My Take On Recruiting At This Point

[W1LDCAT22]

Believe me, I've watched 4 of Newman's actual high school games IN PERSON, not an all-star game, and the kid IS the real deal. He went for 50 in the McCracken County tournament in front of me and Cal was there too. In the 2 high school tournaments I watched, Hoopfest and Mustang Madness, Newman, Murray and Diallo were EASILY the best players on the court. Other high recruits that played in those tournaments were Thon Maker, Carlton Bragg, Thomas Bryant and Dwayne Bacon and them 3 were head and shoulders better than everyone else. People, Newman IS the real deal along with Murray and Diallo. Hoping there is still a chance for Newman as we can go with a 3 guard set, typical for the college game, but as this process is dragging out I'm getting less confident. I always thought Newman was coming to UK, now not so much. But if we can get this Mulder kid, (who I think can actually make a pretty good impact for us) and one of Ingram/Brown and Diallo then we are set. Keeping my fingers crossed Cal has his last word and reels in what we need for next year. GO BIG BLUE!!!

This post was edited on 4/18 2:59 PM by W1LDCAT22

 

[docholiday51]

Originally posted by W1LDCAT22:
Believe me, I've watched 4 of Newman's actual high school games IN PERSON, not an all-star game, and the kid IS the real deal. He went for 50 in the McCracken County tournament in front of me and Cal was there too. In the 2 high school tournaments I watched, Hoopfest and Mustang Madness, Newman, Murray and Diallo were EASILY the best players on the court. Other high recruits that played in those tournaments were Thon Maker, Carlton Bragg, Thomas Bryant and Dwayne Bacon and them 3 were head and shoulders better than everyone else. People, Newman IS the real deal along with Murray and Diallo. Hoping there is still a chance for Newman as we can go with a 3 guard set, typical for the college game, but as this process is dragging out I'm getting less confident. I always thought Newman was coming to UK, now not so much. But if we can get this Mulder kid, (who I think can actually make a pretty good impact for us) and one of Ingram/Brown and Diallo then we are set. Keeping my fingers crossed Cal has his last word and reels in what we need for next year. GO BIG BLUE!!!

This post was edited on 4/18 2:59 PM by W1LDCAT22

A good insightful post,if we could get Newman +Diallo or Ingram or Brown to borrow a phrase from Cawood"look out".It seems more likely it's Mulder + somebody

 

[c1doc]

Cal is the best recruiter in the world obviously.... He has known all year that we were going to have 7 or 8 guys leave! He knows what he is doing and is very competitive!! Trust In Cal!!

 

[caneintally]

exactly - trust in CAL !!!!

 

[W1LDCAT22]

Newman went for 42, 35, 37 and 50 points in all 4 games I watched him live in. Its like a switch comes on in an actual game. He rarely missed a shot, rarely. His offensive game is more complete at this point than any recruit in atleast 5 years in my opinion, and I follow high school recruiting and these prospects with a passion. He can take his man off the dribble and finish at the rim, his pull-up and set jumpshot inside and outside the arc is deadly and he can find the open man. He is a fierce competitor too. People can't base their opinions of these kids from these all-star games, you just can't. Newman led his high school team to 4 straight state titles, and his teammates weren't very good at all, that should tell you alot.

 

[W1LDCAT22]

I trust in Cal, trust me, but something has changed with Newman at the last second. I always thought he would be at UK, now not so much. I think the Ben Howland hire at Mississippi State has alot to do with it or when Briscoe comitted here. After Briscoe announced I think that was the dagger for Newman at Kentucky. So it could play out as we got Briscoe instead of Newman, you never know. I'm hoping for another big (Diallo or Maker hopefully) and another guard or wing (Ingram) to go along with Mulder, who I think is going to turn into a great get, and then we are ready to contend for another title next year. If not, really hoping that Willis and Hawkins gets the hint that they are up next and stay in the gym ALL summer. People really underestimate Willis and where his heart his, but if he can find the drive and motivation to work on his game he could really make an impact for is next year in my opinion. I'm not worried at all, as I trust in Cal. I'm just ready for this recruiting circus to end and BBN knows our final roster. Oh, and Skal is the REAL DEAL and I think will be our next #1 overall NBA Draft pick the year after Towns goes #1 overall this year! GO BIG BLUE!

This post was edited on 4/18 2:09 PM by W1LDCAT22

 

[Blue Decade]

Too much panic on this board today. I can't assess Kentucky's class until I know who is in it.

 

[W1LDCAT22]

There is alot of unwarranted panic, but I am not one of them. I fully trust in our whole coaching staff and will be pleased even if we strike out on all of the remaining high recruits. I will be really, really pleased if we pull in the Mulder boy, as I am very high on him. Mulder has elite athleticism, great shooter, improving defensively and is a really good young man, and will most likely be here at UK for 2 years . I've done alot of research on the kid and everything I have seen and read on Mulder have all been great. GO BIG BLUE!

