Bledsoe skips UK visit

[crazzedcats22]

seems like his interest in UK may be over. He visited Cincy instead. Don't really blame the kid, we all knew he was the #2 choice behind Wall. Just hope we get Wall otherwise Bledsoe could have been a great PG for the Cats.

http://new.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=17332

[TrueBlue]

Hopefully UK gets Wall. Putting all the baskets into one egg.

[KCKUKFan]

Hopefully UK gets Wall. Putting all the baskets into one egg.

The only difference is now we actually have a coach who knows how to close the deal.

[supertroy18]

This kid is so good too. He probably will be a three or four-year starter too. I think we missed big on this guy. I REALLY hope we get Wall now.

Honestly, I don't remember that this much has ridden on one recruit in a long time. MAYBE PPat, but not since Mash, (I think) have we needed a specific guy so much to possibly make or break a season.

[KCKUKFan]

This kid is so good too. He probably will be a three or four-year starter too. I think we missed big on this guy. I REALLY hope we get Wall now.

Honestly, I don't remember that this much has ridden on one recruit in a long time. MAYBE PPat, but not since Mash, (I think) have we needed a specific guy so much to possibly make or break a season.

Not getting him won't make or break the entire season.

It will, however, be the difference between sweet sixteen and legitimate championship contender.

[supertroy18]

Not getting him won't make or break the entire season.

It will, however, be the difference between sweet sixteen and legitimate championship contender.


Right. He might not be the difference between us losing every game and going undefeated; but being a possible championship contender IS making or breaking a season.

[matt colvin]

Bledsoe isn't out of the picture yet.

[Josh]

I wonder if these players talk to each other enough to know what schools they may attend? Bledsoe knew that Wall was our go-to guy, but if he doesn't come then Bledsoe is the guy and he could flourish at UK instantly. I just wonder if he has been in talks with Wall about what he is going to do? I know I would.

[PJ]

Exactly as Matt said, there's more to the story than most people know.

[crazzedcats22]

Exactly as Matt said, there's more to the story than most people know.

Care to share?

Sure seems like everything I am reading says that Bledsoe was tired of waiting for UK and Cal to offer so he is going elsewhere.

[matt colvin]

^ Had more to do with the situation, less to do with Eric.

He obviously can't wait forever, but he'll come if we want him and have room for him.

[Jody Porter]

Premium info, so it'd be against board rules to share here. Suffice to say, no need to panic over this last-minute change of plans to visit UC.

[PJ]

Yup, needless to say it wasn't anything Eric could control...

[MrBigShot_23]

Premium info, so it'd be against board rules to share here. Suffice to say, no need to panic over this last-minute change of plans to visit UC.
Oh, come on. :icon_rolleyes:

We've got no whistle-blowers around here, except for maybe the odd Louisville/Memphis fan. ;)

[PJ]

Well, "Premium Info" can be considered rumors by people. I agree by all means until I see a link, but I put faith into the info I get.


WCN isn't fond of "rumors" and I'm glad they are. Over on TCP things are crazy when one posts a rumor.

[KYStout]

Premium info, so it'd be against board rules to share here. Suffice to say, no need to panic over this last-minute change of plans to visit UC.

:shrug1:

[Blue_N_White]

Here's the "downside" to all of this:

Sounds like Wall doesn't know what he wants to do. Sounds like he may take his time before announcing his intentions....and that this could draw out with Wall until very late in the signing period.

Which means, that IF Bledsoe really wants to come to Kentucky...he'll have to wait. And asking him to wait until the very end seems a little bit unrealistic.

Of course we are ALL impatient...and want to know what's happening and what's going to happen before it happens. But the best case scenario...would obviously be for UK to land one OR the other. Missing out on both would be a pretty big blow. So if Wall is going to come, or even if he isn't going to come, I hope that he announces his intentions sometime fairly soon. The longer that HIS decision draws out....the greater the risk increases to lose out on Bledsoe as well.....

