Calipari to Kentucky

[Matt McGuire]

http://www.lex18.com/Global/story.asp?S=10096463&nav=menu203_4

It's gonna happen....wow.

Most are speculating a 5 year contract worth $27 million.

[Walter]

I wonder who Kentucky's coach will be in 2011

[Matt McGuire]

Andy Katz reports deal is 8 years, $37 million.

And Walter, Calipari is arguably the best coach in the country...he is going nowhere.

[Walter]

Gillespie was pretty awesome before he got to Lexington.

Kentucky boosters will be buying him out in 2 years. 3 years max.

[steelers_pens_fan]

Walt beat me to it.

Calipari must be totally ballsy or just unaware of Kentucky's job security.

[Matt McGuire]

I don't understand why the Boosters will be buying out a coach who has won on an elite level wherever he has been....and he is bringing his #1 recruiting class with him.

[steelers_pens_fan]

He's coached at an elite level, yeah, but Kentucky expects, nay, demands a championship in, at the most, 2 years. Can he reshape that team that quickly?

[studbucket]

Calipari's a great recruiter and an above-average coach. I'm sure he'll succeed at UK, but it would be a lot of fun to see the whole thing go down in flames.

[Matt McGuire]

You don't have to win a Championship.

You get this team to a Final 4 within 3 seasons and your job is safe. UK hasn't been to a Final Four since like 1998.

[Walter]

He needs two Final Fours to be safe, or one championship appearance.

[Matt McGuire]

I think Kentucky fans realize if Cal can't get the job done then nobody can...but he will get it done because he is that good.

[IlliniVikeFan23]

Woow.

For one, I can't believe college basketball coaches get paid so much. My god, 37 million dollars has to make him the highest paid coach in basketball. I didn't even think NBA coaches got that much.

Secondly, this is an absolutely fantastic hire for Kentucky. Calipari is one of the top 3 coaches in college basketball and Kentucky will get back to being one of the nations powerhouses under him within the next 2-3 years.

[Matt McGuire]

Some say 8 years 37, some are saying 6 years $40 million.

UK Boosters are meeting tonight to see if they can up the ante if Memphis matches the offer.

Some people are speculating the Cats might counter offer 8 years 50 million.

It is just getting INSANE.

[supremeworldemperor]

That's a ****load of money. 8 years $37 million? That's more than $4.5 million annually. That's more than Pete Carroll makes at USC, and Carroll is the highest-paid football coach in the nation. Cal better bring the results for that kind of dough.

As an SEC basketball fan, it's time to make fun of Coach Cal.

[supremeworldemperor]

Calipari had it made in Memphis. Did he get tired of beating up Southern Miss and Tulane over and over again?

[Matt McGuire]

Sources now say 8 years 32 million

[Dusty]

Why go away form Memphis... He had everything there... Does the recruiting class follow him to Kentucky?

[studbucket]

Why go away form Memphis... He had everything there... Does the recruiting class follow him to Kentucky?

Dan Patrick feels that he's always felt like he's been an outsider, not getting respect even though he's done this stuff with Memphis. By going to a bigger program, he can get that respect he wants.

[titan_qb_3]

Memphis will never be at the level of Kentucky. NEVER. And Matt, Calipari is an amazing recruiter and is a smart enough coach to just let his players play. He teaches them defense and then just tells them to go penetrate on offense

[LovemyBills]

Thats a lot of money for a guy who's never won a National Championship.

He'll be there as long as he wants, after all they took all that time to get rid of Tubby Smith. I think UK just realized that Gillespie was a very bad choice personality wise and didn't want to wait to make the move. I don't know why people are suggesting that they'll be buying him out in 3 years. They may be the Notre Dame of college basketball, but they haven't been going through coaches like ND has.

[Matt McGuire]

I don't doubt Calipari.

But hypothetically lets say he doesn't live up to expectations...what will the UK fan base do next.

[IlliniVikeFan23]

I don't doubt Calipari.

But hypothetically lets say he doesn't live up to expectations...what will the UK fan base do next.

Assassinate the athletic director.

