Indiana Offers Sutton (?)

[Blue_N_White]

According to a few links, Maurice Sutton has now officially been offered a scholarship by Tom Crean and Indiana University.

http://blogs.heraldtimesonline.com/iusp/?p=1938

http://indiana.scout.com/a.z?s=170&p=2&c=748681&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2findiana.scout.com%2f2%2f 748681.html


OK...now, I'm officially getting a little frustrated by the Josh Harrellson and Ater Majok situation (and the Derrick Jasper and Mike Williams situation).

If Sutton signs with Indiana...and Majok with UCONN...and Harrellson with St. Louis....Kentucky is officially screwed. And it sounds like Coach Gillispie wants Majok and/or Harrellson first, with Sutton as a nice backup plan (just like I do). Problem is, Sutton is the one guy who seems to be the most interested in Kentucky. Majok and Harrellson seem to be enjoying the thrill of the recruiting experience a little too much for my tastes right about now, while Jasper and Williams seem to be afraid to come out and announce that they are leaving.....

[matt colvin]

Harrellson likes Majerus, and had told him he'd visit. He's honoring a promise. Majerus will have to literally pull a rabbit out of a hat in order to get him, if I was betting. I look for Harrellson to be ours, barring new developments.

I don't know about Majok. It's a hard read for sure. I imagine we'll know something after his visit this weekend. Hopefully there's no need for a visit to KU or UCLA.

[Blue_N_White]

I hear ya, Matt....and it sounds like McCoy and Sutton are UK's for the taking. Problem is, Jasper will likely transfer...but he hasn't made anything official...thus killing time (and the window of opportunity to sign these guys before they get interested in another school/program). Williams apparently wants to transfer...but apparently must not be drawing much interest from other schools (hey Tubby, come get your boy!)

So while on the surface it doesn't look bad....all this "dragging of their feet" by Jasper, Williams, Majok and Harrellson is a little bit frustrating. Majok and Harrellson...fine, they have other schools to visit and consider and this is their first time in this process. But after being at UK for a year and two respectively...if Jasper and Williams want to leave, then please do so! And quickly! I've been patient the past few weeks...but I guess just the possibility of losing out on a guy like Sutton, who really wants to come to UK and would be a nice addition....just kind of got me a little PO'd when I saw that IU had offered him (and read that he likes Crean)......

[Will Lavender]

I don't think the Jasper situation has any effect, really. It's not like we're after fifteen players. We're going to have the scholarships to pull it off regardless. (Wlliams is going to be recruited over anyway, so that leaves one schollie (Jasper's) to work around. That's doable.) Clearly, they want a point guard -- they've been after point guards for months, so I don't think Jasper staying or leaving will affect that.

I just highly doubt Gillispie's sitting there saying, "Man, I wish Jasper would go ahead and make up his mind so we can move on." I would bet the farm that Gillispie already knows one way or another.

[JOHN BLUEBLOOD]

According to a few links, Maurice Sutton has now officially been offered a scholarship by Tom Crean and Indiana University.

http://blogs.heraldtimesonline.com/iusp/?p=1938

http://indiana.scout.com/a.z?s=170&p=2&c=748681&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2findiana.scout.com%2f2%2f 748681.html (http://indiana.scout.com/a.z?s=170&p=2&c=748681&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2findiana.scout.com%2f2%2f 748681.html)


OK...now, I'm officially getting a little frustrated by the Josh Harrellson and Ater Majok situation (and the Derrick Jasper and Mike Williams situation).

If Sutton signs with Indiana...and Majok with UCONN...and Harrellson with St. Louis....Kentucky is officially screwed. And it sounds like Coach Gillispie wants Majok and/or Harrellson first, with Sutton as a nice backup plan (just like I do). Problem is, Sutton is the one guy who seems to be the most interested in Kentucky. Majok and Harrellson seem to be enjoying the thrill of the recruiting experience a little too much for my tastes right about now, while Jasper and Williams seem to be afraid to come out and announce that they are leaving.....

