Kentucky lands their 6th 5* of the 2013 class...

[FredsSlacks]

Julius Randle picks Kentucky. #3 overall player. Their 6th 5 star recruit

 

Do these recruits know that only 5 guys are on the court at once?

 

They also have a top 150 three star forward. This might be the most talented class ever.

[Hooper]

Have to believe that a lot of money is changing hands here. It wouldn't surprise me if this one cost them six figures.

[Norm Peterson]

Julius Randle picks Kentucky. #3 overall player. Their 6th 5 star recruit

 

Do these recruits know that only 5 guys are on the court at once?

 

They also have a top 150 three star forward. This might be the most talented class ever.

 

 

$ure they know. Of cour$e they do. It'$ not about playing time for the$e kid$. It'$ about an un$elfi$h de$ire to learn from coache$ who really under$tand the game and can in$truct them on how to become better player$.  That'$ all.

[Hooper]

Kentucky has become a place where you can make some quick cash and play on a good team for a year or two while you wait for the NBA to call your name. It's just a bunch of mercenaries playing for themselves with no concept of team. It warmed my heart to see them go down in flames last night.

[Silverbacked1]

If the NIT gets you 6, 5*.

 

Just think what the CBI would have gotten us?

[GATA]

Kentucky has become a place where you can make some quick cash and play on a good team for a year or two while you wait for the NBA to call your name. It's just a bunch of mercenaries playing for themselves with no concept of team. It warmed my heart to see them go down in flames last night.

 

Umm, they won the national title last year...

[CrazyforNUHOOPS]

Kentucky has become a place where you can make some quick cash and play on a good team for a year or two while you wait for the NBA to call your name. It's just a bunch of mercenaries playing for themselves with no concept of team. It warmed my heart to see them go down in flames last night.

 

Umm, they won the national title last year...

Doesn't make what he said any less true.

[CrazyforNUHOOPS]

Julius Randle picks Kentucky. #3 overall player. Their 6th 5 star recruit

 

Do these recruits know that only 5 guys are on the court at once?

 

They also have a top 150 three star forward. This might be the most talented class ever.

 

 

$ure they know. Of cour$e they do. It'$ not about playing time for the$e kid$. It'$ about an un$elfi$h de$ire to learn from coache$ who really under$tand the game and can in$truct them on how to become better player$.  That'$ all.

I c wut u did thur.

[Hooper]

Kentucky has become a place where you can make some quick cash and play on a good team for a year or two while you wait for the NBA to call your name. It's just a bunch of mercenaries playing for themselves with no concept of team. It warmed my heart to see them go down in flames last night.

 

Umm, they won the national title last year...

 

Hey, I'm not saying it's not a viable model for building a team if you can do it. I feel it's unquestionably boom or bust though, as you saw how far Kentucky fell once their mercenaries from last year left.

 

It's the kind of model where you could win a national title one year if everything comes together, and then be a train wreck the next year, and managing all of those egos and demands for playing time is not easy. The annual turnover makes it hard to build a cohesive unit, but in Calipari's case, the talent level is so great at times that it overcomes any other deficiencies.

 

Obviously, Nebraska will never be that type of team, not by choice, but simply because we're not capable of landing that type of player outside of rare circumstances.

 

I'm jealous of Kentucky basketball for sure, but I don't like the one-and-done rent-a-mercenary culture, and no team exemplifies that culture more than Kentucky.

[BigTexHusker]

Randle is a monster.  Doesn't have the same game as LeBron, but is equally imposing and dominant at the HS level.  Don't get all twisted when I say this, but he's the closest thing I've seen to a physical specimen rivaling LBJ.  I know he's NOT LeBron, and I don't think his ceiling is as high, but d*** this kid is off the charts impressive.  Been around him and watching him play since he was in the fourth grade.

 

I know "one and done" and "future lottery pick" are monikers that routinely get hung around the necks of nearly every 5* player in every class, but mark my words, he IS every bit each of those.

 

If we can ever become a traditional contender in the B1G, I'm not so sure we can't start to lure some of these type guys to Huskerland.  Lincoln and Lexington are very similar, our facilities are very similar, and our fan base has the potential to be very similar.  Not out of the realm of possibilities given the right set of circumstances.

