signed, sealed and delivered.

Matt's words.

Well folks it is time for a reality check….contrary to what you may have read on the internet last year, Brandon Wright was never coming to UK. The very first recruit interview that I ever did was with Wright last September and I remember looking at Rob Gidel and saying “well there is no way that kid comes to UK.” Wright has often been considered to have been a UK lean that simply changed his mind due to UK mishaps on the recruiting trail. But that is simply incorrect.

http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=1269



My question is, if in fact, Matt and Rob believed/knew that Brandon was never coming to UK, why didn't they say that last September rather than December 1 this year?:question
I hate the fact that this debate is still going on. BW has moved on and so shall we. I will tell you that their theory on BW never coming here is crap. I spoke with BW's AAU coach and he made strong suggestions that BW was very high on UK. I ate crow and was completely wrong, and I'm okay with that. I hung my hat and thought I was "in the know" on BW. I wasn't. If anyone claims for one second that BW wasn't strongly considering UK, they are way off base. Before you attack my post/credibility, go back and look what I told everyone about the Celtics being in love with Rondo. Where is he again? The Twolves front office is still reeling over not drafting him.

[Bombastic Blue]

I hate revisionists. Sorry Matt, but I think you whiffed on this one. Just about all of the recruiting services said he was coming to UK. I believe it was Rivals that said he was a lock for the Cats.(My memory is growing faulty. It may not have been Rivals, but it was one of the major services.) It was true then and it's true now, Tubby let Wright get away. Kind of like Michigan let Crawford get away......It happens. What worries me now is, is it happening with Patterson? The scenarios sound eerily famimliar. Unlike some, who blame Tubby for everything up to and including Legionaires Disease, my only concern with the coach is recruiting. We've had too many near misses on top drawer talent.....Even though the revisionists are telling us we didn't see happen what we saw happen!

[poodoo]

Along with many of you, I don't feel any better with this info. I'm just wondering how in the heck we were soooo clueless. :nada:QUOTE by bleedbluelady

]_________

That was my reaction, too, bleedbluelady. :(Too, I opened the link and read the rest of Matt's comments and the entire thread. Matt's comments included something about Wright's "being a fan of Tubby Smith." Was Brandon such a fan of Tubby that he was misleading when speaking with Tubby? Even if that was the case, color me clueless how the staff could have been so clueless if this info is correct (info that is supported by Wright's own listing of schools he was considering).

Reading the entire thread, I also saw that Brandon's own coach was saying that Wright was headed toward UK. Again,the whole situationjust becomes more and more confusing.

Regardless, Spanish Moss, thanks for sharing. Too, so much for my post a couple of days ago saying that evidence supports the theory that Wright had been strongly considering UK. :DObviously, there is also evidence to the contrary, although as evidence in that thread suggest, it may be that Wright was originally strongly considering UK, but not at the end. One poster expressed concern about how our staff tends to encourage recruits to WAIT on their decision, and that COULD have been a factor in Brandon's not signing with us. Most of all, like bleedbluelady, I am basicallyclueless about how our staff could have been so cluelessin gaugingBrandon's actual amount of interest in us, based on this article.

[ukwebfan]

I can't think of any reason why a successful identity should change. Boeheim still zones. Pitino presses. UNC traps and except for the shot-clock would still four-corner when the game is on the line. :tongue Crying Roy runs Dean's system. On offense it's very ad-lib allowing freedom for the PG to create or penertrate then they really crash the boards on a miss.

We want to play tough switching man-to-man, ball-line defense and create deflections for turnovers and a fast-break the other way. See Wayne Turner vs Wojo. Hawkins vs Moore and well Rondo vs anyone but Taurean Green.

Players come and go but philosophies rarely do. The coach will usually get fired first.

ukbob wrote: RaleighCat wrote: Will Lavender wrote: UK would have a hard time beating UNC for any big man unless he's right in our back yard, like Carter was. So it's quite possible that there was no short list for Brandan Wright. He might have simply been going to UNC the whole time.

