We are one week away from National Signing Day 2015 and the Kentucky football staff →
1965-66 Duke Blue Devils, courtesy of GoDuke.com
John Feinstein, a Duke graduate, cited a game that happened 49 years ago while explaining his reasons for voting Virginia No. 1 in the AP poll (seriously, he did). These weren’t off-the-cuff comments. Feinstein actually put these remarks about the 1966 UK team in writing (and his dislike of one-and-dones, McDonald’s All-Americans and scoring 80 points) in an email to Rick Bozich.
The game Feinstein was referring to, of course, was the 1966 National Championship game between Kentucky and Texas Western. Kentucky’s roster was all-white at the time, like many schools in the 1960’s. Texas Western, as we all know, started five African Americans — and beat Kentucky.
To advance to the championship game, Kentucky defeated Duke in the national semifinal. I’ll just let the 1966 Duke team photo speak for itself. If Duke had defeated Kentucky, setting up Duke vs. Texas Western, would a “Glory Road” movie ever exist? Would the game still have been made into a history lesson?
Maybe it would, maybe it wouldn’t; but I highly doubt John Feinstein would care if it would have been Duke. And possibly, his Top 25 vote would now have to do with things such as wins, losses, margin of victory, talent and strength of schedule.
Feinstein joins Matt on this morning’s radio show. It should be a good one.
Kentucky Sports Radio radio is at Fan Outfitters in Lexington this morning for a live broadcast of today’s show. Join Matt and Ryan at the Tates Creek location from 10 am to noon to meet the guys and hear what they have to say.
John Feinstein will be calling in to explain his hatred for Kentucky, so buckle up for that one.
Join in on the fun by calling (502) 571-1080.
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You will need to file this post under “pointless things to worry about”, although I think most of my posts would probably fall under that category. Nonetheless, there has been some grumbling and griping amongst the fanbase about the fact that despite being the #1 ranked team, almost unanimously, in the AP poll, being undefeated and hardly challenged, and at almost 50-50 odds to win the national title, Kentucky is not ranked #1 in the RPI rankings, which are commonly used in the NCAA Tournament. And while the reality is that if UK is 34-0 come tournament time it won’t matter in the least, they will have their #1 seed and play in Louisville and all of that, it’s still interesting to see an objective computer ranking not think the Cats are #1 in the country. Now, if that team that was beating them in the rankings was Virginia, I think most fans would just ignore it. The Cavs are undefeated too, have some stunning scores, and so be it. But the fact that the #1 team is KANSAS has many fans in an uproar. Not only has Kansas lost 3 games this year, but one of them was to Kentucky……by 32…..on a neutral floor. It was the biggest margin of victory in 15 years for a Top 5 matchup. And yet this computer ranking thinks the Jayhawks have a better resume.
So why is this? Well, to understand how in the world Kansas is #1, you need to understand how the RPI is calculated. So, here is a simple explanation I found:
The RPI is calculated by using 25 percent of the team’s winning percentage; 50 percent of its opponents’ average winning percentage; and 25 percent of its opponents’ opponents’ average winning percentage. A team with a record of 8-0, opponents’ winning percentage of .600 and opponents’ opponents’ winning percentage of .450 would have an RPI of 0.6625.
That would read: (1.000 x 0.25) + (0.600 x 0.50) + (0.450 x 0.25)= 0.6625.
The hard math comes in the adjustments. Since 2004-05, the NCAA has weighted home and road victories. Home victories and road losses are factored by 0.6, while road victories and home losses are factored by 1.4. If a team is undefeated and plays an equal number of games at home and on the road, it does not affect the RPI. Games against your team are not factored into the opponent’s winning percentage. In other words, if Team B is 7-1, with the only loss coming to Team A, then their record for Team A’s RPI would be considered 7-0.
It’s a math person’s formula but the key things to keep in mind on why Kansas is ahead of Kentucky:
1. Margin of victory is not considered: Kentucky’s neutral court victory by 32 over Kansas is weighted the same as if UK had beaten them by 1. Same goes for the rest of UK’s blowout wins. Basically, UK is not getting credit for just how dominating they have been.
