Wasn’t the class of ‘19 supposedly Joel Justus’ time to shine?

kevcat

Heisman
Feb 26, 2007
27,686
32,625
0
I think the next 3 weeks will tell us how far this team has come since the Duke massacre.

I’m optimistic.
 
  • Like
Reactions: crpoore

TankedCat

Heisman
Nov 8, 2006
22,792
21,500
0
I think the next 3 weeks will tell us how far this team has come since the Duke massacre.

I’m optimistic.
I've said more than once - lets win 5 games in December - and everyone is (well should be ...) happy with the development of this team. They are all winnable, we should be favored. Lets play like a Kentucky team should.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kevcat

morgousky

Heisman
Sep 5, 2009
23,959
43,171
0
We have been #1 or #2 in recruiting every year Cal has been here. I know we'd like Carey or Wiseman but if you can't field a championship caliber team with the #2 recruiting class every year then you have problems.Our problem isn't recruiting it's 100% turnover. Duke is out recruiting us to be sure but even they don't lose 8 guys every year. They lose their top 2 or 3 and the rest stay and develop. We will be fine once we stop losing players like Quade and Richards. I get it if you are a top 10 pick then go. But if there is basically no chance of you making a roster in the NBA then the players really need to come back. Cal needs to make that adjustment. Right now all our players are one and done either by leaving to play in the G league or transferring. We can't lose the entire roster every year.

Our problems are recruiting related because that second class doesnt mean anything due to our system demanding top tier guys. We arent getting those top tier guys so it's definitely a recruiting issue. I understand where you're coming from and you're right. Turnover is an issue, but it's only a problem now because we arent getting AD to replace Harrellson or Randle to replace Noel.
 

yoshukai

Heisman
Dec 21, 2002
29,833
42,343
102
This is about more than just Wiseman. We haven't landed a top-5 recruit in 3 years.
Yeah , I'm with you on that . WWW is not the powerful figure he once was . Lebron and his agency have taken his place . We won't be getting the cream of the crop anymore. There is really nothing an assistant coach can do about that. We're just going to have to work with what we can get .
 

Cardsstink

Heisman
Mar 20, 2017
7,791
11,201
0
It's because they've backed themselves in a corner being so self righteous for the last 8 years.

I've got news for them. No one cares if people cheat. They only care if they get caught. I couldn't care less if we pay a million, just dont get caught.

This board is more concerned with Mother Sandy Bell pushing elite players away in the name of being holier than thou (and we make fun of UNC?) Than they are winning.

And that's why others are passing us by. Our administration is not concerned with winning titles, they just want to maintain, get paid, and have their name valued above Dean Smith. And what's funny is NO ONE knows who they are, and no one cares. All people know is Duke is winning and UK is not. And that's all they will rememeber.

We are lucky to have Cal. I still cant believe he wanted to come to UK with Barnhart and Bell screwing with his ways.


So you just want titles and don't care if UK cheats. I'm guessing you never graduated from UK because those of us that did, at least most of us, aren't interested in Titles that were won via cheating. Please stay away from The University of Kentucky @ Lexington.
 
Last edited:

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,010
61,246
113
We did find out from Cal's interview about Zion, that He and another coach went to see Herro, and that Justus went to see Zion, on the same day. Now in fairness to Justus, he was going up against K (and money) on that day.. so I don't blame a kid for taking a HOF coach over an assistant.

But either way, Justus missed.

Also, found it interesting that the reason Cal went to Herro instead was that Herro basically said "Come see me, I want to be at UK". Insinuating that Zion was wavering.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ABlockalypseBrow

johnc17

All-Conference
Mar 16, 2014
665
1,050
0
So you just want titles and don't care if UK cheats. I'm guessing you never graduated from UK because those of us that did, at least most of us, aren't interested in Titles that were won via cheating. Please stay away from The University of Kentucky.

It's easy to say **** it let's cheat when your career and reputation aren't on the line.
 