That's understandable given the way UNC plays. Their big men can absolutely dominate in that system because it's so interior-oriented.

If I were a big man, and if I weren't such a staunch UK fan :D, that's where I would go. It's like a nightly showcase.


Carefull not to contradict, 'cause UNC is also known as a running team. Might they be both? We'll see tomorrow.

Dook is known as a program that demands defense, but also allows almost complete offensive freedom. Ben Howland is known as a tough-nosed-defensive coach- but two programs he's touched in the past 4 years are ranked sky high (UCLA and Pitt). The Bruins can score points with anyone.

What then is Kentucky's style that's supposed to attract recruits? Where is our nightly showcase?


Got me.

UK has not had a true identity since the Suffocats, IMO. That team played off their stifling defense and scored tons off it. Everyone knew what we were going to do but most could not deal with it because they played it so well.

Since then we spend the entire year usually looking for what we are. And some years, like last year, we never find it.

I am anxious to see what we are this year because frankly, I have no idea. It would not shock me if most recruits have no idea either.

[RP_McMurphy]

Could care less if he was a UK fan or not. The fact of the matter is that Kentucky lost a top five player in it's own backyard. Now it has a top ten player in it's backyard and is having a hard time again getting a commitment. Kentucky had most of the natural advantages in both players and can't seem to close the deal. That my friends points to the head coach plain and simple. Assitants can do all the ground work you want but the deal should be sealed by the head coach. You can't get and won't get every recruit you want but when you have the poor results Kentucky has had over the last five years then you know where the problem is and isn't. You either recognize this or choose not to recognize it.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Maybe Roy Boy promised him something;););)

[Art Vandelay]

TrueblueCATfan wrote: Maybe Roy Boy promised him something;););)Yeah, he probably promised him he'd have fun playing ball at UNC for a year or two and then enter the NBA as a first round draft pick.

[bigsky]

Art Vandelay wrote: TrueblueCATfan wrote: Maybe Roy Boy promised him something;););)Yeah, he probably promised him he'd have fun playing ball at UNC for a year or two and then enter the NBA as a first round draft pick.

Sandy Bell definitely wouldn't allow anything like that here.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Art Vandelay wrote: TrueblueCATfan wrote: Maybe Roy Boy promised him something;););)Yeah, he probably promised him he'd have fun playing ball at UNC for a year or two and then enter the NBA as a first round draft pick.

Iwas thinking more on the line of a starting postion all 4 years..........

[Gunsmoke]

Matt spun this story so tight he should turn to politics. If the truth in our recruiting starts getting spun like every topic doesin a political race then I'll tune it out too. The truth seems pretty damn simple to me here. To summize, either we love our grind it out game and watch the top players keep stacking up elsewhere or we keep quiet because we are running the players off, right?

[phoenix]

bleedbluelady wrote: Tubby needs a female on his staff. Someone who can tell him when a guy is leading him on. ;):P:lol: Funny post BBL.

[poodoo]

phoenix wrote: bleedbluelady wrote: Tubby needs a female on his staff. Someone who can tell him when a guy is leading him on. ;):P:lol: Funny post BBL.

Thanks for the laugh, bleedbluelady. :ggrin:GO CATS!

[LexJim]

I don't know where any of you got your information, but I do know where I got mine. One of my best friends' children all attended Brentwood Academy, and his wife is on staff there, and not in a minor roll, either. Trust me, we were at the top of his list, along with others, but I feel from what my friend has told me that Wright was Tubby's to lose.

And, as usual of late, he didn't disappoint! Hey, we did, however, manage to steal Mr. Alaska!!! Now THERE'S a real basketball hotbed.

I need a drink. :beer:

[WildcatRick]

LexJim wrote: I don't know where any of you got your information, but I do know where I got mine. One of my best friends' children all attended Brentwood Academy, and his wife is on staff there, and not in a minor roll, either. Trust me, we were at the top of his list, along with others, but I feel from what my friend has told me that Wright was Tubby's to lose.

