vol fan here with a question about the one and done rule

[IL Wildcat]

agreed....but obviously being a tennessee fan we are just on the outside looking in on how this affects our own program

Yes, this is true. However, here is a thought- if elite players stay for 2 seasons, that means there will be more top players from the next recruiting class available. For example, if UK would have still had Jamal Murray and Skal Labissiere on this season's team, it's likely 2 of UK's top players, likely Malik Monk and one of our big men, wouldn't have come to Kentucky. That means somebody else would sign those guys. It's a trickle down effect. A 2-and-done rule would mean every team would get better players, since the top programs can't sign them all. Just a thought. I think it's better for college basketball all around, not just UK.

 

[trinity45]

As the NBA should. They are not a welfare system.

Do you complain at all the employers who require a BS degree for a job that truly doesn't require one?

So now you defend the NBA, why is you think that UK would not be successful if this rule did not exist. UK has been a premier program longer than any other program in the nation, it will be successful far into the future. One and done, none and done, 2 and done, what ever the rules the Cats will have success. Will there be bumps like Billy G yes. In Suttons case he was a great coach but alcohol and his inability to handle the pressure got to him. UK is not for every coach out there. Wait until Duke has to replace K, and see what problems they have. Because without K Duke becomes a so so school again.

 

[brianpoe]

Totally agree. I just think UK would be fine no matter what the rule, and that college basketball as a whole would be better with a team full of PJ Washington's and Tyler Ulis' for 3 years instead of freshman coming and going as often as they do.

Good debate, Brian. Enjoy reading your stuff.

Go back and look at the original projections out of high school, Cousins and Bledsoe were not considered one and done prospects, Orton definitely was not. Just saying if they were allowed to go straight from hish school, Wall most likely would have been the only one of the 3. But it still doesn't matter, in my opinion if a kid wants to try he should be allowed to go right out of high school. This one and done rule is just the NBA protecting their own interests.

@bthaunert screws up my entire 2AD wish with the super elites...

All I know is Cal is thriving like never before with this system.

I'd hate to see it change to straight to HS. We have evidence it is working for us.

 

[brianpoe]

So now you defend the NBA, why is you think that UK would not be successful if this rule did not exist. UK has been a premier program longer than any other program in the nation, it will be successful far into the future. One and done, none and done, 2 and done, what ever the rules the Cats will have success. Will there be bumps like Billy G yes. In Suttons case he was a great coach but alcohol and his inability to handle the pressure got to him. UK is not for every coach out there. Wait until Duke has to replace K, and see what problems they have. Because without K Duke becomes a so so school again.

We go 20 years between titles the old way other than Rick for 3 years and Rupp 70 years ago.

Why disrupt what is working?

Unless you are dissatisfied with our current results...?

 

[bthaunert]

@bthaunert screws up my entire 2AD wish with the super elites...

All I know is Cal is thriving like never before with this system.

I'd hate to see it change to straight to HS. We have evidence it is working for us.

Sorry to burst your bubble my friend!

 

[IL Wildcat]

I just don't see it. Going to college from August - April before cashing in is one thing. Waiting 12 more months is another. I really think that this would never work for the elite guys, but it would work for a guys like Devin Booker and Eric Bledsoe.

Yes, I agree with you. It's a completely different proposition entirely. There is no question, some would go overseas or find other options. But I still believe the majority would go the college route. And I still think Calipari would sign the best of those available.

 

[tHeFeVeR_23]

As a UK fan, I would like for the ultra "one and dones" (Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall, Karl Anthony Towns, and others to stay longer, but this would be for "my benefit" not theirs. Secondly, if "one and dones" stay longer, it means the future "one and dones" UK would have signed will go someplace else because they will seek more playing time.

Finally, UK's tremendous recruiting success under Coach Cal is based in large part on him being a "player's first coach". Cal has successfully marketed this recruiting approach to the point where it has become his brand. The reality is UK's incredible team success over the last 8 years is based on significant player turnover each year. Such an approach creates some fan frustration and elevated levels of expectations (often unrealistic).