[LovemyBills]

They'll certainly never accept that fact that in todays world of college basketball, the UK name doesn't bring them success alone like it used to.

[Matt McGuire]

The UK name never brought success by itself...In the 80s for the most part UK basketball was mediocre. Tubby Smith was a huge underachiever in the tourney.

[LovemyBills]

Don't you think UK is one of those programs like UNC, UCLA, and Duke where kids will travel nationwide just to get to that program, especially if they have a big time coach like John C. at the helm? I think UK has always had that advantage, but no coach since Pitino has been able to take advantage of it.

[ryanwest]

College basketball isnt like that anymore. With the one year rule now, players find their best fit to play so that it gets them ready for the NBA the quickest. That rule has taken some greatness away from March Madness. You hardly see guys stay more than 2 years anymore....and if they do, they arent very good pros.

[tbod10]

I can't believe that Calipari is going to go to Kentucky. He has it made at Memphis. I hope he does well at Kentucky because it's always fun to see them competitive in College BBall if for nothing else than to see Ashley Judd more on national tv.

I wonder who Memphis is going to find and how many of Calipari's incoming recruits haven't signed a Letter of Intent yet. He could bring whoever doesn't with him to Kentucky.

[atduncan93]

I think this is a better move for Calipari. Obviously, he's going to be filthy rich. but for uk, they have tradition like unc and duke and so i don't see why they would want someone like calipari. his recruiting usually gets one and done players and i don't see why the boosters at uk would really want that because they're not exactly helping build the program

[Matt McGuire]

Don't you think UK is one of those programs like UNC, UCLA, and Duke where kids will travel nationwide just to get to that program, especially if they have a big time coach like John C. at the helm? I think UK has always had that advantage, but no coach since Pitino has been able to take advantage of it.

Gillespie was a good recruiter, but not great.

Tubby Smith is one of the worst recruiters in the country.

UK is one of the best programs, if not the best in the country....it is easily a top 3 program when you talk about tradition.

UK has new basketball facilities.
There is talk of a new arena.
Great campus...nice/clean city.
Huge fan base.
Good exposure.

UK has all the ingredients of an elite program, except for that great head coach

[Xcellerator]

Memphis is out of players anyways. Dozier & Taggert are leaving and most likely Tyreke Evans, their best player.

[Matt McGuire]

Memphis isn't out of players they have a beastly recruiting class.

[paterack7]

Kentucky hasn't been good in a while, Calipari can change that.

[azchargersfan21]

Didn't Memphis get like 3 of the top 50 players including the consensus #1 overall?

[atduncan93]

NO. NO ONONONONON
they got xavier henry, #1 sg and demarcus cousins #2 center
but not number 1 overall. however they also have #10 sg nolan dennis
this is all according to scout

[paterack7]

Memphis is getting an insane recruiting class next year. Rumors has it that John Wall may consider Memphis as well. Though that may change with the coaching change.

But if you look at Memphis' incoming class, you have Cousins down on the block, Henry/Dennis who are both adept 3-point shooters as well as slashers, and John Wall who is insane at penetrating and creating for others, I would find this team extremely difficult to defeat. Assuming these players stayed for all four years (which probably won't happen), Memphis could pull a back-to-back title with those four as the center of the lineup.

[atduncan93]

are you kidding me. the chances of those players staying for four years is less than lightning striking you THREE times or winning the lottery twice in a row. heck, less than the odds of jim carrey actually being in a good movie. or adam sandler. those are some pretty bad odds i might add.

henry is definitely gone. wall, if he goes, pretty much said he wants to go. cousins is gone too. dennis might stick around for a few years to see if he can improve some stock though

[paterack7]

I know that the players won't stay. But I'm saying if they did, Memphis would have a lot of success.

Though I don't think Dennis would leave, I believe he'll be overshadowed by Henry/Cousins. Dennis is an incredible player, but I think that a couple years in college would help him be a better NBA player.

[atduncan93]

If UNC's players stayed, they'd have success. If any team's players stayed, they'd be better.

...i just said that.

