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Lets Talk BIG BOYS (recruits)

Tyblue22

Tyblue22

Senior
Dec 23, 2003
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Once Monk comes aboard, we are LOADED. Although I think we really could use a 6'-8" range forward, I think we could easily be focusing on a big guy again. Here are a few on the radar, real possibilities. (in no particular order)

Thon Maker 7'-0" 215 (we have friends/teammate/Canada connections with Murray, Labissiere, Mulder and Gabriel) (Arizona St, UK, IU)

Bam Adebayo 6'-9" 230 (Nc State? UK ?)

Jarrett Allen 6'-9" 225 (Texas. Kansas, UK)

Marques Bolden 6'-10" 250 (Kansas, UK)

Udoka Azubuike 6'-11" 260 Kansas, Florida St, UK)

thoughts?
 
I think a sophomore-level Humphries is on par with all of those guys, with Adebayo being the lone exception. He's the only one who could probably clearly break rank with SKJ and Humphries and be assured of a starting spot from day one (along with Gabriel, of course).

The others are all great players, and would probably come along a bit more slowly. I'd like to add Maker, but his situation doesn't really add a lot of confidence to the team that obtains his commitment. He could probably use a coach like Calipari a lot more than the other guys. Cal would light a fire under his ass.
 
I think we have the best shot with Allen. Bolden is either KU or Duke. Adebayo NC St. Azubuike is almost a lock to Florida State.
 
If we add Monk the only thing lacking from the roster would be shot blocking.....Davis, Noel, Towns, Cauley Stein and likely Skal have spoiled us to being used to having an elite shot blocker as the last line of defense every year. Neither Humphries or Wynyard provide that skill. We will still be nasty on defense with Fox, Gabriel, Matthews, and Hawkins all being superb defenders. If Lee returns he can provide average shot blocking but I can't shake the feeling that if we had a shot blocker next year we could be even better then last year's defense with the pieces we are going to have.
 
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Winyard is 6'-9" 270 and will fit in nicely as well. If Maker plays college ball (eligible) then he is not too far off of Skal's level
 
Fox and Monk would be the most dominant backcourt in the country. I think with the potential to be more dominant than Wall/Bledsoe. If we can land Monk to go with Fox - our class is truly loaded. Anything else is icing on the cake.

PG - Fox - Hawkins
SG - Monk - Mulder
SF - Gabriel - Matthews - Willis
PF - SKJ - Willis
C - Humphries - Wynard

If Lee or any of the guards were to come back, that would add to it. Monk though gives us a lethal starting five! We are spoiled to land the #1 PG and now be talking about the opportunity to add the #1 SG.
 
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Untouchables22 said:
If we add Monk the only thing lacking from the roster would be shot blocking.....Davis, Noel, Towns, Cauley Stein and likely Skal have spoiled us to being used to having an elite shot blocker as the last line of defense every year. Neither Humphries or Wynyard provide that skill. We will still be nasty on defense with Fox, Gabriel, Matthews, and Hawkins all being superb defenders. If Lee returns he can provide average shot blocking but I can't shake the feeling that if we had a shot blocker next year we could be even better then last year's defense with the pieces we are going to have.
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Good post. Just something to consider, though; UK didn't really have elite shot blocking in 2010 or 2011, and those teams won a combined 64 games and went 7-2 in the tournament. I'd even throw in the 2014 team once WCS went down. UK was left with two non-shot blockers in Johnson and Randle, and an above-average shot blocker in Lee. That frontline took down Louisville, Michigan, and Wisconsin without an elite shot blocker.

I think a combination of SKJ/Gabriel/ and one of Lee or Allen would be more than enough when it comes to decent rim protection. Throw in the length you mentioned on the perimeter and that group would have the makings of an elite defensive team.
 
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I really dont think we add any of the above listed, most likely a player who makes a big jump in the spring rankings who we currently aren't involved with (like murray was) . Adebayo would be the best, most imposing addition, most rumors though have everyone going elsewhere. It's wait and see mode IMO.
 
