Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
I think this fella has captured the mood in Lexington perfectly
Matt is on sabbatical for a night, so he asked Tomlin, Mosley, Intern, BTI, Turkey Hunter, Broseph, or Beisner to do the nightly post, and they all had things to do. Well, Beisner originally agreed to it, but then he said he had some stuff to take care of, which I assume could only be tequila and blow. Regardless, you’re stuck with me, so you can deal with it however you wish.
I’d first like to thank Coach Gillispie and his staff for “warmin’ up the crowd,” so to speak, and giving me the easiest job ever of only reporting a bevy of exciting recruiting news. Without further ado…
1) Josh Harrellson finally said what we were all thinking/hoping he’d say, and he signed with the Cats. We’ve discussed sir Harrellson ad nauseum, but his addition to the front-court is truly a huge pick-up, especially this late in the recruiting period. Adding a polished player that can bang in the post to any team would be a positive; but for the Cats, who were in desperate need of depth at the 4 and 5, this is certainly a great addition. Having a guy that can step in and contribute next year will help immensely. I’m excited, he’s excited, and you should be excited, too. Beisner also reminded me that today was ‘International Dance Day,’ (as if I needed any reminder…I woke up and did the “Charleston” and the “Macarena” outside in my undies) so he thought it to be quite ironic that Harrellson committed today, due to the video that Matt posted last week.
I still wonder what’s going to happen tomorrow at 2 or 3… (that’s a joke…don’t read into it, please)
2) OK, this guy named Dominique Ferguson also signed today. Look, I’m no recruiting guru, but kid’s a STUD. Absolutely sick. Nasty. [Insert string of superfluous Stuart Scott adjectives here.] I couldn’t find a crazy amount of information on the guy, but he scored 28 points in the last game of the season. He only averaged 12 points and 6 boards on the season, but projectors (word?) estimated that he would be a 5-star player by summer’s end. His top five was Louisville, Wake Forest, Purdue, Syracuse, and Kentucky, with Memphis and Kansas also in the mix. Not a bad group, eh? He’s said to have tremendous handle for a player his size (6′8″, 204), and he has made significant improvements to his post game. ESPN Insiders described him as being “one of the most gifted players in the ‘10 class.”
That’s all I could read about him, though, because that Insider price is a rip-off. Again, be excited. Hopefully we’ll have some more information in the coming days about Ferguson, but chill out, we got two years.
3) With the addition of Harrellson, now we must begin asking what happens with McCoy, Sutton, and Maze. Well, that remains to be seen. There are still other factors in play, including the status of Jasper, but hopefully we’ll have a clearer picture in the coming days. Beisner has tried in vain to get in touch with Bobby Maze, but he ended up calling Billy Mays instead. He didn’t get much recruiting info, but he was able to get blood out of his sofa! In actuality, we are planning to talk with Maze (Bobby) in the next couple of days. Stay tuned.
4) As for the addition of Ferguson, one glance at the class of ‘10 makes me absolutely giddy. We only have three signees (Ferguson, Dakotah Euton, KC Ross-Miller), but they are all projected to be major players. Think about it, assuming everybody sticks around, we’d have a front-court of Patterson, Ferguson, Harrellson, Euton, and Stewart; with Liggins, Miller, Ross-Miller, and Vilarino in the backcourt.
5) Speaking of the future, Jon Hood has put the Cats at the top of his list. Of all the Internet chatter proclaiming Hood to be Duke-bound, I can say from speaking with him that he did not exude that vibe–at all. However, things could change if Duke were to offer, but as he suggested to me, Duke is awfully deep at the wing position. Hood’s a tall guard that has great range and the ability to put the ball on the floor and score. We’ll be looking out for him and others in his class in the next few weeks, especially considering his desire to sign before summer’s end (and probably much sooner than that, considering the amount of Red Bull this kid crushes).
6) Tomorrow morning at 9:30, Mitch McConnell will be paying tribute to Mr. Wildcat on the floor of the Senate. Remember when that woman paid tribute to Ric Flair? That was lame. This, contrarily, is awesome. I believe it will be televised on C-SPAN 2, or “the deuce,” to us intellectual types.
Finally, to all the fine Scottsvillians, go check Matt and the Barnstormin’ crew out tonight (Wednesday).
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Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
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April 29th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Shit, this great
April 29th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
And damn it, it was written by Evan.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Things is looking up. And I meant to say it that way. This is Kentucky.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
go cats, im glad i was wrong about harrellson
April 29th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Go Cats!