Notwithstanding some fan grumbling about "one and dones", UK has not enjoyed the level of team success it has experienced during any prior 8 year period since Adolph Rupp coached UK in the late 40's and early 50's. Prior to Coach Cal becoming our coach, UK had not been to a Final Four in 12 years. Since Cal arrived, UK has been to the Final Four 4 times in 8 years and has won a national championship.

Since Cal arrived, UK has enjoyed its greatest national media exposure and it has been able to sign the largest number of high quality players in its storied basketball history. Indeed, in UK's remarkable basketball history, these times, under Coach Cal are special. We should appreciate this precious present rather than whine when one of our players opts to make millions in the NBA.

Well said, sir.

 

[65pacecar]

Lots of two faced post on this thread. Most of the ones advocating kids jumping to the NBA early based on potential, even if they end up in Europe or the D-League since they will earn money, only worry about playing basketball, learn more of the game with NBA style coaching etc etc etc now want these same kids to be chained to college for a year since one year benefits UK and the college game. Based on the arguments commonly used on this board these kids are better off going straight to the Pros at some level and learning their game/craft instead of wasting time in the college game. Posters saying its fine if Diallo is good enough to go pro after sitting on the bench for a semester should go, now want to force other kids to play a year so their selected college team is good/elite during the process and continue the "tradition" of being great. Like the argument often refers to we have only won 8 titles in 100 years so we have limited success anyway, big deal if we don't get 2012, Davis should have gone pro since he was clearly capable, he would have made more money by being there and learned the NBA game earlier.

 

[brianpoe]

Lots of two faced post on this thread. Most of the ones advocating kids jumping to the NBA early based on potential, even if they end up in Europe or the D-League since they will earn money, only worry about playing basketball, learn more of the game with NBA style coaching etc etc etc now want these same kids to be chained to college for a year since one year benefits UK and the college game. Based on the arguments commonly used on this board these kids are better off going straight to the Pros at some level and learning their game/craft instead of wasting time in the college game. Posters saying its fine if Diallo is good enough to go pro after sitting on the bench for a semester should go, now want to force other kids to play a year so their selected college team is good/elite during the process and continue the "tradition" of being great. Like the argument often refers to we have only won 8 titles in 100 years so we have limited success anyway, big deal if we don't get 2012, Davis should have gone pro since he was clearly capable, he would have made more money by being there and learned the NBA game earlier.

If you want kids to go straight good for you.

I'd like to keep doing what is helping my team win games and still benefits kids.

Also, people don't have a right to a job at whatever age they want...

Almost every job has requirements.

 

[uky8unc5]

I mean no disrespect, but I am stunned by the ignorance of UK history. Cal's time at UK is the "good ole days"....best of my lifetime (dating back to early 1950's).

 

[mrschwump]

I think baseball rule is 3 years.

Or age 21 whichever comes first.

 

[Blueworld_3.0]

I'd like to see the rule changed to two years instead of the one year we have now. Still wouldn't be perfect but, take some stress off of programs like UK that are now effectively going to be replacing the entire roster at least every couple of years if not every year.

 

[65pacecar]

If you want kids to go straight good for you.

I'd like to keep doing what is helping my team win games and still benefits kids.

Also, people don't have a right to a job at whatever age they want...

Almost every job has requirements.

I am not one of the posters that advocate every kid jump ship and go to the draft based on potential whether they are ready or not, or believes they can learn more in the D-League or Europe while hoping to make an NBA roster. But several in this thread that have pushed that narrative in other post all of a sudden want kids to stay at least a year or two since it helps UK, some of the same posters are supporting Diallo going straight to the NBA if he can get drafted. Personally I like the go straight or stay in college for two year route, but I was referring to the constant posters that think every kid that can make anything in any league should jump, the argument is they wont improve their draft stock anyway so they might as well get paid etc etc etc.

