Jacob Toppin & some Fans on this board

[rockout1]

I’ve come to the conclusion (I’m sure some of the rest of you have as well) that the only thing that will make some on this board happy in regards to recruiting is signing top 40 players who stay more than 2 years. Folks that just doesn’t happen. In my opinion there are 3 things that happen when too 40 players come here.

1. They are elite during their first year and go pro usually as a lottery pick or close to it. Some come in expected to only play 1 year (Fox, Walk) and some develop somewhat unexpectedly during the season and go pro (SGA, Herro).
2. They come here are successful but are not projected where they need to be in the draft and come back a second year then head off to the NBA (P.J., Quick).
3. They stay here a couple of years (or less in the case of Juzang, Baker) and leave because they feel they either got recruited over (Lee, Wiltjer) or feel like they developed all they were going to (EJ, Hagens).

There are a few exceptions like Nick, Alex and WCS but they are few and far between.

if you don’t think we should have kids like Toppin on the roster then you really don’t want multiple year players because the reality is those are the type of kids who MAY stay longer than two year. You are not going to get top 40 kids staying longer than 2 years.

 

[Atrain7732]

Don’t bother trying to be rational to the group who loves to bitch and moan about everything. By the time they are proven wrong they’ve already moved onto the next thing to complain about needlessly.

Most of their complaints shouldn’t be directed at Cal and the system but more the general state of college basketball. However, they are incapable of understanding that and continue to push their silly narratives that Cal pushes everyone out the door and only cares about nba players and doesn’t want to win games.

I swear I see more conspiracy theories on this board than on Reddit. It used to bother me but ultimately I came to realize they are not worth the hassle of arguing or trying to convince. Sad but true from my experience. They hold their favorite sports program to a much higher standard than they hold themselves. Kinda sad.

 

[TheOtherGreatOne]

I have come to the conclusion that there is nothing that would make some of the people on here happy.

 

[Poetax]

I have come to the conclusion that there is nothing that would make some of the people on here happy.

The Great One has it right, which is probably why he is the Great One, lol.

 

[kyups01]

I’ve come to the conclusion (I’m sure some of the rest of you have as well) that the only thing that will make some on this board happy in regards to recruiting is signing top 40 players who stay more than 2 years. Folks that just doesn’t happen. In my opinion there are 3 things that happen when too 40 players come here.

1. They are elite during their first year and go pro usually as a lottery pick or close to it. Some come in expected to only play 1 year (Fox, Walk) and some develop somewhat unexpectedly during the season and go pro (SGA, Herro).
2. They come here are successful but are not projected where they need to be in the draft and come back a second year then head off to the NBA (P.J., Quick).
3. They stay here a couple of years (or less in the case of Juzang, Baker) and leave because they feel they either got recruited over (Lee, Wiltjer) or feel like they developed all they were going to (EJ, Hagens).

There are a few exceptions like Nick, Alex and WCS but they are few and far between.

if you don’t think we should have kids like Toppin on the roster then you really don’t want multiple year players because the reality is those are the type of kids who MAY stay longer than two year. You are not going to get top 40 kids staying longer than 2 years.

Thanks for telling us how it is. We all understand now.

 

[rockout1]

I agree with you guys. To many of our fans act like it’s just a UK issue when it’s really not.

 

[rockout1]

Thanks for telling us how it is. We all understand now.

Why be a smart ass?

 

[Baller Cal]

Don’t bother trying to be rational to the group who loves to bitch and moan about everything. By the time they are proven wrong they’ve already moved onto the next thing to complain about needlessly.

Most of their complaints shouldn’t be directed at Cal and the system but more the general state of college basketball. However, they are incapable of understanding that and continue to push their silly narratives that Cal pushes everyone out the door and only cares about nba players and doesn’t want to win games.

I swear I see more conspiracy theories on this board than on Reddit. It used to bother me but ultimately I came to realize they are not worth the hassle of arguing or trying to convince. Sad but true from my experience. They hold their favorite sports program to a much higher standard than they hold themselves. Kinda sad.

