Yeah, we all know that crystal ball is never wrong.
Jamal Murray.
Jamal Murray.
Malik Monk "uk top priority"
- Thread starter tank2009
- Start date
why are people ripping the crystal ball? all i heard from uk fans was that murray was going to oregon. they said it over and over and over and over again.
crystal ball maybe/is inaccurate....but lets stop pretending that 99% of the folks here have a clue either.
crystal ball maybe/is inaccurate....but lets stop pretending that 99% of the folks here have a clue either.
I feel good about Monk. Arkansas is going to struggle this year and Monk strikes me as the kind of kid who would like to play with other great players - didn't get that vibe with Newman.
If our three guards - Ulis, Briscoe, and Murray - are as awesome this year as I think we all suspect they will be, it should really benefit our recruiting at that position.
Now if we could just land a small forward. What's funny is that is the one area that Kansas excels in - they'll probably end up with Josh Jackson this year.
If our three guards - Ulis, Briscoe, and Murray - are as awesome this year as I think we all suspect they will be, it should really benefit our recruiting at that position.
Now if we could just land a small forward. What's funny is that is the one area that Kansas excels in - they'll probably end up with Josh Jackson this year.
Monk is an excellent prospect. Getting Monk would be great, and I still think our chances are 50-50. But, Monk greatest recruiting coup of the Calipari era? Come on. Calipari has been in on Monk for some time. Ever heard of Eric Bledsoe, Anthony Davis, Nerlens Noel, Skal Labissiere, Jamal Murray? All major surprises and amazing recruitments. The 1st 3 are prominent NBA players, the last 2 will be lottery picks next year. When it comes to recruiting coups, I don't know how we can talk about anyone but Murray right now.
Cal's greatest recruiting coup is John Wall - hands down. It's not often you are going to pull a talent like Wall from one of the North Carolina schools or the ACC for that matter.
Wynyard is already on board. It's beginning to look like Simmons, Monk, Killeya-Jones, and Bridges are Kentucky bound. Then Calipari gets Maker, Bolden, or Azubuike, and I have always thought Maker will end up here. Somewhere along the line, a decision gets made on Rawle Alkins who may be the backup plan in case Monk stays home. But I more and more think Monk will be a Wildcat.
Who's pretending that they have a clue? And why do you care if some us think the crystal ball is a joke? Sorry, I'm just confused.
It is true that pulling Wall out of the state of North Carolina was a fantastic recruitment. But Memphis had been Wall's presumed destination when Calipari was there. There was no secret that Wall wanted to play for Calipari. Wall was never going to Duke or UNC, and never had either on his list of top schools. Once Calipari moved to Lexington, it was generally thought Wall would follow him here unless you actually believed Wall would pick Miami over Kentucky. But when it comes to a real coup, meaning a huge late surprise, it's very hard to beat Noel, Labissiere, Murray, all 3 of whom were stunning announcements for us. And of course, stealing Terrance Jones away from Washington was a huge get for us, and a punch to the gut for Coach Romar.
I have lived in Arkansas for nearly 8 years. I have lived in 8 states my life. I have never lived in a more inward focused place in my life. It is incomprehensible to those who know who Monk is that he would go anywhere but Arkansas. The pressure by the people in the state for him to stay in Arkansas will be unbearable. You might note that Arkansas play NO INSTATE SCHOOLS in ANY SPORT. It would take away from the total focus on the HOGS. On the local sports news segment of the Little Rock TV stations, they do not do the "Sports". It is what is today's stories in the "Razorback Nation."
If Cal somehow gets Monk to go to UK, I am sure that Monk will realize like Goodwin, that you need not ever need to come back to Arkansas. You have betrayed the mother ship. I just hope if Monk does go to UK, that he does not have to play in Fayetteville. Remember the Flagrant Foul that was not called when Goodwin attempted to drive down the lane the first time when he had to go to Fayetteville. The Arkansas player got a standing ovation.
The pressure to play at Arkansas will be too much.
