2016 Recruit Watch

[Joneslab]

* And Kentucky wasn't an "average team" this past season, FWIW.

Got an atrocious draw in the NCAA Tournament and had to play a similar team in IU. If we would've gotten a true seed we were probably a Sweet Sixteen type of team.

That means there are roughly 300 D1 teams who didn't make it to that point. We were certainly a donut. But average, no.

[Joneslab]

Jones says that Bolden will sign tomorrow at the signing deadline, assuming he signs a letter of intent, even though he will announce Thursday.

So expect some leaks if he does sign an LOI.

[justford]

It isn't, really. These days if you're a senior, it usually means you haven't performed at a very high level throughout your career.

Especially at UK.

[BBNalldayeveryday]

* And Kentucky wasn't an "average team" this past season, FWIW.

Got an atrocious draw in the NCAA Tournament and had to play a similar team in IU. If we would've gotten a true seed we were probably a Sweet Sixteen type of team.

That means there are roughly 300 D1 teams who didn't make it to that point. We were certainly a donut. But average, no.

I just think other than Ullis and Murray the rest of the team was below average talent wise. We did get a tough draw, but you have to beat who you have to beat. Historically there have been teams who have went all the way that were placed in brackets with early difficult match ups.

[Joneslab]

I just think other than Ullis and Murray the rest of the team was below average talent wise.

Not even Skal and Poythress were below average.

Briscoe was way above average for a freshman. 10 points, 5 rebounds a game, 3 assists, <2 turnovers a game all while playing a position he'd never played and being probably the second best perimeter defender as a freshman Cal has had behind MKG.

Eric Bledsoe: 11 points a game, 3 rebounds a game, 3 assists, 3 turnovers a game.

Doron Lamb: 12 points a game, 2 rebounds a game, 2 assists a game.

James Young: 14 points a game, 4 rebounds a game, 2 assists a game.

Briscoe compares favorably with all these guys. Important to remember that you're talking about a freshman. It's easy to see all these guys as Anthony Davises, but some of them help the team even though they're not world-destroying talents. Briscoe helped the team in a hundred big and small ways last year.

[justford]

Not even Skal and Lee were below average.

Briscoe was way above average for a freshman. 10 points, 5 rebounds a game, 3 assists, <2 turnovers a game all while playing a position he'd never played and being probably the second best perimeter defender as a freshman Cal has had behind MKG.

Eric Bledsoe: 11 points a game, 3 rebounds a game, 3 assists, 3 turnovers a game.

Doron Lamb: 12 points a game, 2 rebounds a game, 2 assists a game.

James Young: 14 points a game, 4 rebounds a game, 2 assists a game.

Briscoe compares favorably with all these guys. Important to remember that you're talking about a freshman. It's easy to see all these guys as Anthony Davises, but some of them help the team even though they're not world-destroying talents. Briscoe helped the team in a hundred big and small ways last year.

Lee being a Junior was not below average? Can you elaborate?
Thanks

[Joneslab]

Lee being a Junior was not below average? Can you elaborate?
Thanks

Sorry, I meant to say Poythress. Mistyped.

Lee was probably average. Had quite a few games in the second half of the season where he put up literally nothing.

[Joneslab]

The cartoon character otherwise known as De'Aaron Fox has a new mixtape:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1gH5VLU8AY

[BBNalldayeveryday]

I couldn't disagree more with this take.

You don't think our tissue-paper-thin frontcourt was the reason we were average*? Briscoe would get out there and fight and claw like an absolute animal while the frontcourt guys at times would stand around and watch.

Yeah, his shooting hurt. At times badly. But generally he could bring so much to the table, so much that didn't really get recorded on the stat sheet. One of the main reasons we started to kill zones in the last part of the year was Briscoe's ability to get in the middle and pass out.

We BADLY need Briscoe back.

Him leaving would impact us from a depth standpoint in the back court. For that reason I hope he does come back. He came to UK as a 5 star recruit who ended up not being that. Believe me, I hope he comes back and improves in every facet of his game obviously, but if he doesn't come back I just don't think it would be as detrimental of a loss as some others do that's all.

[BBNalldayeveryday]

On that note who do you all think Bolden ends up choosing?

[Joneslab]

He came to UK as a 5 star recruit who ended up not being that

Well, if you define "5-star recruit" as a Cousins, Davis, Wall, Murray, Randle, or Towns, then he definitely wasn't that. But most of what Cal has gotten at UK haven't lived up to what those guys did. Those are not normal players.

Briscoe is way more in line with the Youngs and Bledsoes production-wise. (Bledsoe had much more NBA potential because of his uncanny athleticism.)

But he's much more important than just backcourt depth on next year's team. This guy is absolutely crucial to next year's team in the same way Darius Miller was. He'll start and play almost all the time.

[Joneslab]

On that note who do you all think Bolden ends up choosing?

Still think Kentucky mainly because of Cal's tweet.

There had to be something to that.

[George]

Still think Kentucky mainly because of Cal's tweet.

There had to be something to that.

What tweet?

[Joneslab]

What tweet?

John Calipari ‏@UKCoachCalipari May 16
Hey, #BBN, what do you think about what I wrote? I know there are a lot of bold statements in there ...

[BBNalldayeveryday]

Still think Kentucky mainly because of Cal's tweet.

There had to be something to that.

My big blue brother I hope you're right. It would allow Bam to stick at 4.