Everybody Back?

[wildcatsundance]

In this morning's Herald Leader Billy G is quoted as saying "he doesn't expect any transfers, and everybody is expect back.." Is this good, bad, or indifferent? :shrug1:

[Will Lavender]

I don't think it really matters as long as we add a couple more impact players in the recruiting haul. We'll be able to get around scholarships. We need more talent; that doesn't mean we have to cut away some of the kids we have to achieve that.

Gillispie likes practicing with a ton of players anyway. Some of the kids who likely won't see time next year will be out there practicing and helping the team the way Gillispie runs things. The more the better -- as long as we sign a couple more in the spring.

[JWORLD]

In this morning's Herald Leader Billy G is quoted as saying "he doesn't expect any transfers, and everybody is expect back.." Is this good, bad, or indifferent? :shrug1:


It's good if Williams and Carter can contribute on a daily basis......

[matt colvin]

That's quite surprising.

[RP_McMurphy]

Let's be honest here with ourselves. There are players wearing the Kentucky Blue that have no reason to be wearing the uniform. Their talent level dictates they should be playing elsewhere but poor talent evaluation by the former staff put them in the position of having a scholarship to Kentucky. Some of these players didn't even make the trip out west for the NCAA tourney. I think the coach is doing coach speak.

[ukbob]

I think that was coachspeak. I would be shocked to see everyone back.

I will tell you...some of these kids are getting recruited over in a hurry. Hopefully, that will bring out their competitive juices and make them work harder. But it won't help their PT.

[UFWildcat]

That's quite surprising.

I don't find it surprising. FWIW

[LiveBlue]

BCG isn't going to come out and say he expects people to transfer. This is just coach-speak. I'd be extremely surprised if we didn't lose someone (Carter, Williams).

[RaleighCat]

I see no problem with everyone coming back- and some of them not playing if they don't earn it. BCG and staff will find a way to squeeze everyone within the scholly limit and we'll probably have a few extra roster spots filled with academic schollies or walk-ons.

Players get recruited over all the time. How they respond is up to them. Look at Quentin Thomas at UNC. He was recruited over TWICE! Bobby Frasor and Ty Lawson were brought in over him, but Thomas stuck it out, worked hard and has played big in his senior season for the Heels.

If our players want it bad enough, they'll earn it. If they don't, they won't play. Doesn't matter to me how many guys we have on the bench in this process.

[Will Lavender]

I see no problem with everyone coming back- and some of them not playing if they don't earn it. BCG and staff will find a way to squeeze everyone within the scholly limit and we'll probably have a few extra roster spots filled with academic schollies or walk-ons.

Players get recruited over all the time. How they respond is up to them. Look at Quentin Thomas at UNC. He was recruited over TWICE! Bobby Frasor and Ty Lawson were brought in over him, but Thomas stuck it out, worked hard and has played big in his senior season for the Heels.

If our players want it bad enough, they'll earn it. If they don't, they won't play. Doesn't matter to me how many guys we have on the bench in this process.

Agreed.

Folks, Gillispie loves having a lot of players. You should see the man's practices. There are about 30 guys out there at all times, most of them pulled right off UK's campus. Chris Walker's even out there.

Gillispie is going to recruit over people, but I guarantee you he's not going to force anyone out. Nor should he. You don't need to do it that way to make the program better.

[Buck_Naked]

...Gillispie is going to recruit over people, but I guarantee you he's not going to force anyone out. Nor should he. You don't need to do it that way to make the program better.

I agree 100%, but I'll also bet you that there are a few players who will get little or no resistance from the Coach if they decide to leave.

This is big-time college basketball, and from what I've seen of Gillispie he is all business, period. If a kid wants to be on the team and wants to work hard to be an integral part, he'll be embraced. If not, I can see Billy holding the door open for them right now!

[RCS]

On one hand he says he expects everyone back and on the other he says the roster needs a major upgrade. Maybe both can happen but I am not so sure how unless he thinks one more commite to go with our current 3 is a major upgrade, and maybe it is. If you get Hopson, Miller, Liggons and Galloway that is certainly a major upgrade in athleticism and you do get some scoring int Hopson and Miller. I just think coach may be thinking more than that but who knows. If you can manage to squeeze Harrellson in there that is quite a class and also a lot of long athletic players. That only requires one guy to leave and I don't think that is really out of the question. I do agree no one will leave because BCG has forced them.

