Will Wade has picked up 2 5 stars in 3 days

[RunninRichie]

The SEC is about to get way harder.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25527674-5-star-xavier-young-commits-lsu-will-join-reese-alston-after-reclassifying-2027

Just got Reese Alston from Pope as well. What's the excuse from Mark Pope and staff? Why can't we recruit?

 

[Lameguy]

The SEC is about to get way harder.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25527674-5-star-xavier-young-commits-lsu-will-join-reese-alston-after-reclassifying-2027

Just got Reese Alston from Pope as well. What's the excuse from Mark Pope and staff? Why can't we recruit?

Why is it that many on this board didn’t learn anything from all the years of Calipari getting the top high school players and flaming out in the tournaments. At the same time the SEC was a shell of what it is now. I get that getting good recruits is necessary but this obsession of every 5 star recruit is not healthy.

 

[UK4Life#9]

Why is it that many on this board didn’t learn anything from all the years of Calipari getting the top high school players and flaming out in the tournaments. At the same time the SEC was a shell of what it is now. I get that getting good recruits is necessary but this obsession of every 5 star recruit is not healthy.

Lack of knowledge causes this because if another man doesn’t tell these people how many stars should be beside the players now, they aren’t smart enough to evaluate on their own.

 

[RunninRichie]

Why is it that many on this board didn’t learn anything from all the years of Calipari getting the top high school players and flaming out in the tournaments. At the same time the SEC was a shell of what it is now. I get that getting good recruits is necessary but this obsession of every 5 star recruit is not healthy.

So, your takeaway wasn't that Calipari was a average bench coach, it was the talent was the problem?


What is it Calipari said? You can't make them all, but you also can't miss them all? Pope can't recruit elite high school talent at all, and the portal is even worse. He has to overpay for 3rd options. The only recruiting win you could really point to was Milan.

 

[RunninRichie]

Lack of knowledge causes this because if another man doesn’t tell these people how many stars should be beside the players now, they aren’t smart enough to evaluate on their own.

"Lack of knowledge" says the guy who drives a semi for a living LOL

 

[Lameguy]

Lack of knowledge causes this because if another man doesn’t tell these people how many stars should be beside the players now, they aren’t smart enough to evaluate on their own.

Exactly and looking at UKs roster, how many on here dismissed M. Williams due to the stars by his name. Same way with Sheppard when he was here.

 

[Resignmarkpope]

The SEC is about to get way harder.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25527674-5-star-xavier-young-commits-lsu-will-join-reese-alston-after-reclassifying-2027

Just got Reese Alston from Pope as well. What's the excuse from Mark Pope and staff? Why can't we recruit?

Mark Pope says hold my milk

 

[MidseasonTweak]

Pope is likely gone after this year. Things will get better

 

[Lameguy]

So, your takeaway wasn't that Calipari was a average bench coach, it was the talent was the problem?


What is it Calipari said? You can't make them all, but you also can't miss them all? Pope can't recruit elite high school talent at all, and the portal is even worse. He has to overpay for 3rd options. The only recruiting win you could really point to was Milan.

Isn‘t Hampton a top 25 recruit? Wasn’t Moreno? And Jasper (how did that one work out, wasn’t he highly rated.) wait a second wasn’t Garrison a McDonald’s all American (high school rankings aren’t always right). You do know that your hero Richie farmer had a career average of 7pt/g and was 34% on 3pt. You might want to change that name.

 

[RunninRichie]

Isn‘t Hampton a top 25 recruit? Wasn’t Moreno? And Jasper (how did that one work out, wasn’t he highly rated.) wait a second wasn’t Garrison a McDonald’s all American (high school rankings aren’t always right). You do know that your hero Richie farmer had a career average of 7pt/g and was 34% on 3pt. You might want to change that name.

Oh wow so Pope got 2 Kentucky boys (a legacy in the case of Jasper), Ryan Hampton, out of 30+ high school players. He's a stud recruiter for sure.

You're so bad at this. Lmfao, why do you think I only care about 5 star rankings?

 

[LongliveWildcatDon]

The SEC is about to get way harder.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25527674-5-star-xavier-young-commits-lsu-will-join-reese-alston-after-reclassifying-2027

Just got Reese Alston from Pope as well. What's the excuse from Mark Pope and staff? Why can't we recruit?

Funny how everyone has said Alston was down to UL and LSU, with the majority saying saying UL in the final day but he stole him from Pope. Weird.

I’m not saying Pope shouldn’t be criticized but geez, the people that get on here and cry when we “lose” a recruit no one thought we would get is ridiculous.

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

Funny how everyone has said Alston was down to UL and LSU, with the majority saying saying UL in the final day but he stole him from Pope. Weird.

I’m not saying Pope shouldn’t be criticized but geez, the people that get on here and cry when we “lose” a recruit no one thought we would get is ridiculous.

Because it's not about one recruit. We aren't getting ANY of the top guys. You honestly don't see a problem?