[supertroy18]

Here's the "downside" to all of this:

Sounds like Wall doesn't know what he wants to do. Sounds like he may take his time before announcing his intentions....and that this could draw out with Wall until very late in the signing period.

Which means, that IF Bledsoe really wants to come to Kentucky...he'll have to wait. And asking him to wait until the very end seems a little bit unrealistic.

Of course we are ALL impatient...and want to know what's happening and what's going to happen before it happens. But the best case scenario...would obviously be for UK to land one OR the other. Missing out on both would be a pretty big blow. So if Wall is going to come, or even if he isn't going to come, I hope that he announces his intentions sometime fairly soon. The longer that HIS decision draws out....the greater the risk increases to lose out on Bledsoe as well.....


That's what I am afraid of as well. I honestly think Cal wouldn't lose out on both. I actually think he won't even lose out on Wall. I think he will be coming to UK, but if he doesn't, then I think we get Bledsoe. I do agree though. To lose out on both would be darn-near catastrophic.

[Jody Porter]

Based on A LOT of reading (too much, some would say :icon_neutral:) over the past few days, I too am convinced that don't get Bledsoe. That said, that very same reading leaves me VERY confident in how we stand with Wall. Just hope we don't mess up and miss out on both. Unlikely, but still very, very possible. Bledsoe is an AWESOME plan B, so good, in fact, that I don't think he takes too kindly to being anybody's plan B.

I'm ready for some dominos to start falling. :5x:widcat:

[crazzedcats22]

On Matt Jones's live blog....Bomani (from No Carolina) is making it sound like he is pretty sure Wall is headed to UNC. I hope that's not the case and we miss out on Bledsoe as well. :icon_frown:

[westtncat]

Don't know if there is a way around it but we should not really say anyone is our #2 choice. Bledsoe would be just as good to me as Wall. Wall is probably more talented but he might be one and done. Bledsoe might stay longer. I don't think most kids read this site anyway but you never know. If there is a way and Im sure there is I hope coach Cal doesn't ever tell a kid your our second choice.

[JohnJ]

Well, "Premium Info" can be considered rumors by people. I agree by all means until I see a link, but I put faith into the info I get.


WCN isn't fond of "rumors" and I'm glad they are. Over on TCP things are crazy when one posts a rumor.

Here is a link on Bledsoe's non-visit to UK. Scroll down a little at the link.

http://memphisroar.com/2009/04/monday-rundown/

[Will Lavender]

On Matt Jones's live blog....Bomani (from No Carolina) is making it sound like he is pretty sure Wall is headed to UNC. I hope that's not the case and we miss out on Bledsoe as well. :icon_frown:

Bomani's reasoning for saying that was "Wall has told everybody that UNC is his dream school."

If it were such a "dream school," then he's sure taken his time making his decision to sign on with them.

Not sure I buy that.

[bluecat406]

There were also rumors posted on the live blog that one possibility of the change of Bledsoe's plans was....

That Calipari got a good indication from Wall that he would commit to UK, and Bledsoe was kind of blown off and that's why he didn't visit.

Yeah, sounds far fetched, right?

Matt Jones stated that he had heard something similar from one of the big time boosters of the program...so who knows? :shrug1:

[Terry623]

How much of this process is the basking in the spotlight versus making a decision, from the player's point of view. Not picking on any player(s) but I find it odd at this stage of the game that a recruit's list is growing and not shrinking. :shrug1:

I know we went through this with Patterson & others, and will do so going forward...just glad it's not my job to recruit. I'm simply not that patient!!:big_grin:

[crazzedcats22]

Bomani's reasoning for saying that was "Wall has told everybody that UNC is his dream school."

If it were such a "dream school," then he's sure taken his time making his decision to sign on with them.

Not sure I buy that.

Not that I disagree with you but I am reading the Wall to UNC at a lot of other places as well.

This kid's list has changed 50 times over the last few months.

