Buzz kill

[Scratch]

I like coach G and will support him. However, I keep seeing how his recruiting is supposed to be so great. Well I looked into his recruiting success as a Head coach and noticed he has never signed a top 25 class. That worries me. Especially from someone that sends out 8000 text messages.

[Brian McCat]

Scratch wrote: I like coach G and will support him. However, I keep seeing how his recruiting is supposed to be so great. Well I looked into his recruiting success as a Head coach and noticed he has never signed a top 25 class. That worries me. Especially from someone that sends out 8000 text messages.
You're right. You ARE being a buzz kill.

[Craig the Blueheart]

He has not been a head coach long, and he certainly never had a wonderful institution like the U of K to sell either.

[matt colvin]

Scratch wrote: I like coach G and will support him. However, I keep seeing how his recruiting is supposed to be so great. Well I looked into his recruiting success as a Head coach and noticed he has never signed a top 25 class. That worries me. Especially from someone that sends out 8000 text messages.
Ok, we just got a commitment from a GOOD pg from the 2009 class. We might get Jordan, who would be bigger for us than Patterson, imo. And we're looking good to Lucas right now. He's coveredmore ground it seems in the last 4 days than Tubbster did in a while. What more can you ask for???? Seriously. :shrug:

[LiveBlue]

He actually did recruit a top 25 class at UTEP (FREAKIN' UTEP)in his second year there. You information was wrong. Stop being such a downer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Gillispie#2002-2003

[matt colvin]

And I'll add that you should step over to the recruiting forum. You'll see why Billy G is heralded as a great recruiter. There's an excitement here that has been absent for a while.

[Coldstream]

Scratch wrote: I like coach G and will support him. However, I keep seeing how his recruiting is supposed to be so great. Well I looked into his recruiting success as a Head coach and noticed he has never signed a top 25 class. That worries me. Especially from someone that sends out 8000 text messages.He had DeAndre Jordan (avg. rank of #11 among scouts) and B.J. Holmes (avg. rank of #100) going to TAMU. Not very easy to do. He already has a top 5 recruit in '09 ready to pull the trigger and another '09 recruit who just verballed.

Some ppl are saying that this year's class (2007) may end up being better than top 15 which I would be absolutely thrilled with considering w/ the limited amount of time he has left.

[Scratch]

LiveBlue wrote: He actually did recruit a top 25 class at UTEP (FREAKIN' UTEP)in his second year there. You information was wrong. Stop being such a downer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Gillispie#2002-2003

Thats wikipedia anybody can type anything on there. I think you should double check your info.

[scfcats]

He'll be fine. Just go to the recruiting page on this forum and see how he's doing. Looks like he already got a pretty good soph.

I couldn't imagine a top 25 recruiting class going to A&M or UTEP anyway.

Does it even matter though? He recruited the Illini class that got to the 05 NC game. I would trade NC's for top 25 recruiting classes any day. :D

[catfan043]

He had a Top 25 Class at UTEP, its accurate info

http://www.ukathletics.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=37&url_article_id=1987 6&change_well_id=2

[Art Vandelay]

Not to mention he helped Bill Self recruit some top 25 classes. Moreover, you can NEVER compare what any coach has done at another school to what they can do at UK. If a coach was winner elswhere, they will win even more at UK. If they were a good recruiter elsewhere, they will recruit even better at UK.

Assuming Coach G doesn't decide to get fat and lazy, he'll do great things on the recruiting front.

[UFWildcat]

LiveBlue wrote: Stop being such a downer.

Sounds like another Debbie Downer...

[Coldstream]

http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d189/dimebar_probably/Smileys/th_chainsaw.gif

[CatFaninChattanooga]

His efforts on the recruiting trail helped Illinois land one of the nation’s top 10 classes in 2002, featuring All-American Dee Brown, James Augustine, Aaron Spears, Deron Williams and Kyle Wilson.

http://www.ukathletics.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=37&url_article_id=1987 6&change_well_id=2



I personally think he will do just fine. He has a proven track record of getting talent at whatever position he has been at. :shrug:Not sure why people are so tangled up in "the magic recruiting numbers". Tubby pulled in a top ten class a few years ago and he got absoluetly NO credit for it. So I wouldn't pay much attention to "the magic recruiting numbers".

[CATHEAD]

Craig the Blueheart wrote: He has not been a head coach long, and he certainly never had a wonderful institution like the U of K to sell either.
Nail on the head, Craig.

[UKWildFox]

UFWildcat wrote: LiveBlue wrote: Stop being such a downer.

Sounds like another Debbie Downer...
wah wah waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah



LMAO...I loved that skit :)

[Will Lavender]

Top 25 class at UTEP. Top 25 class at Texas A&M. Top 10 class at Texas A&M. Top 10 class as an assistant at Illinois.

I'll say it again:

For a guy who wanted ANTHONY GRANT as the head coach, a man many of us had seen play exactly one time, you should love Billy Gillispie. Right now, as of April 2007, Grant is to Gillispie whatBuzz Petersonis to Bruce Pearl.

[ShelbyvilleCathead]

matt colvin wrote: Scratch wrote: I like coach G and will support him. However, I keep seeing how his recruiting is supposed to be so great. Well I looked into his recruiting success as a Head coach and noticed he has never signed a top 25 class. That worries me. Especially from someone that sends out 8000 text messages.
Ok, we just got a commitment from a GOOD pg from the 2009 class. We might get Jordan, who would be bigger for us than Patterson, imo. And we're looking good to Lucas right now. He's coveredmore ground it seems in the last 4 days than Tubbster did in a while. What more can you ask for???? Seriously. :shrug:
What is the verdict on jordan. I know BCG said he wouldn't contact any of A&M recruits but have they contacted him. Jordan could be a big piece of the pie next year. Surely he could look at the roster and see that he would play immediately.

[WildcatDan]

Check the recruiting forum... there is a link to an article there that says that Jordan likely WILL try to get out of his LOI to follow Gillispie to UK.

[BlueBalls]

Scratch wrote: LiveBlue wrote: He actually did recruit a top 25 class at UTEP (FREAKIN' UTEP)in his second year there. You information was wrong. Stop being such a downer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Gillispie#2002-2003

Thats wikipedia anybody can type anything on there. I think you should double check your info.
Tubby is not our coach anymore. Anthony Grant is NOT going to be our coach. Get over it.

[Scratch]

BlueBalls wrote: Scratch wrote: LiveBlue wrote: He actually did recruit a top 25 class at UTEP (FREAKIN' UTEP)in his second year there. You information was wrong. Stop being such a downer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Gillispie#2002-2003

Thats wikipedia anybody can type anything on there. I think you should double check your info.
Tubby is not our coach anymore. Anthony Grant is NOT going to be our coach. Get over it.
Trust me I couldnt be happier that Tubby isnt our coach. Not sure why you bring that up. Anthony Grant was never going to beour coach. Nor was he at the top of my list but I would have taken him over several folks that were mentioned. Again not sure what that has to do with Coach G and his recruiting.

[Scratch]

Will Lavender wrote:
I'll say it again:

For a guy who wanted ANTHONY GRANT as the head coach, a man many of us had seen play exactly one time, you should love Billy Gillispie. Right now, as of April 2007, Grant is to Gillispie whatBuzz Petersonis to Bruce Pearl.






Not sure what that has to do with coach G's recruiting. If you read the original post in this thread, you will see that I said I will support coach G. Also your comparison of pearl and peterson to gillispie and grant doesnt even begin to make since. Where are you going with that? Too, what does my liking Anthony Grant have to do with Gillispie? I think you are grasping for straws. Neither of the two were my top choice or even my second choice for that matter. Again, read my original post if you need to. I said I will suport coach G and that is exactly what I will do.

