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[Brian Fellows]

I forgot about the Gators but I really don't think UCLA is any sort of threat in this one. Really the only advantage I see UCLA having is Alford's willingness to strong arm rape victims. But that's only an advantage if the kid is looking to be the campus rapist and I don't think that is in Looney's plans at all.

And if that were the case Alford might still lose Looney to Izzo.

 

[Fjordson]

Emmanuel Mudiay has his final five schools set:

Baylor, Kansas, Oklahoma State, SMU and Kentucky.

Really hope Calipari can get him.

 

[Grover Cleveland]

Duke's full non conference schedule has been leaked:

Play home and homes with UNC, Wake, Georgia Tech and Syracuse.

Play AT Pitt, Notre Dame, Boston College, Clemson and Miami.

Play Virginia Tech, UVA, Maryland, NC State, FSU at Home.

10/18 - Countdown to Craziness

11/02 - Drury (Home) Exhibition

11/8 - Davidson (Home)

11/12 - Kansas in Chicago in the Champions Classic.

11/15 - Florida Atlantic (Home)

11/18 - Norfolk State (Home - NIT Season Tipoff)

11/24 - Vermont (Home)

12/3 - Michigan (Home - ACC/B1G Challenge)

12/16 - Gardner-Webb (Home)

12/19 - UCLA at MSG in CARQUEST Auto Parts Classic (7:30PM on ESPN)

12/28 - Eastern Michigan (Home)

12/31 - Elon (Greensboro)

1/13 - Virginia (Home) (7PM on ESPN) -- "Big Monday"

1/27 - Pittsburgh (AWAY) (7PM on ESPN) -- "Big Monday"

They could also play Arizona in the final of the pre-season NIT

 

[Outdoor Miner]

Emmanuel Mudiay has his final five schools set:

Baylor, Kansas, Oklahoma State, SMU and Kentucky.

Really hope Calipari can get him.

Reads like a who's who of college bball sleaze. Yeah that recruitment is definitely on the up and up.

 

[Fjordson]

Reads like a who's who of college bball sleaze. Yeah that recruitment is definitely on the up and up.

:lol I get hating Coach Cal and Drew at Baylor, but Bill Self and Larry Brown?

 

[chris121580]

Aaaand James Blackmon Jr. just decommitted from IU. This is a huge blow

 

[Fjordson]

Aaaand James Blackmon Jr. just decommitted from IU. This is a huge blow

Apparently a bunch of coaches are already recruiting him now. His father (a Kentucky alum) says Calipari has already offered him.

 

[Grover Cleveland]

Apparently a bunch of coaches are already recruiting him now. His father (a Kentucky alum) says Calipari has already offered him.

UK insiders seem to think both he and Trey Lyles will end up at Kentucky

 

[Fjordson]

UK insiders seem to think both he and Trey Lyles will end up at Kentucky

Yeah, Matt Jones from Kentucky Sports Radio is saying he thinks Lyles is going to UK after what he heard this week.

All just guessing really, though I will say that Jones rarely makes predictions and when he does he's been correct (he was firm about Randle to UK pretty early this year and Wiggins not at UK as well). So I feel good about that. Jerry Meyer from 247 also has Lyles to UK.

I think Cliff Alexander is the best PF in the class and it seemed for a while that we had a real shot at him, but now it seems like Kansas has moved ahead of us there. Still, Lyles ain't no slouch, so I'll take happily take him instead of Alexander.

There's also Jahlil Okafor visiting for UK's alumni game next month (this class seems loaded with good bigs) and his AAU coach recently said that he's always liked UK, but I think it's just for show before him and Tyus Jones go to Duke. I think our frontcourt will be Towns and Lyles (and one or two leftover from this year if we're lucky like Marcus Lee).

Edit: jeez, looking around a bit on my phone right now and almost everyone is jumping on Blackmon and Lyles to UK. Even like Kansas and Duke insiders. Sort of surprised about Blackmon. Wonder why he decommitted from Indiana.

