Emphasis on D Hurt Recruiting Guys Like BW?

[T75]

When namerecruits like BW list UK up there among their leaders yet continue to add other leaders such as BW seems to be doing with Duke, it gets me to wondering why so many topbig guys can't just settle on UK to begin with.

I don't know of another major program that has such a great difference of emphasis----defense over offense. And for the 'name' guys who think they'll spend a year in college and then into the NBA, they know their chances are much better if they score 20 points/game as opposed to getting 3 blocks/game and scoring only 8.

[Trueblujr]

If Brandon Wright thinks he will not have to play defense or will be able to step onto Dukes floor and start as a freshman and average 20 points doing so, he has another thing coming.Duke has a whole bunch of All-Americans in front of BW.

[Will Lavender]

There is an emphasis of defense over offense at Kentucky, but it's over-exagerrated by some fans. We have consistently been one of the best offensive teams in the conference under Tubby Smith; we are not offensive slouches in any way, shape, or form.

The reason our players score "only 8" a game, as you say, is that Tubby plays everybody on his bench. He'll play 10, 11, sometimes 12 people. That's unheard of with big-time programs. Look at Duke and Roy Williams' Kansas and UNC teams. Duke consistently plays 6 guys; same with Williams' teams.

When you're playing so many guys, the individual offensive numbers are going to shrink. Kelenna Azubuike on most every other D1 team would be a 17-20 ppg performer; for UK, he's around 13. That has to do with MINUTES and not Tubby's offensive philosophy.

[Caveman Catfan]

For a kid that has the offensive game to run the floor in the NBA, learning defense under Tubby will have a major impact on his contributions at the next level. Trying to learn good defense in the NBA is a difficult task. Going to the NBA with defensive skills permits the rest to fall into place.

An NBA coach can be assured that a kid from a Tubby coached UK team will be hard nosed, will understand team help defense, and will give you an intensity on the end of the floor that wins championships. Nuff said.

[UKHAS7NCAA]

Tell this same scenario to Tayshaun Prince. Thanks God Tubby taught him defense at UK. Otherwise, he would be the player he is today in the NBA.

[CrowdControl]

T75 wrote: When namerecruits like BW list UK up there among their leaders yet continue to add other leaders such as BW seems to be doing with Duke, it gets me to wondering why so many topbig guys can't just settle on UK to begin with.

I don't know of another major program that has such a great difference of emphasis----defense over offense. And for the 'name' guys who think they'll spend a year in college and then into the NBA, they know their chances are much better if they score 20 points/game as opposed to getting 3 blocks/game and scoring only 8.

have you seen Brandan play and know what kind of kid he is>?

No, and I dont mean reading about him... I MEAN have YOU seen HIM play?

If you havent... then I would suggest retracting this statement.

1. Brandan has been a UK for a long time, you think he doesnt know that UK is defense first...???

2.Tubby has been recruiting (well Reggie made first contact, but you get the idea) Brandan longer than anyone.

3. Brandan plays SUCH team focused ball, it isnt even funny, he passes and defends and rebounds in a team atmosphere AT THE EXPENSE of his stats. (that is why the number thing in your comment isnt true).

4. The coaches at BA tell him to be more assertive sometimes...because he tends to be NOT the other way... selfish to get his teammates more involved.



So again, I ask, why the negativity> Are you trying to figure out why an upstanding person, great kid, who is doing the recruiting thing the RIGHT way... is taking his time, and you think because he is he is becoming wishy-washy on UK?