College Basketball

[RedEyedGhost]

There were a couple of interesting articles today with regards to '09 recruits:

The LA Times talks about why USC and UCLA pulled scholarship offers for Renardo Sidney - one of the top 10 high school players. Basically it comes down to the Sidney family having very shady finances. And you know it's bad if Floyd backs out on a recruit.

The second article is about John Wall, and that fact that he was picked up on a breaking and entering citation last week. From Duke's scout.com site it sounds like there was no forced entry on an empty house that had been foreclosed on, so it's likely not a big deal and is being made into a bigger thing than it actually is because of his basketball skills. We'll see though.

[Rhom]

That is interesting. I've been reading a bit here and there about the Sidney recruitment, but I hadn't come across that yet. Its a losing battle all around when adults see a potential slice of the pie in a talented teenager. I don't see how the NCAA can ever hope to keep up.

I find it interesting that despite the number 1 recruiting class last year and several years of top 10-15 classes, UCLA is curiously absent from many pre-pre-season top 25 polls. They've got the talent to compete, they just have to listen to Howland and get it done. IMO.

[RedEyedGhost]

That is interesting. I've been reading a bit here and there about the Sidney recruitment, but I hadn't come across that yet. Its a losing battle all around when adults see a potential slice of the pie in a talented teenager. I don't see how the NCAA can ever hope to keep up.

Yep, it's a shame when the parents screw up the kids future.

I find it interesting that despite the number 1 recruiting class last year and several years of top 10-15 classes, UCLA is curiously absent from many pre-pre-season top 25 polls. They've got the talent to compete, they just have to listen to Howland and get it done. IMO.

I think that's because they lost a lot of experience from last years team, and last year's #1 recruiting class did not even come close to panning out. Holiday was the best of their class, and if he stays in the draft... then they're screwed. This years recruiting class isn't bad, but all four are ranked below 44 in the rsci, so it's unlikely that their freshmen will have a huge impact this year.

[Rhom]

Apparently, many places are reporting that Bledsoe to Kentucky is a done deal. If true, Calipari's first recruiting class, which still may not be complete, would include: #2 DeMarcus Cousins, #22 Daniel Orton, #23 Eric Bledsoe, #40 Jon Hood, and 4-star JUCO Darnell Dodson.

Not a bad start at all.

[RedEyedGhost]

The NCAA has announced which teams are losing scholarships because of poor APR:

Arkansas: Public notice

Auburn: Limit of 12 next year

Ball State: 11

Chattanooga: 12

Colorado: 12

Delaware State: 12

Eastern Washington: Public notice

George Washington: 12

Georgia Southern: 12

Georgia State: 12

Georgia Tech: 11

Grambling: Public notice

Illinois-Chicago: 12

Indiana: 11

IUPUI: 10

Jacksonville State: 12

Kennesaw State: 11

Louisiana Tech: 12

Morgan State: 12

Ohio State: 11

Oral Roberts: 12

Pepperdine: 11

Portland State: 11

Prairie View: Public notice

Purdue: 12

San Francisco: 11

South Carolina: 12

Southeast Missouri: 12

Southern Utah: 12

Tennessee: 12

Tennessee-Martin: 12

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi: 12

Texas Southern: 11

Texas State: 12

UAB: 12

UC-Santa Barbara: 12

UT- San Antonio: 12

Western Illinois: 12

Georgia Tech, Ohio State, and Indiana losing two scholarships has got to suck! IU losing two isn't a big surprise with what they've been through. And really, neither is Ohio State with all the one-and-dones they roll through there.

My roommate is a guy who used to coach HS hoops in SoCal (as an assistant). Anyhow he's fairly clued into the scene and he thinks Sydney is way overrated. Even so, I'm sure he would have at least been a solid player at USC.

I've seen several recruiting "gurus" that claim he's overrated too. So many stating that, that I don't understand how he is so highly rated.

Did Gibson ever declare?

Yes, no agent though.

Did Hackett and DeRozan hire agents? I think they both did but I'm not 100%.

Both did.

The Wall thing makes me think he's more likely to end up at UK than at Duke.

Sounds like he'd fit in with the other athletes (ie. the football team) in Miami.

Apparently, many places are reporting that Bledsoe to Kentucky is a done deal. If true, Calipari's first recruiting class, which still may not be complete, would include: #2 DeMarcus Cousins, #22 Daniel Orton, #23 Eric Bledsoe, #40 Jon Hood, and 4-star JUCO Darnell Dodson.