 

[brianpoe]

I am not one of the posters that advocate every kid jump ship and go to the draft based on potential whether they are ready or not, or believes they can learn more in the D-League or Europe while hoping to make an NBA roster. But several in this thread that have pushed that narrative in other post all of a sudden want kids to stay at least a year or two since it helps UK, some of the same posters are supporting Diallo going straight to the NBA if he can get drafted. Personally I like the go straight or stay in college for two year route, but I was referring to the constant posters that think every kid that can make anything in any league should jump, the argument is they wont improve their draft stock anyway so they might as well get paid etc etc etc.

I get that.

I still dont see how going straight to the NBA benefits UK though?


I dont think posters are encouraging kids to leave, nor are they happy when they do. However, many understand that a high 1st round guarantee would be stupid to pass up.

The real issue are the kids leaving that have no guarantee and are taking huge risks for themselves and also screwing us. At least Cal knows the studs are leaving and is able to prepare for it.

2013 is a prime example. Teague and Lamb both were expected to be back and Dakari in 2016.

 

[Cats78]

I have to laugh at the "student athlete" and "get to know them long enough" BS. And that's exactly what it is, BS. Especially hearing it from fans of other schools. You and I both know that being a College athlete, especially in basketball and football has NOTHING to with the "student athlete". It's a huge money making business and it's nothing else so quit trying to pretend otherwise. A Tenn fan should definitely know this. You guys have had and have tons of low character athletes who are at your "school" for no other reason than to play a sport. A few may get a legit degree, most won't get one at all and others that do get one rarely did anything to earn it.

Academics? LOL. The clowns at Tenn take joke classes like anyone else. OK, they make a joke out of the college academics part for 3 to 4 years and we have bball players that may take easy classes for 1 year and they are the ones making a mockery of the game. Which is "worse"?

As far as getting to know them? More BS. So, they're supposed to stay a year or two longer, pass up millions so UK fans can "get to know them"? LOL. We heard the same shit from UofL fans for years. Then guess what... they went and pursued two grad transfers from mid majors who played ONE year at the school and they acted like they were gods and tried to give them rings since they had to sit out the tournament cause UofL has been cheating.

Get with Reality.

 

[brianpoe]

I have to laugh at the "student athlete" and "get to know them long enough" BS. And that's exactly what it is, BS. Especially hearing it from fans of other schools. You and I both know that being a College athlete, especially in basketball and football has NOTHING to with the "student athlete". It's a huge money making business and it's nothing else so quit trying to pretend otherwise. A Tenn fan should definitely know this. You guys have had and have tons of low character athletes who are at your "school" for no other reason than to play a sport. A few may get a legit degree, most won't get one at all and others that do get one rarely did anything to earn it.

Academics? LOL. The clowns at Tenn take joke classes like anyone else. OK, they make a joke out of the college academics part for 3 to 4 years and we have bball players that may take easy classes for 1 year and they are the ones making a mockery of the game. Which is "worse"?

As far as getting to know them? More BS. So, they're supposed to stay a year or two longer, pass up millions so UK fans can "get to know them"? LOL. We heard the same shit from UofL fans for years. Then guess what... they went and pursued two grad transfers from mid majors who played ONE year at the school and they acted like they were gods and tried to give them rings since they had to sit out the tournament cause UofL has been cheating.

Get with Reality.

 

[65pacecar]

I still dont see how going straight to the NBA benefits UK though?

It doesn't benefit UK or the NCAA at all, in fact it weakens both. However, many posters push the narrative that if the kid can get into any league at all (NBA, D-League, Aus., Euro, Japan etc.) they should go and get paid; most of that group push the agenda that it is a waste of time or even bad if the kid comes back to College since it wont improve their stock at all. If that is their argument, then any kid with talent should just get paid for it whether it is in the NBA or China instead of going to UK.

Personally I think very few kids are ready out of high school, even if they have the skills etc they dont have the body and going from high school and playing 20 or so games a year to the NBA or D-League and playing a full schedule is brutal, especially the transition of high school kids vs. Pro players bodies, strength, size and muscle. College is actually a nice transition to prepare the guys for the more physical game of the pros that await. Lebron being one exception, but he is a freak of nature.

