UK gets commitments from the #1 ranked player in the 2010 class AND the #1 ranked player in the 2011 class today!! Saddens me to say.

This has already been discussed on two threads.

All that talent, can't get out of the sweet 16.

All that talent, can't get out of the sweet 16.

Actually the Wildcats did get out of the Sweet 16. They lost an Elite 8 game to WVU.

What an idiot.

sleeper wrote: All that talent, can't get out of the sweet 16.

Okay, can you get me the rest of the 2011 tourney results so I can bet on it?

All signs point to Kentucky getting a commitment from 5-star SG Doron Lamb tomorrow at the Jordan Classic. On their way to the #1 class it appears.

enigmaax wrote:

sleeper wrote: All that talent, can't get out of the sweet 16.

Okay, can you get me the rest of the 2011 tourney results so I can bet on it?

If someone gives you Kentucky or the field, take the field. You will win, and you can take that to the bank.

Azubuike24 wrote: All signs point to Kentucky getting a commitment from 5-star SG Doron Lamb tomorrow at the Jordan Classic. On their way to the #1 class it appears.

So UK has commitments from Knight and Poole for next year's class right now. They're still in the running for Lamb, Leslie, Jones, and Ross also, correct? Will they have room for all those guys? Is there anyone else on their radar (other than Selby, who I heard was no longer being recruited by Calipari)? Which of those guys that I mentioned will most likely end up in Lexington? Sorry for all the questions, but keeping up with Cal's recruiting is a tough job...he seems to have a chance with just about everyone, which is obviously a good thing for UK.

Also, let me see if I have this correct. Wall, Cousins, Bledsoe, and Orton have declared. Patterson hasn't officially declared, but is likely gone. Stevenson and Harris are graduating, and Dodson is likely to transfer. That means that UK is potentially losing 8 players from last year's team. Is that accurate, or will it likely be less/more?

They do have Kanter committed as well. They are going to get Lamb.

They could still add Ross, Jones or Leslie, most likely only 2 of the 3. There is also talk of former Florida Gator Eloy Vargas.

Assuming everyone leaves (Wall and Cousins are already 100% gone), that leaves:

SENIORS
Josh Harrellson

JUNIORS
Darius Miller
DeAndre Liggins
Darnell Dodson

SOPHOMORES
Jon Hood

FRESHMEN
Stacey Poole
Enes Kanter
Brandon Knight
Doron Lamb

So that would be 9 scholarship players with the room for 4 more. Calipari said he prefers to have 11 on scholarship to run his practice/rotation, but since Harrellson isn't really someone who will see much time, I could see him going to 12 just to keep building for the future. Conceivably, that would mean 3 more players at the most assuming the 5 expected to return are still there.

There have been other rumors about Dodson and/or Hood not being back, but thus far, none of that is confirmed in any way.

Thanks for the rundown, Azubuike. Don't know how I forgot about Kanter.

It'll be interesting to see how things play out.

Josh Selby is about to announce. Hopefully it's Tennessee and not Kansas.

Doron Lamb will be announcing in the 2nd half. Hopefully that's UK

Josh Selby chooses Kansas over Tennessee. Perfect replacement for Sherron Collins.

Doron Lamb chooses UK. Knight and Lamb should make a really nice backcourt.

Az, you thinking we're gonna get Leslie, or is he gonna stay home?

Also, what kind of names have you heard from transfers and juco?

I'd rather have Jones over Leslie by far. Jones has the making of a superstar right away. Leslie would be a 2-3 year player, which is fine. Jones + Ross would be awesome though, especially if Dodson doesn't return.

I'd take Eloy Vargas though. The guy has played in the SEC and is another big body inside for depth. If this was next year's team, I'd be happy.

SENIORS - Josh Harrellson
JUNIORS - Darius Miller, DeAndre Liggins, Darnell Dodson, Eloy Vargas
SOPHOMORES - Jon Hood
FRESHMEN - Brandon Knight, Doron Lamb, Enes Kanter, Stacey Poole, C.J. Leslie

Not only would that class probably be #1, it really wouldn't have any potential one and dones except Kanter. This would be big heading into 2011 where it's possible UK could land a historic class and have 7 or 8 returning players back. That would be a team that would be a title favorite IMO.

Now there is a report out there that Michael Chandler might end up at Kentucky. This would almost guarantee that Teague goes to UK. Quincy Miller is already a UK lean. Tony Wroten said if his boys head to Lexington, it will be tough for him to not follow.

Teague
Wroten
Miller
Gilchrist
Chandler

This would be the best class in basketball history.

^^^

That 2011 class would be insane. With Calipari around, UK will never have to worry about a lack of talent. The man is a recruiting machine.

Azubuike24 wrote: Now there is a report out there that Michael Chandler might end up at Kentucky. This would almost guarantee that Teague goes to UK. Quincy Miller is already a UK lean. Tony Wroten said if his boys head to Lexington, it will be tough for him to not follow.

Teague
Wroten
Miller
Gilchrist
Chandler

This would be the best class in basketball history.

LMAO...lets not go overboard. These are all juniors currently. To say best class in history at this point is ridiculous.

Calipari is just unreal!

centralbucksfan wrote:

Azubuike24 wrote: Now there is a report out there that Michael Chandler might end up at Kentucky. This would almost guarantee that Teague goes to UK. Quincy Miller is already a UK lean. Tony Wroten said if his boys head to Lexington, it will be tough for him to not follow.

Teague
Wroten
Miller
Gilchrist
Chandler

This would be the best class in basketball history.

