WTH has happened to our recruiting?

Nov 27, 2009
21,246
21,450
0
It can't just be a matter of paying or not paying players. That has been going on for decades. It can't be simply a matter of who the assistant coach is or isn't. Players go to schools to play for the head coach and the name on the front of the jersey. How has UK gone from being THE school to a school that is eliminated by the top recruits?? Not even counting Wiseman because that is a unique situation. Just seems to me that something has drastically changed in the last few years and, as a fan, I am stumped why there has been a dramatic shift away from UK. It is frustrating and bizarre. There has to be more to all this than meets the eye.
 

kevcat

Heisman
Feb 26, 2007
27,686
32,625
0
I think it’s a combination of things. Some schools are paying guys. Other schools are promising playing time and telling them what they want to hear.

The shoe company nonsense is also playing a part.


We’re still getting great classes, but it is a little perplexing that we can’t land the crazy good ones right now.
 

kl40504_rivals

Heisman
Oct 5, 2018
15,258
11,184
0
It can't just be a matter of paying or not paying players. That has been going on for decades. It can't be simply a matter of who the assistant coach is or isn't. Players go to schools to play for the head coach and the name on the front of the jersey. How has UK gone from being THE school to a school that is eliminated by the top recruits?? Not even counting Wiseman because that is a unique situation. Just seems to me that something has drastically changed in the last few years and, as a fan, I am stumped why there has been a dramatic shift away from UK. It is frustrating and bizarre. There has to be more to all this than meets the eye.
You said you didn't like one and done. Cal listened to you.
 

Sparkaces

All-American
Sep 19, 2012
6,157
6,289
0
I think it’s a combination of things. Some schools are paying guys. Other schools are promising playing time and telling them what they want to hear.

The shoe company nonsense is also playing a part.


We’re still getting great classes, but it is a little perplexing that we can’t land the crazy good ones right now.
I wonder if something has happened between Cal/Nike or UK/Nike.
 

Wildcats1st

Heisman
Sep 16, 2017
18,949
28,911
0
It could be as simple as promises of being featured on a team or pt. If everyone is paying we re paying. We re no different than every other school. Cal is the architect of OAD but others have taken it and put their own spin on things. Whatever we were doing they are doing and then some.
 

KyCatFan1

Heisman
May 6, 2002
30,867
31,594
113
You have two top 10 players in 2019. We have two players ranked in the 100-110 range. You'll excuse me if I don't feel sorry for you. :cheers2:

Those 2 players around 100 will likely be there 4 years and contribute to some good years for Kansas. Our top 10 types won't do anything without some help inside and will be gone in a year. So your recruiting might just win out if we don't improve the big man recruiting very quickly.
 

dnabbott25

All-Conference
Dec 23, 2003
9,332
1,550
0
I think it’s a combination of things. Some schools are paying guys. Other schools are promising playing time and telling them what they want to hear.

The shoe company nonsense is also playing a part.


We’re still getting great classes, but it is a little perplexing that we can’t land the crazy good ones right now.
This, plus high schooler's have a short memory. We haven't been to a final 4 in 3 years. Cal needs to back off on the im not promising playing time. How about just say you are good enough that you can earn the starting spot. And, why are we not using Anthony Davis and others to help recruit like UNC did with Jordan for a decade?
 

KyFaninNC

Heisman
Mar 14, 2005
195,719
24,518
0
Top tier guys now know they can go anywhere and still get drafted. They do not need Cal, and Cal’s system of defense first is not attractive to them, plus Cal has no offensive system to showcase their talent. Then throw in homes and money and that is the battle. Cal may as well try to get guys and then convince to stay for mor than two years.
 
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anon_q409idbs5m40a

Guest
I think it’s a combination of things. Some schools are paying guys. Other schools are promising playing time and telling them what they want to hear.

The shoe company nonsense is also playing a part.


We’re still getting great classes, but it is a little perplexing that we can’t land the crazy good ones right now.
I do wonder how much the shoe companies play into this. Very obvious that some schools are paying players. Just doesn't make sense for us to completely drop off the table when it comes to Top 5 recruits.
 
Nov 2, 2018
233
228
0
To be honest Kentucky has underachieved these past several years with all of the high-profile recruits they have had committed.
Take last year for example. Losing to K st with a roster of 5 star players.
IMHO cal refuses to change his game plan if it's not working. He would rather gamble and lose instead of adjusting to win.
Since we lost to Wisconsin in 2015, I've not been happy with Calipari' coaching. I just wish he would do what's best for the name on the front instead of the back.
 

LadyCaytIL

Heisman
Oct 28, 2012
33,020
34,633
113
If it is because of Nike being fed up with cal. Would it be best for everyone if cal retired? I don’t know ... I mean it’s hard to win big with Nike and adidas working against us....

But we don’t know for sure what’s going on so this is just a hypothetical question
 

K-Town Kat

Heisman
Apr 17, 2009
23,856
25,303
112
Yeah, something seems to be amiss.

Do think Cal made a major mistake by turning down the PK-80 last year.

Think Phil Knight and Co didn't take well to the snub, and can't say I blame them really.

I know Cal thought our young team wouldn't be ready for it, but hell, we lost 11 games last year anyway.
 
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anon_q409idbs5m40a

Guest
What has happened to big man recruiting us the proper question here
We've had misses in Skal and possibly Richards. I"m not sure what the scouts thought about Richards prior to signing with UK but Skal was just a bit better than a total bust. Richards simply isn't that good and doubt if he ever will be but those two are misses in regard to big men.
 
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JAC71

All-American
Jun 28, 2015
5,042
9,504
113
In the end I think Cal will figure it out but man he must have pissed someone off at Nike. All of the big dogs are getting fed but UK. As for Carey, I guess we were not even in his top four, Miami I believe got that spot not that it matters.
 
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Aike

Heisman
Mar 17, 2002
75,453
46,423
90
Do think Cal made a major mistake by turning down the PK-80 last year.

Think Phil Knight and Co didn't take well to the snub, and can't say I blame them really.

I know Cal thought our young team wouldn't be ready for it, but hell, we lost 11 games last year anyway.

You ever think maybe we skipped it because Nike started gift wrapping recruits to Duke?

And what’s changed since then? We have commitments from the second best pg and the best wing next year - both Nike guys.

So if we were under some kind of total blackball, things would be much worse, right?

I do think Nike has been screwing with us. But I think it’s been going on for a while. And I also think it’s much less straightforward than some kind of black and white directive.

We are still eating. Just not always first.
 
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anon_q409idbs5m40a

Guest
hometown, playing for his high school coach. freakish deal
If you look at the past recruiting misses, Bamba and Wiseman signed with coaches they had played for previously, Zion was never headed to UK and neither was Barrett. Seems as if a lot of this started with the Thomas Bryant recruitment which didn't end well for us. Probably a lot of negative recruiting taking place.
 

Aike

Heisman
Mar 17, 2002
75,453
46,423
90
If you look at the past recruiting misses, Bamba and Wiseman signed with coaches they had played for previously, Zion was never headed to UK and neither was Barrett. Seems as if a lot of this started with the Thomas Bryant recruitment which didn't end well for us. Probably a lot of negative recruiting taking place.

I thought we passed on Bryant.
 
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anon_q409idbs5m40a

Guest
I thought we passed on Bryant.
I thought we passed on him at first then made a late pitch. Been a while so I don't really recall. I just know that is sucked losing to IU when he scored about 20 on us. I know his mother was really mad at Cal over something.
 
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