Class of 2019 - General Discussion

[J.Jennings]

Did i read the NCAA is looking to change the grad transfer rule? Of course they will change it if Kentucky uses it and has success.....

[Joneslab]

You never know what a player is going to be at 23 years old. He'll be playing against a lot of 18- and 19-year-olds. That's huge.

Would not expect him to be any more than a role guy but role players are massively important in this game. Both Julius Mays and Reid Travis helped the team in a lot of ways and I think the reason for that is mostly that the game is so young now that any semblance of age is an immediate advantage.

That said, for Kentucky to be a legitimate title threat they're going to need two of Herro, Hagans, and Johnson to come back and/or one of Hurt/McDaniel, and they need to keep the obvious ones (Quickley, EJ, Richards, Jemarl). Then they need major improvements from all involved. That's a big ask for all that stuff to happen but it's sort of a testament to the precarious place UK basketball finds itself in every spring.

Of course this is assuming that nothing weird happens and there's not a last-second decommit or something. But Kentucky is in a situation sort of like it was in on 4/8/18: it could go either way. If there's a surprise return and we grab one of the bigs then I think Kentucky's in good shape; if there's a mass exodus and he strikes out on with the couple of big names left then that might be a team that has to fight to be a top 25 sort of team.

[Dwight Schrute]

He may be a nice enough player. But, he put up only decent numbers against pedestrian competition. I can't imagine a guy like him would provide much more than a backup/spot minute role at UK next season.

He's going to be compared to Travis being a grad transfer and it's going to be an unfair comparison for him.

Yeah I don't think he sounds like a Reid Travis comparison at all. From what I understand he's more of an outside player than Reid was. I think more than anything else we'll need a senior who has actually played some, which is a need he'd fill.

There's also apparently a UC Irvine kid who may transfer out for his final year. He's a guard, but a senior guard could be helpful too. But these are going to be bit players and if we don't get a kid like Hurt next year may be rough.

[JFCats22]

Apparently the Bucknell kid is on campus today.

He may be a nice enough player. But, he put up only decent numbers against pedestrian competition. I can't imagine a guy like him would provide much more than a backup/spot minute role at UK next season.

He's going to be compared to Travis being a grad transfer and it's going to be an unfair comparison for him.

[Dwight Schrute]

Apparently the Bucknell kid is on campus today.

[J.Jennings]

Still a chance at Hurt, hear he has family ties to Kentucky. Also like the grad transfers we are looking at and while we are at it, still think Petty could be a great pickup from Alabama. ..

[Catsrock]

McDonald's game was last night. First time in awhile I didn't get to watch any of the game, but Tyrese Maxey had a big game. (Kahlil Whitney, strangely, did not.)

Evan Daniels says the week's most impressive performer was Washington signee Isaiah Stewart. Cole Anthony took home MVP.

https://247sports.com/college/basket...xey-130600765/

I watched about half. My main takeaway was there's no Zions in the group. I don't mean huge athletic freaks I mean real superstar looking freaks. Maybe Wiseman is but not while I was watching.

They were accurately comparing Stewart to Montrezl Harrell with a little more polish at this stage. Kind of a flying around everywhere type.

[Joneslab]

McDonald's game was last night. First time in awhile I didn't get to watch any of the game, but Tyrese Maxey had a big game. (Kahlil Whitney, strangely, did not.)

Evan Daniels says the week's most impressive performer was Washington signee Isaiah Stewart. Cole Anthony took home MVP.

https://247sports.com/college/basketball/recruiting/Article/McDonalds-All-American-Game-Recap-Cole-Anthony-Isaiah-Stewart-Scottie-Lewis-Precious-Achiuwa-Tyrese-Maxey-130600765/

[85 Fly]

Basically a better shooting version of Reid Travis. And one inch taller. Shot 60% overall, 38% from 3, 81% from the line.

Come. On. Down.

...This grad transfer thing is growing on me!!!

[Catsrock]

Another grad transfer??

http://kentuckysportsradio.com/baske...isit-kentucky/

2nd team all-Patriot league doesn't have the same zeal as former McD's AA, 2 time Pac12 player of the year but that doesn't mean he wouldn't be a welcome addition if Cal thinks he would be.

[justford]

Another grad transfer??

http://kentuckysportsradio.com/baske...isit-kentucky/

[Dwight Schrute]

I fully expect PJ, Keldon, and Tyler to go, the rest to stay. Hagans is the unknown at this point IMO.

I agree - PJ is obviously gone. There's an argument for Keldon to come back and be one of the two or three best players in the country next year and put himself in the top 10, but you never know if that'll happen. I think he's gone.

Tyler too probably. He's probably a late first rounder but that's probably his ceiling and he ought to go now while he has that chance.

[lilproUK98]

Keldon's likely gone. To me the questions for next season are Ashton, Herro, and Quickley. Whether Nick Richards stays in the program or transfers out is another matter.

Herro has had a pretty good March and will probably have first round possibilities. Ashton could be next year's PJ if he returns.

I fully expect PJ, Keldon, and Tyler to go, the rest to stay. Hagans is the unknown at this point IMO.

[Dwight Schrute]

Keldon's likely gone. To me the questions for next season are Ashton, Herro, and Quickley. Whether Nick Richards stays in the program or transfers out is another matter.

Herro has had a pretty good March and will probably have first round possibilities. Ashton could be next year's PJ if he returns.

[lilproUK98]

Kentucky is hosting graduate transfer Nate Sestina as we speak. Averaged 16 and 9 for Bucknell last season. Has NBA potential as a stretch 4.

https://247sports.com/college/basket...sit-130546836/

Basically a better shooting version of Reid Travis. And one inch taller. Shot 60% overall, 38% from 3, 81% from the line.

Come. On. Down.