Coach Calipari to Kentucky?

[dannyg79]

All signs point to yes (though not official). If so, the Louisville-Kentucky rivalry well get back to its rightful place alongside Duke-UNC as the best rivalry in the nation, and Kentucky will hopefully get back to its rightful place as a consistent final 4 team.

[iamredbeard]

It sure looks that way, but it also looked that way two years ago with Donovan. To quote a cheesy 80's song, it doesn't mean anything until they sign it on the dotted line.

[Dr. Funkenstein]

It sure looks that way, but it also looked that way two years ago with Donovan. To quote a cheesy 80's song, it doesn't mean anything until they sign it on the dotted line.

I'm not quite sure what's worse here.

1. That you quoted Richard Marx. :naughty:

2. Or that I recognize that it's Richard Marx :(

[dannyg79]

It sure looks that way, but it also looked that way two years ago with Donovan. To quote a cheesy 80's song, it doesn't mean anything until they sign it on the dotted line.

Donovan never visited or interviewed or anything of that nature. Most of the Donovan rumors were coming from the UK side. Calipari visited Lexington Sunday and is obviously showing interest. I cant possibly see him turning it down to stay at Memphis.

[dannyg79]

Was listening to Colin Cowherd and reporter from a Memphis paper said that Memphis has basically matched Kentucky's financial offer. So this might end up being more interesting than I thought. But, in the end I still think he ends up at Kentucky.

[Dr. Funkenstein]

Was listening to Colin Cowherd and reporter from a Memphis paper said that Memphis has basically matched Kentucky's financial offer. So this might end up being more interesting than I thought. But, in the end I still think he ends up at Kentucky.

I think that'll depend on just how much he wants to deal with the Kentucky fan base.

[dannyg79]

I think that'll depend on just how much he wants to deal with the Kentucky fan base.

The other thing though, is that he has never coached in a major conference. I think the lure of being at a big time program in a big time conference might be too much for him to pass up. He is an extrememly good coach, but with no national titles and his conferences at both UMass and Memphis not exactly being top tier conferences, I think he could also look at this as a credibility type thing. I dont think anyone puts him at the level of Izzo, Coach K, Pitino, etc etc. But, if he wins at Kentucky, he immediately gets lumped in with those guys.

And say what ya want about the fan base, but if you are a winner, then there is no better job in the country. Concerns about dealing with the fan base really comes down to how confident you are in your coaching abilities.

[iamredbeard]

Donovan never visited or interviewed or anything of that nature. Most of the Donovan rumors were coming from the UK side. Calipari visited Lexington Sunday and is obviously showing interest. I cant possibly see him turning it down to stay at Memphis.

All that you say it true. There is much more substance to Calipari than there ever was to Donovan. Just saying I've seen this before. I'll believe when I see the press conference. Having said all that I think and have for some time that he belongs in one of the six BCS conferences. Ever since the Big East took a bunch of teams from Conference USA the conference has been watered down. He needs to be in a more competitive conference. I think Kentucky would be a good fit for him.

[iamredbeard]

I'm not quite sure what's worse here.

1. That you quoted Richard Marx. :naughty:

2. Or that I recognize that it's Richard Marx :(

:)):)):))

[iamredbeard]

The other thing though, is that he has never coached in a major conference. I think the lure of being at a big time program in a big time conference might be too much for him to pass up. He is an extrememly good coach, but with no national titles and his conferences at both UMass and Memphis not exactly being top tier conferences, I think he could also look at this as a credibility type thing. I dont think anyone puts him at the level of Izzo, Coach K, Pitino, etc etc. But, if he wins at Kentucky, he immediately gets lumped in with those guys.

And say what ya want about the fan base, but if you are a winner, then there is no better job in the country. Concerns about dealing with the fan base really comes down to how confident you are in your coaching abilities.

I think that Kentucky in College Basketball comparable to Notre Dame in College Football. Both schools have rich traditions and both fans bases are rabid and feel that they should always be national contenders. Besides that, they are also talked about in the media when their teams is in the dumps. The job comes with a lot of pressure but if you succeed you'll be loved beyond belief. The opposite is also true, if you fail to live up to their expectations then you'll be run out of town.

[Xena]

Calipari is IN

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v336/XenaWarrior/BelovedWildcats.jpg

[iamredbeard]

ESPN is reporting that he has accepted the job. The speculation can now end.

[Xena]

ESPN is reporting that he has accepted the job. The speculation can now end.