[eman484]

Scratch, you seem to have a pretty negative demeanor about yourself. I noticed it when I first came to these boards in the middle of the Tubby drama. It was understanable then, but why now? BCG has been working at UK for a week and already has some solid recruits lined-up. If he were to get Jordan here while likely adding Jai Lucas, then this class easily becomes a Top-15 class, with or without Patterson. If he were to get Jordan, Lucas and Patterson. Well, then you are talking a Top-5 and maybe #1 class in the nation.

If either of those scenarios were to happen, it would render your entire argument a moot point. So lets give the guy more than a week to judge his recruiting prowess. Tubby still landed decent class and it seemed as if he barely tried in the recruiting area sometimes. I think BCG will excel at getting talent back in the bluegrass.

[NC Cat]

Scratch wrote: I like coach G and will support him. However, I keep seeing how his recruiting is supposed to be so great. Well I looked into his recruiting success as a Head coach and noticed he has never signed a top 25 class. That worries me. Especially from someone that sends out 8000 text messages.

UK's tradition and facilities coupled with Gillespie's workaholic tendencies is a recruiting match made in heaven.Remember, our previoustwo head coaches disliked recruiting and neither spent much time doing it. Thisled to some uneven classes and signing more than a few playerswho didn'tbelongat UK.But even though neither liked the recruiting process,they still were able to sign some awesome classes. Why? In large part because we'reUK, the Roman Empire of college basketball.

Now we've got a coach who actually appears to enjoy recruiting and seemsdedicated to it24/7.Combine that with what UK brings to the table and it's a (sorry, couldn't resist) slam dunk!

Sorryto spoil your doom and gloom party,but Billy Clyde is going to light it up on the recruiting trail. In case you haven't noticed,he already hashis first commit not even a week into the job.

[Scratch]

Will Lavender wrote: Top 25 class at UTEP. Top 25 class at Texas A&M. Top 10 class at Texas A&M. Top 10 class as an assistant at Illinois.








In his time at A&M he signed 3 highlyranked players all in different years. Dandre Jordan ranked 2nd. Brandon Webster ranked 18th. Joseph Jones ranked 12th.

Overall at Texas A&M

7 0 star recruits

1 2 star recruit

12 3 star recruits

2 4 star recruits

1 5 star recruit

At UTEP going back to 2002 (as far back as rivals.com will go)

No ranked players only one 4 star recruit



Those numbers dont back up the top ranked classes you speak of. These numbers are per Rivals.com.Let me emphasize I do think G is a better recruiter then Tubby, that is obvious. But I do have my doubts that G is the Great recruiter folks are trying to make him out to be. I fear that folks are putting G on a pedastel he can not possibly live up to.

[Scratch]

eman484 wrote: Scratch, you seem to have a pretty negative demeanor about yourself. I noticed it when I first came to these boards in the middle of the Tubby drama. It was understanable then, but why now? BCG has been working at UK for a week and already has some solid recruits lined-up. If he were to get Jordan here while likely adding Jai Lucas, then this class easily becomes a Top-15 class, with or without Patterson. If he were to get Jordan, Lucas and Patterson. Well, then you are talking a Top-5 and maybe #1 class in the nation.

If either of those scenarios were to happen, it would render your entire argument a moot point. So lets give the guy more than a week to judge his recruiting prowess. Tubby still landed decent class and it seemed as if he barely tried in the recruiting area sometimes. I think BCG will excel at getting talent back in the bluegrass.


Well, thanks for passing judgement on a message board.

You have however read me completely wrong. I said I will support coach G and I will do justthat. Your first paragraph is filled with tons of if's that may or may not happen.Hopefully they will butI am talking about his track recordof recruiting, not what he has done in his week on the job. I am trying to determine where this notion that G is a great recruiter comes from. Yes I know he works hard at recruiting and thats all well and fine but he has not had the highly ranked classes so many think is a given with G. Like I said in another post I am not arguing that he is a good recruiter and even miles ahead of our previous coach, simply that he may not be as great as some are making him out to be. The pedastal so many are building for this guy is almost ridiculously high and unattainable.

[eman484]

I probably phrased my statment wrong. I should have said you havea negative demeanor about your posts, since I do not know you personally. But I am just not seeing where you are coming from. I never heard anyone really say he was going to be a great recruiter because he has landed X amount of top classes. It seems like everybody is saying that he will be a great recruiter because he is a tireless worker on the recruiting trail and combine that with a school like UK and you have hit the jackpot.

I mean it's not really fair to pass judgement on a coach for the recruits he pulled at schools like UTEP and TAMU. Compare Tubby's classes at Tulsa and Georgia to the ones he pulled at UK and there is probably a significant difference.

I don't think there are many people out there who think BCG wont suceed in recruiting at UK. And nobody is putting him on a pedestal. Good recruiting and high quality teams are the expectations at UK. He knows that and said he likes that. This same pedestal that you are talking about is the one you wanted Tubby fired for because he couldn't reach it.

[Scratch]

NC Cat wrote: Scratch wrote: I like coach G and will support him. However, I keep seeing how his recruiting is supposed to be so great. Well I looked into his recruiting success as a Head coach and noticed he has never signed a top 25 class. That worries me. Especially from someone that sends out 8000 text messages.

UK's tradition and facilities coupled with Gillespie's workaholic tendencies is a recruiting match made in heaven.Remember, our previoustwo head coaches disliked recruiting and neither spent much time doing it. Thisled to some uneven classes and signing more than a few playerswho didn'tbelongat UK.But even though neither liked the recruiting process,they still were able to sign some awesome classes. Why? In large part because we'reUK, the Roman Empire of college basketball.

Now we've got a coach who actually appears to enjoy recruiting and seemsdedicated to it24/7.Combine that with what UK brings to the table and it's a (sorry, couldn't resist) slam dunk!

Sorryto spoil your doom and gloom party,but Billy Clyde is going to light it up on the recruiting trail. In case you haven't noticed,he already hashis first commit not even a week into the job.


Good greif, will someone actually read my posts? I am not having a doom and gloom party. I am making a simple statement. You may not agree with it but that does not make it negative. It just means I want to see results before I am ready to give this guy a life time deal. So many folks seem to be ready to jump in bed with this guy simply because there is a notion that he is a GREAT recruiter. His track record does not support that. Is he a good recruiter? Yes, but not a great one. Combine good recruiter with UK and you may very well end up with a great match but it is not a forgone conclusion.

I will say it again. I said I will support G and I will do just that. Heck I like the guy. The presser was a joy to listen to. However, I refuse to put the guy on a pedastel that is so high he could very well get a nose bleed.

[catfan043]

Scratch wrote: eman484 wrote: Scratch, you seem to have a pretty negative demeanor about yourself. I noticed it when I first came to these boards in the middle of the Tubby drama. It was understanable then, but why now? BCG has been working at UK for a week and already has some solid recruits lined-up. If he were to get Jordan here while likely adding Jai Lucas, then this class easily becomes a Top-15 class, with or without Patterson. If he were to get Jordan, Lucas and Patterson. Well, then you are talking a Top-5 and maybe #1 class in the nation.

If either of those scenarios were to happen, it would render your entire argument a moot point. So lets give the guy more than a week to judge his recruiting prowess. Tubby still landed decent class and it seemed as if he barely tried in the recruiting area sometimes. I think BCG will excel at getting talent back in the bluegrass.


