WildcatRick
07-17-2007, 09:09 AM
Recruits flocking to Wildcats’ new coach; Donovan not dodging Magic debacle
By SETH EMERSON
Since taking over as Kentucky’s men’s basketball coach, Billy Gillispie has beaten out two-time champion Florida for a recruit, lured another one from Michigan and gained three other commitments for future classes.
So it should come as no surprise that Gillispie boasted Monday that he and his staff — which isn’t complete — have “created kind of a buzz” in recruiting.
Gillispie left Texas A&M for the Wildcats, who needed a coach after the beleaguered Tubby Smith bolted for Minnesota. Kentucky fans were hoping for Billy Donovan, but when he elected to stay at Florida, the Wildcats hired Gillispie.
And now Gillispie is drawing raves in basketball-mad Kentucky thanks to his recruiting haul. He beat out Donovan for the services of incoming freshman forward Patrick Patterson and nabbed guard Alex Legion, who had de-committed from Michigan.
Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl, whose team is the early favorite to win the SEC, has taken notice of Gillispie’s recruiting. During Monday’s summer teleconference, Pearl said the signings of Patterson and Legion would more than offset the loss of center Randolph Morris, who departed a year early for the NBA.
“I would say that would be a great trade for Randolph Morris,” Pearl said. “That’s how good a start Billy is off to, already.”
http://www.thestate.com/sports/story/120523.html
By SETH EMERSON
Since taking over as Kentucky’s men’s basketball coach, Billy Gillispie has beaten out two-time champion Florida for a recruit, lured another one from Michigan and gained three other commitments for future classes.
So it should come as no surprise that Gillispie boasted Monday that he and his staff — which isn’t complete — have “created kind of a buzz” in recruiting.
Gillispie left Texas A&M for the Wildcats, who needed a coach after the beleaguered Tubby Smith bolted for Minnesota. Kentucky fans were hoping for Billy Donovan, but when he elected to stay at Florida, the Wildcats hired Gillispie.
And now Gillispie is drawing raves in basketball-mad Kentucky thanks to his recruiting haul. He beat out Donovan for the services of incoming freshman forward Patrick Patterson and nabbed guard Alex Legion, who had de-committed from Michigan.
Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl, whose team is the early favorite to win the SEC, has taken notice of Gillispie’s recruiting. During Monday’s summer teleconference, Pearl said the signings of Patterson and Legion would more than offset the loss of center Randolph Morris, who departed a year early for the NBA.
“I would say that would be a great trade for Randolph Morris,” Pearl said. “That’s how good a start Billy is off to, already.”
http://www.thestate.com/sports/story/120523.html
