I see headlines of KU and ARK grabbing some 5* recruit. That looks great until the coach has to integrate them into a cohesive team. Pope has been able to glom together a mixed class of transfers into a team in a few short months. I LOVE this team now...it could get better over the next few years!
OK with < top 5 recruiting class
- Thread starter swflakat
- Start date
Recruiting is important. But the transfer portal is more important, unless you can get the next Wall, Davis, Zion, Flagg(?).
We will keep getting top classes. I don't see too any #1 or 2, but 5 to 10 range based on need. We will recruit well, retain players and find the RIGHT transfers. Cal got good transfers, hell even our only unanimous NPOY as a transfer and Travis was a good player, sestina was better than he showed here, Grady was doing well for us while injured and just gave out from playing too much while injured, but he never got the pieces that fit, and the one that did(Grady) he did no favors for(him or us).
Pope had to make a roster out of thin air and got a team that fits and can play at this level.
Pope had to make a roster out of thin air and got a team that fits and can play at this level.
We as a fan base have to get over seeing #1 or #2 recruiting classes. Not saying Pope cant get the top classes and players but hes going to get what fits best for his system and roster at UK.
Example might be Pope wants the 42nd ranked center in the class because he passes better then all the other centers in the class, so he passes on 27th, 13th and 7th ranked centers. Altho he WANTED the 4th best center in the class somebody else will get the 7th ranked center and say he is better. Pope will get the fit but not the higher ranked kid to make our team better. I could care less what kids are ranked as long as he gets a balanced team capable of winning.
Example might be Pope wants the 42nd ranked center in the class because he passes better then all the other centers in the class, so he passes on 27th, 13th and 7th ranked centers. Altho he WANTED the 4th best center in the class somebody else will get the 7th ranked center and say he is better. Pope will get the fit but not the higher ranked kid to make our team better. I could care less what kids are ranked as long as he gets a balanced team capable of winning.
I’m for whoever makes our team a tough, cohesive unit. I don’t care if they’re ranked 89th, 19th, 2nd, or NR. I’ve seen enough to know that CMP has things under control.
I agree and it's looking just as you say. We will get our pieces for his system.
Let's see.....top 5 classes and frustration out the roof or guys that work their tales off and bring exciting basketball.
Don't think that's a hard choice.
Don't think that's a hard choice.
I’m sure you agree that high school recruiting is still critical to success of a CBB program desiring to perennially be in the chase. I think you’re just saying that what some define as “recruiting success” doesn’t really correlate well with winning championships in the current environment. And if so, I whole-heartedly agree with you. I would actually say recruiting OAD players is not only NOT necessary to winning championships today, it could be counterproductive to doing so – especially taking too many in a year (1 probably, 2 at the most).
I believe that the best recruiting for today involves smart evaluating and forecasting with a plan for continuity. Because returning players who have physically matured and gotten significantly better due to development and experience are the surest (practically required?) way to win a title according to the data as well as the eye test. Returning players year-to-year need to be the core, but you have to add to that obviously. And while an OAD freshman can be a piece of the puzzle, the one-year players that have the biggest impact on winning are much more likely to be the top transfers rather than a freshman – whether a “5-star” or “top 5” or whatever other qualifier one wants to put on it.
I think the best use of an OAD freshman is usually as a role player in the starting unit or as part of a tandem with an experienced player that probably has better developed skills (although less “talent”). Moreover, I think using an OAD freshman this way will usually also be more beneficial to the player’s goal and likely draft position.
UCONN has dominated college hoops the last two years. In their classes of 2021-2023, they had 10- 4* recruits and 1- 5* recruit. (Stephon Castle). Solid talent evaluation, character, and fit are most important.
If we can get to a final four with this structure of a roster then I don't give a damn about recruiting rankings.
Unless it's a game changer NBA player guaranteed!
Most of these high school guys are not proven at all for the college game no matter how good they were in high school. I know this cuz I just went through it for the last 15 years, didnt you?
I want my point guard and my center coming from the transfer market if I can get it.
Every year.
Unless it's a game changer NBA player guaranteed!
Most of these high school guys are not proven at all for the college game no matter how good they were in high school. I know this cuz I just went through it for the last 15 years, didnt you?
I want my point guard and my center coming from the transfer market if I can get it.
Every year.
Well pope really couldn’t grab any any high rated dudes this year. You are aware we’ve signed 3 5 stars already aren’t you? And are about to grab a top 5 guy in Caleb Wilson lol
I'd rather the point guard grow into a steady contributor that is battle tested and as a rises to the senior leader that has played in Pope's system his entire career and can be the coach on the floor than bringing in someone who has never played in the system. But I'll take seasoned vet transfer over a freshman at point
I still think Pope is recruiting an elite HS level too as he should. We need elite freshman talent, pope just won’t rely solely on that which is what everyone wants.
Pitino got top recruiting classes at UK, and Coach Mark Pope is a Pitino disciple. Hate to be a Debbie Downer and disappoint some people but Mark Pope (who during his short years with Pitino had top 5 All American HS talent as teammates here including Rodrick Rhodes, Tony Delk, Antoine Walker, Ron Mercer, and Wayne Turner) is going to bring in some talented classes.
As Joe B. Hall used to allude to, if one does not put the appropriate focus on recruitiing one ends up looking like a bum. And Adolph Rupp used to try to win every game, none of this not recruiting the best players like Bobby Knight and Denny Crum evolved into nor waiting only for March like Denny and the boys at U of L. We are Kentucky.
As Joe B. Hall used to allude to, if one does not put the appropriate focus on recruitiing one ends up looking like a bum. And Adolph Rupp used to try to win every game, none of this not recruiting the best players like Bobby Knight and Denny Crum evolved into nor waiting only for March like Denny and the boys at U of L. We are Kentucky.
Last edited: