For a while it had been known that Duren

[Blueaz]

If you're both single, why don't you invite her out for a nice dinner and take a chance at something more.

ty...we are already doing those things.
I'm nowhere near poor, but live mostly paycheck to paycheck from divorce... without that, I could be a sugar daddy...lol
We have a weekend together planned... like I said 50/50... it's difficult with her working for me, on "making on move"... I have to let her lead

 

[UK-Chulo]

 

[MWes11]

Crazy there hasn't been any leaks or a peep out of the insiders. No crystal ball picks today, either. Keeping it close to the vest.

 

[Paulyv94]

We were late to the Duren party, but, we need to allow some time for our new assistants to put the work in. We can't expect them to land the number one player only 3 months on the job and after coming in late.

Also, we are in the drivers seat for Lively, Sharpe and Bona. Which are three of the top players in that class. Plus I think our roster is pretty much good for next year.

 

[Ron Mehico]

ty...we are already doing those things.
I'm nowhere near poor, but live mostly paycheck to paycheck from divorce... without that, I could be a sugar daddy...lol
We have a weekend together planned... like I said 50/50... it's difficult with her working for me, on "making on move"... I have to let her lead

No clue what you do but I’ll go ahead and let you know that sounds like a terrible idea

 

[jrpross_rivals]

If he was probably not UK, Cal and UK sure wasted a lot of time then. Either Cal felt he had a shot or he willingly wasted time.

Don't think Cal would do that. I'm expecting wherever Duren goes tomorrow, it also includes him reclassing to '21. I think that is the reason Cal and staff went after him so much.

“Probably not UK” and “still have a shot” are not mutually exclusive. Both of those phrases applied to Randle, Bam, Knox, and others. It also applied to guys like Jaylen Brown, RJ Barrett, Harry Giles, and a whole host of others. He’s not gonna stop recruiting everyone he’s not 100% sure he’s going to get.

 

[bucsrule8872]

We were late to the Duren party, but, we need to allow some time for our new assistants to put the work in. We can't expect them to land the number one player only 3 months on the job and after coming in late.

Also, we are in the drivers seat for Lively, Sharpe and Bona. Which are three of the top players in that class. Plus I think our roster is pretty much good for next year.

The must get, make or break (if such a thing actually exists) recruit is Sharpe.

We have been the favorite for him since his recruitment began. Cal has to land him.

Then we need to get Wallace or Smith to go with him in the backcourt. Nothing against Clark, I just don’t see him as a Freshman starter on a contending team.

Then we need Lively or Bona inside.

Add in Miller and some returnees (Fredrick, Allen, Hopkins, Ware) and maybe an impact transfer or two and we should be a legit contender, barring any major setbacks.

 

[JerseyCat84_rivals57050]

The must get, make or break (if such a thing actually exists) recruit is Sharpe.

We have been the favorite for him since his recruitment began. Cal has to land him.

Then we need to get Wallace or Smith to go with him in the backcourt. Nothing against Clark, I just don’t see him as a Freshman starter on a contending team.

Then we need Lively or Bona inside.

Add in Miller and some returnees (Fredrick, Allen, Hopkins, Ware) and maybe an impact transfer or two and we should be a legit contender, barring any major setbacks.

Lol that's a modest wishlist.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

No clue what you do but I’ll go ahead and let you know that sounds like a terrible idea

Why?

 

[Ron Mehico]

Why?

The term don’t **** where you eat comes to mind

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

A slightly better Bam is what I see

Whew man....that is saying something.....Bam is a dude for sure

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

The term don’t **** where you eat comes to mind

This is a fair outlook.

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

“Probably not UK” and “still have a shot” are not mutually exclusive. Both of those phrases applied to Randle, Bam, Knox, and others. It also applied to guys like Jaylen Brown, RJ Barrett, Harry Giles, and a whole host of others. He’s not gonna stop recruiting everyone he’s not 100% sure he’s going to get.

I think you and I agree here. Cal recruited Duren because there was a reason to do so. I doubt Cal goes that hard after a kid he has a good feel is not coming. Plenty of proof in the past of Cal not recruiting highly rated kids for a reason.

 

[kyjeff1]

The must get, make or break (if such a thing actually exists) recruit is Sharpe.

We have been the favorite for him since his recruitment began. Cal has to land him.

Then we need to get Wallace or Smith to go with him in the backcourt. Nothing against Clark, I just don’t see him as a Freshman starter on a contending team.

Then we need Lively or Bona inside.

Add in Miller and some returnees (Fredrick, Allen, Hopkins, Ware) and maybe an impact transfer or two and we should be a legit contender, barring any major setbacks.

@Blueaz is talking about nailing his 26 year old assistant and here you are talking about Bona inside.
I immediately went to my fake Boston accent and made it work.

That’s enough internet for me today.

 

[crxohio]

The issue is not whether we are or are not discussed during this decision night for duren. Or if Cal wasted time. He feels he could land #1 player in country. So he didnt waste nothing trying. The issue is, if duren dont commit to the cats tomorrow, then thats all on duren. Cal tried. Especially when we dont even know any darn details on nil or anything else in regards to him. Every recruit is a gamble! But Cal does need get this program back on track towards the direction of #2 natty. Thats on him.

 

[OmahaCats]

Why is it a massive loss for Cal?

Were you in a coma a month ago when Cal completely blew off and turned down an all-american center?

If Cal doesn’t get Duren, that will be viewed as one of the biggest boneheaded *** decisions ever made by a UK coach.

Spare me the drivel about playing back to the basket bigs or didn’t want to recruit over anybody with Kofi (while actively recruiting over everybody with Duren)

What are you worried about. We have 12 scholarship players. We are fine

 

[bookerfan66]

What are you worried about. We have 12 scholarship players. We are fine

Being fine and getting the top player to have a better shot at a championship are different things.

 

[Dablueman]

Whew man....that is saying something.....Bam is a dude for sure

Well he is ultra athletic can do all the bam like things but he is a better passer with a 7ft5 wingspan

 

[Wildcats1st]

frustration does not equal massive loss/setback.
If your not frustrated after last season, you're not a fan... everyone is frustrated

not buying this spin. You make it into a top tier recruits top 3 and don’t land him after what we ve been through and passing on cockburn well that’s a massive hit. Especially when now you have to prove that UK is the place for NIL. You know if duren and bates go to Memphis and cash in 7 figures UK basketball May not be able to sustain that hit. This directly affects next years class make no mistake

 

[Blueaz]

not buying this spin. You make it into a top tier recruits top 3 and don’t land him after what we ve been through and passing on cockburn well that’s a massive hit. Especially when now you have to prove that UK is the place for NIL. You know if duren and bates go to Memphis and cash in 7 figures UK basketball May not be able to sustain that hit. This directly affects next years class make no mistake

Drama. Drama. Drama. One player THAT NO ONE predicted to Uk but FANS

 

[Wildcats1st]

Drama. Drama. Drama. One player THAT NO ONE predicted to Uk but FANS

ok wait a minute. Who gives a crap about predictions. Really???? The guy has us in his top 3. So your answer to that is drama? Or no one picked him to UK? You say it has been known for a while? Well you better tell cal his coaches and most importantly the player who lists us in his top three that no one predicted him to UK or he’s not needed. Whatever your point is. This isn’t bates who we aren’t on the radar with kid. Seriously

a top 2 recruit has us in his top 3 and if he doesn’t come to UK it’s not a massive loss??? Man last year really hit the expectations hard. When it was Zion and we were in his top 3 it was a massive hit. What makes this differ oh yeah no one predicted him. What planet are you living on? No no big deal if we lose a top 2 recruit who has us in the top 3 calls uk legendary. No big deal if he picks another school. What has happened to our bb program for this outlandish types of statements to be made and the mind set

 

[RunninRichie]

Drama. Drama. Drama. One player THAT NO ONE predicted to Uk but FANS

Kentucky never stopped recruiting Jalen Duren and he's been top priority. Many still feel it's UK vs G-League for him.