 

Aside from dealing money under the table, we could be attractive to a prospect in much the same way as UK is to prospects, given the right dominoes falling.

[GATA]

 

Kentucky has become a place where you can make some quick cash and play on a good team for a year or two while you wait for the NBA to call your name. It's just a bunch of mercenaries playing for themselves with no concept of team. It warmed my heart to see them go down in flames last night.

 

Umm, they won the national title last year...

Doesn't make what he said any less true.

 

You don't win a national title and dominate the way they did last year as freshmen if they were all playing for themselves. Anthony Davis and MKG were far from selfish players. In fact, MKG might have been one of the best leaders in college basketball last year.

 

Bottom line: The comment of being "a bunch of mercenaries playing for themselves with no concept of team," at least when directed at last year's Kentucky squad, is completely off base. They were a perfect combination talent, production, drive.

[GATA]

Randle is a monster.  Doesn't have the same game as LeBron, but is equally imposing and dominant at the HS level.  Don't get all twisted when I say this, but he's the closest thing I've seen to a physical specimen rivaling LBJ.  I know he's NOT LeBron, and I don't think his ceiling is as high, but d*** this kid is off the charts impressive.  Been around him and watching him play since he was in the fourth grade.

 

I know "one and done" and "future lottery pick" are monikers that routinely get hung around the necks of nearly every 5* player in every class, but mark my words, he IS every bit each of those.

 

If we can ever become a traditional contender in the B1G, I'm not so sure we can't start to lure some of these type guys to Huskerland.  Lincoln and Lexington are very similar, our facilities are very similar, and our fan base has the potential to be very similar.  Not out of the realm of possibilities given the right set of circumstances.

 

Aside from dealing money under the table, we could be attractive to a prospect in much the same way as UK is to prospects, given the right dominoes falling.

 

I love the optimism...

[MandRHusker]

I was told by a D1 coach that Calipari pays his players through an agent. The agent actually pays the players with the agreement that the players return to him when they go pro. Is this true, or sour grapes? I don't know. He even told me the name of the agent but I can't remember who it was now.

[Hooper]

 

 

Kentucky has become a place where you can make some quick cash and play on a good team for a year or two while you wait for the NBA to call your name. It's just a bunch of mercenaries playing for themselves with no concept of team. It warmed my heart to see them go down in flames last night.

 

Umm, they won the national title last year...

Doesn't make what he said any less true.

 

You don't win a national title and dominate the way they did last year as freshmen if they were all playing for themselves. Anthony Davis and MKG were far from selfish players. In fact, MKG might have been one of the best leaders in college basketball last year.

 

Bottom line: The comment, at least when directed at last year's Kentucky squad, is completely off base. They were a perfect combination talent, production, drive.

 

How often will that happen though? When you get a bunch of guys who are caught up with looking good for the NBA (which means getting a lot of scoring opportunities), only planning to be there one year and are likely taking a lot of money under the table, you have a recipe that isn't conducive to having a great team culture. Guys are just focused on the wrong things and don't have time to mature.

 

We'll see how things shake out for Kentucky in future seasons. I just believe it will be hard to have sustained greatness when so many of the players aren't emotionally invested in being there long term. I may just underestimate the extent to which top talent can overcome these types of things though..

[GATA]

 

 

 

Kentucky has become a place where you can make some quick cash and play on a good team for a year or two while you wait for the NBA to call your name. It's just a bunch of mercenaries playing for themselves with no concept of team. It warmed my heart to see them go down in flames last night.

 

Umm, they won the national title last year...

Doesn't make what he said any less true.

 

You don't win a national title and dominate the way they did last year as freshmen if they were all playing for themselves. Anthony Davis and MKG were far from selfish players. In fact, MKG might have been one of the best leaders in college basketball last year.

 

Bottom line: The comment, at least when directed at last year's Kentucky squad, is completely off base. They were a perfect combination talent, production, drive.

 

How often will that happen though? When you get a bunch of guys who are caught up with looking good for the NBA (which means getting a lot of scoring opportunities), only planning to be there one year and are likely taking a lot of money under the table, you have a recipe that isn't conducive to having a great team culture. Guys are just focused on the wrong things and don't have time to mature.

