Better player developer and X-Os mind than he gets credit for. Just harder to see because he doesn’t have the players that long and he has to simplify things.
2 Likes
Plus, Cal does a good job of managing personalities and egos and he has 5* players buy into their role like KAT exclusively playing at the post instead of shooting 3s, Book playing off the bench, etc.
1 Like
This year is showing me how solid of a job Calipari does. We need significant contribution from our 5* freshman. And they were a hot mess for most of November and December. Starting to get it together a little more consistently since the new year. But Calipari has 4-5 of those guys most years (transfer portal might change how he operates a bit more). Makes sense that despite being one of the most talented teams in the country year in and year out, that the results aren’t always at the high level unreasonable people expect.
Once you’ve successfully built a program using questionable tactics, you don’t necessarily need to continue to do so.
2 Likes
Although you probably do it anyways to an extent, because you have a long history of doing it as do your predecessors in the role at that school. His bio includes two vacated final four appearances at two different schools. Kentucky’s history is pretty severe too. As we know, it takes a lot to get severe punishment when you’re a blueblood.
2 Likes
The KAT example was what I was thinking of regarding player development. Beilein would have had him shooting threes but Calipari forced him to round out his game a little more.
Yes, because surely, NCAA is such a reputable organization that makes its decisions so judiciously that it’s imperative you should really care about what they deem ethically bankrupt and against the laws of the game.
I really don’t think KAT is an example of great coaching of Cal’s part. I mean that team was amazing so you can’t really question much from that team but KAT is like the best big man shooter ever and he didn’t shoot at all at UK. So not sure how Cal has had a huge impact on his career either way
I think you can give him credit for being able to play 2 bigs at once like Kat and WCS. Both started all season, neither really stretched the D and the offense was still very efficient. Only because we hear about how the game has changed and it’s tough to have a great offense for spacing with 2 bigs. He’s also turned Oscar into a rebounding machine, he was always a good rebounder but he’s at another level now.
1 Like
What he did at UMass is still incredible. I still remember seeing UMass take it to Kentucky at the Palace. They later lost to Kentucky in the Final Four. Still that UMass team had only 1 NBA guy on it in Camby.
3 Likes
Plot twist: Oscar was the best offensive rebounder in college basketball as a freshman.
4 Likes
Oklahoma’s PA announcer straight up counts down the shot clock from 10 whenever OU is on offense. That’s one of the weirdest things I’ve seen from a basketball arena.
Edit: he did it for Texas just now and I’m guessing the shot clocks facing the players might be broken. They haven’t shown an angle of that yet.
1 Like
TTU is a fascinating case. They have like 8 transfers (something Michigan could never do if they wanted) all from non High majors and most of them are doing better this year at TTU than they did at their previous school.
1 Like
It’s so pervasive cause it’s true.
1 Like
Looking at Oregon’s roster,I’d think they’d be better.
I’m also pretty shocked to see that Fl st had lost so many in a row. I actually really like their roster. Can’t believe they fell apart this bad. I’m not on top of hoops this year as much as in the past and the last I looked they had just turned it on.
Looks like they’ve been dealing with serious injury issues but when I look at that team healthy I really like a lot of their guys and loved alot of them in High school.
Fletcher,Cleveland,Warley, Evans, Polite, Butler, Mills, Wilkes, Evans. Lots of nice players there. Wonder if they get healthy if they could run through the acc tourney.
1 Like
Our old buddy Carter Whitt’s stats are truly spectacular
He’s even shrinking!
Anyone know of a non-top 10 level point guard recruit who you could argue made a good decision by reclassifying up a grade?
2 Likes
Incredible. I really liked Whitt’s game, and would have been happy to get him at the time! He only came in for half of last year, and I thought it was a smart decision due to it not counting against his 4 year eligibility. But yeah, looks like he’s gotten worse……and shorter lol
1 Like
Penny…
2 Likes
TTU @ UT is an elite defensive struggle right now
Wow TTU with the road warrior fans. Huge airball chant against the home team just now. Brutal
3 Likes