Monk will round out the class if Briscoe or Ullis turn pro. That's why he is waiting until spring. I look for Lee to return for his Senior year. We will still be LOADED!!
 
I'm fine with just adding Monk (though I think we probably add another big).

We would likely have:

Fox
Monk
Hawkins
Mulder
Matthews
Gabriel
Willis
Killeya-Jones
Wynyard
Humphries

We should have 10 quality scholarship guys. Five front court guys. Five backcourt guys. Pretty good balance of young talent and experience,

Getting Monk is the key, though.
 
I think most of us would love to have Bam Adebayo. Is he going to sign early or wait for spring? I know most think he will go to NC St. but is there a chance Cal could get him?
 
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westerncat said:
I think most of us would love to have Bam Adebayo. Is he going to sign early or wait for spring? I know most think he will go to NC St. but is there a chance Cal could get him?
Click to expand...
latest
 
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westerncat said:
I think most of us would love to have Bam Adebayo. Is he going to sign early or wait for spring? I know most think he will go to NC St. but is there a chance Cal could get him?
Click to expand...

I think we should all hope for Bam, but not get our hopes up. He would be a major bonus, but it's not likely to happen.

The kids in this class have not been very secretive. Most of them have done exactly what everyone has expected. Tatum and Giles to Duke, Smith to NCSU, Fox to UK, Leaf to UCLA. Most of these guys have done what everyone has expected thus far.
 
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bucsrule8872 said:
I think we should all hope for Bam, but not get our hopes up. He would be a major bonus, but it's not likely to happen.

The kids in this class have not been very secretive. Most of them have done exactly what everyone has expected. Tatum and Giles to Duke, Smith to NCSU, Fox to UK, Leaf to UCLA. Most of these guys have done what everyone has expected thus far.
Click to expand...
Thanks... we can only hope.
 
Tyblue22 said:
Once Monk comes aboard, we are LOADED. Although I think we really could use a 6'-8" range forward, I think we could easily be focusing on a big guy again. Here are a few on the radar, real possibilities. (in no particular order)

Thon Maker 7'-0" 215 (we have friends/teammate/Canada connections with Murray, Labissiere, Mulder and Gabriel) (Arizona St, UK, IU)

Bam Adebayo 6'-9" 230 (Nc State? UK ?)

Jarrett Allen 6'-9" 225 (Texas. Kansas, UK)

Marques Bolden 6'-10" 250 (Kansas, UK)

Udoka Azubuike 6'-11" 260 Kansas, Florida St, UK)

thoughts?
Click to expand...

Maker - ASU
Bam - NC State
Allen - Kansas
Bolden - Kansas
Azubuike - FSU
Monk - Kentucky
Jackson - MSU
Alkins - NC State
Simmons - Ohio State
Huell - Miami
Andrew Jones - Kansas
 
RC_Texas said:
Maker - ASU
Bam - NC State
Allen - Kansas
Bolden - Kansas
Azubuike - FSU
Monk - Kentucky
Jackson - MSU
Alkins - NC State
Simmons - Ohio State
Huell - Miami
Andrew Jones - Kansas
Click to expand...

RC I like you....but if the decisions were made today Allen is going to Houston and Bolden is going to Bama. Still a lot of time to go but Kansas doesn't lead for either right now. To be fair UK isn't leading for any big guy in 2016 either.
 
Untouchables22 said:
RC I like you....but if the decisions were made today Allen is going to Houston and Bolden is going to Bama. Still a lot of time to go but Kansas doesn't lead for either right now. To be fair UK isn't leading for any big guy in 2016 either.
Click to expand...

The great thing (and the worst thing) about making predictions on a fan board is that there is a record of it. We will be able to look back and see how many I got right (if any) and how many (if any) I got wrong. And by the way, there was movement today on the Crystal Ball voting on Allen. I don't think all voters are equal. Some are more equal than others. That and $8.00 will get you a nice coffee in Red Cup at a national coffee shop.
 
