SB Nation User Blog: FortyYearCatFan

Top 25 Coaches

FortyYearCatFan — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:05:33 -0000

Top 25 Coaches

Calipari 4th.

The 2010's (Decade) What Do You Expect?

FortyYearCatFan — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:15:33 -0000

I think John Calipari will have a decade like those that Adolph Rupp had in the 1930's - 40's - 50's. For those who may not know, Coach Rupp won 85% of his games those 30 seasons. He won 75% of his NCAA games (all at Elite 8 or Sweet 16 level). He won 19 (of 27) SEC titles and 13 (of 20) SECT championships.

I think Calipari will EXCEED the 1991-2005 era (when UK won almost 80% of its games and 78% of its NCAA games).

My guess - Calipari's UK teams win 83% (or better) of the games in the decade of the 2010's. I think his UK teams will win 80% of their NCAA games in this decade. And (3) NCAA titles plus (7) SEC titles and SECT championships.

UK landed #1 recruiting classes in 1971, 1979, 1984, 1988, 1992, and 2004 - roughly 15% of the time. I think Calipari will land THREE #1 rated classes (counting 2009 as his first) in 10 years - DOUBLE the UK average.

UK Fell Off A Cliff In 2008 And 2009

FortyYearCatFan — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 16:19:55 -0000

Let's look back at KenPom www.kenpom.com ratings.

UK was 4th in 1999. 17th in 2000. 7th in 2001. 13th in 2002. 2nd in 2003. 8th in 2004. 11th in 2005. 20th in 2006. 14th in 2007.

Average about 10th. Not good enough. Coaching change.

UK was 55th in 2008. 52nd in 2009. Horrible. Another coaching change.

Memphis coach was hired. Here is how Memphis did (KenPom) under him.

38th in 2001. 35th in 2002. 23rd in 2003. 29th in 2004. 43rd in 2005. (UK better each of those 5 years)

9th in 2006. 9th in 2007. (Better than UK those 2 years)

2nd in 2008. 2nd in 2009. MUCH better than UK those 2 years.

Average about 21st (over those 9 years).

Hoopmasters Top 200

FortyYearCatFan — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 12:33:19 -0000

Hoopmasters Top 200

UK has 5 on the list.

Sign 'Em In The Spring Or Fall? Basketball Recruiting

FortyYearCatFan — Sat, 23 May 2009 14:56:54 -0000

(Just 20 years, 1990 through 2009 classes)

1990 - 3 in the fall, 1 in the spring.

1991 - 4 in the fall, 0 in the spring.

1992 - 4 in the fall, 1 in the spring.

1993 - 1 in the fall, 2 in the spring.

1994 - 2 in the fall, 3 in the spring.

1995 - 1 in the fall, 3 in the spring.

1996 - 1 in the fall, 2 in the spring.

1997 - 2 in the fall, 2 in the spring.

1998 - 4 in the fall, 1 in the spring.

1999 - 4 in the fall, 1 in the spring.

2000 - 2 in the fall, 2 in the spring and 1 in the summer.

2001 - 3 in the fall, 1 in the spring.

2002 - 3 in the fall, 2 in the spring.

2003 - 2 in the fall, 2 in the spring and 1 in the summer.

2004 - 2 in the fall, 3 in the spring.

2005 - 0 in the fall, 2 in the spring.

2006 - 4 in the fall, 0 in the spring.

2007 - 3 in the fall, 2 in the spring.

2008 - 2 in the fall, 2 in the spring and 1 in the summer.

2009 - 3 in the fall, 4 in the spring.