And, as usual of late, he didn't disappoint! Hey, we did, however, manage to steal Mr. Alaska!!! Now THERE'S a real basketball hotbed.

I need a drink. :beer:

Same here, Jim. I heardit straight from his fathers mouth. He wasnt talking to me, but I was standing right there when he said it.

[NotFrank]

WildcatRick wrote: LexJim wrote: I don't know where any of you got your information, but I do know where I got mine. One of my best friends' children all attended Brentwood Academy, and his wife is on staff there, and not in a minor roll, either. Trust me, we were at the top of his list, along with others, but I feel from what my friend has told me that Wright was Tubby's to lose.

And, as usual of late, he didn't disappoint! Hey, we did, however, manage to steal Mr. Alaska!!! Now THERE'S a real basketball hotbed.

I need a drink. :beer:

Same here, Jim. I heardit straight from his fathers mouth. He wasnt talking to me, but I was standing right there when he said it.

And, of course, I couldn't just let this go. I was told by BW's AAU coach that he was UK bound. He was almost annoyed by the persuit of Thaddeus Young. UK was BW's number one choice up until his UNC visit. What nobody seems to comment on: TUBBY'S STYLE WAS THE SAME BW'S SOPHOMORE/JUNIOR/SENIOR year. Why would he be our number one recruit and vice versa if "Tubby's style" was such an issue? Tubby and UK did not change over night! There is no other recruiting issue that pisses me off more than this one. OTS' "style of play" is what it is and has been since day one. This excuse from BW is convenient and en vogue. There is way more to this story than we want to believe. BW was ours, verbally committed to us, and left us out to dry. We stopped recruiting several high profile players because of him. Ask his AAU coach. Unfortunately we are falling into the same trap as PP...



I never wish ill will on a player, but Brandan Wright took us for a loop...

He may be the single most important recruit in Tubby's UK legacy. Oh, and by the way BW, I'm not buying your story. Style of play issues? Really? There was never an issue when you verballed. Say what you mean and mean what you say. How's mom's life in Nashville? I'm just sayin''''

[poodoo]

NotFrank wrote: WildcatRick wrote: LexJim wrote: I don't know where any of you got your information, but I do know where I got mine. One of my best friends' children all attended Brentwood Academy, and his wife is on staff there, and not in a minor roll, either. Trust me, we were at the top of his list, along with others, but I feel from what my friend has told me that Wright was Tubby's to lose.

And, as usual of late, he didn't disappoint! Hey, we did, however, manage to steal Mr. Alaska!!! Now THERE'S a real basketball hotbed.

I need a drink. :beer:

Same here, Jim. I heardit straight from his fathers mouth. He wasnt talking to me, but I was standing right there when he said it.

And, of course, I couldn't just let this go. I was told by BW's AAU coach that he was UK bound. He was almost annoyed by the persuit of Thaddeus Young. UK was BW's number one choice up until his UNC visit. What nobody seems to comment on: TUBBY'S STYLE WAS THE SAME BW'S SOPHOMORE/JUNIOR/SENIOR year. Why would he be our number one recruit and vice versa if "Tubby's style" was such an issue? Tubby and UK did not change over night! There is no other recruiting issue that pisses me off more than this one. OTS' "style of play" is what it is and has been since day one. This excuse from BW is convenient and en vogue. There is way more to this story than we want to believe. BW was ours, verbally committed to us, and left us out to dry. We stopped recruiting several high profile players because of him. Ask his AAU coach. Unfortunately we are falling into the same trap as PP...



I never wish ill will on a player, but Brandan Wright took us for a loop...

He may be the single most important recruit in Tubby's UK legacy. Oh, and by the way BW, I'm not buying your story. Style of play issues? Really? There was never an issue when you verballed. Say what you mean and mean what you say. How's mom's life in Nashville? I'm just sayin''''



Thanks to all three of you. I have always felt that Roy Williams said something to Brandan Wright to change his mind. That is not an excuse for Tubby. Give Williams credit.