 

[truly101]

Yeah, Matt Jones from Kentucky Sports Radio is saying he thinks Lyles is going to UK after what he heard this week.

All just guessing really, though I will say that Jones rarely makes predictions and when he does he's been correct (he was firm about Randle to UK pretty early this year and Wiggins not at UK as well). So I feel good about that. Jerry Meyer from 247 also has Lyles to UK.

I think Cliff Alexander is the best PF in the class and it seemed for a while that we had a real shot at him, but now it seems like Kansas has moved ahead of us there. Still, Lyles ain't no slouch, so I'll take happily take him instead of Alexander.

There's also Jahlil Okafor visiting for UK's alumni game next month (this class seems loaded with good bigs) and his AAU coach recently said that he's always liked UK, but I think it's just for show before him and Tyus Jones go to Duke. I think our frontcourt will be Towns and Lyles (and one or two leftover from this year if we're lucky like Marcus Lee).

Edit: jeez, looking around a bit on my phone right now and almost everyone is jumping on Blackmon and Lyles to UK. Even like Kansas and Duke insiders. Sort of surprised about Blackmon. Wonder why he decommitted from Indiana.

Okafor's last official is at Duke, which doesn't mean everything but it's usually a good sign. Duke insiders (homers) say Jones is a lock and the Okafor recruitment has a very strong similarity to Irving's. I'm not going to lie, Okafor is a massively important recruit for Duke. If he balks and goes somewhere else, then K is going to be resigned to coaching projects and goofs at the 5 until he retires.

 

[Grover Cleveland]

Okafor's last official is at Duke, which doesn't mean everything but it's usually a good sign. Duke insiders (homers) say Jones is a lock and the Okafor recruitment has a very strong similarity to Irving's. I'm not going to lie, Okafor is a massively important recruit for Duke. If he balks and goes somewhere else, then K is going to be resigned to coaching projects and goofs at the 5 until he retires.

Jones and Okafor just announced that they are visiting Duke together Oct. 25.

And I agree with your point on Okafor. He's the most important recruit in this class by far for Duke. It's Okafor or bust for me.

 

[Fjordson]

Imagine Okafor on Duke this year, with the wing players you guys have. Holy fuck, super team right there.

But yeah, Okafor and Tyus will be playing for Coach K I think. Pains me say it, but oh well. Will still be fun to watch them play on the same team.

edit: wtf, all 18 insider predictions on 247 sports have James Blackmon Jr. to UK. What a weird turn in his recruitment.

 

[truly101]

Imagine Okafor on Duke this year, with the wing players you guys have. Holy fuck, super team right there.

But yeah, Okafor and Tyus will be playing for Coach K I think. Pains me say it, but oh well. Will still be fun to watch them play on the same team.

edit: wtf, all 18 insider predictions on 247 sports have James Blackmon Jr. to UK. What a weird turn in his recruitment.

Both Parker and his parents insist he's not a one and done-r, so you could have that super team next year. I don't expect Parker to stay and if he's top five he needs to go. If we get more than 11 games from him, that will be pretty rad.

 

[Fjordson]

Yeah, I doubt Parker stays. I remember Michael Kidd-Gilchrist saying he was staying a few months into the season. Or Archie Goodwin declaring for the draft a few weeks after he said "nah, I'm just not ready for the NBA. If any of us (on UK) say we need to leave then we're delusional". Would be neat for college bball for someone as good as Parker to stay, but I'll be shocked if he does. Especially since he'll certainly be a top 5 pick.

 

[Grover Cleveland]

Yeah, I doubt Parker stays. I remember Michael Kidd-Gilchrist saying he was staying a few months into the season. Or Archie Goodwin declaring for the draft a few weeks after he said "nah, I'm just not ready for the NBA. If any of us (on UK) say we need to leave then we're delusional". Would be neat for college bball for someone as good as Parker to stay, but I'll be shocked if he does. Especially since he'll certainly be a top 5 pick.

