Shaka coming on strong.

[Son_Of_Saul]

Hey man, we recruit positionLESS players. We've got a blue chip back up back up point guard who could easily Play center no?

Look I love Cal and want him to succeed. I just hope winning big here is still his highest goal and priority. I've had doubts for the first time about that lately. I think lots of folks are just itching. That '15 title was needed and this board would be crickets for the next half decade.

The moment Cal starts pushing program first, almost all of these kids will go to places other than Kentucky. The truth is, they're not picking UK for the "we're the top program" thing. Most of them don't care. They're coming because they trust Cal. Our fans often make their experience better than anticipated, and the players often pick up on the lore and tradition of Kentucky after the fact; but UK would probably be close to UCLA level (what UCLA has recently become) if Cal sold "program-first".

 

[poppycat]

The moment Cal starts pushing program first, almost all of these kids will go to places other than Kentucky. The truth is, they're not picking UK for the "we're the top program" thing. Most of them don't care. They're coming because they trust Cal. Our fans often make their experience better than anticipated, and the players often pick up on the lore and tradition of Kentucky after the fact; but UK would probably be close to UCLA level (what UCLA has recently become) if Cal sold "program-first".

Not sure. Recruit 3 top 15 ..not 6.
May even help knowing that they get more pt.
Have 9/10 good 3/4*s as Soph, Jr. & Sr,
Practice against an experienced player each
day instead of a Fr.
We just might see that soon even if not by choice.

 

[DrH. Lecter]

When I read the title to this thread my immediate reaction was.....That's what she said.

 

[Wall2Boogie]

Frankly, I'm sick of the bs. I'm not going to stress where he goes any more I just want it over with. If he wants to toss himself into obscurity by going to Texas that's his choice. Same for Knox

 

[65pacecar]

That's what every coach with a sucky roster tries to sell a premier recruit on - being the "guy" who changed the trajectory of the program.

It never happens.

I know Ky is obviously a different animal historically than Texas but Mashburn is often credited as the guy that put UK And Rick back on the map and restored the program. Different circumstances but he was a history changing/restoring player for the Cats.

 

[rabidcatfan]

No offense, but if Bamba chooses Texas over UK, then he's an effing moron. What in Shaka Smart's coaching history tells Bamba that he can prepare him for the NBA? Coach Cal, on the other hand, has sent DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, Nerlens Noel, Karl-Anthony Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein, and Skal among others, and will be likely adding Bam to his list of bigs in the NBA. Not to mention that at least one of his friends will be attending UK in Quade Green, even if Diallo decides to stay in the draft. It's a no-brainer.

 

[TheAnonymous13]

That's what every coach with a sucky roster tries to sell a premier recruit on - being the "guy" who changed the trajectory of the program.

It never happens.

The difference, of course, is that shaka is a relatively new, young coach at Texas.... and following a long tenured Barnes. He is bringing in a strong class, and enters a cross-roads season.
So while it may be a common sales pitch... it has some validity here.
We will see if it is effective.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

The difference, of course, is that shaka is a relatively new, young coach at Texas.... and following a long tenured Barnes. He is bringing in a strong class, and enters a cross-roads season.
So while it may be a common sales pitch... it has some validity here.
We will see if it is effective.

I'm not sure I see the difference between what he is selling and what other young coaches sell. The real difference is that Shaka coached Bamba.

The whole “come be the recruit that changed the program” angle seldom works, and I doubt Bamba’s dumb enough to make that a major he reason he’d pick Texas. I think it’s as simple as the fact that he likes Shaka, and if he picks Texas, that will likely be the overwhelming reason why.

 

[anon_q409idbs5m40a]

Frankly, I'm sick of the bs. I'm not going to stress where he goes any more I just want it over with. If he wants to toss himself into obscurity by going to Texas that's his choice. Same for Knox

Agree, sick of these kids holding out and making every recruitment a soap opera. If you don't want to be at UK then go somewhere else. Worked out really well for Bolden.

 

[Steelman100]

(NewIf we miss on Bamba, we're going to struggle to make the tournament. )

Post like this are way over rating Bamba in my opinion. I saw him in some all star games. No offense. hes a shot blocking dunker. In one game I saw him with Richards he was outscored ten to five. Willis is hi on Jones said he was shooting good. I think he's a great player but to say we can't make the tournament without him. No. I don't think he's a make or break player. If we don't get him the sky's not falling. We have a lot of talent. Lot of shooters. I'm looking forward to watching this team personally.

 

[Cat Ballou]

Jeezus...what did we ALL know would happen toward the end of Bamba's recruitment? Rumors, misdirection, etc.

