To tell the truth -

[Kybluedude]

UK bball is exhausting. Hate the new transfer portal rules and nil. Hate the constant bickering among our fans. Don’t like the mindset of some of the players. Whiners on all sides.

I honestly would be ok with recruiting as best we can nationally and getting more tri state and in state guys.

There are good players that would come. Not everyone has to be a 5* super athlete.
Get some guys with different skill sets and blend them together. Get guys that want to be here and not have one foot out the door or have a back room of “advisers”. AND play them.

No more holding spots for the jumpers. They made their decision. Cal do what’s best for your employer. Get high iq players.

Solid, fundamentally sound, hard working kids that want to win for UK. Appreciate the tradition. Wanted to play here all their lives. Play with pride for the team. Proud to wear the UK uniform.

Saw a couple of the Ky/Ind all star teams’ players that could contribute at UK over time like Willis and Hawkins did in the past.

I certainly could pull more for UK teams with those type guys than these one year mercenaries. Dislike hearing “my intention is to get in and out asap”.

Get back to our roots. If it takes a different coach so be it. We aren’t competing nationally the way it is. Play hard and together and see what happens. Develop over time.

Make an effort to stabilize and fill out the roster. Couple of national stars plus some tri state kids with different skill sets blended together. Get a core group to be together and play them.

Still have my fingers crossed Cal anticipated the present scenario and has replacements lined up. He needs 3 to 6 guys!

Please don’t tell me the majority of UK fans would be upset if we recruited more locally to gain some stability, pride and developmentally. I think most fans if not 90% would be fine with it. Easier to pull for teams that represent a bit of all of us.

Lots of good young Ky players moving up the ranks. Indiana has a bunch. Look at Purdue’s roster of double digit in state kids. Had a great couple years and will be a top 10 team again next year and a favorite to win it. I think they had 14 Ind kids. Ohio has a bunch of UK support. UK’s staff just has to make the effort.

Stop the drama.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Uk needs a new coach but we need the vast majority of the players to be good transfers and good freshmen.

If you want to fill spots 11 to 13 each season with some local cases im ok with that. This isn't the 1940s though so gonna need to recruit both transfers and recruit nationally to win titles.

 

[Kybluedude]

I’ll take my chances with more home grown talent. Transfers and 5* freshmen mercenaries doesn’t seem to be working and on top of that it’s losing the fan base. Let’s get back to the roots of UK basketball.

 

[Louis_Skunt]

Kentucky kids were great 30 years ago but theyre not getting UK to a final four.

 

[WeWant9]

It’s all about winning. I don’t care if the players are from KY, across the country, or even international. Just put together a team that plays team ball and can win.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Kentucky kids were great 30 years ago but theyre not getting UK to a final four.

Neither are these fake elites that Cal's been recruiting since 2018.

 

[Louis_Skunt]

Neither are these fake elites that Cal's been recruiting since 2018.

This class isn't the norm. I'll take them over any class made with KY kids.

 

[HenryMuto]

Kentucky basketball is becoming a joke. They are the only team where guys projected not to get drafted stay in the draft while others like Purdue get their big man back.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

I’ll take my chances with more home grown talent. Transfers and 5* freshmen mercenaries doesn’t seem to be working and on top of that it’s losing the fan base. Let’s get back to the roots of UK basketball.

Most fans want to win. Your idea will result in even worse seasons. Ky high school talent is overall weak.

 

[catsfanbgky]

I’ll take my chances with more home grown talent. Transfers and 5* freshmen mercenaries doesn’t seem to be working and on top of that it’s losing the fan base. Let’s get back to the roots of UK basketball.

And the 9-16 season would beco.e the norm. Not a bad 2 or 3 year stretch but EVERY year UK would finish below .500 and miss the tournament. If you are being serious, you need to learn more about basketball. Take the best 8 player from the state of KY this year, you won't win 10 games. Maybe not 5. Get a clue, knee-jerk much?