One of the most accurate posts I've seen on the subject. Well done.

 

[Baller Cal]

I agree with you guys. To many of our fans act like it’s just a UK issue when it’s really not.

It's unhappy people offloading their misery on Cal. No more or less.

 

[Ocornett]

Why be a smart ass?

He can’t help himself that’s just the way he is.

 

[CatEye2010]

Thanks for telling us how it is. We all understand now.

No, you still don't know, and probably never will.

 

[UK HEMINGWAY]

Yes UK fans are whiny ass people. If they just sit back and let Calipari do what he does, we end up with a really good to great team every year. There is a reason he's won more NCAA tournament games than every single coach since he was hired at UK. Every one that bitches about what happens under his tenure just appears dumber and dumber by each post. Cal has got this, has had this and will have this.

 

[kyups01]

No, you still don't know, and probably never will.

I know you are right. I just dont know how to come to grips with a difference of opinion! Lolol

 

[UK HEMINGWAY]

I know you are right. I just dont know how to come to grips with a difference of opinion! Lolol

Ok, this is funny. Well played

 

[YardCat]

This is a message board, they use this forum to complain to relieve stress. That is how I see it, and they complain just to complain.

 

[rockout1]

This is a message board, they use this forum to complain to relieve stress. That is how I see it, and they complain just to complain.

I understand. I’d just like to see the ones complaining all the time have a supposed solution. You either go after top 40 kids and know at best you will have them two years or you get kids like Toppin, Allen, Hawkins, etc.. There is not an option of getting top 40 kids and having them stay 3-4 years.

 

[spartacat]

I have reached a conclusion there is no collective conclusion on anything on this board. Having said that , i see no collective collusion.

 

[Lost In FL]

I understand. I’d just like to see the ones complaining all the time have a supposed solution. You either go after top 40 kids and know at best you will have them two years or you get kids like Toppin, Allen, Hawkins, etc.. There is not an option of getting top 40 kids and having them stay 3-4 years.

Alex Poythress and Darius Miller say hello.

Actually, I'm making your point. The fact we could count the top 40 players that stayed 4 years on one hand (probably one finger because Darius was actually #42) is telling. I have no idea if all other schools deal with this, but I'm not necessarily interested in them ... I'm a UK fan.

In fairness, with our current scenario, it does get tough to get to know a whole new roster every year. I wouldn't want anyone but Cal right now, but I still would like some of our tweener guys stay another year or two. But ... I'll still support the Cats!

 

[TheOtherGreatOne]

I understand. I’d just like to see the ones complaining all the time have a supposed solution. You either go after top 40 kids and know at best you will have them two years or you get kids like Toppin, Allen, Hawkins, etc.. There is not an option of getting top 40 kids and having them stay 3-4 years.

Most of the ones that are doing most of the bitching don't know anything about the game anyway, and would be bitching even if they won the lottery.

 

[Lil Spears]

They are lots of crying here. Not sure why they cant enjoy the process. With Cal being here we are in the hunt every year. Even with the roster turnovers and coach's. We are always going to put quality players on the floor and compete. Weather they are here 1 year or 4.

 

[kyups01]

...........




......

 

[kyups01]

Ok, this is funny. Well played

Thank you for getting it *wink*

 

[JonathanUSAF]

Don’t bother trying to be rational to the group who loves to bitch and moan about everything. By the time they are proven wrong they’ve already moved onto the next thing to complain about needlessly.

Most of their complaints shouldn’t be directed at Cal and the system but more the general state of college basketball. However, they are incapable of understanding that and continue to push their silly narratives that Cal pushes everyone out the door and only cares about nba players and doesn’t want to win games.

I swear I see more conspiracy theories on this board than on Reddit. It used to bother me but ultimately I came to realize they are not worth the hassle of arguing or trying to convince. Sad but true from my experience. They hold their favorite sports program to a much higher standard than they hold themselves. Kinda sad.

