Ploythress's rep for being interested in academics comes from 2 of his 5 campus visits being Duke and Vanderbilt. But Vandy is on his list primarily because he's from Clarksville TN, about 50 miles from the Vandy campus. The day I'll believe academics are driving the discussion for a recruit is the day a recruit releases a 5-campus visit tour like Stanford, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, and Duke, with unofficial visits to Princeton, Penn, Washington (MO), and the Claremont Colleges. Until then, academics is just an excuse for a program that can't sign a top recruit and/or don't develop their players well enough for them to leave early.'TobiasFunke said:Hey Jeter, Alex Poythress is visiting Kentucky this weekend. I still think he'll end up at Duke (he and his parents are big time into academics) but he's definitely the kind of talent you want Cal to steal if he can. I think he's an absolute beast.Priceless.
Apparently Kentucky is only attractive to those not interested in academics. Guys like Brandon Knight.
I would say that Cal recruits the best players he possibly can, all of whom are interested in an NBA career if that is at all possible. This is no different from any other college basketball coach in Division 1 basketball. I do not know of a single NCAA Division 1 college basketball player who was projected as a sure-fire first round pick in the NBA and turned it down to do something else. So I'm not sure what your point is.Duke has a better academic reputation than Kentucky, no question. But I don't see how that translates to thinking that a recruit for whom academics is said to be a priority is more likely to choose Duke than UK, given that (1) every single player for whom the NBA is an option makes that their first priority; and (2) we have a very recent case of a player for whom academics was obviously very important choosing UK.You guys are killing me today.Coach Cal goes after the best talent available.For the most part, the best talent available is NBA-ready when they get to Lexington (meaning they could have been drafted as HS players if the NBA was so inclined).So, by extension, Cal recruits players whose top priority is the NBA. This is the rule. There are exceptions. Neither Wall nor Knight were interested in getting a degree when they were deciding on a college location. There is nothing wrong with that. It does not make them dumb.A player that Cal recruits is less likely to spend 4 years in Lexington than a player Coach K recruits is to spend 4 years in Durham.Conversely, a player who wants to get a degree, is more likely to choose a program like Duke than UK. Nothing wrong with that, nor does it make UK a bad school. If you are interested in an academics and you can go to either Duke or UK, you go to Duke. Heck, UK does not even have a vet school if you were coming to UK to have a career in the equine industry after your NBA career.The longest Cal has had a recruit on campus is two years (Hood will have been here 3 years, but he was not a Cal recruit). Stacey Poole, who is not a top NBA prospect, may be the first Cal recruit to graduate from UK - though I had expected him to transfer.FTR, I don't like Calipari much at all, but I think this is 100% categorically false. If Brandon Knight or Wall wanted to stay at UK for three years, Calipari would sour on them? Or try to push them out the door? I can't see this. Calipari's MO is to assemble the most insane collection of talent possible, why would he not want one of the best players in the nation to stay? And they boost up the APR!I think he's realistic about a player's goals, and I think he probably gives them a pretty honest/selfless assessment of whether they're ready for the NBA or not. But Cal's out to win games, and there's really no better way to win games than with a 21 year-old John Wall.If I kid is interested in getting a degree, he is not likely to be high on Calipari's recruiting list.
It's pretty rich that you are welcoming someone else to this thread.Sinn Fein welcome to the thread. Nice to have you here
I am saying that academics was NOT obviously important to Knight or Wall. By choosing UK over Duke, a player is saying academics are not a deciding factor.I would say that Cal recruits the best players he possibly can, all of whom are interested in an NBA career if that is at all possible. This is no different from any other college basketball coach in Division 1 basketball. I do not know of a single NCAA Division 1 college basketball player who was projected as a sure-fire first round pick in the NBA and turned it down to do something else. So I'm not sure what your point is.
Duke has a better academic reputation than Kentucky, no question. But I don't see how that translates to thinking that a recruit for whom academics is said to be a priority is more likely to choose Duke than UK, given that (1) every single player for whom the NBA is an option makes that their first priority; and (2) we have a very recent case of a player for whom academics was obviously very important choosing UK.
Of course they're different. What I'm saying is that for every high major recruit of the last 25 years at least, getting to the NBA is the #1 priority. Anything else is just noise. So when I hear someone say that they think a high-major recruit will go to Duke because academics are important to them, I laugh. We have plenty of examples of high major recruits in recent years who said academics were important to them that choose other schools despite a hard recruiting push from Duke.I am saying that academics was NOT obviously important to Knight or Wall. By choosing UK over Duke, a player is saying academics are not a deciding factor.I would say that Cal recruits the best players he possibly can, all of whom are interested in an NBA career if that is at all possible. This is no different from any other college basketball coach in Division 1 basketball. I do not know of a single NCAA Division 1 college basketball player who was projected as a sure-fire first round pick in the NBA and turned it down to do something else. So I'm not sure what your point is.
Duke has a better academic reputation than Kentucky, no question. But I don't see how that translates to thinking that a recruit for whom academics is said to be a priority is more likely to choose Duke than UK, given that (1) every single player for whom the NBA is an option makes that their first priority; and (2) we have a very recent case of a player for whom academics was obviously very important choosing UK.
Academics are not a priority for a one-and-done player, by definition, they are not basing a college choice on where (or if) they get a degree.
I equate a desire to get a degree with placing importance on academics. If you do not desire to get a degree, then I don't think you are making academics a priority.
Again, I live in Lexington, love UK, and hope Cal stays forever. I also respect the Duke basketball program. But if you cannot see that they are different, I can't help you.
If Coach K could compete for national titles with only players who would be in the program for four year, I think that he would prefer to do that. If Coach Cal could compete for national titles with only one-and-done players, I think he would go that route. The reality lies somewhere in the middle. Coach K need somes players who are talented enough to leave early, and quite frankly, I think Cal needs players who are a notch below, who will remain in the program for 4 years. Jorts, Miller, and Liggens were great examples last year of veteran role players who helped the team. Thus far, Cal has not recruited any of those types of players to Lexington. We'll see if Poole develops into that caliber a player.
Last thought on the subject - If I see a blue-chip recruit who is interested in getting a degree, I would put Duke ahead of UK in terms of where I thought he was going to school. He could excel in either place. If he does not want to get a degree, then academics are not important, and do not factor into the decision.
Man this guy knows what he's talking about. Kelly was easily the best player on the floor today vs China. It must be the ZoubeardAnd Ryan Kelly, aka Dirk Jr, is gonna beast this year. Yep, that "goofy white kid" has had the best off-season of any player on the team.