[paterack7]

Obviously the team would have success, but not as much success as the 3 Memphis players (possibly 4 with John Wall) staying.

[atduncan93]

they wouldn't win the championship next year. they also wouldn't win it the year after that. junior year. maybe.
but i couldn't see that happening.

[paterack7]

I'm not saying that it will happen. I'm just saying that if any team were to win back to back, it would be them.

[LovemyBills]

With John C. now going to Kentucky, I wonder if they're the odds on favorite to win the SEC next year. I hope Donovan gets Florida up and running again, that would be a fantastic rivalry.

[atduncan93]

the first year would depend a lot on the players that calipari has coming in. such as daniel orton, if he's going to stick with kentucky. and whether cousins will follow him to kentucky/can henry get out of his letter of intent.

[paterack7]

With John C. now going to Kentucky, I wonder if they're the odds on favorite to win the SEC next year. I hope Donovan gets Florida up and running again, that would be a fantastic rivalry.

I don't think there will be an overnight change. First Calipari needs to get talent, and currently Kentucky has a 5-star Center (Daniel Orton) and a 4-star forward (Jon Hood) lined up for next year. Kentucky also has two small-name point guard recruits set to join in 2010.

Without talent, you can't win, regardless of how good of a coach you are. It'll take 2-3 years to see any major change. At least that's my opinion.

[Matt McGuire]

Tennessee should be pretty solid next season.

[paterack7]

Agreed. But almost anyone can come out of the SEC, it's much worse than it has been in the past.

[Matt McGuire]

IT IS OFFICIAL

John Calipari is now a UK Wildcat. 8 years, 31 million....WOW

http://kentucky.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=930507

[Simonds]

I hope he fails miserably there.

[Matt McGuire]

Calipari = Best Coach in College Basketball
Kentucky = Best Program Tradition in College Basketball
Kentucky = Best Fans in College Basketball
Kentucky = Best Facilities in College Basketball

Destiny.

[PuppyPuncher]

Calipari = Best Coach in College Basketball
Kentucky = Best Program Tradition in College Basketball
Kentucky = Best Fans in College Basketball
Kentucky = Best Facilities in College Basketball

Destiny.

Haven't you dissed Kentucky fans in the past?

[Matt McGuire]

Um ya I will diss the student section because they are pretty weak but as a whole nobody in the country has more loyal/passionate fans than UK.

[LovemyBills]

I think it's debatable to say that Calipari is the best coach in the country.

[ryanwest]

Calipari = Best Coach in College Basketball
Kentucky = Best Program Tradition in College Basketball
Kentucky = Best Fans in College Basketball
Kentucky = Best Facilities in College Basketball

Destiny.

Matt, I'm sorry, I can't give the best coach in the country to a guy who hasn't won a national championship.

I'd have to give that nod to Pitno. Maybe even Tom Izzo or Bill Self.

Also: UCLA has some pretty good tradition. Probably very close if not better than Kentucky's.

[LovemyBills]

No love for Calhoun? Not even a mention?

[Matt McGuire]

Who is better?

What he did at UMASS was amazing...he made them one of the best teams in the country out of nothing.

Did the same thing at Memphis.

Tom Izzo - Calipari is a far better recruiter
Rick Pitino - probably a draw, but I like Calipari's dribble drive motion offense more
Roy Williams - draw

I have always been a big fan of Coach Cal.

[Matt McGuire]

Matt, I'm sorry, I can't give the best coach in the country to a guy who hasn't won a national championship.

I'd have to give that nod to Pitno. Maybe even Tom Izzo or Bill Self.

Also: UCLA has some pretty good tradition. Probably very close if not better than Kentucky's.

UCLA is extremely close but I have to give Kentucky the edge.

I was born in Kentucky. My mom is a die hard UK basketball fan. My dad is too. All of my grandparents are die hard Wildcat fans...it is sorta in my blood so you have to understand I am slightly biased :D

I know what Kentucky basketball is and my grandmother talked with me many times about the UK basketball greats and about UK basketball history. Dan Issel, Kenny "Sky-"Walker, Jack Givens, Jamal Mashburn, Louie Dampier, Kyle Macy, Travis Ford, Mark Pope, Derek Anderson, John Pelphrey, Tony Delk, Anthony Epps, Ron Mercer, Antoine Walker, Dirk Minniefield, Wayne Turner, Melvin Turpin, Jamaal Magloire, Cotton Nash, Chuck Hayes...I could go on all day long.