Definitely some individuals on here that adhere to Comet Ping Pong or 4chan like conspiracies when viewing UK's basketball program. I'm sure everyone associated with or invested in the program expect and strive towards success, but Cal's recruiting methods and philosophy run counter to some ideations of what a program should look like here at UK. I'd personally like to see more roster stability, but accept that it is what it is until Cal changes his philosophy or we change coaches.

 

[UKWildcatT]

Not directed at anyone in general...

I’m going to post on Cats Illustrated about how fans shouldnt wine about things about Kentucky basketball.

Logs off of Cats Illustrated and complains about other things.

 

[JASUN74]

Don’t bother trying to be rational to the group who loves to bitch and moan about everything. By the time they are proven wrong they’ve already moved onto the next thing to complain about needlessly.

Most of their complaints shouldn’t be directed at Cal and the system but more the general state of college basketball. However, they are incapable of understanding that and continue to push their silly narratives that Cal pushes everyone out the door and only cares about nba players and doesn’t want to win games.

I swear I see more conspiracy theories on this board than on Reddit. It used to bother me but ultimately I came to realize they are not worth the hassle of arguing or trying to convince. Sad but true from my experience. They hold their favorite sports program to a much higher standard than they hold themselves. Kinda sad.

Well I’m not one to ever complain Or bitch about anything, I go with the flow and I’m a guy that absolutely love having Coach Calipari and all the good he’s done and will continue to do here! Saying that, putting everyone in a group about complaining and arguing is kinda dumb as shittt. This is a Kentucky message board for fans to come and discuss things related to Kentucky Basketball.

Now of course with the amount of fans that frequent this Board there’s going to be different options!! There’s also going to be some people who never leave their house act like they’re some kind of guru and profit!! Lmao. With the amount of traffic a place like this gets, we’re going to have trolls from other schools pretending to be Kentucky fans, we’re going to have some fans that are just flat out trying to make themselves into characters and we’ll also have fans that are unbelievable who honestly love Kentucky Basketball and just want to have some conversation with other fans.

Don’t get me wrong, I completely understand how you feel and I know a few who fit into that category! But the truth is, 85% or maybe even more fans who have been here awhile, who can figure out how to get along with others and weed out the numbnuts, well, they’re the greatest fans in the country! I’ve saw hundreds of fans who have come and gone here because they either can’t take the friendly (new guy) jabs they can sometimes get, lol, and a lot of fans show up for awhile and just disappear!

Anyway, what I’m saying is, there’s hundreds of unbelievably smart and diehard fans who eat and sleep Kentucky Basketball! A lot of them are the most knowledgeable people in the world about the Cats and although you may not have meant it like everyone here is a dumbass, it sure read that way. You just have to get to know who is real and who’s just trying to act! Thanks Brother! Again, I agree with some of what you’re saying, it’s true for a few here, but the good guys extremely outweighs the bad. Hopefully you’ll know I wasn’t trying to be a prick about it and just correct the everyone lumped together as one. Go Cats

 

[JASUN74]

Well I’m not one to ever complain Or bitch about anything, I go with the flow and I’m a guy that absolutely love having Coach Calipari and all the good he’s done and will continue to do here! Saying that, putting everyone in a group about complaining and arguing is kinda dumb as shittt. This is a Kentucky message board for fans to come and discuss things related to Kentucky Basketball.

Now of course with the amount of fans that frequent this Board there’s going to be different options!! There’s also going to be some people who never leave their house act like they’re some kind of guru and profit!! Lmao. With the amount of traffic a place like this gets, we’re going to have trolls from other schools pretending to be Kentucky fans, we’re going to have some fans that are just flat out trying to make themselves into characters and we’ll also have fans that are unbelievable who honestly love Kentucky Basketball and just want to have some conversation with other fans.

Don’t get me wrong, I completely understand how you feel and I know a few who fit into that category! But the truth is, 85% or maybe even more fans who have been here awhile, who can figure out how to get along with others and weed out the numbnuts, well, they’re the greatest fans in the country! I’ve saw hundreds of fans who have come and gone here because they either can’t take the friendly (new guy) jabs they can sometimes get, lol, and a lot of fans show up for awhile and just disappear!

