Barry "Slice" Rohrssen

[Eight_Banners_anon]

Talked to Slice in the airport today. Conversation went something like this:

Me: You're Slice, right?
Slice: Yeah man, how you doing? (shakes hands)

Very friendly demeanor

Me: You going out to clean up for us?
Slice: Man, I've got some tough decisions to make.
Me: Oh yeah, the Chris Mullen stuff.
Slice: Nothing gets by you.
Me: That's the Big Blue Nation for you.
Slice: Yeah, I went to high school with him (Chris Mullen).
Me: I hope you make the best decision.
Slice: Yeah, I'm asking the Lord what to do. It's a hard decision. I love this place.
Me: We love having you around.
Slice: I appreciate that. Take it easy.



What a classy guy. I hope he hangs around, but you can't blame him if he wants to go coach with a high school friend, and maybe move up the job ladder a little in the process.

UK is obviously an easier job for him in the recruiting aspect, but maybe he's looking for more of a challenge.


Great encounter with what seems to be a great guy.

 

[GLR5555]

Sure it wasn't this Slice?

 

[thefolker]

St. John's may be the worst job in basketball because for some reason they think they are relevant.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

Serious question, and I love what Slice brings to the team, but did he stay here long enough to have an impact on recruiting? Seems like the speculation was that one key to bringing in Slice would be delivery of Diallo. If he leaves immediately, it seems likely that Diallo would follow him to St. Johns? Blatant speculation on my part, and I wish him the best if he leaves, but would like to see Slice stay at UK a little longer.

 

[JohnBlue]

This is really not what the program needs right now. It's go time and the entire coaching staff needs to be dedicated to recruiting next years team. I hope he makes up his mind soon, or Cal forces him too. Right now I doubt he is doing much for Kentucky until he decides which side line he will be on. Kind of sucks the lack of commitment he is showing but hey this is the one and done program after all.

 

[know1]

Sounds like he's gone to me.

 

[KA4Prez_rivals78700]

Actually, right now is probably the best time, unless there is a recruit that is heavily considering UK because of him. If not, most of the recruiting for the year is done and the pitches have been heard.

Not sure what he's brought to the table, other than Cal seemingly hired him as an extra recruiting gun. However, on the positive, him leaving would open another spot on the staff where Cal could conceivably hire someone with the intentions of getting a single recruit or two.

Does Slice leaving hurt chances with Diallo? Is it possible Diallo might be waiting considering he's also on St. John's radar as well?

 

[bigbluetrue]

If he is saying that to someone he doesn't even know then it sounds like he is probably heading towards leaving.

 

[rabidcatfan]

Originally posted by TheFolker:
St. John's may be the worst job in basketball because for some reason they think they are relevant.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

New Yaw-kers love St. Johns, and as long as they do, they'll always think they're relevant. It's sad really considering they could have one of the best programs in the nation if they could just keep the NYC kids home. Remember that Mike Jarvis had them rolling in '98-'99 and '99-'00 winning 53 games in two seasons and getting to the Elite Eight in his first year at the school. So it's possible if they can get another tandem like Ron Artest and Erick Barkley to stay home and play.

 

[Mojocat_rivals48469]

This isn't difficult to understand. He's from NYC. St. John's is special to New Yorkers that care anything about college hoops. He sees a chance to make something that was once great great again. The head coach is a legendary figure and old friend to boot. If he'd been here are few years instead of one, and didn't feel personally and professionally bad about bailing after a short time, this decision would've taken about 3 seconds. All just my opinion.....

 

[spotter34]

St. Johns has a storied history in college basketball. They are in the top 10 (#8) in all-time wins. I do think it would take a minor miracle for them to become relevant again in college basketball, but who knows. St. Johns does however have some "cache" with northeastern recruits.