 

[Ripcord65]

Newman has said that he wants to play PG in college. We have Ulis and Briscoe.

Newman is not coming to U.K.

 

[catfaninsc]

Originally posted by Ripcord65:
Newman has said that he wants to play PG in college. We have Ulis and Briscoe.

Newman is not coming to U.K.

This ^^^^^^^^

 

[KopiKat]

Originally posted by catfaninsc:

Originally posted by Ripcord65:
Newman has said that he wants to play PG in college. We have Ulis and Briscoe.

Newman is not coming to U.K.

This ^^^^^^^^

how does backslapping a regurgitating parrot feel?

 

[Brando Mac]

Originally posted by Ripcord65:
Newman has said that he wants to play PG in college. We have Ulis and Briscoe.

Newman is not coming to U.K.

Thing is Cal would probably give Newman more than enough moments next season to show scouts that he can be a point guard in a 2 or 3 guard line-up, but if he wants to be the primary ball handler 100% of the time then that just isn't going to happen.

What we truly need right now is to add a guy that can shoot and score on the wing, either as a 2 or 3 (in a perfect world one of each). We need guys that know what their position and role is, and that actually want to play it. If a guy wants to be the man and doesn't want to buy in to a team concept, then good luck to them where ever they choose to play because it won't be here.

 

[3bombino96]

As Newman holds out I get a better feel on getting Brown. As Zimm committed to unlv,I am more confident in getting Maker or Dialo. If we get two if those guys with Mulder, we'll be fine. Murray will probably be a 2016 guy. Cal knows how to hold em and fold em, we'll be fine.

 

[W1LDCAT22]

I know that Newman is probably not coming to UK now because of 2 things, Ben Howland hiring at Mississippi State and Ben telling him it's going to be Newman's team and 2 Briscoe coming here. If Briscoe had not come here I would almost be certain that Newman would have already came here in my opinion. Funny how recruiting works. Just think when the dust settles, it could very well be Briscoe or Newman, and everyone knows who has already came. I really believe that Newman changed his whole outlook when Briscoe came here. Don't get me wrong, I love Briscoe and very happy we got him but to think that we could have landed Newman (if UK hadnt already got Briscoe) instead is kind of a downer. Would we want Newman or Briscoe? I think we have already decided that .

 

[3bombino96]

I really thought Briscoe would be a back up option for Newman. Briscoe may not be as And one as Newman, but Briscoe is a hard nose kid that is talented and will give his blood, sweat, and tears for us. I thought he'd back up Newman or Ullis, but maybe Cal knew back in November that he didn't think he would get Newman

 

[Blue Decade]

Originally posted by catfaninsc:

Originally posted by Ripcord65:
Newman has said that he wants to play PG in college. We have Ulis and Briscoe.

Newman is not coming to U.K.

This ^^^^^^^^

That is 1 way of looking at it, but it is the most pessimistic way. Another way to look at it, Newman has said he wants to play 1 year of college ball and then get drafted. Since arriving at Kentucky, Calipari has had 4 guards drafted in the 1st round, and Booker will be the 5th. That means Kentucky is Newman's best choice by far. Both perspectives are based on something Newman said. But no 1 on this board knows where Newman will go. Just before Tayshaun Prince committed to Kentucky, everything he said in interviews for a couple of weeks convinced everyone that he was going to UCLA. Terrance Jones actually announced he would attend Washington, then he signed with Kentucky. If you guys have followed recruiting for any amount of time, you should know that Newman's decision can't be predicted by these little quips.

 

[lawrencekash]

Pessimism when Cal is involved is misplaced.

 

[caneintally]

Originally posted by lawrencekash:

Pessimism when Cal is involved is misplaced.

THIS X10 ALSO IF IT WAS A CASE OF BRISCOE INSTEAD OF NEWMAN SO BE IT AS BRISCOE LIGHT YEARS BETTER AT THE PG AND EVEN AT THE SHOOTING GUARD THEY ARE CLOSE . IF NEWMAN WAS A 9.5 BRISCOE WOULD BE A 9.2 IF YOU GET MY DRIFT . BOTH WILL BE DRAFTED BETWEEN 5-15 IN THE DRAFT. Sorry for the caps as didn't realize it was on but i don't feel like erasing and typing over lol

 

[bookerfan66]

Briscoe is not better than Newman.Blue tinted glasses are really out today.

 

[TrustinCal]

Originally posted by bookerfan66:

Briscoe is not better than Newman.Blue tinted glasses are really out today.

You do a really bad job of trying to pose as a UK fan. Go back to your own board you passive aggressive troll.

 

[ukmelanie]

Originally posted by TrustinCal:

Originally posted by bookerfan66:

Briscoe is not better than Newman.Blue tinted glasses are really out today.

You do a really bad job of trying to pose as a UK fan. Go back to your own board you passive aggressive troll.

It's crazy calling someone a troll for thinking Newman is better than Briscoe.I think the same thing.

