Class of 2019 - General Discussion

[J.Jennings]

I would've loved to have had Carey because he's probably the most college-ready in the class, but not sure we had much of a shot with him. The Wiseman thing is much more damning and much harder to take.

You could give Duke theirs and take yours and still wins titles. You can't give Duke theirs, give Memphis and Oklahoma theirs, give Kansas one, give Oregon one, and win titles that way. Not unless you kept players for four years, and that isn't happening.

Gonna have to adjust if things keep going this way. Probably will have to take a hard look at the assistant coaching staff and cut a couple loose.

But there's a good chance we still end up with a heck of a class. A lot depends on McDaniels and Hurt, but there are still major pieces out there. Crucial pieces.

More and more though I think we're at the end of the road with Cal.

I agree with your last sentence, starting to see the writing on the wall...

[lilproUK98]

K is kicking Cal's butt on and off the court.

And if Cal doesn't adjust, it will only get worse, imo.

Maybe adapt your style to the players' abilities instead of forcing them into positions that don't fit.
Maybe stop raving like a wild lunatic on the sidelines on every possession and actually let them play.
Maybe hire better assistants that can teach offense or defense. (See Belein)
Maybe change the recruiting approach that KY is not for everyone to something more positive.
Maybe quit worrying so much about changing generational poverty and just adjust to the current changes happening so we can have the best COLLEGE program again.

Or maybe none of those and just carry on.

All great points and hard to argue against the growing concern.

[lilproUK98]

The bad news: Vernon Carey will probably pick Duke tomorrow.

The good news: Matthew Hurt seemed to have a good visit, and UK has a real shot with him. They brought him out after the game the other day and the Rupp crowd gave him a big hand. He seemed a little surprised. And of course he Instagrammed a picture of himself in a UK jersey.

But it'll probably be awhile before we know about him.

Word is Hurt had a fantastic visit and UK is either leading or right there at the top. I believe they were the first official visit tho, so still a long way to go. Fingers crossed....

[85 Fly]

I never thought we had a shot with Carey (I always hoped we could get him but I knew it was a long shot) I thought he was heading to MSU, but Duke once again! Wiseman I was locked in on getting him so that hurt me (like missing out on MB III) but I understood once Penny became HC of Memphis that was just the perfect storm that didn't go in our favor. I wanted the Irish Hulk (which I'm still not clear on if we gave him a solid offer?) because I knew he'd probably be around 2yrs and had good upside and our rival of all people land him!

Maybe I should just look forward to the landscape changing in a few more years...we won't have to worry about other blue blood programs (or even us) landing the elite players and we can get back to quality, building your team over years to make a run, basketball! But will Cal still be here when the shift happens?

[85 Fly]

Did anyone check out the City of Palms to see potential recruits go up against one another? Was a little disappointed in University & Oakhill, I thought that would be final match-up but McEachern had something to say about that especially S. Cooper (c/o 2020) which is a high school version of Ulis... I see it if he continues down this path and we are checking him out...

[DA#23]

Any recent rumblings? I’m salty that Carey went to Dook.

It’s hard telling if we might not have an unexpected returnee or two from this team. I suspect we won’t, but that could be very nice.

[GOCAT15]

A little buzz with Jaden Mcdaniels, but most of the players left on the board look to all really be up in the air and holding their information tight to the vest. Will be lucky to land another top 10 guy, in my opinion it would be Mcdaniels or Hurt.

[GOCAT15]

Stewart will make his decision sunday night, everyone is saying Washington but who knows. Just please don't pick Duke. He's the #6 prospect in the class.

[GOCAT15]

https://usatodayhss.com/2019/kentucky-signee-tyrese-maxey-moving-on-after-missing-out-on-james-wiseman

If a comment like this doesn't get you excited about a recruit, I don't know what will........

“I need those guys with me,” Maxey said. “I gave it my best shot with James and that’s all I can do. I pretty much knew that he was gonna go there, but I had to go hard at him anyway. Now I’m gonna focus on these guys and try and build a great team for the BBN fans next season.”

[Matt Dillon]

Stewart will make his decision sunday night, everyone is saying Washington but who knows. Just please don't pick Duke. He's the #6 prospect in the class.

There's some buzz, on Twitter, that McDaniels may end up at Washington as well.

[Joneslab]

#2 overall Anthony Edwards will visit Kentucky on Tuesday.

Still probably a Florida St. lean but it's interesting that they're getting him to campus.

[Catsrock]

Need some good news. Whitney, Allen & Maxey is a good start but without some help Brad may be starting at center. Lose as many as expected and we can't field a team without more commits. Obviously I know Cal will fill out a roster...I just want it to be a good one.

[Joneslab]

Nick Richards isn't on any NBA radar but that doesn't mean he won't transfer.

Not sure where E.J. Montgomery goes either but with his skillset you can maybe see a team taking a flier on him really late.

But the same holds true for UK as it did two months ago: Jaden McDaniels is a must.

And speaking of McDaniels: he plays tomorrow morning at 11:00 on ESPNU.

https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-recruiting/article224813840.html

[GOCAT15]

At least Stewart picked Washington instead of Duke.

[Joneslab]

Just watched McDaniels. You can see the potential but he doesn't play with a high motor (at least he didn't in the game this morning) and he just sort of floats around at times. You have to love his length and skillset but whoever gets him is probably going to have to teach him to play hard.

The ESPN guys are mostly predicting McDaniels to Washington.

If true then Kentucky will almost have to land Hurt and keep a couple of the frontcourt players on this team. Has the potential to get really dicey inside for UK next season.