I remember seeing an interview with Kevin Garnett many moons ago and he mentioned the shock he went through physically when entering the league and how difficult it was and said he would have benefited from a year or two of college to prepare for the pro game, even though he had a long and awesome career.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

We go 20 years between titles the old way other than Rick for 3 years and Rupp 70 years ago.

Why disrupt what is working?

Unless you are dissatisfied with our current results...?

BRIAN- This is a question totally for the fun of it. I'm not baiting and I have no agenda with you. Once you take a shot at it I will never use it in another post..... Let's just say Cal stays 10 more years and everything stays as it is right now. Do you think he will win another title, multiple titles, etc. I realize circumstances will throw things in a tizzy on occasion but I'm just curious how you see the program going if Cal were to remain status quo for ten more years.

 

[lennyd250cat]

I have 0 problem with the OAD players leaving. The players that cal thinks are going to be here for 2-4 yrs that leave after one or two is UK. UK can't recruit a kid for 4 years unlesss he is from Kentucky. All other transfer because they get recruited over. I.e. Wiltjer, Lee, Matthews. Etc.

 

[Soupbean]

Personally I think the old way of watching players develop until their senior year is coming to an end. The only way you get it back is by only recruiting players that can't play. That's not happening at UK.

Other schools are becoming just as impacted as UK, they just aren't handling it well because they are still in denial. Every team recruits one and dones. Every team will lose players after a year or two. Only UK and Duke have a process in place for dealing with it. Every other school is trying to figure out how to turn back the clock.

Understand your point TB and don't totally disagree except for the term "Cant Play". We seem to have come to use this designation for anybody that is not NBA ready in one or two years. There are a ton of players, more than we seem to notice, who CAN play and play great at the college level that never will play a minute in the NBA because they are just not that type of player. Teams like Nova, Gonzaga, Wisconsin do well each year with guys that aren't NBA guys but that doesn't mean they can't play.

Less than 2 percent of players make it to the NBA. That would leave 98 percent of college players in the category of "Cant Play". We know that's not the case because we see good teams with good players every year do well in the tournament. So isn't it logical to think that a good chunk of those in the upper end of the other 98% would be great to have on your team. I think the perfect strategy is to get a mix of both. A couple of 2%ers and the rest in the upper end of the rest and mix that in over time and you win some championships.

 

[brianpoe]

It doesn't benefit UK or the NCAA at all, in fact it weakens both. However, many posters push the narrative that if the kid can get into any league at all (NBA, D-League, Aus., Euro, Japan etc.) they should go and get paid; most of that group push the agenda that it is a waste of time or even bad if the kid comes back to College since it wont improve their stock at all. If that is their argument, then any kid with talent should just get paid for it whether it is in the NBA or China instead of going to UK.

Multiple final fours and a title in 5 years is not good for UK?

Please explain how it has weakened KY since it's implementation?


I agree with the KG comment.

 

[Chuckinden]

I wonder how fans of OAD would feel if Cal was at another school doing what he's doing here.

 

[brianpoe]

BRIAN- This is a question totally for the fun of it. I'm not baiting and I have no agenda with you. Once you take a shot at it I will never use it in another post..... Let's just say Cal stays 10 more years and everything stays as it is right now. Do you think he will win another title, multiple titles, etc. I realize circumstances will throw things in a tizzy on occasion but I'm just curious how you see the program going if Cal were to remain status quo for ten more years.

I am not sure.

But I can tell you that from 1999 until Cal and the OAD here at UK we had 3 Elite Eights and 5 1st weekend losses.

Cal himself, prior to the OAD took 7 years to get UMass to a FF and 7 years before getting Memphis to a FF (with a #1 draft pick)

Cal at UK in 8 seasons - 2 EE's, 2 FF's, 1 Runner Up, 1 Title


Which scenario do you think gives us the better chance to win a title?


I do not see any evidence from our history other than Ricks 3-4 years and Rupp's post world war years that we have dominated like we have with Cal and the OAD.

Nor do I see any history of Cal dominating multiple years like he has here.


The anti OAD's and straight to the league people provide zero evidence that we would have matched Cal's success here without OAD, much less had more success.