[ryanwest]

Who is better?

What he did at UMASS was amazing...he made them one of the best teams in the country out of nothing.

Did the same thing at Memphis.

Tom Izzo - Calipari is a far better recruiter
Rick Pitino - probably a draw, but I like Calipari's dribble drive motion offense more
Roy Williams - draw

I have always been a big fan of Coach Cal.

Being a recruiter doesn't make you a good coach.

Edited: So you proved my point by saying Calipari is a far better recruiter. Because Izzo has won a national title and been to 5 final fours. Sorry, I thought won 2.

[LovemyBills]

Hasn't Izzo only won 1 National Championship in 2000?

[ryanwest]

My top 5 NCAA coaches (no order):

Pitno, Izzo, Roy Williams, Calipari, Bill Self

Calhoun and Boeheim have too many "down" years to be in my top 5.

[Matt McGuire]

Hasn't Izzo only won 1 National Championship in 2000?

Yeah but he has been to like 5 final fours in the past decade.

[Matt McGuire]

Being a recruiter doesn't make you a good coach.

Edited: So you proved my point by saying Calipari is a far better recruiter. Because Izzo has won a national title and been to 5 final fours. Sorry, I thought won 2.

Being a recruiter is part of the process of being a great college coach because it comes with the territory.

Calipari can bring in the elite athletes that Izzo struggles to get, which makes him a better overall asset and coach.

[Matt McGuire]

My top 5 NCAA coaches (no order):

Pitno, Izzo, Roy Williams, Calipari, Bill Self

Calhoun and Boeheim have too many "down" years to be in my top 5.

Where the **** is Coach K at? Are you kidding me?

My top 5:
1. John Calipari
2. Roy Williams
3. Rick Pitino
4. Tom Izzo
5. Mike Krzyzewski

[ryanwest]

Where the **** is Coach K at? Are you kidding me?

My top 5:
1. John Calipari
2. Roy Williams
3. Rick Pitino
4. Tom Izzo
5. Mike Krzyzewski

Coach K is probably tied with Self actually. He just has choked lately and hasn't gotten the recruits. He used to get big athletic guys, and he hasn't been able to do that.

I think the one and done rule has affected him the most. He likes to develop players. When they are leaving early, he must start over. Hell, Elton Brand was the first player EVER to leave Coach K early.

[ryanwest]

I take that back, I'd say Coach K is ahead of Bill Self. But Bill Self is a close 6th.

[LovemyBills]

Why so much love for Bill Self?

Coach K refuses to work with one and done players, but Callipari has no problem bringing them in.

[ryanwest]

Matt, I don't understand how Calipari is ahead of Pitno?

Pitino has beaten him more times H2H.
Pitino has more Final Fours: 5-2.
Pitino has more national titles: 1-0.

Pitino is at least the same recruiter as Calipari is. Actually, Pitno is the reason Calipari got the head coaching job at UMass.

[Matt McGuire]

Yeah K has been choking in recruiting lately but he should have gotten Shaun Livingston which would have turned that program around.

K is just one of my all time favorite coaches I am not going to lie...I love his 3-2 motion offense and his defensive scheme of forcing out of the paint...love the Duke tradition but that is just me.

I would take K over Self, but a case can be made either way.

[ryanwest]

Why so much love for Bill Self?

Coach K refuses to work with one and done players, but Callipari has no problem bringing them in.

I think I have love for Bill Self because he put Illinois back on the map in the basketball world. Unlike a lot of other Illini fans, I understand he took a better job at Kansas.

[LovemyBills]

I have amazing respect for K, but I just hate Duke. Growing up, all of my friends loved Duke and I just grew to hate them more and more.