 

[MakinMusic_rivals]

I Certainly understand why he would have a difficult time making that decision. That said, I've not met anyone who moved from NYC who didn't like the southeast better by leaps and bounds. If he had another year or two under his belt in Lexington, I don't think he goes anywhere. I hope he stays but won't fault him if he doesn't. Kentucky basketball versus St. John's isn't comparable. They have some history but it's limited all around. No question Kentucky is the bigger opportunity. His friendship with Mullen is the only X factor.

 

[KA4Prez_rivals78700]

I also don't see how St. John's would further his opportunity to be a HC either. Does he want to be a HC? You would think if he works under Cal for a few years and helps land some elite guys and establishes some connections in the south as well, he would be a candidate for a decent mid-major job.

 

[akaukswoosh]

That said, I've not met anyone who moved from NYC who didn't like the southeast better by leaps and bounds.

Lotta folks on the UK faculty who fall into that category. The good part, if you miss NYC you can hop on a plane and be there right quickly.

 

[The_Godfather_rivals]

It's a matter for him being asked by an old friend for help. UK might not "need" him while Mullin might be telling Slice how much he "needs" him. That would be tough.

I obviously don't want him to go, but I do feel that Cal would not have much trouble finding a great person to replace him.

 

[Eight_Banners_anon]

Originally posted by Bigbluetrue:
If he is saying that to someone he doesn't even know then it sounds like he is probably heading towards leaving.

Not necessarily. When he was talking about loving it here you could hear it in his voice that he really loves this place.

 

[bluedog79]

Bad form to leave for St Johns then turn around and recruit against Kentucky regarding Cheick Diallo. I don't like it.

 

[KA4Prez_rivals78700]

Originally posted by Bluegrass79:

Bad form to leave for St Johns then turn around and recruit against Kentucky regarding Cheick Diallo. I don't like it.

In his defense, Diallo is also considering St. John's, before the job even opened. If Slice is some sort of determining factor, I wouldn't be upset losing him because of that. It's not like he had Diallo in his pocket and he took him to some random school that he left for.

 

[buster3.0]

Wow, opening up like that to a total stranger who approaches you at the airport. Seems plausible.

 

[truebluewildcat_rivals34254]

An opportunity to return to NY and possibly resurrect some sort of hard wood relevance with an old friend would be hard to turn down for a true native.

Basketball has left the state of New York, literally and figuratively. Nicks are garbage, Nets aren't anything, Syracuse isn't much, St. John's has lost his old big east magic as that conference has dwindled to nothing.

It wouldn't take much for St. John's to be competitive in their conference and start winning again. If Diallo wants to get his shots, UK may not be the spot for him. If he has any sort of relationship with Barry and knows anything about Mullens and St. John's history and what it would mean for the city to have a legend breathe life back into their school, then staying home may be an intriguing prospect for him.

Diello is OAD for sure, whether he plays at UK or St. John's. He would get ridiculous numbers there.

 

[LineSkiCat]

On the other side of the coin, while Mullin is a legend of the game he has ZERO coaching experience. Talk about a gamble.

But then again.. if Mullin tanks, it might be a perfect opportunity for Slice to grab the head coaching spot.

 

[BigBluePhantom]

Originally posted by Bluegrass79:

Bad form to leave for St Johns then turn around and recruit against Kentucky regarding Cheick Diallo. I don't like it.

You mean like when Cal left Memphis and brought his number one recruiting class with him to UK? I know it doesn't seem like the gentlemanly thing to do but that is how it works these days in big time college sports.

 

[anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y]

Originally posted by Bluegrass79:

Bad form to leave for St Johns then turn around and recruit against Kentucky regarding Cheick Diallo. I don't like it.

Did you think it was bad form when Cal came to Kentucky and brought the same recruits with him that he had been recruiting to Memphis?