[Cat-Fan-in-LVille]

Does anyone else smell a rat here? The article posted says that Mick Cronin was involved with keeping Bledsoe from visiting UK, and instead diverted him to UC.

[Will Lavender]

Not that I disagree with you but I am reading the Wall to UNC at a lot of other places as well.

This kid's list has changed 50 times over the last few months.

Oh it wouldn't surprise me if he ended up at UNC. Wouldn't surprise me at all.

I'm just pointing out that the recruitment has been bizarre if UNC is indeed his "dream school." Wall simply hasn't gone about this whole thing if that were truly the case.

And Bomani went on to say that Wall wants to play for a winner, and DeMarcus Cousins's performance in the Nike Hoops Summit may have turned him off and made him want to play in Carolina.

Sorry, but that's just...silly.

[JMBluechip]

Considering that PG is our highest priority by a mile, I think Cal has a good grasp of the situation. He knows something that we do not. If he wanted Bledsoe, there is no way he allows him to be 75 miles from campus and not take a visit. Coach Cal has got a good handle on it.

[crazzedcats22]

Oh it wouldn't surprise me if he ended up at UNC. Wouldn't surprise me at all.

I'm just pointing out that the recruitment has been bizarre if UNC is indeed his "dream school." Wall simply hasn't gone about this whole thing if that were truly the case.

And Bomani went on to say that Wall wants to play for a winner, and DeMarcus Cousins's performance in the Nike Hoops Summit may have turned him off and made him want to play in Carolina.

Sorry, but that's just...silly.

I agree, that's a ridiculously stupid comment.

I just hope that we didn't pass on a great player in Bledsoe and then miss out on Wall as well.

PG is the one position we are in desperate need of a very quality player.

[UFGrant]

I just hope that we didn't pass on a great player in Bledsoe and then miss out on Wall as well.

This is why recruiting is maddening and I tend to stay away from it.

[billoliver40]

^^^^
It seems like I read an article on Bledsoe that said he was really happy that Florida and Billy Donovan had been recruiting him from the go. It appears Florida is one of the few schools that did not say 'if John Wall won't sign, you're our guy'.

[ChuckBeav31]

I would much rather have Bledsoe over Wall strictly because I think Wall is one and done, and Bledsoe will be a 3 year guy. Both can make impacts in their first season. Bledsoe seems to be a pass first guy, IMO.

[Blue_N_White]

I would much rather have Bledsoe over Wall strictly because I think Wall is one and done, and Bledsoe will be a 3 year guy. Both can make impacts in their first season. Bledsoe seems to be a pass first guy, IMO.

I'd like to see John Wall sign with the Cats. No doubt.

But truthfully....at this point, I'd also be perfectly fine with Xavier Henry and Eric Bledsoe being added to the '09 class. A class of:

Xavier Henry
DeMarcus Cousins
Daniel Orton
Jon Hood
Eric Bledsoe

looks pretty freakin' good to me!!! If Wall wants to come, then by all means I'd be ecstatic with that!!! I just know that I would also be perfectly fine with adding Henry and Bledsoe and calling it a day as well.....

[Stare]

Bledsoe is an awesome player, but he is definetly more "pass-first" than Wall. Which might be a good thing when the rest of your lineup is Meeks, Patterson, Cousins, and Miller.

I think Bledsoe would've already committed to Florida if he wasn't waiting on someone else.

[Tom Blevins]

There are no guarantees in recruiting. In that way, it's a lot like life. I would have no problem with Coach calipari offering Bledsoe a scholarship and saying if he signs we will recruit no onher point guard this year. I don't think that would make him a lock for us though, and it could cause Wall to remove Kentucky from consideration if the news became public. For example, Bledsoe signs with Florida and says something like, "Kentucky offered me, and told me they would quit recruiting Wall if I signed with them." Wall hears about this and thinks, "I guess Calipari doesn't want me all that much. I'd better play for good ol' Roy Williams."
Of course all this is just speculation on my part. I'm glad I don't have to make a living off trying to figure out what 18 year olds are thinking.