April 29th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
nice to come back jacobk and admit that… I still want mccoy, and hope that harrellson can be just as big a help as we all want him to be in the painted area.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
[...] OK, So He May Be Evil… Posted in April 30th, 2008 by Ben in Uncategorized …but he knows how to tug on our heartstrings. Mitch McConnell, paying tribute to Mr. Wildcat on the senate floor tomorrow morning. [...]
April 29th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
I am hearing that Ferguson committing is bigger than Patterson’s committment.
How come this was so quiet?
Finally, the hard work of the coaches is beginning to pay off. Hope John Wall and Jon Hood are next.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Forgot to add that VINNY ZOLLO is expected to committ next Monday. This kid is a stud in the 2011 class. He is tall, strong, and can shot lights out, bang down low, and has great handles
April 29th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
#8 I don’t know why it was so quiet either
All I know is that we need to show Dominique some love and make me feel special for the next couple of years so he doesn’t back out of his committment to UK. Maybe his HS team can get a bunch of games in Kentucky over then next several years.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
what great news!!!
harrelson, ferguson, and the prospect of mcconnel saying something on the floor that actually means something.
excellent day!!!
April 29th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
I think Harrelson is going to be a “huge” addition. Ppat is going to work the baseline while Harrellson works the 10 - 15 footer. While Stevenson is in, he will work the free throw line and Harrellson will body up down low. And to make things even better (optimistic thinking) we will have Liggins, miller, and Jasper who are all tall enough to feed the post.
Also, throw in Meeks for a little high low. We will also be able to push the ball when we are playing all 6-4 guards. This has added so much depth to our front court.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
A great day for the cats..BCG is stocking us up
April 29th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
My goodness. What a set of shoulders on that Ferguson kid. That’s an ideal body for a prospect.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Wow, just wow.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Don’t forget about Sloan, he is a strong mountain boy from Kentucky who can flat out shot the rock. Billy Gillispie will find a way to use him very effectively.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
billy g couldnt have made this a better day(well maybe a john wall and jon hood commitment but ill take this for sure), especially during finals week! Great day to be CATS fan!!! Keep em comin’!!!
April 29th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
These are the kind of days we UK fans live for. Oh man what a fix! Really looking forward to seeing these guys play at UK.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
I think we’d better offer Gillispie a bigger contract and get him to sign. Now.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
#19 I agree, we need to give Gillispie a huge ass contract to make sure he doesn’t go anywhere.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Well, looks like Tyrone Appleton just got early verbaled into riding the bench at Kansas next year. They just signed 4 star PG Tyshawn Taylor
http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/player?page=briefing room&recruitId=47400
It’s a real shame when kids get pwned like that, but you know… better luck next time! DOH!
(OK, I am pissed Appleton didn’t sign with UK and I am totally taking it out on him now kicking him when he’s down. It’s amazingly therapeutic, you should get you a kick in, it’s helping
)
April 29th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
glad BTI is catching on!
April 30th, 2008 at 12:01 am
Good news today. 2010 looks awesome. Billy G is building a pwerhouse now. I hope Jasper stays, but UK will be alright if he doesnt. Jasper Meeks Harris Stevenson Patterson. The depth will be there this year. Im callin it now Final 4.
April 30th, 2008 at 12:09 am
This is HUGE…. Here is what espn said about the kid
November, 2007: An unbelievable talent, Dominique Ferguson is one of the most gifted players in the 2010 class. He suffered a knee injury as a freshman and it has clearly slowed his development as a player. Still, there is no doubting his talent and his ability to become an elite prospect. Ferguson has the skill level to beat you off the dribble and he can also make an occasional jump shot, but the biggest question right now is that he is trying to become a perimeter player instead of playing to his strengths, which is scoring at the rim. He is a great offensive rebounder and he gets up and down the floor extremely well. He is physically dominant for his class as well. Ferguson really needs to simplify what he does and become great at it. While he can still develop his overall game through individual skill improvement, Ferguson needs to be productive when he plays and his best way to produce is slashing and at the rim.
April 30th, 2008 at 12:20 am
Title in 2012-13?
April 30th, 2008 at 12:21 am
Hmm. Vinny Zollo, a top 2011 Forward is in the works and likely to verbal to UK in the next 6 days. Evan Anderson, a top 5 center from 2010 has already visited UK unofficially and may be ready to pull the trigger soon. Jon Hood, a top 2009 wing, is - per this site, apparently willing to call UK his leader.
Wow. Thank you, Billy G.