CatfanMike47

All-American
Oct 9, 2017
4,861
5,222
0
We did find out from Cal's interview about Zion, that He and another coach went to see Herro, and that Justus went to see Zion, on the same day. Now in fairness to Justus, he was going up against K (and money) on that day.. so I don't blame a kid for taking a HOF coach over an assistant.

But either way, Justus missed.

Also, found it interesting that the reason Cal went to Herro instead was that Herro basically said "Come see me, I want to be at UK". Insinuating that Zion was wavering.
Zion was never coming to UK with KU and Duke paying and that’s why Cal didn’t visit Zion!
 

Kats23

All-American
Nov 21, 2007
8,683
5,913
63
Scummy look for UK fans to say they are down for cheating if it brings a title. Trailer trash stuff IMO.

I have news for you man. Everybody in the top tier cheats. It’s just to what extreme. You want to be naive enough to think Nike hasn’t sent some of our guys money before and/or when they were at UK, be my guest. These shoe companies did a hell of a job hiding this stuff and without the FBI getting involved, it would have continued under the radar. I have no idea what the FBI was actually snooping around for when they stumbled across these coaches and shoe companies but they did.

And if I’m being honest, I don’t care the shoe companies are doing this. The kids are getting the shaft when it comes to the NCAA and the schools using their image to make billions of dollars off of them. Everybody is trying to get the advantage on these kids and get theirs.
And with no simple solution to solve the problem, this will continue.

I also stand by if you get caught, you pay the price.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ralphdaltonfan

Son_Of_Saul

Heisman
Dec 7, 2007
45,345
99,168
113
Recruiting doesn't suck.

Player retention sucks.

That's part of the reason why we haven't been to a Final Four in four years and counting.

Gotta get back 2nd tier guys since. This is especially true now that OAD is about to die.
 

Son_Of_Saul

Heisman
Dec 7, 2007
45,345
99,168
113
I have news for you man. Everybody in the top tier cheats. It’s just to what extreme. You want to be naive enough to think Nike hasn’t sent some of our guys money before and/or when they were at UK, be my guest. These shoe companies did a hell of a job hiding this stuff and without the FBI getting involved, it would have continued under the radar. I have no idea what the FBI was actually snooping around for when they stumbled across these coaches and shoe companies but they did.

And if I’m being honest, I don’t care the shoe companies are doing this. The kids are getting the shaft when it comes to the NCAA and the schools using their image to make billions of dollars off of them. Everybody is trying to get the advantage on these kids and get theirs.
And with no simple solution to solve the problem, this will continue.

I also stand by if you get caught, you pay the price.

I still think we should hang some banners that read: UK DOESN'T CHEAT LIKE THOSE OTHER GUYS.

Seems to make a bunch of our fans sleep easy at night with the virtue signalling.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kats23

irishcat1965

Heisman
Apr 22, 2012
20,682
44,139
113
Recruiting doesn't suck.

Player retention sucks.

That's part of the reason why we haven't been to a Final Four in four years and counting.

Gotta get back 2nd tier guys since. This is especially true now that OAD is about to die.
I would argue Higgins is one of the big reasons UK didn’t go to a final four in the past four years in 2017.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Son_Of_Saul

Wall2Boogie

Heisman
Jan 28, 2010
26,239
21,732
0
It’s a shame we can’t rid ourselves of atleast barbee. Justus has not added much either. I know he played a hand with quickly or whatever which is great, but he is no coach o. I’d also add Payne needs to step his game up a little. Cal needs to “tweak” the staff.
 

Son_Of_Saul

Heisman
Dec 7, 2007
45,345
99,168
113
It’s a shame we can’t rid ourselves of atleast barbee. Justus has not added much either. I know he played a hand with quickly or whatever which is great, but he is no coach o. I’d also add Payne needs to step his game up a little. Cal needs to “tweak” the staff.