Just not worth risking a serious injury by coming back another year. Kyrie was fortunate that he came out in a relatively weak draft and didn't lose any draft position. But more often that not, you end up getting "Nerlens Noelled" (dropping out of the top 5 altogether)

 

[PotatoeMasher]

Wonder why he decommitted from Indiana.

creanmouthkiss.jpg

 

[Fjordson]

Devin Booker tweeted his final five: Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan St., Missouri.

Always glad when UK is in the running for a 5* recruit, though it seems lately that most think he's going to Michigan.

 

[Brian Fellows]

Devin Booker cut his list to 5 tonight.

" @DevinBook: Top five- Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan St. & Missouri. No order. "

 

[DominoKid]

duke fans gonna miss this

 

[vas_a_morir]

Devin Booker cut his list to 5 tonight.

" @DevinBook: Top five- Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan St. & Missouri. No order. "

Why is Kentucky always in the running for every recruit?

 

[Grover Cleveland]

ESPN College Gameday Schedule was released

January 18 Philadelphia, Pa.
Storrs, Conn. 10 a.m.& 8 p.m.
Louisville at Connecticut 9 p.m.

January 25 East Lansing, Mich. 10 a.m. & 6 p.m.
Michigan at Michigan State 7 p.m.

February 1 Syracuse, N.Y. 10 a.m. & 6 p.m.
Duke at Syracuse 6:30 p.m.

February 8 Memphis, Tenn. 10 a.m. & 8 p.m.
Gonzaga at Memphis 9 p.m.

February 15 Lexington, Ky. 10 a.m. & 8 p.m.
Florida at Kentucky 9 p.m.

February 22 Boulder, Colo. or
Palo Alto, Calif. 10 a.m. & 8 p.m.
Arizona at Colorado or UCLA at Stanford 9

March 1 Stillwater, Okla. 10 a.m. & 8 p.m.
Kansas at Oklahoma State 9 p.m.

March 8 Durham, N.C. 10 a.m. & 8 p.m.
North Carolina at Duke 9 p.m.

Syracuse might move the basketball court to the center of the Carrier Dome for the Duke game. If that happens, it will probably end up as the highest attended (on campus) college basketball game ever.
__________________________________________________

duke fans gonna miss this

Sonya

 

[Fjordson]

Trey Lyles will be at UK's Big Blue Madness for an official visit. So that's Lyles, Emmanuel Mudiay, Devin Booker and Stanley Johnson all coming to Big Blue Madness. Also possible that Rashad Vaughn and Kelly Oubre will be there.

If Calipari can land at least 3 from that group I'll be hyped.

 

[Brian Fellows]

While Booker cut to 5 it sounds like UM, MSU, and UK are well ahead of Mizzou and UF.

 

[Bowser]

andybechtel: Bubba Cunningham takes a PJ question. "Will he play?" Answer: "Yes, but not all the games."

Interesting...

 

[Grover Cleveland]

andybechtel: Bubba Cunningham takes a PJ question. "Will he play?" Answer: "Yes, but not all the games."

Interesting...

3 games at the beginning that UNC would win by 70leven million points anyway.

The only way a PJ suspension seriously hurts is if he misses significant time in the Hall-of-Fame tip off. They probably weren't going to beat Louisville with PJ. Playing them without him...

 

[Fjordson]

Calipari offered Tyler Ulis yesterday (2014 PG).

Sort of surprising to me. I mean the kid is talented, but I just hope this doesn't affect anything with Emmanuel Mudiay. He's the most important recruit for UK in this class by far.

 

[truly101]

http://kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=138564

So did Gregg Doyel really say UK would go 40 and 0 or did he really say "watch me make the line between respected journalist and bullshit internet blogger even smaller"

I suppose its possible UK could go 40-0, but I wouldn't bet on it. Too much to stake on kids that have not played together much and are very young. Winning the tourney is more reasonable.

 

[Fjordson]

He did. Kinda. He said on paper they have a chance and that they're the best team, but he mentioned how the tourney is such a crap shoot so you never know.

I don't really give a shit about going undefeated. I just want us playing well and injury free come March.

