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Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 06-23-2024, 06:23 PM:

I was unable to post the link but this is was in the article.

“ The Kentucky Wildcats have received some bad news on the recruiting trail this offseason.

After an overall successful offseason by Mark Pope and his new coaching staff, they had a chance to reel in their first big high school recruiting win of the new era, but unfortunately, it will be a miss.

On Sunday, 5-star wing Will Riley committed to the Illinois Fighting Illini. Riley chose the Illini over Kentucky, Alabama, Arizona, and the New Zealand Breakers (NBL).”

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 06-23-2024, 07:01 PM:

I thought so. Too much competition from seasoned vets. Not much PT. Just like the two KY boys we signed. If they get 10-12 minutes they will be lucky. As long as the shooter vets make their shots.

Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 06-23-2024, 09:07 PM:

Riley is no comparison to the Perry and Noah. Riley is a legit NBA Lottery pick. If he would have come to UK and sat behind anyone on the current UK roster then I would start to question Mark Pope immediately (I don't think Pope would do that he is going to play the most talented player at the position regardless of age).

People have to remember that the elite players today are different than in the 1970/1980/1990......because of AAU they are constantly going against players older than them and they are not worried about playing time just because a player is older. Now can the older players be more physical, craftier, experienced, absolutely, but no elite kid today is "Intimidated/worried by Competition" coming from older players. That is just not how it works.

[ 06-23-2024, 09:10 PM: Message edited by: Trey Ball ]

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 06-23-2024, 09:57 PM:

Riley is no comparison to the Perry and Noah. Riley is a legit NBA Lottery pick. If he would have come to UK and sat behind anyone on the current UK roster then I would start to question Mark Pope immediately (I don't think Pope would do that he is going to play the most talented player at the position regardless of age).

People have to remember that the elite players today are different than in the 1970/1980/1990......because of AAU they are constantly going against players older than them and they are not worried about playing time just because a player is older. Now can the older players be more physical, craftier, experienced, absolutely, but no elite kid today is "Intimidated/worried by Competition" coming from older players. That is just not how it works.

I agree, and know what you are saying but.......

isn't this what we were complaining about Cal doing? Playing them just because they are 5 stars going to the NBA? We don't know what he will do when the time comes. We had some big failures the last couple years who were suposed to be great.

Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 06-24-2024, 08:31 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by Bama Cat:
isn't this what we were complaining about Cal doing? Playing them just because they are 5 stars going to the NBA? We don't know what he will do when the time comes. We had some big failures the last couple years who were suposed to be great.

I never complained about Cal playing the best player. I complained about Cal's offensive design and utilization of his players, which he changed up last year finally. I still think it was time for Cal to go for both UK and for Cal.

I don't buy into this theory that an "Older" less talented player is better than an extremely talented, NBA lottery type pick of Freshmen. Now if you can get an "Older NBA Lottery Type of Talented player on your roster I would agree that they should/would get the nod over a Freshmen of the same stature and maybe that is the piece that Pope can bring that Cal didn't, but I don't see Pope bringing in the High School talent that Cal did, but outside of Coach K and Duke, no one else could either.

[ 06-24-2024, 08:35 AM: Message edited by: Trey Ball ]

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 06-24-2024, 08:51 AM:

Same page.

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 06-24-2024, 11:27 AM:

It remains to be seen if Pope can recruit high school talent successfully. But, IMO, Pope's "success" doesn't have to look like Cal's success.

Cal focused on recruiting top talent that was en-route to the NBA via the fastest path possible. And yes, they were very talented, but usually they crumpled under the pressures of the post-season (or more likely, their focus was on the NBA draft instead of winning a championship). I loved the talent, but was perennially dissatisfied with the results.

Pope might add one or two top-10 players, but if he consistently lands 3-4 kids each year in the top 30, he will be building the kind of base for success that we fans long for. He would be doing it more the way Jay Wright at Villanova did it than the way Cal, Coach K, or Coach Self did it.

IF he can do that, I think his systems and coaching can elevate those players to the kind of wiley veterans that can push deep into the tournament.

For this year, however, I can fully undestand why a player like Riley would not come to Kentucky. We have a roster STUFFED with one-and-dones in the sense they are all upperclass transfers with one year left to play. This year will be a one-off, hopefully, as the mix stabilizes towards more freshmen and fewer transfers over the next 2-3 years. By then, we will see how well Pope recruits and coaches.

Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 06-24-2024, 12:13 PM:

quote:
This year will be a one-off, hopefully, as the mix stabilizes towards more freshmen and fewer transfers over the next 2-3 years. By then, we will see how well Pope recruits and coaches.

My thoughts and hopes as well.

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 06-24-2024, 12:50 PM:

I expect him to be somewhat of a copy of Joe B. Hall and Tubby Smith. He'll get a top 10 or 2 once in a while but the roster will be made of top 100 kids and a few projects.