[LovemyBills]

I think I have love for Bill Self because he put Illinois back on the map in the basketball world. Unlike a lot of other Illini fans, I understand he took a better job at Kansas.

Weber certainly rode his team to the Championship game.

[ryanwest]

Weber certainly rode his team to the Championship game.

I know but I don't think Self could have done what Weber did that year. We were 1 game away from being undefeated that year. (I think if we were undefeated, we would have gotten more calls from the officials in that champ game). Also, we had the greatest comeback in NCAA tournament history that year too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmrvVQFGFlY

Illini fans now are so infatuated with being an 'elite' program that they are calling for Weber to be fired.

[Matt McGuire]

Matt, I don't understand how Calipari is ahead of Pitno?

Pitno has beaten him more times H2H.
Pitno has more Final Fours: 5-2.
Pitno has more national titles: 1-0.

Pitno is at least the same recruiter as Calipari is. Actually, Pitno is the reason Calipari got the head coaching job at UMass.

Spell it right .... it is PITINO not Pitno

Anyways, Pitino coached the great college basketball team of all-time: the 1995-1996 Kentucky Wildcats.

Because the way the NBA Draft is set up now there will never ever be a better team...so much experience and talent...stacked depth chart...that 2nd string could have gotten to the sweet 16 by themselves.

Calipari has had it rougher at UMASS and Memphis than Pitino has at far more prestious schools in Kentucky and Louisville.

Calipari is on an even fitting now.

I think we can all say the UK-UL rivalry now surpasses Duke/UNC as the best in the country because these fans hate each other and the coaches hate each other...this rivalry goes much further back in Kentucky lore than Duke/UNC.

[tbod10]

I'm not sure who, but I know that at least 1 of the better players Calipari recruited to Memphis hasn't signed a Letter of Intent yet, he's just given them a verbal committment. It'll be interesting to see if he pulls out of Memphis and follows Calipari to Kentucky. That would certainly help their recruiting class.

[LovemyBills]

How often do UK/Louisville play each other? They have to play each other to become a rivalry.

[ryanwest]

Calipari has had it rougher at UMASS and Memphis than Pitino has at far more prestious schools in Kentucky and Louisville.

Calipari is on an even fitting now.

I think we can all say the UK-UL rivalry now surpasses Duke/UNC as the best in the country because these fans hate each other and the coaches hate each other...this rivalry goes much further back in Kentucky lore than Duke/UNC.

Um..I'm pretty sure Louisville and Memphis were in the same boat when they both started.

Both CUSA, both in shambles when they took over.
Its not Pitino's fault that Louisville moved to the Big East.

Pitino also took Providence to the final four.

Calipari must take Kentucky to 3 final fours and bring a championship in a 10 year period to stay on the same level as Pitino.

Anything else, makes Pitino the better of the two.

Also: UNC/Duke will always be better because of the media it produces.
I still think UNC/Duke takes it unless K keeps up not getting elite recruiting classes. If he can't keep up, then your right, UL/UK takes over.

[ryanwest]

How often do UK/Louisville play each other? They have to play each other to become a rivalry.

They've been playing each year for awhile now.

[LovemyBills]

They have? Man, I don't remember those games at all, maybe because UK has been nowhere recently.

[Matt McGuire]

UK/UL rivalry started originally in 1913, but they have been playing each other regularly since 1983.

My grandmother taught me well.

Even Dicky V has always says the UK/UL Rivalry is bigger than Duke/UNC...he understands the history and tradition UK/UL has.

[ryanwest]

They have? Man, I don't remember those games at all, maybe because UK has been nowhere recently.

It was actually close this year. Louisville hit a 3 with not much time left to beat em this year.


Any thoughts on where Gillesipie goes? Georgia?

[Matt McGuire]

Memphis :D

[ryanwest]

Nobody commented on my greatest comeback of all time on the Illinois - Arizona game? Lol.

[LovemyBills]

Didn't Georgia want Anderson from Mizzou?

[Matt McGuire]

Nobody commented on my greatest comeback of all time on the Illinois - Arizona game? Lol.

