[IlladelphParticipant]

Has anyone else noticed that Calipari always seems to be a step ahead of everyone else when it comes to recruiting and marketing UK/himself?

First, it was the "one and done" thing and how he was a shameless promoter of UK as a prep for the NBA.  Recruits have just eaten that up, and he continues to get elite NBA types year in, and year out.  For several years other elite programs/coaches/fans lambasted him with criticism that he was ruining college basketball by going after these elite NBA level talents knowing that they were probably only one or two year "rentals".  Eventually however, even the biggest critics of the "one and done" philosophy have caved and now all programs go after these same guys.  So now the competition is even fiercer to land elite American youth basketball players.

So what does Calipari do?  After missing on most of the elite US targets he had this year (Jaylen Brown, Stephen Zimmerman, Malik Newman, etc…) he somehow still managed to put together the #1 recruiting class yet again.  How could that be you ask?

He is now going outside the US, and is scouting out the best players GLOBALLY.  It will become more clear in the next 3-4 years I suspect as he continues to bring in international elite talents.  Then, after these elite international players start showing up in the lottery for a few years, every other DI coach is going to say "gee, maybe we can get these guys too" and the game will get even better.  Calipari will probably start recruiting Martians, or start cloning players or something.

Say what you want, but Calipari has done more for college basketball than most coaches.  He is always angling, and always seems to be several steps ahead of the Bill Selfs, the coach Ks, and the Roy Williams’ of the coaching world.  He is definitely worth paying attention to.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 It’s pretty clear what his pitch is play for me and I will put you in the NBA and make you rich. Through 6 years at Kentucky he has 24 players that have been drafted. 5 of those players have gotten max contracts out of 9 eligible players. Out of those four that didnt get max contracts 3 of those eligible players were not recruited by him (Liggins, Harrelson, and Patterson) and the other player is Orton. The only way I see Kentucky’s dominance ending is if there is some sort of scandal deeming Calipari banned from the NCAA or Calipari going to the NBA. Kentucky is the best from now on.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 It’s pretty clear what his pitch is play for me and I will put you in the NBA and make you rich. Through 6 years at Kentucky he has 24 players that have been drafted. 5 of those players have gotten max contracts out of 9 eligible players. Out of those four that didnt get max contracts 3 of those eligible players were not recruited by him (Liggins, Harrelson, and Patterson) and the other player is Orton. The only way I see Kentucky’s dominance ending is if there is some sort of scandal deeming Calipari banned from the NCAA or Calipari going to the NBA. Kentucky is the best from now on.

[GBeeParticipant]

 He’s a slick, snake oil salesman always looking for a way to get an edge.  If these kids (and their families) cared about getting better coaching or getting better on their way to the NBA, less recruits would choose his program. There are way better coaches elsewhere.  All they see is player A goes to Kentucky, gets drafted, ignoring the fact that they’d be in the NBA regardless of which program they picked. 

Done more for college basketball? What? You think college basketball likes this 1 and done stuff? You think coaches, programs and fans like seeing 1 and done players come and go, leaving before they make a mark?

 

[IlladelphParticipant]

 GBee,

 

You sound like the tired old Calipari hater.  The fact is that elite college basketball prospects want to make the NBA and make money for themselves and their families.  What is wrong with that?  If Calipari can get them there the quickest then more power to him.

Schools make hundreds of millions of dollars off of the backs of these kids.  It’s all a big business anyway.  Shouldn’t the players themselves benefit as well?

Calipari once said that if UK won the national championship but his players didn’t get drafted then he would be disappointed.  He consistently states that his main priority is to help kids achieve their dreams.  Isn’t that the American dream?

Calipari is a marketing master.  Is he a great coach?  Well he’s won a national championship, and been to back to back final 4s in the last few years.  I think he is one of the best.

People say that it doesn’t matter where these elite kids go, but I disagree.  UK is set up to develop these kids into pro players the fastest.  Have you ever seen their facilities, and looked at their staff?  Is there a coach in college basketball who is more wired in to the NBA than Calipari?  Look at Cauley Stein who wasn’t even top 40 in high school… lottery pick.  Devin Booker was a 4 star recruit… lottery pick.  KAT was always second banana to the great Jahlil Okafor… #1 pick.  Hey, I’m not making this up.  UK players tend to have better NBA careers than top players from other schools.  Again, not making this up.