Personally, I suspect Slater's pick is based on little more than the fact Bamba didn't announce a decision date right after the Bam news came out.

Bamba may still land at Texas, but I'm not paying attention to any of this stuff until about 24 hours before he announces.

 

[poppycat]

No offense, but if Bamba chooses Texas over UK, then he's an effing moron. What in Shaka Smart's coaching history tells Bamba that he can prepare him for the NBA? Coach Cal, on the other hand, has sent DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, Nerlens Noel, Karl-Anthony Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein, and Skal among others, and will be likely adding Bam to his list of bigs in the NBA. Not to mention that at least one of his friends will be attending UK in Quade Green, even if Diallo decides to stay in the draft. It's a no-brainer.

We lost Allen while chasing Bolden and after signing Bam.
Allen out performed Bolden and maybe even Bam.
That's not lost on Shaka's selling point.
or you could say that SS Helped Allen much more
than Kay did Bolden and maybe Cal and Bam.
Most mocks have Allen in the lottery.

 

[anon_q409idbs5m40a]

Jeezus...what did we ALL know would happen toward the end of Bamba's recruitment? Rumors, misdirection, etc.

Personally, I suspect Slater's pick is based on little more than the fact Bamba didn't announce a decision date right after the Bam news came out.

Bamba may still land at Texas, but I'm not paying attention to any of this stuff until about 24 hours before he announces.

Been a lot of chatter on the UT board and it could be where the "information" is originating. They're ecstatic over the possibility of beating out UK for a recruit. Guess this is their Super Bowl.

 

[Cat Ballou]

The insiders around programs that rarely win these battles are usually awful sources. A perfect example is all of insiders around Mizzou who thought they had Knox locked up.

 

[SmoothRunner32]

We lost Allen while chasing Bolden and after signing Bam.
Allen out performed Bolden and maybe even Bam.
That's not lost on Shaka's selling point.
or you could say that SS Helped Allen much more
than Kay did Bolden and maybe Cal and Bam.
Most mocks have Allen in the lottery.

Yeah, great selling point for Shaka, I guess we can ignored Noel, Davis, WCS, KAT etc. because of one decent year from Allen on a 11 wins Texas team.

 

[wromanp7]

I love how the thread title links Texas basketball to South Florida football.

 

[Cat Ballou]

Yeah, great selling point for Shaka, I guess we can ignored Noel, Davis, WCS, KAT etc. because of one decent year from Allen on a 11 wins Texas team.

If this spiel actually resonates with Bamba, someone might want to remind him that some pretty damned good players have actually played for Texas before. It's not like Bamba would be unique or transformative.

Kevin Durant for example. Think he was National POY or something there. They finished 3rd in the Big 12 with Kevin freakin Durant on the roster.

 

[gracetoyou]

If this spiel actually resonates with Bamba, someone might want to remind him that some pretty damned good players have actually played for Texas before. It's not like Bamba would be unique or transformative.

Kevin Durant for example. Think he was National POY or something there. They finished 3rd in the Big 12 with Kevin freakin Durant on the roster.

Ummm, but where comparing players that have actually played for Cal at UK....not so with with UT/Smart. Durant should have ZERO relevance.

 

[Cat Ballou]

Ummm, but where comparing players that have actually played for Cal at UK....not so with with UT/Smart. Durant should have ZERO relevance.

I just think that if Shaka is using that line it's self-serving and dishonest. GREAT players have come through Texas before. Bamba wouldn't be the first and he's not going to change the culture. Those great players haven't made Texas into anything but what they are and will continue to be - a football school.

Shaka is trying to save his job - pure and simple.

 

[TheAnonymous13]

I love how the thread title links Texas basketball to South Florida football.

Now that is very funny! Well done!

 

[cawoodsct]

Headline reads: Shaka came on strong but Cal gets his Bamba

 

[Craig Scratch Weaver]

Agree, sick of these kids holding out and making every recruitment a soap opera. If you don't want to be at UK then go somewhere else. Worked out really well for Bolden.

Why is it that every recruitment becomes drama to our fan base? The kid is making a decision for himself and it has nothing to do with any of us. I understand there are exceptions, but there has been nothing but positive press about Bamba. Not sure I get the soap opera angle here.

 

[anon_q409idbs5m40a]

Why is it that every recruitment becomes drama to our fan base? The kid is making a decision for himself and it has nothing to do with any of us. I understand there are exceptions, but there has been nothing but positive press about Bamba. Not sure I get the soap opera angle here.

Just go back and review what happened last year. It's drama because these kids are making it that way. Point it, you either want to play for UK or you don't, pure and simple.