Don't hit the panic button - I heard on Larry Glover tonight, Joe Demling saying that UK had interest in a very good JUCO big man in Florida and a Serbian kid etc. I think we get Harrellson and McCoy. I truly think that Jasper's mind is made up to leave and the staff isn't going to announce it until the end of the semester.

[Blue_N_White]

Don't hit the panic button - I heard on Larry Glover tonight, Joe Demling saying that UK had interest in a very good JUCO big man in Florida and a Serbian kid etc. I think we get Harrellson and McCoy. I truly think that Jasper's mind is made up to leave and the staff isn't going to announce it until the end of the semester.

Yeah, ya know...I'm kind of thinking that McCoy and Harrellson both end up at UK. Honestly, I do. And I'm happy about that. I guess I'm really mostly frustrated because Kentucky needs TWO big men. And I'm frustrated that Majok apparently is most interested in UCONN....and (from what you just said) that Coach Gillispie apparently is still out there looking for other, NEW options for big men! With the interest that Sutton has in Kentucky...I'm not sure why he'd be looking at a Florida JUCO player or a Serbian kid!

Sutton is there for the taking...and the more I read about him, and especially after watching him play, I'd be fine with him. Unless he has some kind of medical/genetic condition that will prevent him from gaining weight and the coaching staff knows this...I'm not sure why he isn't being shown much love. Without knowing much (or really anything) about the Florida JUCO player or the Serbian kid....this late in the game I'm not really that interested in guys I've never heard of and aren't familiar with in the least. At least I know what we'd be getting with Sutton, and would hate to lose on him while we "wait" for other things to transpire......

[Wildcat_Fan98]

Connecticut Sophmore Forward Curtis Kelly asked for his Release from UCONN today so that just opens more playing time for Atok...he is gone if you ask me.....we have a good team right now even if we didnt sign any other players...ppl are wanting us to sign these guys right now...why dont we get Harrelson and Mccoy and if we get open scholorships leave them for the 09 class.....we have 6 out of the top 10 players in the nation interested in us...dont use these scholorships on players just to fill the roster....Gillespie knows what he is doing....Ramon Harris has apprently grown another inch so now he is 6'8..wow what a defender...and AJ Stewart has had some amazing strides this off season...we are goin to have ppl step up....we dont need players to just fill the roster...

[Will Lavender]

Connecticut Sophmore Forward Curtis Kelly asked for his Release from UCONN today so that just opens more playing time for Atok...he is gone if you ask me.....we have a good team right now even if we didnt sign any other players...ppl are wanting us to sign these guys right now...why dont we get Harrelson and Mccoy and if we get open scholorships leave them for the 09 class.....we have 6 out of the top 10 players in the nation interested in us...dont use these scholorships on players just to fill the roster....Gillespie knows what he is doing....Ramon Harris has apprently grown another inch so now he is 6'8..wow what a defender...and AJ Stewart has had some amazing strides this off season...we are goin to have ppl step up....we dont need players to just fill the roster...

We need interior depth bad. I just don't think we have the luxury of holding that scholarship. If we can add Sutton to Harrelson and McCoy, we almost have to do it.

[Blue_N_White]

Connecticut Sophmore Forward Curtis Kelly asked for his Release from UCONN today so that just opens more playing time for Atok...he is gone if you ask me.....we have a good team right now even if we didnt sign any other players...ppl are wanting us to sign these guys right now...why dont we get Harrelson and Mccoy and if we get open scholorships leave them for the 09 class.....we have 6 out of the top 10 players in the nation interested in us...dont use these scholorships on players just to fill the roster....Gillespie knows what he is doing....Ramon Harris has apprently grown another inch so now he is 6'8..wow what a defender...and AJ Stewart has had some amazing strides this off season...we are goin to have ppl step up....we dont need players to just fill the roster...

Interesting that you said what I just highlighted in bold...because if you ask me, Harris and Stewart are BOTH "players to just fill the roster". If you're excited about both of them...then I don't really know what to tell ya.

