Who else in 2010 do the Cats get?

[crazzedcats22]

I posted this in the Payne thread but wanted to get opinions from everyone.

Not going to lie, it is starting to bother me that so many players that have UK at the top of their lists are going elsewhere. Barton, Irving, Payne (possibly), Yacoubou (2011), etc.....

I know people will say Barton went to Memphis because they are taking his brother, Irving was always a Duke lean, etc.... That's not the point. I'm trying to figure out who we can get.

At this point I am wondering who else the Cats will get for 2010. Knight is questionable at best, I don't think we get Lamb or Harris, I think Leslie is going to NC State. Maybe Selby, maybe Jones.

A class of Poole, Selby, and Jones would be very good. I just don't see a lot of possible commits to UK coming from the top 50 players, based on who's left that has not committed.

I'm not questioning Cal at all on this, just trying to see what other's think and who else is out there that we can get.

[Will Lavender]

Originally Posted by crazzedcats22

Not going to lie, it is starting to bother me that so many players that have UK at the top of their lists are going elsewhere.

Other than Barton, this isn't happening.

If you look at the time we've been recruiting these players, our top priorities have been Knight, Lamb, Selby, Leslie, Payne, Harris, Jones--all still on the board. For the longest time we weren't in on Irving as it appeared he was IU-bound; his recruitment fell away for weeks before it picked back up.

I think we get three of the players above. If we lose Payne, which I think we will, then this week with Terrence Jones is important. Jones has maybe the most upside of anyone in this class.

[Will Lavender]

Originally Posted by crazzedcats22

A class of Poole, Selby, and Jones would be very good. I just don't see a lot of possible commits to UK coming from the top 50 players, based on who's left that has not committed.

They're going to have to be, because we really aren't in with anyone else.

This isn't going to be a situation where the staff loses out on these players then goes off and signs a couple of 3-star players. Those days are over. I expect us maybe to get in with a player or two in the winter because Knight and Selby are going to stretch it that long, but we aren't going to miss out on all these guys. Not going to happen.

[UKDonkbet]

Originally Posted by Will Lavender

They're going to have to be, because we really aren't in with anyone else.

This isn't going to be a situation where the staff loses out on these players then goes off and signs a couple of 3-star players. Those days are over. I expect us maybe to get in with a player or two in the winter because Knight and Selby are going to stretch it that long, but we aren't going to miss out on all these guys. Not going to happen.

Man I hope you are right. I've had the same feelings as the OP. I know thats unfair to Coach and his staff

[wildcat_lover]

I must admit, Ive been a bit concerned myself, but then again, who am I to question coach Cal after he just put together the greatest class in UK and possibly NCAA history? I believe we get Selby or Knight, and I think we'll land Harris. Harris loved his trip to UK, his brother and the rest of his family had a great time, and they love the area of the country. I think it comes down to us and Syracuse for Harris, and we win. Also, I believe we get CJ Leslie, and maybe jones.

Stacey Poole
Brandon Knight/Josh Selby
Tobias Harris
CJ Leslie
Jones(maybe)

Call me optomistic, call me crazy. But after we hired coach cal, I would have called MYSELF crazy if I had thought we'd be landing

John Wall
Demarcus Cousins
Eric Bledsoe
Darnell Dodson

along with retaining

Hood and
Orton

[Will Lavender]

Originally Posted by wildcat_lover

I must admit, Ive been a bit concerned myself, but then again, who am I to question coach Cal after he just put together the greatest class in UK and possibly NCAA history? I believe we get Selby or Knight, and I think we'll land Harris. Harris loved his trip to UK, his brother and the rest of his family had a great time, and they love the area of the country. I think it comes down to us and Syracuse for Harris, and we win. Also, I believe we get CJ Leslie, and maybe jones.

That would be maybe the #1 class even with what Duke's doing. Amazing class if you look at the caliber of those players.

I think we get:

Selby
Leslie
Harris

Add one, maybe two others that we're not in on yet as it becomes clear that we've got a couple of one-and-dones. You add those players to what we'll have coming back, and you have the makings of another top 10 team.

[KCKUKFan]

I still think we land five:

Stacey Poole
Tobias Harris
C.J. Leslie/Terrance Jones
Brandon Knight/Josh Selby
Doron Lamb (yes, Doron Lamb)

[True'N'Blue]

I'm honestly not nervous. I don't think we need an amazing class like this year. We are going to have great Players returning and unlike this season, they will know the system. I think having a good class next season, we can still be a contender. It would still be great to get these top recruits though

[Soldier1969]

Really tough to follow the first year of recruiting - face it, we'd like to have the top recruiting class each year, especially with the displayed demeanor to this point in the season - I am very happy with the young men on our team thus far.