I am not really a Calipari fan per se, and I am a fan of another SEC team, but damn.  The guy is truly impressive and the numbers/results don’t lie.  Definitely a guy to watch and learn from.  

[GBeeParticipant]

 Stopped at the word "hater." I’ve found people who use that word or any iteration of it are either trolls or too dumb to make a logical argument.

[WinterSoldierParticipant]

 He gave a very logical argument. If anyone is being troll it’s you. You don’t have to love coach Cal or UK to aknowledge he is a smart and innovative coach. He has been successful in winning and preparing his players for the pro game. He also isn’t responsible for the one and done, that would be the NBA and NCAA who made/agreed upon the rule. 

[GBeeParticipant]

 Prepare kids for the NBA? Sure, Only thing he does is lower the barrier to the pros and promote.  There are way better teachers than he is that break the game down and get kids’ to understand the finer points of basketball. His schemes are generic and pale in comparison to his contemporaries. Look at his garbage offense year after year despite the talent he pulls, where often times the best play is to throw junk up on the glass and let the sheer talent and athleticism overwhelm with O-Boards.  Even his defensive schemes are stripped down and generic.  Sag off, switch and stay.  I’d love to see that type of defense being taught at the pro level.  That’s the type of dumb defense that coaches resort to because the players can’t get on the same page, communicate, stay on a string and make multiple help and recoveries.  Last team I saw play that type of defense in the NBA was the Knicks under Mike Woodson.  

Coach K, Self, Beilein, both Miller brothers, Bo Ryan, Gregg Marshall, Tony Bennett, Jamie Dixon, Buzz Williams all better teachers than Cal. I could go on too. He’s a high tier salesman, mid to low tier teacher. 

"Hater" is akin to "U Mad." They’re chiIdish words and my experience are usually a sign of stupidity to come.  I literally stop reading as soon as I see stupid sht like that, so he could’ve made some good points. I wouldn’t know.

 

 

 

[WinterSoldierParticipant]

 Kentucky was the #1 defensive team in country last year, so he must know something about defense. UK players have done pretty well in the NBA, In fact i’ll bet it will be hard to find a coach who has put out as many quality players as coach Cal has. I’m not saying he knows the game better than any other coach but I think you’re being extreme on your criticisms. He certainly understands the game they’ll face in the NBA and he prepares his players well for that. I have also heard his former players say that he prepares them well for life in the NBA beyond just basketball. 

[WinterSoldierParticipant]

 Kentucky was the #1 defensive team in country last year, so he must know something about defense. UK players have done pretty well in the NBA, In fact i’ll bet it will be hard to find a coach who has put out as many quality players as coach Cal has. I’m not saying he knows the game better than any other coach but I think you’re being extreme on your criticisms. He certainly understands the game they’ll face in the NBA and he prepares his players well for that. I have also heard his former players say that he prepares them well for life in the NBA beyond just basketball. 

[BallGawd01Participant]

Kind of agree with you on this front, for all the talent that he pulls in their offense is fairly fairly generic. Howver its kind of like OKC, where you just have so many talented players that putting them in a box (system) can limit them, so you allow them to just "go out and play" 

[BallGawd01Participant]

Kind of agree with you on this front, for all the talent that he pulls in their offense is fairly fairly generic. Howver its kind of like OKC, where you just have so many talented players that putting them in a box (system) can limit them, so you allow them to just "go out and play" 

[GBeeParticipant]

 Prepare kids for the NBA? Sure, Only thing he does is lower the barrier to the pros and promote.  There are way better teachers than he is that break the game down and get kids’ to understand the finer points of basketball. His schemes are generic and pale in comparison to his contemporaries. Look at his garbage offense year after year despite the talent he pulls, where often times the best play is to throw junk up on the glass and let the sheer talent and athleticism overwhelm with O-Boards.  Even his defensive schemes are stripped down and generic.  Sag off, switch and stay.  I’d love to see that type of defense being taught at the pro level.  That’s the type of dumb defense that coaches resort to because the players can’t get on the same page, communicate, stay on a string and make multiple help and recoveries.  Last team I saw play that type of defense in the NBA was the Knicks under Mike Woodson.  