Like Will said, the Cats need interior depth big time in the worst way possible. And 6'-8" guys who didn't show much last year don't excite me a whole lot. Although it COULD be a role of the dice....at this point I'd gladly take the potential upside of a 6'-11" (and growing) Maurice Sutton over either Stewart or Harris....

[Blue 24/7]

and AJ Stewart has had some amazing strides this off season

Dang that was some quick progress!

[teamchemistry09]

Dang that was some quick progress!

You dont know what hes capable of because we rarely saw him last season. But when he did get in you have to admit he showed potential

[Blue 24/7]

You dont know what hes capable of because we rarely saw him last season. But when he did get in you have to admit he showed potential

Absolutely. I just thought that was funny, since the college basketball season ended just 2 weeks ago. But, ours did end 4 weeks ago, and I suppose that is time to make 'amazing strides'.

[Catdaddy24]

I think Sutton is a great talent. No he is no Majok, but he has what it takes in his own way to become a great talent. I personally think its a mistake to not take this kid so he can make another school a heck of a pickup. Hes got the goods why not sign. If Majok wants to come to UK, Coach will find a spot regardless. Thats just the nature of the game.

[Wildcat2008]

Yep, it's true. Check it out.

http://iuplanet.com/forum/iuplanet-hoosier-news/15460-q-maurice-sutton-who-iu-recently-offered-basketball-scholarship.html#post34387

[Wildcat_Fan98]

Well if you listened to gillespies Press Conference last week you would have heard that too...He said AJ was coming on and getting better every day, The season did end 4 weeks ago but conditioning and playing ball didnt....they workout every day and play basketball everyday....what we add in the next few weeks is not going to change how we play or who starts next season.....Patterson,Stevenson,Harris,Meeks and Galloway will start with Liggins,Miller,Stewart,Porter coming off the bench...Harrelson will not start, Mccoy will not start, Sutton will not start...if we get any of these guys we will have a 9 man rotation even if we land no other recruits this season

[RCS]

Stewart has a lot of potential and will be much, much better next year. He was/is very raw but clearly has talent. I do not think Sutton is any better than Stewart and would not play over him, IMO.

[jkeller]

Interesting that you said what I just highlighted in bold...because if you ask me, Harris and Stewart are BOTH "players to just fill the roster". If you're excited about both of them...then I don't really know what to tell ya.

Like Will said, the Cats need interior depth big time in the worst way possible. And 6'-8" guys who didn't show much last year don't excite me a whole lot. Although it COULD be a role of the dice....at this point I'd gladly take the potential upside of a 6'-11" (and growing) Maurice Sutton over either Stewart or Harris....

You're kidding right? Harris started the majority of the season, played 30+ minutes a game down the stretch (when we were playing some of our best basketball of the season), and was our best defender. He may have gotten to Kentucky as a player that filled the last roster spot, but he was a valuable contributer last season and certainly not just another chair warmer.

[Will Lavender]

You're kidding right? Harris started the majority of the season, played 30+ minutes a game down the stretch (when we were playing some of our best basketball of the season), and was our best defender. He may have gotten to Kentucky as a player that filled the last roster spot, but he was a valuable contributer last season and certainly not just another chair warmer.

Yeah, I think Stewart and Harris are both potential big-time contributors. They've got a lot to work on, sure, but a guy that plays defense like Ramon isn't a guy that simply fills out a roster. And AJ's length and athleticism are really exciting. Ever see the guy up close? That kid isn't just a roster-filler. No way. Big time future for both those kids if they put in the work to get there.

Stewart needs to work most on the mental part of his game. He had a habit of disappearing in high school, I saw him in the Derby game really defer to everyone else -- he needs to get it in his mind that he's going to go in there and do something. Way too passive.

[Will Lavender]

Like Will said, the Cats need interior depth big time in the worst way possible. And 6'-8" guys who didn't show much last year don't excite me a whole lot. Although it COULD be a role of the dice....at this point I'd gladly take the potential upside of a 6'-11" (and growing) Maurice Sutton over either Stewart or Harris....

Harris isn't an interior player.

And I think -- at least I hope -- we get to the point through recruiting where AJ can play on a wing as well. That's where his potential is, in my opinion.

