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Kobblehead wrote:

ExplosionsInDaSky wrote:

Kobblehead wrote:Post offense is what will bring him to the league, his passing is the trait that will allow him to stick. I think Edey will be a good pro. Whether that's a 15 mpg player or a 30 mpg player, I do not know.

Edey is going to be an absolute unit in a playoff series, though.

I go back and forth on who's better between Edey and Clingan. I think a lot of people are sleeping on Edey right now. He's going to be able to play some decent minutes in the NBA.

I think Clingan is the preferred on the two for defensive reasons and youth.

Having really watched Clingan in the tournament for the first time, he is an easy lottery pick. Athletic for a kid his size, and an automatic DPOY contender the moment he steps on the floor. If he gets in the right situation, he's a championship caliber 5.

Sorry, but I just don't see that with Edey. I guess we'll see.

Kobblehead wrote:
Mark Sears reminds me of Brunson-lite. Short little doughy bastard that can just ball.

Watching Sears a lot this season, the Brunson comparison is an excellent one. Some teams are going to regret passing on him because of his height, but he just has that "it" factor about him - as you said, a baller.

https://utsports.com/news/2024/4/6/mens-basketball-knecht-named-julius-erving-award-recipient.aspx?fbclid=IwAR3h9ErO7GbZ0PbXBiLrJ3TKiHcyfDIIcZ61-oTWBq1-ZeBJjksjQGi

It's hard to think of a kid this humble in this day and age. This is how he was in any interview all season, always deflecting praise for him to his coaches and teammates.

"I am honored to receive this prestigious award. To see my name associated with one of the greatest basketball players ever is truly humbling," Knecht said. "I want to thank Julius Erving and the entire committee for selecting me. It would not have been possible, though, without my teammates and coaches. I'd like to express my appreciation to every single one of them for supporting me throughout this entire season, on and off the court. I will be forever grateful to all of them, as well as to the University of Tennessee community and Vol Nation, for embracing me in such an incredible way."

Cal probably to Arkansas. Should be interesting (doing us a favor tbh).

Clingan to Portland makes a lot of sense. Need a good rim protector behind Scoot & Simons and Ayton is clearly not gonna work out.

Negrodamus wrote:Cal probably to Arkansas. Should be interesting (doing us a favor tbh).

Who do you think? Oats would probably take the job, but even the idea of Pitino is wild. I think he'd take it in a heartbeat.

mjkvol wrote:

Negrodamus wrote:Cal probably to Arkansas. Should be interesting (doing us a favor tbh).

Who do you think? Oats would probably take the job, but even the idea of Pitino is wild. I think he'd take it in a heartbeat.

Lots of UK fans are saying Oats. I think, and have been thinking since Cal **** the bed, that it'll be Billy Donovan. There's a whole history behind his aura as UK's coach and everything is lining up perfectly for it.

I think they'll throw an insane offer to Hurley and he'll turn them down, then they'll go Donovan.

Normally, I would say when you get a guy like Calipari, you keep him until he retires.

However, last year's coaching job was one of the worst I've seen for the simple fact the he didn't put the best 5 Cats in a starting lineup once all year. Pure incompetence. Addition by subtraction.

Kobblehead wrote:Normally, I would say when you get a guy like Calipari, you keep him until he retires.

However, last year's coaching job was one of the worst I've seen for the simple fact the he didn't put the best 5 Cats in a starting lineup once all year. Pure incompetence. Addition by subtraction.

When you really sit down and look at it, he won it all because he had the #1 and #2 draft pick who didn't need time to adjust to college along with two more first rounders (Teague and Terrence Jones), and 2 second rounders (Darius Miller and Doron Lamb). Also had 5-star Kyle Wiltjer off the bench.

Some might say "well, that's how he wins: he gets the best talent", but it seems having the best talent is the ONLY way he can win. Was really a crutch since his coaching was ineffective the last 4-5 years. With the floodgates opening up and he's not able to do backroom deals for stud recruits ($250k for Anthony Davis was definitely a thing), it seems the college basketball landscape is more equitable for those who want to pay. Not great news for Calipari.

I will say, however, if Arkansas is willing to write blank checks for NIL, Cal could scoop up all the top transfer options and some of the top recruits and compete again. I don't think he had that monetary flexibility at UK.

Negrodamus wrote:

Kobblehead wrote:Normally, I would say when you get a guy like Calipari, you keep him until he retires.

However, last year's coaching job was one of the worst I've seen for the simple fact the he didn't put the best 5 Cats in a starting lineup once all year. Pure incompetence. Addition by subtraction.

When you really sit down and look at it, he won it all because he had the #1 and #2 draft pick who didn't need time to adjust to college along with two more first rounders (Teague and Terrence Jones), and 2 second rounders (Darius Miller and Doron Lamb). Also had 5-star Kyle Wiltjer off the bench.

Some might say "well, that's how he wins: he gets the best talent", but it seems having the best talent is the ONLY way he can win. Was really a crutch since his coaching was ineffective the last 4-5 years. With the floodgates opening up and he's not able to do backroom deals for stud recruits ($250k for Anthony Davis was definitely a thing), it seems the college basketball landscape is more equitable for those who want to pay. Not great news for Calipari.

I will say, however, if Arkansas is willing to write blank checks for NIL, Cal could scoop up all the top transfer options and some of the top recruits and compete again. I don't think he had that monetary flexibility at UK.

Lots of money available in Arkansas, especially if the Walton family and Jerry Jones are involved.

Well, Kentucky is cooked, lol.

It is some UT troll posting this, but still ...

mjkvol wrote:It is some UT troll posting this, but still ...

Read on Twitter

Watch him rap some songs from Hamilton if you want cringe overload.

That said, his offense will at minimum be fun. And it seems the athletic department is willing to dump NIL money toward the recruiting/transfer cause.

Negrodamus wrote:

mjkvol wrote:It is some UT troll posting this, but still ...

Read on Twitter

Watch him rap some songs from Hamilton if you want cringe overload.

That said, his offense will at minimum be fun. And it seems the athletic department is willing to dump NIL money toward the recruiting/transfer cause.

The guy has been a successful coach, and truly loves UK. The days of anyone being 'elite' year in and year out are pretty much out the window with NIL and the portal (even UConn will come back to earth), but I'd be surprised if he didn't do well there. But will anything short of multiple Final Fours be enough to satisfy the fan base?

Looks like what everyone expected BJ Boston to be in this first year with Kentucky. Got some swag to his game. Would be a project and he should probably go back to school, but I'd take a flier on him if he shows out in the combine. Flame thrower from deep when given the minutes. Shot nearly 6 threes per game and hit 41% when starting (16 games).

I know you guys discussed him before, but DaRon Holmes would be an excellent pick at our spot so we can take some shots at a post-Embiid world. At minimum, we can eventually move on from Reed.

The weird body baller of this class seems to be Dillon Jones out of Weber State at 6'6" 235.

He moves like a G, though, and has tremendous passion, IQ and handle. Would be an intriguing fit alongside Maxey.

Kinda surprised Tankathon has him mocked as the 24th pick. Seems very athletic and has some offensive chops. Also willing shooter from outside with a decent FT% for a PF. My concerns would be that he played with Ignite and wasn't a hyped recruit (a lot of prospects disappear once on Ignite) and he doesn't get to the line enough as a big man.

Melton type player.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/275390/Reed-Sheppard-Leaves-Kentucky-For-2024-NBA-Draft

He waited the requisite and respectful amount of time, but it was the only smart decision he could have made. I'd take that kid on my team in a second.