Recruiting Ramblings from Winnipeg

It has been a crazy weekend for those of us here at Kentucky Sports Radio as we have had some amazing adventures attempting to cross into Canada and enjoy the scenic views here in Winnipeg. But all that will be made clear in due time, eh. What you really care about is the recruiting news, and there is a bit to sort through. (1) Kentucky has set up an in home visit with Stephon Pettigrew in early September. It is very likely that he will receive an offer from UK in the very near future (maybe as soon as this week) and Kentucky is now likely to attempt to add him to the class. Pettigrew, in my opinion, is a great fourth or fifth member of this class and is being set up as a longer term option.....hopefully to pair with Patrick Patterson. The best analogy I can use here is to link it to when UK recruited Marquis Estill and Jules Camara. The thought always was that Camara was the star, but that Estill could develop in the longer term if Jules headed off to the NBA. While that didnt quite happen there, I do see Pettigrew as being part of a longer term option for the Cats. If he is combined with Lucas, Patterson and Stewart, UK fans should be quite happy. (2) There is a new name on the UK radar. As first reported by the good folks at Kentucky Sports Report, and now told to me by someone who is usually right on, Jeff Brooks of Doss High School is now in Kentucky's view. The 6'8" power forward is reportedly going to be watched by UK and has been contacted by the staff. The entry of Brooks into the mix suggests that UK (as they should) does not feel confident in getting Josh Southern and may now be seeking a new "third big man" for the class.....assuming of course that Patterson and Pettigrew would be the first two. I know very little about Brooks, but I question whether this development means that UK has little hope in their backups to Patterson. (3) A source told me today that Jai Lucas will be making a decision essentially between "Kentucky and one other school." The source told me, as I have reported before, that Kentucky is the presumptive leader for Lucas, but it is not a done deal. The source would not tell me the name of the other school, but in my conversations with Jai, I have always gotten the feeling that LSU is the other main school he is considering. Reports have come in this week that Maryland is becoming more of a player, but as of yet, I have not been able to talk with him about that. That is what we have so far. Watch for some news to develop in the next couple of days. I think there is a very good chance that Brooks will not be the last "new" name we sseem coming out. Finally, Kentucky Sports Radio Episode 2 is now available for download. At the time I write this, I cannot access the site, but if you are reading this in the morning or later, it should be ready. AJ Stewart and others are there and I hope you enjoy. Plus for the first time, the show is available for download on ITunes. So go over there and subscribe and you will get the shows automatically. Until tomorrow, eh!