Blackshear

[Dwight Schrute]

Calipari might be the best talent scout of the last 25 years or so.

Really good at targeting players who can play at the college level and who have pro potential.

I actually like the grad transfer route however. It's not what I would prefer but if you're going to run a program like Kentucky does where everybody's looking to get to the NBA, grad transfers are the way to go (until they change the rule).

The thing is, there are only a handful of these guys who are elite. Travis was one, as is Blackshear. So if you're going to do it this way, you've got to land them.

But the transfer route is the way programs have gotten good if they aren't getting a lot of can't-miss blue chippers. Programs like Gonzaga and Texas Tech and a bunch of others have plugged older guys in and gotten one or two years of solid play from them.

It makes sense that in a game that's so young you would want proven older players. Those guys are manna...but when you get them on campus you've got to actually get them to commit.

I'd rather have a great 5th year guy as opposed to a freshman who isn't ready to play at this level, for sure.

I agree with your comment about Calipari being a talent scout. I don't think anyone truly thought Tyler Herro would be a borderline lottery pick after his first year. Same with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Devin Booker. Problem is once you whiff on the elite kids, there aren't enough of the second tier kids to go around.

With Blackshear, I like our team a lot next year. He's someone who's been a proven contributor at the elite level of college basketball, he adds maturity and game experience, and he gives EJ and Nick someone to learn from every day.

The team could still be good without him, but a lot has to go right for that to happen.

[Dwight Schrute]

Also, just the coaching staff's mere interest in Kerry Blackshear should tell you all you need to know about what they think of our frontcourt situation next season.

It's in pretty bad shape unless we get another player.

I had that thought about Sestina.

[JFCats22]

Good news coming for UK tomorrow. I am being told that UK is nearly 100% confident they will get a commitment from Blackshear when he is on campus. They told me that at this point it will be a "major surprise and upset" if he does not choose UK. He has basically eliminated all of the other schools and it's really just about hearing more on Cal's plan for him and how he meshes with the other guys.

[J.Jennings]

I'd rather have a great 5th year guy as opposed to a freshman who isn't ready to play at this level, for sure.

I agree with your comment about Calipari being a talent scout. I don't think anyone truly thought Tyler Herro would be a borderline lottery pick after his first year. Same with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Devin Booker. Problem is once you whiff on the elite kids, there aren't enough of the second tier kids to go around.

With Blackshear, I like our team a lot next year. He's someone who's been a proven contributor at the elite level of college basketball, he adds maturity and game experience, and he gives EJ and Nick someone to learn from every day.

The team could still be good without him, but a lot has to go right for that to happen.

I can agree with this , especially a 5th year guy over a freshman...

[J.Jennings]

I had that thought about Sestina.

Agreed but we did need depth and Cal missed on the big fish...

[J.Jennings]

I'd rather have a great 5th year guy as opposed to a freshman who isn't ready to play at this level, for sure.

I agree with your comment about Calipari being a talent scout. I don't think anyone truly thought Tyler Herro would be a borderline lottery pick after his first year. Same with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Devin Booker. Problem is once you whiff on the elite kids, there aren't enough of the second tier kids to go around.

With Blackshear, I like our team a lot next year. He's someone who's been a proven contributor at the elite level of college basketball, he adds maturity and game experience, and he gives EJ and Nick someone to learn from every day.

The team could still be good without him, but a lot has to go right for that to happen.

Sometimes high school ratings are way overrated. Eye test can tell you who the really top playes are but after that it's a crap shoot, ask Kawai Leonard....

[Dwight Schrute]

I can agree with this , especially a 5th year guy over a freshman...

I'd rather have James Wiseman, but if that's not an option and there aren't many good fall back plans in the class, give me someone like Blackshear.

[JFCats22]

I'd rather have James Wiseman, but if that's not an option and there aren't many good fall back plans in the class, give me someone like Blackshear.

5th year Blackshear is better than Freshman Wiseman

[Joneslab]

I had that thought about Sestina.

Not sure about Sestina. I worry about the level he came from.

I like him as a bit player and hopefully instant offense off the bench but if Blackshear comes, it's hard to see how he fits in as a major contributor. Hopefully he can play a kind of Kyle Wiltjer as a freshman role.

[lilproUK98]

Good news coming for UK tomorrow. I am being told that UK is nearly 100% confident they will get a commitment from Blackshear when he is on campus. They told me that at this point it will be a "major surprise and upset" if he does not choose UK. He has basically eliminated all of the other schools and it's really just about hearing more on Cal's plan for him and how he meshes with the other guys.

It's been UK from the start. The only other option was NBA, but his camp believes one good year at UK can get him a guaranteed contract.

[lilproUK98]

Not sure about Sestina. I worry about the level he came from.

I like him as a bit player and hopefully instant offense off the bench but if Blackshear comes, it's hard to see how he fits in as a major contributor. Hopefully he can play a kind of Kyle Wiltjer as a freshman role.

When was the last time we've had 11 seasons combined of cbb experience from our 4 man front court rotation? That's exciting.

[Dwight Schrute]

Not sure about Sestina. I worry about the level he came from.

I like him as a bit player and hopefully instant offense off the bench but if Blackshear comes, it's hard to see how he fits in as a major contributor. Hopefully he can play a kind of Kyle Wiltjer as a freshman role.

The comparison I saw was Scott Padgett.

[Dwight Schrute]

5th year Blackshear is better than Freshman Wiseman

I hope. Wiseman seems to have more upside, but I think we'd be more than fine with what we have + Blackshear.

[J.Jennings]

It's been UK from the start. The only other option was NBA, but his camp believes one good year at UK can get him a guaranteed contract.

Then let's hope that is the case. I still believe Nick can be a much better player and contributor but his only downfall is not the talent or the drive, it's the confidence and experience, didn't pick up a basketball until he was 15 years old.

Anyways, let's see what happens over the next few days.....

[Joneslab]

Would be nice if UK can get the commitment while he's on campus.

Weird things might happen if he visits Texas A&M. Nostalgia might kick in, Buzz may work on the family, who knows. Anything can happen.

Needs to get done this evening or tomorrow.

If it does, I like Kentucky as the #1 team in the preseason. Sort of right back where we were last year in terms of what the roster looks like*. The only advantage this team has is that I don't think the overall field is even close to as strong as it was a year ago.

* Kentucky will have quite a bit more experience than a year ago. Oddly, if Blackshear comes, Kentucky will have a lot of experience period and you won't be able to just say "Kentucky has a lot of experience for Kentucky." That'll be...weird.