Class of 2018 - General Discussion

[Joneslab]

And yet I ask again: if not these guys then who?

No other offers out. It's basically Barrett (doubtful), Zion, Bol, Grimes, Johnson, Garland (highly doubtful), and now Herro. With the exception of Herro it's pretty much been the same way for weeks.

If you miss out on all these guys then Kentucky can't field a team. Still suggests the staff either (a) is confident we get at least three of those guys, and/or (b) they know kids are coming back.

There are no other options on the table.

[SCBlu]

This has been the weirdest recruiting season in years.The word here in "Zion Country" is that UNC has always been very high on his list, but concern of possible NCAA penalties pushed them out of the top 4 contenders. Now, it's a new day and all bets are off!

[justford]

Evan Daniels predicts Bol Bol to Oregon.

Is this because he is still upset about not making the team this summer and blames Cal?

[Joneslab]

Is this because he is still upset about not making the team this summer and blames Cal?

Not sure. Really weird recruitment.

[KCKUKFan]

Matt Jones just said on the radio that there has been a mutual parting of ways between Kentucky and Bol Bol. Concerns about how he'd "fit in here" and apparently some of the meetings after Big Blue Madness didn't go very well. I think our staff has all but conceded him to Oregon. Bummer, but now they have to make sure they get Zion and a couple of the others.

[KCKUKFan]

Oregon picks up last 3 and 7 of last 8 picks in Crystal Ball

I don't really know why people pay attention to this Crystal Ball thing. It's very rarely ever right in the end.

[Joneslab]

Matt Jones just said on the radio that there has been a mutual parting of ways between Kentucky and Bol Bol. Concerns about how he'd "fit in here" and apparently some of the meetings after Big Blue Madness didn't go very well. I think our staff has all but conceded him to Oregon. Bummer, but now they have to make sure they get Zion and a couple of the others.

Wow.

Could be a personality clash maybe. Or they're worried that he's never going to reach his potential.

You have to think if Cal really coveted him he would've never cut him from that team.

[BCO]

Cant understand it.

Im not trying to speculate, but Bols recruitment seems a little...odd. I may be assuming, but Matt even said that hed have to discuss more about it in a periscope, which makes it hard not to speculate...

That sucks, we really really needed him IMO. I cant understand missing on elite bigs.

Our hopes of a “super team” next year, in my opinion, hinge on an elite shot-blocking big. A sophomore Nick Richards is no guarantee, and even if we do have him then, whether he can play D without fouling remains to be seen.

I cannot for the life of me understand how Cal has not had an elite center since Karl (I guess you could count Skal, but he underwhelmed majorly). I mean, the 3 best big men in the NBA right now….ALL CAL GUYS. Makes no sense. Hopefully we can land Wiseman in 2019 but in my opinion we really, really need Bol. Put him with Quickley, Williamson, and Johnson and combine that with whoever comes back….we can dream about 40-0 again. Hopefully with a better ending.

[Joneslab]

I would categorize Bam as an elite big. He was up and down as a freshman but came in with massive accolades and had some huge games.

It could be simply that Cal doesn't see Bol Bol as elite. Clearly the whole thing about him has been potential. I saw a thing just yesterday where Jerry Meyer said if there were five plays, he'll take four off.

It may be that UK just doesn't want to put a full-court press on a player who may not pan out. If Bol grows to 7'6" that's a major problem.

[BCO]

I would categorize Bam as an elite big. He was up and down as a freshman but came in with massive accolades and had some huge games.

It could be simply that Cal doesn't see Bol Bol as elite. Clearly the whole thing about him has been potential. I saw a thing just yesterday where Jerry Meyer said if there were five plays, he'll take four off.

It may be that UK just doesn't want to put a full-court press on a player who may not pan out. If Bol grows to 7'6" that's a major problem.

I meant to type an elite center. Bam was a true 4 playing out of position. I think if we didnt slide him over to a 5, he would have REALLY shined last year.

It seems that Bol doesnt put much effort into the game, but honestly thats where I think Cal could mold him into a superstar. I think Cal sees the talent...when asked about Bol during the USA camps his eyes got big as saucepans. Im dying to know what the "issues" were and why the staff has seemingly conceded him to Oregon. He does some things that are jaw dropping.

Oregon getting these elite prospects is fishy to me. Considering its the flagship Nike school and all the mess going on in college basketball right now....just smells funny. Maybe its a blessing we dont get him. But to me, he seems like the piece we need the most next year.

[BCO]

Plus Im really still bummed out that we missed on Bamba. That was a complete gut punch.

[Joneslab]

Oregon is coming off the Final Four and that's Nike's flagship. But I get your point.

Bol's personality may be more West Coast. You see that sometimes. Maybe he got a look at the insanity of BBM and got a tad gunshy about jumping into the fishbowl.

[UK8STL11]

If the Bol to Oregon rumors are correct than I think there have to be concerns with the 2018 class. Cal is quickly running out of players to add.

The only possible options left are: Zion (complete toss up), Grimes, Johnson, and Herro. And, I am not sure UK is the favorite for any of them.

I know there is no reason to question or doubt Cal but this 2018 class is shaping up to be pretty strange.

[KCKUKFan]

Even if our class is Zion, Johnson, Herro, and Quickley... that's a ridiculous class. Add to it returners (arguably everybody not named Knox or Diallo), and it makes a pretty darn good (and deep) roster.

I'm not too terribly concerned.

[catfaninin]

Even if our class is Zion, Johnson, Herro, and Quickley... that's a ridiculous class. Add to it returners (arguably everybody not named Knox or Diallo), and it makes a pretty darn good (and deep) roster.

I'm not too terribly concerned.

My feelings as well. I will take Washington, Green, Richards, Shai with 1 year and Gabriel with 2 over any of these guys that have been "misses". And we have no idea about Vanderbilt. I think Cal has the situation well in hand.