Cal visiting Bona again today.

bnewt

Heisman
May 29, 2001
8,853
11,022
113
We will get a player to fill that spot. I really think we get Bona now. He’s our priority and that’s what he wanted.
BUT........is it too late to prioritize him
anyone know if he is still visiting for big blue madness?
 

Cowtown Cat

Heisman
Aug 23, 2015
24,286
55,276
100
Thought I would drop this here. Jerry Meyer, who is a top scout for 247 scouted Bona as a top ten draft prospect LAST YEAR. IMO, this is the second best center in the class and a must get for Cal.

He is absolutely the second best big man in this class. Hell, me might even be just as good as Lively before it’s said and done. Dude plays with a tremendous motor and is a rocket up and down the court. Still can’t believe we didn’t lock him up when we had the chance. At least, I’ve heard he was ready to commit here at one point.
 

track42

Heisman
Feb 18, 2017
6,597
15,047
0
He is absolutely the second best big man in this class. Hell, me might even be just as good as Lively before it’s said and done. Dude plays with a tremendous motor and is a rocket up and down the court. Still can’t believe we didn’t lock him up when we had the chance. At least, I’ve heard he was ready to commit here at one point.
Jarrett Allen situation all over again.
 

Cowtown Cat

Heisman
Aug 23, 2015
24,286
55,276
100
You’re not going to get everyone you want in every class. I know you have been a member of this board for a very long time so you should know this. There is always a player or two that UK misses out on in every class.
This is true, but from everything I’ve heard, we could’ve had Bona already. IMO, you gotta take that guy. Whether it means losing Lively or not. He will end up a top 10 player in this class IMO.
 

SmedMoley

All-American
Nov 14, 2020
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Please go away. Stop making fun of potential UK recruits with your dumb boner jokes.
Why don't you go away? You're just too uptight and usually don't know what you're talking about. If you're going to be serious, at least be good at it.
 

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,479
62,155
113
Feeling queasy about Bona. Just reading what’s out there, looking at Twitter, etc - seems AB may be little peeved that JC didn’t return the love from the get. Could be heading to UCLA; possibly even KU? How did we turn this around in the wrong way? Kid wanted to be here, badly. And why does he change his mind so easily? Can’t handle that there are players ahead of him on the recruiting board? I don’t get this mess. But geez, I still want him here in a bad way.

I mean, who here wouldn't be a bit peeved if you were Bona? He mentions to staff how he wants to be here. He's one of the top20 players in the nation for his class. And we kinda said "hold on, we might be able to do slightly better".

IMO, if a top25 guy wants to commit to you, you take him. He might be just as valuable as the top5 guy, you never know. And it looks good. It shows we value the guys who want to come here. Playing the "we might be able to do a little better" game in recruiting doesn't look good and can be used against us in the future. Its not like Bona was some scrub. And as I noted previously, he comes with some benefits that Lively didn't have: he might be a two year player, and he didn't need to have 15-20 shots a game, in the way a top5 recruit might want.
 
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I mean, who here wouldn't be a bit peeved if you were Bona? He mentions to staff how he wants to be here. He's one of the top20 players in the nation for his class. And we kinda said "hold on, we might be able to do slightly better".

IMO, if a top25 guy wants to commit to you, you take him. He might be just as valuable as the top5 guy, you never know. And it looks good. It shows we value the guys who want to come here. Playing the "we might be able to do a little better" game in recruiting doesn't look good and can be used against us in the future. Its not like Bona was some scrub. And as I noted previously, he comes with some benefits that Lively didn't have: he might be a two year player, and he didn't need to have 15-20 shots a game, in the way a top5 recruit might want.
Agree with you. Should have locked him up early if we had the chance. Seems Cal wanted both, so why not take him, then go hard after selling Lively on playing with him. Doesn’t make sense to me.
 
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bigc45157

All-Conference
Nov 12, 2004
7,027
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This has that “one piece away” from being great feel to it.

Luckily, the transfer thing changes the game and potentially lessens the level of dire concern.
 