 

[Kybluedude]

Most fans want to win. Your idea will result in even worse seasons. Ky high school talent is overall weak.

Tri state talent not just Ky and not the whole team. 6 or 7 core multi year guys supplemented by a couple national stars and transfers and definitely including a few high level Ky players.

Shepherd and Perry are very good. Johnson and multiple other young guys coming up. Ky HS basketball has vastly improved. Those guys would be a good start to what I would like to see.

Like what Purdue does with all it’s instate committed kids. They win and develop them and have a whole core bunch returning. Wouldn’t be at all surprised to see them win it all without any 5 stars. . Certainly like their chances better than ours.

I like seeing locals playing at UK much more than many of the mercenaries we seem to be getting lately without naming names. One foot out the door with their hands out taking and taking with their “advisers”. Just tired of it.

Give me a UK team that’s easy to root for and not a poor g league group.

 

[Kybluedude]

And the 9-16 season would beco.e the norm. Not a bad 2 or 3 year stretch but EVERY year UK would finish below .500 and miss the tournament. If you are being serious, you need to learn more about basketball. Take the best 8 player from the state of KY this year, you won't win 10 games. Maybe not 5. Get a clue, knee-jerk much?

Nobody said said take 8 players from Ky this year or any year. Comprehension. Add a couple Tri state and/or talented instate guys every year until you build up a solid multi year core. Have 6 or 7 developing on the roster at all times and supplement them with a couple transfers and 5 stars.

However, play them and not just the last 30 seconds in a 18 point win.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Nobody said said take 8 players from Ky this year or any year. Comprehension. Add a couple Tri state and/or talented instate guys every year until you build up a solid multi year core. Have 6 or 7 developing on the roster at all times and supplement them with a couple transfers and 5 stars.

However, play them and not just the last 30 seconds in a 18 point win.

No coach is going to do that. They will not limit themselves geographically. I admire your 1940s level sentiment but to win big you have to recruit nationally.

 

[cathouse]

Kentucky kids were great 30 years ago but theyre not getting UK to a final four.

We're not getting there with 5 star Prima Donnas either.

And the drama they bring is a huge turn off to a lot of fans.

 

[Ky_Bred_Cat]

Balance for goodness sake. Good freshmen, experienced players, tactical portal decisions. Coach them up, teach fundamentals, design offense and defense to maximize talent mix.

Enough of the focus on making headlines and millionaires with freshman five star heavy teams. It will not win championships. UK first.

 

[JHannibalSmith]

Nobody said said take 8 players from Ky this year or any year. Comprehension. Add a couple Tri state and/or talented instate guys every year until you build up a solid multi year core. Have 6 or 7 developing on the roster at all times and supplement them with a couple transfers and 5 stars.

However, play them and not just the last 30 seconds in a 18 point win.

We do have two homegrown studs in the next cpl classes who are absolutely good enough to play at UK. Travis Perry & Jasper Johnson to go with Sheppard would be a really nice core of local talent to start with, over the next 2 years. And, I’m sure there are a few more guys in the area (KY, IN, WV, OH) who could be developed into solid role players, eventually.

 

[Louis_Skunt]

We're not getting there with 5 star Prima Donnas either.

And the drama they bring is a huge turn off to a lot of fans.

Actually, 5 star players are responsible for our latest title and final fours.

 

[track42]

Actually, 5 star players are responsible for our latest title and final fours.

Yeah let's ignore the good,experienced players around them.

 

[cathouse]

Actually, 5 star players are responsible for our latest title and final fours.

It has been a long time since we made a FF.

All of the teams that did make the FF had a group of experienced players to complement the 5 stars.

 

[blackcat714]

Tri state talent not just Ky and not the whole team. 6 or 7 core multi year guys supplemented by a couple national stars and transfers and definitely including a few high level Ky players.