Well, thanks for passing judgement on a message board.

You have however read me completely wrong. I said I will support coach G and I will do justthat. Your first paragraph is filled with tons of if's that may or may not happen.Hopefully they will butI am talking about his track recordof recruiting, not what he has done in his week on the job. I am trying to determine where this notion that G is a great recruiter comes from. Yes I know he works hard at recruiting and thats all well and fine but he has not had the highly ranked classes so many think is a given with G. Like I said in another post I am not arguing that he is a good recruiter and even miles ahead of our previous coach, simply that he may not be as great as some are making him out to be. The pedastal so many are building for this guy is almost ridiculously high and unattainable.

Scratch, several recruiting analyst and coaches have stated that he is one of the best recruiters in America, and i think this is where most of the people have built up this image. His track record can't be to impressive considering the places he was trying to pull these guys into, but still found a way to do so. So far as UK Coach, he has one commitment and several contacts, so i believe he is going to maintain his great recruiting label.

[cnice11]

He never was at a Basketball school either. Like it was mentioned earlier, who ever heard of Texas A&M basketball till he was there

[Scratch]

eman484 wrote:

I don't think there are many people out there who think BCG wont suceed in recruiting at UK. And nobody is putting him on a pedestal. Good recruiting and high quality teams are the expectations at UK. He knows that and said he likes that. This same pedestal that you are talking about is the one you wanted Tubby fired for because he couldn't reach it.

In my opinion Tubby had GOALS that he did not live up to. BCG has a pedastel before he even coaches a game at UK that is the difference in my opinion.

I can agreethe combination ofG with UK is something to get excited about. I just dont see the results that some have eluded to in the past. That isthe point of this thread nothing more nothing less.

As far as being anegative poster, I enjoy the friendly debate that this site offers. I feel that it makes me amore well rounded UK fan. If it comes off negative to you and you dont enjoy it you are certainly entitled to your opinion and to choose not to read my posts. I will say I dont come to this site with intentions of being negative or a sunshine pumper for that matter. I like to try and see things from an outsiders point of view.

[abroo588]

cnice11 wrote: He never was at a Basketball school either. Like it was mentioned earlier, who ever heard of Texas A&M basketball till he was there
Speaking of which, wasn't it Tex. A&M that a year and a half ago, afterthe Midnight Madness crowd record was set in Rupp then had theirs an hour later in their football stadium for a larger crowd to beat our record? If so, at the time I thought it was pretty lame, but that shows the enthusiasm of our new coach. :)

[eman484]

Scratch wrote: eman484 wrote:

I don't think there are many people out there who think BCG wont suceed in recruiting at UK. And nobody is putting him on a pedestal. Good recruiting and high quality teams are the expectations at UK. He knows that and said he likes that. This same pedestal that you are talking about is the one you wanted Tubby fired for because he couldn't reach it.

In my opinion Tubby had GOALS that he did not live up to. BCG has a pedastel before he even coaches a game at UK that is the difference in my opinion.

I can agreethe combination ofG with UK is something to get excited about. I just dont see the results that some have eluded to in the past. That isthe point of this thread nothing more nothing less.

As far as being anegative poster, I enjoy the friendly debate that this site offers. I feel that it makes me amore well rounded UK fan. If it comes off negative to you and you dont enjoy it you are certainly entitled to your opinion and to choose not to read my posts. I will say I dont come to this site with intentions of being negative or a sunshine pumper for that matter. I like to try and see things from an outsiders point of view.

I understand where you are coming from. It's all good and I know you as muc has anbody want BCG to succeed. Next time, though, you shouldn't name your thread "Buzz Kill."I think that might have been sending negative vibes right off the bat.

[bleedin blue in miami]

Scratch: this thread isn't a buzz kill ..... its more your pessimistic demeanor

[Scratch]

eman484 wrote: Scratch wrote: eman484 wrote:

I don't think there are many people out there who think BCG wont suceed in recruiting at UK. And nobody is putting him on a pedestal. Good recruiting and high quality teams are the expectations at UK. He knows that and said he likes that. This same pedestal that you are talking about is the one you wanted Tubby fired for because he couldn't reach it.

In my opinion Tubby had GOALS that he did not live up to. BCG has a pedastel before he even coaches a game at UK that is the difference in my opinion.

I can agreethe combination ofG with UK is something to get excited about. I just dont see the results that some have eluded to in the past. That isthe point of this thread nothing more nothing less.

As far as being anegative poster, I enjoy the friendly debate that this site offers. I feel that it makes me amore well rounded UK fan. If it comes off negative to you and you dont enjoy it you are certainly entitled to your opinion and to choose not to read my posts. I will say I dont come to this site with intentions of being negative or a sunshine pumper for that matter. I like to try and see things from an outsiders point of view.

I understand where you are coming from. It's all good and I know you as muc has anbody want BCG to succeed. Next time, though, you shouldn't name your thread "Buzz Kill."I think that might have been sending negative vibes right off the bat.
I named it such in hopes people that didnt want negative news wouldnt read or click on it. I guess that back fired big time. Try to help people out and see where it gets you. :lol:

[Scratch]

bleedin blue in miami wrote: Scratch: this thread isn't a buzz kill ..... its more your pessimistic demeanor
Hello pot meet kettle :shrug:

[eman484]

Scratch wrote: bleedin blue in miami wrote: Scratch: this thread isn't a buzz kill ..... its more your pessimistic demeanor
Hello pot meet kettle :shrug:
lol....:lol:

[Catligula]

Scratch wrote: Is he a good recruiter? Yes, but not a great one.
I don't think you can make that statement right now (without using false statements to support your argument that is). How can you talk about people jumping to conclusions?? That's what you are doing right now, it works both ways. And it is a pessimistic stance which is why no one wants to hear it right now. Not exactly gloom and doom, but c'mon man lighten up, this is an exciting time to be a fan!

[BigBlue75]

Scratch wrote: I like coach G and will support him. However, I keep seeing how his recruiting is supposed to be so great. Well I looked into his recruiting success as a Head coach and noticed he has never signed a top 25 class. That worries me. Especially from someone that sends out 8000 text messages.
Okay, Scratch, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. I believe you when you say you weren't trying to be pessimistic or overly negative. But surely you had to know how your post would be received. If all you really wanted was to remind everyone that this guy needs time to prove himself and that we shouldn't put him up on a pedestal, I don't really understand why you just didn't say it that way?

You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but Coach G has been universally hailed as a GREAT recruiter by just about everyone who has dealt with him. The UK website, I think, even specifically mentions how highly ranked at least one of his recruiting classes have been in the short time he's been a head coach.

As far as what he HASN'T done yet, well:


He hasn't been to a Final Four,
He hasn't won a national championship,
He hasn't LOST a game in Rupp Arena (but eventually it's gonna happen)
Should we NOT have hired him because ofthat?

I realize you support him and all that, and that's great. I guess I'm still trying to figure out why you started this thread in the first place, especially if the responses you've gotten so far have upset you. :shrug:

[Will Lavender]

Scratch wrote: NC Cat wrote: Scratch wrote: I like coach G and will support him. However, I keep seeing how his recruiting is supposed to be so great. Well I looked into his recruiting success as a Head coach and noticed he has never signed a top 25 class. That worries me. Especially from someone that sends out 8000 text messages.

UK's tradition and facilities coupled with Gillespie's workaholic tendencies is a recruiting match made in heaven.Remember, our previoustwo head coaches disliked recruiting and neither spent much time doing it. Thisled to some uneven classes and signing more than a few playerswho didn'tbelongat UK.But even though neither liked the recruiting process,they still were able to sign some awesome classes. Why? In large part because we'reUK, the Roman Empire of college basketball.