It's pretty rich that you are welcoming someone else to this thread.Sinn Fein welcome to the thread. Nice to have you here

you rockMan this guy knows what he's talking about. Kelly was easily the best player on the floor today vs China. It must be the ZoubeardAnd Ryan Kelly, aka Dirk Jr, is gonna beast this year. Yep, that "goofy white kid" has had the best off-season of any player on the team.

 
 He still has time to change his mind a couple more times.Guess he read my posts calling him a #####.You're welcome uconn fans

How's the trailer park?I doubt he get$ a better offer than to play a UCONN
So is this guy adding anything to this thread?How's the trailer park?

come on man. I dislike UCONN just as much as anyone, but your post was an obvious attempt toSo is this guy adding anything to this thread?How's the trailer park?
 From most people, it would be considered a joke, but with you, its going to come off as baiting.
  From most people, it would be considered a joke, but with you, its going to come off as baiting.You do live in an actual trailer park, correct? I wasn't being insulting, I was just making pleasantries.So is this guy adding anything to this thread?How's the trailer park?
No jackwagon, I don't live in a trailer park.You do live in an actual trailer park, correct? I wasn't being insulting, I was just making pleasantries.So is this guy adding anything to this thread?How's the trailer park?
You do live in an actual trailer park, correct? I wasn't being insulting, I was just making pleasantries.So is this guy adding anything to this thread?How's the trailer park?

