The Official We're Definitely Not Going to Panic About a Big Man Thread

[Blue Heaven]

Wow! Eric Manuel. Loved that guy. I believe it was the game vs Wayman Tisdale's OU Sooners game in Rupp where he got us all excited.

I was wrong again. He scored a career high 24 against LSU. My memory isn't what itvused to be.

[Matt Dillon]

I've never been a conspiracy theorist and I can virtually guarantee that envelopes weren't just popping open at Emery because they were too full of money. And if one did someone would have sealed it back and gotten it on its way rather than calling the NCAA.

Or more likely, stuck it in their pocket.

[Joneslab]

The envelope that popped open was a tape of Chris Mills' highlights.

Back in the day families and college coaches had to share highlight tapes because the coaches couldn't see players as much as they do today. UK (allegedly) watched Mills' video and before sending it back stuffed money in the envelope. Dwayne Casey was (again allegedly) the one responsible.

The "it just popped open on the conveyor belt" story was always fishy to me too, because why would an Emery worker contact anybody but the sender anyway? I never understood that.

But as for the question about whether UK was stuffing envelopes, I'm sure we were. As was virtually everyone else.

[largebluej]

......Eric Manual got the biggest shaft the NCAA has ever stuck to any individual.

Amen, and amen!

[Joneslab]

Going back to the earlier posts on the thread, it looks like the guy UK is looking to pick up is 4-star center Frank Anselem.

He will reclassify so if Kentucky got him he'd be eligible next year.

I know almost nothing about his game but here's a 54-second highlight clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EURtprZH-zY

[Matt Dillon]

From what little I've read about him, the talking heads seem to think he'll need time to adjust as opposed to being an immediate contributor.

[Lighthouse]

Probably a project. Looks like decent footwork, and can take some contact.

[George]

Anselem isn’t the answer for next season. May become a fine player in time, but I'll bet everything I own that he isn't the immediate-impact guy we need now.

I hope they snatch him up, but he can't be the final piece.

[Joneslab]

Getting guys like this and Obi Toppin's brother are ironically the way you build teams the way many UK fans want them to be built: bringing in under-appreciated players who are not likely to bolt after a year.

But of course at Kentucky you never know. The stay-a-year-and-then-leave thing hasn't just been about NBA guys as we all know.

And also it really doesn't address this pretty alarming situation we have coming in the frontcourt next year.

[George]

Getting guys like this and Obi Toppin's brother are ironically the way you build teams the way many UK fans want them to be built: bringing in under-appreciated players who are not likely to bolt after a year.

But of course at Kentucky you never know. The stay-a-year-and-then-leave thing hasn't just been about NBA guys as we all know.

And also it really doesn't address this pretty alarming situation we have coming in the frontcourt next year.

Exactly. I'd be fired up about this kid if he weren't all but guaranteed starter's minutes from day one.

[JFCats22]

Exactly. I'd be fired up about this kid if he weren't all but guaranteed starter's minutes from day one.

Yep and if not he will transfer during the season next year or (if we are lucky) after 1-2 seasons.

[Blue Heaven]

Getting guys like this and Obi Toppin's brother are ironically the way you build teams the way many UK fans want them to be built: bringing in under-appreciated players who are not likely to bolt after a year.

But of course at Kentucky you never know. The stay-a-year-and-then-leave thing hasn't just been about NBA guys as we all know.

And also it really doesn't address this pretty alarming situation we have coming in the frontcourt next year.

Get a nice big man and then I ain't worried. It will happen I feel.

[JFCats22]

This isn't going to help Cal in finding a big man

Jeff Goodman✔@GoodmanHoops
NCAA Board of Directors have recommended to the Council that changes to the waiver process as suggested by the working group are not appropriate at this time.

[Joneslab]

Wake Forest 7 footer Olivier Sarr enters the transfer portal. Will try to get eligible next year.

He specifically mentioned Kentucky fans when he talked about people reaching out to him. Said it "got a little too much" with regard to how many UK fans reached out.

I'm always amazed that grown men feel like it's appropriate to contact high school and college kids online. But of course I shouldn't be. The same group is probably sliding into the DM's of every attractive woman they see on the interwebs.

[Joneslab]

^ Going on with Sarr:

He tells the media he will not sit out if his waiver is denied. He'll play overseas for a year.

So if UK gets him they're only getting him if he's able to play next year.