Edit: lots of UK predictions now for Tyler Ulis with Calipari's offer from yesterday. I pray this doesn't signal doubt from the staff about Mudiay.

Though I guess if it was I feel like we would have offered Josh Perkins instead of Ulis. Lots of talk that Perkins would have chose UK if an offer had come through.

 

[PotatoeMasher]

Doyel didn't put any qualifiers on the 40-0 thing. Matt even offered him the chance to back off of it and he didn't.

 

[Grover Cleveland]

Doyel didn't put any qualifiers on the 40-0 thing. Matt even offered him the chance to back off of it and he didn't.

Kentucky plays Mich St.(in Chicago), UNC(away), and Louisville (at home) in the nonconference

I bet they lose at least one of those three games.

 

[Fjordson]

Yep, those will be tough. As will the Florida game away from Rupp.

Michigan State will be the toughest I think. It's away from home against a veteran team and it's very early in the season. Hopefully our freshmen will be up to the challenge.

The UNC game will be tough simply because the Dean Dome ain't no slouch as far as home court advantages go. I feel that we're the better team (or at least more talented) and should be able to win, but it will still be tough. Especially if Hairston is playing.

And U of L will be difficult for sure, but that's at Rupp and a bit into the season. If our freshmen are anywhere close to as good as their class rankings then I think we can beat them. We were close last year at Louisville with Harrow and company :lol

 

[DominoKid]

10 Schedule Thoughts

1. By the time exams are over, we'll have an unusually good read on the 2014 Tar Heels. Carolina could play defending national champion Louisville in Connecticut on Nov. 24, then travels to Michigan State on Dec. 4, then hosts Kentucky on Dec. 14. The tough trio should mark just the third time in program history that Carolina has played three top-10 teams before Christmas (the first was a 2-1 mark in Dec. 1967, the other was a 1-2 mark in Dec. 2009). If likely preseason rankings hold, it could mark the first time ever the Tar Heels have played three top-five teams before Christmas.

 

[Fjordson]

Emmanuel Mudiay is announcing suddenly where he's choosing tomorrow. Doesn't bode well for UK, and lots of insiders over at 247 are switching their UK prediction to SMU.

Goddamnit. This will be a massive loss for UK, Mudiay was seen as a lock for a while. Going to miss out on Mudiay, Tyus Jones and Josh Perkins now. Fuck me.

SMU over Kentucky man...not a good look for us =[

Edit: wow, everyone predicting SMU now. We just got owned by Larry Brown.

 

[Grover Cleveland]

Emmanuel Mudiay is announcing suddenly where he's choosing tomorrow. Doesn't bode well for UK, and lots of insiders over at 247 are switching their UK prediction to SMU.

Goddamnit. This will be a massive loss for UK, Mudiay was seen as a lock for a while. Going to miss out on Mudiay, Tyus Jones and Josh Perkins now. Fuck me.

SMU over Kentucky man...not a good look for us =[

Edit: wow, everyone predicting SMU now. We just got owned by Larry Brown.

No shame in that.

Larry Brown is an elite recruiter, even if it he's a bit "outdated".

 

[Fjordson]

No shame in that.

Larry Brown is an elite recruiter, even if it he's a bit "outdated".

I agree in the general scheme of things, but he was seen as a UK lock. For it to change suddenly is a real gut punch.

Though maybe this is just a reminder to not always listen to what "insiders" are saying. Just last week every one of them on 247 Sports had Mudiay going to UK.

Also, I've already seen "$MU" in the topic about this on Rupp's Rafters lmao. I pray our fans don't riot on twitter tomorrow.

 

[Randolph Freelander]

I think this just means Kentucky gets all those people that people think are going to Duke.

 

[Grover Cleveland]

Losing Mudiay probably means that Cal will start paying more attention to Tyus Jones.

He doesn't have the prototypical build or athleticism of a Calipari point guard like Mudiay does, but he's still a much better option than Tyler Ulis.