Now we've got a coach who actually appears to enjoy recruiting and seemsdedicated to it24/7.Combine that with what UK brings to the table and it's a (sorry, couldn't resist) slam dunk!

Sorryto spoil your doom and gloom party,but Billy Clyde is going to light it up on the recruiting trail. In case you haven't noticed,he already hashis first commit not even a week into the job.

I will say it again. I said I will support G and I will do just that. Heck I like the guy. The presser was a joy to listen to. However, I refuse to put the guy on a pedastel that is so high he could very well get a nose bleed.

I agree that fans are putting him on a pedestal. And I also agree that there's a danger to doing that. But that's just the nature of fans -- especially Kentucky fans.


But you of all people, Scratch, you who wanted Anthony Grant, should love Gillispie. If anyone is putting him on a pedestal it should be you. Once again, the men are not even in the same conversation right now.


Perhaps you're disappointed that it wasn't Grant?

[BigBlue41042]

Scratch wrote: I like coach G and will support him. However, I keep seeing how his recruiting is supposed to be so great. Well I looked into his recruiting success as a Head coach and noticed he has never signed a top 25 class. That worries me. Especially from someone that sends out 8000 text messages.

What will make you feel better? I have a feeling that some people will always look for the negatives... It appears to me that we have one of the best recruiters in the business if you look at his body of work as a HC and an assistant, and factor in the schools he was at when he did that.

I guess on the positive end, if that's all you have to be worried about, then we are in for a fun ride :D

[BigblueDrew]

Scratch wrote: I like coach G and will support him. However, I keep seeing how his recruiting is supposed to be so great. Well I looked into his recruiting success as a Head coach and noticed he has never signed a top 25 class. That worries me. Especially from someone that sends out 8000 text messages.
Have you ever been to College Station Texas, I can't see many top 25 kids chomping at the bit to go down there and play. Who would go to play at a Texas A@M (mailto:A@M) and when they have thier pick of any school in the country. My buzz is rocking along fine thank you.

[NC Cat]

Scratch wrote: Good greif, will someone actually read my posts? I am not having a doom and gloom party. I am making a simple statement. You may not agree with it but that does not make it negative. It just means I want to see results before I am ready to give this guy a life time deal. So many folks seem to be ready to jump in bed with this guy simply because there is a notion that he is a GREAT recruiter. His track record does not support that. Is he a good recruiter? Yes, but not a great one. Combine good recruiter with UK and you may very well end up with a great match but it is not a forgone conclusion.

I will say it again. I said I will support G and I will do just that. Heck I like the guy. The presser was a joy to listen to. However, I refuse to put the guy on a pedastel that is so high he could very well get a nose bleed.


My problem was that Idid read your post. You said you were WORRIED. Then youincorrectly stated that BG had never recruited a top 25 class. (If you had looked into his coaching record, as you stated,you would have known this was incorrect. So either you didn't look very far into his coaching record or you intentionally made a false claim.I'm assuming it was the former, but have no way to know for sure.)Finally,you intimatedthat BG's recruiting performancehasbeen pretty weakgivenhe sends out8000 text messages a month.

Thatsounds pretty doomy and gloomy to me,sorry...

And when you titled your thread "Buzz Kill" whatkind of response didyou expect?

[Scratch]

NC Cat wrote: Scratch wrote: Good greif, will someone actually read my posts? I am not having a doom and gloom party. I am making a simple statement. You may not agree with it but that does not make it negative. It just means I want to see results before I am ready to give this guy a life time deal. So many folks seem to be ready to jump in bed with this guy simply because there is a notion that he is a GREAT recruiter. His track record does not support that. Is he a good recruiter? Yes, but not a great one. Combine good recruiter with UK and you may very well end up with a great match but it is not a forgone conclusion.

I will say it again. I said I will support G and I will do just that. Heck I like the guy. The presser was a joy to listen to. However, I refuse to put the guy on a pedastel that is so high he could very well get a nose bleed.


My problem was that Idid read your post. You said you were WORRIED. Then youincorrectly stated that BG had never recruited a top 25 class. (If you had looked into his coaching record, as you stated,you would have known this was incorrect. So either you didn't look very far into his coaching record or you intentionally made a false claim.I'm assuming it was the former, but have no way to know for sure.)Finally,you intimatedthat BG's recruiting performancehasbeen pretty weakgivenhe sends out8000 text messages a month.

Thatsounds pretty doomy and gloomy to me,sorry...

And when you titled your thread "Buzz Kill" whatkind of response didyou expect?

I got my info from Rivals.com and I even listed his recruiting classes in this thread. No independant source had any of G's classes ranked in the top 25.

[Scratch]

Will Lavender wrote: Scratch wrote: NC Cat wrote: Scratch wrote: I like coach G and will support him. However, I keep seeing how his recruiting is supposed to be so great. Well I looked into his recruiting success as a Head coach and noticed he has never signed a top 25 class. That worries me. Especially from someone that sends out 8000 text messages.

UK's tradition and facilities coupled with Gillespie's workaholic tendencies is a recruiting match made in heaven.Remember, our previoustwo head coaches disliked recruiting and neither spent much time doing it. Thisled to some uneven classes and signing more than a few playerswho didn'tbelongat UK.But even though neither liked the recruiting process,they still were able to sign some awesome classes. Why? In large part because we'reUK, the Roman Empire of college basketball.

Now we've got a coach who actually appears to enjoy recruiting and seemsdedicated to it24/7.Combine that with what UK brings to the table and it's a (sorry, couldn't resist) slam dunk!

Sorryto spoil your doom and gloom party,but Billy Clyde is going to light it up on the recruiting trail. In case you haven't noticed,he already hashis first commit not even a week into the job.

I will say it again. I said I will support G and I will do just that. Heck I like the guy. The presser was a joy to listen to. However, I refuse to put the guy on a pedastel that is so high he could very well get a nose bleed.

I agree that fans are putting him on a pedestal. And I also agree that there's a danger to doing that. But that's just the nature of fans -- especially Kentucky fans.


But you of all people, Scratch, you who wanted Anthony Grant, should love Gillispie. If anyone is putting him on a pedestal it should be you. Once again, the men are not even in the same conversation right now.


Perhaps you're disappointed that it wasn't Grant?

I have asked you this before and I will ask again since you have yet to answer me. What does Gillispie have to do with Grant? and better yet what does Grant have to do with this thread? I have said before and I will tell you again since you seem to not get the picture. Neither of the two coaches were on the top of my list. I like Grant and would be fine with him at UK just like I am fine with G. I have said numerous times I will support G and I will do that happily. I am just looking for his work before annointing him king of recruiting.

[Scratch]

BigBlue41042 wrote: Scratch wrote: I like coach G and will support him. However, I keep seeing how his recruiting is supposed to be so great. Well I looked into his recruiting success as a Head coach and noticed he has never signed a top 25 class. That worries me. Especially from someone that sends out 8000 text messages.

What will make you feel better? I have a feeling that some people will always look for the negatives... It appears to me that we have one of the best recruiters in the business if you look at his body of work as a HC and an assistant, and factor in the schools he was at when he did that.

I guess on the positive end, if that's all you have to be worried about, then we are in for a fun ride :D

I will feel better when G earns the right to be called a great recruiter at the University of Kentucky.