 

[bcox13]

i think it is better than 50/50...

at may age, that's almost a guarantee (in my mind)

Come on now, you've alresdy taken yourself down from a good shot to just better than a coin flip. Let's have some confidence

And don't listen to anyone telling you it's a bad idea. Sleeping with coworkers, especially those that are direct reports, is a great idea. Just make sure you have her sign a Love contract like Dave Chapelle had drawn up and you should be good to land that plane!

 

[westerncat]

OP it sounds like you and some other have already written Duren off and it not even Friday yet. If he does not pick UK then we will be disappointed but we will be fine.

 

[RoyKent]

We make fun of Penny a lot but he’s going to land the #1 guy yet again.

 

[rwbloomjr]

This thread, along with the "#1 recruiting class" thread, are just two goofy examples of the Cal first fans making excuses for the mediocrity the program has become ..... compared to the "Gold standard" years.

 

[specialkd24_rivals116121]

We make fun of Penny a lot but he’s going to land the #1 guy yet again.

He sure can recruit.

He is also great at qualifying for the NIT.

 

[Orange Soda King]

Matt Jones just posted on Twitter a “very good source” says Duren will pick Memphis.

 

[Blueheart32]

Seems like there would be at least one CB pick, but nope, nothing

 

[Fred]

Matt Jones just posted on Twitter a “very good source” says Duren will pick Memphis.

If it’s a national source I’m not sure how much weight that holds, but if it’s a Kentucky insider within the program then yeah he’s going to Memphis

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

So Duren to Memphis is really happening?

Is this the Twilight Zone?

 

[RunninRichie]

So Duren to Memphis is really happening?

Is this the Twilight Zone?

Kentucky eats first

 

[rwbloomjr]

Kentucky eats first

Calipari made Duren a priority, Gold Standard programs win these battles....

 

[OmahaCats]

Being fine and getting the top player to have a better shot at a championship are different things.

Sure. But we’re not getting him. So let’s just be excited with what we do have

 

[bucsrule8872]

Lol that's a modest wishlist.

Well at least I didn’t say we need to get Sharpe, Wallace, Smith, Bona, Lively, AND Miller. LOL!

 

[cats#1again]

You are 100% right about that. I've got to believe that for Calipari to turn down a 7'0" 285 pound All-American that's unstoppable within 7 or 8 feet of the basket. For Calipari to turn him down. You've got to think that not only has Duren told Cal he's coming to UK. But he's already signed the scholarship papers. If not then John Calipari is an absolute moron.

We have 2 of Kofi coaches on our team

I think they know if he was a must get or not.

 

[cats#1again]

The more I watch on kofi he reminds me of dakari with a little better hops. He's a slow jumper and one of the worst shot blockers at 7 ft you will find
Putting that guy in the middle changes a team drastically.
For some teams it would be a great change, for others it will slow them down. Oscar is plenty big enough to man the middle on a team that is wanting to play faster.

 

[CarolinaCatsFan]

We make fun of Penny a lot but he’s going to land the #1 guy yet again.

And that’s why Cal tried to get Penny as an assistant …

and since - Memphis fires Tubby

Penny (shadily) steals James Wiseman & DJ Jeffries


Hires Cal’s mentor Larry Brown

and now - is getting Bates & Duren - taking them from the G League or whatever

Is Penny punking Cal?

 

[STL_Cat]

Best part of the thread is someone actually having to explain why sleeping with a direct report might be a bad idea.

Enjoy your meeting with HR

 

[Cowtown Cat]

when was UK the leader? I never saw that from ANYONE that actually has recruiting knowledge.

Wasn’t UK the leader when Duren was still part of the 2022 recruiting class? Seems like we were. It wasn’t until he decided to reclassify that we fell from that spot. Then again, I could be wrong.