John Calipari says “I don't have an answer”

[Dwight Schrute]

I think you can't discount how much this year impacted player development. That doesn't make this an excusable season, but it might account for at least some of the busts that occurred.

Would a 'normal' offseason make Boston into the player he was expected to be? Maybe. I am not as down on the prospect of a sophomore BJ Boston or Lance Ware or whoever the way others are.

[Joneslab]

Boston has shown some flashes and I'd like to have him back. I don't expect it thus I didn't add him to my list, but you can see the talent sometimes with him. I like his demeanor most of the time and he seems to want it, though I think his selfishness comes through a lot.

Of all Cal's top prospects he could probably help his stock the most if he returned, simply because there are things he could work on--strength, shooting--on the college level.

[Matt Dillon]

I read that Cal said “Allen may get his chance going forward”
Did he actually say this? We have one regular season game left and a brief appearance in the SEC tournament. Is Cal just trying to appease the fans?

I took it to mean that, for the remainder of the season, he is going to start Mintz at PG, and Allen and Toppin.

[KCKUKFan]

Jimmy Dykes had some interesting comments last night, after talking to Cal earlier in the day.

He said that next year's Kentucky team will have EIGHT new players. We already have four, which means that four more are coming. Which obviously means that there will be a MASS exodus from this roster; Cal knows that this team won't cut it, even with guys coming back. Dykes also said that Cal knows there is no point guard, so he understands that Askew isn't the answer. Look for Skyy Clark to re-classify.

I think Cal understands how important this offseason is.

[DA#23]

^ “ I can’t hide you” has come full circle. It applies to both sides of the party...Er, team?

[Lighthouse]

I took it to mean that, for the remained of the season, he is going to start Mintz at PG, and Allen and Toppin.

I hope you're right. Play the guys who might come back. Add Ware to your list and go with them. The so called super stars are not going to make themselves any more attractive to the Pros, so look ahead to next year.

[lilproUK98]

Cal says in his radio show Gonzaga was the team we were trying to play tomorrow night.....

LMAO

Maybe we should've actually had Cal drug tested.

[40bill]

As far as playing the Zags this IS the same guy that said the OOC schedule was too tough.
loose talk now is 8 recruits (or some plus transfers) next year....means wont be many from this crew left.

As far as this year....lotta mistakes everywhere...evaluating. recruiting, misjudging, overestimating, coaching blunders.

Actually, it happens. Usually not all at once, but it does.
Maybe Calipari can learn from it.
Hope so.

[Jload]

Cals answer if Dykes is to be believed is to double down next year on the very tactic that brought us here in the first place, 8 new players on the roster is what he is apparently telling folks. He truely doesn’t see or doesn’t care that this IS the problem. Can’t wait for him to be gone.

[KCKUKFan]

Cals answer if Dykes is to be believed is to double down next year on the very tactic that brought us here in the first place, 8 new players on the roster is what he is apparently telling folks. He truely doesn’t see or doesn’t care that this IS the problem. Can’t wait for him to be gone.

Or maybe he realizes that this particular combination of players just cant compete and he has to blow it up.

Theres no guarantee that a returning 8 15 team would be THAT much improved next year.

[JFCats22]

Or maybe he realizes that this particular combination of players just cant compete and he has to blow it up.

Theres no guarantee that a returning 8 15 team would be THAT much improved next year.

It's kind of a lose lose for Cal, at least until next season starts and we see the actual results. If there is a mass exodus fans are going to lose their minds. If there isn't fans are still going to be angry and say Cal isn't committed to making changes, returning "terrible" players won't help, etc...

Of those realistically coming back I would be happy if we only kept Toppin, Brooks, Mintz and Ware. I think those guys can be the foundation of a good team with the other incoming parts we have.

No matter who leaves/returns Cal absolutely has to find a legitimate point/scoring guard somewhere.

[Dwight Schrute]

Matt Jones is detailing Cal's contract and how insane it is. Long story short, Cal is gonna be here until he decides not to. If he leaves UK will owe him $50 million, and if he stays 3 more years, he gets $1 million/year for the rest of his life.

[Joneslab]

Or maybe he realizes that this particular combination of players just cant compete and he has to blow it up.

Theres no guarantee that a returning 8 15 team would be THAT much improved next year.

Well, I look at it a little more optimistically because I think this team could be improved simply because I don't think they were that far away. They suck...but the level of suck was at a point where a few adjustments here and there (from the coach and players) could have flipped about 8 games.

Also, we don't need Sarr. I think Sarr is a real problem on this team. People talk about Boston and absolutely, Boston's a problem with how weak and soft he is. But Sarr is arguably a bigger issue because of the way Cal wants to play and how Sarr can't play. I think the tandem of Tshiebwe and Collins is really enticing and I think we'll be getting an upgrade there.

But obviously the team goes nowhere without an elite point guard. You can talk about exodus vs. keeping players for days, but you accomplish nothing if you don't bring in a point guard who can drive the thing. Skyy Clark may be that guy but the reclassify scares me. Still, he looks like one of those explosive talents this team is obviously missing.

[DA#23]

^ You had not yet read the contract. The buy out is huge, and of course the 2024-25 season allows for transition to Assistant to AD making more than current AD if wanted.

It was "a lifetime contract".

[Joneslab]

^ You had not yet read the contract. The buy out is huge, and of course the 2024-25 season allows for transition to Assistant to AD making more than current AD if wanted.

It was "a lifetime contract".

In short, like all lifetime contracts it was an unmitigated disaster.

Kentucky should have never gone that route with Cal. It was crazy and disappointing, and now this thing could get really gnarly because of it.