[Will Lavender]

Scratch wrote: Will Lavender wrote: Scratch wrote: NC Cat wrote: Scratch wrote: I like coach G and will support him. However, I keep seeing how his recruiting is supposed to be so great. Well I looked into his recruiting success as a Head coach and noticed he has never signed a top 25 class. That worries me. Especially from someone that sends out 8000 text messages.

UK's tradition and facilities coupled with Gillespie's workaholic tendencies is a recruiting match made in heaven.Remember, our previoustwo head coaches disliked recruiting and neither spent much time doing it. Thisled to some uneven classes and signing more than a few playerswho didn'tbelongat UK.But even though neither liked the recruiting process,they still were able to sign some awesome classes. Why? In large part because we'reUK, the Roman Empire of college basketball.

Now we've got a coach who actually appears to enjoy recruiting and seemsdedicated to it24/7.Combine that with what UK brings to the table and it's a (sorry, couldn't resist) slam dunk!

Sorryto spoil your doom and gloom party,but Billy Clyde is going to light it up on the recruiting trail. In case you haven't noticed,he already hashis first commit not even a week into the job.

I will say it again. I said I will support G and I will do just that. Heck I like the guy. The presser was a joy to listen to. However, I refuse to put the guy on a pedastel that is so high he could very well get a nose bleed.

I agree that fans are putting him on a pedestal. And I also agree that there's a danger to doing that. But that's just the nature of fans -- especially Kentucky fans.


But you of all people, Scratch, you who wanted Anthony Grant, should love Gillispie. If anyone is putting him on a pedestal it should be you. Once again, the men are not even in the same conversation right now.


Perhaps you're disappointed that it wasn't Grant?

I have asked you this before and I will ask again since you have yet to answer me. What does Gillispie have to do with Grant?
I haven't seen you ask the question or I would have responded.

Grant has nothing to do with Gillispie.

Yet this thread is not about Gillispie, really: it's about you.

You admitted freely that you wanted UK to hire Grant, yet immediately when Gillispie was hired you began a thread imploring others to sell you on Gillispie's hiring because you had reservations about it.

That's...curious. You'd think you would be ecstatic considering we were a thousand notches up from Anthony Grant with the Gillispie hire.

See?

My point is that I simply find it curious how one could be a proponent of hiring a coach such as Anthony Grant but have ANY reservations about a coach the caliber of Billy Gillispie.

[Scratch]

BigBlue75 wrote: Scratch wrote: I like coach G and will support him. However, I keep seeing how his recruiting is supposed to be so great. Well I looked into his recruiting success as a Head coach and noticed he has never signed a top 25 class. That worries me. Especially from someone that sends out 8000 text messages.
Okay, Scratch, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. I believe you when you say you weren't trying to be pessimistic or overly negative. But surely you had to know how your post would be received. If all you really wanted was to remind everyone that this guy needs time to prove himself and that we shouldn't put him up on a pedestal, I don't really understand why you just didn't say it that way?

You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but Coach G has been universally hailed as a GREAT recruiter by just about everyone who has dealt with him. The UK website, I think, even specifically mentions how highly ranked at least one of his recruiting classes have been in the short time he's been a head coach.

As far as what he HASN'T done yet, well:


He hasn't been to a Final Four,
He hasn't won a national championship,
He hasn't LOST a game in Rupp Arena (but eventually it's gonna happen)Should we NOT have hired him because ofthat?

I realize you support him and all that, and that's great. I guess I'm still trying to figure out why you started this thread in the first place, especially if the responses you've gotten so far have upset you. :shrug:


Again you are taking the wrong impression from my thread, I never said or even thought we shouldnt have hired G. He is a good hire. Not at the top of my list but a good candidate. Nothing I have found on rivals.com has said he had a top 25 class. I listed his results already in this thread. You can go by the uk website if you wish but I am going on the rivals info.

[matt colvin]

So what purpose has this thread served??? :shrug:

[BigBlueAngus]

It has proved that Scratch is miserable.:?

[Brian McCat]

BigBlueAngus wrote: It has proved that Scratch is miserable.:?


And that the buzz is NOT Killable.

Go Blue! Go Coach Clyde!

[Scratch]

Will Lavender wrote: Scratch wrote: Will Lavender wrote: Scratch wrote: NC Cat wrote: Scratch wrote: I like coach G and will support him. However, I keep seeing how his recruiting is supposed to be so great. Well I looked into his recruiting success as a Head coach and noticed he has never signed a top 25 class. That worries me. Especially from someone that sends out 8000 text messages.

UK's tradition and facilities coupled with Gillespie's workaholic tendencies is a recruiting match made in heaven.Remember, our previoustwo head coaches disliked recruiting and neither spent much time doing it. Thisled to some uneven classes and signing more than a few playerswho didn'tbelongat UK.But even though neither liked the recruiting process,they still were able to sign some awesome classes. Why? In large part because we'reUK, the Roman Empire of college basketball.

Now we've got a coach who actually appears to enjoy recruiting and seemsdedicated to it24/7.Combine that with what UK brings to the table and it's a (sorry, couldn't resist) slam dunk!

Sorryto spoil your doom and gloom party,but Billy Clyde is going to light it up on the recruiting trail. In case you haven't noticed,he already hashis first commit not even a week into the job.

I will say it again. I said I will support G and I will do just that. Heck I like the guy. The presser was a joy to listen to. However, I refuse to put the guy on a pedastel that is so high he could very well get a nose bleed.

I agree that fans are putting him on a pedestal. And I also agree that there's a danger to doing that. But that's just the nature of fans -- especially Kentucky fans.


But you of all people, Scratch, you who wanted Anthony Grant, should love Gillispie. If anyone is putting him on a pedestal it should be you. Once again, the men are not even in the same conversation right now.


Perhaps you're disappointed that it wasn't Grant?

I have asked you this before and I will ask again since you have yet to answer me. What does Gillispie have to do with Grant?
I haven't seen you ask the question or I would have responded.

Grant has nothing to do with Gillispie.

Yet this thread is not about Gillispie, really: it's about you.

You admitted freely that you wanted UK to hire Grant, yet immediately when Gillispie was hired you began a thread imploring others to sell you on Gillispie's hiring because you had reservations about it.

That's...curious. You'd think you would be ecstatic considering we were a thousand notches up from Anthony Grant with the Gillispie hire.

See?

My point is that I simply find it curious how one could be a proponent of hiring a coach such as Anthony Grant but have ANY reservations about a coach the caliber of Billy Gillispie.

The first part of that post doesnt even make sense. This thread is about me??? In what way? Because I started it? I guess every thread is in a round about way about the person that started it. :shrug:


I admitted I wanted Grant over the likes of crean and few. Grant was not on the top of my list. Your info is simply incorrect.

Yes I started a thread to get info on Gillispie because I did have major reservations on the guy at first. I have learned from reading and watching that Gillispie is a good hire. And like I said I am supporting him.

How is Gillispie "a thousand notches" above Grant? Both had major recruiting success as assistants. The players Grant recruited actually won 2championships and made it to the final four a third time. Both men turned schools around in there first year as head coach. Gillispie has 4 whole years more head coach experience then Grant. Hardly "a thousand notches" difference in the two coaches.

[Scratch]

BigBlueAngus wrote: It has proved that Scratch is miserable.:?

Sorry I didnt realize I couldn't post a thread unless it agreed with the majority view on the site. If that makes me miserable then I guess I am miserable.