 

[Cardsstink]

Texas media and fans are pretty much done with Shaka. The players didn't even come down for the post game interview last night after another brutal loss and Shaka said "they're up there working some things out."

Shaka has lost the program.

 

[DerekMcPwn]

Texas media and fans are pretty much done with Shaka. The players didn't even come down for the post game interview last night after another brutal loss and Shaka said "they're up there working some things out."

Shaka has lost the program.

Great decision, Mo.

 

[Cardsstink]

Great decision, Mo.

Bamba is a big part of the problem, playing hard only when he wants to and arguing with teammates. Amazing that Cal can handle multiple OAD's when most coaches can't even handle one.

 

[Jamal Mercer]

Some of the comments in this thread are interesting.

A lot of UK fans weren’t expecting much this year IF we lost out on Bamba.

Now here we are. Maybe don’t label everyone a troll that has the slightest negative thing to say about our program. Some of our fans are smarter than you think.

 

[Cindog28]

11-22

Texas' record this past season.

Hey. With Bamba they might break .500

They are 15-11 this season.

 

[kev69]

Smart is 46-46 at Texas.

Maybe Barnes wasn’t so bad after all.

 

[GonzoCat90]

Man, another one where I just *nailed* it.

 

[gossie21]

I'll admit that I am surprised that Shaka is doing so poorly. I didn't expect him to be competing for Championships or anything, but I thought he would be able to get into the NCAA tournament regularly. He's 1 for 2 so far. And looking like he will be 1 for 3. With the two years missing the tournament having 1st round NBA draft picks on the roster.

 

[kev69]

I'll admit that I am surprised that Shaka is doing so poorly. I didn't expect him to be competing for Championships or anything, but I thought he would be able to get into the NCAA tournament regularly. He's 1 for 2 so far. And looking like he will be 1 for 3. With the two years missing the tournament having 1st round NBA draft picks on the roster.

They shouldn’t have made it his first year. They underachieved that year with some of Barnes holdovers.

 

[KyCatFan]

Another topic rising from the dead.

 

[docholiday51]

No offense, but if Bamba chooses Texas over UK, then he's an effing moron. What in Shaka Smart's coaching history tells Bamba that he can prepare him for the NBA? Coach Cal, on the other hand, has sent DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, Nerlens Noel, Karl-Anthony Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein, and Skal among others, and will be likely adding Bam to his list of bigs in the NBA. Not to mention that at least one of his friends will be attending UK in Quade Green, even if Diallo decides to stay in the draft. It's a no-brainer.

Looks like you were right on both counts.

 

[TankedCat]

Some of the comments in this thread are interesting.

A lot of UK fans weren’t expecting much this year IF we lost out on Bamba.

Now here we are. Maybe don’t label everyone a troll that has the slightest negative thing to say about our program. Some of our fans are smarter than you think.

it will never happen.

Some fans will never allow negativity or criticism, they take it as a personal attack - plus with threads like these they have the memory of a goldfish.

 

[Rupp'sRunt]

In the long run, there's no perfect pitch. Duke is trying to have it both ways, and we're already seeing that not work either. I think you take your chances with selling the biggest prize in the best way, because the kids enticed by it are the ones who can lead you to glory.

Ouch. Ya gotta say no jinx after that one.

The moment Cal starts pushing program first, almost all of these kids will go to places other than Kentucky. The truth is, they're not picking UK for the "we're the top program" thing. Most of them don't care. They're coming because they trust Cal. Our fans often make their experience better than anticipated, and the players often pick up on the lore and tradition of Kentucky after the fact; but UK would probably be close to UCLA level (what UCLA has recently become) if Cal sold "program-first".

So what's the plan now dude? Set for life worked pretty well.

 

[ManitouDan]

Looking back at pages 1-2-3 morgo was right.

 

[TankedCat]

in relation to Bamba - not to generalize but this class of kids - are any of them fully dedicated? I guess Porter gets a pass for being inured but other than Trae Young, seems like you can't count on any of these kids to bring it every night, even on Duke.

 

[KentuckyCat420]

Looking back at pages 1-2-3 morgo was right.

So was I, apparently that makes us bad fans instead of people who simply see the reality in situations.

 

[gracetoyou]

Somewhere in this 5 page thread from last Spring I mentioned that I think Shaka cannot handle a big program like Texas. He was good at a program where he could totally focus on just coaching & not PR & All the stuff that comes with coaching at a major university.

Some on this thread were convinced Texas would be good...etc. Whelp....now ya see.

Bamba could have made UK a much greater threat with his defensive presence alone. We have our issues for sure with or without him but I predict we would probably have about 3 more wins than we do with him.