The lazy line from some our fans is to deflect-deflect-deflect at all costs when it comes to recruiting whiffs.

The idea is that our staff couldn't possibly be in any way incompetent (the same fans rarely critique game plans in season-ending games, either). It has to be that we're losing elite kids because of the other team cheating.

Take the Keion Brooks recruitment for example. A bastion of our fans on this message board were already prepping their "he must have taken money" narrative had Brooks picked Indiana. They don't know Brooks from Adam, and yet the narrative was already established and waiting.

It's a limited view because it actually acts to skew kids none of us know. It's one thing to say Zion likely took benefits - the FBI has essentially confirmed this. It's an entirely different beast to assert that all these top level kids we're losing on are taking cash or benefits. It's kind of a way of virtue signaling on the highest level and basically endorses the "we're winning the right way" mantra most of us used to mock when guys like Dean Smith and Bobby Knight used to essentially say it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wall2Boogie

morgousky

Heisman
Sep 5, 2009
23,959
43,171
0
So you just want titles and don't care if UK cheats. I'm guessing you never graduated from UK because those of us that did, at least most of us, aren't interested in Titles that were won via cheating. Please stay away from The University of Kentucky @ Lexington.

Stinky no one cares of someone heats if they don’t get caught. UNC’s banners are hanging. Duke didn’t lose their final fours with Thomas. Kansas is still employing self. We’ll see how that goes.

If Cal cheats and doesn’t get caught, great. If you cheat and get caught, pay the price.

That’s how this has always worked. Whatever world you live in isn’t the way the rest of the world operates.

We call them cheaters but the nation has no idea.

And as far as us staying clean, it has to do with Cal, not Bell, not Mitch. Cal can dictate how we get them and how we don’t. I don’t remember the context of this but the fact is Bell has zero to do with Cal staying clean through this process. If he wanted to cheat he would, and she wouldn’t stop him.
 

bbnkat02

Heisman
Nov 14, 2017
47,693
71,047
113
I still think we should hang some banners that read: UK DOESN'T CHEAT LIKE THOSE OTHER GUYS.

Seems to make a bunch of our fans sleep easy at night with the virtue signalling.


Honesty is a virtue signal now?
Just. Wow.
 

RalphDaltonFan

Heisman
Apr 3, 2002
60,148
41,446
113
I still remember Zion stating several times he wanted to play CBB with Immanuel Quickley........they were on an Adidas trip to Italy I believe and hit it off. Cal also got burned when Quade Green couldn't help land Mo Bamba like so many in industry predicted would be the case. Stuff happens.

Kentucky staff could use a change in my opinion and not because anyone has failed. It's just smart to shake it up, get some new ideas, new blood, and it tends to help recruiting. Can't say you are about the NBA, when the style you play doesn't resemble anything about NBA basketball right now or the direction it's shifting. NBA embraces the 3pt shot and wide open half court game--a lot of 5 out, and get up and down. UK likes to walk it up and play bully ball. The top 5 caliber players know they are NBA players, so need to adjust. Sounds like UK is doing that, but wait to see it before I believe it.

As for Cal....it's easy for us fans to want players and "deal with consequences" but Cal is usually a step ahead and if you can avoid the FBI and possible Federal Prison, I'd be happy to "lose" some recruiting battles as well. Will say watching any recap of his time at UK, there is a significant drop off in talent from 10-15 teams to '16-19 teams.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wildcats1st

FrankUnderwood

Heisman
May 26, 2017
15,912
27,971
0
I’m not sure why I’m even responding to you. Probably the beers I’ve had.

At any rate, our recruiting is as good as it’s ever going to get without cheating. What about this do you still not comprehend?


He’s just miserable
 
  • Like
Reactions: kevcat

Cardsstink

Heisman
Mar 20, 2017
7,791
11,201
0
Stinky no one cares of someone heats if they don’t get caught. UNC’s banners are hanging. Duke didn’t lose their final fours with Thomas. Kansas is still employing self. We’ll see how that goes.