See, always instigating and then playing the victim. Wish the mods would give you the LHUCKS treatment.So is this guy adding anything to this thread?How's the trailer park?
I bet you've posted nearly 100 comments here crying about me. What does that add to this thread? Let's keep it on topic.So how about those former GT players committing murder? To a mother of 4 no less...classy program ya got there Wreck...See, always instigating and then playing the victim. Wish the mods would give you the LHUCKS treatment.
LOL. You take every basketball thread off topic and then ask someone else to stay on topic. In a thread that was created to get away from you nonetheless. You can't make this stuff up.J. Crittenton can rot in hell. Not gonna get a defense out of him from me.'Eastwood said:I bet you've posted nearly 100 comments here crying about me. What does that add to this thread? Let's keep it on topic.So how about those former GT players committing murder? To a mother of 4 no less...classy program ya got there Wreck...'Ramblin Wreck said:See, always instigating and then playing the victim. Wish the mods would give you the LHUCKS treatment.
RV park? I don't think Drummond puts Connecticut head-and-shoulders above everyone else, UNLV-style. But they're Top 4 along with UNC, OSU and UK. And I'm going to guess he'll miss some inconsequential games as they sort out his eligibility since he committed so late, re: whether he had enough credits to graduate.And he does have some possible red flags re: his motor, and that he abruptly bounced on W&M prep after Kris Dunn left. Does he need to be around his friends that much? Will he buck if Calhoun pushes on him to stay down on the block? Still, good problems to have.Speaking of Dunn, PC landed him and may get Ledo next week. That would be an utterly massive haul for them, and definitely cause for celebration.'Eastwood said:No jackwagon, I don't live in a trailer park.'Good said:You do live in an actual trailer park, correct? I wasn't being insulting, I was just making pleasantries.'Eastwood said:So is this guy adding anything to this thread?'Good said:How's the trailer park?
What does that have to do with knitting?I bet you've posted nearly 100 comments here crying about me. What does that add to this thread? Let's keep it on topic.So how about those former GT players committing murder? To a mother of 4 no less...classy program ya got there Wreck...See, always instigating and then playing the victim. Wish the mods would give you the LHUCKS treatment.
Yup. Very good get. Arizona's going to end up with at Top 5 class (currently #2? on Scout).UCLA now feels pretty solid with Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson (to add to Artis and Jordan Adams). Tony Parker just added UCLA to his Final 4. So, the Bruins are hoping to close with Shabazz, Anderson, Shaq Goodwin (on a football scholarship), and Parker. That class would most likely be the #1 class in the country. Of course, the UCLA 2008 class was #1 and caused more problems than wins.Hate to say it, but UofA is doing a lot of nice things. Just added Brandon Ashley for '12, along with Grant Jerrett and Gabe York. Huge class.
I hope this all comes to pass and the Pac-10 actually gets interesting again. The last few years have been the pits, for the most part.Yup. Very good get. Arizona's going to end up with at Top 5 class (currently #2? on Scout).UCLA now feels pretty solid with Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson (to add to Artis and Jordan Adams). Tony Parker just added UCLA to his Final 4. So, the Bruins are hoping to close with Shabazz, Anderson, Shaq Goodwin (on a football scholarship), and Parker. That class would most likely be the #1 class in the country. Of course, the UCLA 2008 class was #1 and caused more problems than wins.Hate to say it, but UofA is doing a lot of nice things. Just added Brandon Ashley for '12, along with Grant Jerrett and Gabe York. Huge class.
