Black Monday Strikes Kentucky

[Coldstream]

Black Monday Strikes Kentucky (http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=2466)

by Matt Jones @ 1:09 am. Filed under Blue Blooded Opinions (http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?cat=1)

(http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/wp-content/uploads//2007/05/crash.gif)
If you are a University of Kentucky fan, May 14, 2007 is a day that you will remember for some time. It began as any Monday does, with the promise of a new work week and the unique anticipation of a week of recruiting news. Then, in the span of five hours, three of Kentucky’s big four targets for the 2007 class decided they were heading to other schools and leaving Kentucky as the bridesmaid yet again. All of a sudden, what once looked to be the question of the hour (”how will Kentucky find the necessary scholarships?”) became a new question (”Will Kentucky sign anybody?”) and much of the optimism creeped out of the Big Blue Nation. Just like the real Black Monday on October 19, 1987, no universal cause can be attributed to explain the total collapse of the day as a whole. Rather, it seems to be the culmination of a number of individual events that simply combined to create a universal negative result.



http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=2466

[CARDSRTOAST]

No Day is Black ..Only Blue..Wildcat Blue.

[BamaCat86]

If these kids were 08 recruits, how many of them would BCG have pursued given the time? They would have been nice additions to the team, but calling it black Monday is a bit extreme IMO.

[crazzedcats22]

If these kids were 08 recruits, how many of them would BCG have pursued given the time? They would have been nice additions to the team, but calling it black Monday is a bit extreme IMO.

anytime you go after 4 recruits and don't land them (so far only 3) it's a big deal regardless of what year they are recruited in. It doesn't look good on any level. Now, if we somehow get PP (not happening in my opinion) that changes things. But, if we strike out on all of them then I think it is a dark day/week for UK basketball.

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

I wonder if towards the end of the signing period, if UK will have wished that they had signed Pettigrew ?

[jenerc]

No Day is Black ..Only Blue..Wildcat Blue.

I agree. I woke up this morning and the sun was out and the birds were chirping, to me that is not a dark day, not to mention that I'm a UK fan and that just makes everything brighter. GO CATS!

[leroybyrd]

If these kids were 08 recruits, how many of them would BCG have pursued given the time? They would have been nice additions to the team, but calling it black Monday is a bit extreme IMO.


Totally agree. Let's be realistic, Hamga was somewhat of a a project, just like we have seen in the past. That is why you saw only lesser D-1 programs or programs desperate for bigs offering him. Tomorrow could change everything for us and continue the roller coaster.

Also, MJ loved JL, which is why he is taking it so hard. We really didn't need him to fill a spot, other than we obviously always need good players. The future is bright and we are in on so many good players for '08 and '09 that we had not been in on before.

Like Dan Patrick says, "it's never as bad or as good as it seems."

[leroybyrd]

I wonder if towards the end of the signing period, if UK will have wished that they had signed Pettigrew ?

NO WAY. Billy G. had every opportunity to sign Pettigrew and decided to go after and sign Legion, a much better prospect. We didn't need a 6'5" power forward.

[Wildcat97]

If these kids were 08 recruits, how many of them would BCG have pursued given the time? They would have been nice additions to the team, but calling it black Monday is a bit extreme IMO.

Good God people...so we lost out on 3 recruits (maybe 4) that our NEW coaching staff had what....1+ Month to lure/persuede to come to UK? How jaded are so many of our fanbase that believe only "our" opinions matter regarding where these Kids/young men should play?

JL had ample playing time in front of him (his perspective and seemingly correct). Hamga had a Close (?) friend and fellow Camaroon countryman go to and LOVE UNLV, as school recruiting him for quite a while. Sanchez, known to be a lifelong Razorback fan chose...gasp...the Razorbacks!!!

Get real folks...these players have everyright to chose where THEY want to play ball. The soon er we realize and accept that fact...the better we will be a a fan base.

I realize I jumped up a couple more steps on my soapbox here...but we have a coach that kept us in a position for a Patrick P. possiblity, whether we sign him or not, and "signed" an AA in Legion (described as a pure shooter), whom I personally can't wait to see this next year.