1994 Kentucky over LSU is the greatest comeback ever

[ryanwest]

Memphis :D

That would be hilarious. I guess it all depends on who gets the Memphis job. I think they will go with Sean Miller or someone from a successful, small school.

Maybe Siena's head coach?

[ryanwest]

1994 Kentucky over LSU is the greatest comeback ever

Mine was for a trip to the final four though.

[Matt McGuire]

What about Kentucky over Duke in 1998 in the elite 8? That was pretty big.

[ryanwest]

Illini were down 15 with 3+ minutes to play.
Down 10 with 1:32 left.

That is when Deron Williams decided he was going to take over games, and later leave for the NBA. LOL.

[LovemyBills]

I don't remember Kentucky over LSU. Or their game over Duke.

[Matt McGuire]

^^^^^
The Duke/UK game in 1998 was memorable. I don't expect you to remember a 31 point comeback from 1994.

Quite honestly LMB, I am shocked you have even heard of the state "kentucky"...we do exist you know.

[LovemyBills]

^^^^^
The Duke/UK game in 1998 was memorable. I don't expect you to remember a 31 point comeback from 1994.

Quite honestly LMB, I am shocked you have even heard of the state "kentucky"...we do exist you know.

LOL I'm just force fed Christian L's shot, so thats the Duke/UK game I always remember, especially since he went to Nichols High School just 20 minutes away from my house. I think 99 was the first year where I really got into college basketball, thus I fell for UConn and follow them to this day.

[Matt McGuire]

That's cool...I have respect for the UCONN program. I hope Calhoun's health is fine....UCONN is good for college basketball.

[LovemyBills]

I'm really looking forward to Callipari vs Pitino every year now.

[Matt McGuire]

Yeah...when UK is great, it is great for college basketball like USC, Notre Dame, Alabama, etc. is for college football...like the Lakers, Celtics, Knicks are for the NBA...Sox, Yankees, Cubs for MLB.

This is just awesome for all basketball fans and this puts the UK/UL rivalry completely back on the map.

[LovemyBills]

UConn has one of the two woman's teams that I will remotely watch for 2 minutes. (really one now that C. Parker is in the WNBA).

John C. can get his national championship now, it's going to happen.

[Matt McGuire]

I don't like women's sports...I just don't feel the same level of competitiveness with women as there is with men.

As men, we just have this genetic trait to be objectively competitive while women, generally, are more socially competitive.

[PuppyPuncher]

I don't like women's sports...I just don't feel the same level of competitiveness with women as there is with men.

As men, we just have this genetic trait to be objectively competitive while women, generally, are more socially competitive.

Women have that cutthroat gene.

[Matt McGuire]

what are you referring to?

[PuppyPuncher]

what are you referring to?

If one crosses another, it's on. I think women can be just as competitive as guys. It's just their aversion to contact sports that gives them a bad rap.

[Matt McGuire]

I disagree.

For thousands of years women competed for men, they had the children, raised them, etc.

I am not talking 1960s I am talking like nomadic period.

While they did that men had to go out, hunt, and provide for his families (yes I said families...mongamy was not truly in effect for thousands of years, which is why it isn't natural for humans to be mongamous). Men also had to compete with one another to prove they had the best genetics to carry on their line...much like bulls or rams fight for the female, it is the same thing.

Girls just aren't competitive the same as we are. This is why as men we love video games, fantasy sports, playing sports, following pro/college sports, other games, etc.

Women just don't like video games or following sports because they are not naturally competitive like men are about physical/objective things...they are far more competitive socially (who is prettiest, who wears the best clothes, cattyness, etc.)

I am not putting down women at all...just saying we are different and I think we should allow men to be men and women to be women as opposed to making men more feminine and women more masculine...it doesn't work.

Off topic, lets get back to Calipari/UK

[USCChiFan]

I wonder how many Memphis recruits are going to switch to Kentucky...

[Matt McGuire]

I wonder how many Memphis recruits are going to switch to Kentucky...

Xavier Henry is going to Kansas (probably)

DeMarcus Cousins looks to be a near lock to verbal to Kentucky soon...John Wall is choosing between Duke and UK now.

