Cal going after Cory Joseph

[crazzedcats22]

Is Cal getting greedy and wants all the 5 star guards or is he worried about Knight and Selby?

I am loving this year, but I have said several times (and still feel) that I have some pretty big worries for the 2010 class.

http://www.zagsblog.com/2010/02/24/calipari-making-a-run-at-cory-joseph/

[Will Lavender]

It is interesting. Not sure what it means, really. Could mean nothing other than this is a kid who's out there and unsigned. Could mean he wants at least two of these guys in case Bledsoe leaves...

I heard Minnesota was in very tight with Joseph because he's got a relative playing there. If it comes down to UK/Minn., I like our chances.

[Blue_N_White]

It is interesting. Not sure what it means, really. Could mean nothing other than this is a kid who's out there and unsigned. Could mean he wants at least two of these guys in case Bledsoe leaves...

Could also mean that Cal has recognized the fact that he needs to add some pure SHOOTERS to the team :shrug1:

YouTube- 6'2 Cory Joseph Highlight Reel; Dunk On Kid / 35 Points

[crazzedcats22]

Article from scout.com about this situation

http://scouthoops.scout.com/2/948915.html

[Blue_N_White]

Article from scout.com about this situation

http://scouthoops.scout.com/2/948915.html

The author states kind of what I thought. It "might" be for leverage (with other current potential recruits)...and it "might" be because Cal likes Joseph, and thinks he could really be a player for the Cats (as highly rated as he is nationally, I think we all know that already, though). It might also be a bit of a "fall-back plan" in case Knight, Selby and Lamb all go elsewhere. Who knows. It might be a bit of all of the above.

[UKcatXXXL]

certainly a great recruiting trip indeed

as for the pg situation, you would think the unsigned point guards (2010 class) would want to go to a program that has a legit chance at a national title and get groomed in the best fashion possible for the next level

Calipari and Kentucky offer both BETTER than any other program in the country....without question

:thumbup:

[Soldier1969]

I believe this is an indication that Coach believes Eric is going to enter the draft this year.....I wouldn't expect he'd have two shorter guards on the roster. What does Cory's ranking look like?

[Blue_N_White]

I believe this is an indication that Coach believes Eric is going to enter the draft this year.....I wouldn't expect he'd have two shorter guards on the roster.

I don't necessarily think so. First off, Joseph is listed as 6'3"...the same height as Derrick Rose, Stephon Curry, etc., and only an inch shorter than John Wall.

Second, some of THE BEST young guards in the game are "shorter" guards. Look at guys like Ty Lawson (5'11"), Brandon Jennings (6'1"), Darren Collison (6'1"), etc. Just look at Eric Bledsoe....they LIST him as 6'1"...but I'd be surprised if he's actually 6' even!

Remember how excited we all were that the 6'6" DeAndre Liggins was going to be our Point Guard? Well, that didn't turn out so great. Two guys currently on our roster that are several inches shorter than DeAndre have turned out to be much better guards. They have a lower center of gravity, are generally much quicker, and being that much closer to the floor (in terms of dribbling, etc.) actually helps guards. That's why the shorter guards are usually much better ball handlers....and you don't see many guys 6'6" and above bringing the ball up court very often.

Besides...we NEED the guard depth! We are LOADED with wing players and Small Forward types...but not in the backcourt (Wall and Bledsoe really are all we have!). So even if Eric stayed next year...we could really use (at least) TWO true guards to add to the roster rather than just one!

What does Cory's ranking look like?

RIVALS: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Cory-Joseph-84075 (5 Star, rated #7 overall/#3 for PG)

SCOUT: http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=8&c=1&nid=3713384 (5 Star, rated #22 overall, #6 for PG...but rated ahead of where they have Terrence Jones overall)

ESPN: http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/player?recruitId=44395&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncb %2frecruiting%2ftracker%2fplayer%3frecruitId%3d443 95 (a grade of 96.....rated as the 21st best prospect overall, #5 for PG)

[Soldier1969]

B_N_W, thanks for the reply and the links. You are right with the lower center of gravity (shorter) it is harder to guard against them.

The third link shows he really likes to take the ball in and also looks like he has pretty good form shooting the jumper. Thanks once again for the reply

[wildcatdon]

I saw Corey play against Kyrie Irving and Gilchrist and I was impressed. I would like to have him..I have heard some rumblings about Bledsoe leaving, and it might not have to do with basketball..

[UKcatXXXL]

I saw Corey play against Kyrie Irving and Gilchrist and I was impressed. I would like to have him..I have heard some rumblings about Bledsoe leaving, and it might not have to do with basketball..


I just read on another board about what you are referring to - Bledsoe leaving for the NBA for non-basketball reasons

though I do not know what exactly those reasons are

I think Cal would LIKE to bring in 2 point guards if Bledsoe is in fact leaving

Knight or Selby and Joseph........?

2 point guards certainly has not abated our success this year :widcat:

[Blue_N_White]

I think many of our fans mistakenly think that "Cal + Kentucky = getting whatever player we want".

I think Cal realizes that's not going to happen.

So....he's simply planning. He's going to have 5 or 6 available scholarships/roster spots to fill next year....and as of now, he only has one commitment (Stacey Poole). It's not a sure thing that Brandon Knight comes to UK. OR that Josh Selby will come to UK if Knight goes elsewhere. For all we know....Knight might go to Florida, Selby to Kansas, and Doron Lamb to Connecticut! So recruiting Cory Joseph just makes sense. He's a 5 star player and one of the top PGs in his class. PLUS....he has shooting guard range and form on his jumper...and the size and ability to play off the ball at the 2 guard. So recruiting 4 guards...knowing that 2 likely will go elsewhere....when you're wanting 2 when it's all said and done...is just the smart thing to do. And I'm personally hoping that Eric Bledsoe returns....so that we have a three guard rotation next year...like we have the three big man rotation with Cousins, Patterson and Orton this year.

[matt colvin]

I think many of our fans mistakenly think that "Cal + Kentucky = getting whatever player we want".


:thumbup: And this is coming from somebody who does this all of the time!

[SLegend]

With the impending lockout in 2011 I don't doubt that Bledsoe leaves this year.

Though I hope he stays.