Coach K, Self, Beilein, both Miller brothers, Bo Ryan, Gregg Marshall, Tony Bennett, Jamie Dixon, Buzz Williams all better teachers than Cal. I could go on too. He’s a high tier salesman, mid to low tier teacher. 

"Hater" is akin to "U Mad." They’re chiIdish words and my experience are usually a sign of stupidity to come.  I literally stop reading as soon as I see stupid sht like that, so he could’ve made some good points. I wouldn’t know.

 

 

 

[WinterSoldierParticipant]

 He gave a very logical argument. If anyone is being troll it’s you. You don’t have to love coach Cal or UK to aknowledge he is a smart and innovative coach. He has been successful in winning and preparing his players for the pro game. He also isn’t responsible for the one and done, that would be the NBA and NCAA who made/agreed upon the rule. 

[GBeeParticipant]

 Stopped at the word "hater." I’ve found people who use that word or any iteration of it are either trolls or too dumb to make a logical argument.

[IlladelphParticipant]

 GBee,

 

You sound like the tired old Calipari hater.  The fact is that elite college basketball prospects want to make the NBA and make money for themselves and their families.  What is wrong with that?  If Calipari can get them there the quickest then more power to him.

Schools make hundreds of millions of dollars off of the backs of these kids.  It’s all a big business anyway.  Shouldn’t the players themselves benefit as well?

Calipari once said that if UK won the national championship but his players didn’t get drafted then he would be disappointed.  He consistently states that his main priority is to help kids achieve their dreams.  Isn’t that the American dream?

Calipari is a marketing master.  Is he a great coach?  Well he’s won a national championship, and been to back to back final 4s in the last few years.  I think he is one of the best.

People say that it doesn’t matter where these elite kids go, but I disagree.  UK is set up to develop these kids into pro players the fastest.  Have you ever seen their facilities, and looked at their staff?  Is there a coach in college basketball who is more wired in to the NBA than Calipari?  Look at Cauley Stein who wasn’t even top 40 in high school… lottery pick.  Devin Booker was a 4 star recruit… lottery pick.  KAT was always second banana to the great Jahlil Okafor… #1 pick.  Hey, I’m not making this up.  UK players tend to have better NBA careers than top players from other schools.  Again, not making this up.

I am not really a Calipari fan per se, and I am a fan of another SEC team, but damn.  The guy is truly impressive and the numbers/results don’t lie.  Definitely a guy to watch and learn from.  

[SkalAndJamalParticipant]

 Every team gets talented players, it takes a great coach like Calipari to stay this consistent and get these guys drafted. Since DRose, he only missed 1 elite eight. I can guarantee you also that if Karl Towns went to do a different school he wouldn’t have been the #1 pick. And yes to be perfectly honest, who cares what we want, it’s what these kids want, and some of them don’t have much, let them make money by playing a game and let’s not be selfish. 

[SkalAndJamalParticipant]

 Every team gets talented players, it takes a great coach like Calipari to stay this consistent and get these guys drafted. Since DRose, he only missed 1 elite eight. I can guarantee you also that if Karl Towns went to do a different school he wouldn’t have been the #1 pick. And yes to be perfectly honest, who cares what we want, it’s what these kids want, and some of them don’t have much, let them make money by playing a game and let’s not be selfish. 

[GBeeParticipant]

 He’s a slick, snake oil salesman always looking for a way to get an edge.  If these kids (and their families) cared about getting better coaching or getting better on their way to the NBA, less recruits would choose his program. There are way better coaches elsewhere.  All they see is player A goes to Kentucky, gets drafted, ignoring the fact that they’d be in the NBA regardless of which program they picked. 

Done more for college basketball? What? You think college basketball likes this 1 and done stuff? You think coaches, programs and fans like seeing 1 and done players come and go, leaving before they make a mark?

 

[HitsterParticipant]

Coach Cal’s pitch to the top recruits would be interesting to hear. But once he’s recruited a few top prospects and had them drafted high, he’ll always be major player in the recruitment persuit of any top prospect.

Coach Cal would appeal to the ambitious player who is likely be a one and done guy as his system tends to showcase these type of players. Other guys who may want to learn more on improving their game may prefer to play for a Coach K/Bill Self type coach instead.

Cal gets good results for his team so his recruiting ethic works, he may not fundamentally improve a players game as much as say Coach K does but he showcases his guys and thus gets them drafted higher.