Baker's Dozen > UK's Best Recruiting Classes (1966 Thru 2009)

FortyYearCatFan — Wed, 20 May 2009 01:41:26 -0000

1. 2009 - Wall, Cousins, Orton, Bledsoe, Hood, Dodson

2. 1979 - Bowie, Hord, Minniefield, Hurt, Heitz

3. 1995 - Mercer, Turner, Mohammed, Simmons

4. 1974 - Givens, Robey, Lee, Phillips, Hall

5. 1992 - Rhodes, Delk, McCarty, Prickett, Dent

6. 1971 - Grevey, Conner, Flynn, Guyette, Smith, Lochmueller, Hale

7. 1966 - Issel, Casey, Pratt, Butler, Pool, Busey, Wheeler, Dinwiddie, Mills, Fraley, Spears

8. 1994 - Walker, Edwards, Padgett, Anderson, Mills

9. 2004 - Morris, Crawford, Rondo, Bradley

10. 1980 - Turpin, Bearup, Master, Beal

11. 1999 - Bogans, Stone, Stewart (Knight), Estill

12. 1988 - Mills, Kemp, Farmer, Woods

13. 1984 - Davender, Madison, Jenkins, Lock, Ziegler, Behnke

Rivals Has Been Evaluating Recruiting Classes Since 2003

FortyYearCatFan — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:28:54 -0000

How has UK fared in the Rivals BOTB class rankings since 2003?

The Cats were ranked #18 class in 2003. Alleyne was highest rated recruit, Perry and Thomas about even, followed by Obrzut. Transfer Patrick Sparks filled out the class.

UK had the #1 rated class in 2004. HS All-Americans Morris, Crawford, and Rondo plus prep schooler Bradley vaulted UK to top spot. Adam Williams was "optioned" to prep school.

Followed by its only NR (Not Ranked) class in 2005. JuCo All-American Sims and KY big man Carter plus Williams "recalled" from prep school.

UK's 2006 class was rated #16. Meeks and Jasper were Top 40 recruits, Stevenson Top 60. Porter and (later) Harris filled out the class.

The 2007 UK recruits were rated #13 on the strength of Patterson and Legion. The class also included Stewart and (Morakinyo) Williams.

The 2008 class was rated #21. Liggins and Miller were top "gets" but Harrellson and Galloway were late JuCo additions. Pilgrim transferred from Hampton. Then (Donald) Williams was an even later add-on to the class.

TIP to UK recruiters: avoid players named Williams. They don't work out too well.

Now comes superb recruiter John Calipari in 2009. He added Cousins, Bledsoe, and Dodson to Orton and Hood for another #1 class rating by Rivals. The possible addition of John Wall could vault this class to the #1 class ever signed by UK.

UK Will Have Consensus Top 5 (Maybe #1) Class In 2009

FortyYearCatFan — Sun, 03 May 2009 13:49:00 -0000

Cousins, Orton, Hood, Dodson, and Wall or Bledsoe is certainly Top 5 and probably close to the #1 class in 2009 recruiting circles. Calipari will be 1 for 1.

Gillispie never landed a Top 5 class at UK. That's 0 of 2.

Tubby landed Top 5 classes in 1998, 1999, and 2004. That's 3 of 9.

Pitino landed Top 5 classes in 1992, 1994, and 1995. That's 3 of 8.

Sutton landed Top 5 classes in 1987 and 1988. That's 2 of 4.

Hall landed Top 5 classes in 1974, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, and 1984. That's 8 of 14.

Rupp landed Top 5 classes in 1966, 1968, and 1971. That's 3 of 6 (since I first started following UK recruiting in 1966).

UK landed Top 5 classes in 19 of 43 years (1966 thru 2008) before Calipari arrived.

I think we will see Calipari approach or possibly exceed the Hall level of recruiting.

Let Me Try Some Of That Calipari > Billy Reed Article In Basketball Times This Month

FortyYearCatFan — Sat, 02 May 2009 12:41:52 -0000

He relates a story about the late Cawood Ledford and Rick Pitino enjoying dinner at an Italian restaurant in the early 1990's. It seems Cawood had never eaten calimari before and declined at first. The table conversation turned to UMass coach John Calipari.

Finally, giving it a second thought, Cawood decided to try the Italian delicacy. He said, "OK, let me try some of that calipari."

Reed opines that the rest of BBN is about to join him in Trying Some Of That Calipari.

