Class of 2019 - General Discussion

[Dwight Schrute]

Seeya later DJ Jeffries.

[Joneslab]

T.J. Walker's recruiting notes. Thinks Cal has changed his strategy and is pushing players to commit, believes we're in the lead for Carey, notes that Wiseman's recruitment has gone dark, and suggests that Oscar Tshiebwe and Matthew Hurt are still very much in play.

https://kentuckysportsradio.com/main/monday-insider-notes-kahlil-whitney-commits-and-the-cats-focus-on-bigs/

[Joneslab]

Also, and this almost doesn't even need to be said, but we're going to need a substantial recruiting class both talent-wise and numbers-wise, because everybody on this current team is going to leave. We may be lucky to return one guy; two would be a shock.

[Dwight Schrute]

Also, and this almost doesn't even need to be said, but we're going to need a substantial recruiting class both talent-wise and numbers-wise, because everybody on this current team is going to leave. We may be lucky to return one guy; two would be a shock.

I had thought Tyler Herro would be a foundation for next year, but it seems pretty clear he has as good a chance as any at leaving.

[catfaninin]

TJ Walker thinks UK is in the lead for Vernon Carey. That would make next year much less worrisome.

[Joneslab]

Kentucky makes the final eight for power forward Matthew Hurt. He's a 6'9" stretch forward out of Rochester, Minnesota, who's ranked fifth in the country by Rivals.

Duke, Indiana, Minnesota, UCLA, North Carolina, Memphis, and Kansas also made the cut.

[Joneslab]

DJ Jeffries fell all the way to #68 in the new 257 rankings. Kahlil Whitney rose to 6th. Maxey comes in at #10.

https://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2018/08/22/ncaa-develops-new-metric-eliminates-rpi-as-primary-sorting-tool/

[Joneslab]

Oscar Tshiebwe cuts his list to four, and Kentucky's on it. The other schools are West Virginia, Baylor, and Illinois. He's a 6'9" center/power forward out of Kennedy Catholic in Pennsylvania. Ranked 19th in the country int he new 247 rankings.

Also being reported today that he will visit Kentucky on the last weekend of September.

He's been a focus of the Cats' staff for the past couple of months.

[catfaninin]

Oscar Tshiebwe cuts his list to four, and Kentucky's on it. The other schools are West Virginia, Baylor, and Illinois. He's a 6'9" center/power forward out of Kennedy Catholic in Pennsylvania. Ranked 19th in the country int he new 247 rankings.

Also being reported today that he will visit Kentucky on the last weekend of September.

He's been a focus of the Cats' staff for the past couple of months.

Making the final four of a guy who has not been to visit and who doesn't even yet have an offer seems to bode well for UK's chances.

With the stories of how he dominated Wiseman during the summer it sounds like he would be a good addition.

[Joneslab]

[Joneslab]

Scottie Lewis will visit UK in September. Would be surprised if he goes anywhere but Duke.

https://247sports.com/college/kentucky/Article/Kentucky-basketball-Scottie-Lewis-locks-in-official-visit--121117259/

[Joneslab]

Some more news today:

1. James Wiseman will visit Lexington next weekend.

2. And Kentucky has offered Aidan Igiehon. He's ranked #27 in his class and is from Woodmere, New York. 6'8" power forward.

Sort of interesting timing on all this. It appears the staff is trying to push for a couple of more signings before the end of 2018. I read yesterday that it's unclear if Kentucky has even offered Oscar Tshiebwe. They may like Igiehon better.

And how many UK fans are going to mispronounce IGIEHON if he comes to Kentucky? I don't even know where to start with that.

[Joneslab]

Kentucky has actually made Igiehon's final four.

Kentucky, Louisville, Oregon, St. John's.

[catfaninin]

Apparently an offer to Igiehon hasn't happened just yet.

https://www.aseaofblue.com/2018/8/28/17794068/kentucky-basketball-recruiting-aidan-igiehon-list-uk-recruit

And it also seems like a very good chance that Tshiebwe will commit when the offer does come.

https://www.aseaofblue.com/2018/8/28/17784908/report-significant-chance-tshiebwe-picks-kentucky

[Joneslab]

Word going around last night that 2020 #4 R.J. Hampton, a point guard, may re-classify into the 2019 class. T.J. Walker points out that Tyrese Maxey recently mentioned Hampton.