The only downside could be that guys may feel they have to declare when they may not be ready especially if a high profile recruit has been lined up to come in next season effectively in their place.

Personally I’ve always been a fan of Cal as much as any other college coach even if I made a few jokes at his expense regardg the loss in the NCAA finals last season.

 

 

 

  

[HitsterParticipant]

Coach Cal’s pitch to the top recruits would be interesting to hear. But once he’s recruited a few top prospects and had them drafted high, he’ll always be major player in the recruitment persuit of any top prospect.

Coach Cal would appeal to the ambitious player who is likely be a one and done guy as his system tends to showcase these type of players. Other guys who may want to learn more on improving their game may prefer to play for a Coach K/Bill Self type coach instead.

Cal gets good results for his team so his recruiting ethic works, he may not fundamentally improve a players game as much as say Coach K does but he showcases his guys and thus gets them drafted higher.

The only downside could be that guys may feel they have to declare when they may not be ready especially if a high profile recruit has been lined up to come in next season effectively in their place.

Personally I’ve always been a fan of Cal as much as any other college coach even if I made a few jokes at his expense regardg the loss in the NCAA finals last season.

 

 

 

  

[SkalAndJamalParticipant]

What makes Calipari special is his results to keep things simple. Would you rather go to a coach who if you have the talent be a top player in your position in the NBA and get you to at least the final four. Or do you want to risk being like Austin Rivers, Cliff Alexander, Kaleb Tarzewski

[SkalAndJamalParticipant]

What makes Calipari special is his results to keep things simple. Would you rather go to a coach who if you have the talent be a top player in your position in the NBA and get you to at least the final four. Or do you want to risk being like Austin Rivers, Cliff Alexander, Kaleb Tarzewski

[sitlbitoParticipant]

 His recruiting strategy is pretty clear. You can tell that even when he’s hanging out at the draft showing everyone he loves his players and that his players will be the absolute best,that’s a recruiting pitch. That’s a way to say "come to my school,I’ll encourage you to be a one and done no matter what". And if you look at the success of his players in the NBA:Rose,Evans,Wall,Cousins,Bledsoe,Patterson,Knight,MKG,Davis,Jones,Noel. And we’re still waiting for Randle and Young. Add to all that the 1st,6th,12th and 13th pick of the 2015 draft,and that’s somehow appealing to young high school kids.I don’t follow recruiting as close as some of you guys,but when I see Calipari at the draft being the lone college coach,it tells you what you have to know about some selfish college coaches.

[sitlbitoParticipant]

 His recruiting strategy is pretty clear. You can tell that even when he’s hanging out at the draft showing everyone he loves his players and that his players will be the absolute best,that’s a recruiting pitch. That’s a way to say "come to my school,I’ll encourage you to be a one and done no matter what". And if you look at the success of his players in the NBA:Rose,Evans,Wall,Cousins,Bledsoe,Patterson,Knight,MKG,Davis,Jones,Noel. And we’re still waiting for Randle and Young. Add to all that the 1st,6th,12th and 13th pick of the 2015 draft,and that’s somehow appealing to young high school kids.I don’t follow recruiting as close as some of you guys,but when I see Calipari at the draft being the lone college coach,it tells you what you have to know about some selfish college coaches.

[HitsterParticipant]

 Coach Cal seems to excel with guys who are top level prospects and goes all out to recruit them. Other coaches will get top level guys or develop their own prospects, these coaches seem to have issues with highly touted guys who may not turn out to be quite what they hoped or players who think they are better than they actually are.

Cal seems to do his recruitment more on proven prospects and maybe tends to shy away from the sort of guys who are better than they think they are.

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 Coach Cal seems to excel with guys who are top level prospects and goes all out to recruit them. Other coaches will get top level guys or develop their own prospects, these coaches seem to have issues with highly touted guys who may not turn out to be quite what they hoped or players who think they are better than they actually are.

Cal seems to do his recruitment more on proven prospects and maybe tends to shy away from the sort of guys who are better than they think they are.

 

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

@OhCanada said it best…

"Play for me, i will make you rich and successful in the NBA"

Just look at the facts. Yes he gets the top-tier talent, but he makes them all play DEFENSE. If you dont play defense you will not play, straight up (i.e. Wiltjer). He gets the kids to buy into his "rip-n-run" / "dribble-and-dish" system, and when they come to the NBA i think it almost seems easier for Kentucky kids to adapt. 