Flat out, Reed says Calipari Was The Best Hire Kentucky Could Make. He Is Everything His Predecessor Wasn't - And More.

Reed gives credit to Mike Pratt for his role in hiring the right guy this time. Barnhart recognized the folly of his effort (going it alone) in 2007 and made Pratt his point man on scouting the real interest of several UK possible hires.

Reed didn't like Gillispie at all. He called the 2009 squad "the worst coached team in UK history." He further says, "Calipari will have some very small shoes to fill." He goes on and on with even stronger comments but you get the point.

Several UK boosters told Barnhart that Billy Donovan was ready to leave Florida for UK. So Pratt inquired of him first and quickly discovered that Donovan would NOT be leaving Florida for anywhere.

Next up was Tom Izzo. There may or may not have been interest but Pratt found out that it wasn't going to happen (Izzo To UK) so UK looked at others. John Calipari's name came up quickly. SEC commissioner Mike Slive (who came from C-USA) gave his Thumbs Up on Calipari.

Pratt immediately learned that Calipari had a genuine interest in coming to UK. A series of meetings (I learned separately these occurred here in Chicago) between Calipari and UK officials closed the deal. Calipari simply had to decide if he could leave behind his genuine affection for the city of Memphis and his players.

Reed concludes by writing It's The Best Hire Kentucky Could Have Made - Better Even Than Donovan Or Izzo.

Great article at www.basketballtimes.com if you subscribe.

Last But Not Least > The UK Recruits In The 1990's

FortyYearCatFan — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 02:05:46 -0000

This will cover UK recruiting from 1990 through 1999 under 2 different coaches.

After a "lost" recruiting year in 1989 and transfers by the highest rated (5 best) recruits of the 1987 and 1988 classes, UK was plenty short on talent going into 1990 season.

The 1990 recruiting class struck gold with Jamal Mashburn but UK missed most of its other top targets (including guys like Dwayne Morton) that year. Gimel Martinez was a good "get" in the spring but Carlos Toomer never belonged at UK. UK found another nugget in Travis Ford (transfer from Missouri) that summer. Walk-on Jody Thompson was a nice addition but didn't last under Pitino at UK.

Now comes 1991 and UK targeted several highly rated players like Cherokee Parks, Tom Kleinschmidt, Erik (Ricky) Brunson, and others. Unfortunately none of those signed with UK. Andre Riddick was a well regarded NYC big man and so was Aminu Timberlake from Chicago. KY native son Chris Harrison had committed to UK as a HS junior. The last spot in the class was taken by JC All-American guard Dale Brown as the "first to commit" among several highly rated guards being sought by UK. It was a decent class but that's all. Not really UK caliber group.

Then in 1992, UK promoted assistant Billy Donovan to chief recruiter on the staff. Bingo! UK signs its most highly regarded (consensus #1 rated) class since 1984. National POY contender Rodrik Rhodes chose UK over Seton Hall. TN sharpshooter Tony Delk picked the Cats over UT and Memphis. Hoosier big man Walter McCarty chose Kentucky over Purdue. And WV native Jared Prickett picked UK over Notre Dame. Then UK added JuCo A-A Rodney Dent in the springtime.

In 1993, UK had only a few scholarships to offer. Jeff Sheppard of Georgia was a early commitment for one of them, choosing UK over Ga Tech. Anthony Epps was next to commit, first as a walk-on but then was granted a scholarship when Charles O'Bannon picked UCLA over UK. Transfer Mark Pope (who considered UK in 1991) switched his allegiance from Washington to Kentucky that summer.

Next comes 1994. Scott Padgett of Louisville was first to commit (somewhat of a surprise at the time). Allen Edwards of Miami was next - Pitino craved a tall PG. UK waited on Antoine Walker to choose in the springtime, and he finally picked UK. The Cats got walk-on Cameron Mills that spring (although he ultimately earned a UK scholarship). Topping it off was the addition of Derek Anderson (overlooked by UK in 1992) as an Ohio St transfer that summer. Wow! Donovan went out with a bang.

