Portal

[TrueblueCATfan]

Tons of rumors and speculation out there . Here's what is a known. 36 of the top 50 ranked portal players are GONE. 5 of the top 10 are still available and so far as I can tell we aren't really in with any of them. I watch fans wringing their hands over wether we get the 46th ranked guy. How does that type of lineup legitimately compete for a National Title. I know rankings aren't everything but does anyone who's being honest really believe the kind of talent we are getting is going to get it done. We are in a mess here and I haven't got a clue how we are going to get out of it. Speaking of mess WHY is nobody talking about the lack of a new AD and the absolute crickets you here from UK about filling it.

I agree...thinking there should be some rumblings on who is taken Mitchs place

[Matt Dillon]

You'd think that $950k salary that Mitch is supposedly getting for some bogus role after he retires could be used for a GM.

It's my understanding there's a signed contract. If so, It would cost UK to get out of it even if they wanted to.

[Cawood86]

It's my understanding there's a signed contract. If so, It would cost UK to get out of it even if they wanted to.

By President Capiluto I guess?

[Matt Dillon]

By President Capiluto I guess?

I would imagine so.

[Tomcats1990]

Freeman has canceled his UCONN visit that’s got to be good news for KY right?

[UKHoops01]

Freeman has canceled his UCONN visit that’s got to be good news for KY right?

One would think. I've been seeing that it's down to Kentucky and Alabama. Still hope we land Rancik AND Freeman.

[bthaunert]

Tons of rumors and speculation out there . Here's what is a known. 36 of the top 50 ranked portal players are GONE. 5 of the top 10 are still available and so far as I can tell we aren't really in with any of them. I watch fans wringing their hands over wether we get the 46th ranked guy. How does that type of lineup legitimately compete for a National Title. I know rankings aren't everything but does anyone who's being honest really believe the kind of talent we are getting is going to get it done. We are in a mess here and I haven't got a clue how we are going to get out of it. Speaking of mess WHY is nobody talking about the lack of a new AD and the absolute crickets you here from UK about filling it.

Rankings in the portal are a total crapshoot (funny that you randomly mentioned the 46th ranked played and both have my examples have the 46th ranked guy). Michigan won it all this year with 5 transfers. Here are their portal rankings:

Yaxel Lendeborg - 1
Morez Johnson - 26
Aday Mara - 46
Elliott Cadeau - 60
Nimari Burnett - 248

The year before, Florida won it all. They had 4 starters from the portal. Here are their portal rankings:

Walter Clayton - 69
Alijah Martin - 129
Will Richard - 46
Rueben Chinyela - 104

So, the only stud was Yaxel. It's so much more about team chemistry, style of play, getting guys that fit your system, coaching, getting guys for more than a year, etc. Portal rankings across a roster haven't proven to be much of a picture into the success of a team.

[Rondo#9]

What"s the word on Wilkins? Is he taking any other visits?

[Rondo#9]

Tons of rumors and speculation out there . Here's what is a known. 36 of the top 50 ranked portal players are GONE. 5 of the top 10 are still available and so far as I can tell we aren't really in with any of them. I watch fans wringing their hands over wether we get the 46th ranked guy. How does that type of lineup legitimately compete for a National Title. I know rankings aren't everything but does anyone who's being honest really believe the kind of talent we are getting is going to get it done. We are in a mess here and I haven't got a clue how we are going to get out of it. Speaking of mess WHY is nobody talking about the lack of a new AD and the absolute crickets you here from UK about filling it.

If you're talking about Wilkins being the 46th ranked guy... he's better than whatever you think that ranking reflects. And he has a TON of upside. Only knock I've really heard on him is his defense.

[Jload]

Rankings in the portal are a total crapshoot (funny that you randomly mentioned the 46th ranked played and both have my examples have the 46th ranked guy). Michigan won it all this year with 5 transfers. Here are their portal rankings:

Yaxel Lendeborg - 1
Morez Johnson - 26
Aday Mara - 46
Elliott Cadeau - 60
Nimari Burnett - 248

The year before, Florida won it all. They had 4 starters from the portal. Here are their portal rankings:

Walter Clayton - 69
Alijah Martin - 129
Will Richard - 46
Rueben Chinyela - 104

So, the only stud was Yaxel. It's so much more about team chemistry, style of play, getting guys that fit your system, coaching, getting guys for more than a year, etc. Portal rankings across a roster haven't proven to be much of a picture into the success of a team.

So you are saying we don't have a problem . I don't agree.

[bthaunert]

So you are saying we don't have a problem . I don't agree.

I'm not saying that at all. I'm saying portal rankings have not been an indicator of success or lack their of like many think. The problem might not be the rankings of the guys coming in, but rather the skills they bring and the system they are put in.

[UKHoops01]

I'm not saying that at all. I'm saying portal rankings have not been an indicator of success or lack their of like many think. The problem might not be the rankings of the guys coming in, but rather the skills they bring and the system they are put in.

I trust my own eyes more than most portal rankings. Rankings are really nothing but a starting point to me. They tell me who to research and who to look at, read up on and consider.

The thing I've noticed about nearly ALL basketball rankings... whether it's high school, college, Rivals, ON3, ESPN, 247Sports....you name it...they tend to rank more off of athleticism and measurables than off of basketball skill and ability. That's why someone like Jayden Quaintence was rated so much higher than someone like Walter Clayton, Jr. I'd love to see where someone like Larry Bird would rate in today's basketball rankings system (LOL).

[Jeffky62]

Reading alot of chatter from other sites Wilkins is 100% in and will commit soon who knows this is like pulling teeth

[Catsrock]

I can take a guess why someone might choose UK over UCONN.

For starters, Kentucky is not a deep blue, one political party state. If a recruit is somewhat or very conservative, Connecticut's politics could be a turnoff.

Also, Kentucky experiences winter, but nowhere close to the extreme cold, snow and lengthy degree that they do up there.

Not to mention, I've heard (never been there, do don't know for sure) that UCONN's facilities are nowhere close to being as nice as Kentucky's.

While I'm not authority on Connecticut women, from what I can tell Kentucky has them beat in that regard.

And lastly, Dan Hurley is a dick. Maybe some recruits don't want to play for a guy like him.

I'm sure there's others, but that's all I've got for now.

There are certainly reasons a kid may pick UK over UConn. My guess is politics is high on that list for almost zero of these young fellas. Perhaps I’m mistaken, but I was 19 once. And there was no one offering me $2million to play ball.

[bthaunert]

I can take a guess why someone might choose UK over UCONN.

For starters, Kentucky is not a deep blue, one political party state. If a recruit is somewhat or very conservative, Connecticut's politics could be a turnoff.

Also, Kentucky experiences winter, but nowhere close to the extreme cold, snow and lengthy degree that they do up there.

Not to mention, I've heard (never been there, do don't know for sure) that UCONN's facilities are nowhere close to being as nice as Kentucky's.

While I'm not authority on Connecticut women, from what I can tell Kentucky has them beat in that regard.

And lastly, Dan Hurley is a dick. Maybe some recruits don't want to play for a guy like him.

I'm sure there's others, but that's all I've got for now.

I don't think your first point is even a consideration. I have a feeling exactly 0% of kids at the caliber that Kentucky recruits will have that as a consideration for their college choice.