He runs an NBA style system and i bet their practices are insanely competitive. Now its just getting out of hand because its a snow-ball effect. Kids just want to go there now because like @OhCanada said, look at the players in the league and their success rate. 

 

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

@OhCanada said it best…

"Play for me, i will make you rich and successful in the NBA"

Just look at the facts. Yes he gets the top-tier talent, but he makes them all play DEFENSE. If you dont play defense you will not play, straight up (i.e. Wiltjer). He gets the kids to buy into his "rip-n-run" / "dribble-and-dish" system, and when they come to the NBA i think it almost seems easier for Kentucky kids to adapt. 

He runs an NBA style system and i bet their practices are insanely competitive. Now its just getting out of hand because its a snow-ball effect. Kids just want to go there now because like @OhCanada said, look at the players in the league and their success rate. 

 

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

In terms of basic basketball knowledge X’s and O’s I believe he’s a ways behind guys like Roy Williams, Coach K, Boheim, Rick Pitino and Tom Izzo. Cal has absolutely mastered his sales pitch to recruits. Come play for me, play for a national championship, go to the NBA and get paid. In my opinion Cal is an average basketball coach, but far and away the best MOTIVATOR in college basketball. If you watch his Kentucky behind the scenes video clips and how he runs his practices, it’s like a war. Guys go hard, play hard and compete or they run. Cal has revolutionized how college basketball is played. I absolutely hate the guy, but you have no choice to respect what he has done.

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

In terms of basic basketball knowledge X’s and O’s I believe he’s a ways behind guys like Roy Williams, Coach K, Boheim, Rick Pitino and Tom Izzo. Cal has absolutely mastered his sales pitch to recruits. Come play for me, play for a national championship, go to the NBA and get paid. In my opinion Cal is an average basketball coach, but far and away the best MOTIVATOR in college basketball. If you watch his Kentucky behind the scenes video clips and how he runs his practices, it’s like a war. Guys go hard, play hard and compete or they run. Cal has revolutionized how college basketball is played. I absolutely hate the guy, but you have no choice to respect what he has done.

[Rip255]

Wow…15 replies saying the exact same thing…

 

[Rip255]

Wow…15 replies saying the exact same thing…

 

[rtbtParticipant]

I’m trying to figure out why some fabulous high school players, but not the top tier elite guys, will choose Kentucky where they have a fairly good chance of riding the bench. If those same guys would choose another school, not only would they be starters, they could possibly become stars.

Is this good or bad? It’s not for me to decide, but I find it a fascinating sub plot to the One and Done philosophy at Kentucky.

 

 

[rtbtParticipant]

I’m trying to figure out why some fabulous high school players, but not the top tier elite guys, will choose Kentucky where they have a fairly good chance of riding the bench. If those same guys would choose another school, not only would they be starters, they could possibly become stars.

Is this good or bad? It’s not for me to decide, but I find it a fascinating sub plot to the One and Done philosophy at Kentucky.

 

 

[wonzi_bellsParticipant]

 Are you talking about the Derek Willis or Dominique Hawkins types? I guess those guys do it because they get to win and being apart of the national spotlight, even though they won’t get recognized, and being be a part of BBN probably opens up doors for after college.

[wonzi_bellsParticipant]

 Are you talking about the Derek Willis or Dominique Hawkins types? I guess those guys do it because they get to win and being apart of the national spotlight, even though they won’t get recognized, and being be a part of BBN probably opens up doors for after college.

[SkalAndJamalParticipant]

 I think they are betting on themselves to develop enough by their senior hopefully their Junior year, that they can help this team win. I hope Cal at least gives Derek Willis a chance at the 3, all we need is someone to catch and shoot 3s, play perimeter D(versatility on D never hurts) to go with Ulis, Murray, Skal, and now Isaac. Alex is more of a power forward and Ulis, Murray, and Briscoe combo definitley can be great but of course there are some holes and problems that Cal might, might not, be able to hid.

[SkalAndJamalParticipant]

 I think they are betting on themselves to develop enough by their senior hopefully their Junior year, that they can help this team win. I hope Cal at least gives Derek Willis a chance at the 3, all we need is someone to catch and shoot 3s, play perimeter D(versatility on D never hurts) to go with Ulis, Murray, Skal, and now Isaac. Alex is more of a power forward and Ulis, Murray, and Briscoe combo definitley can be great but of course there are some holes and problems that Cal might, might not, be able to hid.