 

We'll see how things shake out for Kentucky in future seasons. I just believe it will be hard to have sustained greatness when so many of the players aren't emotionally invested in being there long term. I may just underestimate the extent to which top talent can overcome these types of things though..

 

I agree for the most part, but it simply wasn't the case for Kentucky last year. That's all I'm saying.

[Concrete]

I hope Kentucky's system keeps working.  IMO, when programs like Kentucky have to replace 2-3 underclassmen every year, it makes it easier for a program like Nebraska to build and compete.  While they're playing 3-5 true freshmen, we are playing 3-5 juniors and seniors who may not be as talented but are way more fundamentally sound/understand how to play as a team.

[TheKamdyMan]

Randle is a monster.  Doesn't have the same game as LeBron, but is equally imposing and dominant at the HS level.  Don't get all twisted when I say this, but he's the closest thing I've seen to a physical specimen rivaling LBJ.  I know he's NOT LeBron, and I don't think his ceiling is as high, but d*** this kid is off the charts impressive.  Been around him and watching him play since he was in the fourth grade.

 

I know "one and done" and "future lottery pick" are monikers that routinely get hung around the necks of nearly every 5* player in every class, but mark my words, he IS every bit each of those.

 

If we can ever become a traditional contender in the B1G, I'm not so sure we can't start to lure some of these type guys to Huskerland.  Lincoln and Lexington are very similar, our facilities are very similar, and our fan base has the potential to be very similar.  Not out of the realm of possibilities given the right set of circumstances.

 

Aside from dealing money under the table, we could be attractive to a prospect in much the same way as UK is to prospects, given the right dominoes falling.

 

 

must not have seen Andrew Wiggins play yet.  He is graduating HS a year early just so he can get to the NBA draft a year early.  Draftexpress.com said he would've been the #1 pick last year as a sophomore in high school, especially after destroying Team USA at the Hoops Summit.  Having watched him 3 times in person I can agree. Oh and kentucky is in his final 4 with UNC, KU< and FSU where his dad went

 

[TheKamdyMan]

.

[TheGov21]

If these guys were getting paid it would have been discovered already.  You don't think that with his previous NCAA violations that the NCAA isn't watching the program like a hawk?

 

Cal is a great recruiter and has proven that he can win and get players into the NBA.  That is why all these talented players are coming to him.  Not because he is handing out $100 bill handshakes.

[Hooper]

If these guys were getting paid it would have been discovered already.  You don't think that with his previous NCAA violations that the NCAA isn't watching the program like a hawk?

 

Cal is a great recruiter and has proven that he can win and get players into the NBA.  That is why all these talented players are coming to him.  Not because he is handing out $100 bill handshakes.

 

Are you serious? The NCAA is overwhelmed. They can't begin to police this stuff. SEC cheating especially is rampant. Alabama scholarship football players are getting a minimum of $10k-$30k per year. Much of it is funneled through churches. It's totally out of control.

 

You're telling me that six NBA-type kids in one year, all 5-star recruits, want to play at Kentucky, knowing how hard it will be to get playing time, in addition to the guys who are already there? That's really hard for me to believe. These guys are each getting $100k plus.

[leonidas]

If these guys were getting paid it would have been discovered already.  You don't think that with his previous NCAA violations that the NCAA isn't watching the program like a hawk?

 

Cal is a great recruiter and has proven that he can win and get players into the NBA.  That is why all these talented players are coming to him.  Not because he is handing out $100 bill handshakes.

 

Yes, and the SEC doesn't pay football recruits either.

[TheGov21]

If these guys were getting paid it would have been discovered already.  You don't think that with his previous NCAA violations that the NCAA isn't watching the program like a hawk?

 

Cal is a great recruiter and has proven that he can win and get players into the NBA.  That is why all these talented players are coming to him.  Not because he is handing out $100 bill handshakes.

 

Are you serious? The NCAA is overwhelmed. They can't begin to police this stuff. SEC cheating especially is rampant. Alabama scholarship football players are getting a minimum of $10k-$30k per year. Much of it is funneled through churches. It's totally out of control.