Shepherd and Perry are very good. Johnson and multiple other young guys coming up. Ky HS basketball has vastly improved. Those guys would be a good start to what I would like to see.

Like what Purdue does with all it’s instate committed kids. They win and develop them and have a whole core bunch returning. Wouldn’t be at all surprised to see them win it all without any 5 stars. . Certainly like their chances better than ours.

I like seeing locals playing at UK much more than many of the mercenaries we seem to be getting lately without naming names. One foot out the door with their hands out taking and taking with their “advisers”. Just tired of it.

Give me a UK team that’s easy to root for and not a poor g league group.

Sounds like the unforgettables

 

[AzubuikeandFitch]

Not hating on previous players but a clean slate could be what's needed. Sometimes guys can be solid players but lack the will to win attitude or are below average teammates.

 

[Kybluedude]

Actually, 5 star players are responsible for our latest title and final fours.

All of our championship teams had homegrown Ky players in prominent roles.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

It has been a long time since we made a FF.

All of the teams that did make the FF had a group of experienced players to complement the 5 stars.

2014 was all freshmen and a 5 star sophomore poythress as I recall. But overall. You are correct.

The OP is entitled to his opinion but no coach worth a damn isn't going to recruit nationally.

 

[ryanbruner]

I’ll take my chances with more home grown talent. Transfers and 5* freshmen mercenaries doesn’t seem to be working and on top of that it’s losing the fan base. Let’s get back to the roots of UK basketball.

If you fill a roster full of Kentucky kids…I’m not sure we’d be the university of the cumberlands

 

[Kybluedude]

If you fill a roster full of Kentucky kids…I’m not sure we’d be the university of the cumberlands

Tri state talent not just Ky and not the whole team. 6 or 7 core multi year guys supplemented by a couple national stars and transfers and definitely including a few high level Ky players.

 

[Kybluedude]

2014 was all freshmen and a 5 star sophomore poythress as I recall. But overall. You are correct.

The OP is entitled to his opinion but no coach worth a damn isn't going to recruit nationally.

Tri state talent not just Ky and not the whole team. 6 or 7 core multi year guys supplemented by a couple national stars and transfers and definitely including a few high level Ky players.

 

[ryanbruner]

Tri state talent not just Ky and not the whole team. 6 or 7 core multi year guys supplemented by a couple national stars and transfers and definitely including a few high level Ky players.

Idk I mean maybe that could work but you could make a lot of changes that would work. Starting with firing the dude in charge of the day to day. Also fire his boss.

 

[yoshukai]

UK bball is exhausting. Hate the new transfer portal rules and nil. Hate the constant bickering among our fans. Don’t like the mindset of some of the players. Whiners on all sides.

I honestly would be ok with recruiting as best we can nationally and getting more tri state and in state guys.

There are good players that would come. Not everyone has to be a 5* super athlete.
Get some guys with different skill sets and blend them together. Get guys that want to be here and not have one foot out the door or have a back room of “advisers”. AND play them.

No more holding spots for the jumpers. They made their decision. Cal do what’s best for your employer. Get high iq players.

Solid, fundamentally sound, hard working kids that want to win for UK. Appreciate the tradition. Wanted to play here all their lives. Play with pride for the team. Proud to wear the UK uniform.

Saw a couple of the Ky/Ind all star teams’ players that could contribute at UK over time like Willis and Hawkins did in the past.

I certainly could pull more for UK teams with those type guys than these one year mercenaries. Dislike hearing “my intention is to get in and out asap”.

Get back to our roots. If it takes a different coach so be it. We aren’t competing nationally the way it is. Play hard and together and see what happens. Develop over time.

Make an effort to stabilize and fill out the roster. Couple of national stars plus some tri state kids with different skill sets blended together. Get a core group to be together and play them.

Still have my fingers crossed Cal anticipated the present scenario and has replacements lined up. He needs 3 to 6 guys!

