Class of 2019 - General Discussion

[JFCats22]

Vernon Carey (as expected, despite what experts on here said) eliminates UK from consideration.

[85 Fly]

This one was the perfect storm I can't be mad at Wiseman Penny was his AAU and HS coach. If the Memphis job wasn't open I truly believe we wouldn't be having this discussion we would have Wiseman.
I read an article something about UK could have the 4th or even lower 2019 class... Hey, whatever team we have as long as we play hard, on ball defense, work on our shooting/scoring I don't have to have names...
Look at Auburn and Tenn they are new to everyone paying attention to them and its only been 2 seasons that they are on the national media map. The make-up of the team is important but what's most important is winning and you don't necessarily need to have "names" to win. A nice combo would be nice. 2021 all this will probably be mute point for every big name program because we will go back to the even playing field for those who do want to come out of HS into college.

[J.Jennings]

There has been a definite decline in the ease in which he gets players. No question about that. Circumstances/luck have certainly played a big part in it. But I think the biggest thing is that it's not just UK vs Duke anymore for the top guys. They are going all over the place.

Trae Young chose to stay close to home and go where he could get 25 shots a night.

Wiseman by all accounts was a near lock for UK until Hardaway was hired. So he lost that one to bad luck, or really a shrewd move by Memphis. Hard to beat staying home and playing for a coach you are already very familiar with.

I am not so mad about Wiseman, RJ Barrett and a few others are the one's i was shocked at...

[J.Jennings]

Cal made a statement he's not the recruiter people think he is, not sure what to think of that but maybe that's his way of changing the tide, he says he has to go to bed at night with a clear mind meaning he aint lying and telling these kids what they want to hear just to get them to play at Kentucky...

[catfaninin]

Well...I hate to say it, but I think this has probably become the point where Calipari decides to evolve (and innovate again) or to demonstrate stubborn habits as he falls from the pier of the elite.

This is where the truly great have separated themselves. It's also a characteristic upon which many of us berated former coaches, especially Tubby Smith. Obviously we are no where near that level of perception, recruitment, etc., but there is noticeable decline in the last ~ 2.5 years.

He will not arrive at a point where he can't land 5 star recruits, but I am no longer confident that we can refill the shelves on demand as we have in the past.

(As a devil's advocate point, luck played heavily into those high quality hauls and has played into these recent losses in likely equal amounts)

There has been a definite decline in the ease in which he gets players. No question about that. Circumstances/luck have certainly played a big part in it. But I think the biggest thing is that it's not just UK vs Duke anymore for the top guys. They are going all over the place.

Trae Young chose to stay close to home and go where he could get 25 shots a night.

Wiseman by all accounts was a near lock for UK until Hardaway was hired. So he lost that one to bad luck, or really a shrewd move by Memphis. Hard to beat staying home and playing for a coach you are already very familiar with.

[J.Jennings]

Well...I hate to say it, but I think this has probably become the point where Calipari decides to evolve (and innovate again) or to demonstrate stubborn habits as he falls from the pier of the elite.

This is where the truly great have separated themselves. It's also a characteristic upon which many of us berated former coaches, especially Tubby Smith. Obviously we are no where near that level of perception, recruitment, etc., but there is noticeable decline in the last ~ 2.5 years.

He will not arrive at a point where he can't land 5 star recruits, but I am no longer confident that we can refill the shelves on demand as we have in the past.

(As a devil's advocate point, luck played heavily into those high quality hauls and has played into these recent losses in likely equal amounts)

I agree, now is the time for Cal to innovate and take it up a notch. Cal has been great on the "sell" his first 7 to 8 years with good assitant coaches who could recruit and also using friends of his such as Drake, JayZ and other to appeal to these younger generation of kids. Cal has had some great recruits but only managed one title, to some he has actually underachieved, the loss a few years ago with the 19 and under team sure hasn't helped. Other coaches recruit and sell on spacing and shooting while Cal still stresses rebounding and defense, not what alot of these kids want to hear now a days in the Steph Curry era of basketball....

[DA#23]

Well...I hate to say it, but I think this has probably become the point where Calipari decides to evolve (and innovate again) or to demonstrate stubborn habits as he falls from the pier of the elite.

This is where the truly great have separated themselves. It's also a characteristic upon which many of us berated former coaches, especially Tubby Smith. Obviously we are no where near that level of perception, recruitment, etc., but there is noticeable decline in the last ~ 2.5 years.

He will not arrive at a point where he can't land 5 star recruits, but I am no longer confident that we can refill the shelves on demand as we have in the past.

(As a devil's advocate point, luck played heavily into those high quality hauls and has played into these recent losses in likely equal amounts)

[Lighthouse]

Very disappointing but expected.

[J.Jennings]

Expected this but it still sucks, Cal needs to regain his edge, the thrill is gone

[Catsrock]

Wiseman was "ours to lose." And we did. I feared the winningest coach of all time may decide he had to have him. Instead we lost him to a coach who is 2-1. Yes I understand they had a relationship.

​

[JFCats22]

Not to beat a dead horse (sorry Cal).

But -this is a sobering reminder of his lack of luck/success as of late.

Calipari signed 10 top-five recruits in his first seven classes at Kentucky. Good chance he ends up with zero in the last four classes.

[JFCats22]

Regarding Wiseman -

https://twitter.com/KyleTucker_ATH/status/1064937892697567232

[JFCats22]

Andrew Slater (Rivals expert) says Edwards is Florida State's to lose

[KCKUKFan]

James Wiseman to Memphis.

[Joneslab]

Edwards says Kentucky has offered.

http://www.zagsblog.com/2018/11/20/anthony-edwards-reclassifies-to-2019-class/