Neither of those players I would consider "interior." Both have fantastic upsides. Ramon is probably as good of a defender as I've seen at UK in many years.

[sardiscat]

It's pretty clear to me that the interest in McCoy began when Jasper started seriously considering leaving, and UK will sign McCoy only if Jasper in fact leaves. After watching the video of Harrelson, I'm not frothing with joy about signing him. If he does everything exactly right, he could possibly be Mark Pope, but that's it. And that's if he does everything exactly right. He could turn out to be quite a bit less than Mark Pope. Personally, I think Williams has more potential for the long term than Harrelson, although Harrelson may be ahead of Williams right now. May be. Williams has practiced for a year against UK players, while Harrelson has been doing what he has been doing against Juco competition. As for AJ, it is quite possible that he's greatly improved already. You absorb a lot of basketball knowledge just spending 5 months going through practice and watching the games up close. I barely got to play my sophomore year in HS, but when the season ended I considered myself unguardable and quickly went about proving it in pickup games. Just having the freedom to play without having to worry about mistakes you might be making on defense is all the difference. Of course, nobody is playing serious defense in pickup games, neither you nor the guy guarding you, so we'll have to wait to judge AJ until official practice starts and he is again required to remember what he is supposed to be doing on defense.

[crazzedcats22]

Harrellson likes Majerus, and had told him he'd visit. He's honoring a promise. Majerus will have to literally pull a rabbit out of a hat in order to get him, if I was betting. I look for Harrellson to be ours, barring new developments.

I don't know about Majok. It's a hard read for sure. I imagine we'll know something after his visit this weekend. Hopefully there's no need for a visit to KU or UCLA.

Don't be so sure about Majerus having to work too hard to get him. People are stupid if they think SLU doesn't have as good a chance, if not better than UK to get him. I heard from someone today that said he was told that Josh still is 100% undecided and that SLU and UK are equal right now. That's after visiting UK and not taking his official visit to SLU.

My guess, unless the visit with Majerus goes terrible, Harrelson will commit to SLU next week.

[Blue_N_White]

Yeah, I think Stewart and Harris are both potential big-time contributors. They've got a lot to work on, sure, but a guy that plays defense like Ramon isn't a guy that simply fills out a roster. And AJ's length and athleticism are really exciting. Ever see the guy up close? That kid isn't just a roster-filler. No way. Big time future for both those kids if they put in the work to get there.

Stewart needs to work most on the mental part of his game. He had a habit of disappearing in high school, I saw him in the Derby game really defer to everyone else -- he needs to get it in his mind that he's going to go in there and do something. Way too passive.

BINGO!

That is exactly what my friends and I thought about Stewart this past season. He'd get in a game, and you wouldn't even know that he was on the court. By the end of the season we were calling him The Invisible Man. He COULD have some skills....but we don't know because he's never shown them. We can't find him to see them. Not the kind of player I get excited about.

As for Harris, I admit that he was a valuable contributor this past season. Harris played some defense and did a good job rebounding, that's true. I guess I'm just not one of these blindly loyal big blue fans that think every player wearing Kentucky blue is awesome and terrific and there's never any need to upgrade the talent because what we have is the best because what we are is Kentucky! Please. Gimme a break. In the last 30+ years that I've been following Kentucky basketball, last year's rosters was THE least talented.

And since this thread is about Sutton....what I saw in him is the exact opposite of A.J. Stewart. A high effort and hustle guy who you couldn't help but notice was on the court. So yeah...personally, I'd rather have Sutton than Stewart. And I think from a potential standpoint I'd rather have Sutton than Harris, too (although I don't mind either Harris or Stewart on the team...just not excited about them).

So while they are a bit unknown, I look at guys like Sutton, McCoy, Harrellson, etc. as POTENTIAL. They may not turn out to be any better than who is currently on the roster....but after an 18-13 season in which I saw the least talented team that I have ever seen (in my lifetime) at the University of Kentucky lacing them up and losing to Gardner-Webb and the like.....and well....that's the risk I'm willing to take.....