 

[Fjordson]

Eh, I'd love Jones and Okafor, but I doubt it. Just means we'll have Ulis instead of Mudiay. And probably lose out on one or two more as a result =[

 

[perfectchaos007]

What do you guys think of this whole Isaac Hamilton debacle? He signed an LOI to play for UTEP this season, but last month he took a visit to USC and now suddenly he wants to stay close to home and play for USC. He filed an appeal to the NCAA to release him from his LOI and was supposed to report to UTEP this week for fall camp but hasn't reported, obviously, because he wants to play for USC this year now.

So, should LOI's be honored or should he be able to switch last minute to play for USC this year without penalty?

 

[Bowser]

What do you guys think of this whole Isaac Hamilton debacle? He signed an LOI to play for UTEP this season, but last month he took a visit to USC and now suddenly he wants to stay close to home and play for USC. He filed an appeal to the NCAA to release him from his LOI and was supposed to report to UTEP this week for fall camp but hasn't reported, obviously, because he wants to play for USC this year now.

So, should LOI's be honored or should he be able to switch last minute to play for USC this year without penalty?

Coaches don't have to honor their contracts, why do recruits have to honor their LOIs?

 

[DominoKid]

UTEP should let him go but i'm iffy on letting him play this year. Maybe sit out half the season?

 

[perfectchaos007]

Coaches don't have to honor their contracts, why do recruits have to honor their LOIs?

Yeah that's the defense I'm hearing. Although, if that were the case, why have LOI's and contracts at all?

 

[Fjordson]

Well Tyler Ulis will just need to have an Anthony Davis-esque growth spurt at the end of his high school career now. He'll end up as a 6-6 point guard and we'll be golden.

edit: assuming Ulis even comes to UK instead of Michigan St. Maybe Ryan Harrow can come back from Georgia St. if that happens.

Only good piece of UK news right now is that the Harrison twins will be eligible and arrived in Lexington a few days ago.

 

[Grover Cleveland]

Josh Perkins committed to Gonzaga today.

It's looking like its Jones, Ulis, or bust for UK.

Spoiler

UK is getting Tyus, Jah, and Cliff Alexander

/pessimisticdukefan

 

[Brian Fellows]

Ullis is easily the most overrated player in the 2014 class.

 

[Fjordson]

I don't think so. This just doesn't seem to be a great year for Calipari. Sort of like last year (the Noel, Goodwin, Poythress, and Cauley-Stein class) where he missed on Shabazz Muhammad and Anthony Bennett.

Jones and Okafor are visiting Kansas, Baylor and Duke together, but not UK. And Duke is the final visit for both of them. Don't think it looks good.

I hate to act "disappointed" in Ulis. The kid is good and will likely end up in the top 30 on all the ranking sites, but missing on Mudiay and Jones really sucks. Especially when you consider the fact that, other than last year, Kentucky has had the best freshmen point guard in the nation for every season that Calipari has been here. Shit, you can even go back to 2007 when he got the top guard at Memphis with Derrick Rose. And it'll be the same this upcoming season with Andrew Harrison.

 

[Randolph Freelander]

Especially when you consider the fact that, other than last year, Kentucky has had the best freshmen point guard in the nation for every season that Calipari has been here.

Uncle Drew would like a word with you.

 

[Fjordson]

Uncle Drew would like a word with you.

Haha, well at this point sure, Kyrie is better than Brandon Knight, but in college? Knight was a top 5 prospect and led us to the final four. Not much separation between the two.

 

[Karakand]

Yeah that's the defense I'm hearing. Although, if that were the case, why have LOI's and contracts at all?

Well, in the case of contracts, it ensures a current employer is entitled to compensation for the release of their staff under contract.

Not really sure how you can do the same thing for an LOI when the compensation is off the books.

 

[DominoKid]

Haha, well at this point sure, Kyrie is better than Brandon Knight, but in college? Knight was a top 5 prospect and led us to the final four. Not much separation between the two.

Uncle Drew's 11 games were better. So glad he didn't get to play the whole year. College was too easy for him.