Lol...as I said...

"@EvanDanielsFOX: James Blackmon is arguably the top shooter in the 2014 class. He's ranked No. 33 overall. Big time get for Indiana."

I'm actually upset JBJ chose IU. He's not even much of a pro prospect. However, he's a guy who's going to be a lights out shooter for 3-4 years. He actually reminds me of a quicker and 2-inches taller, Chris Lofton. He doesn't project great to the pros and his athleticism isn't near what his dad's was, but he's going to be awesome playing with Yogi for 2 years.

It's a bigger loss for UK than you think. The one thing Calipari has had as a weakness in his suspect years, at UK and Memphis, is outside shooting.

Azubuike24;1527141 wrote:I'm actually upset JBJ chose IU. He's not even much of a pro prospect. However, he's a guy who's going to be a lights out shooter for 3-4 years. He actually reminds me of a quicker and 2-inches taller, Chris Lofton. He doesn't project great to the pros and his athleticism isn't near what his dad's was, but he's going to be awesome playing with Yogi for 2 years.

It's a bigger loss for UK than you think. The one thing Calipari has had as a weakness in his suspect years, at UK and Memphis, is outside shooting.

Everything you said is pretty much true. And we may agree to disagree. I just dont know how he fit in well at UK to actually DO those things you mention. At IU, he will get 30+ min a night from the start (well, maybe not freshman year). He will be a main focus of the offense and not be recruited over (to the same extent).

I know you watch more UK than me, but guys like him are not main players. They are complimentary, which is great for a fan. But as a player, not sure he wouldve been 5* status at UK like he might at UK.

Laley23;1527256 wrote:Everything you said is pretty much true. And we may agree to disagree. I just dont know how he fit in well at UK to actually DO those things you mention. At IU, he will get 30+ min a night from the start (well, maybe not freshman year). He will be a main focus of the offense and not be recruited over (to the same extent).

I know you watch more UK than me, but guys like him are not main players. They are complimentary, which is great for a fan. But as a player, not sure he wouldve been 5* status at UK like he might at UK.

Pretty much my sentiments as well. UK seems to operate more as an NBA farm team than it does a traditional college squad like Indiana or Duke or whomever. In light of all of the recent mega-recruiting classes filled with one or two-and-done superstars, I might question how much true appeal there is to play for Calipari for the players in that next tier -- the three or four year guys. As Laley hit on, there is a real fear most likely of either being recruited over or just never getting the PT that they might at other major schools due to Calipari's approach to recruiting.

That's my view on it anyway. Look at Kyle Wiltjer. At almost any other school, a stretch big with that type of scoring ability is going to be a main focus of the offense, and not just a specialist. So he transferred out to find that elsewhere. It's not a knock on UK. Their approach is working. It got them a title.

Wiltjer was a lazy player who never improved. They have had numerous guys return from one-and-done expectations. IMO, if you plan on staying in college more than 2 years, for some guys maybe 3, you don't have NBA aspirations. We can argue all day and night about what the rule should be or what the "free education" means, but that's the reality of college sports (CFB and CBB). The vast majority of the elite pros don't get degrees.

I do agree about the recruiting over. However, I think you're both off a bit with the intention. At UK, you get recruited over if by your Sophomore year, you aren't showing signs of becoming great. This means another guy at your position is lined up to take your job in year 2 or year 3 if you don't perform. You don't have to dominate as a Freshman (see Terrence Jones, Doron Lamb, Alex Poythress), but you better step up your Sophomore year or it may be time to leave early to avoid having to compete with better guys the year after (see Daniel Orton w/Enes Kanter, Archie Goodwin w/Aaron Harrison & James Young).

Bottom line, 3-4 year players will fit in at UK, but it puts a lot more pressure on the guy to become a big time player eventually, which statistically, means bucking the odds. That's a lot to put on a guy knowing that at another school, he will always get the benefit of the doubt over 4 years. Heck, for some of these guys who are very talented, it's less pressure to be a one-and-done.

