The Kentucky model did work until Kansas, Duke, and other big programs started adopting it and getting some of those same one and done kids.The Kentucky model of getting young talented kids has proven it doesn’t regularly win in March. Yes they are have sent some great ones to nba. All of that to say I am not convinced your #1 of personnel / talent is the top importance for college teams.
I feel like I should… but I don’t. I mean it is a show about nothing after all.
I feel like I should… but I don’t. I mean it is a show about nothing after all.
its insane after reading this that Kentucky pushed him out after 2 seasons of not getting to the s16 after this track record..I think this bit has gotten overblown over the years. Calipari averaged nearly 30 wins per season at Kentucky with a .770 winning percentage only missing the tournament twice in those 15 seasons. He took them to 4 Final Fours and 2 National Championship games, winning the whole thing in one of those seasons.
09-10 team went 35-3 with 3 freshmen leading the way (John Wall, Eric Bledsoe DeMarcus Cousins). Freshmen Daniel Orton and Jon Hood also played important roles on that team.
10-11 team went 29-9 with a Final Four trip featuring freshmen Brandon Knight, Doron Lamb, Terrence Jones as the 3 leading scorers
11-12 team went 38-2 and won the National Championship with freshman Anthony Davis as the star of that team and freshmen Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Marquis Teague and Kyle Wiltjer playing full minutes/starter roles in all of their 40 games.
13-14 team went 29-11 and lost in the National Championship game. Of their 8 rotation players, only 1 of them was NOT a freshman.
14-15 team went 38-1 and went to the Final Four. Led by freshmen Devin Booker, Tyler Ulis and Karl-Anthony Towns with freshman Trey Lyles also playing full minutes (23 per game) that year.
15-16 team went 27-9 (but lost in 2nd round) with, yet again, a freshman leading the charge for them (Jamal Murray averaged 20ppg that year) and freshmen Isaac Humphries, Charles Matthews and Skal Labissiere all playing important starter/rotation roles.
16-17 team went 32-6 and went to E8. Freshmen Malik Monk, De'Aaron Fox, Bam Adebayo leading that team as well as freshman Wenyen Gabriel being an important rotation piece for them.
17-18 team went 26-11 and went to S16. Like the 13-14 team, of the 8 rotation players, only 1 of them was NOT a freshman.
18-19 team went 30-7 and went to E8. Led by freshman Tyler Herro, Keldon Johnson and freshmen Nick Richards, Ashton Hagans and Immanuel Quickley assuming important roles in the rotation.
Then covid happened the next season, which is why I think we tend to forget how amazing these teams loaded with freshmen were prior to this current era of CBB that's been dominated by 6th year players who are 25 y/o grown men.
It’s a tough business where the question is always what have done lately,different fan bases having different expectations.its insane after reading this that Kentucky pushed him out after 2 seasons of not getting to the s16 after this track record..
George is getting anxious
It is odd being in November and nothing but crickets about recruiting. It seems we aren't bringing in any big fish this class - which is surprisingGeorge is getting anxious
It is odd being in November and nothing but crickets about recruiting. It seems we aren't bringing in any big fish this class - which is surprising
I am sure Illinois is going to lose some from current roster (NBA and transfer) but if the staff effectively sold most of them on a 2 year plan - (Chicago/STL/INDY) then waiting till spring makes the most sense.It is odd being in November and nothing but crickets about recruiting. It seems we aren't bringing in any big fish this class - which is surprising
I think we expect to have back a very solid 4-6 guys and they are trying to get 5-star types to fill the gaps or wait for priority transfers.I am sure Illinois is going to lose some from current roster (NBA and transfer) but if the staff effectively sold most of them on a 2 year plan - (Chicago/STL/INDY) then waiting till spring makes the most sense.
With the portal/free agency starting in April, why fish now?It is odd being in November and nothing but crickets about recruiting. It seems we aren't bringing in any big fish this class - which is surprising
That doesn't seem to be the case with this class though- only ~15 of the top 75 haven't committed yet or aren't heavy leans to one school and we aren't in on any of them, that's what seems odd but with so much turnover in the coaching staff maybe it should be expectedfor the most part, the big game closing occurs in late Spring now
247sports.com
That doesn't seem to be the case with this class though- only ~15 of the top 75 haven't committed yet or aren't heavy leans to one school and we aren't in on any of them, that's what seems odd but with so much turnover in the coaching staff maybe it should be expected
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