I feel sorry for the kid.
If Cal somehow gets Monk to go to UK, I am sure that Monk will realize like Goodwin, that you need not ever need to come back to Arkansas. You have betrayed the mother ship. I just hope if Monk does go to UK, that he does not have to play in Fayetteville. Remember the Flagrant Foul that was not called when Goodwin attempted to drive down the lane the first time when he had to go to Fayetteville. The Arkansas player got a standing ovation.
The pressure to play at Arkansas will be too much.
I feel sorry for the kid.
I think the key phrase above is "if the kid ever comes back to Arkansas". For a kid with NBA aspirations like Goodwin and Monk, I would think the prospect of settling down and living out their lives in Arkansas at the end of their careers isn't a big draw.
Jaylen Brown certainly bid "Adieu" to Georgia.
Jaylen Brown certainly bid "Adieu" to Georgia.
The crystal ball is a joke..Just something to lure people to the sites.. It is worthless..And Monk will be a cat..Bank on it.
I've lived in Arkansas for 40 years now and much of what you said is very true about the state. In basketball they are still living in 1994. I've never though Goodwin would leave the state to be honest, so it would not surprise me to see Monk at UK.
I have wanted Monk for over a year now. He would kill it here with Cal and our team.
Kentucky and duke will have the best teams in 2016-2017.
Kentucky and duke will have the best teams in 2016-2017.
All I can say on the situation is that I would be shocked if Monk went somewhere other than UK or the Hawgs. I really hope we get him, but looking at it rationally, there's a lot of reasons to think Arkansas will land him. Either way, I think it's a great thing for SEC hoops. Other teams adding talent to go against what Coach Cal pulls in will always be a good thing for us to raise our game both in recruiting and on the court.
Come to think of it though, I'm not sure how Cal could raise his recruiting game any more. LOL ! Even on an "off year" he's still reeling them in and I'm more than satisfied with how he's done.
Also just giving a shout out to all you regulars (and new folks too) here on the Rafters, I wanted to say HI to all you guys and gals. It's been a rough off season for me (my brain tumor beeen giving me fits) but I'm still out here and reading, as always.
I'll try to post more often. Love ya'll ! Go Big Blue !
-runt
Come to think of it though, I'm not sure how Cal could raise his recruiting game any more. LOL ! Even on an "off year" he's still reeling them in and I'm more than satisfied with how he's done.
Also just giving a shout out to all you regulars (and new folks too) here on the Rafters, I wanted to say HI to all you guys and gals. It's been a rough off season for me (my brain tumor beeen giving me fits) but I'm still out here and reading, as always.
I'll try to post more often. Love ya'll ! Go Big Blue !
-runt
I don't disagree, but we saw something similar with Damien Harris and the pressure to stay home, and he went to Alabama.
The biggest threat might be Monk's view of life after basketball. He will be a OAD regardless, so he might consider returning to Arkansas after his pro career and elevate the idea of returning a hero to his state when he finally settles down.
That being said, I bet you Cal plays up the realities of draft position, and how Kentucky almost guarantees a higher spot, even if it appears slight. Even if Monk is taken 5th or 6th as opposed to 10th or 11th, that's significant in that it's almost $3 million more over your first three years in the league. That's real money, and it should be strongly considered.
That being said, I bet you Cal plays up the realities of draft position, and how Kentucky almost guarantees a higher spot, even if it appears slight. Even if Monk is taken 5th or 6th as opposed to 10th or 11th, that's significant in that it's almost $3 million more over your first three years in the league. That's real money, and it should be strongly considered.
Goodwin seems to enjoy being part of the Kentucky clique in the NBA. There's a lot to be said about going into the league and having this established brotherhood of players to support you.
UK players have that - Arkansas does not. He also has to consider what he can really accomplish at Arkansas in one year vs. one year at UK. He's not going to save the program in one year, he's not going to win a championship.
He'd do what Newman is going to do - play under the radar for his 9 month stint. Finish in upper half of SEC. Make an early exit from the tournament. Lose to UK 2-3 times.