Please don’t tell me the majority of UK fans would be upset if we recruited more locally to gain some stability, pride and developmentally. I think most fans if not 90% would be fine with it. Easier to pull for teams that represent a bit of all of us.

Lots of good young Ky players moving up the ranks. Indiana has a bunch. Look at Purdue’s roster of double digit in state kids. Had a great couple years and will be a top 10 team again next year and a favorite to win it. I think they had 14 Ind kids. Ohio has a bunch of UK support. UK’s staff just has to make the effort.

Stop the drama.

If you actually believe there is even a chance that Cal anticipated the present scenario and has replacements lined up ……then you must believe in the tooth fairy too , lol .

 

[Kybluedude]

If you actually believe there is even a chance that Cal anticipated the present scenario and has replacements lined up ……then you must believe in the tooth fairy too , lol .

I woke up this morning thinking about our team now that the NBA deadline has passed. We support all of our players as they weigh their options and pursue their dreams and it’s my job to make sure these kids are making informed decisions. It may not be what you think or I think - but it’s informed. But that also makes it hard to move until you really know what your roster is going to be.

We’ve prepared for all scenarios and now we can move forward. There’s so much misinformation out there and most of it we can’t address publicly.

Numbers being thrown around just aren’t accurate, who we are in contact with or who we are not in contact with, we don’t make it public. We want players who want this culture, who care about winning, understand what it means to play at Kentucky - both how hard and how rewarding it is - and have the ultimate drive to win and succeed on the biggest stage, which helps everyone. We have a talented group right now which isn’t finished yet, but when it’s done we will have a talented team who will chase the ultimate goal together and make #BBN proud.

 

[yoshukai]

I woke up this morning thinking about our team now that the NBA deadline has passed. We support all of our players as they weigh their options and pursue their dreams and it’s my job to make sure these kids are making informed decisions. It may not be what you think or I think - but it’s informed. But that also makes it hard to move until you really know what your roster is going to be.

We’ve prepared for all scenarios and now we can move forward. There’s so much misinformation out there and most of it we can’t address publicly.

Numbers being thrown around just aren’t accurate, who we are in contact with or who we are not in contact with, we don’t make it public. We want players who want this culture, who care about winning, understand what it means to play at Kentucky - both how hard and how rewarding it is - and have the ultimate drive to win and succeed on the biggest stage, which helps everyone. We have a talented group right now which isn’t finished yet, but when it’s done we will have a talented team who will chase the ultimate goal together and make #BBN proud.

Means nothing. Cal lies ever time his mouth moves .

 

[Bluesbrother]

UK bball is exhausting. Hate the new transfer portal rules and nil. Hate the constant bickering among our fans. Don’t like the mindset of some of the players. Whiners on all sides.

I honestly would be ok with recruiting as best we can nationally and getting more tri state and in state guys.

There are good players that would come. Not everyone has to be a 5* super athlete.
Get some guys with different skill sets and blend them together. Get guys that want to be here and not have one foot out the door or have a back room of “advisers”. AND play them.

No more holding spots for the jumpers. They made their decision. Cal do what’s best for your employer. Get high iq players.

Solid, fundamentally sound, hard working kids that want to win for UK. Appreciate the tradition. Wanted to play here all their lives. Play with pride for the team. Proud to wear the UK uniform.

Saw a couple of the Ky/Ind all star teams’ players that could contribute at UK over time like Willis and Hawkins did in the past.

I certainly could pull more for UK teams with those type guys than these one year mercenaries. Dislike hearing “my intention is to get in and out asap”.

Get back to our roots. If it takes a different coach so be it. We aren’t competing nationally the way it is. Play hard and together and see what happens. Develop over time.

Make an effort to stabilize and fill out the roster. Couple of national stars plus some tri state kids with different skill sets blended together. Get a core group to be together and play them.

Still have my fingers crossed Cal anticipated the present scenario and has replacements lined up. He needs 3 to 6 guys!