Having said that, I must admit that I now wish, even more, that we had made a few more threes or had a few less turnovers. It would have been sweet to have beaten Brandan Wright with that "slow down."

From what I read here, it doesn't SEEM that we got the truth from the young man (and NotFrank certainly makes the case that Brandan had known Tubby's style FOR YEARS while favoring UK). Tubby evidently didn't either, as he was reportedly extremely upset after the surprising announcement. Oh, well. It's all water under the bridge now, I guess. GO CATS!

[ukbob]

NotFrank wrote: WildcatRick wrote: LexJim wrote: I don't know where any of you got your information, but I do know where I got mine. One of my best friends' children all attended Brentwood Academy, and his wife is on staff there, and not in a minor roll, either. Trust me, we were at the top of his list, along with others, but I feel from what my friend has told me that Wright was Tubby's to lose.

And, as usual of late, he didn't disappoint! Hey, we did, however, manage to steal Mr. Alaska!!! Now THERE'S a real basketball hotbed.

I need a drink. :beer:

Same here, Jim. I heardit straight from his fathers mouth. He wasnt talking to me, but I was standing right there when he said it.

And, of course, I couldn't just let this go. I was told by BW's AAU coach that he was UK bound. He was almost annoyed by the persuit of Thaddeus Young. UK was BW's number one choice up until his UNC visit. What nobody seems to comment on: TUBBY'S STYLE WAS THE SAME BW'S SOPHOMORE/JUNIOR/SENIOR year. Why would he be our number one recruit and vice versa if "Tubby's style" was such an issue? Tubby and UK did not change over night! There is no other recruiting issue that pisses me off more than this one. OTS' "style of play" is what it is and has been since day one. This excuse from BW is convenient and en vogue. There is way more to this story than we want to believe. BW was ours, verbally committed to us, and left us out to dry. We stopped recruiting several high profile players because of him. Ask his AAU coach. Unfortunately we are falling into the same trap as PP...



I never wish ill will on a player, but Brandan Wright took us for a loop...

He may be the single most important recruit in Tubby's UK legacy. Oh, and by the way BW, I'm not buying your story. Style of play issues? Really? There was never an issue when you verballed. Say what you mean and mean what you say. How's mom's life in Nashville? I'm just sayin''''


Ouch.

:thumbup

[Spanish Moss]

It just goes to show you never can tell when dealing with an 18 year old and his handlers or posse as some call them.

The Cats will move on. This incident should have taught Coach Smith and many fans a lesson. You don't have a recruit until he has signed a LOI and is on the floor the first day of practice. You always need a back up plan and you never put all of your eggs in one basket. You might drop it and crack all of them.

Chalk this experience up as a lesson learned.

[Bluesong]

Very interesting read here.It tends to make one thinkthat BW was coached on how to respond to the media in his decision not to come here. :shrug:

[poodoo]

Spanish Moss wrote: It just goes to show you never can tell when dealing with an 18 year old and his handlers or posse as some call them.

The Cats will move on. This incident should have taught Coach Smith and many fans a lesson. You don't have a recruit until he has signed a LOI and is on the floor the first day of practice. You always need a back up plan and you never put all of your eggs in one basket. You might drop it and crack all of them.

Chalk this experience up as a lesson learned.

Well-said, Spanish Moss.

[poodoo]

Blue_Knight wrote: Very interesting read here.It tends to make one thinkthat BW was coached on how to respond to the media in his decision not to come here. :shrug:




You know, Blue_Knight, I admit that the thought also crossed my mind. :(Too, yes, Tubby definitely slowed down the tempo against UNC. HOWEVER, that is not something Tubby does all the time, far from it. Just ask Tubby's own players.

Yet, Brandan made the comment to the media that is what Tubby does. Hmmm. As you say, it's interesting. Again, I wish even more now that we had beaten UNC that day.

To you personally, just a little reminder that a prayer still goes up each and every day. When you have time, drop me a line about how things are going. GO CATS!