Bamba to Texas

[mash_24]

Anybody who thinks we aren't a title contender next year please step off the ledge.

Green - 5* PG
Knox - 5* SG/SF
Vanderbilt - 5* SF
Washington - 5* PF
Richards - 5* C

Bench
Gabriel - 5* PF
SKJ - 5* PF
Alexander - 5*? PG/SG
Baker - 4* SG
Wynyard - highly rated international player

Add Johnson ( Diallo not coming back) and that's at worst a top 5 roster.

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

Way too much is being put into an arbitrary ranking system

 

[Blueworld_3.0]

Cal's system really benefits from a rim protector. Bamba would have been that guy. While it isn't the end of the world, you're fooling yourself if you don't see this as a critical miss.
FYI, while Texas might be a minor thorn in our side right now, better watch out for Illinois in the next few years.

 

[bookerfan66]

I'm sorry but that's just ridiculous to think we need two top 5 players each year to compete.

Even last year according to Rivals we didn't have one top 5 guy and we were one shot from a final four.

Well I think the reason is we are always going to need more under Cal simply because we lose so much every season including players who would stay elsewhere.If we had some returning next season besides Gabriel/SKJ it wouldn't matter so much if Diallo leaves and missing on Bamba.

 

[poppycat]

I thought we would get him but it's not surprising. Some kids would rather show how different they are than actually challenge themselves, get better and win. See Markelle Fultz.

And Fultz is the #1 draft pick and instant multi-millionaire.
Now that's what I call different.

 

[preacher_tom]

No ill intent meant.

 

[morgousky]

Way too much is being put into an arbitrary ranking system

Cal has one championship in decades of coaching.

That title had the two top players in the entire class.

Keep ignoring the elephant

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

Yep. Exactly like those.

Kentucky has had 8 years with Cal and we have a title. That title team had two top 5 guys. That's plenty of sample size.

This isn't hard. We need top 5 recruit(s) because of our youth. If not we need to get some quality guys back to make up for it. Other programs do it, Cal could too.

My fear is we are now at a point where Cals ego is gonna get in the way. He recruits like he expects it. And he hasn't been hitting the mark he needs to.

Right now, top 5 players go everywhere. They can lay low and be a pro in months. Cals not their keeper today. What's that leave on the table? Players ranked 10-25 who are fringe OAD types. A great example is Bam. They NEED the Kentucky effect.

The problem with that is they aren't enough. We're too young.

This has been happening for a while and a lot of people realize it. This board doesn't, shocker.

Your "I'm smarter than the room" schtick is getting old. And you're getting more and more negative.

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

The titles argument is also ridiculous.

If you have enough talent to make a final four, you have enough talent to win one or two more games as well.

There isn't some huge gap in talent between a team that wins the title and a team that finishes 2nd, 3rd or 4th

 

[morgousky]

Your "I'm smarter than the room" schtick is getting old. And you're getting more and more negative.

What part of that post gave you that impression?

I read an article a week ago about Kentucky having a drought with the top recruits. I believe it was sea of blue. Parrish has also spoke about it. It's hurting us.

Believe what you want

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

Cal has one championship in decades of coaching.

That title had the two top players in the entire class.

Keep ignoring the elephant

No one knows who's winning next season. Or any season. But we have no top 5 guys and I'm fairly confident that we will compete for a title next season. Might not win it but we'll be in the conversation and as a far that's all you can ask for.

There's not going to be some team that's crazy better than other teams. I like our chances next season even with a young team. I disagree we don't have the talent just because we didn't land a top 5 guy.

 

[morgousky]

The titles argument is also ridiculous.

If you have enough talent to make a final four, you have enough talent to win one or two more games as well.

There isn't some huge gap in talent between a team that wins the title and a team that finishes 2nd, 3rd or 4th

When we win a title without top 5 recruits, I'll believe it.

We aren't like other programs and our rosters aren't built the same. We are YOUNGER each year than everyone. We need those studs to offset that, if we want championships. It's hard enough to win them regardless.

 

[Cardsstink]

well they keep them all 4 years though lol

You never pass up a chance to take a subtle shot at Cal. Best fake UK fan I've ever seen.

Anybody who thinks we aren't a title contender next year please step off the ledge.

Green - 5* PG
Knox - 5* SG/SF
Vanderbilt - 5* SF
Washington - 5* PF
Richards - 5* C

Bench
Gabriel - 5* PF
SKJ - 5* PF
Alexander - 5*? PG/SG
Baker - 4* SG
Wynyard - highly rated international player

Add Johnson ( Diallo not coming back) and that's at worst a top 5 roster.