I am truly disappointed in Matt, for whom I have a great deal of respect and emmensely enjoy his show, for the classic OVERHYPE of the situation for media/ratings/reactionary benefit.

Lastly, seems to me as if most fans forgot about the young men that DID sign with us...they want to be here and I am a fan of theirs already, as I am sure most all of us are. But, IMO, we are worrying too much about a rough situation, which has been addressed at this time w/ BCG. He has been tireless in his and the staffs efforts...and I for one, will not piss and moan over lost recruits in his 2nd month of employment here at our UK.

I jump off the soapbox now. Thanks for your time.

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

NO WAY. Billy G. had every opportunity to sign Pettigrew and decided to go after and sign Legion, a much better prospect. We didn't need a 6'5" power forward.


I was referring to a possible situation where UK didn't get anybody. Would it be better to have another body at the small forward position next season, or save the scholarship for next year.

[Littlemeyer]

Would it be better to have another body at the small forward position next season, or save the scholarship for next year.

IMO only...save the scholarship for next year. On paper, anyway, we're in tight with several of the top prospects. I say we take our chances there...

[VIIBanners]

This blog is starting to get a little ridiculous. "Black Monday"? Give me a freaking break.

My favorite quote from this entry is, "This is likely the worst 24 hours of recruiting that the UK basketball program has ever had in its long history."

That is absolutely hilarious. We lost out on two projects(one of which signed for his hometown school and the other has handlers who made the decision for him) and a 5'-8" point guard (who was considered the most overrated player in this years class).

This was a good Monday for me, I would rather have the scholarships to spend on next years class.

Black Monday.....:icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol ::icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol ::icon_lol::icon_lol::thumbdn:

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

This blog is starting to get a little ridiculous. "Black Monday"? Give me a freaking break.

My favorite quote from this entry is, "This is likely the worst 24 hours of recruiting that the UK basketball program has ever had in its long history."

That is absolutely hilarious. We lost out on two projects(one of which signed for his hometown school and the other has handlers who made the decision for him) and a 5'-8" point guard (who was considered the most overrated player in this years class).

This was a good Monday for me, I would rather have the scholarships to spend on next years class.

Black Monday.....:icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol ::icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol ::icon_lol::icon_lol::thumbdn:


The title comes from the front page of the Courier Journal this morning. The only real loss would be tomorrow if/when Patterson does not choose UK.

[leroybyrd]

This blog is starting to get a little ridiculous. "Black Monday"? Give me a freaking break.

My favorite quote from this entry is, "This is likely the worst 24 hours of recruiting that the UK basketball program has ever had in its long history."

That is absolutely hilarious. We lost out on two projects(one of which signed for his hometown school and the other has handlers who made the decision for him) and a 5'-8" point guard (who was considered the most overrated player in this years class).

This was a good Monday for me, I would rather have the scholarships to spend on next years class.

Black Monday.....:icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol ::icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol ::icon_lol::icon_lol::thumbdn:


Absolutely.

[sardiscat]

"This is likely the worst 24 hours of recruiting that the UK basketball program has ever had in its long history."

"in the span of five hours, three of Kentucky’s big four targets for the 2007 class decided they were heading to other schools and leaving Kentucky as the bridesmaid yet again. All of a sudden, what once looked to be the question of the hour (”how will Kentucky find the necessary scholarships?”) became a new question (”Will Kentucky sign anybody?”) and much of the optimism creeped out of the Big Blue Nation."

"All three of these young men at some point either had, or were reported to have Kentucky at the top of their list."