It is as if we were so awesome from 1999 to 2008 and Cal messed something up for you guys?

OAD and Cal saved our butts - injuries, coaching, refs and poor shooting have kept our program from potentially 4-5 titles in 8 years... that is AMAZING
(but not good enough for fans ok with no FF's in a decade as long as players return..)

These OAD's were THE reason we were that close and NOT the reason we didnt win all of them.

 

[65pacecar]

Multiple final fours and a title in 5 years is not good for UK?

Please explain how it has weakened KY since it's implementation?


I agree with the KG comment.

I was answering your question of players going straight from High School to the NBA or D-League, not the One and Done players. It was quoted above the statement.

Once again:
"I still dont see how going straight to the NBA benefits UK though?"

 

[brianpoe]

I wonder how fans of OAD would feel if Cal was at another school doing what he's doing here.

Jealous, just like everyone is of us.

You dont like OAD and prefer straight to the league - but have never said how that will help UK or if we would have been as good without it.

 

[TBCat]

As a U.K. Fan wanting straight to league from high school is insane.

We had straight to NBA just a few years ago.

We now have an advantage and some fans want to get rid of it.

Amazingly and mundnumbly awful.

Makes zero sense.

We are blessed with OAD, we have fans that cannot handle the collateral damage of the subculture of players leaving too early that shouldn't have.

Weak Sauce


Not one poster here can make a case that the last 8 years would be remotely close to the success we have had if it were not the OAD.

Yet they keep preaching this insanity.

Totally agree with this. People that want to give up on one and dones are not thinking it over clearly. This is a huge advantage for UK. We were the first school doing this so we now are known as the place to come. Why give that up?

Does anyone really think there is actually such a thing as not recruiting one and dones? Explain to me how you recruit not one and dones? It's not just the top 2 or 3 players in the class anymore. Has anyone forgot where Humphries was ranked? He's leaving early too. Even if you go out and get the 200th ranked player in the class he's still going to go pro the first chance he gets.

All schools are currently recruiting one and dones. Most schools just don't know it yet. As a result we are getting the top 5 picks in the draft one and dones instead of the barely made the 2nd round one and dones. People need to realize this is how it is now. It's not Cal's fault, he just does it better.

 

[Chuckinden]

Jealous, just like everyone is of us.

You dont like OAD and prefer straight to the league - but have never said how that will help UK or if we would have been as good without it.

It's really academic to debate it because it may never go back to straight to the league again.

I would just like to see us have some experience sprinkled in every couple years.

 

[irishcat1965]

obviously kentucky is always going to recruit great no matter the rule....as a kentucky fan would you prefer they change the rule so that you guys can see your players play longer and get more in touch with them as student athletes or would you rather keep the rule as it is and see the turnover every year?


i know that winning is the bottom line and kentucky will win no matter what. just wondered what your preference would be. the rule does not affect us which is another story

I would prefer to keep Wall, Davis and Cousins etc. for two or three years. But it isn't possible under the current set up. Since it isn't possible, I want to continue to get the top talent even if it is for a year. Of course it would be nice to sprinkle in a few two or three year players. But like I said in another thread, if UK has 5 or 6 five stars wanting to commit, are you going to turn some of them away? I know I wouldn't.

 

[stoneycat_20]

I'd like to see a 2 year rule, but the oad is cool as long as we have Cal

 

[TBCat]

I'd like to see a 2 year rule, but the oad is cool as long as we have Cal

Now that's the interesting question. If the rule was changed and all players had to stay 2 years would Cal still have the advantage. He gets a lot of these guys now because he is the best at preparing them for the NBA quickly. If they had to stay no matter what would we still get them?

 

[BostonCat2001]

Now that's the interesting question. If the rule was changed and all players had to stay 2 years would Cal still have the advantage. He gets a lot of these guys now because he is the best at preparing them for the NBA quickly. If they had to stay no matter what would we still get them?

yes because players love and trust cal.

 

[The_Answer1313]

If it went to 2 years, there's no doubt in my mind Cal would still have an advantage

 

[Bluegrassking]

UK would get the best of the best of the kids that were coming to school, just like we do now, except we would get them for 3 years at least. You act like UK never won a title before Cal's system. Hint: we have 7 of them.