Not a bad start at all.

Congrats on the pickup! This guy thinks Bledsoe is the best player in Alabama - better than Cousins. Of course he thinks that because of Cousins attitude and because you can easily take him out of the game by getting into his head.

[Rhom]

Georgia Tech, Ohio State, and Indiana losing two scholarships has got to suck! IU losing two isn't a big surprise with what they've been through. And really, neither is Ohio State with all the one-and-dones they roll through there.

That is a big hit. I was surprised at the number of SEC teams reduced to 12 schollies. Its not like the league has had a bevy of talent forcing them to deal with the one and dones... its obviously just poor academics.

Edit: The rumors are flying in full force around here these days. The current iteration of the Pitino homosexual rumor is that it wasn't Rick... but Richard (his son who was an assistant coach at UofL) involved in the relationship. Other rumors say Rick was betting on point spreads in UofL games. I don't believe any of them, but the longer this draws out... the worse these rumors are going to be.

One thing that isn't just a watercooler rumor is this story from Yahoo Sports that says Pitino is a candidate for the Sacramento Kings job. :stunned: I don't get how his name keeps coming up for these jobs like the Mavericks rumors last year and now the Kings.

[RedEyedGhost]

And even better than another recruit, Rhom, Patterson has announced that he's coming back. I imagine Meeks will shortly follow suit.

One thing that isn't just a watercooler rumor is this story from Yahoo Sports that says Pitino is a candidate for the Sacramento Kings job. :stunned: I don't get how his name keeps coming up for these jobs like the Mavericks rumors last year and now the Kings.

I saw that too. Apparently he's looking around because of the rumors flying. I highly doubt he'll attempt the NBA again though.

[Rhom]

And even better than another recruit, Rhom, Patterson has announced that he's coming back. I imagine Meeks will shortly follow suit.

Amen. One thing we won't be able to rely on next year is the "we just don't have the talent to compete" argument.

Seriously...

PG Eric Bledsoe (5 Star recruit, #3 PG in his class)

SG Jodie Meeks (4 Star recruit, Kentucky record holder for points in a game)

SF Darius Miller (4 Star recruit, Former Mr. Basketball Kentucky, Calipari raves about his dribble drive)

PF Patrick Patterson (5 Star recruit, Likely first round draft pick this year)

C DeMarcus Cousins (5 Star recruit, #2 overall player in his class)

Bench

PF/C Daniel Orton (5 star recruit, #22 overall in his class)

SF/SG Jon Hood (4 star recruit, #40 in his class, Mr. Basketball Kentucky)

PG DeAndre Liggins (5 star recruit)

SG/SF Darnell Dodson (4 star, JUCO xfer)

PG Kevin Galloway (4 star recruit - played at USC freshman year)

PF/C Matt Pilgrim (Gillispie xfer from Hampton, rumors say he's a beast down low and Calipari is a fan)

SF Ramon Harris (holdover from Tubby administration, defensive specialist, started over 20 games last year)

PF Perry Stevenson (holdover from Tubby administration, 4 star recruit, started almost 30 games last year)

I'll be honest... from top to bottom, that's the most talented Kentucky roster since 1996. :stunned: And I don't say that lightly. We're also still in the running for John Wall. :stunned: :stunned: :stunned:

It may look young at first glance, but when you break it down by class you get:

4 Seniors

2 Juniors

3 Sophomores

4 Freshmen

So its a talented team with depth at every position and experienced leadership. The only thing that will hold this team back will be how quickly they can acclimate to the Dribble Drive Motion Offense. Calipari's teams have typically not been good free throw shooters, but Meeks, Patterson, and Miller hit their shots at a combined percentage of over 85%. :drool:

Big Blue Madness can't get here fast enough!!!

[WarGalley]

Amen. One thing we won't be able to rely on next year is the "we just don't have the talent to compete" argument.

Seriously...