2. Lack of bad opponents: Kansas has not played a team yet this season that currently has 10 losses. Kentucky already has 4 such teams on it’s schedule. The 7-11 Boston U., 3-15 Montana St, and 6-12 Missouri games are weighing down UK’s number. Every Kansas opponent except for 8-9 UCSB has a winning record and it looks like it might stay that way, except for Texas Tech. Point being, the “opponents winning percentage” part of the formula is trending greatly towards Kansas.
3. The SEC: The league is probably better than it has been in the past, but the Big 12 might be the best league in the country. By shear logic, the combined league record of all teams in both leagues will be equal numbers of wins and losses. But in the non-conference, the Big 12 kicked ass. A combined 94-20. Only one team had more than 3 losses in the non-conference. In the SEC, six teams have 4 or more losses. A combined record of 114-51. And those records are not changing. So every time Kentucky plays an SEC opponent, it will be factored in a little less than when Kansas plays a Big 12 opponent.
Here is the reality of the situation: depending on if/when Kansas loses again, it could legitimately still be the #1 RPI team in the country. Their strength of schedule in the non-conference was so good, and their conference opponents are so much better than the SEC, that their rating is going to be strong, especially without a margin of victory component.
If you care about this at all, and you shouldn’t, what you have to cheer for are Kansas home losses. If Kansas drops a home game, even to one of the better teams in the league, their RPI will suffer. But keep in mind that if Kentucky slips up at all this year, especially at home, they might not have a chance at the #1 RPI if Kansas and/or Virginia keep winning.
But again, you shouldn’t care.
Follow me on twitter: @BryantheIntern
(Darrell Bird | Catspause)
We will focus most of our attention on relevant Kentucky sports-centric tweets but, as per usual, there are no limits to our madness. You, the KSR fans, can also participate in our top-10 tweet countdown by using hashtags such as #BBN #KSR #KSRTopTen, or by tweeting @KySportsRadio.
#10 Trey Lyles
0.03%
— Trey Lyles (@TreyMambaLyles) January 29, 2015
You might need to plug your phone in.
#9 Rob Pierce
Listening to @KySportsRadio while running on treadmill. Josephine almost caused me to get thrown into the wall behind me.
— Rob Pierce (@RobPierceKY) January 28, 2015
Make sure someone at least could video it.
#8 Aaron Harrison
Been through a lot, earned everything I've got, coming for more…..
— Aaron Harrison (@AaronICE2) January 28, 2015
Love this attitude
#7 Kenny H
@KySportsRadio I keep listening to KSR and I hear a purple Dinosaur calling in?
— Kenny H (@Kennethhornback) January 28, 2015
If you are questioning the purple Dinosaur then maybe this isn’t the sports radio show for you.
#6 Doron Lamb
Water is the only substance found on earth naturally in 3 forms Solid, Liquid, and Gas.
— Doron Lamb (@DLamb20) January 28, 2015
Did you know your brain is made up of 73% water
— Doron Lamb (@DLamb20) January 28, 2015
Scientist Lamb.
#5 Ray J. Vaske
@KySportsRadio I'm just tweeting you so I don't get fined. I'm just tweeting you so I don't get fined. I'm just tweeting you so I don't g…
— Ray J. Vaske (@outRAGEous02) January 28, 2015
Nice try, Ray.
#4 Rodney’s On Broadway
@ryanlemond @BigBlueCPA3 I've been wondering where my spoons have gone to
— Rodney's On Broadway (@rodneysgtown) January 28, 2015
Oh no. You’re found out, Ryan.
#3 Jackie Long
@KYsportsradio #BBN just needs to take a collective chill pill.This staff will finish strong.DH probably hurt us.The sky is not falling.
— Jackie Long (@jackiesuelong) January 28, 2015
“collective chill pill”
#2 Kaz Brown
When you finished all your homework for the class but still gotta go to your tutoring session 💯 pic.twitter.com/RHbe9gmTXw
— Kaz Brown (@KazBrown11) January 28, 2015
Accurate for athletes, I’m sure.
