Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
With the commitment of Daniel Orton now in the books, thoughts turn to who will be next to join the Big Blue train. While it is unclear where exactly Billy Gillispie goes from here in the coming weeks, it does seem that the next big decision by a UK recruit will come from Russell Byrd. Byrd is a 6′7″ wing player who has three attributes that should intrigue all fans. (1) He is a deadeye shooter, potentially the best at his position in the class from beyond the three point line; (2) he is longer than most “shoot first” guys and still has room to grow; and (3) he has red hair. The latter may be my greatest attachment to the young man, as finding great red-headed basketball players not named Bill Walton is increasingly difficult (Bomani will try and tell you that Dennis Johnson had red hair….I refuse to believe him).
Beyond his folicles however, Byrd is the type of shooter that a top-notch program does need to succeed. When one looks at this year’s Kentucky team, the lack of shooting ability could be the greatest hinderance to success, a problem that could be fixed with one individual who could come in and drain the open three. This exactly the type of player Byrd can be. From behind the arc, he has the potential to be a game changer and it is this attribute that has coaches so interested in his game. Other parts of Byrd’s game are a work in progress and I do wonder how Byrd would work in the defensive system that Gillispie currently employs. His quickness is an issue, but he makes up for it with length and a first step that isnt too slow. Some have compared him to Jon Hood and wondered if he will be a high riser in the rankings, and I find both unlikely. Hood is much more athletic and a lot different than Byrd in game style. But in the right system, Byrd can flourish and I am sure that is what Gillispie is looking for….in the same way that he pursued Rotnei Clarke last year.
At this point, Russell (who the girls likely will start calling “The Love Muscle”) is basically down to Michigan State and Kentucky and the small favorite is likely MSU. He has a long relationship with Coach Izzo and has often said that he is closer to Izzo than any other coach. Plus, with the long history of red-haired Spartans (dont they seem to have one every year?), East Lansing seems like a logical destination. However Byrd also seems enamored with the UK program as a whole, telling TCP that it is the greatest basketball destination in the country. So it may come down to relationship vs program….in that scenario, relationship usually wins out, but you can never know for sure. Byrd attends Michigan State’s Midnight Madness this weekend and is expected to make a decision soon after. If he picks the Cats, he would join Dominque Ferguson, KC Ross-Miller and Dakotah Euton as part of the 2010 class. If not, another reason to reschedule the MSU-UK series…..
We have a lot all day…..it is Media Day and I will be spending part of the afternoon in Lexington getting the scoop. We will introduce two more bloggers to the Who Wants to be a Blogger contest and we will have both the Daniel Orton and Jeff Goodman interviews available for your listening pleasure. Take advantage of all of it and we will check in later………..
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Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
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October 14th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
first, we need you byrd!
October 15th, 2008 at 12:01 am
2nd, i want LANCE STEPHENSON!!!!!!!1
October 15th, 2008 at 12:01 am
Greatest red haired (non Walton) player of all time…
Dennis Rodman
He also happens to be the greatest polka dot hair player as well as silver haired and green haired
October 15th, 2008 at 12:02 am
forget post #3
October 15th, 2008 at 12:03 am
nevermind post #4 then
October 15th, 2008 at 12:05 am
What about John Wall? Has he dropped UK from consideration?
October 15th, 2008 at 12:07 am
6) Who Knows? I don’t think he has dropped UK from complete consideration but i doubt he goes to UK
October 15th, 2008 at 12:08 am
What about Oliver Simmons?
We need to get Byrd because I have case of beer bet on us getting him with my friend who is a MSU grad.
October 15th, 2008 at 12:09 am
We should make Orton take over recruiting now
October 15th, 2008 at 12:20 am
Barnes would be a nice get, but after what Byrd said about IU, I can’t help but be a Byrd fan.
October 15th, 2008 at 12:22 am
lol #3
October 15th, 2008 at 12:22 am
#8. u lost that bet.
October 15th, 2008 at 12:27 am
We need a Byrd!! BBall player that is!!
October 15th, 2008 at 12:27 am
Russell Byrd was born to be an NCAA champion. UK is the best route to take him there. Plus, UK provides a better education than MSU in most programs. I’m sure he and his family will make the best decision.
October 15th, 2008 at 12:43 am
Don’t forget former red hair Wildcat and
current AK coach John Pelfry (spelling?)
October 15th, 2008 at 1:16 am
AK=Alaska
October 15th, 2008 at 1:33 am
for me, hes a “like to have” not a “need to have”
October 15th, 2008 at 2:08 am
Quite a proclamation, 14. I guess you know something about his genetic code that nobody else knows…?
October 15th, 2008 at 2:12 am
He’s the new Richie — Cunningham, that is.
October 15th, 2008 at 2:44 am
I heard Pippi Longstockings had a mean hook shot lets try and grab her…Are you ever satisfied with what you get? NO.
October 15th, 2008 at 3:05 am
6′7″ shooting guard who can stroke it from 3……i’m sold…
October 15th, 2008 at 4:07 am
6′7″
Shoots lights out from the perimeter
Red Hair
Sounds like John Pelphrey
October 15th, 2008 at 7:23 am
If media day includes football, someone should ask about Tyler King at Hargrave.
October 15th, 2008 at 7:37 am
haha always get a kick out of russell the love muscle. a girl i know dates a frat boy from UK and everyone calls him that, behind his back. sometimes referred to as “tool” as well haha
October 15th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Reminds me a LOT of John Pelphrey! And I, for 1, would love another Pelphrey on the team…….
October 15th, 2008 at 8:37 am
22 - sorry, completely missed your post. Spot on!
October 15th, 2008 at 8:58 am
“I went to IU’s ‘Midnight Madness’ last year, and people think that’s a basketball school, but it wasn’t even close to what Kentucky is like.”
-Russel Byrd
October 15th, 2008 at 9:22 am
If we get him, can we change his name to Bird. I live 10 minutes from French Lick, and I, for one, think that would go a long ways toward making him a great player!
October 15th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Russell,
Just for the record…Section 220 tried to get a “Russel Byrd Chant” going twice as we knew who you were and were in the upper level above you.
You’re a priority while also being from a community which I lived, had my yougest daughter and currently have two God sons.
UK…all about family,
Flag City
October 15th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Does he play for the “Blessed Injun”?
October 15th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Is there any movement on the Barnes kid?
October 15th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
27.
Well at least he’s talking like a Wildcat. Seriously, Russell Byrd would be a starter by his sophomore year, most likely, would have a chance to get to the NBA, and would be part of a championship caliber program. As great as Izzo is, he isn’t anywhere near hanging another banner at State - and State can’t boast a fanbase or a facility half of what UK has.
Furthermore, the community in and around Lexington is nicer than anything you’ll find anywhere near East Lansing. I have family in Grand Rapids, and while it is pretty up there once you get out of the sprawl, Kentucky is quite simply nicer - better weather, better people - and better women - I should know, I married one.
November 1st, 2008 at 1:50 am
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