PG Eric Bledsoe (5 Star recruit, #3 PG in his class)

SG Jodie Meeks (4 Star recruit, Kentucky record holder for points in a game)

SF Darius Miller (4 Star recruit, Former Mr. Basketball Kentucky, Calipari raves about his dribble drive)

PF Patrick Patterson (5 Star recruit, Likely first round draft pick this year)

C DeMarcus Cousins (5 Star recruit, #2 overall player in his class)

Bench

PF/C Daniel Orton (5 star recruit, #22 overall in his class)

SF/SG Jon Hood (4 star recruit, #40 in his class, Mr. Basketball Kentucky)

PG DeAndre Liggins (5 star recruit)

SG/SF Darnell Dodson (4 star, JUCO xfer)

PG Kevin Galloway (4 star recruit - played at USC freshman year)

PF/C Matt Pilgrim (Gillispie xfer from Hampton, rumors say he's a beast down low and Calipari is a fan)

SF Ramon Harris (holdover from Tubby administration, defensive specialist, started over 20 games last year)

PF Perry Stevenson (holdover from Tubby administration, 4 star recruit, started almost 30 games last year)

I'll be honest... from top to bottom, that's the most talented Kentucky roster since 1996. :stunned: And I don't say that lightly. We're also still in the running for John Wall. :stunned: :stunned: :stunned:

It may look young at first glance, but when you break it down by class you get:

4 Seniors

2 Juniors

3 Sophomores

4 Freshmen

So its a talented team with depth at every position and experienced leadership. The only thing that will hold this team back will be how quickly they can acclimate to the Dribble Drive Motion Offense. Calipari's teams have typically not been good free throw shooters, but Meeks, Patterson, and Miller hit their shots at a combined percentage of over 85%. :drool:

Big Blue Madness can't get here fast enough!!!

Yeah that's a pretty sick roster. Calipari should be able to do a lot even in his first year. If they make the tournament it'll be interesting to see how they do next March.

[RedEyedGhost]

PG Eric Bledsoe (5 Star recruit, #3 PG in his class)

SG Jodie Meeks (4 Star recruit, Kentucky record holder for points in a game)

SF Darius Miller (4 Star recruit, Former Mr. Basketball Kentucky, Calipari raves about his dribble drive)

PF Patrick Patterson (5 Star recruit, Likely first round draft pick this year)

C DeMarcus Cousins (5 Star recruit, #2 overall player in his class)

Bench

PF/C Daniel Orton (5 star recruit, #22 overall in his class)

SF/SG Jon Hood (4 star recruit, #40 in his class, Mr. Basketball Kentucky)

PG DeAndre Liggins (5 star recruit)

SG/SF Darnell Dodson (4 star, JUCO xfer)

PG Kevin Galloway (4 star recruit - played at USC freshman year)

PF/C Matt Pilgrim (Gillispie xfer from Hampton, rumors say he's a beast down low and Calipari is a fan)

SF Ramon Harris (holdover from Tubby administration, defensive specialist, started over 20 games last year)

PF Perry Stevenson (holdover from Tubby administration, 4 star recruit, started almost 30 games last year)

I'll be honest... from top to bottom, that's the most talented Kentucky roster since 1996. :stunned: And I don't say that lightly. We're also still in the running for John Wall. :stunned: :stunned: :stunned:

It may look young at first glance, but when you break it down by class you get:

4 Seniors

2 Juniors

3 Sophomores

4 Freshmen

When's the hammer going to drop on the current scholarship players?

Patterson's return means Kentucky has 15 players on scholarship for next season. The NCAA allows a maximum of 13, meaning two players will lose scholarships either by departure or giving them up to stay on the roster. The number goes up to three scholarships needing to be vacated with Meeks, four with Wall. But Calipari said that the scholarship situation will work itself out in the coming months.

[Rhom]

On the radio yesterday they were talking about Pitino and how the rumors for him going to Sacramento are still alive. They are speculating that he's scared of looking bad compared to Calipari.

I will be disappointed in Pitino if he did go to Sacramento. Hasn't he learned his NBA lesson?

Apparently, Pitino contacted them... :stunned:

Some of the speculation around here is that this could all just be a publicity stunt by Rick to get the local media talking about him again instead of Cal. You're also right that some are saying he doesn't want to face Cal... its easy to overshadow a low key guy like Tubby Smith or a guy you're beating like Gillispie, but even if you're beating Cal he's going to grab a lot of press.

Other speculation is that he's just doing this to get his name back in the rumor mill and the job he really wants is Philadelphia. :unsure: I'm with you, I gotta wonder what the hell he's thinking. He's already dropped thousands on plastic surgery to recover from the Boston ordeal.

Yeah that's a pretty sick roster. Calipari should be able to do a lot even in his first year. If they make the tournament it'll be interesting to see how they do next March.

Agreed. I'm anxious to see how fast they can pick up the new system.

