What Does Calipari Do Next Year

• GOONx19

  

  I've heard word on campus that Hood is gonna transfer.
• cats gone wild

  GOONx19 wrote: I've heard word on campus that Hood is gonna transfer.

  He should transfer, and shouldnt of came to UK in the first place with the recruits Cal gets. I know he loves UK and offered to give up his scholly to let another player sign, but he should be playing somewhere. I think Butler would be an excellent fit for him or even Western Kentucky. Dont know why those 2 teams came to mind though.
  
  The main topic on Catspause is that Lamb was told by Cal there will be 9 openings.
  
  Oh yeah, maybe WWW changed Selby's mind from Tenn to go to UK. Neat little article about Selby and Knight might do a Wall/Bledsoe combo.
  
  http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/30/1203901/recruit-selby-says-he-could-co.html#ixzz0jgyUb1WF
• Azubuike24

  

  If UK got Selby and Knight, it would immediately replace Wall and Bledsoe. I have a hard time believing they go to school together though.
  
  Jon Hood should NOT leave. Not every guy is an impact freshman. Hood has the ability to help next year, and in the 2 years after.
  
  At some point Cal has to have a team with some upperclassman, and not consistently be recruiting for all 2-deep spots every 2 years.
• enigmaax

  I don't consider them reliable sources or anything, but the word I've heard is that Dodson, not Hood, is the one who is going to transfer (completing the nine open spots that were referenced). Could that be?
• Azubuike24

  

  I don't see why Hood would leave. He is born and bred UK. He could have easily backed out last year when Cal brought in all the new guys, including Dodson who was basically playing Hood's spot. He also had Miller and Liggins ahead of him.
  
  I just don't see him giving up so early when he could have done so before last year during the coaching change. He was a Gillispie recruit after all.
• thedynasty1998

  

  Let's look at UK's situation before Calipari took the job. They had basically no one returning and didn't even make the tournament.
  
  Within one year, Calipari had expectatations so high that fans were disappointed that they didn't make the Final 4. That alone makes him a good coach. Plus, half of coaching is getting guys to buy into their roles. With the egos on the UK team last year and with the obvious goals of most of the players (5 guys heading to the NBA), it's even more impressive that he got his guys to play good team basketball.
  
  Plus, they lost to WVU who at this point looks like the favorite to win the Championship (I think the Vegas odds might have Duke, but I don't understand that one bit). So it's not like they got upset by some slouch.
• voewoody

  

  Manhattan Buckeye wrote: I'll admit it if I'm wrong, but I can't see Bledsoe/Orton going anywhere. If they are THAT good, they will increase their draft stock next year to the point it eclipses their current draft stock easily.

  Agree... we could definitely be wrong but for some reason I do not see those 2 leaving. Never know though... Money Talks
• centralbucksfan

  Azubuike24 wrote: If UK got Selby and Knight, it would immediately replace Wall and Bledsoe. I have a hard time believing they go to school together though.
  
  Jon Hood should NOT leave. Not every guy is an impact freshman. Hood has the ability to help next year, and in the 2 years after.
  
  At some point Cal has to have a team with some upperclassman, and not consistently be recruiting for all 2-deep spots every 2 years.

  Watching a little bit of the McDonalds game last nite.....Knight could replace Wall...but he is NOWHERE near the impact player that Wall is/was.
• thedynasty1998

  

  I'm going to defend Calipari's coaching a little more here. It was mentioned that Roy Williams is a better coach (obviously it's debateable), but looking at what each team had returning from last year and the incoming classes, they were basically in the same situations.
  
  UNC:
  Returners: Ginyard, Drew, Graves, Thompson, Davis & Zeller
  Newcomers: McDonald (SG 13), Strickland (SG 8), Wear (PF 14), Wear (PF 13) & Henson (PF 1)
  Recruiting Ranking: 3 (Avg. 4.2)
  
  Kentucky
  Returners: Patterson, Liggins, Stevenson, Harris, Dodson & Miller
  Newcomers: Wall (PG 1), Cousins (C 2), Bledsoe (PG 6), Dodson, Orton (C 4) & Hood (SF 10)
  Recruiting Ranking: 1 (Avg. 4.33)
  
  So if we are just comparing those two programs on last year, it's obvious who developed his players better and who had the better team.
  
  Yet, one could argue that UNC was set up better this year than Kentucky with the experience they had returning.
• centralbucksfan

  thedynasty1998 wrote: I'm going to defend Calipari's coaching a little more here. It was mentioned that Roy Williams is a better coach (obviously it's debateable), but looking at what each team had returning from last year and the incoming classes, they were basically in the same situations.
  