#1 Robbie Hill
@KySportsRadio So would "Sorry!" be the antithesis of "Yahtzee!" for decommits? pic.twitter.com/7TtK84BIHU
— Robbie Hill (@yourfriendhob) January 28, 2015
This made me laugh more than it should have.
@Sealey_KSR
Hey there, Cats fans. Drew here, doing the News and Views thing before wasting a few more bedtime hours on Friday Night Lights. I really wish I had never started that show. It won’t end and I hate how old all of the “high schoolers” look. And how none of the quarterbacks can throw a football. Or pretend to know how to throw a football. Or hold a football. Seriously, where did they find so many guys with zero football experience? That Saracen kid couldn’t start for Ryan Lemond’s pee-wee team, yet he leads the team to state as QB1? Dumb. And Tyra’s like 36 and she’s been in high school for three seasons. So dumb. I can’t wait to get in bed and watch it until 4:00 am and then complain tomorrow morning about how tired I am.
But anyway, your boy up there in the photo is standing in front of the Roman Colosseum and he’s doing three-goggles so he gets some KSR love tonight before we hit the day’s news.
And my apologies for the Friday Night Lights rant. That came out of nowhere.
Kentucky to face Missouri tomorrow night, again.
It’s another late start Thursday night when the Cats travel to Missouri for a rematch of the January 13th contest in Rupp Arena. Kentucky won that first meeting, 86-37, but the Tigers were without the team’s second leading scorer, Montaque Gill-Caeser, in that one. Of course, it’ll take more than the addition of Gill-Caesar to make up 49 points, but the road game will be a much bigger challenge for Kentucky than the first meeting.
That being said, Kentucky covers this…
UK opened as an 18-point favorite over Mizzou.
The line shifted a half-point to 18.5 on Wednesday. Put me down for a bill on the Cats.
Isaiah Briscoe named a McDonald’s All-American.
John Calipari has only one 2015 McDonald’s All-American, for now, but is in talks with eight others. Below you’ll find the rosters for the two teams with the the names of current UK targets italicized.
EAST TEAM
- Dwayne Bacon, SG, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) – Florida State
- Antonio Blakeney, SG, Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.) – LSU
- Isaiah Briscoe, PG, Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.) – Kentucky
- Jaylen Brown, SF, Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.) – Undecided
- Thomas Bryant, C, Huntington Prep (Huntington, W.Va.) – Undecided
- Cheick Diallo, PF, Our Savior New American (Centereach, N.Y.) – Undecided
- Henry Ellenson, PF, Rice Lake (Rice Lake, Wis.) – Marquette
- Jawun Evans, PG, Justin F. Kimball (Dallas) – Oklahoma State
- Luke Kennard, SG, Franklin (Franklin, Ohio) – Duke
- Dedric Lawson, PF, Hamilton (Memphis, Tenn.) – Memphis
- Ben Simmons, F, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) – LSU
- Diamond Stone, C, Dominican (Whitefish Bay, Wis.) – Undecided
WEST TEAM
- Carlton Bragg, PF, Villa Angela-St. Joseph (Cleveland, Ohio) – Kansas
- Jalen Brunson, PG, Stevenson (Lincolnshire, Ill.) – Villanova
- Deyonta Davis, PF, Muskegon (Muskegon, Mich.) – Michigan St.
- P.J. Dozier Jr., PG, Spring Valley (Columbia, S.C.) – South Carolina
- Brandon Ingram, SF, Kinston (Kinston, N.C.) – Undecided
- Chase Jeter, C, Bishop Gorman, (Las Vegas) – Duke
- Malik Newman, SG, Callaway (Jackson, Miss.) – Undecided
- Ivan Rabb, C, Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) – Undecided
- Malachi Richardson, SF, Trenton Catholic Academy (Trenton, N.J.) – Syracuse
- Caleb Swanigan, C, Homestead (Fort Wayne, Ind.) – Undecided
- Allonzo Trier, SG, Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) – Arizona
- Stephen Zimmerman, C, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) – Undecided
The eight uncommitted players are the last remaining players on Cal’s board, so Briscoe can expect some company in Chicago before it’s all said and done.
Matthew Mitchell also has a McDonald’s All-American in UK Hoops signee Taylor Murray. It’s the sixth consecutive year UK Hoops has a representative in the game.