Agreed. There was no recovery from the 2008 NBA Draft class.I hope this all comes to pass and the Pac-10 actually gets interesting again. The last few years have been the pits, for the most part.Yup. Very good get. Arizona's going to end up with at Top 5 class (currently #2? on Scout).UCLA now feels pretty solid with Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson (to add to Artis and Jordan Adams). Tony Parker just added UCLA to his Final 4. So, the Bruins are hoping to close with Shabazz, Anderson, Shaq Goodwin (on a football scholarship), and Parker. That class would most likely be the #1 class in the country. Of course, the UCLA 2008 class was #1 and caused more problems than wins.Hate to say it, but UofA is doing a lot of nice things. Just added Brandon Ashley for '12, along with Grant Jerrett and Gabe York. Huge class.
From what I'm hearing, Shabazz has already decided. He's waiting until Spring to announce and sign a letter of intent, though.From what I'm hearing, Shabazz isn't going to decide anytime soon.
I have heard the same thing. Didn't hear the Spring part, but I've heard from a few sources now that his decision is already pretty much made and now he's just enjoying it all.From what I'm hearing, Shabazz has already decided. He's waiting until Spring to announce and sign a letter of intent, though.From what I'm hearing, Shabazz isn't going to decide anytime soon.
Is that the interview from DevilsDen (?)? If so, that dude is one of the worst interviewers I've ever read. Again, from what I understand, Shabazz hasn't put off his decision. He has decided. There is some specific reason (from what I've been told) that his family has chosen to put off his announcement and it has nothing to do with him being undecided. I simply haven't been able to find out what that reason is.Jordan Adams, Dominic Artis, Kyle Anderson, Shabazz and, to a lesser extent, Tony Parker are all starting to act as if they are all going to the same school.I'm sure Duke will try to get him until the end, and Shabazz could always change his mind, but as of right now, he's going to UCLA.I heard he was a lock to UCLA for months too. And then he had his visit with K and had a few nice things to say-"With Coach K, what’s not to like, you know? He brings top guys in every year, talking with him, you just learn a lot as a person and a player and he talked about how the guards at Duke get the opportunity to play, but he also holds you accountable in practice and I think that is really great. That’s what helps you get better as a player and I know that some of the things he was sharing about how he can help me improve as a player are things that I need to work on to get ready for the next level.""With Duke, that’s the thing, there’s a reason why I think of them so highly and that’s for many different reasons. Having had the chance to visit them and talk with Coach K and Coach Wojo, it’s obvious that they let their guards play and the fact that his entire assistant coaching staff is all guys who played for him before and chose to come back after being players for him…that just says a lot about them as a program. Plus with Kyrie coming back and having talked with him about his relationship with Coach K, I can just see how the coaches and players really care for each other.""The back and forth with Coach K was awesome. He had me and my family’s hearts touched, and he was just so honest with us. It was great, and he just gave me a real picture of who they are as a program and what they can do for me as a player and he was even showing me pointers right there in my living room on things we can work on to help me become a more complete player.""I said to myself, if he can do that here in my living room and it helps me get better, imagine what he could do if I go to Duke and have the opportunity to work out with the coaches and practice with the team and have Coach K be hands on with me, it’ll be great."UCLA probably is in the lead, and I'm sure will be tough to beat. But Bazz putting off his decision, and coming to the Duke-UNC game this year should only help Duke. I think Duke runs this race until the very end, and has a legit shot.
If he likes nice beaches and hot girls, he should go there. If he wants to play for the best coach in college basketball, have a legit shot at winning a title, and have the nicest facilities around, he'll attend Duke. Seems to me he can't lose with either decision.I'm sure Duke will try to get him until the end, and Shabazz could always change his mind, but as of right now, he's going to UCLA.

