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It's nice to get back to the notes. Last week I was in Chicago for the McDonald's All-American week and then flew to Arizona and stopped by the Final Four. Even though I didn't go as media it's funny how many coaches, former players and media figures you run into at the Final Four.
Lots of good stuff to get to and we'll have plenty more this week.
I'm going to keep these notes specific to recruiting and I will come back with notes on the current team and possible transfers.
Bamba: I know several people have been concerned about Duke lately in this recruitment, and the Blue Devils aren't out of it, but I still think that Kentucky lands Bamba assuming Bam Adebayo leaves.
Don't expect a decision from Bamba anytime soon as he waits to see who stays and who leaves. I've had some people ask me if Duke is forcing these guys out to make things look more promising for Bamba. I truly don't believe that Duke is forcing these guys to go (also as of this moment Bolden hasn't officially left Duke). Supposedly the Blue Devils aren't heartbroken these guys are leaving but aren't forcing them out. I actually believe that because the "force out "narrative is overplayed and almost always wrong.
But, it's going to be interesting if Duke is left with just Wendell Carter on the front line (and I know it's not literally just Carter, they have other bodies). At that point Duke would be going all-in on Bamba and if they landed him it would be the best frontline in college basketball, and if they missed it wouldn't be one of the best five frontlines in the ACC. Huge swing depending on what Bamba decides to do.
Kentucky's staff has felt confident about this recruitment for a long time and I haven't heard anything to make me think their confidence is moving.
You gotta love this drama.
Knox: The big news is that Knox is going to take an official visit to Mizzou, his last official visit. This was discussed as a possibility once Porter committed to the Tigers. The strange thing is (and this is just my opinion) when Knox was asked about it in Chicago last week he didn't seem too interested. He left the door open as a possibility but didn't seem like he wanted to go on the visit. Oh well, he's going to check out Mizzou but I don't think the Tigers are a serious threat.
My gut is still telling me it will be UNC assuming Justin Jackson leaves for the NBA Draft. The Tar Heels may be the safest bet in terms of having a title contending team and Knox can slide right into the Jackson role.
I also am looking at UK checking out other guards as a negative, but that's just my opinion and not something I've heard. I know that Knox is versatile and can play multiple positions, and UK has sold him on the two, but if Kentucky truly felt solid about its chances with Knox I don't know if they'd be reaching out to so many other guards.
But I don't think Kentucky's staff truly believes they are out of the running for Knox and I know that Knox's dad likes what Kentucky has to sell. The relationship between Knox and the Washington family is a real thing and if Knox were to end up at UK I think that may be difference.
I feel much better about UK's chances with Bamba than Knox, but both are still possible.
Mark Smith: If Kentucky offers he will be a Wildcat. There's a lot to like about his game but there's some questions on if he's ready to contribute from day one. I'm not as familiar with his game so I don't know if he will or won't, but that is a concern. As you all know, Calipari doesn't build for the future. He builds for the now. If Smith can't come in and make an impact this season Calipari isn't going to take him because it could hurt the 2018 recruiting class.
And no, that's not to say that Calipari will only take guys that are one-and-done. He just likes to be convinced a guy will be able to make an impact in their first year. Sometimes things don't work out that way but Calipari needs to be convinced there's a possibility of that happening. If Smith gets an offer then we'll have our answer.
Smith likely won't wait too long to commit (two or three weeks) so we'll see what the Cats decide to do.
Other names: Allen and Baker don't seem as likely as candidates for Kentucky. If Smith decides to go elsewhere we'll check back in on Allen and Baker, but the vibe I'm getting is that Smith is option one for backup options.
I like both Allen and Baker but it seems that most of the buzz is surrounding Smith.
Darius Garland: I expect the 2018 guard to end up at Duke. That's a bummer because I think he's a really good player.
Grimes: UK offered Grimes, a player they have liked for awhile. I haven't completely turned the page on 2017 just yet but I think the Cats will have several quality options in 2018, Grimes included.
Bagley: Bagley is back up to six schools- USC, UCLA, Arizona, Kansas, Duke and Kentucky. He was at Arizona, UK, UCLA and Duke, but added Kansas and USC. So be it. Kentucky will have a chance to land him but it's going to be a tough recruitment. A lot of buzz is that he won't wait too long to commit. I'm not sure if that's within a few months, or by the end of the year, I don't know, but Bagley is the best high school player I've ever watched. A freak player.
I'll post another Inside Notes for current players and possible transfers.