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JAC71

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Jun 28, 2015
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I mean, who here wouldn't be a bit peeved if you were Bona? He mentions to staff how he wants to be here. He's one of the top20 players in the nation for his class. And we kinda said "hold on, we might be able to do slightly better".

IMO, if a top25 guy wants to commit to you, you take him. He might be just as valuable as the top5 guy, you never know. And it looks good. It shows we value the guys who want to come here. Playing the "we might be able to do a little better" game in recruiting doesn't look good and can be used against us in the future. Its not like Bona was some scrub. And as I noted previously, he comes with some benefits that Lively didn't have: he might be a two year player, and he didn't need to have 15-20 shots a game, in the way a top5 recruit might want.
When it comes to recruiting, I believe only what comes from the players mouth and even then it depends on what school affiliated reporter is doing the interview
 

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,479
62,155
113
Agree with you. Should have locked him up early if we had the chance. Seems Cal wanted both, so why not take him, then go hard after selling Lively on playing with him. Doesn’t make sense to me.

I think we as fans, and coaches, look at those top5 recruits with a hint of "what IF they're the real deal?". I bet they get caught up in the hype at times just like we do.

I guess we'd never know with Lively if we didn't take a shot at him.
 

bnewt

Heisman
May 29, 2001
8,853
11,022
113
You can’t be this stupid? With only negative things to say, I highly doubt you’re even a UK fan. This is the dumbest comment of the week, congrats!
just keep looking thru your blue colored glasses & drink the kool aid, believe everything the used car salesman spews.
Basically every person on this board thought bringing Antigua & Chin to UK would stop the recruiting misses, including you. So if UK misses Bona, they are 50/50. If that satisfies you, great, but not everyone accepts being average.
I have been following UK for over 55 years, probably longer that you have been alive

You probably thought last year was ok too, what a clown

Last I heard this was still a free country, so if you don't like what I have to say............DON"T READ IT
 

bnewt

Heisman
May 29, 2001
8,853
11,022
113
This is true, but from everything I’ve heard, we could’ve had Bona already. IMO, you gotta take that guy. Whether it means losing Lively or not. He will end up a top 10 player in this class IMO.
exactly......a sure thing is much better than a what if, but again Cal's arrogance strikes

Duke took Fipkowski before Lively & apparently convinced him they could play together, strategy that Cal didn't use
 
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Panthur

Heisman
Aug 5, 2008
9,225
12,782
0
Honestly if we want big men, with the transfer rule, we need to start pillaging the SEC. Every year SEC has off-the-radar Giants who just pwn our big name guys. Let’s start being on the winning side of that equation.
 
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bnewt

Heisman
May 29, 2001
8,853
11,022
113
imo, transfers are almost as much hit & miss as high school kids
last year, the big guy from wake forest was supposed to be the missing ingredient, but he was soft as butter
MIntz was supposed to be a great addition & he was probably the best player on the lousy team
Boston, Clark & Askew were supposed to be all world
NONE of that came true
Transfers that come from lesser competition just can't live up to their billing
Nice additions for short spot duty, but not major minutes
Maybe Grady will change that trend, who knows
One thing, UK finally added guys that are basketball players & not just athletes
Let's just hope that they can shoot as advertised
 

UK-Chulo

All-American
Mar 22, 2007
3,472
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imo, transfers are almost as much hit & miss as high school kids
last year, the big guy from wake forest was supposed to be the missing ingredient, but he was soft as butter
MIntz was supposed to be a great addition & he was probably the best player on the lousy team
Boston, Clark & Askew were supposed to be all world
NONE of that came true
Transfers that come from lesser competition just can't live up to their billing
Nice additions for short spot duty, but not major minutes
Maybe Grady will change that trend, who knows
Agree with most, but don't think Askew had the same type of recognition coming in.
 

JAC71

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Jun 28, 2015
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just keep looking thru your blue colored glasses & drink the kool aid, believe everything the used car salesman spews.
Basically every person on this board thought bring Antigua & Chin to UK would stop the recruiting misses, including you. So if UK misses Bona, they are 50/50. If that satisfies you, great, but not everyone accepts being average.
I have been following UK for over 55 years, probably longer that you have been alive

You probably thought last year was ok too, what a clown
How did you make it through the other 45 years with those expectations ? There isn’t a coach or coaching staff out there that could meet your demands every year. Basketball is supposed to be fun and entertaining and get upset over losses but I don’t let it consume me
 
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LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,479
62,155
113
imo, transfers are almost as much hit & miss as high school kids
last year, the big guy from wake forest was supposed to be the missing ingredient, but he was soft as butter
MIntz was supposed to be a great addition & he was probably the best player on the lousy team
Boston, Clark & Askew were supposed to be all world
NONE of that came true
Transfers that come from lesser competition just can't live up to their billing
Nice additions for short spot duty, but not major minutes
Maybe Grady will change that trend, who knows
One thing, UK finally added guys that are basketball players & not just athletes
Let's just hope that they can shoot as advertised

Ehh IDK. Our transfers have been mostly a success. Sarr was a miss, but EVERYONE on that team was a miss. I hope Cal keeps being at the forefront of the transfer protocol. I think it's a great way to add a quality player, that comes with experience. They won't be on the level of Wall or Davis, but they should play quality minutes, and would be a great compliment to recruits that are more of the focus. I'd love for us to go grab a top3 Center who is transfering next year. That might be all we need.
 

bnewt

Heisman
May 29, 2001
8,853
11,022
113
Ehh IDK. Our transfers have been mostly a success. Sarr was a miss, but EVERYONE on that team was a miss. I hope Cal keeps being at the forefront of the transfer protocol. I think it's a great way to add a quality player, that comes with experience. They won't be on the level of Wall or Davis, but they should play quality minutes, and would be a great compliment to recruits that are more of the focus. I'd love for us to go grab a top3 Center who is transfering next year. That might be all we need.
maybe my definition of success is different than yours......Travis was just ok for UK as his lack of athletic ability was exposed by the SEC. The kid from Darmouth or wherever, again was ok, but didn't produce as expected
Maybe this is the year that the transfers produce as hyped
 

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,479
62,155
113
maybe my definition of success is different than yours......Travis was just ok for UK as his lack of athletic ability was exposed by the SEC. The kid from Darmouth or wherever, again was ok, but didn't produce as expected
Maybe this is the year that the transfers produce as hyped

Mintz is clearly a quality transfer. Nate Sestina was a role player.. but he wasn't bad. He was a 6/4 guy in 19 mpg, who was able to hit shots. Travis, still a 12 and 7 guy, kept his fouls down well enough. I don't think any of these transfers, generally speaking, should be looked at to carry the team. But I would gladly take Mintz/Sestina/RT if we have a spot to fill. Sarr is tough, again that whole team was lost. And IIRC he missed two game-winning shots in heart-breaking fashion. I've said this about BJ Boston and I'll say it about Sarr and anyone on that team: if they weren't a dumpster fire, do individual performances look better? I think so.
 

Padsfs07

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Jan 19, 2013
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Basically every person on this board thought bringing Antigua & Chin to UK would stop the recruiting misses, including you.

In 2011, we recruiting Tony Wroten, Quincy Miller, Andre Drummond, among others.
In 2012, it was Ashley, Coleman, Mohammed, Pollard, Jefferson, and Bennett
In 2013, it was Wiggins, Parker, Gordon, Walker, and Barber
In 2014, it was Alexander, Okafor, Blackmon, Russell
In 2015, when the "misses" started, it was a ton of guys, Brown, Ingram, Diallo, Thornton, Newman, Zimmerman, Swanigan, Kennard
 
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It'saDoneDeal

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and numerous classes that top targets were missed
Antigua & Chin were supposed to stop that trend
We just landed the #1 player in the country, another guy who is arguably a top 5-8 player in the class, and will probably land another top 10 player in Wallace.

What more does anyone realistically want? Calipari is one of the greatest recruiters in college bball history. We'll likely never recruit again like we have over his tenure here. We've got to have a proper perspective when it comes to this stuff.
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
46,838
85,582
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He is absolutely the second best big man in this class. Hell, me might even be just as good as Lively before it’s said and done. Dude plays with a tremendous motor and is a rocket up and down the court. Still can’t believe we didn’t lock him up when we had the chance. At least, I’ve heard he was ready to commit here at one point.
He may not be as great on the perimeter but I’ve seen him take dudes off the dribble and hit some threes. He’s very coordinated and fluid from what I’ve seen.
 
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bnewt

Heisman
May 29, 2001
8,853
11,022
113
We just landed the #1 player in the country, another guy who is arguably a top 5-8 player in the class, and will probably land another top 10 player in Wallace.

What more does anyone realistically want? Calipari is one of the greatest recruiters in college bball history. We'll likely never recruit again like we have over his tenure here. We've got to have a proper perspective when it comes to this stuff.
Yes he has gotten 2 nice recruits, but you have to have someone in the middle to get rebounds and easy put backs, stop the opponents from driving for easy layups. this is what he missed. right now he has basically 3 guards & if Wallace commits, that's 4 guards.........how is that filling the need for a center or a power forward to guard the opponents.........it doesn't. he has to fill needs
 

bnewt

Heisman
May 29, 2001
8,853
11,022
113
How did you make it through the other 45 years with those expectations ? There isn’t a coach or coaching staff out there that could meet your demands every year. Basketball is supposed to be fun and entertaining and get upset over losses but I don’t let it consume me
no other coach in UK history was paid 10 million dollars
the other coaches were concerned about winning titles @ UK , not how many kids went to the NBA
 

sk73

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exactly......a sure thing is much better than a what if, but again Cal's arrogance strikes

Duke took Fipkowski before Lively & apparently convinced him they could play together, strategy that Cal didn't use
I tend to have a positive attitude about the things I love, like UK basketball. You seem like that old cartoon character that walks around with a dark cloud over his head. Perk up buddy! The worst that can happen is we will be ranked top 5 in recruiting, probably #1, and will fill needed spots through the transfer portal.
 

JAC71

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no other coach in UK history was paid 10 million dollars
the other coaches were concerned about winning titles @ UK , not how many kids went to the NBA
But yet you’re upset at losing the number two player to Duke which will be in the NBA after one year. It goes hand in hand my friend. As far as the 10 million, that’s what UK paid him so be upset at UK
 
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A

anon_ce2llurbpkli4

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I tend to have a positive attitude about the things I love, like UK basketball. You seem like that old cartoon character that walks around with a dark cloud over his head. Perk up buddy! The worst that can happen is we will be ranked top 5 in recruiting, probably #1, and will fill needed spots through the transfer portal.



 
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Yardeth

Heisman
Jan 2, 2007
13,504
17,787
67
Bona might be upset, but if he has eyes on the NBA he needs to realize this is real world. Do you think he is going to be mad if he is ranked Top 20 but doesn’t get drafted until the 2nd round, and other teams take players ranked lower then him but then come back and draft him. He is going in with a chip on his shoulder to prove himself, let’s hope Cal can sell him on being the #1 big in the draft coming from UK.
 

SmedMoley

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Nov 14, 2020
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I don't think Lively or Bona are worth getting upset about. Bona especially. If he picks us, great. If not, hit the portal. There will be a multitude of good, experienced big men in the portal.
 
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no other coach in UK history was paid 10 million dollars
the other coaches were concerned about winning titles @ UK , not how many kids went to the NBA
I hear where your coming from brother but Cal has got a lot of these people so far brainwashed on here that you won’t change their minds!
 
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BigBlueFan19

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just keep looking thru your blue colored glasses & drink the kool aid, believe everything the used car salesman spews.
Basically every person on this board thought bringing Antigua & Chin to UK would stop the recruiting misses, including you. So if UK misses Bona, they are 50/50. If that satisfies you, great, but not everyone accepts being average.
I have been following UK for over 55 years, probably longer that you have been alive

You probably thought last year was ok too, what a clown

Last I heard this was still a free country, so if you don't like what I have to say............DON"T READ IT

You mad bro?