[capecodderParticipant]

 Hey….the guy can flat out coach….he got his start at UMass….Camby was a top 5 pick…Lou Roe and Lari 

Ketner were both second rounders and had a cup of coffee in the NBA and that was it as far as top recruits

(Donte Bright was a Mcd all american I believe)….yet he constantly produced A-10  championships and high rated teams….that is coaching!

  

 

[capecodderParticipant]

 Hey….the guy can flat out coach….he got his start at UMass….Camby was a top 5 pick…Lou Roe and Lari 

Ketner were both second rounders and had a cup of coffee in the NBA and that was it as far as top recruits

(Donte Bright was a Mcd all american I believe)….yet he constantly produced A-10  championships and high rated teams….that is coaching!

  

 

[Memphisboy14Participant]

He’s a wildly successful coach and he gets top recruits year in and year out. But he’s not the best X’s and O’s coach. I remember in the Title Game Memphis against Kansas. We were up 9 points with 2 mins left and Bill Self just out coached him in the end. Obviously he got his revenge against him later on. He’s a pretty innovative guy when it comes to recruiting kids. Wish he had stayed in Memphis but such is life.

(Side note)
One thing I think some fans of Kentucky fail to understand is that the kids play for Calipari. They don’t play for Kentucky. Outside of programs like UNC and Duke I don’t think that anyone gives a crap about the history of UK basketball. I’m sure if Calipari coached at Nebraska (no disrespect to anyone from there) those recruits would follow him there as well.

[Memphisboy14Participant]

He’s a wildly successful coach and he gets top recruits year in and year out. But he’s not the best X’s and O’s coach. I remember in the Title Game Memphis against Kansas. We were up 9 points with 2 mins left and Bill Self just out coached him in the end. Obviously he got his revenge against him later on. He’s a pretty innovative guy when it comes to recruiting kids. Wish he had stayed in Memphis but such is life.

(Side note)
One thing I think some fans of Kentucky fail to understand is that the kids play for Calipari. They don’t play for Kentucky. Outside of programs like UNC and Duke I don’t think that anyone gives a crap about the history of UK basketball. I’m sure if Calipari coached at Nebraska (no disrespect to anyone from there) those recruits would follow him there as well.

[theballerwayParticipant]

He would have been drafted imo. Even if he was ineligle still and probably 1st round. That’s what Kentucky does. Its not just the star but the whole band get noticed

GBee summed it up with- Coach K, Self, Beilein, both Miller brothers, Bo Ryan, Gregg Marshall, Tony Bennett, Jamie Dixon, Buzz Williams all better teachers than Cal. I could go on too. He’s a high tier salesman, mid to low tier teacher

but none of those guys except coach K who has fully embraced the one and done scene are getting multiple guys drafted highly thus getting more top ranked guys

These kids are playing for their future not the university legacy/prestige. Your not getting the 5 mill salary or camp deals and shoes deals etc. you are playing for a career. Plus look how many other highly touted recruits fall off the radar at many of those other school.

[theballerwayParticipant]

He would have been drafted imo. Even if he was ineligle still and probably 1st round. That’s what Kentucky does. Its not just the star but the whole band get noticed

GBee summed it up with- Coach K, Self, Beilein, both Miller brothers, Bo Ryan, Gregg Marshall, Tony Bennett, Jamie Dixon, Buzz Williams all better teachers than Cal. I could go on too. He’s a high tier salesman, mid to low tier teacher

but none of those guys except coach K who has fully embraced the one and done scene are getting multiple guys drafted highly thus getting more top ranked guys

These kids are playing for their future not the university legacy/prestige. Your not getting the 5 mill salary or camp deals and shoes deals etc. you are playing for a career. Plus look how many other highly touted recruits fall off the radar at many of those other school.