UK players have that - Arkansas does not. He also has to consider what he can really accomplish at Arkansas in one year vs. one year at UK. He's not going to save the program in one year, he's not going to win a championship.
He'd do what Newman is going to do - play under the radar for his 9 month stint. Finish in upper half of SEC. Make an early exit from the tournament. Lose to UK 2-3 times.
If Monk's recruitment goes into the season or even into next spring/summer that may be a perfect example for Cal to point to to show him what will likely happen at a school of that caliber. Lots of guys will probably wait to see what Ulis, Murray, & Briscoe do before deciding anyway so I wouldn't be surprised to see it play out like that.
I would hold off on declaring Monk, Killeya-Jones, and Bridges as Wildcats. I think Bridges is the least likely to end up here. Getting Monk won't be easy and Killeya-Jones might wait to see what happens with UNC (he grew up a Tarheel fan)
If he can't get Monk to leave, he'll just get Alkins and Fultz and still kick ***. Kentucky won't be left out. Believe that.
Based on their play recently, Alkins and Fultz might not be a half bad tandem.
They would be a lethal tandem. I love Monk, but I wouldn't turn either away to wait on his decision.
I agree with you, but Arkansas is not a unique state. People everywhere want their own kids to stay and play at home. That's clear here on this board when Kentucky kids like Chris Lofton, Scotty Hopson, and Damien Harris leave our state. Calipari pulled Wall out of NC, Jones out of OR, Teague and Lyles out on IN, Davis and Ulis out of Chicago. That's his specialty. Archie Goodwin left Arkansas and I am beginning to think Monk will become a Wildcat too. But if Calipari ends up with Rawle Alkins or Tyus Battle, I won't be disappointed. By the way, nobody is giving us a shot to get Battle, but he did attend BBM last year.
If we could sew up Simmons, Alkins, and Fultz early, I'd take them and tell Monk that if he still wants to come that's fine, too.
Three 6'4+ guards that can handle. That would be a very good trio.
Three 6'4+ guards that can handle. That would be a very good trio.
I think Calipari's two top priorities this year is Malik Monk, and Kobi Simmons. I think both will ultimately be Wildcats. Unless Briscoe and Murray return, which is unlikely since I think both will be top 20 picks next summer.
If anyone can do it, it would be Cal. I think its going to be difficult but its like when we beat a higher ranked team in basketball, some may call it an upset but is it ever really an upset when we win in basketball? No, not really. So, its kinda like that when you talk about Calipari and recruiting. He may not be favored to win a recruiting battle but is it ever really an upset when he gets a recruit to sign? I think not! Even when he plucks them right out of someone's back yard. Just adds the cherry on top!
I have some ties to some folks around the Razorback program and around Fayetteville and I can tell you, from what I have heard, the pressure being put on Malik to stay home is greater than any recruit has faced in Arkansas. After losing Archie a few years back, the folks in Arkansas are determined not to lose Malik to UK. Unfortunately for them, they're going up against the greatest recruiter in the history of the sport but its going to be difficult for even Cal to pull him away from Fayetteville. I wouldn't be shocked if Cal did just that though. With that said and after hearing about the enormous pressure being put on Malik, from all angles and from the entire state of Arkansas, I agree with the poster that said this would be Cal's biggest recruiting victory, along with Murray. I'm not saying that this will be Cals best player but in terms of degree of difficulty, I think this would be right up there with Murray because I think he had to use magic dust to pull off that recruitment. I still don't know how he got Murray but it was just masterful. Just straight masterful!
Even against all that, I would not be surprised to see Monk commit to UK. That's how good our coach is at this recruiting thing. He is just that damn good. I'm so glad he is on our team. I think the entire state of Arkansas would have a breakdown if Monk decides to cone to UK. That would just be awesome!
I'm totally cool with the idea of Skal, Briscoe, Murray, Monk, and Ayton being our next five first round picks over the next two years. [cheers]