Devil's advocate again though...it's a lot easier for a guy to "develop" on a really good team and to "shine" on a really bad team. This is why Wiltjer was a bust. He was pedestrian and disappointing on a bad UK team last year. If Blackmon finds himself on a team like last year's UK team, he may actually be able to show good progress all while not necessarily living up to 5-star expectations.

Azubuike24 wrote:Bottom line, 3-4 year players will fit in at UK, but it puts a lot more pressure on the guy to become a big time player eventually, which statistically, means bucking the odds. That's a lot to put on a guy knowing that at another school, he will always get the benefit of the doubt over 4 years. Heck, for some of these guys who are very talented, it's less pressure to be a one-and-done.

This is basically what I was trying to convey by inferring that the "appeal" might just not be there for the three-and-four-year guys, who know that they are likely going to playing second fiddle to the bigger guns unless they really perform on another level. I think you summed up the current culture at UK perfectly.

As for Wiltjer, I'll certainly take your word for it re his attitude/commitment since you watched him dozens and dozens more times than I did. And to be fair, I do recall thinking that he just didn't seem to play with much intensity. Some players are just naturally more languid and relaxed on the court than others. But he did look lazy, too.

Recruiting over was the wrong way to put it. Every coach is recruiting over his team. Some fill needs more often, but they are all trying to get the best.

My point was more for JBJ, and his style, UK is WAY more likely to get a top 5 overall player who is a SG than IU during his career. Lets just be honest. IU will get 5*s and get plenty of them...but not the way UK is right now and not at the same level of 5*s on a consistent basis.

So, UK wont be "recruiting over", its just the nature of it. They are much more likely to land another top class that inevitably pushes JBJ further down than IU is. Not to say Crean isnt after the same players as Cal, but who is more likely to land enough where JBJ is more of a role guy his whole career???

And before I sound like I am down about his game, I am not. I love it. He is known as a lights out shooter, which he is...but he is WAY more than that. He is athletic to an extent, but has knee issues and will probably run a lot of PG, especially when Yogi is done. I love the guys game and cant wait to watch it. I just fail to see where he fits in on a Calipari offense for 4 years. Heck, Tyler Ulis was a commit to UK that is rumored to have a big impact and an example of recruiting over IN THE SAME CLASS!!!

Its just inevitable. Currently, at UK, you are being recruited over as soon as you sign your LOI. Cal is going to be going after the top player at every position every year. Its up to you to be good enough to beat out the younger guy or jump ship and head to the NBA. I dont believe JBJ wouldve been able to do that (and I hope I am wrong and he is a 2-time AA lol).

Rec, Wiltjer is very similar to JBJr. I mean, it's interesting we're discussing them because their paths are similar. Wiltjer was a top 25 player. Now, he NEVER had an NBA game, barring that something didn't click and develop. There are other guys who even if they aren't top 5 players, you can project much better to the next level after 2 years. So, he entered at UK with high expectations and was thrown right into the fire. He filled a niche on the team for two years, but at the same time, was exposed for what he DIDN'T have. That's why he transferred. I fully expect him to be GOOD at Gonzaga for two years, but I also expect him to be there 2 years and when all is said and done, he will be left with a 5-year college career and very, very low odds at making a career in the NBA.

With Blackmon, I see a similar path. However, lets say he comes in, showcases the skills he DOES have (he's a decent defender and great shooter) and also improves his handles and quickness. He could become an expected 3-4 year player and end up leaving after 2 years. Similar to Doron Lamb (although Lamb was a bit bigger and was a better ball handler). Laley is right, at IU, EITHER path will be fine. I compared him to Chris Lofton, and I tell you what...that's a huge ass recruiting snag if he's anywhere close.

Most of all, you're putting major pressure on Calipari to not only stack his roster, but bring the roster together with chemistry and game flow every year. When it happens (like 2012 and hopefully this year), it's a masterful coaching job. When it doesn't, it's a risk that didn't pay off.