 

[elwood_blue]

Originally posted by Eight_Banners:
Talked to Slice in the airport today. Conversation went something like this:

Me: You're Slice, right?
Slice: Yeah man, how you doing? (shakes hands)

Very friendly demeanor

Me: You going out to clean up for us?
Slice: Man, I've got some tough decisions to make.
Me: Oh yeah, the Chris Mullen stuff.
Slice: Nothing gets by you.
Me: That's the Big Blue Nation for you.
Slice: Yeah, I went to high school with him (Chris Mullen).
Me: I hope you make the best decision.
Slice: Yeah, I'm asking the Lord what to do. It's a hard decision. I love this place.
Me: We love having you around.
Slice: I appreciate that. Take it easy.

OP walks away.
Slice looks in his contacts for Ramel Bradley and nervously calls him.
Ramel: What's up coach Slice?
Slice: I met one of THEM today.
Ramel: Oh.......

 

[anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y]

Originally posted by elwood_blue:

Originally posted by Eight_Banners:
Talked to Slice in the airport today. Conversation went something like this:

Me: You're Slice, right?
Slice: Yeah man, how you doing? (shakes hands)

Very friendly demeanor

Me: You going out to clean up for us?
Slice: Man, I've got some tough decisions to make.
Me: Oh yeah, the Chris Mullen stuff.
Slice: Nothing gets by you.
Me: That's the Big Blue Nation for you.
Slice: Yeah, I went to high school with him (Chris Mullen).
Me: I hope you make the best decision.
Slice: Yeah, I'm asking the Lord what to do. It's a hard decision. I love this place.
Me: We love having you around.
Slice: I appreciate that. Take it easy.

OP walks away.
Slice looks in his contacts for Ramel Bradley and nervously calls him.
Ramel: What's up coach Slice?
Slice: I met one of THEM today.
Ramel: Oh.......

 

[gossie21_rivals69805]

Originally posted by St.PatterSoN-54-:

Serious question, and I love what Slice brings to the team, but did he stay here long enough to have an impact on recruiting? Seems like the speculation was that one key to bringing in Slice would be delivery of Diallo. If he leaves immediately, it seems likely that Diallo would follow him to St. Johns? Blatant speculation on my part, and I wish him the best if he leaves, but would like to see Slice stay at UK a little longer.

He was the lead recruiter on Isaiah Briscoe. I expected he would have had more impact, but this was a tricky year. Everyone wanted to wait until the end of the season to see who would stay/go. Now that everyone has made their decision is when he would have had his greatest impact. So it's too bad that he is likely leaving.

 

[Kats23]

Originally posted by Bluegrass79:

Bad form to leave for St Johns then turn around and recruit against Kentucky regarding Cheick Diallo. I don't like it.

I'm sure you didn't have a problem with it when Cal was hired at UK and recruited against Memphis for Bledsoe and Wall and brought Cousins with him.

 

[Pygmy Sasquatch]

Slice must like the cut of the OP's jib. I tried to start a conversation with Slice once and he told to never ask him about his business.

 

[funKYcat75]

There is no way in hell any of that happened. Zero chance.

 

[RoyKent]

Slice was at the airport today as my brother was there waiting for a flight and saw him. In terms of the conversation, I highly doubt that happened.

 

[LadyCaytIL]

The story could of been more believable if the OP had said he asked slice if he was going to st johns ... Because I don't buy for a second Slice said he has tough decisions straight out of the blue for no reason.

 

[UofKBlue]

Originally posted by Bluegrass79:

Bad form to leave for St Johns then turn around and recruit against Kentucky regarding Cheick Diallo. I don't like it.

I'm pretty sure the only reason we were on Diallo's list to begin with was because of Slice. We weren't recruiting him until Slice came on board. That's when the interest started from both sides.

 

[Jamal sMashburn]

I completely buy this story. I talk to slice at work 3-4x per week. Sounds like stuff he would say.
I've asked him about leaving, he wouldn't say either way. Didn't get good vibes though.
His fiancé is returning the dealer loaner today. She has had it the entire time they've been here. Not a good sign to say the least.

This post was edited on 4/10 1:13 PM by UKfan3214