[RaleighCat]

http://www.aggieathletics.com/roster.php?SID=MBB&YOS=2006

Here's a link to the Texas A&M roster for Gillispie's second season. It has 19 names.

BCG is going to load us up with as many players as possible and push them all to compete and contribute. Looks like Mr. Keightley is going to be doing a lot of team laundry in the future!

[Will Lavender]

In his drills, Gillispie pits walk-ons against the starters.

As of December, when I saw them practice in Freedom Hall, they weren't even running teams. Ramel Bradley was going against Dusty Mills. AJ Stewart was playing with the first team, as was Jared Carter.

The practices are...strange. (But intense.) It's just a free for all, every man for himself. It's like a pit fight. They don't even honor out of bounds. Ball goes out of bounds, so what. They just play on. I saw Meeks and Jasper going one on one twenty feet past the sideline, around the water cooler.

Tell me this guy cares if he has dead weight.

We need talent, but it looks like as far as Gillispie's concerned we need bodies as well. If guys leave, then it'll be on their own volition.

[UKBOO]

I agree with Will. If someone leaves, it is because they want to. And I am not ruling that out.
I would rather have as many guys as possible that know what to expect next year. Players help each other to get through the two a days and boot camps. The more that know what to expect the better. There is room to improve the talent on the roster without throwing kids to the curb.

[Littlemeyer]

I think that was coachspeak. I would be shocked to see everyone back.

I will tell you...some of these kids are getting recruited over in a hurry. Hopefully, that will bring out their competitive juices and make them work harder. But it won't help their PT.

Gotta agree with this. "Coachspeak" was the first word that came to mind when I saw this.

I'll be very, very, very (yes, that's three) surprised if nobody transfers. VERY. (four)

[wildcatsundance]

I just took that Billy knew what he was talking about.. Maybe not!

[Backrate]

I see at least 2 leaving and hopefully more. need better long players

[wildcatsundance]

I see at least 2 leaving and hopefully more. need better long players

Which two are leaving?

[Littlemeyer]

Which two are leaving?

Crawford and Bradley.

[matt colvin]

Crawford and Bradley.

:icon_mrgreen:

[wildcatsundance]

Crawford and Bradley.

That makes sense!!!:icon_biggrin:

[JOHN BLUEBLOOD]

I noticed coach mentioned how much Mike Williams has improved but didn't mention Carter. I'm sure I'm reading into this quote. He's right, we need more athletes and scoring. I'm confident that Billy could teach a stone to play defense well.

[sardiscat]

"That's quite surprising.

Not to me. Haven't heard anybody connected with the team or otherwise in a position to know say that anybody was planning on transferring or that Gillispie was going to yank anybody's scholarship. That talk has come only from internet know-nothings.

"On one hand he says he expects everyone back and on the other he says the roster needs a major upgrade."

There's this thing called player development. Gillispie believes that it is a real thing that actually exists. That's only because he hasn't had the benefit of the wisdom of some of the geniuses who post here, admittedly, but in his naivete he actually believes players get better with time, coaching, experience, and work. He returns 9 scholarship players next season who will all be better than they were this season. That's an upgrade at 9 positions. He also plans to bring in four new players, two of whom will be better than the two vacant scholarships they replace, two of whom will not be as good as Bradley and Crawford were this season. On whole, better players at eleven out of thirteen scholarship positions next season. All the walk-ons who come back will be better next year, too.

"I noticed coach mentioned how much Mike Williams has improved but didn't mention Carter."

You should hear what Coach Cyprien says about Carter for next season. He's definitely part of the coach's plan. Good thing about this statement by Gillispie is that it signals Carter is in with coming back next season.

[poodoo]

You should hear what Coach Cyprien says about Carter for next season. He's definitely part of the coach's plan. Good thing about this statement by Gillispie is that it signals Carter is in with coming back next season. QUOTE by sardiscat
***********

Coach G also mentioned Carter on his show Monday, FWIW. While he did not use the word "great" this particular time, he did say that he still felt that Jared would end up being a "very good player."