[audacious1]

Maybe not Top 20 but pretty good if you ask me:

http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/commitlist.asp?Year=2007&School=82&Sport=2

[Coldstream]

From the C-J:
Gillispie lauded as an ace recruiter
Gillispie, who landed four consecutive Top 25 classes at Texas A&M and is well-known for his role in recruiting as a former assistant at Illinois, is a self-professed workaholic and the experts say he’s that way on the recruiting trail.

From a recruit:
KY recruits itself, but now with Billy G. there, that's scary.

A couple of quotes here show what everyone else sees but Scratch himself. :shrug:

[Will Lavender]

Scratch wrote: Will Lavender wrote: Scratch wrote: Will Lavender wrote: Scratch wrote: NC Cat wrote: Scratch wrote: I like coach G and will support him. However, I keep seeing how his recruiting is supposed to be so great. Well I looked into his recruiting success as a Head coach and noticed he has never signed a top 25 class. That worries me. Especially from someone that sends out 8000 text messages.

UK's tradition and facilities coupled with Gillespie's workaholic tendencies is a recruiting match made in heaven.Remember, our previoustwo head coaches disliked recruiting and neither spent much time doing it. Thisled to some uneven classes and signing more than a few playerswho didn'tbelongat UK.But even though neither liked the recruiting process,they still were able to sign some awesome classes. Why? In large part because we'reUK, the Roman Empire of college basketball.

Now we've got a coach who actually appears to enjoy recruiting and seemsdedicated to it24/7.Combine that with what UK brings to the table and it's a (sorry, couldn't resist) slam dunk!

Sorryto spoil your doom and gloom party,but Billy Clyde is going to light it up on the recruiting trail. In case you haven't noticed,he already hashis first commit not even a week into the job.

I will say it again. I said I will support G and I will do just that. Heck I like the guy. The presser was a joy to listen to. However, I refuse to put the guy on a pedastel that is so high he could very well get a nose bleed.

I agree that fans are putting him on a pedestal. And I also agree that there's a danger to doing that. But that's just the nature of fans -- especially Kentucky fans.


But you of all people, Scratch, you who wanted Anthony Grant, should love Gillispie. If anyone is putting him on a pedestal it should be you. Once again, the men are not even in the same conversation right now.


Perhaps you're disappointed that it wasn't Grant?

I have asked you this before and I will ask again since you have yet to answer me. What does Gillispie have to do with Grant?
I haven't seen you ask the question or I would have responded.

Grant has nothing to do with Gillispie.

Yet this thread is not about Gillispie, really: it's about you.

You admitted freely that you wanted UK to hire Grant, yet immediately when Gillispie was hired you began a thread imploring others to sell you on Gillispie's hiring because you had reservations about it.

That's...curious. You'd think you would be ecstatic considering we were a thousand notches up from Anthony Grant with the Gillispie hire.

See?

My point is that I simply find it curious how one could be a proponent of hiring a coach such as Anthony Grant but have ANY reservations about a coach the caliber of Billy Gillispie.

The first part of that post doesnt even make sense. This thread is about me??? In what way? Because I started it? I guess every thread is in a round about way about the person that started it. :shrug:


I admitted I wanted Grant over the likes of crean and few. Grant was not on the top of my list. Your info is simply incorrect.

Yes I started a thread to get info on Gillispie because I did have major reservations on the guy at first. I have learned from reading and watching that Gillispie is a good hire. And like I said I am supporting him.

How is Gillispie "a thousand notches" above Grant? Both had major recruiting success as assistants. The players Grant recruited actually won 2championships and made it to the final four a third time. Both men turned schools around in there first year as head coach. Gillispie has 4 whole years more head coach experience then Grant. Hardly "a thousand notches" difference in the two coaches.

First, Anthony Grant didn't really have to turn that program around. Jeff Capel had already done that.

And note the paragraph in bold.

Like I said:

The thread, in my opinion, is about you. About who you wanted, who UK didn't get, and your disappointment with that.

Nothing wrong with that. We all have favorites. But this is the second thread you've started that has really culminated in the same point: you wish we would have hired someone else.

I'm having Tubby flashbacks. In the Tubby Debate, folks would try to explain away Tubby's achievements simply because they never liked the hire to begin with.

This is where what at first looks like a debate about whether or not Billy G. is a "great recruiter" turns out to be, ultimately, a veiled statment from you: "I would rather have a different coach."

Tell me I'm wrong.

[BigBlue75]

Scratch wrote: BigBlue75 wrote: Scratch wrote: I like coach G and will support him. However, I keep seeing how his recruiting is supposed to be so great. Well I looked into his recruiting success as a Head coach and noticed he has never signed a top 25 class. That worries me. Especially from someone that sends out 8000 text messages.
Okay, Scratch, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. I believe you when you say you weren't trying to be pessimistic or overly negative. But surely you had to know how your post would be received. If all you really wanted was to remind everyone that this guy needs time to prove himself and that we shouldn't put him up on a pedestal, I don't really understand why you just didn't say it that way?

You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but Coach G has been universally hailed as a GREAT recruiter by just about everyone who has dealt with him. The UK website, I think, even specifically mentions how highly ranked at least one of his recruiting classes have been in the short time he's been a head coach.

As far as what he HASN'T done yet, well:


He hasn't been to a Final Four,
He hasn't won a national championship,
He hasn't LOST a game in Rupp Arena (but eventually it's gonna happen)Should we NOT have hired him because ofthat?

I realize you support him and all that, and that's great. I guess I'm still trying to figure out why you started this thread in the first place, especially if the responses you've gotten so far have upset you. :shrug:


Again you are taking the wrong impression from my thread, I never said or even thought we shouldnt have hired G. He is a good hire. Not at the top of my list but a good candidate. Nothing I have found on rivals.com has said he had a top 25 class. I listed his results already in this thread. You can go by the uk website if you wish but I am going on the rivals info.
Okay, fine. I understand that you're okay with BG as our coach. Which is great!:thumbup

As far as the top 25 thing, well, if you're going to use Rivals.com as your source, that's fine. I just don't think the the official UK website would point out that BG had a top ten recruiting classif in reality he didn't.

[Scratch]

Coldstream wrote: From the C-J:
Gillispie lauded as an ace recruiter
Gillispie, who landed four consecutive Top 25 classes at Texas A&M and is well-known for his role in recruiting as a former assistant at Illinois, is a self-professed workaholic and the experts say he’s that way on the recruiting trail.

From a recruit:
KY recruits itself, but now with Billy G. there, that's scary.

A couple of quotes here show what everyone else sees but Scratch himself. :shrug:




So does one highly ranked player make a top 25 recruiting class? Maybe I dont understand this whole ranking thing. He had one highly ranked player a year for3 of his years at A&M and the rest of his classes were average on paper.

[Will Lavender]

Scratch wrote: Coldstream wrote: From the C-J:
Gillispie lauded as an ace recruiter
Gillispie, who landed four consecutive Top 25 classes at Texas A&M and is well-known for his role in recruiting as a former assistant at Illinois, is a self-professed workaholic and the experts say he’s that way on the recruiting trail.

From a recruit:
KY recruits itself, but now with Billy G. there, that's scary.

A couple of quotes here show what everyone else sees but Scratch himself. :shrug:




So does one highly ranked player make a top 25 recruiting class? Maybe I dont understand this whole ranking thing. He had one highly ranked player a year for3 of his years at A&M and the rest of his classes were average on paper.
How are you tallying up class rankings? How did you come to the conclusion that he'd never had a top 25 class?

To answer your question: yes, one highly ranked player does make a difference in the class ranking. Which makes sense, considering how one very good player can make so much of a difference on the court.