Matt's kind of overstating things here. Yesterday definitely wasn't as bad as the day when Chris Webber said he was going to Michigan, or the day when Tracy McGrady said he was skipping college, or many other days I can remember. These guys weren't Kentucky's "big four targets for the 2007 class." They were two of Kentucky's big targets for the 2007 class and two guys that the new coach went after because they were the best of the guys who were unsigned when he took the job. Stewart and Legion were bigger targets than Sanchez and Hamga were, and UK signed them. And, the only person who ever reported that Sanchez, Hamga, and JL all had Kentucky at the top of their lists at some point in time was Matt. I enjoy reading Matt's blog, but he doesn't have a great track record of getting things right. (Remember the federal case he made out of Tubby not signing Marshall Moses, only for us to find out that Moses was such a head case that Tubby was never interested and Moses's own high school coach was not recommending him). The recruits Matt calls tell him what it suits their own purposes for Matt to hear (and put out for others to hear) at that particular time, and giving a true account of their thoughts is rarely their purpose. The UK fans who were starting threads on internet sites offering opinions of what current player(s) the new coach should be running off to free up a third scholarship for this spring were demonstrating their ignorance and arrogance simultaneously.

[VIIBanners]

Who cares at this point. Honestly, I hope we get Patterson.

Lucas played this thing like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. Yeah,she's pretty but at the end of the day, she is still a "professional".

[leroybyrd]

I was referring to a possible situation where UK didn't get anybody. Would it be better to have another body at the small forward position next season, or save the scholarship for next year.


Ok. I got you. I would say save the schollys for next year and bigger time talent. IMO we don't need any more bodies just to fill spots.

[VIIBanners]

"This is likely the worst 24 hours of recruiting that the UK basketball program has ever had in its long history."

"in the span of five hours, three of Kentucky’s big four targets for the 2007 class decided they were heading to other schools and leaving Kentucky as the bridesmaid yet again. All of a sudden, what once looked to be the question of the hour (”how will Kentucky find the necessary scholarships?”) became a new question (”Will Kentucky sign anybody?”) and much of the optimism creeped out of the Big Blue Nation."

"All three of these young men at some point either had, or were reported to have Kentucky at the top of their list."

Matt's kind of overstating things here. Yesterday definitely wasn't as bad as the day when Chris Webber said he was going to Michigan, or the day when Tracy McGrady said he was skipping college, or many other days I can remember. These guys weren't Kentucky's "big four targets for the 2007 class." They were two of Kentucky's big targets for the 2007 class and two guys that the new coach went after because they were the best of the guys who were unsigned when he took the job. Stewart and Legion were bigger targets than Sanchez and Hamga were, and UK signed them. And, the only person who ever reported that Sanchez, Hamga, and JL had Kentucky at the top of their lists was Matt. I enjoy reading Matt's blog, but he doesn't have a great track record of getting things right. (Remember the federal case he made out of Tubby not signing Marshall Moses, only for us to find out that Moses was such a head case that Tubby was never interested and Moses's own high school coach was not recommending him). The recruits Matt calls tell him what it suits their own purposes for Matt to hear (and put out for others to hear) at that particular time, and giving a true account of their thoughts is rarely their purpose. The UK fans who were starting threads on internet sites offering opinions of what current player(s) the new coach should be running off to free up a third scholarship for this spring were demonstrating their ignorance and arrogance simultaneously.

That is what I wanted to say... but I don't have the patience to type it. :beer::thumbup:

[TrueblueCATfan]

Here's my 2 cents.....why any recruit would go to UNLV over Kentucky is beyond anything I could ever comprehend......24,000 fans in Rupp..all time winnigest program..30 million dollar practice faclity......I JUST do not get it

[crazzedcats22]

Here's my 2 cents.....why any recruit would go to UNLV over Kentucky is beyond anything I could ever comprehend......24,000 fans in Rupp..all time winnigest program..30 million dollar practice faclity......I JUST do not get it

ever been to Vegas???

[HC]

ever been to Vegas???

YES

[Magloire52]

Thanks for the support VIIBanners and others.

There likely hasnt been a day when three of the Cats' top four targets all turned down UK in the same day. One yes.....two maybe....three no.

[crazzedcats22]

Thanks for the support VIIBanners and others.

There likely hasnt been a day when three of the Cats' top four targets all turned down UK in the same day. One yes.....two maybe....three no.

agreed, as I said earlier anytime you miss out on 3 (soon to be 4) recruits, it's a bad day and a big deal.