If Cal cheats and doesn’t get caught, great. If you cheat and get caught, pay the price.

That’s how this has always worked. Whatever world you live in isn’t the way the rest of the world operates.

We call them cheaters but the nation has no idea.

And as far as us staying clean, it has to do with Cal, not Bell, not Mitch. Cal can dictate how we get them and how we don’t. I don’t remember the context of this but the fact is Bell has zero to do with Cal staying clean through this process. If he wanted to cheat he would, and she wouldn’t stop him.

Luckily, most people don't live by the "cheating is fine if you don't get caught" motto like you apprently do. You give UK fans a bad name, but luckily you are nothing but an irrelevant internet poster.
 

Catswin9

Senior
Jun 24, 2015
567
868
0
We’ve heard for the last couple of years now about all the in-roads Justus was making with this class, so what happened?

I realize it’s tough to accurately evaluate an assistant coach since we’re not privy to what goes on behind the scenes, but recruiting has taken a nosedive since Justus got here and it doesn’t seem like he’s a player development type of coach like Payne either so I think it’s fair to question what he brings to the table at this point.

Also heard he was an analytics guru but even the analytically adverse fans have figured out that we don’t play an analytically friendly style of basketball under Calipari.
Since Cal was surprised by how good Zion played this year, I wonder what Joel's report was on Zion when he watched him play in high school.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/26450335/calipari-know-zion-good
 

cats#1again

All-Conference
Nov 27, 2011
8,011
4,587
0
This is dumb. Did we cheat to get Anthony Davis? Did we cheat to get De'Aaron Fox? It's easy to just say "everyone else is cheating" instead of making an honest assessment of whether Cal's "This ain't for everyone, don't come here if you want to shoot" pitch is still as effective as it once was. It's clearly not. Cal needs to adapt. That's been his strongest suit in the past but to this point he seems kind of lost on how to get the mojo back.
Adapt to what exactly? Duke? Kansas?
Oh wait!!!! These last 3 years they are recruiting on our level we have actually been better than them.
So adapt to what?
 

Lovebaskelball

All-Conference
May 11, 2009
3,010
2,560
113
  • Like
Reactions: Cats192

Cats192

Heisman
Apr 22, 2011
14,895
17,805
93
You have to admit no one saw Zion being so efficient on offense and he did have a hell of a year. Most thought he would be be good but not that good.

I bet Cal didn't think Davis would dominate like he did either. Even when you think someone will be elite, hard to predict someone being THIS special
 

morgousky

Heisman
Sep 5, 2009
23,959
43,171
0
Luckily, most people don't live by the "cheating is fine if you don't get caught" motto like you apprently do. You give UK fans a bad name, but luckily you are nothing but an irrelevant internet poster.

You’re a weird and strange guy.

Actually most people do live by that motto in athletics and always have. You need to be a UNC fan and tout that holier than thou fake BS attitude to them. People like you who go overboard on “ cheating” are usually the con man in hiding anyway. But you’re too dorky and weird to probably be one of those.

Cardsstink.....lol. Cringeworthy name. You’re a dork. Go away.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RoyKent

Catzman

Heisman
Apr 29, 2002
17,370
14,232
113
If we had this class AND Wiseman, you'd be gargling Justus' sack. Justus spearheaded that recruitment and he was ours until Memphis hired hes f**king coach to be the head coach. What do you want him to do?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cats192

armchairpg

All-Conference
Oct 24, 2012
2,608
1,736
113
So if we had beaten auburn and gone to the final four (which we were only a possession shy of) then he would be a recruiting genius?
 

Cardsstink

Heisman
Mar 20, 2017
7,791
11,201
0
You’re a weird and strange guy.

Actually most people do live by that motto in athletics and always have. You need to be a UNC fan and tout that holier than thou fake BS attitude to them. People like you who go overboard on “ cheating” are usually the con man in hiding anyway. But you’re too dorky and weird to probably be one of those.