I also agree that Coach expects the returning players, through development, to be much better at the start of next season. I still believe the sophomore class, in particular, is going to shine more as a junior class. Here's hoping I'm right about that. :)

Basically, in Coach Gillispie I TRUST. I think he knows a lot more about talent evaluation and player development than any of us. Naturally, I do hope he's able to add a couple of talented players, including at least one "scorer," to the roster. Personally, I'm just content to wait and let HIM do what HE does so well. Starting mid-April, I will be a bit more anxious, of course. :icon_mrgreen:

[TransientAlum]

Basically, in Coach Gillispie I TRUST. I think he knows a lot more about talent evaluation and player development than any of us. Naturally, I do hope he's able to add a couple of talented players, including at least one "scorer," to the roster. Personally, I'm just content to wait and let HIM do what HE does so well. Starting mid-April, I will be a bit more anxious, of course. :icon_mrgreen:

Billy G is proving again and again to be a very good leader. He also doesn't seem interested in leaving bodies in the wake. Good for him. Worse thing in the world is a culture of fear that even one cut player could create. Kids need to believe that if you bring them in, you want them. They are still young and away from home for the first time. Last thing they need is someone who doesn't have their best interests at heart. Giving that to the incumbents goes a long way in building that culture.

If someone doesn't want to be here, suspect he won't do a whole lot to hold them back, they chose to leave. But if they hang in there, he will be a real asset for their immediate and long term future.

[RCS]

"That's quite surprising.

Not to me. Haven't heard anybody connected with the team or otherwise in a position to know say that anybody was planning on transferring or that Gillispie was going to yank anybody's scholarship. That talk has come only from internet know-nothings.

"On one hand he says he expects everyone back and on the other he says the roster needs a major upgrade."

There's this thing called player development. Gillispie believes that it is a real thing that actually exists. That's only because he hasn't had the benefit of the wisdom of some of the geniuses who post here, admittedly, but in his naivete he actually believes players get better with time, coaching, experience, and work. He returns 9 scholarship players next season who will all be better than they were this season. That's an upgrade at 9 positions. He also plans to bring in four new players, two of whom will be better than the two vacant scholarships they replace, two of whom will not be as good as Bradley and Crawford were this season. On whole, better players at eleven out of thirteen scholarship positions next season. All the walk-ons who come back will be better next year, too.

"I noticed coach mentioned how much Mike Williams has improved but didn't mention Carter."

You should hear what Coach Cyprien says about Carter for next season. He's definitely part of the coach's plan. Good thing about this statement by Gillispie is that it signals Carter is in with coming back next season.
Ease back on the holier than though attitude there. I agree that part of it will have to come from player development but he said it in response to a recruiting question so I don't think he simply meant the returning players would become All Americans next year. Players improve and many go from non entities to contributors, every now and then some go from role players to stars but not often, and even rarer do they go from never playing into stars. I am sure all the returning players will improve but I don't think they will suddenly go from playing in 3-4 games this year to All SEC next year and we need an All SEC level scorer for next year or at least something close and that can only come from recruiting IMO. Other than Meeks and Patterson we have no scorers. Some of that will come from players playing bigger roles and improving but I seriously dout Jasper or Harris or anyone of the other role players are suddenly going to average 12-15 points a game.

[sardiscat]

Sorry, but the player bashing by posters who you can tell from reading their posts don't know a basketball from their backsides has exceeded the limit this year.

[DCWildcat]

I've said since Gillispie got hired that I didn't think there'd be more than 1 or at most 2 transfers. Like I said a year ago, I think people looking for more aren't looking at what usually happens when new coaches are hired; rather, they're using wishful thinking.

Many people want some of our current players gone, to make room for new talent. Besides my thoughts on that, I think we ought to at least fill our remaining scholarships before we talk of that. What's the point of kicking three guys off the team when you still have an open scholarship that (so far) no one has bit on?

[poodoo]

I've said since Gillispie got hired that I didn't think there'd be more than 1 or at most 2 transfers. Like I said a year ago, I think people looking for more aren't looking at what usually happens when new coaches are hired; rather, they're using wishful thinking.

Many people want some of our current players gone, to make room for new talent. Besides my thoughts on that, I think we ought to at least fill our remaining scholarships before we talk of that. What's the point of kicking three guys off the team when you still have an open scholarship that (so far) no one has bit on?