I have a new favorite Doron Lamb tweet.
Water is the only substance found on earth naturally in 3 forms Solid, Liquid, and Gas.
— Doron Lamb (@DLamb20) January 28, 2015
I’m not sure this one will be topped. Ever.
Coach K really likes his 1,000 wins.
Duke led Notre Dame by as many as 10 in the second half before Coach K called off the dogs to keep #CoachK1K alive for a few more days. The Blue Devils will travel to Virginia on Saturday, so the 1K party may continue on into next week.
Tonight’s loss gave Duke its worst start in the ACC since the 1995-96 season.
We’re one week away from National Signing Day.
Scroll down to see how the 15-man class stands as of now. The staff has lots of work to do between now and next Wednesday but there are still some big names with UK in the mix. It’ll go down to the wire with the potential of some flips toward UK and last-minute additions.
Can’t stress enough how much the Dowell twins’ decommitment really hurt the class. What a dagger.
Joker Phillips is now a Cleveland Brown.
Our former head football coach will oversee the wide receivers in Cleveland under Mike Pettine. It’ll be Joker’s first coaching job in the NFL and he has the impossible task of getting Josh Gordon’s head on straight.
Early prediction: He goes after Randall Cobb.
Early prediction 2: Cobb ain’t going to Cleveland.
John Feinstein will be a guest on Kentucky Sports Radio tomorrow.
The guys tried on Tuesday and couldn’t get ahold of Feinstein but they’ve locked him down for a phone interview on tomorrow’s show. The Duke grad will join Matt and Ryan on air to explain why he put Virginia over the Cats in the AP… and why Duke lost tonight.
Go Cats.
@ScootWWL
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
*** UPDATE ***
He walked back out and checked in the game minutes later.
As you were.
(EHarmony.UK.com)
The season is well under way, but the folks here at KSR love getting your input on things… relevant and bizarre. We have to get a little creative around here sometimes.Earlier this summer I started a weekly series called “We Ask You Wednesdays,” that brought in some great responses from many readers via Twitter.
Each week, the question will change and we will hit on a variety of topics, mostly UK-related… but you never know. Each week the best responses will make it on to the website. This week’s twenty ninth volume of the “We Ask You Wednesday” allowed Kentucky fans to answer the following question via Twitter in 140 characters or less: IF YOU COULD PICK ONE TEAM TO AVOID IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
.
.
.
A lot of people chose Louisville for a variety of reasons…… Unless they somehow become a team with offensive ability, I am not too concerned.
@AllyTuckerKSR Louisville. We’ve beaten them already this season and the stress of playing them is too much on me.
— Chris Linville (@WChrisL) January 28, 2015
…. But I do agree that there is NO JOY in the lead up to playing them in the NCAA tournament… especially when we have everything to lose.
@AllyTuckerKSR Louisville, because my heart can’t handle another NCAA meeting between the two #UKFanInLouisville
— Jortney A. Harrison (@Wildcatty11) January 28, 2015
They are due to hit a 3 pointer, but I don’t think they are due to beat us.
@AllyTuckerKSR Louisville, I just feel like they’re due to beat us. #StillLittleBrother
— Alex Priar (@A_Priar94) January 28, 2015
Now this one, I can get behind.
@AllyTuckerKSR I want to play the best to make it to the top. So I guess avoid Louisville since we know we will win.
— Courtney Sealey (@Sealey_KSR) January 28, 2015
I honestly just don’t want to look at Frank Kaminsky for 40 minutes.
@AllyTuckerKSR Wisconsin, good team with a chip on their shoulder from last years final four miracle
— Andrea Tucker (@AndreaTucker20) January 28, 2015
Our. Kryptonite.
@AllyTuckerKSR U. Conn. I think we all know why.
— Dawn Johnston (@elizabethdawn) January 28, 2015
I wouldn’t love this match-up either.
@AllyTuckerKSR Arizona – They have a great coach and are talented enough to pull the upset. Maybe the best starting five in college bball.
— Shane B (@ShaneB4UK) January 28, 2015
I don’t really want any part of Jahlil OKafor. But I do think we are the better team.