[VIIBanners]

Thanks for the support VIIBanners and others.

There likely hasnt been a day when three of the Cats' top four targets all turned down UK in the same day. One yes.....two maybe....three no.

You're welcome. I visit your website multiple times everyday (for the last year +) and have listened to every radio show in that time (except for the stream, I've missed some of those).

[wildcat74]

agreed, as I said earlier anytime you miss out on 3 (soon to be 4) recruits, it's a bad day and a big deal.

Does anyone not miss out on 3-4 a year. It was harder to swallow in a 30 minute period, but its not the end of UK hoops by any means.

[crazzedcats22]

Does anyone not miss out on 3-4 a year. It was harder to swallow in a 30 minute period, but its not the end of UK hoops by any means.

in a year probably, in one day probably not

[UKhoov]

Does anyone not miss out on 3-4 a year. It was harder to swallow in a 30 minute period, but its not the end of UK hoops by any means.

Its not the end but having all three commit else where vitiates* our perception of how perfect things had been going for us lately.

Losing three recruits isnt devastating but losing them all in the matter of an hour or so is just alot to swallow all at once.


*Did I use the word of the day correctly?

[wildcat74]

in a year probably, in one day probably not


Right, thats what I was saying...thats its tough to swallow mostly cause they all turned away in less than an hour.

[Wildcat Larry]

Here's my 2 cents.....why any recruit would go to UNLV over Kentucky is beyond anything I could ever comprehend......24,000 fans in Rupp..all time winnigest program..30 million dollar practice faclity......I JUST do not get it
I think the recruit sort of said that he didn't want to have to develop in the limelight that was UK basketball. He wanted to go where things were calmer and he could continue to learn the game without the pressure-cooker atmosphere of Kentucky.

If that's his feelings, then he probably wouldn't have flourished very well at UK, so it was a good choice for him.

At least that's what I got from his comments. :shrug1:

[UKfaninCO]

Thanks for the support VIIBanners and others.

There likely hasnt been a day when three of the Cats' top four targets all turned down UK in the same day. One yes.....two maybe....three no.

This is probably true. However, I think people are taking the perspective that we (UK) is taking a beating from this, and that we are no better off than we were before. I'm not trying to say that you are saying this Matt, but it seems to be a prevelant feeling among the fans. I think that it's a bit short sighted to get down on the program. It was asking a lot of Billy G to come in and resurrect a program that was thin on talent in a month. It's going to be at least a couple of years before he's had a chance to get in with these recruits and get them to come here. I thought that when Tubby left that this years class, if we got anybody at all, would not be very useful. Billy G has done a remarkable job keeping us in the hunt for PP and Jai, and getting some interest from guys that didn't even have us on their radar.

Most people thought after Tubby left that next season would be a rebuilding one anyway and most of us weren't expecting a great deal, especially after Randolph left. Billy G has come in with so much energy and getting us in with these recruits that I think it got people to thinking that we could maybe make some noise next year. To expect such was unreasonable. Give it some time. Enjoy next season. It would have been nice to get some of those guys, but it is what it is. There will be lots more happy days than sad days and this is just the beginning...

[BamaCat86]

I think the recruit sort of said that he didn't want to have to develop in the limelight that was UK basketball. He wanted to go where things were calmer and he could continue to learn the game without the pressure-cooker atmosphere of Kentucky.

If that's his feelings, then he probably wouldn't have flourished very well at UK, so it was a good choice for him.

At least that's what I got from his comments. :shrug1:

Anyone remember Jody Thompson or Todd May??????

[TrueblueCATfan]

ever been to Vegas???

no I have not..and have no desire too either.........but we are talking about an 18 year old kid who will be playing basketball

[TrueblueCATfan]

I think the recruit sort of said that he didn't want to have to develop in the limelight that was UK basketball. He wanted to go where things were calmer and he could continue to learn the game without the pressure-cooker atmosphere of Kentucky.