:eh:

[grapabeaux]

Woo hoo! That surely means one of Memphis' blue-chip recruits is coming to Kansas.

[Dr. Funkenstein]

Woo hoo! That surely means one of Memphis' blue-chip recruits is coming to Kansas.

Which?

I'm hearing most of them are following Cal to Lexington.

[dannyg79]

Which?

I'm hearing most of them are following Cal to Lexington.

I would assume he is talking about Xavier Henry, whose second choice was Kansas. But, the only reason you go to Memphis is because of Calipari, so I would venture to guess Kentucky has just as good a shot of landing him as Kansas, since Calipari was the reason behind him going to Memphis in the first place.

[Dr. Funkenstein]

I would assume he is talking about Xavier Henry, whose second choice was Kansas. But, the only reason you go to Memphis is because of Calipari, so I would venture to guess Kentucky has just as good a shot of landing him as Kansas, since Calipari was the reason behind him going to Memphis in the first place.

Exactly

[iamredbeard]

Which?

I'm hearing most of them are following Cal to Lexington.

I also heard that up to three of his players are considering transferring to Kentucky to stay with their head coach, even though it means that they would have to sit out next year.

[dannyg79]

If he does land several of his recruits that were going to Memphis, and Meeks and Patterson stay, then Kentucky goes from NIT to top 3 or 4 in the nation basically over night.

[iamredbeard]

If he does land several of his recruits that were going to Memphis, and Meeks and Patterson stay, then Kentucky goes from NIT to top 3 or 4 in the nation basically over night.

I wouldn't go that far. If all those things happen, I still would be surprised if when the pre-season polls come out that they had Kentucky in the top 5. I think they'll be much better next year, but I wouldn't put them as contenders for the national title.

[Dr. Funkenstein]

I wouldn't go that far. If all those things happen, I still would be surprised if when the pre-season polls come out that they had Kentucky in the top 5. I think they'll be much better next year, but I wouldn't put them as contenders for the national title.

They'd be a lock to win the SEC, and might actually end their bad run against Louisville and UNC as well.

[iamredbeard]

They'd be a lock to win the SEC, and might actually end their bad run against Louisville and UNC as well.

I'd be more inclined to go along with that statement than to say than the one about them being in the top three or four in the nation.

[dannyg79]

I wouldn't go that far. If all those things happen, I still would be surprised if when the pre-season polls come out that they had Kentucky in the top 5. I think they'll be much better next year, but I wouldn't put them as contenders for the national title.

I would. Obviously, depending on what recruits they get and as long as Meeks and Patterson both stay. It doesnt take a lot in college basketball to turn a team around. Patterson and Meeks are probably the best players in the SEC, and Meeks is one of the best in the nation. A couple of hot shot players to go with them and they are loaded, especially if one of those players is a PG.


Here is a story from cbssportline. Now, I wouldnt go as far as this guy, but when UK has a coach and some momentum, they are the best program in the nation.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/11573816

[Dr. Funkenstein]

I would. Obviously, depending on what recruits they get and as long as Meeks and Patterson both stay. It doesnt take a lot in college basketball to turn a team around. Patterson and Meeks are probably the best players in the SEC, and Meeks is one of the best in the nation. A couple of hot shot players to go with them and they are loaded, especially if one of those players is a PG.


Here is a story from cbssportline. Now, I wouldnt go as far as this guy, but when UK has a coach and some momentum, they are the best program in the nation.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/11573816

I figure if Calipari gets there early enough and starts installing his dribble-drive offense, and Patterson/Meeks stick around, and he can keep two of his hot recruits...UK will be a top 25 team in the pre-season next year.

[iamredbeard]

I figure if Calipari gets there early enough and starts installing his dribble-drive offense, and Patterson/Meeks stick around, and he can keep two of his hot recruits...UK will be a top 25 team in the pre-season next year.

I think that is more realistic than to think that they immediately become one of the top three or four teams in the nation.

[dannyg79]

I think that is more realistic than to think that they immediately become one of the top three or four teams in the nation.

It doesnt take much. Syracuse won a national title by signing Carmello Anthony, I dont see why a team like Kentucky couldnt do it if they bring in 3 top tier recruits and keep 2 future NBA players that are already on their roster. I am not saying they will win the national title, but I see no reason why they wont have a realistic chance

[Dr. Funkenstein]

I think that is more realistic than to think that they immediately become one of the top three or four teams in the nation.

It's not like Kentucky was BAD. We're not talking about resurrecting DePaul or Seton Hall or Northwestern or anything like that. There's talent in Lexington.