Look out, here comes another great class in 1995. Headliner was National POY contender Ron Mercer of Nashville. Oliver Simmons (also of Nashville) had been an early UK commitment as HS junior. UK first declined interest in ace PG Wayne Turner but ultmately offered him a scholarship, which he promptly accepted. The most "unexpected" signee in the 95 class was big (and I mean BIG) man Nazr Mohammed of Chicago. John Thompson thought he had him coming to Georgetown but UK won out. The 95 class was just a hair below 92 in the rankings and just a bit ahead of the 94 bunch.

That's 4 great classes (well, 1993 was very good) in a row. Time for a breather?

Yes, but primarily because Pitino was making small talk with NBA teams like the NJ Nets in 1996 and Boston Celtics in 1997. UK's top recruiting targets made other choices in 96 and 97. The Cats didn't land a single "top shelf" choice either year.

Anthony Dent (Rodney's younger brother) of Georgia signed in 1996 but never qualified academically to play at UK. UK offered his scholarship to Manhattan transfer Heshimu Evans in the spring of 96. After waiting until midnight of the last possible day to sign, Jamaal Magloire of Toronto chose UK over Purdue. He brought HS coach Simeon Mars with him. Magloire was a quality talent eventually but a true 4 year player.

UK recruiting suffered in 96 and 97 partially because of Pitino's NBA dalliances but also because Delray Brooks and Winston Bennett were not recruiters of the Billy Donovan caliber.

The 97 class again missed all its top targets but UK landed Myron Anthony of Florida and Ryan Hogan (Kevin Grevey's nephew) of Chicago in the fall. Thanks to a colossal recruiting blunder by Boston College adminstrators, BC lost big man Mike Bradley to UK in the springtime. Byron Mouton of Louisiana was a likely UK recruit that spring but he went elsewhere when Pitino went off to the NBA. The other 3 signees wanted (or considered) LOI releases but UK AD C.M. Newton declined to grant them.

When UK hired a new coach after Pitino left, Georgia All-Stater Saul Smith was added, first as a walk-on but later as a scholarship player (if available, year by year). UK had no other back-up PG to Wayne Turner going into 98 season.

UK added ace recruiter George Felton during the coaching staff changeover in 1997. Felton was a superb college recruiter in the 1980's and 1990's - maybe one of the best ever.

The 98 and 99 classes made up for the 96 and 97 misses by adding back-to-back Top 5 rated groups to the UK roster. Californian Tayshaun Prince, Senegalese big man "Jules" Camara, and Floridian Desmond Allison headlined the 98 bunch. KY guards J.P. Blevins and Todd Tackett rounded out the class.

The 99 class started off like a house on fire. National POY contenders Keith Bogans and Marvin Stone chose UK that fall. Hooser big (and I really mean BIG again) man John Stewart picked the Cats over Purdue. KY sleeper and big man Marquis Estill picked UK over Louisville. The Cats thought they were done recruiting that fall.

Sadly, it was not to be. John Stewart died of heart failure during a HS game that winter. Very VERY sad for the young man and his family as well as UK. The Cats added Utah junior college transfer Nate Knight (brother of NBA player Travis Knight) that spring. He didn't last very long at Kentucky.

The 1990 through 99 recruiting classes had remarkable achievements at UK. They won almost 82% of their games from 1991 through 2003 seasons. They won 7 SEC titles (counting 1991) and 9 SECT championships in those 13 seasons. There were 2 undefeated SEC seasons (1996, 2003) also.

Those UK teams had two #1 final rankings in Coaches' polls (1996, 1998) and one #1 final ranking in AP poll (2003). The #1 AP finish was UK's first in 25 seasons.

And (of course) don't forget 2 NCAA titles, 4 Final 4 appearances, 8 Elite 8 finishes, and 10 Sweet 16's in those 13 magical seasons.

The 1990's were UK's best decade since the 1940's. Methinks a repeat is coming in the 2010's under Calipari.