 

You're telling me that six NBA-type kids in one year, all 5-star recruits, want to play at Kentucky, knowing how hard it will be to get playing time, in addition to the guys who are already there? That's really hard for me to believe. These guys are each getting $100k plus.

 

You seriously think that Alabama is paying 85 guys $10,000-$30,000 a year?  That's $850,000 - $2,550,000 a year at a minimum.  Do you understand what you just said?  Whatever your drinking/smoking you need to put it down.

 

Yeah I'm telling you that good players want to go to a school where they can win, play for a year, and then go to the NBA.  Yeah that never happens.  Players only go where the money is.  That means that Louisville must have offered Akoy more money than Nebraska could.

[TheKamdyMan]

 

If these guys were getting paid it would have been discovered already.  You don't think that with his previous NCAA violations that the NCAA isn't watching the program like a hawk?

 

Cal is a great recruiter and has proven that he can win and get players into the NBA.  That is why all these talented players are coming to him.  Not because he is handing out $100 bill handshakes.

 

Are you serious? The NCAA is overwhelmed. They can't begin to police this stuff. SEC cheating especially is rampant. Alabama scholarship football players are getting a minimum of $10k-$30k per year. Much of it is funneled through churches. It's totally out of control.

 

You're telling me that six NBA-type kids in one year, all 5-star recruits, want to play at Kentucky, knowing how hard it will be to get playing time, in addition to the guys who are already there? That's really hard for me to believe. These guys are each getting $100k plus.

 

You seriously think that Alabama is paying 85 guys $10,000-$30,000 a year?  That's $850,000 - $2,550,000 a year at a minimum.  Do you understand what you just said?  Whatever your drinking/smoking you need to put it down.

 

Yeah I'm telling you that good players want to go to a school where they can win, play for a year, and then go to the NBA.  Yeah that never happens.  Players only go where the money is.  That means that Louisville must have offered Akoy more money than Nebraska could.

 

in reality thats a drop in the bucket as they make that during their spring game and then some.

[nebrasketball10]

 

If these guys were getting paid it would have been discovered already.  You don't think that with his previous NCAA violations that the NCAA isn't watching the program like a hawk?

 

Cal is a great recruiter and has proven that he can win and get players into the NBA.  That is why all these talented players are coming to him.  Not because he is handing out $100 bill handshakes.

 

Are you serious? The NCAA is overwhelmed. They can't begin to police this stuff. SEC cheating especially is rampant. Alabama scholarship football players are getting a minimum of $10k-$30k per year. Much of it is funneled through churches. It's totally out of control.

 

You're telling me that six NBA-type kids in one year, all 5-star recruits, want to play at Kentucky, knowing how hard it will be to get playing time, in addition to the guys who are already there? That's really hard for me to believe. These guys are each getting $100k plus.

 

You seriously think that Alabama is paying 85 guys $10,000-$30,000 a year?  That's $850,000 - $2,550,000 a year at a minimum.  Do you understand what you just said?  Whatever your drinking/smoking you need to put it down.

 

Yeah I'm telling you that good players want to go to a school where they can win, play for a year, and then go to the NBA.  Yeah that never happens.  Players only go where the money is.  That means that Louisville must have offered Akoy more money than Nebraska could.

 

Lol as if $850k to $2.225m is a lot of money for those programs and - more importantly - their boosters. I remember when we lost a recruit to Florida that Spinelli had been on HARD for a LONG time. Florida came in late and swooped him away. No surprise - they're a better program. Spinelli said Florida was paying him - the recruit wouldn't say one way or the other. But he was driving a brand new car shortly after.

 

I also heard from a Nebraska booster that Barfknecht told him at a dinner that some of the SEC writers that he is buddies with just generally know that it's common knowledge how much players cost in the SEC. 4* point guard? $x-amount. 5* post? $y-amount.

 

You're foolish if you think money doesn't change hands in college athletics - especially in the SEC conference. It's as obvious now as it was in the late 1980's. I would assume (and hope) that eventually the NCAA will bust some of those teams, but the cheaters always find a way to stay a step ahead of the enforcers (i.e. HGH).

[leonidas]

And the money isn't coming from the university.  It's coming from boosters who live in the South where paying recruits is accepted and a way of life.  It's been done for decades.