April 30th, 2008 at 12:25 am
23 - probably wishful thinking but couple another 12-4 run in the SEC with a 11-3 pre-cof run and we’re a 3 or 4 seed, and the eventual nightmare for that #1 sed with our new-found depth. Still would like to have Jasper, and would try a more athletic, better offensive talent like Liggins in there with Meeks abnd Jasper. Harris is improved, and I like him, but still…let’s get some beter offense. Galloway might get the nod due to experience, though. But the depth is awesome…10 deep with talent. Feeling like the mid-90’s again, soon. Banner, of some sort, 2010!!
April 30th, 2008 at 12:28 am
Today we saw recruits have a momentary lapse into mass sanity. Good work, Coaches.
April 30th, 2008 at 1:43 am
Very well-written Evan.
I never thought I’d live to see the day when a writer for KYsportsradio would include the words “superflous” and “bevy” in the same article. Somebody got an “A” in English 101.
That said, however, Bill Keightley still loathes you…and so do I…but a little less than before.
I don’t know about you guys, but the prospect of a Patterson-Stevenson-Harrellson(boy, that’s a lot of “sons”) frontcourt has me absolutely giddy. If Harrellson can bang down low, a la UGA’s Bliss, then it would stand to reason that he could take considerable pressure off PPat & Perry when they’re all out on the court together. Visions of alley-oops to Perry and a double-team-less-Patterson mauling his man are dancing in my head.
Can’t wait until November.
April 30th, 2008 at 4:07 am
Good Day. Let’s all keep our sanity a little longer. What Billy is going to build is going to be worth the wait.
April 30th, 2008 at 6:44 am
26) Evan Anderson is going to be tough to get out of Wisconsin.
Just to nitpick, other than the 2008 kids (Liggins, Miller, Galloway and Harrellson) no one has signed, just given a verbal commitment. They can’t sign yet and could easily open up their recruitment.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Boy, what a difference a day makes. Yesterday, the mood was doom and gloom. Today, it’s deliriously optimistic. Go Cats!
April 30th, 2008 at 7:41 am
Not to be a Debby-downer people, but Ferguson has not signed with UK. Hood can’t sign until the fall signing period either. They can orally commit, but that doesn’t hold any water, see Hopson being recruited by Pearl while he was still committed to MSU. It’s great to have the early start though, and 2010 could end up being the best UK class ever: In qty and quality.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:54 am
The basketball gods are on our side again!
April 30th, 2008 at 7:54 am
26-Don’t get too excited yet. They haven’t signed.
I am TOTALLY kidding. I am making fun of the people who think BCG is not a good recruiter because he recruits so many but then so many choose to go elsewhere. Better than the days of recruiting 3, getting 0-1, and then scrambling to fill positions.
April 30th, 2008 at 8:06 am
33 Should change screen name to the Eternal Pessimist. Are you from Philadelphia?
April 30th, 2008 at 8:18 am
OK, I took a night off from KSR to go to BW3’s to watch the Pistons and look what I missed! A Written Commitment and a Verbal!! It was wonderful to log in this morning and see the news. Great job Coach. Keep up the Good work!
April 30th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Its a new day!!!! I read a good article about Bobby Maze last night, but now I can’t track it down…. The article basically talked about Maze while he was at Oklahoma and the reasons why he was kicked off. I have to tell you that I did not get a good vibe about the kid who had been kicked out of school for “making bad decisionS repeatedly.” Another interesting fact is that he, like flemings, has to get some work done in the classroom this summer to qualify. This always scares me, because if a kid cannot get it done in JUCO in two years, how in the world is he sposed to get through a Universirty???/ Just a few notes. Hope its another big day in BIG BLUE COUNTRY!!!!
April 30th, 2008 at 9:15 am
37 - should have went to BW3’s during NFL Draft. :o)
April 30th, 2008 at 9:22 am
39) they should ban me from the site if we have a day like this on the only day I do not visit!
April 30th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Evan, if you can bring this news daily you are always welcome to give us a post!
Great day to be a Big Blue fan!
Recruiting is about relationships. We are now beginning to see the results of the relationships our coaches have with the youngerkids making decisions.
The problem we’ve had up to this point is it was really too late for the coaches to get in with the best players available because they were already being recuited by others.
Recruiting will only improve as time goes by - the results will only get better.
Remember what Coach said when he signed on at UK, basically he said he will recuit all of the best players and we will get our fair share. We will win some and lose some. Getting our fair share is sooooo sweet!
Ain’t life grand??!!