Duke visiting Bolden on Thursday

[Elliott Tim]

Saw they were planning to go out and make visits to recruits can only assume they're trying to wrap up Bolden. It think it will be a good sign for UK if Bolden doesn't commit over the weekend. I would hope Coach Cal plans to be there on Friday. Any word on if there is a planned UK visit to Bolden in the near future? I know our MDAA were trying to recruit him, but Duke had their fair share planning as well there.

Sure wish it was this Duke that's visiting.

 

[Cat Ballou]

What has happened in the last 3 years is that the legendary, revered "GOAT" Coach K after 30 or so years has completely abandoned his former philosophy and bought in totally on Cal 's OAD system, and in doing so, he's really hampered Cal. Plus - unlike Cal - he's done it with ZERO criticism of the whole idea of OAD. It's made Cal's job much harder because realistically there isn't enough talent in most high school classes to support more than 1-2 schools trying to win with a multi-OAD approach.

Duke had the No. 1 class two years ago. They had the No. 1 class last year, No. 1 this year, and they're probably going to be No. 1 next year, because they have multiple, HUGE advantages over UK. First, media darling Coach K, who doesn't have to deal with a fraction of the negative BS Cal is subjected to, second, the ACC, which is legitimately a much better basketball conference than the football-centric SEC, third, a prestigious private near Ivy League school loaded up with rich kids the players can hang with and get "perks" from vs. a typical public state university in a state that isn't exactly flush with cash.

Fourth, being a protected media favorite as opposed to a never-ending target still tarred with a bad reputation from 30 yr old infractions, fifth, a rich, powerful, connected alumni base, not just in the NBA, but in business, the media, etc. and sixth Coach K's immense Team USA advantages. It's no coincidence that the injured Harry Giles, but not injured Dennis Smith, is at the Hoop Summit right now. It's also no coincidence that Duke finds out about and locks in on prospects like Frank Jackson before anyone else knows about them.

Considering all their advantages, I think it's pretty amazing that Cal managed to pull together a team as talented as last year's team. Dukes 2017 team may challenge that squad in sheer talent, and should be similarly tasked with the 40-0 challenge.

If this keeps up, I think Cal may have to modify his approach somewhat, but I wouldn't be surprised to see K retire in the next 1-2 years, and that would go a long way to leveling the playing field between the two schools.

 

[TheDude1]

Duke didn't have the number one class last year, espn notwithstanding. Just saying.

And as a Duke fan, I couldn't care less about 40-0. Literally the only thing that matters is winning the last game.

 

[Dreklie]

Duke didn't have the number one class last year, espn notwithstanding. Just saying.

And as a Duke fan, I couldn't care less about 40-0. Literally the only thing that matters is winning the last game.

Duke had the #1 class last year ... what are you talking about?

 

[Cat Ballou]

Duke didn't have the number one class last year, espn notwithstanding. Just saying.

And as a Duke fan, I couldn't care less about 40-0. Literally the only thing that matters is winning the last game.

Do you disagree with any of the six stated recruiting advantages that Duke has over UK? I'm not necessarily criticizing K for buying into Cal's OAD strategy. It is probably going to earn him more championships before he retires than his former strategy.

But in years like this one (and 2013) where the freshmen class is pretty weak, it is veteran-laden teams like UNC, Kansas, and Nova that are going to dominate.

As a Duke fan, are you okay with going with the UK approach vs. the Kansas/UNC/Nova approach? Just curious.

 

[SWEc/o95]

Umm..you do realize UNC and Kansas recruit the same players Duke and UK does? They just say no. There is no one and done "approach". They just miss out and end up with decent players that are not NBA ready and stay multiple years.

 

[bucsrule8872]

To the media, the NCAA, and the public in general, K is the hero and Cal is the villain of college basketball.

K is treated much differently than Cal by all three. Not sure why, but it does give K a great advantage in all facets of the game. Maybe it is deserved, I don't know, but the difference in treatment is pretty plain to see.

 

[Cat Ballou]

Umm..you do realize UNC and Kansas recruit the same players Duke and UK does? They just say no. There is no one and done "approach". They just miss out and end up with decent players that are not NBA ready and stay multiple years.

KU and UNC don't pursue the OAD model to the degree that DUke or UK does. Kansas seriously pursues maybe 2-3 OAD caliber guys a year. Players like Mason, Graham, Lucas, etc. just aren't the caliber of guys that Duke or UK would pursue as potential starters. Similarly, Duke or UK aren't loading their rosters with obvious 3-4 year guys like Seventh Woods, Tony Bradley, Kenny Williams, etc.