Please don’t tell me the majority of UK fans would be upset if we recruited more locally to gain some stability, pride and developmentally. I think most fans if not 90% would be fine with it. Easier to pull for teams that represent a bit of all of us.

Lots of good young Ky players moving up the ranks. Indiana has a bunch. Look at Purdue’s roster of double digit in state kids. Had a great couple years and will be a top 10 team again next year and a favorite to win it. I think they had 14 Ind kids. Ohio has a bunch of UK support. UK’s staff just has to make the effort.

Stop the drama.

I like your post ... nice work.

 

[cathouse]

2014 was all freshmen and a 5 star sophomore poythress as I recall. But overall. You are correct.

The OP is entitled to his opinion but no coach worth a damn isn't going to recruit nationally.

Willie Caulie Stein was starting center on that team best I remember.

He was also a Soph.

Hood and Polson Srs. Didn't play a whole lot but were available when needed. Cal should these type local players to fill out the roster every year.

 

[Kybluedude]

Sounds like the unforgettables

Well maybe that did subconsciously enter my mind but saying that I would say I rooted harder for that likable group and honestly didn’t you think they played a terrific entertaining exciting style? Easy to pull for? Nobody missed a game. All sell outs! BBN all going in the same direction.

I’d go through that again.

What .. one 5* guy surrounded by high iq players with finesse and different skill sets with Ky and Ind 3 stars.

 

[cathouse]

Well maybe that did subconsciously enter my mind but saying that I would say I rooted harder for that likable group and honestly didn’t you think they played a terrific entertaining exciting style? Easy to pull for? Nobody missed a game. All sell outs! BBN all going in the same direction.

I’d go through that again.

What .. one 5* guy surrounded by high iq players with finesse and different skill sets with Ky and Ind 3 stars.

It's simple as this.

Those guys played for the name on the front of the jersey.

That coach, coached for championships.

Oh yeah. They could shoot the dang basketball, and actually make them.

That would be nice to see again.

 

[Louis_Skunt]

All of our championship teams had homegrown Ky players in prominent roles.

KY kids dont win titles, talent does.

 

[catsfanbgky]

Tri state talent not just Ky and not the whole team. 6 or 7 core multi year guys supplemented by a couple national stars and transfers and definitely including a few high level Ky players.

So Purdue, Indiana, Ohio State, Xavier, etc would just roll over and give UK their choice of the top players ? Lol, MOST of the tri state big time talent goes to those schools. Well you could have a team of Keion Brooks like players. We would be elite in no time. Sorry. I like your idealology but it would not cut it. A team built mostly of mediocre talent would be just that, mediocre.

 

[HagginHall1999]

Not hating on previous players but a clean slate could be what's needed. Sometimes guys can be solid players but lack the will to win attitude or are below average teammates.

1/2 glass full but cannot argue

 

[UKWildcats1987]

KY kids dont win titles, talent does.

Yeah, talented KY kids are all I want. Miller, shep , da, etc. Not filling up a roster just because of a zip code.

 

[BBNinSC]

Kentucky is a national recruiter, we don’t want that to change or we’re Georgia basketball.
There is something different with our recruits than other big-time programs. I cannot understand why good players don’t return. Our brand is tarnished with the mass exodus of fringe players. Honestly, if Duke had our roster, everyone would have been back this season except Wallace.

 

[Kybluedude]

Yeah, talented KY kids are all I want. Miller, shep , da, etc. Not filling up a roster just because of a zip code.

You stick with your roster full of Whitneys, Sharpes, Skals, Collins, Askews, Bostons, Clarks, Vanderbilts, Greens, Matthews, Harrows, Lees, Bakers, Juzangs, Fletchers, Hopkins etc. just to name a few.

Specifically avoid any tri state contributors and avoid at all costs Ky players. Ignore that all our title teams had Ky players as major contributors.

Keep filling the UK roster with 5* stars from outside the state. Those Cali guys are killing it here!