It's nice to get back to the notes. Last week I was in Chicago for the McDonald's All-American week and then flew to Arizona and stopped by the Final Four. Even though I didn't go as media it's funny how many coaches, former players and media figures you run into at the Final Four.
Lots of good stuff to get to and we'll have plenty more this week.
I'm going to keep these notes specific to recruiting and I will come back with notes on the current team and possible transfers.
Bamba: I know several people have been concerned about Duke lately in this recruitment, and the Blue Devils aren't out of it, but I still think that Kentucky lands Bamba assuming Bam Adebayo leaves.
Don't expect a decision from Bamba anytime soon as he waits to see who stays and who leaves. I've had some people ask me if Duke is forcing these guys out to make things look more promising for Bamba. I truly don't believe that Duke is forcing these guys to go (also as of this moment Bolden hasn't officially left Duke). Supposedly the Blue Devils aren't heartbroken these guys are leaving but aren't forcing them out. I actually believe that because the "force out "narrative is overplayed and almost always wrong.
But, it's going to be interesting if Duke is left with just Wendell Carter on the front line (and I know it's not literally just Carter, they have other bodies). At that point Duke would be going all-in on Bamba and if they landed him it would be the best frontline in college basketball, and if they missed it wouldn't be one of the best five frontlines in the ACC. Huge swing depending on what Bamba decides to do.
Kentucky's staff has felt confident about this recruitment for a long time and I haven't heard anything to make me think their confidence is moving.
You gotta love this drama.
Knox: The big news is that Knox is going to take an official visit to Mizzou, his last official visit. This was discussed as a possibility once Porter committed to the Tigers. The strange thing is (and this is just my opinion) when Knox was asked about it in Chicago last week he didn't seem too interested. He left the door open as a possibility but didn't seem like he wanted to go on the visit. Oh well, he's going to check out Mizzou but I don't think the Tigers are a serious threat.
My gut is still telling me it will be UNC assuming Justin Jackson leaves for the NBA Draft. The Tar Heels may be the safest bet in terms of having a title contending team and Knox can slide right into the Jackson role.
I also am looking at UK checking out other guards as a negative, but that's just my opinion and not something I've heard. I know that Knox is versatile and can play multiple positions, and UK has sold him on the two, but if Kentucky truly felt solid about its chances with Knox I don't know if they'd be reaching out to so many other guards.
But I don't think Kentucky's staff truly believes they are out of the running for Knox and I know that Knox's dad likes what Kentucky has to sell. The relationship between Knox and the Washington family is a real thing and if Knox were to end up at UK I think that may be difference.
I feel much better about UK's chances with Bamba than Knox, but both are still possible.
Mark Smith: If Kentucky offers he will be a Wildcat. There's a lot to like about his game but there's some questions on if he's ready to contribute from day one. I'm not as familiar with his game so I don't know if he will or won't, but that is a concern. As you all know, Calipari doesn't build for the future. He builds for the now. If Smith can't come in and make an impact this season Calipari isn't going to take him because it could hurt the 2018 recruiting class.
And no, that's not to say that Calipari will only take guys that are one-and-done. He just likes to be convinced a guy will be able to make an impact in their first year. Sometimes things don't work out that way but Calipari needs to be convinced there's a possibility of that happening. If Smith gets an offer then we'll have our answer.
Smith likely won't wait too long to commit (two or three weeks) so we'll see what the Cats decide to do.
Other names: Allen and Baker don't seem as likely as candidates for Kentucky. If Smith decides to go elsewhere we'll check back in on Allen and Baker, but the vibe I'm getting is that Smith is option one for backup options.
I like both Allen and Baker but it seems that most of the buzz is surrounding Smith.
Darius Garland: I expect the 2018 guard to end up at Duke. That's a bummer because I think he's a really good player.
Grimes: UK offered Grimes, a player they have liked for awhile. I haven't completely turned the page on 2017 just yet but I think the Cats will have several quality options in 2018, Grimes included.
Bagley: Bagley is back up to six schools- USC, UCLA, Arizona, Kansas, Duke and Kentucky. He was at Arizona, UK, UCLA and Duke, but added Kansas and USC. So be it. Kentucky will have a chance to land him but it's going to be a tough recruitment. A lot of buzz is that he won't wait too long to commit. I'm not sure if that's within a few months, or by the end of the year, I don't know, but Bagley is the best high school player I've ever watched. A freak player.
I'll post another Inside Notes for current players and possible transfers.