If that's his feelings, then he probably wouldn't have flourished very well at UK, so it was a good choice for him.

At least that's what I got from his comments. :shrug1:

well thank you Larry..I had not heard that....guess it makes sense

[Littlemeyer]

no I have not..and have no desire too either....

You should reconsider. Vegas is a fun city, even if you don't drink or gamble much. Just seeing the sights and watching the people is a lot of fun. Also, the shows are fantastic. :thumbup:

Of course, after three or four days you may be ready to come back to Kentucky. :icon_lol: (We were, anyway.)

[crazzedcats22]

no I have not..and have no desire too either.........but we are talking about an 18 year old kid who will be playing basketball

if you have been you would understand why someone would entertain the thought of living in Vegas. And he won't be 18 forever. He'll spend almost half his college career as a 21 year old or older, able to go to all the glitz and glamour parties/clubs/casinos, etc....

[TrueblueCATfan]

You should reconsider. Vegas is a fun city, even if you don't drink or gamble much. Just seeing the sights and watching the people is a lot of fun. Also, the shows are fantastic. :thumbup:

Of course, after three or four days you may be ready to come back to Kentucky. :icon_lol: (We were, anyway.)

well I like to gamble and drink..my hubby has been trying to get me to go for years now.....i just don't want too..maybe someday

[Craig the Blueheart]

Its not the end but having all three commit else where vitiates* our perception of how perfect things had been going for us lately.

Losing three recruits isnt devastating but losing them all in the matter of an hour or so is just alot to swallow all at once.


*Did I use the word of the day correctly?

It has been confirmed by the judges. This is an appropriate use of the word of the day.

[Craig the Blueheart]

well I like to gamble and drink..my hubby has been trying to get me to go for years now.....i just don't want too..maybe someday

Great place. I have only been there for 48 hours one time, and I did not bet a dime, but I had a blast. FWIW, I am a gambler as well.

[crazzedcats22]

well I like to gamble and drink..my hubby has been trying to get me to go for years now.....i just don't want too..maybe someday

if you like to gamble and drink you are missing out. There is nothing like Vegas. If you go once, I guarantee you'll go back many times. I have been there 16-17 times, everytime it's unbelievable!!

[UKATFAN]

well I like to gamble and drink..my hubby has been trying to get me to go for years now.....i just don't want too..maybe someday

My wife doesn't like to gamble. She likes to site see and shop but she loves it in Vegas. We have been there 4 times and the only time she has ever placed a bet in Vegas when we were there in 1999 in early May. I asked her to pick 2 horses and I would pick 3 for the Kentucky Derby. Both horses she picked (by just liking the names I guess) Charismatic and Cat Thief ran 1st and 3rd while Menifee, one of the 3 horses I picked ran second. We had boxed 5 horses for $30 each in the tri. We split a little under $3000. She went back to shopping and site seeing. But of coarse she never has since made another bet in Vegas. So go sometime. I'm sure you will love it.

[poodoo]

Thanks for the support VIIBanners and others.

There likely hasnt been a day when three of the Cats' top four targets all turned down UK in the same day. One yes.....two maybe....three no.

I'm just catching up on some old reading. Anyway, FWIW, Matt, I had seen no problem with your making that statement. I certainly NEVER remember the Cats' losing THREE top targets within a twenty-four-hour period. To me, it was quite weird that it all happened on the same day, which was obviously the same for you. As a former English teacher (including a little journalism), I guess I just considered it to be a decent response (including the label "Black Monday") to a most unusual set of circumstances.

By the way, like others, I did not become depressed about "Black Monday," though. As I saw it, we still had a GREAT recruiter, one who would be a force in future years when not handicapped by a lack of time. Too, I refused to give up hope on Patterson, as unlikely as it was seeming. How neat that great recruiter, Coach Billy Gillispie, became a "force" so soon! :) GO CATS! GO BILLY G!

[bigbluelife]

Agree Poodoo- that was not the end of the world while I would have very much liked to see Hamga here- never very interested in Lucas and signing PP erased the distaste of Sanchez signing with Jonh Leslie.