Play Like Kansas

[Will Lavender]

We're going to look a lot like Kansas. That's what one recently-signed recruit says Billy Gillispie told him during his recruitment.

(I'm keeping this vague because it comes from a premium interview from another site.)

Good news. I thought Kansas was just punishing last year. Of course you have to have big-time talent to play at that level, but it does show that the "style" we employed last year was a byproduct of our numbers and talent.

[jdeasy]

We're going to look a lot like Kansas. That's what one recently-signed recruit says Billy Gillispie told him during his recruitment.

(I'm keeping this vague because it comes from a premium interview from another site.)

Good news. I thought Kansas was just punishing last year. Of course you have to have big-time talent to play at that level, but it does show that the "style" we employed last year was a byproduct of our numbers and talent.



Here you go;;http://kentucky.rivals.com/ Go to the Jon Hood interview.

[Will Lavender]

Here you go;;http://kentucky.rivals.com/ Go to the Jon Hood interview.

Not sure non-subscribers can view it.

[matt colvin]

works for me

[Will Lavender]

works for me

Great then. :thumbup:

Highly recommended viewing for all Cats fans.

"I believe everything Coach Gillispie says."

[matt colvin]

Man, what a listen. Must listen, sounds like an intelligent young man too! Who finished second in 3A state high jump this year as well :icon_mrgreen: (6'-6")

[jdeasy]

Man, what a listen. Must listen, sounds like an intelligent young man too! Who finished second in 3A state high jump this year as well :icon_mrgreen: (6'-6")


They are quite a family. I'm proud to say they are good friends of mine. Both of Jon's parents were former D-1 players. Kelly was probably the first big women's star for Madisonville North.

Jon could very well grow quite a bit more. His Dad is 6'7" and Mom is 6'1". His Dad was an awesome player. A 6'7' that could put the ball on the floor and shoot from outside. He was also a high flyer back in the day.

[matt colvin]

Thanks for the background, jdeasy. I'm a strong believer in strong bloodlines, :icon_mrgreen: (well they sure can't hurt! :thumbup:).

Anyways, I commented in the first mentioning of his high-jump placing that high-jump also requires a lot of good body control, and I've often read that Jon still needs to develop his body to really utilize his talents at a UK level. Well, high-jump and activities such as that will certainly help. Also, being able to do so well with yet another year to mature and grow bodes well for his future, imo. I need to make the effort to see him play in person :thumbup:

[jdeasy]

Thanks for the background, jdeasy. I'm a strong believer in strong bloodlines, :icon_mrgreen: (well they sure can't hurt! :thumbup:).

Anyways, I commented in the first mentioning of his high-jump placing that high-jump also requires a lot of good body control, and I've often read that Jon still needs to develop his body to really utilize his talents at a UK level. Well, high-jump and activities such as that will certainly help. Also, being able to do so well with yet another year to mature and grow bodes well for his future, imo. I need to make the effort to see him play in person :thumbup:


He has been well schooled by his parents and by another former North player that went on to become the D-2 POY under Pearl at USI. That's where the UT connection came into play. He has not had good coaching in high school. That changed dramatically for next season with North's hiring of Marty Cline. I believe Marty to be one of the finest high school coachs in Ky. Plus, Jon has a relationship with Marty because Marty was Jon's grade school coach a few years ago.

Jon needs to put on weight. He is trying to do that. It's just awfully hard to gain weight at that age for most active guys.

[Got_Billie_G?]

If the right guys sign (Orton, Wall) and Patterson stays, talent wise we will look a lot like KU.

[poodoo]

I loved how Hood said that the UK players, the players with whom he watched UK fotball games, were a part of his decision. KUDOS to our players, in addition to Coach G and his staff. :) Also, thanks for the link, jdeasy.

[billoliver40]

Looking like Kansas did last season ain't too shabby. Of course, I guess
you have to look at the history the coaches have, also....probably kinda
natural the teams would be similar.

A good run this year will really open things up even more as far as recruiting.

[sevenyearhawk]

I like it! :thumbup:

Hey, speaking of Kansas ... an ESPY vote would be GREATLY appreciated!

http://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2008/#

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

Didn't BG say one time that everything he does he learned from Bill Self ? somebody got a link/quote on that?

[matt colvin]

Didn't BG say one time that everything he does he learned from Bill Self ? somebody got a link/quote on that?

He's said something to the effect that Self was the person he learned the most from (obviously) and that he was a best friend of. He had a couple of other very close friends, and I imagine they played a role as well.

[Littlemeyer]

He has been well schooled by his parents and by another former North player that went on to become the D-2 POY under Pearl at USI. That's where the UT connection came into play. He has not had good coaching in high school. That changed dramatically for next season with North's hiring of Marty Cline. I believe Marty to be one of the finest high school coachs in Ky. Plus, Jon has a relationship with Marty because Marty was Jon's grade school coach a few years ago.

Jon needs to put on weight. He is trying to do that. It's just awfully hard to gain weight at that age for most active guys.

Marty Cline....played at UHA, didn't he? Seems I remember seeing him play in high school back in the late 80's/early 90's. They had a great battle with a scrappy Lyon County team in, I believe, the inaugural All-A classic.

Very off-topic. That UHA team was fun to watch. Sergio Luyk was one of the finest high school players I've ever had the pleasure to see in-person.

[jdeasy]

Marty Cline....played at UHA, didn't he? Seems I remember seeing him play in high school back in the late 80's/early 90's. They had a great battle with a scrappy Lyon County team in, I believe, the inaugural All-A classic.

Very off-topic. That UHA team was fun to watch. Sergio Luyk was one of the finest high school players I've ever had the pleasure to see in-person.


Yep, Marty played for UHA. On their State title team, I believe. I'm just going on memory on that one. Marty was a terrific player. He went to Morehead State and played for Dick Fick. Knee injuries hampered his college career, but, still got his degree. He was first hired out of college for Madisonville North where he was the assistant basketball coach for the varsity and coaached the freshman teams. He got offered the head coaching job back at UHA a few years ago and gladly took it as being what he thougt was his dream job.

He took UHA to two straight sweet sixteens in his time there. The problem he had there was that, in order to make a decent salary, he had to be the AD, the tennis coach and the softball coach in addition to basketball coach. He felt like he was working 24 hours a day. He was offered the girls head coaching job at Madisonville North with a "general" understanding that he could get the boy's job when/if it came open. He accepted that job and has coached the MNHHS girls until the boy's head coach was fianlly let go this spring. Marty has now been named the boy's head coach at MNHHS.

We did get off topic, but, you asked!