LMAO...lets not go overboard. These are all juniors currently. To say best class in history at this point is ridiculous.

It's way early, but we will see. There are people out there who consider Teague and Gilchrist the 2 best players in HS basketball right now.

If he didn't last year, I do think at some point Calipari does pull in what many might consider to be the best class of all time.

You look at the class he had this year, and what they were able to accomplish on a team that was mediocre before, and it's pretty remarkable.

Calipari will always be able to walk into a house and tell a recruit and his parents that he will get them ready for the NBA. And now that he has the resources and can wear UK on his shirt when he walks in the door, he will have tons of success.

thedynasty1998 wrote: If he didn't last year, I do think at some point Calipari does pull in what many might consider to be the best class of all time.

You look at the class he had this year, and what they were able to accomplish on a team that was mediocre before, and it's pretty remarkable.

Calipari will always be able to walk into a house and tell a recruit and his parents that he will get them ready for the NBA. And now that he has the resources and can wear UK on his shirt when he walks in the door, he will have tons of success.

First of all, there are at least 10 or more other coaches who can do the same when they walk into a living room. Lets be frank, do you honestly believe that Cal had THAT MUCH to do in terms of getting all his one and done ready for the NBA in the LESS then a year he had them.
Those guys, no matter where they went, would have been one and done, I have no doubt about that. He helped, but not near as much as people want to believe.
Secondly, what did that team accomplish this past year? Remarkable? They didn't make the final four...which IMO, was an underacheivement with the talent they had. I think ANY UK fan would say the same.
Lastly, there is no quesiton Cal can recruit. Can he coach? Thats the question. But as far as recruiting is concerned...I believe things will eventually level out. He is the new guy on the block at the traditional power. Similar to when Williams took over UNC. He was pulling in huge classes. He still is, but it has leveled off. Samething will eventually happen with Cal. Especially if he doesn't get a title or at least to the final four.

I think a major part of the allure of Calipari is the people he surrounds himself with. Celebrities, the biggest names in entertainment, the biggest names from various media outlets, etc...combine that with Kentucky's name, which is going to get them on television and covered by all of the major CBB media, it's the perfect storm for a player looking to get recognition.

Talent and NBA potential is certainly something that can rise and be developed, or dwindle over time, but with a lot of these guys, it's as much about marketing and recognition. Why do you think kids go to UNC, UK, KU, etc...they could easily go to other programs and have the same NBA prospects after the season. You have to also consider that many of these schools ARE the biggest game in town. UK basketball dominates the news in the state, whereas this isn't necessarily the case at a place like OSU, Texas, Florida, UCLA, etc.

Then again, I think what we are seeing in today's game with so many 1 and 2 year players is that many kids are taking the approach that they might as well try to win while they are in college. The days of players wanting to shy away from playing with other big-time recruits are almost gone, and the value of being on a great team and playing with other great talents is starting to become the trend. I think Cal and others are taking advantage of this and that's how these monster classes get created. Kids recruit their friends.

It's kind of interesting if you take a look at many of the huge recruits who went on their own to lesser-known schools to be "the man." How many of them worked out to having the impact they wanted? Just in the last few years...

Tiny Gallon, Oklahoma
Lance Stephenson, Cincinnati
Kenny Boynton, Florida
Willie Warren, Oklahoma
J'Mison Morgan, UCLA
Chris Singleton, Florida State
Tony Woods, Wake Forest

All of these guys haven't helped their stock at all and none of them have really accomplished anything in college.

Azubuike24 wrote: I think a major part of the allure of Calipari is the people he surrounds himself with. Celebrities, the biggest names in entertainment, the biggest names from various media outlets, etc...combine that with Kentucky's name, which is going to get them on television and covered by all of the major CBB media, it's the perfect storm for a player looking to get recognition.

Talent and NBA potential is certainly something that can rise and be developed, or dwindle over time, but with a lot of these guys, it's as much about marketing and recognition. Why do you think kids go to UNC, UK, KU, etc...they could easily go to other programs and have the same NBA prospects after the season. You have to also consider that many of these schools ARE the biggest game in town. UK basketball dominates the news in the state, whereas this isn't necessarily the case at a place like OSU, Texas, Florida, UCLA, etc.

Then again, I think what we are seeing in today's game with so many 1 and 2 year players is that many kids are taking the approach that they might as well try to win while they are in college. The days of players wanting to shy away from playing with other big-time recruits are almost gone, and the value of being on a great team and playing with other great talents is starting to become the trend. I think Cal and others are taking advantage of this and that's how these monster classes get created. Kids recruit their friends.

It's kind of interesting if you take a look at many of the huge recruits who went on their own to lesser-known schools to be "the man." How many of them worked out to having the impact they wanted? Just in the last few years...

Tiny Gallon, Oklahoma
Lance Stephenson, Cincinnati
Kenny Boynton, Florida
Willie Warren, Oklahoma
J'Mison Morgan, UCLA
Chris Singleton, Florida State
Tony Woods, Wake Forest

All of these guys haven't helped their stock at all and none of them have really accomplished anything in college.

And this I would agree with for the most part.
But with the list above..I am not so sure it had to do with the school they chose as much as how they performed. Boynton for example, having seen him play a number of times...he is a pretty good PG, but nothing great IMO. Stephenson, although he shows potential, isn't exactly real consistant. I mean, Bledsoe could be on that list..only avg 11pts a game, and couldn't throw it in the ocean in NCAA. He honestly wasn't that much better then those above. But he got some recognition while playing at UK while those above didn't.