Kyle Tucker hints at two roster additions

CoachKlein

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And that tweet about not being allowed to talk about it - why wouldn’t you be able to talk about someone already in the portal leaning UK?

Because UK has asked them not to speak about it; sometimes they feed information to writers as long as they don’t mention it publicly. UK creates high-profile buzz—obviously because it’s Kentucky—and that would potentially bring a lot more attention to a recruitment than the coaching staff wants. They’ve done this numerous times in the past.

Also, Bryce Aiken is off the board; just committed to Seton Hall.
 

Demarcus Kidd-Miller

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https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4067442/jalen-tate

I have not see his name mentioned by anyone with us [UK] officially, but he meets the need; more importantly, the mold that Cal wants in a guard.

-2x All-Defensive team in the Horizon League is what stands out first. Also, good size at 6’6. Talented guard from a quality program with a lot of game experience the last few years in a solid mid-major league ; not to mention they won the Horizon and were tournament-bound this year.

Again, no mention with Kentucky ... but we all know how the coaching staff likes to work (I.e. Reid Travis, Greg Brown’s scholarship offer, etc.)

How does one shoot 40% from three one year and shoot 18% from three the next? Weird.
 

akaukswoosh

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Here's a 6-4 combo guard leaving Minn. Shot 36% from 3. Started out at Vandy. Had an
8-point game against us.
 

Drcats2025

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https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4067442/jalen-tate

I have not see his name mentioned by anyone with us [UK] officially, but he meets the need; more importantly, the mold that Cal wants in a guard.

-2x All-Defensive team in the Horizon League is what stands out first. Also, good size at 6’6. Talented guard from a quality program with a lot of game experience the last few years in a solid mid-major league ; not to mention they won the Horizon and were tournament-bound this year.

Again, no mention with Kentucky ... but we all know how the coaching staff likes to work (I.e. Reid Travis, Greg Brown’s scholarship offer, etc.)
I think you may be onto something, here; and I am excited.
 
Jul 28, 2006
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No idea about the guard...like everyone else, but as far as bigs, my personal preference would be Nick Richards and then Haarms. (Both would be nice, lol, but not realistic)

As I've said before, I don't hate, nor dislike EJ, but frankly he's just not UK material, IMHO. I just don't see him elevating his game any more than he already has, which is quite little.
 

CoachKlein

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How does one shoot 40% from three one year and shoot 18% from three the next? Weird.

That is odd. I would write it off as a bad year but that free throw percentage is worrisome. You never see good shooters have bad free throw percentages.

Not a good 3 point shooter but great size for a pg and looks to be a very good defender.

Ultimately, I think he’s just a poor shooter from mid-to-long range; although, his FG% is pretty decent at almost 50%. He is a pretty decent athlete and does a nice job of putting the ball on the floor and attacking the rim. Ideally, his shot would be better, but he is still a solid option.

A lot of talk last fall that Cal wanted to get back to the dribble drive with this recruiting class, and Jalen would meet that fit along with Terrence and BJ. This is why I mentioned Jalen; has the size, skill and athleticism to do it; he is not Tyreke Evans, but he would fill a similar role if Cal indeed does utilize the dribble drive to its full extent once again.
 

Barry MuCockinher

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I watched NKU frequently at the end of the year and I really like Jalen Tate's game. But he seemed more of a scorer than a distributor, but maybe that's what the NKU staff asked from him.
 
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MorganNewtonFan

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Because UK has asked them not to speak about it; sometimes they feed information to writers as long as they don’t mention it publicly. UK creates high-profile buzz—obviously because it’s Kentucky—and that would potentially bring a lot more attention to a recruitment than the coaching staff wants. They’ve done this numerous times in the past.

Also, Bryce Aiken is off the board; just committed to Seton Hall.


Thanks, that makes sense.

Usually when recruits enter the portal, within a day or two a reporter will post all the notable schools who reached out. For Jalen Tate (or any other guards in portal as far as I know) UK wasn’t listed. Not to say we couldn’t jump in later in the game, so definitely still possible, but that’s kinda why I think it may be a yet to be announced as transferring guy.

 

CoachKlein

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I watched NKU frequently at the end of the year and I really like Jalen Tate's game. But he seemed more of a scorer than a distributor, but maybe that's what the NKU staff asked from him.

Thanks, that makes sense.

Usually when recruits enter the portal, within a day or two a reporter will post all the notable schools who reached out. For Jalen Tate (or any other guards in portal as far as I know) UK wasn’t listed. Not to say we couldn’t jump in later in the game, so definitely still possible, but that’s kinda why I think it may be a yet to be announced as transferring guy.


