Cal's Recruiting Style Follows The One-And-Done Rule

Image Via Brain Spurlock | USA TODAY Sports

Earlier this week, yet another five star recruit decided to take their talents to the BBN. What's new? Well, nothing really. Cal has seemingly formed a monopoly on college basketball recruiting by reeling in nearly every recruit he wants during his five year tenure at Kentucky, including 24 five star recruits, which is the most by any coach in the last half decade.   This complete dominance in recruiting has shown to be a burden and a blessing. We've had the luxury of a National Championship, a Final Four appearance, and an Elite Eight appearance during a three-year stretch. On the down side, by the time the Kentucky fan base grows to love their Wildcats, they're out the door and on to the NBA, while a new load of talent makes its way to Lexington. Coach Cal prides himself on this ability to put kids in the league and live out their dreams. But is Cal's recruiting style what's pushing these student-athletes into the league after only one year?   Well, to make it short and simple, no. In today's college basketball world, and especially at Kentucky, premier talent is the standard and nothing less will be accepted by the BBN, or Coach Cal himself. Even then, solid recruits like Marcus Lee seem to find themselves coming to UK only to become familiar with the bench. This isn't always a bad thing when it is because you have guys like Julius Randle starting with Trey Lyles coming in next season to assume the starting position.   I'm sure Cal gets tired of dealing with the same issues every season. The freshmen mistakes like not understanding the game, not competing and not handling situations the proper way have all been seen with this year's Cats team, which is now 21-7 on the year. Most would say that the season has been a disappointment thus far considering Kentucky was the championship favorite to start the season, but that's my point. This team, full of freshmen, was still projected to win the championship over all the experience in the college basketball world.  

Image Via Brain Spurlock | USA TODAY Sports

With the way college basketball is headed, this strategy of loading up on highly sought after freshmen has become the norm and has paved a path of success over the years for this strategy to continue. I couldn't tell you the last time a team won the National Championship without elite players on the roster and that's the way it will likely continue to be. That said, Cal's standards are championships and middle of the road talent simply won't do. The fans getting tired of the all the freshman are the same fans who also complained when we weren't getting the top talent. If Coach Cal didn't sign these guys, someone else would and we would instead be facing those guys. I know we all get tired of the freshmen struggles and mishaps, but it looks like reloading every year is the only option Cal has. It's the rule. People often say Cal doesn't want these kids to stay in college because of how much he likes to talk about helping kids fulfill their NBA dreams. Truth is, guys like Randle, Davis, Cousins, Wall, and Noel are destined for the league and are pretty much predetermined to be one-and-done players. But look at the résumé Cal has gained by chasing the top talent --an Elite Eight, a Final Four, and a National Championship. All are still possible for this team and once the season is over, the top talent on this team will likely leave and more premier talent will fill their shoes.   [caption id="attachment_152797" align="alignnone" width="600"] Image Via | 247sports[/caption] Is this revolving door of top talent we see at Kentucky Coach Cal's fault? Not at all. Rather, I put the blame on the NBA's one-and-done rule. Cal just knows how to utilize it to ensure his teams always have a chance to be the best. If seeing new faces put on the Kentucky jersey is the only way to stay prominent, Cal will do it to win as he has so often already done. If the NBA ever changes the rule making student-athletes need two years out of high school, Cal will adapt and bring in the same premier talent, just not so much every year. But for now, these kids have their eyes set on the NBA, all Cal can do is utilize them for the good of the program during their one year in the bluegrass.     @CodyDanielKSR