 

[hoggwildcat]

Duke had the #1 class last year ... what are you talking about?

In most rankings UK was #1in 2015 except for ESPN, and that was because they would not include Jamal Murray.

 

[westerncat]

I could care less about Duke.

 

[Poetax]

I done wrote him off. I'm now just hoping we don't lose 10 games next year.

We didn't lose 10 games this past year.

 

[JerseyCat84_rivals57050]

I could care less about Duke.

How much less could you care?

 

[Nubb16]

Exactly what I'm hearing

You posted he had committed to Duke like 2 weeks ago

 

[westerncat]

How much less could you care?

A lot less ! :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

 

[Poetax]

I'm actually suffering from burnout a little bit. I think the combination of not finishing the job last season and this season being kind of mediocre has soured me on college basketball.

I mean most seasons are going to end in disappointment, followed by more disappointment when our best players leave no matter how old they are, year after year.

Plus the sport as a whole just becomes less and less entertaining as officiating continues to decline and have even more of a negative impact on the outcomes of the games.

I watch less of our games every season. I flat out stopped watching the road games this season because it became so profoundly obvious that college officials aren't even trying to call an even game anymore.

Plus we play in a conference that gives zero ****s whether or not they're competitive in basketball and its hurts UK every year.

And the biggest back breaker perhaps, is watching another program fall *** backwards into titles in 2 seasons when we had the better team for 20 out 21 weeks.

Its a good thing that you are not a ul fan, you would be suicidal instead of burnout. Let me give you some advice, stop putting any extreme importance to whether the Cats win or disappoints, it will give you a more healthier mindset.

 

[Montana81]

Its a good thing that you are not a ul fan, you would be suicidal instead of burnout. Let me give you some advice, stop putting any extreme importance to whether the Cats win or disappoints, it will give you a more healthier mindset.

Whether or not Kentucky wins basketball games doesn't really effect my overall enjoyment of life very much. It never has and never will. I'm not sure how you got that out of what I posted.

Edit: okay I guess I can see why you think that. I didn't specify when I said "burnout". I just meant in regards to Kentucky basketball. I'm just not really having as much fun watching the games or following recruiting as I used to.

 

[Baller224]

What has happened in the last 3 years is that the legendary, revered "GOAT" Coach K after 30 or so years has completely abandoned his former philosophy and bought in totally on Cal 's OAD system, and in doing so, he's really hampered Cal. Plus - unlike Cal - he's done it with ZERO criticism of the whole idea of OAD. It's made Cal's job much harder because realistically there isn't enough talent in most high school classes to support more than 1-2 schools trying to win with a multi-OAD approach.

Duke had the No. 1 class two years ago. They had the No. 1 class last year, No. 1 this year, and they're probably going to be No. 1 next year, because they have multiple, HUGE advantages over UK. First, media darling Coach K, who doesn't have to deal with a fraction of the negative BS Cal is subjected to, second, the ACC, which is legitimately a much better basketball conference than the football-centric SEC, third, a prestigious private near Ivy League school loaded up with rich kids the players can hang with and get "perks" from vs. a typical public state university in a state that isn't exactly flush with cash.

Fourth, being a protected media favorite as opposed to a never-ending target still tarred with a bad reputation from 30 yr old infractions, fifth, a rich, powerful, connected alumni base, not just in the NBA, but in business, the media, etc. and sixth Coach K's immense Team USA advantages. It's no coincidence that the injured Harry Giles, but not injured Dennis Smith, is at the Hoop Summit right now. It's also no coincidence that Duke finds out about and locks in on prospects like Frank Jackson before anyone else knows about them.

Considering all their advantages, I think it's pretty amazing that Cal managed to pull together a team as talented as last year's team. Dukes 2017 team may challenge that squad in sheer talent, and should be similarly tasked with the 40-0 challenge.

If this keeps up, I think Cal may have to modify his approach somewhat, but I wouldn't be surprised to see K retire in the next 1-2 years, and that would go a long way to leveling the playing field between the two schools.

And K wont hang it up within the next 1-2 years either. He's at least coaching through 2020.

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

And K wont hang it up within the next 1-2 years either. He's at least coaching through 2020.

K shares his personal plans with you does he?