I would love to have Thon Maker join us under Coach Cal's coaching.

He'll blossom under Cal. He, SKJ, and Gabriel front court is...just unfair.

And to top it off with Monk and Fox...it'll be best UK team by a long shot. Especially you'll have talented players coming off the bench.
 
Son_Of_Saul said:
Good post. Just something to consider, though; UK didn't really have elite shot blocking in 2010 or 2011, and those teams won a combined 64 games and went 7-2 in the tournament. I'd even throw in the 2014 team once WCS went down. UK was left with two non-shot blockers in Johnson and Randle, and an above-average shot blocker in Lee. That frontline took down Louisville, Michigan, and Wisconsin without an elite shot blocker.

I think a combination of SKJ/Gabriel/ and one of Lee or Allen would be more than enough when it comes to decent rim protection. Throw in the length you mentioned on the perimeter and that group would have the makings of an elite defensive team.
Click to expand...

Had some free time so I went back and pulled from the NCAA's archives where UK's leading shot blocker each year under Cal ranked nationally in Blocks Per Game...
2009-2010: (75) Demarcus Cousins-1.8
2010-2011: (59) Terrance Jones-1.9
2011-2012: (1) Anthony Davis-4.65
2012-2013: (1) Nerlens Noel-4.33
2013-2014: (22) Willie Cauley Stein-2.86
2014-2015: (37) Karl-Anthony Towns--2.26

Sooooooooo if SKJ, Lee (or someone else still to be signed) can average at least 1.8 per game I agree that rim protection will be taken care of! Also kinda random but Cal has repeatedly stated that when Humphries plays we will have to play Zone to accommodate his defensive shortcomings. So this rim protection issue could also potentially be taken care of with a 6'10 Gabriel and 6'10 SKJ with 7'0 Humphries as the bottom 3 in a 2-3 Zone and 6'4 Fox and 6'4 Monk up top.
 
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westerncat said:
Kansas will not get both Allen & Bolden. They may get one but not both.
Click to expand...

I agree no way they get both and no way Cal miss's on one IMO. I really like Allen hope Cal gets him. Bringing Fox into the fold it will help on bringing Monk and another big IMO.
 
With Lee, Wynyard, Humphries, and SKJ in the fold, I'm not sure we'll have enough playing time to offer any of the big time recruits.

And with Fox and possibly Monk coming in, I'm not sure we need much help in the front court either.
 
ralphdaltonfan said:
Bam is much more into UK then most think/assume. This is a deal where parties are split (despite what you've read) and UK has a chance. Again, I've got no dog in this fight--but have enjoyed talking basketball/recruiting with people here, so wanted to pass this on.
Click to expand...

Ralph -- have you heard anything about an announcement date? Also -- do you think the reason he has waited -- is because he is a bit torn?
 
Calipari has made recruiting boring to me.....

Am I the I one who can't get excited about "WE MIGHT BE ADDING!!" Threads?
 
JasonSpear said:
apparently... I love adding 5 star players and still get excited at the thought of one picking UK. Every time.
Click to expand...

I feel excited when it's a top 5. Other than that I just expect a top 3 class.

Maybe my priorities are getting Wack as I get older. I used to watch hours of YouTube vids on 4 stars and get ecstatic.
 
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.S&C. said:
Calipari has made recruiting boring to me.....

Am I the I one who can't get excited about "WE MIGHT BE ADDING!!" Threads?
Click to expand...
But honestly i know what you are saying. When we get a recruit im excited for like 20 seconds and then i immediately start trying to see how he fits in the roaster next year. Who will leave, who will stay. I don't know when it started but I would say sometime after Noel announcement
 
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The center rotation looks painfully slow and void of shot blockers if we don't get someone else. Bangers are great in situations but so are shot blockers.
 
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