Anyway, what I’m saying is, there’s hundreds of unbelievably smart and diehard fans who eat and sleep Kentucky Basketball! A lot of them are the most knowledgeable people in the world about the Cats and although you may not have meant it like everyone here is a dumbass, it sure read that way. You just have to get to know who is real and who’s just trying to act! Thanks Brother! Again, I agree with some of what you’re saying, it’s true for a few here, but the good guys extremely outweighs the bad. Hopefully you’ll know I wasn’t trying to be a prick about it and just correct the everyone lumped together as one. Go Cats

Hey. I did reread that and saw the ( ones that bitch and moan). Lol. I hear you. My bad

 

[Atrain7732]

Well I’m not one to ever complain Or bitch about anything, I go with the flow and I’m a guy that absolutely love having Coach Calipari and all the good he’s done and will continue to do here! Saying that, putting everyone in a group about complaining and arguing is kinda dumb as shittt. This is a Kentucky message board for fans to come and discuss things related to Kentucky Basketball.

Now of course with the amount of fans that frequent this Board there’s going to be different options!! There’s also going to be some people who never leave their house act like they’re some kind of guru and profit!! Lmao. With the amount of traffic a place like this gets, we’re going to have trolls from other schools pretending to be Kentucky fans, we’re going to have some fans that are just flat out trying to make themselves into characters and we’ll also have fans that are unbelievable who honestly love Kentucky Basketball and just want to have some conversation with other fans.

Don’t get me wrong, I completely understand how you feel and I know a few who fit into that category! But the truth is, 85% or maybe even more fans who have been here awhile, who can figure out how to get along with others and weed out the numbnuts, well, they’re the greatest fans in the country! I’ve saw hundreds of fans who have come and gone here because they either can’t take the friendly (new guy) jabs they can sometimes get, lol, and a lot of fans show up for awhile and just disappear!

Anyway, what I’m saying is, there’s hundreds of unbelievably smart and diehard fans who eat and sleep Kentucky Basketball! A lot of them are the most knowledgeable people in the world about the Cats and although you may not have meant it like everyone here is a dumbass, it sure read that way. You just have to get to know who is real and who’s just trying to act! Thanks Brother! Again, I agree with some of what you’re saying, it’s true for a few here, but the good guys extremely outweighs the bad. Hopefully you’ll know I wasn’t trying to be a prick about it and just correct the everyone lumped together as one. Go Cats

I didn’t intend it to read that way. The ones who constantly complain about everything is actually a very small minority. Which is also really a shame as well bc as you said most of the fans here are rational and reasonable and understand those basic concepts that the complainers don’t seem to get.

So, you end up with a very small minority making a bunch of ridiculous claims and posting numerous redundant threads on the topic.

 

[FrankUnderwood]

Yes UK fans are whiny ass people. If they just sit back and let Calipari do what he does, we end up with a really good to great team every year. There is a reason he's won more NCAA tournament games than every single coach since he was hired at UK. Every one that bitches about what happens under his tenure just appears dumber and dumber by each post. Cal has got this, has had this and will have this.

I agree but I think a lot of people base their opinion on the last 5 years of his tenure instead of the first 5 years.

 

[FrankUnderwood]

I agree with you guys. To many of our fans act like it’s just a UK issue when it’s really not.

I agree but to be fair which other team lost 8 players and 98% of their scoring this year?

 

[ManitouDan]

I’m happy we have the young man . Filling out our roster more completely is a good thing .

 

[UK HEMINGWAY]

I agree but I think a lot of people base their opinion on the last 5 years of his tenure instead of the first 5 years.

4 elite 8's.. lol.. let's crucify the man.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Hope Toppin is immediately eligible.

Right now, we have 9 scholarship players available.

Toppin would make 10.

We can’t count Haarms yet.

Need Toppin or we could end up short handed again.