@AllyTuckerKSR Duke, cause its Duke and Coach K. Never really a good thing for Kentucky when we play them.
— Matt Bergman (@MistaBergman14) January 28, 2015
I want to play Virginia and beat them by double digits just to shut everyone up.
@AllyTuckerKSR Virginia– pack line D forces a lot of jumpers, efficient offense, great DRebounding negates biggest UK strength
— Ben Ward (@BWard_5) January 28, 2015
Although I do admit that I would be slightly nervous.
@AllyTuckerKSR Virginia even though I think it would be a great game
— Wilder Treadway (@Wilder_Treadway) January 28, 2015
I turned on their game the other day assuming they had to be overrated. They are better than I thought but I’m not scared of the turtleneck.
@AllyTuckerKSR Notre Dame, they are lights out from 3 and if they get really hot, its lights out for anyone in that game.
— Jay Hochstetler (@JDHarness) January 28, 2015
Sooooooooo how is that gonna work exactly?
@AllyTuckerKSR Everyone.
— R. Justice (@rjustice21) January 28, 2015
Retweet.
@AllyTuckerKSR actually I wanna avoid a team full of Stefan Moody’s…
— Wilder Treadway (@Wilder_Treadway) January 28, 2015
The second most popular answer of the week
@AllyTuckerKSR The Monstars pic.twitter.com/Z3lcRXiIyv
— Aaron Flener (@AFlenerKSR) January 28, 2015
Somehow we are actually still 3 inches taller than them and every NBA team except for one… if you hadn’t heard that stat yet. The Trailblazers I believe.
@AllyTuckerKSR the monstars. They match up way too well
— Pierce Larkin (@pierce_larkin) January 28, 2015
The most popular answer of the week…
@AllyTuckerKSR the other platoon
— Chrisco39 (@UKCHRISCO) January 28, 2015
@AllyTuckerKSR Kentucky, I wouldn’t want to play us.
— TK (@thomasthekidd) January 28, 2015
@AllyTuckerKSR a team of Devin Bookers
— Ben Smith (@Warriors4Ben) January 28, 2015
He is just upset that you spelled his name wrong.
@AllyTuckerKSR Gonzaga cause I don’t want to break Kyle Wiltger’s heart
— Ben Smith (@Warriors4Ben) January 28, 2015
He is the worst.
@AllyTuckerKSR As much as I would love to beat them senseless, Tom Crean is creepy. Has to be Indiana. #WeAskYouWednesday#KSR
— Allison King (@amking09) January 28, 2015
I like the confidence.
@AllyTuckerKSR I’m going to have to say that there is no team that I want to avoid in this upcoming tourny. #BBN
— Eric J Redmon #BBN (@eredmon19) January 28, 2015
I think you just wanted to get on KSR….
@AllyTuckerKSR South Carolina pic.twitter.com/W3r9pJOur1
— Amy Chamey (@amychamey) January 28, 2015
BEST ANSWER OF THE WEEK:
@AllyTuckerKSR Air Bud’s 1997 Timberwolves team. We’d need better zone D if we want to stop #K-9’s lane penetration pic.twitter.com/8yP6y5UW00
— Jeff Jones (@jwjone12) January 28, 2015
In case the first version wasn’t enough for you, Don Tupset is back with more “Ballad of the BBN” from the Shepherdsville racquetball courts.
“It’s a work in progress,” he explains.
Yeah, an AWESOME work in progress.
Sing it, Don…
We are one week away from National Signing Day 2015 and the Kentucky football staff has a lot of work to do before they’re anywhere near confident in how things will play out. As we’ve learned, especially in the past few days, it’s never over until it’s over. Kids flip and it will often come at the worst time — see Dowell twins — and when it’s least expected. It happens. It’s part of the game. And it can leave coaches scrambling in the final moments to build the class, as is the case for Kentucky right now. (The off-the-field ordeal isn’t making things any easier, either.)
Tonight on KSR, we’ll take a look at the names UK has on its board with a week remaining, as well as some of the names that were on the board and bailed. Mark Stoops’ staff currently has 15 hard commits in its 2015 class, ranked 42nd overall by 247Sports.com.