Most astute, DCWildcat. FWIW, I, too, have thought that there's some "wishful thinking" going on among us fans, AND, yes, reality is that we still have an open scholarship as of now. Let's fill that one and then see how another player can be somehow fitted into the roster, which I strongly suspect will happen. :)

[bleedbluelady]

Billy G is proving again and again to be a very good leader. He also doesn't seem interested in leaving bodies in the wake. Good for him. Worse thing in the world is a culture of fear that even one cut player could create. Kids need to believe that if you bring them in, you want them. They are still young and away from home for the first time. Last thing they need is someone who doesn't have their best interests at heart. Giving that to the incumbents goes a long way in building that culture.

If someone doesn't want to be here, suspect he won't do a whole lot to hold them back, they chose to leave. But if they hang in there, he will be a real asset for their immediate and long term future.

Excellent point. :thumbup: His leadership skills are a close second to his work ethic.

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

There are players wearing the Kentucky Blue that have no reason to be wearing the uniform.

that's the case pretty much every year RP. how long you been watching basketball ?

it's just that this year some of those guys had to actually play in games where as in other years they rode pine all season. The "no business wearing UK blue" is such a tired and worn out cliche'

[RCS]

that's the case pretty much every year RP. how long you been watching basketball ?

it's just that this year some of those guys had to actually play in games where as in other years they rode pine all season. The "no business wearing UK blue" is such a tired and worn out cliche'
Excellent point. Every team has guys that are not good enough to get major minutes or simply don't pan out. Doesn't mean you pull their scholarship.

[Catligula]

On that same note, I'm sure a guy like Mark Coury never expected to be relied upon so much. He did the best with his ability and I think that's commendable.

[bigblue23]

Let's be honest here with ourselves. There are players wearing the Kentucky Blue that have no reason to be wearing the uniform. Their talent level dictates they should be playing elsewhere but poor talent evaluation by the former staff put them in the position of having a scholarship to Kentucky. Some of these players didn't even make the trip out west for the NCAA tourney. I think the coach is doing coach speak.

Great post and I'm glad to see someone else who's obviously not some nerd who knows nothing about basketball. I can't stand some of these tree huggers who try to act like these guys who suck are the glue of this team. Horse crap!. The only good they did was make the guys who are better try harder so that coach wouldn't put a scrub in their place. Which players didn't make the trip out to the tourney and why?

[RCS]

Great post and I'm glad to see someone else who's obviously not some nerd who knows nothing about basketball. I can't stand some of these tree huggers who try to act like these guys who suck are the glue of this team. Horse crap!. The only good they did was make the guys who are better try harder so that coach wouldn't put a scrub in their place. Which players didn't make the trip out to the tourney and why?
I have read your posts and I have read a lot of other people on this threads posts and from everything I can tell, it is you who lack basketball knowledge. If you look back at over the years at FR and SO who did not do much who latter turned into starters and quality contributors you would find it is a large list. Nazr, Daniels, Kaz, Hawkins, Mills, Sheppard, Padgett just to name some recent ones. None of those guys played much as FR and several did not play as SO. yet ended up making a huge difference at UK. You have zero idea if Porter or Carter or Stewart will make an impact at UK. Stewart and Carter were both pretty heavily recruited out of HS. We haven't seen enough of either one to have any idea if they can play. The coaches see them every day and like them yet you think you are the one who knows everything.

Also the name calling is WAY over the top and unnecessary. YOu are very advisarial in all of your posts I have seen. I think you need to step back the intensity level a bit.

[Josh]

Great post and I'm glad to see someone else who's obviously not some nerd who knows nothing about basketball. I can't stand some of these tree huggers who try to act like these guys who suck are the glue of this team. Horse crap!. The only good they did was make the guys who are better try harder so that coach wouldn't put a scrub in their place. Which players didn't make the trip out to the tourney and why?

Um, hi? That's exactly the point. We NEED those types of players. As long as we only have 2-3 of them and not 10 of them, there's really no need for all of the hostility.

For those of you expecting/demanding 15 five-star players, you're going to be sorely disappointed.

[T75]

I think that was coachspeak. I would be shocked to see everyone back.

I will tell you...some of these kids are getting recruited over in a hurry. Hopefully, that will bring out their competitive juices and make them work harder. But it won't help their PT.


"Coachspeak". How forgiving we are of coaches who boldly lie to us when we know better. Even those of us who wouldn't even listen to a used car salesman.

[matt colvin]

"Coachspeak". How forgiving we are of coaches who boldly lie to us when we know better. Even those of us who wouldn't even listen to a used car salesman.

As though there is a coach who hasn't employed this method. Yes, I called it a "method".