Had this discussion today and thought I'd ask your thoughts

[catfeverintennessee]

We were having a discussion today about players and who we should be recruiting. This person I was talking with mentioned that over the years UK has gotten alot of flack about not recruiting Instate players. NowUK wasgetting moreinstate players based mainly on that fact and not necessarily their talent whileother schools were getting AllAmericans whether they were instate or not. He said that was part of our recruiting problems and player problems. He could not quote me actual stats so I tried to look this up on a few schools. (Note:computer really acted up when I clicked on UofL and Duke sites;)) Anyway, here is what I found on a few instate players but could not find or did not know where to find All American info.

6 of NC players are from NC
1 of Duke's players are from NC
2 of UofL's players are from KY
6 of UK's players are from KY

He asked me which I would rather have--- Instate player or an AllAmerican? So I am asking you. Any truth to his theory? Which would you rather have? Hometown local/instate boy who always dreamed of coming to UK or the AllAmerican from out of state?:question:question

[scathendo]

best players (attitude, athleticism, b-ball iq) we can get for the postitions we need to fill regardless of where they come from.

[catfeverintennessee]

scathendo wrote: best players (attitude, athleticism, b-ball iq) we can get for the postitions we need to fill regardless of where they come from.
Thanks. That was my answer as well. This guy likes to act like he knows everything there is to know about basketball. (well..., ok about everything!:?) So my when my answer was not what he thought, he wanted to argue his point. Just thoughtI would ask you all if he had any validity in his theory.

[bigjeep]

State breakdown of ranked players...what state is missing? (http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=525798)

[bret1555]

The reality in the last few years is that KY is simply NOT deep with basketball talent. Think about it, Brandon Stockton was a Mr. Kentucky B-Ball. . . Everyone can yell about Lofton all they want, but thetruth is he is really an anomaly. The Tick Rogers of the basketball world will not keep UK at the top (or put us back there). We need the BEST that we can get at an available position.

That being said, one thing I do like about Tubby is that he has traditionally had quite a few homeboys on his teams. Pitino never had the biggest KY presence on his squads. Maybe that's why they were so talented.

[Omega16]

I think most boys that grow up in the Commonwealth dream of putting that blue and white jersey on and playing in Rupp. I know I did. I managed to play in Rupp in the high school sweet sixteen, and all that did was wet my palate. It is truly a dream, and when that dream becomes reality for those like Stockton and Sparks, there is nothing better for them or the University. The team is an extension of the only state University. As such, IMO, there needs to be a spot or two reserved for those very deserving Kentucky boys that show the McD's what it is from time to time to play with heart and compassion.

[Stretch]

This discussion is moot until the state of Kentucky actually produces any players with the talent to play big time college basketball. This state is in the throes of a talent drought that is unprecedented in my lifetime. UK, unlike programs like Texas and Michigan State, currently has no home recruiting base whatsoever and that recruiting handicap is difficult to overcome.

[audacious1]

Any legitimate discussion should be using percentages, not raw numbers. Population does matter.

And... have you forgotten about Chris Lofton? 8^)

[bret1555]

Tre Pryor wrote: Any legitimate discussion should be using percentages, not raw numbers. Population does matter.

And... have you forgotten about Chris Lofton? 8^)



Yeah, yeah. . . I have heard about Chris Lofton over and over again. . . For every Lofton in KY, there have been 5 Mr. Basketball winners like Tick Rogers. Anyone who says that they saw how good Chris Lofton would be at the next level is either incredibly prescient, or simply a "johnny-come-lately."

OVERALL B-ball talent in the Commonwealth is simply not very good. Period.

[Stretch]

Population may matter but Kentucky and Alabama have about the same population and on this list, Alabama produced 18 ranked players to Kentucky's measley three.