Take a look…
COMMITED
Linebacker
ELI BROWN
Outside Linebacker
Bowling Green, KY
6-2 | 185
Ranking:
247Composite: 20 OLB | 275
247Sports: 18 OLB
Rivals: 23 OLB
ESPN: 15 OLB | 244
Scout: 24 OLB
Committed: April 21, 2014
Other Offers: Ohio State, USC, Ole Miss, Penn State, Vanderbilt, Western Kentucky
Additional Note: Originally a Vanderbilt commit, Brown reopened his recruitment in October shortly after an unofficial visit to Ohio State, UK’s biggest competitor for Brown at the time.
Brown is already on campus as an early enrollee.
*****
JORDAN JONES
Outside Linebacker
Youngstown, OH
6-2 | 203
Ranking:
247Composite: 34 OLB | 410
247Sports: 51 OLB
Rivals: 41 OLB
ESPN: 36 OLB
Scout: 19 OLB
Committed: May 8, 2014
Other Offers: Oklahoma, Nebraska, Michigan State, West Virginia, Illinois, Indiana
Additional Note: Jones attended Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown, Ohio, alma mater of Mark Stoops and Vince Marrow. Stoops said, “Jordan is a player I’ve watched grow up. He has the size and speed you’re looking for in a linebacker.”
Jones is already on campus as an early enrollee.
*****
Defensive Line
KENGERA DANIEL
Defensive End
Raleigh, NC
6-6 | 250
Ranking:
247Composite: 33 WDE | 699
247Sports: 37 WDE
Rivals: 39 SDE
ESPN: 37 DE
Scout: 95 DE
Committed: October 22, 2014
Other Offers: Alabama, Clemson, East Carolina, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, NC State, Tennessee, Virginia
Additional Note: Daniel is already on campus as an early enrollee. He will wear Bud Dupree’s No. 2 jersey on the defensive line.
*****
TYRONE RILEY
Defensive End
Savannah, GA
6-6 | 230
Ranking:
247Composite: 39 WDE | 775
247Sports: 41 WDE
Rivals: 27 WDE
ESPN: 51 OLB
Scout: 124 DE
Committed: November 18, 2014
Other Offers: Cincinnati, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Missouri, NC State, Purdue, Wake Forest, Western Kentucky, Wisconsin
Additional Note: Riley, one of Craig Naivar’s recruits, visited NC State two weekends ago. He followed that with his official visit to Kentucky last weekend.
*****
JASON STROWBRIDGE
Defensive End
Deerfield Beach, FL
6-4 | 247
Ranking:
247Composite: 26 SDE | 496
247Sports: 47 SDE
Rivals: NR
ESPN: 29 DE (****)
Scout: 24 DE (****)
Committed: September 20, 2014
Other Offers: Florida, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina NC State, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Purdue, West Virginia
Additional Note: Like Riley, Strowbridge visited NC State two weeks ago, despite being committed to Kentucky. He checked out Central Florida last weekend and plans to make a final decision on Signing Day. Word is he’s down to flipping to North Carolina or sticking with UK.
*****
JAVON PROVITT
Defensive Tackle
Warren, OH
6-3 | 305
Ranking:
247Composite: 76 DT | 1139
247Sports: 79 DT
Rivals: NR
ESPN: 62 DT
Scout: NR
Committed: January 25, 2015
Other Offers: Cincinnati, Purdue, West Virginia, Ohio
Additional Note: Provitt is the latest commitment in the class, believed to be a replacement for DaVon Hamilton, who decommitted after visiting Ohio State over the weekend.
*****
Secondary
MARCUS WALKER
Safety
Lake Wales, FL
6-0.5 | 176
Ranking:
247Composite: 25 S | 433
247Sports: 27 S
Rivals: 31 S
ESPN: 15 S | 214
Scout: 90 S
Committed: July 18, 2014
Other Offers: Arkansas, Cincinnati, Duke, Florida, Illinois, Michigan State, Mississippi State, NC State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, UCLA, Vanderbilt, UVA
Additional Note: Walker first committed to Kentucky last January, but decommitted in April. After picking up offers from Arkansas, Michigan State, Tennessee and others, Walker decided to recommit to Kentucky, in part because the staff kept in contact with him even after he reopened his recruitment.