[Scratch]

Will Lavender wrote: Scratch wrote: Will Lavender wrote: Scratch wrote: Will Lavender wrote: Scratch wrote: NC Cat wrote: Scratch wrote: I like coach G and will support him. However, I keep seeing how his recruiting is supposed to be so great. Well I looked into his recruiting success as a Head coach and noticed he has never signed a top 25 class. That worries me. Especially from someone that sends out 8000 text messages.

UK's tradition and facilities coupled with Gillespie's workaholic tendencies is a recruiting match made in heaven.Remember, our previoustwo head coaches disliked recruiting and neither spent much time doing it. Thisled to some uneven classes and signing more than a few playerswho didn'tbelongat UK.But even though neither liked the recruiting process,they still were able to sign some awesome classes. Why? In large part because we'reUK, the Roman Empire of college basketball.

Now we've got a coach who actually appears to enjoy recruiting and seemsdedicated to it24/7.Combine that with what UK brings to the table and it's a (sorry, couldn't resist) slam dunk!

Sorryto spoil your doom and gloom party,but Billy Clyde is going to light it up on the recruiting trail. In case you haven't noticed,he already hashis first commit not even a week into the job.

I will say it again. I said I will support G and I will do just that. Heck I like the guy. The presser was a joy to listen to. However, I refuse to put the guy on a pedastel that is so high he could very well get a nose bleed.

I agree that fans are putting him on a pedestal. And I also agree that there's a danger to doing that. But that's just the nature of fans -- especially Kentucky fans.


But you of all people, Scratch, you who wanted Anthony Grant, should love Gillispie. If anyone is putting him on a pedestal it should be you. Once again, the men are not even in the same conversation right now.


Perhaps you're disappointed that it wasn't Grant?

I have asked you this before and I will ask again since you have yet to answer me. What does Gillispie have to do with Grant?
I haven't seen you ask the question or I would have responded.

Grant has nothing to do with Gillispie.

Yet this thread is not about Gillispie, really: it's about you.

You admitted freely that you wanted UK to hire Grant, yet immediately when Gillispie was hired you began a thread imploring others to sell you on Gillispie's hiring because you had reservations about it.

That's...curious. You'd think you would be ecstatic considering we were a thousand notches up from Anthony Grant with the Gillispie hire.

See?

My point is that I simply find it curious how one could be a proponent of hiring a coach such as Anthony Grant but have ANY reservations about a coach the caliber of Billy Gillispie.

The first part of that post doesnt even make sense. This thread is about me??? In what way? Because I started it? I guess every thread is in a round about way about the person that started it. :shrug:


I admitted I wanted Grant over the likes of crean and few. Grant was not on the top of my list. Your info is simply incorrect.

Yes I started a thread to get info on Gillispie because I did have major reservations on the guy at first. I have learned from reading and watching that Gillispie is a good hire. And like I said I am supporting him.

How is Gillispie "a thousand notches" above Grant? Both had major recruiting success as assistants. The players Grant recruited actually won 2championships and made it to the final four a third time. Both men turned schools around in there first year as head coach. Gillispie has 4 whole years more head coach experience then Grant. Hardly "a thousand notches" difference in the two coaches.

First, Anthony Grant didn't really have to turn that program around. Jeff Capel had already done that.

And note the paragraph in bold.

Like I said:

The thread, in my opinion, is about you. About who you wanted, who UK didn't get, and your disappointment with that.

Nothing wrong with that. We all have favorites. But this is the second thread you've started that has really culminated in the same point: you wish we would have hired someone else.

I'm having Tubby flashbacks. In the Tubby Debate, folks would try to explain away Tubby's achievements simply because they never liked the hire to begin with.

This is where what at first looks like a debate about whether or not Billy G. is a "great recruiter" turns out to be, ultimately, a veiled statment from you: "I would rather have a different coach."

Tell me I'm wrong.







I have told you you were wrong over and over again. YOU ARE WRONG. Grant was NOT my first choice. I said I would rather have Grant then Few or Crean. I never expected Grant to get a look in this process. This thread had nothing to do with Grant or being angry that UK didnt get him when I started it. You have made it about Grant. You brought Grant up not I. I started a thread about Gillispie's recruiting I dont type in code or any secret hidden messages. If I had been angry for UK not hiring Grant I would have started a thread entitled "UK should have hired Grant instead of Gillispie".

[Coldstream]

Scratch wrote:

I have told you you were wrong over and over again. YOU ARE WRONG. Grant was NOT my first choice. I said I would rather have Grant then Few or Crean. I never expected Grant to get a look in this process. This thread had nothing to do with Grant or being angry that UK didnt get him when I started it. You have made it about Grant. You brought Grant up not I. I started a thread about Gillispie's recruiting I dont type in code or any secret hidden messages. If I had been angry for UK not hiring Grant I would have started a thread entitled "UK should have hired Grant instead of Gillispie".
"Anthony Grant Fan Club President!"

Well your sig certainly isn't helping you. :shrug:

[Scratch]

Will Lavender wrote: Scratch wrote: Coldstream wrote: From the C-J:
Gillispie lauded as an ace recruiter
Gillispie, who landed four consecutive Top 25 classes at Texas A&M and is well-known for his role in recruiting as a former assistant at Illinois, is a self-professed workaholic and the experts say he’s that way on the recruiting trail.

From a recruit:
KY recruits itself, but now with Billy G. there, that's scary.

A couple of quotes here show what everyone else sees but Scratch himself. :shrug:




So does one highly ranked player make a top 25 recruiting class? Maybe I dont understand this whole ranking thing. He had one highly ranked player a year for3 of his years at A&M and the rest of his classes were average on paper.
How are you tallying up class rankings? How did you come to the conclusion that he'd never had a top 25 class?

To answer your question: yes, one highly ranked player does make a difference in the class ranking. Which makes sense, considering how one very good player can make so much of a difference on the court.

I knew a highly ranked player would effect a class rank. I just had no idea it played as big of a role as it obviously does. Gillispie's highrecruits were ranked 18, 12 and 2 respectfully. While I can see a 2 boosting a class to top 25 status I had no idea a single 18 or 12 with the rest of the class being 3 stars could do that.

[Will Lavender]

Scratch wrote: Will Lavender wrote: Scratch wrote: Will Lavender wrote: Scratch wrote: Will Lavender wrote: Scratch wrote: NC Cat wrote: Scratch wrote: I like coach G and will support him. However, I keep seeing how his recruiting is supposed to be so great. Well I looked into his recruiting success as a Head coach and noticed he has never signed a top 25 class. That worries me. Especially from someone that sends out 8000 text messages.

UK's tradition and facilities coupled with Gillespie's workaholic tendencies is a recruiting match made in heaven.Remember, our previoustwo head coaches disliked recruiting and neither spent much time doing it. Thisled to some uneven classes and signing more than a few playerswho didn'tbelongat UK.But even though neither liked the recruiting process,they still were able to sign some awesome classes. Why? In large part because we'reUK, the Roman Empire of college basketball.

Now we've got a coach who actually appears to enjoy recruiting and seemsdedicated to it24/7.Combine that with what UK brings to the table and it's a (sorry, couldn't resist) slam dunk!

Sorryto spoil your doom and gloom party,but Billy Clyde is going to light it up on the recruiting trail. In case you haven't noticed,he already hashis first commit not even a week into the job.

I will say it again. I said I will support G and I will do just that. Heck I like the guy. The presser was a joy to listen to. However, I refuse to put the guy on a pedastel that is so high he could very well get a nose bleed.

I agree that fans are putting him on a pedestal. And I also agree that there's a danger to doing that. But that's just the nature of fans -- especially Kentucky fans.