[Dr. Funkenstein]

It doesnt take much. Syracuse won a national title by signing Carmello Anthony, I dont see why a team like Kentucky couldnt do it if they bring in 3 top tier recruits and keep 2 future NBA players that are already on their roster. I am not saying they will win the national title, but I see no reason why they wont have a realistic chance

And McNamara and Warrick were HUGE contributors as well. Syracuse didn't just win because of Anthony, even if he was a key factor.

[dannyg79]

And McNamara and Warrick were HUGE contributors as well. Syracuse didn't just win because of Anthony, even if he was a key factor.

Well sure, but I would take both Meeks and Patterson over both of those guys. My point was, that basketball isnt football. It doesnt take 2 or 3 years to turn a program around, and often times it can be done in a year. The year before Syracuse wont the title, they were in the NIT. So regardless of who the key players were, the program was completely turned around from one season to the next.

[Dr. Funkenstein]

Well sure, but I would take both Meeks and Patterson over both of those guys. My point was, that basketball isnt football. It doesnt take 2 or 3 years to turn a program around, and often times it can be done in a year. The year before Syracuse wont the title, they were in the NIT. So regardless of who the key players were, the program was completely turned around from one season to the next.

I disagree that it's a complete turnaround. They were one of the last teams kept out in '02. Again...we're not talking about the dregs of NCAA basketball. If Anthony had led Robert Morris to the NCAA title, I'd see your point, but Syracuse is a very good program all the time. Even UNC and Duke have had bad seasons, you know?

Kentucky is not, by any stretch, bereft of talent. Patterson and Meeks are NBA-level talents, and if they stay (which is no guarantee...Calipari has never coached a true post-up big man like Patterson (don't give me Camby) and that might scare him away from staying) they're going to most likely hit the dance next year.

The main difference between the '08-'09 season and '09-'10 will be that UK won't lose to VMI, Gardner-Webb or any of those types of schools. Calipari won't allow it to happen.

[dannyg79]

I disagree that it's a complete turnaround. They were one of the last teams kept out in '02. Again...we're not talking about the dregs of NCAA basketball. If Anthony had led Robert Morris to the NCAA title, I'd see your point, but Syracuse is a very good program all the time. Even UNC and Duke have had bad seasons, you know?

Kentucky is not, by any stretch, bereft of talent. Patterson and Meeks are NBA-level talents, and if they stay (which is no guarantee...Calipari has never coached a true post-up big man like Patterson (don't give me Camby) and that might scare him away from staying) they're going to most likely hit the dance next year.

The main difference between the '08-'09 season and '09-'10 will be that UK won't lose to VMI, Gardner-Webb or any of those types of schools. Calipari won't allow it to happen.

I dont disagree with most of that. But everything that can be applied to Syracuse, can be applied to Kentucky. They are both power programs coming off down years. Syracuse had a nice recruiting class, and immediately won the national title. Kentucky already has 2 future NBA players on the roster, so if you add 2-3 top tier recruits, I think it does make them an immediate top 5-10 team and does give them a shot at a title. I am not saying they are the favorite, or will win it by any means, but I do think it puts them back at a top tier level.

And of course, I qualify this by saying that if Meeks or Patterson leave, or they their recruiting class isnt that great, then this wont happen. Certainly a lot of "ifs", but I also think they are pretty realistic "ifs".

[Dr. Funkenstein]

I dont disagree with most of that. But everything that can be applied to Syracuse, can be applied to Kentucky. They are both power programs coming off down years. Syracuse had a nice recruiting class, and immediately won the national title. Kentucky already has 2 future NBA players on the roster, so if you add 2-3 top tier recruits, I think it does make them an immediate top 5-10 team and does give them a shot at a title. I am not saying they are the favorite, or will win it by any means, but I do think it puts them back at a top tier level.

And of course, I qualify this by saying that if Meeks or Patterson leave, or they their recruiting class isnt that great, then this wont happen. Certainly a lot of "ifs", but I also think they are pretty realistic "ifs".

Honestly...I don't see Patterson coming back. Meeks is a good bet to return though.

[dannyg79]

Honestly...I don't see Patterson coming back. Meeks is a good bet to return though.

I dont think he is that high a pick though. I kind of think both will be back, but obviously that is just a guess. I think Patterson, with a good year, could go from a late first rounder to a middle of the first round pick. He certainly isnt pro-ready right now and needs another year, but a lot of the times that doesnt really matter. I do think he is more likely to leave than Meeks though.