  UNC:
  Returners: Ginyard, Drew, Graves, Thompson, Davis & Zeller
  Newcomers: McDonald (SG 13), Strickland (SG 8), Wear (PF 14), Wear (PF 13) & Henson (PF 1)
  Recruiting Ranking: 3 (Avg. 4.2)
  
  Kentucky
  Returners: Patterson, Liggins, Stevenson, Harris, Dodson & Miller
  Newcomers: Wall (PG 1), Cousins (C 2), Bledsoe (PG 6), Dodson, Orton (C 4) & Hood (SF 10)
  Recruiting Ranking: 1 (Avg. 4.33)
  
  So if we are just comparing those two programs on last year, it's obvious who developed his players better and who had the better team.
  
  Yet, one could argue that UNC was set up better this year than Kentucky with the experience they had returning.

  Not sure that make much sense to me. Botton line is that Wall and Cousins were flat out better then what UNC had at those two position. The two most impacted positions there is. Put those two players with UNC..makes a world of difference. UNC PG Drew, quite frankly isn't that good, is turnover prone. His decision making/consistancy is poor.
  Some guys you can coach up all you want, just don't have it upstairs.
  On top of that, its not debatable who is better based on whats on paper. Williams has 2 titles and has been extremely successful at both Kansas and UNC.
• Azubuike24

  

  Knight can't replace Wall.
  
  However, Knight + Selby could replace Wall + Bledsoe. After this year, I think if Cal is going to use 2 PG's, he's better off with both being good outside shooters. That's the most important thing in his offense. You don't need an amazing PG, just 3 or 4 guys who can all handle the ball, create their own shot and dish it when needed.
  
  Darius Miller and DeAndre Liggins are actually perfect fits for Calipari's offense. If both improve their shooting consistency, they will be huge pieces in the next 2 years.
• RiverRat13

  While Bledsoe and Orton may not be ready, they almost have to go this year with the impending lockout coming in '11. If they don't go this year, they may have to wait two years or more to get paid.
• voewoody

  

  voewoody wrote:

  Manhattan Buckeye wrote: I'll admit it if I'm wrong, but I can't see Bledsoe/Orton going anywhere. If they are THAT good, they will increase their draft stock next year to the point it eclipses their current draft stock easily.

  Agree... we could definitely be wrong but for some reason I do not see those 2 leaving. Never know though... Money Talks

  Welp I guess I was wrong... Wall, Cousins, Patterson, Bledsoe and Orton all declared today. Link is on ESPN.
• Fab1b

  

  http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news;_ylt=AgntkJQwMFUqkxMFM1BdomM5nYcB?slug=ap-kentucky-nba
  
  5 KU players heading to the draft
• Azubuike24

  

  Don't insult the university by calling it "KU."
• centralbucksfan

  UK getting gutted. Going to be interesting year next year. Cal actually might have to coach.
• SportsAndLady

  

  Azubuike24 wrote: Don't insult the university by calling it "KU."

  Was that a knock on my Jayhawks there azu?
• september63

  

  I havent read all the posts, so excuse me if I repeat someones post. What willl Cal do? He will do something to put Kentucky on probation and then he will leave before the sanctions come down. Same thing he has ALWAYS done.
• enigmaax

  september63 wrote: I havent read all the posts, so excuse me if I repeat someones post. What willl Cal do? He will do something to put Kentucky on probation and then he will leave before the sanctions come down. Same thing he has ALWAYS done.

  Not yet. He has to get to a final four before all that.
• Azubuike24

  

  SportsAndLady wrote:

  Azubuike24 wrote: Don't insult the university by calling it "KU."

  Was that a knock on my Jayhawks there azu?

  Not a knock. In a way, a compliment. Both Kansas and Kentucky stand alone in college basketball, confusing their initials is ridiculous.
  
  It's like calling Ohio State UOS.
• september63

  

  Id refute that comment about UK annd KU standing alone in college basketball. This is the year 2010, unless you are counting Phog Allen and Adolph Rupp, your 2 programs dont stand alone these days!!
• september63

  

  using your outdated theory, UCLA still stands alone?
• SportsAndLady

  

  Azubuike24 wrote:

  SportsAndLady wrote:

  Azubuike24 wrote: Don't insult the university by calling it "KU."

  Was that a knock on my Jayhawks there azu?

  Not a knock. In a way, a compliment. Both Kansas and Kentucky stand alone in college basketball, confusing their initials is ridiculous.
  
  It's like calling Ohio State UOS.

  Ha I was just kidding, I knew what you meant.
• reclegend22

  

  Just curious, but stand alone?
  
  We both know that's not the case. Maybe I am confusing what you meant, though.
  
  Even though the Cats haven't reached a Final Four since '98, they're still the top blue blood. I won't dispute that. Second is probably North Carolina followed by Duke and then Kansas. Indiana and UCLA after that.
  
  In terms of the last 25 years alone, no one tops Duke.
• Laley23

  

  I HATE when people say UI (thats Illinois, a rival) and its worse when they actually say it. "University of Indiana"