[Will Lavender]

As for Harris, I admit that he was a valuable contributor this past season. Harris played some defense and did a good job rebounding, that's true. I guess I'm just not one of these blindly loyal big blue fans that think every player wearing Kentucky blue is awesome and terrific and there's never any need to upgrade the talent because what we have is the best because what we are is Kentucky! Please. Gimme a break. In the last 30+ years that I've been following Kentucky basketball, last year's rosters was THE least talented.

You have to look at why we lacked talent.

The reason wasn't because of guys like Ramon Harris. The reason was because when you got behind Bradley, Crawford, Patterson, Jasper and Harris -- there was nobody there. The drop off was chasm-sized. Can't compete at a UK level like that.

Ramon's obviously going to have to improve. And I'm not going to argue that he would have been a starter for a good UK team. But you don't sit someone with his athletic ability and defensive talent on the bench. You just don't.

[Will Lavender]

I guess I'm just not one of these blindly loyal big blue fans that think every player wearing Kentucky blue is awesome and terrific and there's never any need to upgrade the talent because what we have is the best because what we are is Kentucky!

The problem is, we don't have anyone in the mix that's an upgrade over Harris. We've got Sutton and Harrelson and Majok -- none of those guys play Ramon's position. We've got McCoy and Liggins -- ditto. Ramon will be competing against Darius Miller, and if Darius doesn't learn to play hard he's going to be riding the pine behind Ramon. One thing Ramon brings is effort, and that will take you a long way.

You say you like potential. I do, too. Ramon Harris's.

Seems to me a grass-is-greener argument. Some folks want to believe the kids coming out of high school are going to step in and outperform the guys we have. Out with the old, in with the new. Fact is, it rarely works like that. I'll take a guy with experience over a potential performer every day of the week.

[leroybyrd]

BINGO!

That is exactly what my friends and I thought about Stewart this past season. He'd get in a game, and you wouldn't even know that he was on the court. By the end of the season we were calling him The Invisible Man. He COULD have some skills....but we don't know because he's never shown them. We can't find him to see them. Not the kind of player I get excited about.

As for Harris, I admit that he was a valuable contributor this past season. Harris played some defense and did a good job rebounding, that's true. I guess I'm just not one of these blindly loyal big blue fans that think every player wearing Kentucky blue is awesome and terrific and there's never any need to upgrade the talent because what we have is the best because what we are is Kentucky! Please. Gimme a break. In the last 30+ years that I've been following Kentucky basketball, last year's rosters was THE least talented.

And since this thread is about Sutton....what I saw in him is the exact opposite of A.J. Stewart. A high effort and hustle guy who you couldn't help but notice was on the court. So yeah...personally, I'd rather have Sutton than Stewart. And I think from a potential standpoint I'd rather have Sutton than Harris, too (although I don't mind either Harris or Stewart on the team...just not excited about them).

So while they are a bit unknown, I look at guys like Sutton, McCoy, Harrellson, etc. as POTENTIAL. They may not turn out to be any better than who is currently on the roster....but after an 18-13 season in which I saw the least talented team that I have ever seen (in my lifetime) at the University of Kentucky lacing them up and losing to Gardner-Webb and the like.....and well....that's the risk I'm willing to take.....

IMO, you cannot ever underestimate the value that Ramon brings to this team. He can guard and shut down 4 positions on the floor and that creates some matchup nightmares defensively for opposing coaches. AND he will only get better offensively.

I like Sutton more and more as well, but I think he is much more like Perry Stevenson with a few more developed skills coming in, than Harris or Stewart. Sutton is VERY active and plays with a lot of passion and energy, but at this point there is no way I would trade Ramon or AJ for Sutton. IMO, AJ will develop into a very solid contributor at some point.

And btw, the 89-90 team was much less talented than last years squad. Look at the roster, it isn't even that close.

[UKBOO]

The problem is, we don't have anyone in the mix that's an upgrade over Harris. We've got Sutton and Harrelson and Majok -- none of those guys play Ramon's position. We've got McCoy and Liggins -- ditto. Ramon will be competing against Darius Miller, and if Darius doesn't learn to play hard he's going to be riding the pine behind Ramon. One thing Ramon brings is effort, and that will take you a long way.