 

[RunninRichie]

Funny how everyone has said Alston was down to UL and LSU, with the majority saying saying UL in the final day but he stole him from Pope. Weird.

I’m not saying Pope shouldn’t be criticized but geez, the people that get on here and cry when we “lose” a recruit no one thought we would get is ridiculous.

Funny how every recruit Pope misses you fanboys say "we weren't in the running anyway". The knob polishing is hilarious.


Btw, Alston's dad was pretty pissed he went to LSU, because he thought Pope was gonna get him a job on staff.

 

[UKCowboys]

Calapari's last years here, RR... "Sick of HS kids!!!"
Two years later, RR..."LSU got two 5 stars...waive the white flag, we surrender. Viva la France"

 

[RunninRichie]

Calapari's last years here, RR... "Sick of HS kids!!!"
Two years later, RR..."LSU got two 5 stars...waive the white flag, we surrender. Viva la France"

I always said you needed a mix of elite top 10 to top 5 freshmen and veterans.

 

[PooPooPeePeePoo]

All the people talking about “flaming out” in the tournament with high school studs. At least we had a chance. Did Cal’s coaching ability hinder us? Absolutely. But he also had multiple teams where I thought “man we can win this whole thing.” Never have I thought that with Pope.

 

[GlenOaks]

 

[RunninRichie]

All the people talking about “flaming out” in the tournament with high school studs. At least we had a chance. Did Cal’s coaching ability hinder us? Absolutely. But he also had multiple teams where I thought “man we can win this whole thing.” Never have I thought that with Pope.

Well its ok, Pope played here 30 years ago and yeah, our players may be average to mediocre, but they wanna play for the jersey. And that's what matters.

Some of our fans remind me of Indiana fans. Only recruit clean cut Indiana boys, who want to play for the crimson and cream! It's the same mentality. And it's always from the 50+ age group, who can't fathom that CBB changed since they were kids.

 

[Lameguy]

"Lack of knowledge" says the guy who drives a semi for a living LOL

Ok smartest man in the room, what is your claim to fame ( CIA analyst, brain surgeon, Billionaire, Supreme Court justice) ? I’m guessing none of these.

 

[RunninRichie]

Ok smartest man in the room, what is your claim to fame ( CIA analyst, brain surgeon, Billionaire, Supreme Court justice) ? I’m guessing none of these.

President of the united states.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

U have to have talent and coaching to compete for final fours and a national title. We have neither now

 

[Lameguy]

President of the united states.

Joe you’re not president anymore

 

[HipTer]

So, your takeaway wasn't that Calipari was a average bench coach, it was the talent was the problem?


What is it Calipari said? You can't make them all, but you also can't miss them all? Pope can't recruit elite high school talent at all, and the portal is even worse. He has to overpay for 3rd options. The only recruiting win you could really point to was Milan.

I do think the way Calipari built his rosters was the problem, rather than his ability as a bench coach. I agree that it appears Pope is not good at attracting “5-star” high school recruits (I think some of that is intentional, but I won’t get into that now), but I would also say that these 5-star high schoolers are inferior players in regard to winning than top-level upperclassmen – whether upperclassmen through retention or the portal. Doesn’t mean they can’t have a place in building championship rosters – best if a peripheral place – but just not nearly as important as most casual fans think.

That said, I do believe high school recruiting is very important. I think having major turnover every year is also not a recipe for winning; and I believe the smartest college coaches who can also develop players use high school recruiting to build a base. Get an occasional project (at a program like UK with NIL & TP I don’t think you need to do this too much) and lots of freshmen who are skilled enough to be 2nd unit guys as freshmen and play real minutes.

So, personally I don’t like the idea of Pope chasing OAD high-school kids because I think it’s a poor use of resources. They cost too much in regard to your budget and time expended recruiting, plus they’re generally not good enough in Year One and you probably don't get a Year Two. Others certainly have a different opinion about the value of OAD freshmen – I think they’re valuation is way overinflated and heavily influenced by the media created excitement of high school recruiting, but then that is just my opinion too. Basically, whether it’s Pope or a different coach next season, I pray he doesn’t try to build rosters dependent on 5-star freshmen.

 

[Johnnie Africa]

Pope sucks. There’s no more to it. Watching the Kentucky FOOTBALL coach be the talk of the country is all you need to know. He has had every opportunity to not suck, but he does. Badly. This is his last year then the stench of Barnhart will be off our marquee program. Let’s see if Batt gets it at the end of the year. Would be happy with Oats, Lucas, Donovan, the St Louis guy, the providence guy, etc

 

[LongliveWildcatDon]

Funny how every recruit Pope misses you fanboys say "we weren't in the running anyway". The knob polishing is hilarious.


Btw, Alston's dad was pretty pissed he went to LSU, because he thought Pope was gonna get him a job on staff.