This post was edited on 4/19 11:36 AM by ukmelanie

This post was edited on 4/19 11:37 AM by ukmelanie

 

[TrustinCal]

Originally posted by ukmelanie:

Originally posted by TrustinCal:

Originally posted by bookerfan66:

Briscoe is not better than Newman.Blue tinted glasses are really out today.

You do a really bad job of trying to pose as a UK fan. Go back to your own board you passive aggressive troll.

It's crazy calling someone a troll for thinking Newman is better than Briscoe.I thing the same thing.
This post was edited on 4/19 11:36 AM by ukmelanie

I agree with that, but I'm just talking about his posts in general. Little jabs, trying to add anxiety, etc. It's painfully obvious.

 

[RondoBaller21]

Briscoe proved in the Jordan game that he's not only better than newman, but may be the best gaurd in the entire class. I still think we get newman due to his friendship with briscoe.

 

[kyjeff1]

Did Mississippi state bring in anyone else to compliment Newman? They had nothing last year and I doubt they have a top 10 class so I'm of the belief that Newman is really going to hurt his stock by going to a program that has no talent, no exposure and no blue blood status. He can't dominate college basketball like he did hs ball in Mississippi. He would lose millions by going to MSU.

 

[JonathanUSAF]

Why is Briscoe not better than Newman? While Newman is an elite scorer, Briscoe has, thus far, displayed a better all around game when factoring in the actual task of directing a team and involving his teammates. I would love to have Newman as he is a damn fine player that excels at scoring, but Briscoe is equally adept at directing a team. Really, the comparisons between the two are faulty. Would you compare Ulis and Devin Booker? If so, why? They have different roles.

 

[W1LDCAT22]

So I will warrant this question. Who would all of you like to have more (no blue tinted glasses), Briscoe or Newman? Cal has already made this decision

 

[bookerfan66]

Originally posted by W1LDCAT22:
So I will warrant this question. Who would all of you like to have more (no blue tinted glasses), Briscoe or Newman? Cal has already made this decision

Cal hasn't made this decision or he still wouldn't be recruiting Newman.

 

[brdmn22]

Duh, Newman has to be better because he's ranked higher. Every scout has him as the better prospect, and we know those things are always correct. Look at Josh Selby, he was by far the best guard in his class, and it wasn't even close.

 

[W1LDCAT22]

Originally posted by W1LDCAT22:
So I will warrant this question. Who would all of you like to have more (no blue tinted glasses), Briscoe or Newman? Cal has already made this decision


Cal hasn't made this decision or he still wouldn't be recruiting Newman


I meant Cal MAY have already made this decision. Newman was basically a lock to UK till Briscoe committed. I'm just trying to put the pieces in place. Newman could still come here (30% imo), or go overseas or to Mississippi State, that looks like his 3 options he is weighing out at the moment. I could be wrong, just my opinion on how everything is turning out. I'm thinking we get Mulder for sure, and hopefully another big in Diallo/Maker and one more wing in Brown/Ingram and we will be more than fine and be able to move on.

 

[W1LDCAT22]

Duh, Newman has to be better because he's ranked higher. Every scout has him as the better prospect, and we know those things are always correct. Look at Josh Selby, he was by far the best guard in his class, and it wasn't even close.

Every prospect is somewhat a risk somehow and not all the rankings are accurate, we all know that hopefully. But I have seen Newman live in person 4 games, and he is the real thing.

 

[Brando Mac]

Originally posted by bookerfan66:

Briscoe is not better than Newman.Blue tinted glasses are really out today.

at "blue tinted glasses". So cliched and lame.

They are two completely different types of players playing two completely different positions.

Briscoe is a stud and tough as nails, and I'm glad he picked UK. He's the type of guard that wins in March. Newman to me is the perfect compliment to Briscoe and Ulis if he's willing to buy in to an off guard/shooter role. And he should because that's what he's been his entire life and that's how we've recruited him. If he's not willing to do that then good luck to him where ever he goes, but right now we need guys that want to be shooters on the wing.

This post was edited on 4/19 2:13 PM by Brando Mac

 

[ukmelanie]

Newman has star potential IMO.I have watched that kid for several years and he makes something out of nothing.He can really go on scoring barrages and we would be lucky to have him.

 

[W1LDCAT22]

The people that are saying things like he isn't a team player, a ball-hog or he is nothing special obviously hasn't watched Newman play live in person. My jaw was dropped practically through every game. Newman, with the right fit and system, is going to be ELITE and a one-of-a-kind talent. Just not sure Kentucky is that place. Think Brandon Knight but an inch or 2 shorter but with more athleticism, better shooter, slasher/creator and a better ball-handler.

 

[kyjeff1]

Wait, who said Newman was "a Ballhog" or "wasn't a team player"? I must have missed those comments.
Was it sarcasm? Reason I ask is Sarcasm has been spotted in a few posts in this thread.In fact, I think most didn't get the one about Josh Selby above. To whoever that posted that: Well played sir!