Yet another '08 big man

[KYISSUPREME]

Another JUCO big man, from Europe. Per KSR.

Viva Serbia!….and other Recruiting Notes (http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=5863)

by Matt Jones @ 11:22 pm. Filed under Blue Blooded Opinions (http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?cat=1)
http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/wp-content/uploads//2008/04/nicolakecman.jpg (http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/wp-content/uploads//2008/04/nicolakecman.jpg)
First of all, let me apologize for the continued problems we have been having with our server. We have maxed out the VPS server that we are on and now are having to move to a dedicated server…..something I admit to not understanding, but it is obviously causing service disruption. Hopefully this will get better over the next couple of days, but just be patient while we work out the kinks.
Now just when you think you have figured out recruiting and know what is going on, this group surprises you. Take our man above, the Serbian giant Nicola Kecman. Ever heard of him? Bet you havent….and neither had I. But from all indications, he may have been on campus today visiting along with Paul McCoy of Oregon. It is not certain that Kecman (who apparently speaks almost no English) was the actual visitor, but it certain that there was someone else of non-American nationality who was on a visit today. I got a call about the visit this afternoon with no name attached and a couple of conversations tonight have suggested that our man Nicola is the most likely attendee. What do we know about Nicola? Well admittedly, very little.
We do know that he plays for the Eastern Arizona Junior College program. But more importantly, we know that Eastern Arizona’s nickname is the Gila Monsters. Yes you read that correctly….UK is recruiting a Serbian Gila Monster. Sometimes life is just grand. Kecman is 6′9″, 215 pounds and I know nothing of his game. But to quote Charles Barkley when he was asked about Tony Parker being drafted 19th out of France, “well I dont know anything about him, but he was picked in the first round so he must be all right.” If Gillispie likes him, there must be something to him….well beyond the fact that his college coach may currently be in jail (http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/04/17/20080417parmeter0417.html).
What this news does tell us however is that UK is still looking for big men beyond Josh Harrellson and Ater Majok. Jody Demling reported earlier today that UK is ONCE AGAIN looking at Teeng Akol….who you may remember from our epic Marshall County Hoopfest broadcast last year. Akol is well…..in the spirit of Earth Day, I will say he is a work in progress. I admit however that if UK is looking at Nikola and Akol, I am a little baffled as to their plan. From all indications, they can have Maurice Sutton if they just ask and Josh Harrellson seems like a huge UK lean. Why go farther? I guess we shall see…..maybe there is more to the Gila Monsters than we originally would have thought.
A couple of other tidbits….
— Oregon guard Paul McCoy visited today (and according to one emailer was taken to BW3s….good eats if you ask me) and looks like a great option for the Cats. Those who spent time with him at the Derby Classic suggest that he was spreading the word that he was likely UK bound. In my view if McCoy commits, he could end up being the player that has one of the greatest impacts on UK relative to the attention he received in sometime. No one talks about McCoy and his name didnt even get mentioned until a couple of weeks ago. But the kid is explosive, can shoot and is a great leader. A commitment from McCoy is a big deal, if it happens, is a big deal in my opinion.
— We talked a little earlier this weekend about the visit of Josh Harrellson. Now many readers have asked me, when will you get a different Harrellson picture? And I think that is a fair request. Well a reader obliged today by sending two pictures he took of Josh at the Spring Game. These pictures give us a non-free throw shooting view of Josh and show off his jean shorts. A double whammy!!!

[poodoo]

Thanks, KYISSUPREME. However, after reading that, unfortunately, I do not feel that Coach feels good about our chances of landing Ater Majok. Too, Matt Jones' comments about Akol's being "a work in progress" are not exactly uplifting, either. Here's hoping Kecman is more impressive AND that at least Harrelson commits soon.

Ironically, UK most obviously needs post players, and we are, still again, struggling to get a commitment in that area. Go figure. Again, Mr. Harrelson, please commit soon!!!

[Blue_N_White]

Thanks, KYISSUPREME. However, after reading that, unfortunately, I do not feel that Coach feels good about our chances of landing Ater Majok. Too, Matt Jones' comments about Akol's being "a work in progress" are not exactly uplifting, either. Here's hoping Kecman is more impressive AND that at least Harrelson commits soon.

Ironically, UK most obviously needs post players, and we are, still again, struggling to get a commitment in that area. Go figure. Again, Mr. Harrelson, please commit soon!!!

poodoo...why do you get the feeling that Coach doesn't think Majok will commit to Kentucky? Has anything happened or been said that would lead you to that impression?

As for Harrellson, it's sounding fairly good right now (fingers crossed). And it sounds like all that has to be done for Sutton to commit is for him (Sutton) to be offered a scholarship. And while I was down on Sutton initially, the more I hear about him, and especially after watching him play at the Derby Classic, I would be fine if he was offered and accepted. He just needs to hit the weight room, eat more and get with some dietitians and nutritionists to put on about 25-35 pounds :icon_lol:

But I definitely want two of these three....and while Majok is #1 on my list...I'd be fine with the tandem of Harrellson and Sutton. I believe they would actually compliment each other really, really well.....

[poodoo]

poodoo...why do you get the feeling that Coach doesn't think Majok will commit to Kentucky? Has anything happened or been said that would lead you to that impression?



Blue_N_White, I merely get bad vibes from Coach Gillispie's again recruiting big man Teeng Akol, whom Matt Jones calls a "work in progress," at best (besides recruiting Serbian big man Kecman, who is a "mystery man," but could be a real sleeper, who knows!). We already know that Maurice Sutton is just waiting for Coach to offere, and we seem to be in excellent shape with Harrelson. Hopefully, Coach G is just coming up with backup plans, and that is certainly a good thing for him to do. YET, my feminine intuition or logic or whatever did not react nicely to reading those words from Matt Jones.

That we are back to recruiting Teeng Akol, specifically, just made me FEEL that Coach does not feel good about our chances of getting Majok, for I surely doubt that we would be signing more than two big men with our now likely needing a point guard signee. I HOPE my feminine intuition is wrong.

Here's also hoping Harrelson will actually commit soon, which I THINK will happen. FWIW, from Matt's words I don't think Akol is our ideal big man signee.

[Will Lavender]

I would say they're talking to Akol again just in case Harrelson and Majok go elsewhere.

This tells me for sure that the staff wants three players to sign.

[UKGrad87]

All of this smells of an old coaches ploy. Press Harrelson and Majok to the point of commiting, and when they hesitate, bring in two guys from left field with feigned interest. The threat of losing their roster spots is intended to force Harrelson and Majok into making faster decisions. Last year, it was Gregory Echenique of Venezuela in this role.

Sutton may be a backup plan, but in my opinion, Coach has no intention of giving schollys to Kecman and Akol.

[KYISSUPREME]

All of this smells of an old coaches ploy. Press Harrelson and Majok to the point of commiting, and when they hesitate, bring in two guys from left field with feigned interest. The threat of losing their roster spots is intended to force Harrelson and Majok into making faster decisions. Last year, it was Gregory Echenique of Venezuela in this role.

Sutton may be a backup plan, but in my opinion, Coach has no intention of giving schollys to Kecman and Akol.

At this point, I wouldn't profess to know BCG's intentions. Wouldn't shock me to see a couple of guys sign that we have never heard of. :shrug1:

[poodoo]

At this point, I wouldn't profess to know BCG's intentions. Wouldn't shock me to see a couple of guys sign that we have never heard of. :shrug1:

KYISSUPREME, I think you are so right that none of us know Coach's intentions. :shrug1: While it may be hard to do so, we're just going to have to wait and see how things turn out.