[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

 With three losses already, I think questions about Calipari and Kentucky’s one and done yearly system are inevitable.  We all know Calipari is the best recruiter in college basketball.  He convinces the best college talent in the country after one year he can make them a first round pick and an instant millionaire.  Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but I think this is absolute horrific for college basketball.  It’s great for the kids because they go on to the NBA and make a ton of money.  It worked out perfectly in 2-12 with the perfect blend of talent and leadetrship in Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and veteran leadership with Doran Lamb and Terrence Jones.  Calipari has been using this system for a good while now at Memphis and Kentucky and he has a national championship and multiple final fours.  His luck recently?  Not so good.  He brought in the number one class last year and went to the NIT and lost to Robert Morris.  After many people compared this years class at Kentucky to the Fab Five and many pundits said it was the greatest recruiting class ever.  His great class has produced losses to Baylor, Michigan State and a UNC a depleted UNC team without PJ Hairston and Leslie Mcdonald.  Kentucky looked extremely unimpressive in those losses.  

I think what has been proven the most in the last two seasons at Kentucky is that amassaing massive loads of talent doesn’t guarantee success and championships.  Chemistry, teamwork, discipline, defense and commitment to the team are necessary along with talent to win in college basketball.  Kentucky is lacking in all of these areas right now.  Will Calipari ever change his system and if not, how often can he have a 2012 type of perfect storm season with his one and done philosophy?

 

 

 

[DunksNJordans23Participant]

 Since Cal has been at UK he has had the benefit of having holdovers that were upperclassmen. 2012 they had Miller (SR) and Vargas both seniors and sophomores Jones and Lamb who went to the final four they previous year, 2011 they had Liggins, Miller (JR), and Harrelson blended with a freshmen Knight, Lamb, and Jones, then Cal’s first year he had Junior Pattrick Patterson who was a highly ranked recruit that lived up to most expectations with Miller and Liggins who were joined by super freshmen Cousins, Wall, and Bledsoe.

 

Ultimately it seems like in "Cal’s system" he really needs veteran player so he can pull the freshmen out when they screw up so he can give them a teaching moment so they can be more prepared later in the season. The Brandon Knight team was pretty bad at first but they came together in the SEC tourney and made a run to the final four. 

We will see how having nine freshmen works for the Wildcats this year but I suspect this class will make him benefit in future years with Willis, Hawkins, and Floreal looking like 3-4 year players.

That’s just my take. I may be wrong, but I accept it.

 

 

 

 

[DunksNJordans23Participant]

 Since Cal has been at UK he has had the benefit of having holdovers that were upperclassmen. 2012 they had Miller (SR) and Vargas both seniors and sophomores Jones and Lamb who went to the final four they previous year, 2011 they had Liggins, Miller (JR), and Harrelson blended with a freshmen Knight, Lamb, and Jones, then Cal’s first year he had Junior Pattrick Patterson who was a highly ranked recruit that lived up to most expectations with Miller and Liggins who were joined by super freshmen Cousins, Wall, and Bledsoe.

 

Ultimately it seems like in "Cal’s system" he really needs veteran player so he can pull the freshmen out when they screw up so he can give them a teaching moment so they can be more prepared later in the season. The Brandon Knight team was pretty bad at first but they came together in the SEC tourney and made a run to the final four. 

We will see how having nine freshmen works for the Wildcats this year but I suspect this class will make him benefit in future years with Willis, Hawkins, and Floreal looking like 3-4 year players.

That’s just my take. I may be wrong, but I accept it.

 

 

 

 

[3 No Biases 3Participant]

Regardless of your biased opinion, Calipari doesnt guarantee you anything when you go to Kentucky.  He says if you listen to him and buy in to a team game, the NBA will come.  The pressure at Kentucky is far greater than any other program so he tells these kids up front its not for everybody.   And how is UK horrible for college basketball??? The 1 and done rule is whats horrible about college ball.  Calipari just recruits the best players and normally showcases their talents much better than other top programs.  Face it, guys like Goodwin, Bledsoe, and Orton are not 1 and done if they dont go to UK.   

Every team needs veteran leadership because they are the ones who are in desparation mode.  UK doesnt have it this year and they didnt have it last year, but this is only his 5th year and all the guys on the team besides Randle and Cauley-Stein (maybe Young) will most likely come back next year.  

Its easy to overreact and yes they do look pitiful this year, but as many 5 star players he gets they will be in the hunt year after year.  Last year they had an overrated class, no upperclassmen, and still would have made the tourney without Noel’s injury…if thats the worst year under Calipari, I think UK fans will take it.

[3 No Biases 3Participant]

Regardless of your biased opinion, Calipari doesnt guarantee you anything when you go to Kentucky.  He says if you listen to him and buy in to a team game, the NBA will come.  The pressure at Kentucky is far greater than any other program so he tells these kids up front its not for everybody.   And how is UK horrible for college basketball??? The 1 and done rule is whats horrible about college ball.  Calipari just recruits the best players and normally showcases their talents much better than other top programs.  Face it, guys like Goodwin, Bledsoe, and Orton are not 1 and done if they dont go to UK.   

Every team needs veteran leadership because they are the ones who are in desparation mode.  UK doesnt have it this year and they didnt have it last year, but this is only his 5th year and all the guys on the team besides Randle and Cauley-Stein (maybe Young) will most likely come back next year.  

Its easy to overreact and yes they do look pitiful this year, but as many 5 star players he gets they will be in the hunt year after year.  Last year they had an overrated class, no upperclassmen, and still would have made the tourney without Noel’s injury…if thats the worst year under Calipari, I think UK fans will take it.

[JStin82Participant]

To answer your question Tar Heel, no I do not believe that Cal will change his philosophy under the current rules that are in place. The biggest problem with his current cast is they have not all bought in to playing team basketball. It takes time and just because Anthony Davis and MKG were able to figure it out does not mean that every freshman will be able to do so. Every kid is different but the 2012 squad proved that relying heavily on freshman can work.

[JStin82Participant]

To answer your question Tar Heel, no I do not believe that Cal will change his philosophy under the current rules that are in place. The biggest problem with his current cast is they have not all bought in to playing team basketball. It takes time and just because Anthony Davis and MKG were able to figure it out does not mean that every freshman will be able to do so. Every kid is different but the 2012 squad proved that relying heavily on freshman can work.

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