It is possible. I believe Reid Travis was already discussing his options before he announced publicly his intent to be a grad-transfer. But, as with Kerry Blackshear last year, UK contacted them formally, but everyone denied publicly (in the beginning) that it had occurred. So, it could be possible it is someone who hasn't announced their post-grad intentions, but this current staff has a long history of conducting "silent" recruitments.

In terms of Jalen's game: he is more of a slasher who attacks the rim; Kyle said it was a "CG" grad-transfer, which is why I believe it could be him. Remember, we have a long-range shooter and distributer already in Devin Askew; Tate would simply help fill the role as a "veteran" to support Devin to allow him to become more comfortable at the lead-guard spot. And, Jalen provides something that Devin does not: he his a long, athletic guy who would provide greater support defensively; this is where Devin would struggle because he is a little smaller. Essentially, they would both help balance each other out.
 
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The_Catfather

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Tucker said in a separate tweet both grad transfers were high-major guys so Tate's not one of them. Seems pretty clear Haarms is the big man, no clue who the combo guard is. Has to be someone who hasn't entered the portal yet.

Tucker was dropping hints about Reid Travis a couple years ago before he even announced he was transferring. So his info on this should be rock solid.

Ben Roberts tweeted today about UK and Haarms having mutual interest. Really hoping Cal can close the deal with him asap.
 

Drcats2025

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Tucker said in a separate tweet both grad transfers were high-major guys so Tate's not one of them. Seems pretty clear Haarms is the big man, no clue who the combo guard is. Has to be someone who hasn't entered the portal yet.

Tucker was dropping hints about Reid Travis a couple years ago before he even announced he was transferring. So his info on this should be rock solid.

Ben Roberts tweeted today about UK and Haarms having mutual interest. Really hoping Cal can close the deal with him asap.
Graf said the player is already in the portal.
 

fatguy87

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How does one shoot 40% from three one year and shoot 18% from three the next? Weird.

Sample size is why. He doesn't take many 3's. He only took 59 3's when he shot that well.

A similar effect can be seen in Poythress' 3 point shooting. He shot 42% from 3 as a freshman on just 33 attempts. He shot 24%, 0%, and then 30% in subsequent seasons.
 

CoachKlein

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Tucker said in a separate tweet both grad transfers were high-major guys so Tate's not one of them. Seems pretty clear Haarms is the big man, no clue who the combo guard is. Has to be someone who hasn't entered the portal yet.

Tucker was dropping hints about Reid Travis a couple years ago before he even announced he was transferring. So his info on this should be rock solid.

Ben Roberts tweeted today about UK and Haarms having mutual interest. Really hoping Cal can close the deal with him asap.

About an hour ago he did say it was a high-major guard, so Tate is off. Still, not too sure who it could be. Someone posted a tweet about a Minnesota guard, but I don't know anything about him.
 

CoachKlein

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Wait? guys wonder if it’s DJ Carton from ohio state?

I thought about that, but it's a grad-transfer--Carton does not fit that mold. Also, he left over mental health concerns; with that in mind, he potentially may be spending some time away from the game to focus on himself. Great talent; hopefully, he'll be back and in a better place for his own well-being.
 
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RunninRichie

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I thought about that, but it's a grad-transfer--Carton does not fit that mold. Also, he left over mental health concerns; with that in mind, he potentially may be spending some time away from the game to focus on himself. Great talent; hopefully, he'll be back and in a better place for his own well-being.
it’s very possible it’s just hard to think who it could be because if not Hardy then who?
 

Zjstep01

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Whoever it is is from the Big East apparently. Am I the only creep that clicks on Graf’s/Sisk’s profile and views their posts without having to be a member on House of Blue? You don’t see the whole posts sometimes, but can get some decent info.
i do the same
 
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UK-Chulo

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It is possible. I believe Reid Travis was already discussing his options before he announced publicly his intent to be a grad-transfer. But, as with Kerry Blackshear last year, UK contacted them formally, but everyone denied publicly (in the beginning) that it had occurred. So, it could be possible it is someone who hasn't announced their post-grad intentions, but this current staff has a long history of conducting "silent" recruitments.

In terms of Jalen's game: he is more of a slasher who attacks the rim; Kyle said it was a "CG" grad-transfer, which is why I believe it could be him. Remember, we have a long-range shooter and distributer already in Devin Askew; Tate would simply help fill the role as a "veteran" to support Devin to allow him to become more comfortable at the lead-guard spot. And, Jalen provides something that Devin does not: he his a long, athletic guy who would provide greater support defensively; this is where Devin would struggle because he is a little smaller. Essentially, they would both help balance each other out.
With Askew's lack of burst and overall footspeed he will have trouble staying in front of college guards on defense. Cal may not be able to keep him on the floor all that much. If Cal brings in an established PG who can play D, then that is who will most likely be starting the last 3/4 of the season.
 
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