I think the OP's point is that there's a qualitative difference between kids like Briscoe and Skal, and guys like Newman. Briscoe and Skal signed with Cal because they wanted to play at Kentucky. Briscoe was rushed by his hometown school, St. John's, but at the end of the day I think Briscoe came to U.K. because for some time, in his heart of hearts, he had just wanted to play at Kentucky. Skal, on the other hand, had no real contending second-place finisher. He said he's always wanted to play at Kentucky, and he committed quickly, etc.
By contrast, Newman never said, "I've always dreamed of playing at Kentucky", or anything like that. He said Kentucky is a great program, etc., etc., but there seemed to be no preexisting allegiance to the 'Cats. There's no problem with that. It's just a different mindset, and I think the kids that have a long-standing predisposition of wanting to play for the 'Cats make the better teammates for each other, in the end. See MKG, etc.
Just MHO, of course.
