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Posted by SCWC (Member # 2464) on 04-10-2018, 09:07 AM:

From KSR:

quote:

Ashton Hagans: Another day, another five-star commitment. The second straight early morning announcement is from the No. 1 point guard in the 2019 class. He’s expected to reclassify to 2018 and join the team in time for the summer trip to the Bahamas. The Georgia native actually played against E.J. Montgomery in this year’s state tournament. After winning the battle, Hagans will join forces with Montgomery at UK.

quote:

This should put UK ahead of Duke as having the number one recruiting class for next season. Ashton is classified as the number one point guard in 2019 but will reclassify and join the Cats next year. So much or Coach K getting the one, two and three players in the class, Cal is back and so should the Cats be next season.

Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 04-10-2018, 09:36 AM:

Kind of hard not to be excited about next year. Some great new players and at least some returnIng players. Let's just hope no one will jinx us by talking about an undefeated season, another championship in the bag etc.

Posted by SCWC (Member # 2464) on 04-10-2018, 10:59 AM:

Another article on Ashton from The Cats Pause:

quote:

Five-star point guard Ashton Hagans made his college decision on Tuesday morning, he informed 247Sports. “I committed to Kentucky,” Hagans said. “It’s my dream school and I feel like I can get the job done there.” Hagans, a standout at Covington (Ga.) Newton, originally committed to Georgia, but he backed off that pledge on Feb. 26. Once he reopened his recruitment, the nation’s best came calling on Hagans. Among the schools that offered Hagans included the new Georgia staff, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Providence, Maryland, Georgetown, Memphis, Arizona State, Auburn, Florida State and a host of others. Despite the attention from schools across the country, Hagans has known he wanted to go to Kentucky for a long time. "I would say at the beginning of the summer of last year," he said when asked when he knew UK was the place for him. Hagans met with Kentucky’s staff for an in-home visit this past Thursday. The Wildcats recruited him the first time around, but ramped things up on March 29, when they opted to offer him a scholarship. "It was good," he said about his in-home visit. "They were here for two and a half hours. They were talking and telling me how they love my game. They want me to come in here and work hard and win some games." Hagans took an unofficial visit to Kentucky’s campus on Oct. 14, 2016. The 6-foot-4 guard is taking the courses that would allow him to reclassify from 2019 to 2018, but a decision regarding a reclassification hasn’t been made. Hagans is regarded as the No. 8 prospect in the 247Sports Composite 2019 Rankings. "I see myself fitting in there good because of the type of guard I am," Hagans said. "I’m a pass-first guard that get others involved. They have other players that can score and I feel like I get everyone involved and be on a winning team." EVALUATING ASHTON HAGANS Ashton Hagans is one of the premier point guard prospects in the country. Hagans has tremendous size for the position at 6-foot-4. He's a strong, tough, physical and aggressive lead guard. Hagans is one of the most competitive players in the country, regardless of class. Hagans has impressive court vision and is a very good passer. He also has a ton of potential on the defensive side of the ball, because of his size, length, physical play and lateral quickness. Hagans is particularly impressive in transition and he plays well through contact. The next step for Hagans is continuing to develop his long-range jump shot, which lacks consistency. Overall, whether Hagans opts for the 2019 or 2018 class, he would rank as one of top prospects and players at his position.

quote:

[ 04-10-2018, 11:01 AM: Message edited by: SCWC ]

Posted by PaulCat (Member # 513) on 04-10-2018, 11:10 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by handycat:
Kind of hard not to be excited about next year. Some great new players and at least some returnIng players. Let's just hope no one will jinx us by talking about an undefeated season, another championship in the bag etc.

Handy, I've drank that Kool-Aid for the last time. My days of getting excited over a UK team seem to have come and gone. These freshman are so hyped, and then you find out they can barely shoot past three feet from the basket, or they can't defend my grandma, or they don't know what a rebound is. Personally, i'm ready for a change. I want get back to watching players for more than one year.

Posted by ukcatfannfl (Member # 1425) on 04-10-2018, 11:43 AM:

I'm excited has the potential to be the best team since Davis et al

Posted by PaulCat (Member # 513) on 04-10-2018, 11:47 AM:

If the Montgomery kid isn't the real deal then we have no inside game whatsoever other that PJ (assuming he stays). And that spells trouble.

Posted by ironrangetoo (Member # 10205) on 04-10-2018, 12:21 PM:

PC What about Gabriel???

Posted by ukman (Member # 3032) on 04-10-2018, 12:47 PM:

I am excited for next season, but I get what Paulcat is saying. I don't get too excited about the freshmen anymore. The majority tend to not live up to the hype. I am excited though because we could have some solid returners to go along with talented freshmen. I think Richards could develop into a decent post, but he has to get his head straight and feel encouraged. Even if we don't have strong post play we should at l;east have some shooters. Last year we didn't have post play, and we couldn't shoot the ball. I am really hoping that Herro and Baker are the real deal as far as shooters go. That will be huge to have a couple spot up guys that can knock the 3 down consistently.

Posted by ukman (Member # 3032) on 04-10-2018, 12:52 PM:

I like that they say Hagans is a pass first type guard, has good vision, and is one of the most competitive players in the country. I don't know much about the kid, but I will take a pass first Pg with great vision, and someone who hates to lose and competes his hardest all the time. hopefully he can set up Herro, Baker, Gabriel, and Green to knock down some 3's.

Posted by PaulCat (Member # 513) on 04-10-2018, 01:02 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by ironrangetoo:
PC What about Gabriel???

Gabriel is a shooter, not a true low-post player. He can't guard traditional forwards and centers - he's too thin.