Guess you missed the part where I said Pope deserves to be criticized. But the mentally will part of our fanbase that get on here and gripe about him daily and even in threads that have nothing to with him is tiring. Throw a the bunch that cries when we don’t get a recruit that was never projected to come here. That bunch is just as crazed as the knob polishers.

 

[Lameguy]

I do think the way Calipari built his rosters was the problem, rather than his ability as a bench coach. I agree that it appears Pope is not good at attracting “5-star” high school recruits (I think some of that is intentional, but I won’t get into that now), but I would also say that these 5-star high schoolers are inferior players in regard to winning than top-level upperclassmen – whether upperclassmen through retention or the portal. Doesn’t mean they can’t have a place in building championship rosters – best if a peripheral place – but just not nearly as important as most casual fans think.

That said, I do believe high school recruiting is very important. I think having major turnover every year is also not a recipe for winning; and I believe the smartest college coaches who can also develop players use high school recruiting to build a base. Get an occasional project (at a program like UK with NIL & TP I don’t think you need to do this too much) and lots of freshmen who are skilled enough to be 2nd unit guys as freshmen and play real minutes.

So, personally I don’t like the idea of Pope chasing OAD high-school kids because I think it’s a poor use of resources. They cost too much in regard to your budget and time expended recruiting, plus they’re generally not good enough in Year One and you probably don't get a Year Two. Others certainly have a different opinion about the value of OAD freshmen – I think they’re valuation is way overinflated and heavily influenced by the media created excitement of high school recruiting, but then that is just my opinion too. Basically, whether it’s Pope or a different coach next season, I pray he doesn’t try to build rosters dependent on 5-star freshmen.

Last years class wasn’t normal, usually you don’t have as many that turn out to be super stars

 

[Skyguyb27]

The SEC is about to get way harder.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25527674-5-star-xavier-young-commits-lsu-will-join-reese-alston-after-reclassifying-2027

Just got Reese Alston from Pope as well. What's the excuse from Mark Pope and staff? Why can't we recruit?

It’s not Popes fault. There was injured players on his team 10 years ago.

 

[Catastic5]

The SEC is about to get way harder.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25527674-5-star-xavier-young-commits-lsu-will-join-reese-alston-after-reclassifying-2027

Just got Reese Alston from Pope as well. What's the excuse from Mark Pope and staff? Why can't we recruit?

I kinda wonder what Batt and the boosters think about Pope’s struggles with recruiting? What do they think about the rumors that Pope is overpaying for pretty much every player willing to come here?

 

[Resignmarkpope]

I always said you needed a mix of elite top 10 to top 5 freshmen and veterans.

You 100% need talented players! Freshman are usually the best players in college.

 

[Farsight Clone]

Joe you’re not president anymore

 

[Tim0808]

Why is it that many on this board didn’t learn anything from all the years of Calipari getting the top high school players and flaming out in the tournaments. At the same time the SEC was a shell of what it is now. I get that getting good recruits is necessary but this obsession of every 5 star recruit is not healthy.

Cal flame out, but he wasn't flaming out with rosters of 5 stars. He flamed out with rosters of portal transfers. 5 stars took us to Final Fours and elite eights

 

[Lameguy]

Cal flame out, but he wasn't flaming out with rosters of 5 stars. He flamed out with rosters of portal transfers. 5 stars took us to Final Fours and elite eights

You’re half right then he lost to Wisconsin and never duplicated that again and yes he did flame out with rosters of five stars after 2015

 

[peterpiper09]

You 100% need talented players! Freshman are usually the best players in college.

LOL
What a stupid statement
Once in a while a one and done type maybe, but usually freshmen aren’t physically and in most cases mentally ready to be the “best players in college”

 

[bpsteve1972]

Booker was a 4 star.

 

[Catastic5]

You’re half right then he lost to Wisconsin and never duplicated that again and yes he did flame out with rosters of five stars after 2015

Now we don’t even get the option of flaming out. We’re out before January.

 

[BlueSince92]

WW is basically the Antipope.

 

[BookofMormon]

Guy can sell.

How did Tommy Amaker ever think employing him as an assistant at Harvard was a good idea?

 

[Tim0808]

You’re half right then he lost to Wisconsin and never duplicated that again and yes he did flame out with rosters of five stars after 2015

I do not call an Elite eight as a flame out in 2019. From 2010 to 2019, Cal was fairly successful with 5 stars. After 2019, he started to so call "flame out", but that is when he started loading teams up with the portal. Wheeler, Mintz, Reeves, Toppin, etc...
Now that we are past the covid days, the 5 stars will start playing a huge roll in college basketball again.

 

[UK4Life#9]

"Lack of knowledge" says the guy who drives a semi for a living LOL

Never known of someone to get made fun of for making 6 figures but hey, I go to work, to pay your section 8!

 

[bbnkat02]

"Lack of knowledge" says the guy who drives a semi for a living LOL

Man, I normally side with you and like the tenacity but that's a crappy shot. We'd be in a world of freaking hurt without people willing to drive goods all over this country. I've also met knowledgeable drivers who were very well read .