But you of all people, Scratch, you who wanted Anthony Grant, should love Gillispie. If anyone is putting him on a pedestal it should be you. Once again, the men are not even in the same conversation right now.


Perhaps you're disappointed that it wasn't Grant?

I have asked you this before and I will ask again since you have yet to answer me. What does Gillispie have to do with Grant?
I haven't seen you ask the question or I would have responded.

Grant has nothing to do with Gillispie.

Yet this thread is not about Gillispie, really: it's about you.

You admitted freely that you wanted UK to hire Grant, yet immediately when Gillispie was hired you began a thread imploring others to sell you on Gillispie's hiring because you had reservations about it.

That's...curious. You'd think you would be ecstatic considering we were a thousand notches up from Anthony Grant with the Gillispie hire.

See?

My point is that I simply find it curious how one could be a proponent of hiring a coach such as Anthony Grant but have ANY reservations about a coach the caliber of Billy Gillispie.

The first part of that post doesnt even make sense. This thread is about me??? In what way? Because I started it? I guess every thread is in a round about way about the person that started it. :shrug:


I admitted I wanted Grant over the likes of crean and few. Grant was not on the top of my list. Your info is simply incorrect.

Yes I started a thread to get info on Gillispie because I did have major reservations on the guy at first. I have learned from reading and watching that Gillispie is a good hire. And like I said I am supporting him.

How is Gillispie "a thousand notches" above Grant? Both had major recruiting success as assistants. The players Grant recruited actually won 2championships and made it to the final four a third time. Both men turned schools around in there first year as head coach. Gillispie has 4 whole years more head coach experience then Grant. Hardly "a thousand notches" difference in the two coaches.

First, Anthony Grant didn't really have to turn that program around. Jeff Capel had already done that.

And note the paragraph in bold.

Like I said:

The thread, in my opinion, is about you. About who you wanted, who UK didn't get, and your disappointment with that.

Nothing wrong with that. We all have favorites. But this is the second thread you've started that has really culminated in the same point: you wish we would have hired someone else.

I'm having Tubby flashbacks. In the Tubby Debate, folks would try to explain away Tubby's achievements simply because they never liked the hire to begin with.

This is where what at first looks like a debate about whether or not Billy G. is a "great recruiter" turns out to be, ultimately, a veiled statment from you: "I would rather have a different coach."

Tell me I'm wrong.







I have told you you were wrong over and over again. YOU ARE WRONG. Grant was NOT my first choice. I said I would rather have Grant then Few or Crean. I never expected Grant to get a look in this process. This thread had nothing to do with Grant or being angry that UK didnt get him when I started it. You have made it about Grant. You brought Grant up not I. I started a thread about Gillispie's recruiting I dont type in code or any secret hidden messages. If I had been angry for UK not hiring Grant I would have started a thread entitled "UK should have hired Grant instead of Gillispie".

Fair enough.

[Scratch]

Coldstream wrote: Scratch wrote:

I have told you you were wrong over and over again. YOU ARE WRONG. Grant was NOT my first choice. I said I would rather have Grant then Few or Crean. I never expected Grant to get a look in this process. This thread had nothing to do with Grant or being angry that UK didnt get him when I started it. You have made it about Grant. You brought Grant up not I. I started a thread about Gillispie's recruiting I dont type in code or any secret hidden messages. If I had been angry for UK not hiring Grant I would have started a thread entitled "UK should have hired Grant instead of Gillispie".
"Anthony Grant Fan Club President!"

Well your sig certainly isn't helping you. :shrug:


I can't be a fan of a coach unless he is the coach I want at UK??? Will is talking about coaching wish lists that everyone created while the search was on going. In those lists I NEVER listed Grant as my top choice.

[Littlemeyer]

Scratch wrote: I can't be a fan of a coach unless he is the coach I want at UK??? Will is talking about coaching wish lists that everyone created while the search was on going. In those lists I NEVER listed Grant as my top choice.

If that's how you feel, I certainly wouldn't want you to be my fan club President. :lol:

[Coldstream]

Scratch wrote: Coldstream wrote: Scratch wrote:

I have told you you were wrong over and over again. YOU ARE WRONG. Grant was NOT my first choice. I said I would rather have Grant then Few or Crean. I never expected Grant to get a look in this process. This thread had nothing to do with Grant or being angry that UK didnt get him when I started it. You have made it about Grant. You brought Grant up not I. I started a thread about Gillispie's recruiting I dont type in code or any secret hidden messages. If I had been angry for UK not hiring Grant I would have started a thread entitled "UK should have hired Grant instead of Gillispie".
"Anthony Grant Fan Club President!"

Well your sig certainly isn't helping you. :shrug:


I can't be a fan of a coach unless he is the coach I want at UK??? Will is talking about coaching wish lists that everyone created while the search was on going. In those lists I NEVER listed Grant as my top choice.
Your sig doesn't come off that way. I guess you fail seeing what kind of impression it sends to others reading your posts in this thread. You thought enough of him to put in the sig.

[Scratch]

Coldstream wrote: Scratch wrote: Coldstream wrote: Scratch wrote:

I have told you you were wrong over and over again. YOU ARE WRONG. Grant was NOT my first choice. I said I would rather have Grant then Few or Crean. I never expected Grant to get a look in this process. This thread had nothing to do with Grant or being angry that UK didnt get him when I started it. You have made it about Grant. You brought Grant up not I. I started a thread about Gillispie's recruiting I dont type in code or any secret hidden messages. If I had been angry for UK not hiring Grant I would have started a thread entitled "UK should have hired Grant instead of Gillispie".
"Anthony Grant Fan Club President!"

Well your sig certainly isn't helping you. :shrug:


I can't be a fan of a coach unless he is the coach I want at UK??? Will is talking about coaching wish lists that everyone created while the search was on going. In those lists I NEVER listed Grant as my top choice.
Your sig doesn't come off that way. I guess you fail seeing what kind of impression it sends to others reading your posts in this thread. You thought enough of him to put in the sig.

I put him in my sig several weeks ago, before Tubby even left. I am not going to change my sig just because it doesnt support my thread. I like coach Grant. He is going to be one heck of a coach soon. That doesnt mean I think he should have been top of a list to replace Tubby. I would have taken him before Crean or Few which is what I have been saying all along.

[KYISSUPREME]

matt colvin wrote: Scratch wrote: I like coach G and will support him. However, I keep seeing how his recruiting is supposed to be so great. Well I looked into his recruiting success as a Head coach and noticed he has never signed a top 25 class. That worries me. Especially from someone that sends out 8000 text messages.
Ok, we just got a commitment from a GOOD pg from the 2009 class. We might get Jordan, who would be bigger for us than Patterson, imo. And we're looking good to Lucas right now. He's coveredmore ground it seems in the last 4 days than Tubbster did in a while. What more can you ask for???? Seriously. :shrug:
I agree, he has done more in 5 days of recruiting than Tubby bothered to do the last three years.And, I believe I have heard that he has had some top 25 classes, and I am pretty sure this year's Texas A&M class was rated in the top 15.

[Catligula]

Scratch, I think you should keep going with the skeptic talk. Gillispie is working awfully hard right now to prove you wrong.

[Scratch]

Catligula wrote: Scratch, I think you should keep going with the skeptic talk. Gillispie is working awfully hard right now to prove you wrong.

:lol:I certainly hope he does prove me wrong. I have been wrong before and will be wrong again so I might as well be wrong about this. By the way skeptic is a good word. I am hopeful and skeptical at the same time.