You say you like potential. I do, too. Ramon Harris's.

Seems to me a grass-is-greener argument. Some folks want to believe the kids coming out of high school are going to step in and outperform the guys we have. Out with the old, in with the new. Fact is, it rarely works like that. I'll take a guy with experience over a potential performer every day of the week.

Harris has a lot less to work on than many people think. He has already mastered the G defense. That is three quarters of the battle right there. He is as quick and as fast as anyone on the team. He jumps well but could work on his timing. Most of his game in high school was breaks, slashing and a mid range game. Add a better handle and a pull up and this guy could be very hard to guard.

He is raw but he does have plenty of gifts and one of those is a strong work ethic.

[poodoo]

WildcatFan_98 does have a valid point about not merely using a scholarship for the sake of using it and providing depth and then NOT having room to add players in '09. Actually, if Jared Carter gets a medical redshirt and does not leave after this season and we have all our scholarships filled for '08, we are already ONE BEHIND in our scholarship limits if point guard Vilarino honors his commitment. I had already been concerned about that, especially if there were a couple of impact '09 guys wanting to come to UK.

He is also right that Harris (who impressed me this season and seemingly impressed Gillispie) and Stewart MAY be greatly improved by the start of next season. Sometimes we fans think new faces coming in will magically make things all better, but in reality some more experience for the returning young guys just might be the better answer (and especially if impact players are not being signed and some really good options are out there the following season). Juniors and seniors often play significantly better than freshmen and sophomores. I'm merely saying that I "hear" this poster.

Most of all, we are just all speculating here during the off-season. What we think or feel is totally meaningless, obviously. We cannot change anything. Coach, who best knows his players, gets substantially paid to make these BIG decisions. Further, Coach's own hands are currently tied by youngsters' young minds AND uncertainties about transfers and eligibility. We'll eventually see what decisions Coach makes. Meanwhile, we can continue to speculate. :)

[Blue_N_White]

And btw, the 89-90 team was much less talented than last years squad. Look at the roster, it isn't even that close.

Yeah, but I kinda discount the probation era teams a bit. At least there was a reason (and expectation of it being that way).....

I realize that Harris and Stewart are decent players who serve a purpose. (Harris more so than Stewart last year) And I am not meaning to diminish their skill and ability and single them out. It's just that someone brought them up as a shining example of why to think positive about the current roster and not worry so much about the lack of fresh talent being added to it. So it kind of seems that most everyone is missing the point that I was trying to make.

Am I saying that Harris and Stewart suck and I'd like to have them removed from the team? NO! Absolutely not! I'm simply saying that any time there is a chance to add kids that COULD (stress COULD, because we simply don't know yet) turn out to be better players or better contributors than what you currently have....I think you HAVE TO do it! The thought of sitting back and hoping that last year's team improves is not exactly a real enthusiastic or uplifting idea. Sure, players generally improve as they gain experience and continue on through the process....but the Rob Lock types that make dramatic improvements from the time they stepped foot on campus until the time they left are definitely the exception and not the rule. I doubt that the Dukes and North Carolinas and Lousivilles and UCLAs, etc., etc. of the world and their fan base sit back and get excited about a barely over .500 team's returning players. I'm sure they're looking for new players and a potential upgrade of overall talent....and that's the point I was trying to make. Not to bank on current guys improving to the point where 18-13 is 27-6 with a Final Four appearance waiting n the wings....

[RCS]

^^^True but neither is adding Sutton or McCoy going to turn us into a Final 4 team. We are a couple of years away still unless we somehow get a monster 2009 class. There are guys left that will contribute but there is not a program changer out there other than maybe Majok but that will not be next year but his SO or JR year if he is still around. I think 2010 is going to be an unbelievable year for recruiting and I expect us to have a top 5 class. BCG will have had 4 years to recruit and has a ton of scholarships available. Plus we already have 2 solid recruits who both may end up being McAA.