I am not sure about Darnell Dodson, Nolan Dennis, or Will Coleman.

Looks like Kentucky will keep Daniel Orton and Jon Hood.

So here is my projected Kentucky 2009 recruiting class: (asterisk = rivals star)

PG John Wall ***** #1 overall recruit
PF/C DeMarcus Cousins ***** #2 overall recruit
C Daniel Orton ***** #22 overall recruit
SG/SF Jon Hood **** #32 overall recruit


then these are also realistic possibilities in my opinion
SF Latavious Williams ***** #15 overall recruit
F Darnell Dodson ****

Kentucky projected depth chart with projected recruiting class:

PG: John Wall (*****)/DeAndre Leggins (****)
SG: Jodie Meeks (****)/Jon Hood (****)
SF: Perry Stevenson (****)/Darius Miller (****)/Matt Pilgrim (transfer)
PF: Patrick Patterson (*****)/DeMarcus Cousins (*****)/Matt Pilgrim (transfer)
C: Daniel Orton (*****)/DeMarcus Cousins (*****)

This team has Final 4 talent...believe it.

[Descendency]

Andy Katz reports deal is 8 years, $37 million.

And Walter, Calipari is arguably the best coach in the country...he is going nowhere.

Except he's not. His teams can't shoot basic free throws. You don't win championships shooting 50% from the free throw line.

He'll get the talent to come to Kentucky though.

[Matt McGuire]

Except he's not. His teams can't shoot basic free throws. You don't win championships shooting 50% from the free throw line.

He'll get the talent to come to Kentucky though.

Um if they fouled at the end of the game vs. Kansas instead of letting them shoot the 3, he would have won a National title.

The free throw shooting is a concern, but he brings so much to the table. It takes MUCH more than free throw shooting to win games.

[Dusty]

Um if they fouled at the end of the game vs. Kansas instead of letting them shoot the 3, he would have won a National title.

The free throw shooting is a concern, but he brings so much to the table. It takes MUCH more than free throw shooting to win games.

DRC and Derrick Rose choked. You cannot blame the FT's on Cal.

[Matt McGuire]

Well I don't think Cal emphasizes FT shooting in the offseason...I will say that but his teams don't turn the ball over, they pass well, they rebound, they play great transition defense, and they are explosive.

[Vbsiena]

Matt what's up with this UK basketball love all of a sudden? I thought you were a detractor of their basketball program?

[Matt McGuire]

Too tired to repost...lost everything I was going to write but I will rebuttle you later siena.

[LovemyBills]

What the hell is Pat Forde's problem with Calipari? Past actions may come up again? Give me a break.

[ryanwest]

If there is one thing pat Forde knows...its UK basketball. I believe every word he says about them bc he covers and follows them so much.

[LovemyBills]

If there is one thing pat Forde knows...its UK basketball. I believe every word he says about them bc he covers and follows them so much.

So you believe what he says about this whole thing being a mistake?

[Matt McGuire]

Pat Forde is an ex-Louisville Cardinal beat writer and he is just a UL fan trashing the UK program...he used to write for the Louisville Courier-Journal

Everyone knows this in Kentucky.

[tbod10]

Pat Forde said that the only thing different between this year and 2 years ago is that Kentucky basketball has gone down the ****ter. I don't think this is a biased opinion in any way. Calipari had a real interest in the job when UK went with Gillespie instead. He says it's because Calipari came with too much baggage for the boosters to handle. They're just more desperate now. I don't think he has any problem with Calipari, he just doesn't think this is a good match because he thinks the boosters only hired Calipari now because they're more desperate.

I do trust a lot of what Forde says because he lives and breathes NCAA football and basketball and has some good sources.

[Matt McGuire]

UK did hire Calipari because we were more desperate...but isn't that why big coaching hires are made? We are talking about the tradition of Kentucky basketball.

Who cares if you are under pressure to hire one of the best coaches in the country? What is wrong with that?