Posted by boomdaddy (Member # 2644) on 04-11-2018, 09:04 AM:

Nick Richards could't catch a cold, last season. I see no reason he won't have stronger wrists and hands as a soph and be able to catch a pass and be able to hold onto a rebound.

We as fans can be too quick to write players off if they do't show results from day one.

I, personally, could not figure out why the young man started every game. I am sure UK's head coach sees something in him.

Besides improving his hands, I expect him to be quicker and stronger. His board total should go up and his scoring could go to double figures if they can get him the ball and he hits his free throws.

[ 04-11-2018, 09:05 AM: Message edited by: boomdaddy ]

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 04-11-2018, 09:50 AM:

I agree with Boom. Cal must see a different Richards in practice than we see in the games. He clearly needs to work on strength and his vertical is nothing to write home about.

Unlike other players on last year's team, Richard's arm span (his "reach") wasn't nearly as long as one might assume. That is a real disadvantage in rebounding unless you can simply sky above your opponents. Also, he was not strong enough to get (and hold) good rebounding position.

The hand/wrist strength was another issue. So, all three combined to render him far less effective on the boards than we had hoped. But, as boom points out, they can all be improved if Richards devotes himself to the weight room.

[ 04-11-2018, 09:51 AM: Message edited by: Tiptree ]

Posted by ukman (Member # 3032) on 04-11-2018, 01:37 PM:

I think Richards has potential to be very good. He has a nice stroke, and I think he could develop a couple good post moves. I will say that I think SKJ should have started over Richards. Sure hope he has a great year and shows alot of improvement. I think alot of people, me included sometimes, have gotten to the point where they expect too much from some of these freshmen. Some of these guys could be very special players if they have the time to develop. I also think some of the players have gotten their own expectations too high at times. Everyone is in a rush to get to the NBA, and some feel if they don't go after 1 year that it will hurt their stock because they weren't good enough as a freshman. Crazy system.

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 04-11-2018, 01:44 PM:

quote:
Everyone is in a rush to get to the NBA, and some feel if they don't go after 1 year that it will hurt their stock because they weren't good enough as a freshman. Crazy system.

^^^
Truth. Emphasis mine.

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 04-11-2018, 05:31 PM:

Here we go again. We'll see if Cal can beat the top players he wanted with the guys we picked up later. It will happen in the first game against Duke in early December.

Posted by phillrose1 (Member # 2916) on 04-11-2018, 09:27 PM:

As excited about the possibility of next season as I am I cant help but wonder what is going to happen to minutes. I will relate this to the Booker/KAT team. We had so many good players and so many people were rotating that the best players we not always on the floor because to the platoon system. Sometimes I cant help but wonder how good we would have been if Booker had been starting all year and getting tons of minutes. After that loss Cal said he will play the best players he has and never platoon again. Now looking forward at next season I wonder what will happen and who will be playing. I don't see Quade Green staying around if Hagans reclassifies. Even when we have people that plan on staying they get recruited over and end up leaving after a season or two worried about getting minutes. Not a bad problem to have but I do wish we had a few more veteran guys who can come off the bunch. I was disappointed when Charles Matthews left. I can honestly see Jemarl Baker and Green leaving before the start of the year. Just like SKJ did when he saw Montgomery sign.

Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 04-11-2018, 09:41 PM:

Quote by Tip The hand/wrist strength was another issue.

Tip, I really mean no offense but how many times am I going to have to explain this hand strength and dexterity thing to you?

[ 04-11-2018, 09:43 PM: Message edited by: handycat ]

Posted by PaulCat (Member # 513) on 04-12-2018, 07:34 AM:

I was waiting for that, Handy!

Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 04-12-2018, 08:07 AM:

Well Paul, you know I ain't one to brag but I may have some exciting news soon. Cal and I are in talks about me joining the staff full time as "hand strength and dexterity coach". My only fear is if I accept some prudes may start a Rick Pitino like scandal due to my coaching methods.

Stay tuned as I will reach a decision soon.

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 04-12-2018, 09:19 AM:

Well, you certainly have the right TCD name for the job.

Sure will give the term "stroke it" a whole new meaning in Cal's practice sessions.

Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 04-12-2018, 09:43 AM:

Hired and fired on the same day. Cal and I came to terms. Shortly there after I got a call from the president of the university informing me that he was terminating my contract.
For some narrow minded reason he pitched a hissy fit when he found out that my intentions were to incorporate my work out routine into the pre game shoot around.

Oh well, back to my advisor role.

Posted by ProBlue (Member # 2944) on 04-12-2018, 10:27 AM:

I believe we have gone off track here. WITHDRAWAL from BB Basketball. LOL .

Posted by Old Norm (Member # 1482) on 04-12-2018, 11:41 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by ProBlue:
I believe we have gone off track here. WITHDRAWAL from BB Basketball. LOL .

Yes, but what a fun ride it is! I love people with a great sense of humor, and we have an abundance of them here!

Posted by ProBlue (Member # 2944) on 04-12-2018, 11:57 AM:

Yes I do to Norm. Makes one laugh ! I read the Cat's Domain 3-4 times a day.I am hooked on it. I don't post a lot but do read a lot.

Posted by ukcatfannfl (Member # 1425) on 04-12-2018, 03:03 PM:

Well handy as soon as I heard that you were fired I applied and once Coach asked me who I voted for he said move on!

Posted by MountainMafia (Member # 2066) on 04-13-2018, 07:15 AM:

Now I know why Cal likes players that are long and athletic.

Posted by CatFanInYankeeville (Member # 2025) on 04-15-2018, 02:15 PM:

Still just freshmen guys. 5 stars or not, we've had these teams a lot that are loaded with youngsters. We need guys that will stick around a few years!