Will, I think you'r right, and if we get those three young men (Selby, Leslie, Harris) we will have another great team next year.

Bottom line is Coach Calipari came in smoking hot, has done a great job recruiting and an outstanding PR job as well. We do have to exercise a little patience, the KY school name is somewhat of a new idea to many of the young men we are recruiting. Coach is trying to restore the UK brand.

[JWORLD]

Right now, im concerned about a point guard and a big man first and foremost.Im hoping that Pilgrim leaving doesn't come back to bite us and im also hoping that in case we don't land a point guard, Deandre Liggins will be up to task next year.............

[KillerKyshirts]

Does anybody else smell a transfer coming for Liggins?

[Bluesong]

Originally Posted by KillerKyshirts

Does anybody else smell a transfer coming for Liggins?

Good point. And welcome to WCN.

[crazzedcats22]

Originally Posted by KillerKyshirts

Does anybody else smell a transfer coming for Liggins?

Yeah, I was shocked he came back this year. I will be even more shocked if he makes it through the year

[KY Coal by Armbar]

I hope we can land Terrence Jones and CJ Leslie with Stacey Poole. I wouldn't shed a tear losing Brandon Knight or Josh Selby. I figure Bledsoe, Dodson and Miller (Liggins, too?) will be more than enough to ignite the DDMO.

[BGKatFan]

Really people, dont stress out. There are a lot of good recruits left, including Knight and Leslie who have UK at the top. We will be fine, just like this year when we went from a just better than average class to the best class in the last few minutes.

[Will Lavender]

Originally Posted by KY Coal by Armbar

I hope we can land Terrence Jones and CJ Leslie with Stacey Poole. I wouldn't shed a tear losing Brandon Knight or Josh Selby. I figure Bledsoe, Dodson and Miller (Liggins, too?) will be more than enough to ignite the DDMO.

We have to have a guard in this class with Wall leaving. And we will get at least one, I think.

For Cal to have three straight one-and-done point guards and then not sign one guard in this entire class? That's just not going to happen. You don't win in college basketball without great guards. That's the entire key to the DDMO's success.

[KY Coal by Armbar]

Originally Posted by Will Lavender

You don't win in college basketball without great guards. That's the entire key to the DDMO's success.

Good point. Will Bledsoe be one and done as well? He could be but his goals are difficult to read at the moment.

Outside of Knight and Selby, who is both an elite point guard and available?

[Will Lavender]

Originally Posted by KY Coal by Armbar

Good point. Will Bledsoe be one and done as well? He could be but his goals are difficult to read at the moment.

Outside of Knight and Selby, who is both an elite point guard and available?

Hard to imagine Bledsoe being one and done. Definitely has pro potential with his athletic ability and speed, but you don't see many 5'10"/5'11" guys jumping to the NBA early. Especially not when they're playing alongside a guy who's goig to dominate the ball.

The only other guard outside of Knight and Selby is Doron Lamb, but he's a combo. Looks like the staff has put all their chips in with those three guys, and it's hard to imagine them striking out.

[KY Coal by Armbar]

I agree but I fear Bledsoe will shine just as bright as Wall in this offense. His height is about the only criticsm you can give him.

It would be terrific if Cal can sign either Knight or Selby but, wow, can he bat 1.000 with point guards 4 years in a row?

[Blue_N_White]

Originally Posted by KY Coal by Armbar

I agree but I fear Bledsoe will shine just as bright as Wall in this offense. His height is about the only criticsm you can give him.

It would be terrific if Cal can sign either Knight or Selby but, wow, can he bat 1.000 with point guards 4 years in a row?

But his height is HUGE in terms of what NBA GM's look for.

Chris Paul, currently THE BEST PG IN THE NBA....left after his Sophomore season. And he's a couple of inches taller than Eric.

Ty Lawson, arguably the best COLLEGE PG the past few seasons...and the same height as Eric...left after his Junior year.

Allen Iverson, considered to be THE BEST combo guard during his college days, and a good inch or so taller than Eric....didn't declare for the NBA draft until after his Sophomore season.

The track record for 6' and under guys leaving early isn't that great. And Eric probably wouldn't leave early unless Cal gives him the green light, and thinks that he stands a good chance of being a lottery pick. So I think that everyone should rest easy, and not worry about Eric leaving after his freshman season.

As for Knight or Selby...I really think we land one of them. May not be until the Spring, and until it's apparent to all that John Wall will be leaving for the NBA...but I'm still betting it happens.