Kentucky has been in the ****ter of college basketball FOR A WHILE. Tubby Smith left the cupboard completely bare for Gillespie for the most part, then Derrick Jasper and Alex Legion transferred...this didn't help Gillespie.

The person to blame for the lack of success at Kentucky in the past decade is Tubby Smith and his poor recruiting...period.

[tbod10]

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it. I'm just saying it might blow up in their faces a bit. Notre Dame got desperate and hired Charlie Weis who has since alienated the alumni. Michigan got desperate and fired a good coach in Lloyd Carr and hired Rich Rodriguez and so far he has pissed off alumni.

Now, it's much easier to turn a program around in basketball because you just need that one special player to come and you're a contender. Forde was just saying it's very possible that Calipari could rub some of the alumni the wrong way with his personality and demeanor since it was a reason they didn't hire them 2 years ago. If he succeeds though, then clearly nobody will care what he does.

[Matt McGuire]

Winning cures all. The boosters don't care as long as they are winning games...Tubby Smith is one of the classiest acts in sports (and I liked Calipari's press conference), but Tubby couldn't win games or recruit and was forced out.

Mitch Barnhardt checked sources with the NCAA to ask about Calipari and he is under a lot of pressure so I am sure he did his homework.

We don't need another Eddie Sutton fiasco.

[LovemyBills]

Is it true that Calipari had a separate, smaller press conference where he couldn't go on when talking about leaving Memphis? I thought thats what I heard on the radio but I'm not sure if thats correct.

[smcuk]

Ok, so Cal is going to have at least on, if not 2 or 3 of his TOP 5 recruits follow him to the Big Blue Nation. UK already has a great big man coming in their freshman class. Add this together with Meeks and Patterson and there is NO REASON why UK won't contend for the title. At the very least, they are sweet 16 bound, a far step from where they were this seaon.

[paterack7]

Xavier Henry is going to Kansas (probably)

DeMarcus Cousins looks to be a near lock to verbal to Kentucky soon...John Wall is choosing between Duke and UK now.


From what I heard, Cousins will likely follow Calipari to Kentucky. Henry will not follow Calipari, and choose another school. I'm not sure which, but apparently Kansas is his top choice.

I doubt that Dennis will leave Memphis because his talent level is not nearly as high as the rest of the Memphis' recruits.

Don't sleep on Duke for John Wall, keep in mind that Duke hasn't even offered Wall a scholarship. I'm leaning towards Wall is undecided still, and is keeping his range of options quite broad.

[Descendency]

Duke has a boat load of young players. While they need a big man, they have a ton of young players. (none of them are seniors this year)

edit: A real big man... not that 7'0 tall guy who plays so little I don't even know his name.

[ryanwest]

Duke has a boat load of young players. While they need a big man, they have a ton of young players. (none of them are seniors this year)

edit: A real big man... not that 7'0 tall guy who plays so little I don't even know his name.

Ben Zoubek.

[kyfin]

Hey Matt, did you check out the Jordan game? Thought you would like the sign.

[Matt McGuire]

Hey Matt, did you check out the Jordan game? Thought you would like the sign.

haha that's awesome.

I caught the first half of the Jordan game...Wall is a sick ballhandler. I really hope we get him...it could be a championship.

[Scyte&Hammer]

It will be too bad if Xavier Henry doesn't follow coach Calipari to Kentucky, he would do wonders for his game, especially drive and dribbling ability (things that he lacks the most at present).

[thedaimajin]

Calipari's a great recruiter and an above-average coach. I'm sure he'll succeed at UK, but it would be a lot of fun to see the whole thing go down in flames.

I totally agree. In a few years if Calipari fails, I hope Tubby Smith has a final four or two under his belt. Tubby was a lot better than people think.

[illini81887]

He will have UK on probation in no time

[ryanwest]

John Wall to Kentucky.


http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4178271

[Matt McGuire]

^^^^^^^
Final 4 bound

[arhymemaster]

Wasn't John Wall just recently arrested?

[PuppyPuncher]

I have a feeling that this B-ball season will be unbearable.

[chicagojay]

Whats the matter with you? i wouldnt click on that link if i were anyone if could have serious virisues