[BallGawd01Participant]

Tbh, if I was a potential one-and-done player, I would prefer to go to Duke and play under Coach K over Cal and UK. First off, Duke is arguably a better program than UK, and is probably the only team in the country that gets as much if not more TV time than UK. Secondly, since Coach K has started recruiting these 1 and dones starting with Kyrie, Duke has gotten some of the best recruits in the country (Kyrie, Rivers, Suliamon, Parker, Okafor-Winslow-Jones, Ingram this year, Tatum and maybe Giles next year). I think his involvement with USA basketball has a lot to do with it. Being able to bring in Lebron James or Kobe or Durant to speak to recruits goes a long way to getting a player to commit. His play and coaching style help as well. Duke is always one of the best offenses in the country, and he was one of the first college coaches to play a "spread" offense with spacing and a lot of 3s, which is how the NBA is being played today. Players just get better at Duke. Cal is just the ultimate salesman, he’ll do an excellent job of "marketing" you to NBA scouts and your name will get out there, but his playbook leaves a lot to be desired imo, and if you have aspirations of playing in the NBA, wouldn’t you prefer a coach who coaches a style more reminscent of how you would play in the NBA?     

[BallGawd01Participant]

Tbh, if I was a potential one-and-done player, I would prefer to go to Duke and play under Coach K over Cal and UK. First off, Duke is arguably a better program than UK, and is probably the only team in the country that gets as much if not more TV time than UK. Secondly, since Coach K has started recruiting these 1 and dones starting with Kyrie, Duke has gotten some of the best recruits in the country (Kyrie, Rivers, Suliamon, Parker, Okafor-Winslow-Jones, Ingram this year, Tatum and maybe Giles next year). I think his involvement with USA basketball has a lot to do with it. Being able to bring in Lebron James or Kobe or Durant to speak to recruits goes a long way to getting a player to commit. His play and coaching style help as well. Duke is always one of the best offenses in the country, and he was one of the first college coaches to play a "spread" offense with spacing and a lot of 3s, which is how the NBA is being played today. Players just get better at Duke. Cal is just the ultimate salesman, he’ll do an excellent job of "marketing" you to NBA scouts and your name will get out there, but his playbook leaves a lot to be desired imo, and if you have aspirations of playing in the NBA, wouldn’t you prefer a coach who coaches a style more reminscent of how you would play in the NBA?     

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Still waiting for a Duke vs. Kentucky NCAA title game.

That would be unreal.  Maybe this year.

Coach Cal PROBABLY should have used Towns as a shooter more last year.  If he has range and a 3 point shot, why didn’t he use it?  Instead, the Kentucky bigs got in each others way on offense and clogged up the court.

Maybe their lineups were wrong or something.  Trey Lyles was also miscast.  Should have brought him off the bench.

Their top 5 probably should have been Andrew Harrison at point, Booker at the 2, Aaron at the 3, Towns at the 4, and WCS at center.  Off the bench you go with Ulis, Lyles, Dakari Johnson, and Marcus Lee.  

 

 

 

 

 

[BallGawd01Participant]

Exactly. I feel as though he’s misused the talent he’s had somewhat. He doesn’t really utilize his best players attributes. Like if KAT was at Duke, I guarantee you Coack K has him in 1,000 pick in rolls/pick and pops. He also probably puts him at the elbows were he can utilize his passing skills as well. Obviously he’s done an excellent job at Kentucky, 4 Final 4s in 6 years + one title with AD. I’m just saying some of those teams, especially last year did not live up to expectations.  

[BallGawd01Participant]

Exactly. I feel as though he’s misused the talent he’s had somewhat. He doesn’t really utilize his best players attributes. Like if KAT was at Duke, I guarantee you Coack K has him in 1,000 pick in rolls/pick and pops. He also probably puts him at the elbows were he can utilize his passing skills as well. Obviously he’s done an excellent job at Kentucky, 4 Final 4s in 6 years + one title with AD. I’m just saying some of those teams, especially last year did not live up to expectations.  

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Still waiting for a Duke vs. Kentucky NCAA title game.

That would be unreal.  Maybe this year.

Coach Cal PROBABLY should have used Towns as a shooter more last year.  If he has range and a 3 point shot, why didn’t he use it?  Instead, the Kentucky bigs got in each others way on offense and clogged up the court.

Maybe their lineups were wrong or something.  Trey Lyles was also miscast.  Should have brought him off the bench.

Their top 5 probably should have been Andrew Harrison at point, Booker at the 2, Aaron at the 3, Towns at the 4, and WCS at center.  Off the bench you go with Ulis, Lyles, Dakari Johnson, and Marcus Lee.  

 

 

 

 

 

[Author]

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