A blip from KSR….

[catsfanbgky]

Also, Pope is going to have to sign a big time recruit not from KY, he has to show other coaches and recruits he can compete with the best of the best. You CAN"T just stop recruiting elite high schoolers, you HAVE to sign a couple top 10/20 kids a year.

 

[G-PIP]

Also, Pope is going to have to sign a big time recruit not from KY, he has to show other coaches and recruits he can compete with the best of the best. You CAN"T just stop recruiting elite high schoolers, you HAVE to sign a couple top 10/20 kids a year.

Why does Pope “have to” do that? It’s another conventional wisdom cliché that doesn’t have enough analytical proof to support it.

If we’re talking about building consistent long-term success, it’s the upside quality of those non-OAD freshmen that really matters the most. Of course, predicting which of those multi-year players develop into top players (maybe All-SEC or even All-Americans) in college is no sure thing. But that’s why I think you should recruit 2-4 of those multi-year guys every year, plus if they just develop into a “solid” upperclassman that has a lot of value to winning.

So, I say go ahead and give Duke the recruiting title every year. I recognize that Flagg would start and be a big plus on any team and may be a “generational” type of talent. But those rare type players, like Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson, can overwhelm even when they’re still far away from developing close to their potential. But outside of that type of player, I root for UK to lose the “No.# 1 recruiting class” title every year because of (1) what that ranking actually means; and (2) how over-reliance on OAD freshmen (which seems to inevitably happen when a team wins the recruiting title) equals failure to be a title contender.

 

[G-PIP]

What ? Ament is a stretch 4 who shoots 42% from 3, he is EXACTLY what Pope is looking for in his scheme. 6'9 and very fluid and can handle the ball. Shooting splits of 47/42/90, getting better every day. Very good passer, good vision, soft hands, and can score off the bounce, not just as a stationary shooter. He is becoming a very good off the ball defender and when adding more weight, he will be a more complete package. Do you even know his game, his strengths ?

Yeah, but the “getting better every day”. . . “becoming a very good off the ball defender”. . . “when adding more weight, he will be a more complete package,” etc. is the root of the problem. The upside is obvious to see, but if he’s OAD you don’t get to enough of the “talent” often enough to really be a value play. You can parse out different reasons that you’re not getting the impact on winning needed in that one freshman season, but it boils down to they’re not good enough yet – especially in comparison to what you can get from the portal for one year. If there’s a decent chance you can get at least a couple of years out of a freshman, fine – go for it. However, a kid like Ament is going to be drafted on potential regardless of college impact and production. But projected draft position based on potential is irrelevant to winning games.

 

[catlogic15]

If you believe in Pope, and Pope wants Ament, then you can’t say “we don’t need him”.
Can’t have it both ways.

 

[bucsrule8872]

What ? Ament is a stretch 4 who shoots 42% from 3, he is EXACTLY what Pope is looking for in his scheme. 6'9 and very fluid and can handle the ball. Shooting splits of 47/42/90, getting better every day. Very good passer, good vision, soft hands, and can score off the bounce, not just as a stationary shooter. He is becoming a very good off the ball defender and when adding more weight, he will be a more complete package. Do you even know his game, his strengths ?

Ament isn’t physical enough to handle the 4 in the SEC, IMHO. Especially on the defensive end. He will get abused.

But if he comes here to play the 4, I hope he proves me wrong.

 

[bucsrule8872]

If you believe in Pope, and Pope wants Ament, then you can’t say “we don’t need him”.
Can’t have it both ways.

Sure you can. Do you follow all leaders blindly and never voice your dissension?

The only leader I trust without question is Jesus Christ.

But I do know that Pope is smarter than I am when it comes to most things especially bball, so if he thinks he can play the 4, then I will trust his decision.

Personally, I would rather have a 6’8-6’9, 230-240 lbs Junior or Senior out of the portal.

 

[bucsrule8872]

You obviously haven’t seen him play. He’s more of a one than four. He grew late and played point his whole life until his height came this year.

I have only seen highlights, so I defer to you. He’s supposedly up to 6’7 or 6’8. If seems pretty strong in the highlights I saw. I figured he would be able to defend the 4 spot with a little more muscle added and be a mismatch on the offensive end at the 4.

But it’s hard to judge from highlights.