Thank goodness it looks very probable that Mitch will show up.Wish Duke would have pushed harder for him, considering that its pretty clear that Tony Parker isn't showing up.,

I know there was some grousing a few years ago about Duke not recruiting enough bigs, do you think that's still the case?I think Bazz ends up at UCLA. He wants to be the man with the green light all the time, and he'll get that at UCLA from day 1 (and deservedly so). Not to say he wouldn't start and play a ton at Duke from day 1, but i think he'd have a shorter leash.(due to K's coaching style and the availability of other options at the 2/3)All that being said, that's obviously not the only factor in the decision. UCLA has a gorgeous campus, great weather, smoking co-eds, an unrivaled tradition and a coach whose players are getting to the league and doing well. Plus its an addidas school (if you believe that sort of stuff, which i do) and is closer to home. Either way, Duke will be fine at the wing next year without him. Still plenty of talent at that spot.Love Perry Ellis' game. I just think the kid is going to be a tremendous college player. He was a Duke fan growing up. Wish Duke would have pushed harder for him, considering that its pretty clear that Tony Parker isn't showing up.,
the net is certainly wider now, but Duke has whiffed on their top big man target for like 5 years running...06- Brandon Wright (ended up with Thomas and Zoubek) 07- Patrick Patterson (ended up with nobody, unless you count singler) Also wanted Blake Griffin, which was never happening. 08- Greg Monroe (Miles Plumlee)09- Technically Eric Murphy, but he decided very early and they ended up with Mason instead (which ended up leading to getting all 3)Plus they got the better murphy anyway. 10- Tristan Thompson early in the process, Josh Smith later (although it was pretty clear that he was never coming to Duke) Ended up with nobody really (Hairston isn't really a "big")So they really only had 1 year where they ended up not getting anyone, so I can't be that concerned. Would they have gotten Samardo Samuels or Ed Davis (just throwing names out there) if they hadn't focused on Monroe so much? IMO, not likely. There were some other guys out there, but who the heck knows if they would have come to Duke.I know there was some grousing a few years ago about Duke not recruiting enough bigs, do you think that's still the case?I think Bazz ends up at UCLA. He wants to be the man with the green light all the time, and he'll get that at UCLA from day 1 (and deservedly so). Not to say he wouldn't start and play a ton at Duke from day 1, but i think he'd have a shorter leash.(due to K's coaching style and the availability of other options at the 2/3)All that being said, that's obviously not the only factor in the decision. UCLA has a gorgeous campus, great weather, smoking co-eds, an unrivaled tradition and a coach whose players are getting to the league and doing well. Plus its an addidas school (if you believe that sort of stuff, which i do) and is closer to home. Either way, Duke will be fine at the wing next year without him. Still plenty of talent at that spot.Love Perry Ellis' game. I just think the kid is going to be a tremendous college player. He was a Duke fan growing up. Wish Duke would have pushed harder for him, considering that its pretty clear that Tony Parker isn't showing up.,
I just want to thank you for an informative, unbiased, and well-intentioned post on on of the best basketball programs in the country from a fan of said school. I am not a fan of them, but since they're clearly one of the top teams ever year I like to hear information about them. Sadly, it's too hard sometimes to wade through the crap and actually really ever learn anything about them.'TLEF316 said:the net is certainly wider now, but Duke has whiffed on their top big man target for like 5 years running...06- Brandon Wright (ended up with Thomas and Zoubek) 07- Patrick Patterson (ended up with nobody, unless you count singler) Also wanted Blake Griffin, which was never happening. 08- Greg Monroe (Miles Plumlee)09- Technically Eric Murphy, but he decided very early and they ended up with Mason instead (which ended up leading to getting all 3)Plus they got the better murphy anyway. 10- Tristan Thompson early in the process, Josh Smith later (although it was pretty clear that he was never coming to Duke) Ended up with nobody really (Hairston isn't really a "big")So they really only had 1 year where they ended up not getting anyone, so I can't be that concerned. Would they have gotten Samardo Samuels or Ed Davis (just throwing names out there) if they hadn't focused on Monroe so much? IMO, not likely. There were some other guys out there, but who the heck knows if they would have come to Duke.'Good said:I know there was some grousing a few years ago about Duke not recruiting enough bigs, do you think that's still the case?
I had the Tar Heels ranked #1 in my own personal poll based on your poll ... until I got to BC.
 
 yup. Duke is all in with muhammad on the wing. If they don't get him, they'll just deal with it. Alex P wasn't really a need with Murphy and Gbinije on board as big wings and a decent shot at Jabari Parker for 2013. Very good player and kid though (great student from what i read).I heard Poythress trimmed Duke.
