Miles Bridges might return to Michigan State

[Dollfann1]

I definitely agree. But while I'm enjoying this, and am not at all on the "bash Cal and his system" bandwagon that has gotten sort of popular on this board, it does get annoying seeing guys leave here when people who had similar seasons/career don't leave other schools, or seeing guys return other places that wouldn't return here. I get that "come here and I'll get you to the pros as quickly as possible" is Cal's recruiting pitch, and it works to get us great talent, and we've been very successful as a program with it. But guys like Briscoe and Hump leaving after 2 years is still annoying.

Could not agree more. Does not bother me when thoses that should leave do but when guys have no business going pro do then it gets tough to handle. I don't think other coaches hold players back they just don't encourage those ones that are iffy like cal does. Love Cal and can't argue with his success but it does bother me when he makes 6 million a year and says things like his job is to get players to the NBA so there lives and family's lives will be better. I hope all of them prosper but UK and the sponsors of UK pay his salary to win championships for Kentucky and not to get guys to the NBA.

 

[BostonCat2001]

Did someone just say that amazing basketball players aren't making Kentucky HS basketball teams (when KY HS basketball is as bad as I've ever seen)? I've heard it all. I guess everyone is missing those future NBA stars who can't even make the squad at Ballard County.

yup....and apparently they are too good for the 50000 AAU teams that are out there.

 

[GonzoCat90]

To be fair, Willie came back, the twins came back, Dakari came back, Jones came back, Ulis came back, Lamb came back, and none of those guys really stood to "gain" anything by doing so. Some were always going to be second rounders.

In fact, I'd argue all but maybe Willie would have gone higher if they had left earlier.

 

[KA4Prez]

To be fair, Willie came back, the twins came back, Dakari came back, Jones came back, Ulis came back, Lamb came back, and none of those guys really stood to "gain" anything by doing so. Some were always going to be second rounders.

In fact, I'd argue all but maybe Willie would have gone higher if they had left earlier.

Two observations.

1. For every one of those guys, there is a Briscoe and Humphries.

2. It's a painful reminder of not winning the title in 2015. Everything came together that year...the right returnees, the right mix of incoming players.

 

[Untouchables22]

To me it appears as though the culture/selling point at UK has strictly become get to the paycheck as quickly as you can. Make life-changing money. That seems to be a no brainer to us that are out of college. Definitely not saying that is wrong, but that appears to be the selling point to UK now.

There are players who want to enjoy their college experience and know they will never get that time back. That is not who UK is right now. I definitely enjoy seeing the talent that has come through UK during the Cal tenure, but I do wonder if the selling point of getting paid as fast as possible does not sit well with highly talented recruits who may want to simply enjoy being 18-20 years old. As crazy as it sounds, there are highly talented kids who have aspirations of playing professionally but value their chance to be a college kid and think the contract and responsibility can wait a year or two. That just is not what UK is selling right now.

Allegedly that's exactly what happened in the Lonnie Walker recruitment. He was super laid back and didn't really care about the NBA just wanted to have a good time in college and enjoy it.

 

[G-PIP]

To be fair, Willie came back, the twins came back, Dakari came back, Jones came back, Ulis came back, Lamb came back, and none of those guys really stood to "gain" anything by doing so. Some were always going to be second rounders.

In fact, I'd argue all but maybe Willie would have gone higher if they had left earlier.

And didn't Poythress drastically hurt his draft status by coming back?

 

[anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y]

Then don't come here. We aren't a development institution for empty overseas NBA dreams. I blame Cal more than Hump. It's ok as fans to put our program first. Guys like Hump leaving early is only normal at UK.

Cal's model is working just fine. Humphries shouldn't be looked at any differently than the others who decide to pursue their dreams whether it's the NBA, Europe or Australia.

 

[G-PIP]

Then don't come here. We aren't a development institution for empty overseas NBA dreams. I blame Cal more than Hump. It's ok as fans to put our program first. Guys like Hump leaving early is only normal at UK.

Why shouldn’t such players come here if professional sports happens to be their career goal? “We” are a developmental institution for every other student at UK, so I don’t see why it should be any different for a basketball player.

 

[WitnessGreatness]

I could easily see him being a tweener in the NBA which is never good

 

[lennyd250cat]

Miles Bridges is returning. I really wish Cal would be more aggressive getting some of these players to return. No way does he even think about returning if he is at UK. He is a for sure lottery pick.

 

[The_Answer1313]

Why would Cal do that? That goes completely against his philosophy about doing right by these kids.

All Cal does is give the kids the information he gets from the NBA. It's ultimately their decision if they wanna go or stay.

 

[NCukcat62]

Miles Bridges is returning. I really wish Cal would be more aggressive getting some of these players to return. No way does he even think about returning if he is at UK. He is a for sure lottery pick.

Cal lets players follow their dreams. We don't know what goes on behind closed doors. He might of suggested to Briscoe to stay but also supported him on whatever he chose. It's the climate of the time.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

UK got Terrence Jones back and WCS back a couple years ago. IT does happen here, not often, but it does happen.

MSU won't win jack with Bridges next year. He is dumb to return IMO. It won't help his stock.

 

[kev69]

Miles Bridges is returning. I really wish Cal would be more aggressive getting some of these players to return. No way does he even think about returning if he is at UK. He is a for sure lottery pick.

Tell me you're kidding.

Bridges is returning? And we have both Briscoe and Humpfries
leaving us?

Not much to say anymore.

College football is becoming a thousand, maybe a million times better all the time now.

 

[Mr_GG]

 

[Sawnee Cat]

Players first. Follow that dream.