 

[Baller224]

K shares his personal plans with you does he?

He sure doesn't but those around seem to think he will at least be coaching for another 5 years, so I choose to believe them.

 

[TheDude1]

What has happened in the last 3 years is that the legendary, revered "GOAT" Coach K after 30 or so years has completely abandoned his former philosophy and bought in totally on Cal 's OAD system, and in doing so, he's really hampered Cal. Plus - unlike Cal - he's done it with ZERO criticism of the whole idea of OAD. It's made Cal's job much harder because realistically there isn't enough talent in most high school classes to support more than 1-2 schools trying to win with a multi-OAD approach.

Duke had the No. 1 class two years ago. They had the No. 1 class last year, No. 1 this year, and they're probably going to be No. 1 next year, because they have multiple, HUGE advantages over UK. First, media darling Coach K, who doesn't have to deal with a fraction of the negative BS Cal is subjected to, second, the ACC, which is legitimately a much better basketball conference than the football-centric SEC, third, a prestigious private near Ivy League school loaded up with rich kids the players can hang with and get "perks" from vs. a typical public state university in a state that isn't exactly flush with cash.

Fourth, being a protected media favorite as opposed to a never-ending target still tarred with a bad reputation from 30 yr old infractions, fifth, a rich, powerful, connected alumni base, not just in the NBA, but in business, the media, etc. and sixth Coach K's immense Team USA advantages. It's no coincidence that the injured Harry Giles, but not injured Dennis Smith, is at the Hoop Summit right now. It's also no coincidence that Duke finds out about and locks in on prospects like Frank Jackson before anyone else knows about them.

Considering all their advantages, I think it's pretty amazing that Cal managed to pull together a team as talented as last year's team. Dukes 2017 team may challenge that squad in sheer talent, and should be similarly tasked with the 40-0 challenge.

If this keeps up, I think Cal may have to modify his approach somewhat, but I wouldn't be surprised to see K retire in the next 1-2 years, and that would go a long way to leveling the playing field between the two schools.

First, as several people have said, the only reason UK wasn't number one in ESPN was because they don't rank international players. You were clearly number 1 with Murray.

As for all of your advantages, no, I don't agree with all of them.

On the first point, K has put up with plenty of criticism, and certainly more than Cal of late. Cal went into full on media darling last year, and hasn't faltered since. And it is important to realize why Cal got criticized. Cal got some of the criticisms because a) he was the first to successfully sign multiple OADs, which is a rather UNFAIR reason to criticize, and rather importantly b) he marketed himself and UK that way, and that ruffles feathers and is a FAIR reason to criticize. Remember the "greatest night in UK history?" Do you understand the implications of saying "We are players first... (So you aren't!)". Cal has relentlessly pushed the "we are the step to the league" in a major way, and while it has worked in landing players, it has "earned" some of that criticism from the college basketball crowd.

Agreed that the ACC is more high profile.

Your third point is dumb. So players go go Duke because other students give them money and stuff? Uhhh.... No. They are gods everywhere, and especially on the UK campus.

Your fourth point... Eh. Totally overblown; hasn't seemed to hurt Cal in the LEAST. From the day he stepped foot on the UK campus, he has gotten the best talent in the nation.

Agree on the fifth point.

Half agree on the sixth. It helps to be seen with Kobe and Lebron, but the idea that K finds recruits that no one else can is silly. Everyone has known Frank Jackson for years. K isn't really involved with the younger teams, so other than a largely visual advantage it isn't much of one, and certainly not more than the actual coaches of those teams.

It isn't amazing to me that Cal pulls in huge talent. He is one of the best recruiters in history, at one of the most prestigious and visible programs in history, is a great coach, a master marketer, and usually had TONS of playing time available year after year. The field is pretty level, and I don't Think Cal has to change a thing. And, I know people have a hard time with this, but if you ignore the lazy media angles, K hasn't changed much either... He is just LANDING more of the top guys he is going after, and more guys are leaving early. He has always recruited the top talents. He certainly isn't suddenly copying Cal, who is relatively new to the "big league" programs.

 

[Buck Creek Cat]

I wish Bolden was visiting UK last instead of Duke. Everyone says that the first impression is a lasting impression and that may be true for a golf course. But I don't think that holds true in college basketball recruiting. Recruiting for college players is usually the last impression is the best impression.
Calipari has probably already marked down Plan B for his next center prospect.