When's the hammer going to drop on the current scholarship players?

That's the ugly side of it, isn't it? :blush:

The roster I posted above is what I would anticipate we'll see if we don't sign John Wall. Missing from the roster at the end of last season are:

Michael Porter (senior to be) who was a member of Tubby's last class. He was the subject of much fan ire last year, but he gave it his all and played out of position at the point. He has already graduated after three years and his wife will be giving birth to a daughter this summer. He has decided to call it a career.

Donald Williams (sophomore to be) who was inexplicably signed in September of last year by Gillispie when his only other major D1 roster opportunity was reportedly to walk on at Marquette. He never played a minute last year and reportedly had an agreement that his scholarship would only be for one year.

Josh Harrelson (junior to be) who was brought in by Gillispie for front court depth. He's a solid player who is probably in over his head at the high D1 level. He has a nice inside-outside game, but there's no way he could take his man off the dribble as required by the DDMO. Here we come to the first major embarassment of this transition... by all accounts, he wants to stay and Cal has told him that he can but he's not likely to play. Most of the local pundits think he'll go somewhere he can play.

AJ Stewart (junior to be) who was signed by Tubby prior to his departure. He butted heads with Gillispie some over the last two years and he missed an individual workout last week. General consensus is that he'll be headed elsewhere.

Losing those players puts us where we need to be for the roster I listed above. If we need to make room for John Wall, my money is on DeAndre Liggins being shown the door. There is speculation that he won't qualify academically, which would solve some headaches for the coaching staff.

Its not pretty, and I do have my reservations about "over recruiting" for the scholarships already spoken for. To Coach Calipari's credit, he has publicly said that any player on the current roster that wants to stay will have a scholarship next year... however, he has also said publicly that he will give players an honest (and brutally frank) evaluation of their likelihood of seeing any future playing time in his system. The players who are rising seniors are safe, they can't realistically be asked to transfer anywhere else (although Pitino did run off Rodrick Rhodes prior to his senior year to make room for Ron Mercer) but the underclassmen are all fair game.

[RedEyedGhost]

I don't mind transfer after a coaching change (although Cal is sure creating the potential for a lot more than most) I just don't know what's taking so long. It's been nearly 6 weeks and we be getting so movement by now.

[Rhom]

"Lance Stephenson is like a supermodel with herpes." :stunned:

On the one hand, I don't like seeing media sources like Parrish create a story out of no hard facts... on the other hand, it seems obvious that there is something holding back these schools from recruiting a McDonald's All-American. It truly surprises me that Arizona and Memphis aren't interested in him.

[ZANNI_1276]

"Lance Stephenson is like a supermodel with herpes." :stunned:

On the one hand, I don't like seeing media sources like Parrish create a story out of no hard facts... on the other hand, it seems obvious that there is something holding back these schools from recruiting a McDonald's All-American. It truly surprises me that Arizona and Memphis aren't interested in him.

Just a couple of quick things:

1. Kid has some baggage - no surprise 99.9% of the blue chip kids do but his seem to be more of a concern.

2. You are getting your info from CBS sports which has become the bottom of the barrel in sports internet reporting - no sources, no actual reporting - all opinion pieces. All they have are a few "glorified" bloggers writing for them trying to jumpstart a heated debate in the forums. I have read your posts - half the shit you post is 100 times better/accurate (at least reported in this college b-ball forum) than pretty much anything CBS sports on line pumps out. Not sure who the brains behind CBS "just find a writer to write jackassery so he can conjure up a shit storm" - but I find going to any site other than CBS is much more enlightening and less abrasive on my mind.

While I am in the thread – there is a kid who I think is going to be A SUPERSTAR – at the next level and last I heard he declared for the draft but hasn’t hired an agent because he may or may not come back to play(coaching situation, understandable) – any info on Jodi Meeks? This kid has the type of game that IMHO actually will translate better in the pros than in college. Pretty sure K fans won’t like to hear that but what is the skinny? Leaving? Coming back? Waiting to see where he goes?

(NOTE: following playoffs closely – do not follow offseason as much as you guys and the draft has little interest for me w/the exception of a few dudes.)