Chris Lofton was one of my favorite college players. Kid had the same courage and confidence on the court as Steph Curry. When that shot was falling, there wasn't anything you could do, because if you stretched your defense, he'd just back up. If JBJ brings anything remotely close to that type of talent to Bloomington, Az is right, that's a big get.

With regard to Wiltjer, even with his apparent listlessness as a player, I wouldn't be all that surprised if he puts up 18 to 20 points per night in the West Coast Conference as a fifth-year senior. That league has two or three really good teams and the rest is low-level mid-major basketball. A kid with that size and skillset should do really well.

Reid Travis, the No. 7 rated power forward in the class of 2014, is set to announce his destination this Friday. Travis is considered to be a Duke or Stanford lean based on his strong interest in attending an elite academic school, or at least so he has said. Gonzaga and Minnesota are also in the mix. Either way, I'm not really that excited about Travis, and certainly nowhere to the extent that I was Kevin Looney. Looney is a versatile 6-foot-8 scorer with a great face up game and range out to the arc, whereas Travis is more of a muscular, low-block player who will battle for boards and put-backs.

That said, teams need those kinds of players to fill out a roster, so hopefully Duke lands him.

Trey Lyles, #8 overall player (#2 PF) decides tomorrow. Kentucky or Louisville.

Trey picked Kentucky. Very, very comparable to Aaron Gordon, a bit less athletic and a better outside shooter.

Between Towns and Lyles, UK will possibly have the most-skilled front court. Both are incredibly talented on the offensive end.

The sky is blue

On both accounts.

I remember you saying prior he's got a poor attitude and I've heard the biggest knock on him is he's not the quickest.

I'll be interested to see how he is used along with Towns (possibly Johnson as well). Amazing skill, none dominant athletes.

Azubuike24;1530037 wrote:On both accounts.

I remember you saying prior he's got a poor attitude and I've heard the biggest knock on him is he's not the quickest.

I'll be interested to see how he is used along with Towns (possibly Johnson as well). Amazing skill, none dominant athletes.

Its unfortunate about his attitude. It comes directly from his father, Tom.

But yeah, I will be interested to see how he is used. He is the most skilled Big to come through Indy in a long, long time.

Reid Travis goes with Stanford.

Good pick up for Johnny Dawkins, although Johnny may never see him play, at least live anyway. At least he didn't go to Gonzaga.

Jahlil Okafor @BigJah22 I'm excited to announce my college decision on Friday Nov 15th, 3pm at Whitney Young high school. Be there and thanks for all the support!

Tyus Jones @Tyusjones06 I'm excited to announce my college decision on Friday Nov 15th, 3pm at Apple Valley High school. Be there and thanks for all the support!

Duke and Kansas aren't just going at it on the court tomorrow.

Cliff Alexander is announcing on Friday also. Been hearing that Illinois might get him.

As for Jones and Okafor, it's Duke until I hear otherwise. I hate Kansas almost as much right now, but I'd prefer that they end up there instead of in Durham.

Stanley Johnson announcing Friday as well.

This is D-Day in recruiting. Has there ever been a bigger day?

Okafor is #1, Johnson is #3, Alexander is #4 and Jones is #5.

ironman02;1534581 wrote:As for Jones and Okafor, it's Duke until I hear otherwise. I hate Kansas almost as much right now, but I'd prefer that they end up there instead of in Durham.

I think they're going to KU

They just seem to have the magic right now

Payton Dastrup decommits from Ohio State on signing day and will opt for BYU...WHAT???

Laley23;1535018 wrote:Payton Dastrup decommits from Ohio State on signing day and will opt for BYU...WHAT???

Everyone was shocked when he committed to osu. I don't care much because he wasn't going to play for 2 years anyway.

Midstate01;1535054 wrote:Everyone was shocked when he committed to osu. I don't care much because he wasn't going to play for 2 years anyway.

Not only that, but being away for 2 years, he probably wouldn't even be a contributor till 4 years

Jones - Duke
Okafor - Kansas
Alexander - Illinois
Johnson - Arizona