A different world than any of the rest. Even in 96 and 98 not going to school was super rare and even most elite players were around for a couple years. Before that you aren't even apples to oranges anymore, even Jordan played two years. Twenty, forty, sixty, and eighty years all make a significant difference.

Nowadays, even K can only hold a Kennard a couple years.

 

[Bluegrassking]

We'd still be getting the best available players every year - and developing them over multiple years. How is that less competitive than what we're currently doing?

Because it is a regression toward the mean. Way less difference between say 30th and 100th than it is from 5th to 30th.

Then there is the issue with the talented bigs being much more likely to be gone which ramps up the more general previous concern which tends not to be just our advantage but the biggest difference between the power schools and mid majors as well.

 

[KyCatFan]

I'm all for a straight from high school or a minimum of 2 years in college if you don't go straight to the NBA. Pitino had a Championship, runner up, a Final Four, and 2 Elite Eights in 6 tournament eligible years. He did that with zero OAD players. Sure times changed, but he was effective with the rules in place. So was Coach K.

Coach Cal has also been effective with the rules that are in place now. He was actually an innovator in the way he started recruiting large numbers of OAD players and winning with that. Changing the rules doesn't effect what he already has done here. He is a known commodity now and if he had to only recruit players that are 2 to 4 year players, I believe he would still have the best available players going forward.

The rule change wouldn't just effect us. Other big time programs would miss out on top players as well. One (or 3) top player/s can help lead a team to the title. Syracuse doesn't win it without Carmelo Anthony. We likely don't win without Anthony Davis. Duke likely doesn't win without their trio of OAD players in 2015. The teams that did win without OAD players would not have the same players that they won with more than likely. Teams like UK, Duke, and Kansas would take the top available 5 and 4 stars and cause a domino effect for the rest of the teams.

We would still have the best players possible, but they would be around longer and become more experienced and make up for not being the elite level players. Wouldn't a second year Bam be as good or better than most any top big man in the 2017 recruiting class? As long as we have one of the best coaches who can recruit the best available players then we can still be very good. Maybe not quite as many Final Fours, but possibly more titles.

 

[K-Town Kat]

One and done will never affect Tennessee, as it involves signing 5 stars, so I wouldn't worry about it OP.

 

[brianpoe]

I'm all for a straight from high school or a minimum of 2 years in college if you don't go straight to the NBA. Pitino had a Championship, runner up, a Final Four, and 2 Elite Eights in 6 tournament eligible years. He did that with zero OAD players. Sure times changed, but he was effective with the rules in place. So was Coach K.

Coach Cal has also been effective with the rules that are in place now. He was actually an innovator in the way he started recruiting large numbers of OAD players and winning with that. Changing the rules doesn't effect what he already has done here. He is a known commodity now and if he had to only recruit players that are 2 to 4 year players, I believe he would still have the best available players going forward.

The rule change wouldn't just effect us. Other big time programs would miss out on top players as well. One (or 3) top player/s can help lead a team to the title. Syracuse doesn't win it without Carmelo Anthony. We likely don't win without Anthony Davis. Duke likely doesn't win without their trio of OAD players in 2015. The teams that did win without OAD players would not have the same players that they won with more than likely. Teams like UK, Duke, and Kansas would take the top available 5 and 4 stars and cause a domino effect for the rest of the teams.

We would still have the best players possible, but they would be around longer and become more experienced and make up for not being the elite level players. Wouldn't a second year Bam be as good or better than most any top big man in the 2017 recruiting class? As long as we have one of the best coaches who can recruit the best available players then we can still be very good. Maybe not quite as many Final Fours, but possibly more titles.

Different culture 20 years ago with Rick.

Times have changed. Look how many underclassmen have declared the last 2 drafts - more than available picks...

This isnt 1996 anymore, payouts on 2nd contracts are now $100M...

Please see @Bluegrassking 's post above.

OAD has benefited UK tremendously, not wanting it makes absolutely zero sense if you are a UK fan.