[Rhom]

Just a couple of quick things:

1. Kid has some baggage - no surprise 99.9% of the blue chip kids do but his seem to be more of a concern.

2. You are getting your info from CBS sports which has become the bottom of the barrel in sports internet reporting - no sources, no actual reporting - all opinion pieces. All they have are a few "glorified" bloggers writing for them trying to jumpstart a heated debate in the forums. I have read your posts - half the shit you post is 100 times better/accurate (at least reported in this college b-ball forum) than pretty much anything CBS sports on line pumps out. Not sure who the brains behind CBS "just find a writer to write jackassery so he can conjure up a shit storm" - but I find going to any site is other than CBS is much more enlightening and less abrasive on my mind.

I'm with you on the evaluation of CBSsports.com's writing. Gary Parrish has been an embarassment in most of the articles I read from him. I get that sports sites are looking to draw hits to their page, but I'm of the opinion that "mainstream media" should stick to reporting and leave the rumor mongering to us fans.

While I am in the thread – there is a kid who I think is going to be A SUPERSTAR – at the next level and last I heard he declared for the draft but hasn’t hired an agent because he may or may not come back to play(coaching situation, understandable) – any info on Jodi Meeks? This kid has the type of game that IMHO actually will translate better in the pros than in college. Pretty sure K fans won’t like to hear that but what is the skinny? Leaving? Coming back? Waiting to see where he goes?

(NOTE: following playoffs closely – do not follow offseason as much as you guys and the draft has little interest for me w/the exception of a few dudes.)

I agree that Meeks has the tools to be a star at the next level. He has a motor on him like no other I've seen at the college level, watching him run down the open court is a thing of beauty. The fact that he routinely got stronger as the game went on was another testament to his conditioning and bodes well for success at the NBA level. He has a quick release which will translate well to the pros and has been one of the weaknesses of so many other prolific college scorers lately (Reddick, Morrison, etc). Right now, Meeks' draft position seems to be as a second rounder with late first round a remote possibility. (I don't understand this thinking.) The knocks on his game are that he needs to be a better ball handler and defender.

If he comes back next year, he will have the opportunity to work on ball handling in particular as that is a key facet of the dribble drive motion offense that Calipari is implementing at Kentucky. I think the general consensus is that he'll come back for another year.

[ZANNI_1276]

I agree that Meeks has the tools to be a star at the next level. He has a motor on him like no other I've seen at the college level, watching him run down the open court is a thing of beauty. The fact that he routinely got stronger as the game went on was another testament to his conditioning and bodes well for success at the NBA level. He has a quick release which will translate well to the pros and has been one of the weaknesses of so many other prolific college scorers lately (Reddick, Morrison, etc). Right now, Meeks' draft position seems to be as a second rounder with late first round a remote possibility. (I don't understand this thinking.) The knocks on his game are that he needs to be a better ball handler and defender.

If he comes back next year, he will have the opportunity to work on ball handling in particular as that is a key facet of the dribble drive motion offense that Calipari is implementing at Kentucky. I think the general consensus is that he'll come back for another year.

He reminds me of Michael Redd - except he is faster and a much better shooter than Redd was in College. I like him alot and agree that the late first/second round forecast is a head scratcher - I mean just watch the tape, kid can score from anywhere on the court and in the right system learn to play pro def, i like hearing that late first/early second - maybe my guys would grab him.

[Rhom]

Star recruits give John Wall the hard sell.

John Hood of Kentucky was the only one of them not to pitch girls and parties as a reason to attend. We're all basketball, all the time. ;)

[Rhom]

A new report says that Tim Floyed paid a handler of OJ Mayo $1000 to get OJ to play for USC.

My first thought when I heard this story was "A thousand?!!? Really?!!? Is that all it takes to get a McDonald's All-American these days? Hell, Eddie Sutton was paying $1500 to kids back in the 80's."

My second thought was that if it turns out to be true, I'm not surprised but I also think its fishy that all of this is coming out now from the same source that gave us the lowdown last year on alleged inappropriate gifts.

[Gold Storm]

A grand for Mayo is a good deal, they made more than that selling tickets and jerseys at their games. I would be very surprised too learn that Floyed personally handed the money over, and did not use some go between who is not part of USC.

[Rhom]

The plot thickens...

I thought I would share this story.

If you can’t open the link, basically there is a picture there of protesters outside the Karen Sypher hearing. Apparently, it was on the Courier Journal’s website yesterday and was later pulled down. In the picture, you can see Karen Sypher’s son holding a sign that says “What’s the price of an abortion?†There’s also a video that was on the WAVE3 website that shows him holding it too. The implication is that the story surrounding Pitino and Sypher is an affair that lead to an abortion. Very interesting.