I think we will add at least one more. I would like to see Cal get 12 scholarship players for this season, but I would bet Cal stops at 11.

 

[rockout1]

Hope Toppin is immediately eligible.

Right now, we have 9 scholarship players available.

Toppin would make 10.

We can’t count Haarms yet.

Need Toppin or we could end up short handed again.

I think we will add at least one more. I would like to see Cal get 12 scholarship players for this season, but I would bet Cal stops at 11.

Agree. If we do get Haarms and one more front court player I’d actually like to see Topping RS and focus on gaining strength and muscle. The year his brother RS paid big dividend for him.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Agree. If we do get Haarms and one more front court player I’d actually like to see Topping RS and focus on gaining strength and muscle. The year his brother RS paid big dividend for him.

I would agree, but it’s not our coach’s MO to redshirt anyone unless he has to. Only redshirts under Cal have been for a reason- Hood (injury), Harrow (transfer rule), Baker (injury), and Allen (injury). If Toppin is eligible, I think he plays.

If we get Haarms, then we are at 11 scholarship players. We won’t add another unless it’s someone truly special, IMHO. Cal doesn’t like having that many guys to find minutes for.

 

[ZaytovenCat]

I’ll tell what would make me happy.

Top 10 guys staying a year is fine. Top 40 and below guys staying Atleast 2-3 years.

Problem is players come here expecting to leave after one year regardless of their ranking. If things don’t go their way year one they transfer, leave anyway or every once and awhile one will return for one final year.

That I can think of, we’ve had FIVE players in 10 years that actually played stay atleast 3-4 year. Hawkins, Willis, Poythress, WCS and Richards. The first two and Nick had no choice and, WCS pretty much only made year 3 due to injury.

People try to say oh this happens everywhere but that’s bull. It doesn’t. The kids Cal recruits have one foot out the door before they get here.

it’s not too much to ask to want our players to have both feet in the house with the door shut while here.

 

[rockout1]

I’ll tell what would make me happy.

Top 10 guys staying a year is fine. Top 40 and below guys staying Atleast 2-3 years.

Problem is players come here expecting to leave after one year regardless of their ranking. If things don’t go their way year one they transfer, leave anyway or every once and awhile one will return for one final year.

That I can think of, we’ve had FIVE players in 10 years that actually played stay atleast 3-4 year. Hawkins, Willis, Poythress, WCS and Richards. The first two and Nick had no choice and, WCS pretty much only made year 3 due to injury.

People try to say oh this happens everywhere but that’s bull. It doesn’t. The kids Cal recruits have one foot out the door before they get here.

it’s not too much to ask to want our players to have both feet in the house with the door shut while here.

I don’t disagree with you on this. What drives me crazy is that when we get a kid like Toppin the same fans that complain about kids bit staying 3 plus years complain he’s not good enough.

 

[BlueBloodKyFan]

Here’s the thing if they come in and play good or great, which we all want then they go pro then posters start bitching we can’t keep anyone. If they dint play to OUR expectations then it turns out why we get them what a bust it’s a no win fir the coaching staff.

 

[$Z71$]

I’d love to see the staff go after Okoro from Oregon. Only if they can confirm mentality wasn’t the issue he had okay Oregon. Could be a multi year piece as well.

 

[rockout1]

Here’s the thing if they come in and play good or great, which we all want then they go pro then posters start bitching we can’t keep anyone. If they dint play to OUR expectations then it turns out why we get them what a bust it’s a no win fir the coaching staff.

Agree 100%. If they don’t play up to “our” expectations then they say “I hope they don’t come back”. Saw it with both EJ & Hagens this year.

 

[Poetax]

Hope Toppin is immediately eligible.

Right now, we have 9 scholarship players available.

Toppin would make 10.

We can’t count Haarms yet.

Need Toppin or we could end up short handed again.

I think we will add at least one more. I would like to see Cal get 12 scholarship players for this season, but I would bet Cal stops at 11.

I hope he stops at 11.