I love our team. The crybabies saying next year is hopeless are pathetic excuses for "fans."

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

The rankings can only mean so much

We didn't have a top 5 guy last year but we had 6,7 and 9.

And when Fox went up against the #4 guy in Ball, he dominated him.

Maybe in some years you get an Anthony Davis type that miles ahead....but in reality there's not a huge gap between 4,5,6,7 etc etc

 

[Cardsstink]

Your "I'm smarter than the room" schtick is getting old. And you're getting more and more negative.

I took a peek and sure enough you were talking to a guy I put on ignore for that very reason. He has nothing to do all day, every day but be a smart *** on this message board.. - just put the little kid on ignore.

 

[morgousky]

You never pass up a chance to take a subtle shot at Cal. Best fake UK fan I've ever seen.


I love our team. The crybabies saying next year is hopeless are pathetic excuses for "fans."

Oh please. Jersey never takes shots at Cal is a derogatory way.

Those of you labeling posters with this crap are nothing but pumps who can't handle reality.

 

[wildcatwelder_rivals]

Well, this sucks but it is what it is.

We REALLY need SKJ to up his game now, and/or Richards to be very good as a freshman.

Our main issue, again IMHO, is we're simply too young; we need quality upperclassmen to go along with these super young teams.

I'll cheer for my beloved Cats every time they hit the court, but I have my doubts that teams this young can advance to the final weekend of the season. I hope like hell they prove me wrong.

 

[JerseyCat84_rivals57050]

When we win a title without top 5 recruits, I'll believe it.

We aren't like other programs and our rosters aren't built the same. We are YOUNGER each year than everyone. We need those studs to offset that, if we want championships. It's hard enough to win them regardless.

"IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT TITLES TROLL"

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

When we win a title without top 5 recruits, I'll believe it.

We aren't like other programs and our rosters aren't built the same. We are YOUNGER each year than everyone. We need those studs to offset that, if we want championships. It's hard enough to win them regardless.

Given our youth each year, I agree.......getting talent is more important to us than other teams obviously since they have talent coming back.

It's pretty clear cut. The best players give u the best shot at winning.......those players are usually the highest rated guys......and yes Cal hasn't consistently got those top 5 as he may have in the past.

That being said.......it's not a certainty. You can still win and win alot with talent outside that top 5.

 

[kyups01]

Ahhh we have PJ Washington, thats all I care about! lol

 

[morgousky]

The rankings can only mean so much

We didn't have a top 5 guy last year but we had 6,7 and 9.

And when Fox went up against the #4 guy in Ball, he dominated him.

Maybe in some years you get an Anthony Davis type that miles ahead....but in reality there's not a huge gap between 4,5,6,7 etc etc

That's why you get them and hope they live up to that kind of ranking. we need it.

But whatever. We'll revisit this over the next few years. You can mark this thread. I'll concede it all if Cal is able to win a championship without the cream of the crop. I want to see a team of mainly freshman win a title without top 5 NBA impact type players. Fair?

 

[JerseyCat84_rivals57050]

Oh please. Jersey never takes shots at Cal is a derogatory way.

Those of you labeling posters with this crap are nothing but pumps who can't handle reality.

she's a stalker i have her blocked lol

 

[Blueaz]

You mean like Booker, or Bledsoe?

Tyler says "Hey!", also...

 

[Blueaz]

None of those players won a TITLE.

I'm speaking of championships.

please, don't turn into ONE of those guys...

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

That's why you get them and hope they live up to that kind of ranking. we need it.

But whatever. We'll revisit this over the next few years. You can mark this thread. I'll concede it all if Cal is able to win a championship without the cream of the crop. I want to see a team of mainly freshman win a title without top 5 NBA impact type players. Fair?

Just because hasn't happened doesn't mean it can't happen.

I mean Vegas right now has us 12/1. Right along side Arizona, MSU and Kansas.

Clearly they think given the roster we can compete.

 

[morgousky]

please, don't turn into ONE of those guys...

You mean a Kentucky fan, the same fans that laugh at Kansas for 3 titles? The same fans who measure our program by championships?

Look, you can't win it every year. We all get it. My opinion is based on a trend that I've seen for a while and the media is actually picking up on. Cals teams need those dominant players in the classes. We've got 8 years with how many blue chip prospects? The lone title came with multiple top 5 guys on roster. What is so crazy about seeing that?