It is like saying we get the best 3 point shooters every year (LOL) but you are ok with doing away with the 3 point line... why be ok losing our great advantage?

I'm not sure why people do not understand that the elite are so far ahead from the rest of the class. Best of the rest is not cut and dry like the top 5-10 players (with some outliers obviously).


"Not as many Final Fours but more titles"

That is crazy - we would have less chances to ever get there, but a better chance to win if we do make it????

Tell me which OAD lost us a title?

PPAT and Miller in 2010? Because without Wall, Bledsoe and Cousins we are not even there.

Harrelson, Miller and Liggins in 2011? Without Knight, Jones and Lamb we are not even close.

AD and MKG helped carry us, not hold us back in 2012.

2014 was all freshmen, they went to the title game.....without WCS and Randle hurt...

2015 we played 4 minutes of bad basketball with our sophomore guards and our Junior center who didnt show up at all... but our OAD KAT did...


This argument for allowing straight to high school from UK fans is really interesting.

No one can make a solid argument how it would improve UK or that we would have been just as good the last 8 years. Keep in mind it took Cal 8 years to get to a FF at Memphis and that season finally happened with a #1 pick OAD...

 

[MakinMusic]

The only reason I would want to see it change is for us to keep some great players longer. It has nothing to do with me wanting to get to know the player better.

 

[KyCatFan]

Different culture 20 years ago with Rick.

Times have changed. Look how many underclassmen have declared the last 2 drafts - more than available picks...

This isnt 1996 anymore, payouts on 2nd contracts are now $100M...

Please see @Bluegrassking 's post above.

OAD has benefited UK tremendously, not wanting it makes absolutely zero sense if you are a UK fan.

It is like saying we get the best 3 point shooters every year (LOL) but you are ok with doing away with the 3 point line... why be ok losing our great advantage?

I'm not sure why people do not understand that the elite are so far ahead from the rest of the class. Best of the rest is not cut and dry like the top 5-10 players (with some outliers obviously).


"Not as many Final Fours but more titles"

That is crazy - we would have less chances to ever get there, but a better chance to win if we do make it????

Tell me which OAD lost us a title?

PPAT and Miller in 2010? Because without Wall, Bledsoe and Cousins we are not even there.

Harrelson, Miller and Liggins in 2011? Without Knight, Jones and Lamb we are not even close.

AD and MKG helped carry us, not hold us back in 2012.

2014 was all freshmen, they went to the title game.....without WCS and Randle hurt...

2015 we played 4 minutes of bad basketball with our sophomore guards and our Junior center who didnt show up at all... but our OAD KAT did...


This argument for allowing straight to high school from UK fans is really interesting.

No one can make a solid argument how it would improve UK or that we would have been just as good the last 8 years. Keep in mind it took Cal 8 years to get to a FF at Memphis and that season finally happened with a #1 pick OAD...

Of course no one can prove one way or the other if things could be better or worse with a different approach, but you don't think a talented and experienced tournament team is more likely to win the title then an inexperienced team in their first tournament? It is rare for a freshmen dominated team to win the title. We've been fortunate that Coach Cal is great at getting freshmen to play well together and get to 4 Final Fours. Who's to say he couldn't do the same with the best of the players that don't bypass college? Like you said this is a different era of college basketball, but this would be under a different Coach Cal than the one at UMass and Memphis.

It's been a great run and I hope it continues, but I'm starting to get burnt out with basically following a new team every year. I liked it at first when top recruiting classes were new to us. I just would like more stability. To get more players that choose to return over taking a chance and going pro. Every other school seems to get their iffy pro prospects to come back and some get lottery picks to come back. It would be nice to have more players come back without a lockout involved in the decision.

I'll always follow and support us no matter what as long as it isn't the Carolina way.

 

[willievic]

personally, if the kid is good enough to go right from high school, let him. The NBA has turned the NCAA into it's own free D league for these 1 year guys just so they can get a better look at them.

I agree. If he wants to attend college, he should stay for 3 years, at least. If he's good enough to go out of high school, adios.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!