Cardsstink.....lol. Cringeworthy name. You’re a dork. Go away.

You, a guy that tells himself that people you don't like live with their mom and wear their socks to bed calling someone weird is too funny. Your ego constantly needs feeding. You run your mouth nonstop and most of it is septic sludge. Funny and sad to watch pompous and biligerent idiots on the internet. But keep entertaining this forum. I love it!
 

KyCatFan1

Heisman
May 6, 2002
30,867
31,594
113
You have to admit no one saw Zion being so efficient on offense and he did have a hell of a year. Most thought he would be be good but not that good.

With the offense we run and Coach Cal's defense first philosophy, he likely wouldn't have been as impressive if he came here. Plus he would have sat the bench in foul trouble most of the year with the way we get fouls called on us for charging and being bigger and stronger than the other teams.
 

morgousky

Heisman
Sep 5, 2009
23,959
43,171
0
You, a guy that tells himself that people you don't like live with their mom and wear their socks to bed calling someone weird is too funny. Your ego constantly needs feeding. You run your mouth nonstop and most of it is septic sludge. Funny and sad to watch pompous and biligerent idiots on the internet. But keep entertaining this forum. I love it!

Didn’t read it. Lol.

Just skipped over it and quoted you.

Cardsstink. Omg, what a lame personality.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RoyKent

Xception

Heisman
Apr 17, 2007
26,407
22,344
0
Justus and Barbee aren’t good recruiters, when they came the brand was such that it basically recruited itself. Meaning anybody could get what they’ve gotten but they cannot connect on top tier players. Who have they specifically signed in their UK tenure? It’s certainly a lot less than their predecessors.

Listening to Barbee do interviews is uninspiring and rather plain, I suspect he fails to connect with recruits. He’s just not cool enough for them to relate. Justus is choir boy, Wisemans mother thought he was great and maybe the apple pie pitch works with mommas but recruits aren’t buying the opie/leave it to beaver approach.

Cal is so loyal that he’s willing to accept the misses in recruiting rather than make a change. The problem is it affects the end product and makes everything along the way more difficult. Some blame it all on players being bought and there’s no way to know how much of an impact that’s had one way or another. While it may or may not have been a majority of the issue, there’s no doubt it’s not the entire problem.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Son_Of_Saul

Rupp'sRunt

Heisman
Apr 19, 2008
14,675
20,094
0
You, a guy that tells himself that people you don't like live with their mom and wear their socks to bed calling someone weird is too funny. Your ego constantly needs feeding. You run your mouth nonstop and most of it is septic sludge. Funny and sad to watch pompous and biligerent idiots on the internet. But keep entertaining this forum. I love it!
Always attacking posters. Stay classy
 
Jan 30, 2018
16,155
24,636
0
I think a lot of us just want to see Cal and his staff be more fluid and willing to change like a stream instead of a stagnant pond. Assistants come and go Hopefully they help our teams and coaches and evolve themselves so that they can move on to bigger things. I love Cal. But his coaching staff feels like a stagnant pond, little change, and no movement. Assistants, if they are doing their jobs, should be sought after. Just like O and Strickland and to a certain degree Slice. They are never meant to be permanent fixtures, but more like the players, learning to move on.

Cal seems to get comfortable and is loyal to his staff. I'm not sure this is a good thing because just as iron sharpens iron, movement like a stream causes change and new paths while becoming stagnant just becomes stale and motionless.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RoyKent

Son_Of_Saul

Heisman
Dec 7, 2007
45,345
99,168
113
Justus gets Wiseman if Penny doesn't wind up at Memphis, and we're hyping him like coach O.

And if Tubby wins a second title at UK in 2003 or 2005, he's a legend and never gets pressured out.

Life is often made up of very thin lines between mediocrity and success. Justus hasn't crossed that line over to success yet, not as a recruiter.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cats192