 

[Calsthebomb]

Cal wants best for his players. Izzo wants what's best for him. That's why cal gets all these five star guys. He's gonna do what's best for them no matter what.

 

[kev69]

Players first. Follow that dream.

Why can't some of these guys dreams be winning a championship at Kentucky?

 

[Smashcat]

UK got Terrence Jones back and WCS back a couple years ago. IT does happen here, not often, but it does happen.

MSU won't win jack with Bridges next year. He is dumb to return IMO. It won't help his stock.

6-10 Jaren Jackson may wind up the best freshman big man next year. MSU will be good.

 

[The_Answer1313]

Why can't some of these guys dreams be winning a championship at Kentucky?

I'm sure that for the majority of them that is a goal while they are here.

But I don't think your going to find many if any where that takes priority over realizing their dreams of the NBA

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

For all those who have their panties in a bunch over this, we either have Cal who is going to go after the cream of the crop talent every year, and get to multiple FFs and title games, or we could go get a coach who is going to get talent a level or two down and be in contention probably have as many times. Easy call for me.

 

[The_Answer1313]

For all those who have their panties in a bunch over this, we either have Cal who is going to go after the cream of the crop talent every year, and get to multiple FFs and title games, or we could go get a coach who is going to get talent a level or two down and be in contention probably have as many times. Easy call for me.

Yep.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Why can't some of these guys dreams be winning a championship at Kentucky?

Plenty of them do. It's just hard to win a national championship. We had a ton of guys return 2 years ago and still had bad luck/bad oficiating cost UK the title. If you don't think Fox and Monk and Bam wanted to win you don't know anything about basketball. They lost on a last second shot to the eventual champ, which clearly got favorable officiating in 4 close NCAA Tourney wins IMO.

 

[The_Answer1313]

Fox and Bam were crying after the UNC game.

I mean I think titles are very much on the minds of these kids.

 

[Titles1]

Players first. Follow that dream.

Don't worry about BBN. Cal wouldn't be making the money he is without us.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Don't worry about BBN. Cal wouldn't be making the money he is without us.

Yes, the BBN is responsible for all of UK's successes over the years. Players and coaches only lose games, don't win any.

 

[KYFOSSIL]

Why can't some of these guys dreams be winning a championship at Kentucky?

While they are here they try and play with tremendous heart and effort to win. But if a career is ready for you and you will make hundreds of thousands or millions why wait? Cal had not recruited Bam, Bamba or Richardson just to get Hump to stay would you honestly approved of that?

 

[kev69]

Plenty of them do. It's just hard to win a national championship. We had a ton of guys return 2 years ago and still had bad luck/bad oficiating cost UK the title. If you don't think Fox and Monk and Bam wanted to win you don't know anything about basketball. They lost on a last second shot to the eventual champ, which clearly got favorable officiating in 4 close NCAA Tourney wins IMO.

Good point.

 

[Titles1]

Yes, the BBN is responsible for all of UK's successes over the years. Players and coaches only lose games, don't win any.

Cal would be making as much money if BBN wasn't so big? We are the driving force behind the popularity of college bb. It wouldn't be as big without us.

 

[track42]

I don't know what people expect Cal to do.Should he try and lie to Fox and Monk and make it seem they would go lower in the draft?He doesn't make them stay or go and has said he thought some should have stayed.They have family and others around them also deciding for them.

 

[oldfanofuk]

At the end of the day its usually the players that decide if they want to get paid to play BB or go back to school. Sure I would love to have some of these guys for more than one year........What Cal has done here these last eight years has been really fun and exciting. The twelve years prior to Cal... not so much!

 

[JeffGoodmansVestigialTwin]

Some of these takes man....

 

[AnarchoNeoLuddite]

6-10 Jaren Jackson may wind up the best freshman big man next year. MSU will be good.

May be may not. FR, as we all know dont always play up to OUR expectations. Solid team, sorta like WSU this year. Not going to wow you, aside from Bridges.

 

[mj2k10]

Bridges is a LOCAL KID. I know he played his HS ball in West Virginia, but he grew up in Flint. Go and look at the "surprising returns" over the last 7 years, and see how many were from kids who basically stayed home for college.

UK just ain't gonna get that, unless we see some random outburst of 5 star players from the state. And, BTW, Michigan State lost a kid last year who played a whopping 18.6 mpg and averaged 7.5/5.5.

 

[lkc1234]

Miles Bridges is returning. I really wish Cal would be more aggressive getting some of these players to return. No way does he even think about returning if he is at UK. He is a for sure lottery pick.

So you don't want what is best for the player. Coach K talked Grayson Allen into returning last year and you see how that worked out for Grayson. He went from a first round pick to not even on the board. Selfish people like you are the problem with the world today. You must be a democrat. All about yourself and not interested in what is best for the other person.

 

[Gothic1960]

Don't worry about BBN. Cal wouldn't be making the money he is without us.

Never learned what humility was huh?

 

[anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y]

Tell me you're kidding.

Bridges is returning? And we have both Briscoe and Humpfries
leaving us?

Not much to say anymore.

College football is becoming a thousand, maybe a million times better all the time now.

Good riddance!

 

[kev69]

Good riddance!

I agree.

 

[letitrainuk]

Why would Cal do that? That goes completely against his philosophy about doing right by these kids.

All Cal does is give the kids the information he gets from the NBA. It's ultimately their decision if they wanna go or stay.

I'm pretty sure he suggested Teague and Dakari both return. They chose otherwise.

 

[CatsnRoses]

It's not about coaxing guys who should absolutely leave into returning... it's about framing the experience in a way that doesn't make it seem like a total failure to play at UK for 3-4 years if you're simply not an NBA prospect.