Cal doesn't suck, UK won't suck, we all get it. Speaking in terms of titles, I think we need to offset the youth with legitimate NBA caliber studs. Cal isn't digging in the 50-75 range to find a diamond. We need his top targets to be studs. It's simple.

Frindge OAD types like wenyen, Bam, Ulis etc etc are not enough here. If we had some seniors they would be.

Last comment on this.

 

[jameslee32]

well they keep them all 4 years though lol

Meet Justin Jackson.

 

[Mime-Is-Money]

No need to bash the guy, UK ain't for everyone and UT is a big draw. At least it's not Duke.

Best of luck to Bamba, he won't really need it.

We still have an embarrassment of riches in the front court. Keeping Diallo is BIG.

 

[buck8113]

well I think Cal screwed the pooch on this one. I mean according to all the other schools when we got Knox. It was paying players and WWW dam Cal if you needed some more money you should have called. BBN could have come up with another $1.98 to add to the pot. And I guess WWW was on vacation.
I still think we will be good to go. Heard that Richards is working hard to be a lot better think he may turn out to be better but hell what do I know thought we where getting The man we don't talk of anymore

 

[morgousky]

Just because hasn't happened doesn't mean it can't happen.

I mean Vegas right now has us 12/1. Right along side Arizona, MSU and Kansas.

Clearly they think given the roster we can compete.

I legitimately want to be wrong and laughed at over this. I just don't think I will be. You'll start hearing more and more that Kentucky can't win without those type of recruits because of youth.

We'll see.

 

[anon_dge1vx8o0wnm7]

Also, this is another of many times that UK has been hurt by USA Basketball. Hopefully now that will change a bit, however out of all the youth-USA teams, Cal might have the one that is least valuable to recruiting.

 

[Chuckinden]

Disappointed, but not surprised. I felt he would have announced a long time ago if it was clearly us, but he likes Smart and they have a good relationship.

I wish him the best.

 

[TheAnonymous13]

This is a case that I hate being right.
It's been trending this way for a few weeks.
A few posters laughed when I posted that about a month ago.

 

[Blueaz]

You mean a Kentucky fan, the same fans that laugh at Kansas for 3 titles? The same fans who measure our program by championships?

Look, you can't win it every year. We all get it. My opinion is based on a trend that I've seen for a while and the media is actually picking up on. Cals teams need those dominant players in the classes. We've got 8 years with how many blue chip prospects? The lone title came with multiple top 5 guys on roster. What is so crazy about seeing that?

Cal doesn't suck, UK won't suck, we all get it. Speaking in terms of titles, I think we need to offset the youth with legitimate NBA caliber studs. Cal isn't digging in the 50-75 range to find a diamond. We need his top targets to be studs. It's simple.

Frindge OAD types like wenyen, Bam, Ulis etc etc are not enough here. If we had some seniors they would be.

Last comment on this.

you took my comment the wrong way..."one of those", are the posters that expect a title every year and UK and Cal are failures if they don't win it all.
You have played enough and coached enough; that I would think that you are not in the "it's championship or bust" crowd.

 

[caneintally]

It doesn't effect the offense at all but it does hurt the D a little . And Knox cant play SG now so we need another one . We still have the most loaded front court in college but we would of had the best in Cal's era with Bamba.

 

[Blueaz]

Meet Justin Jackson.

he was not able to leave early...he blossomed this year...

 

[morgousky]

you took my comment the wrong way..."one of those", are the posters that expect a title every year and UK and Cal are failures if they don't win it all.
You have played enough and coached enough; that I would think that you are not in the "it's championship or bust" crowd.

Absolutely not in that crowd. Just an observation about our title chances with or without top 5 legitimate NBA guys.

I thought last year was a success.

 

[ColumbiaCayuts]

I think something to keep an eye on is that yes these players that decide to go hide out for one year at a random school still go high in the draft as projected but, lets see how things go once they get in the NBA. its not really about the first contract as much as the second. Simmons was hurt so who knows what kind of pro he is, Fultz hasn't played a second in the NBA yet, Zimmerman didn't seem to do much in Orlando, and Newman had to transfer. Now Jaylen Brown is doing well but he also in a good situation. Time will tell.

 

[katwest]

We should be fine, when a player turns down Kentucky and Duke they march to a different drum, going to Texas is the lesser of the two evils. When you go to either Kentucky or Duke you will be on TV and in the tournament every year and get a lot of exposure in other ways, maybe he didn't want that.

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

Hurts. But at least its texas. Hes no threat there and we will probably not hear about him again till draft night.

Even by then he will fall several spots from what he wouldve been at uk.