*****
KEI BECKHAM
Cornerback
Dayton, OH
6-0 | 173
Ranking:
247Composite: 57 CB | 580
247Sports: 53 CB
Rivals: 44 CB
ESPN: 70 CB
Scout: 81 S
Committed: July 18, 2014
Other Offers: Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, Louisville, Minnesota, Purdue
Additional Note: Beckham had nine interceptions in his senior season. He returned five of those for touchdowns. That’ll play.
*****
CHRIS WESTRY
Cornerback
Orange Park, FL
6-4 | 180
Ranking:
247Composite: 88 CB | 947
247Sports: 125 CB
Rivals: 74 CB
ESPN: 55 S
Scout: 102 S
Committed: January 20, 2015
Other Offers: Florida, Auburn, Arkansas, South Florida, Central Florida, Ohio
Additional Note: Originally an Auburn commit, Westry flipped his commitment to Kentucky last week.
*****
Offensive Line
LEVON LIVINGSTON
Offensive Tackle
Washington, DC
6-7 | 232
Ranking:
247Composite: 84 OT | 789
247Sports: 48 OT
Rivals: NR
ESPN: 86 OT
Scout: 130 OT
Committed: April 5, 2014
Other Offers: West Virginia, NC State
Additional Note: Livingston played both sides of the line of scrimmage in high school and insists he can play either in college, however, the plan is to use him on the offensive line at Kentucky.
*****
LOGAN STENBERG
Offensive Tackle
Madison, AL
6-6 | 327
Ranking:
247Composite: 74 OT | 675
247Sports: 59 OT
Rivals: 59 OT
ESPN: 134 OT
Scout: 129 OT
Committed: April 5, 2014
Other Offers: UAB
Additional Note: Stenberg committed to UK on the same day as fellow offensive linemen Levon Livingston and Larry Wells, who would later decommit.
*****
MASON WOLFE
Offensive Lineman
Henderson, KY
6-7 | 280
Ranking:
247Composite: 97 OG
247Sports: 130 OG
Rivals: NR
ESPN: 132 OG
Scout: 58 OT
Committed: April 7, 2014
Additional Note: Wolfe became the fourth offensive lineman commit in three days when he committed during an unofficial visit to UK in April. A in-state product, he said he had been interested in Kentucky since the very beginning.
*****
GEORGE ASAFO-ADJEI
Offensive Lineman
West Chester, OH
6-4 | 295
Ranking:
247Composite: 47 OT | 449
247Sports: 22 OT | 199
Rivals: 27 OG
ESPN: 58 OG
Scout: 28 OG
Committed: June 23, 2014
Other Offers: Akron, Cincinnati, UConn, Florida, Illinois, Louisville, Miami (OH), Minnesota, Syracuse, Toledo, West Virginia, Western Kentucky, Western Michigan
Additional Note: Asafo-Adjei is a former teammate of current UK players Kyle Meadows and Mikel Horton, and said he felt comfortable with UK’s players, coaches, and facilities.
He is already on campus as an early enrollee.
*****
Tight End
CJ CONRAD
Tight End
LaGrange, OH
6-5 | 225
Ranking:
247Composite: 11 TE | 288
247Sports: 9 TE
Rivals: 8 TE
ESPN: 11 TE
Scout: 9 TE
Committed: May 9, 2014
Other Offers: Arkansas, Illinois, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest
Additional Note: Ohio State, Michigan and Notre Dame were picking up interest, but Conrad chose the Cats before they could close in. Vince Marrow was the lead recruiter, of course, and Conrad liked how UK was on him early. Indiana was the other finalist with Kentucky.
He is already on campus as an early enrollee.
*****
Wide Receiver
JABARI GREENWOOD
Wide Receiver
Washington, DC
6-4 | 193
Ranking:
247Composite: 58 WR | 515
247Sports: 59 WR
Rivals: 51 WR
ESPN: 61 WR
Scout: 78 WR
Committed: June 28, 2014
Other Offers: Boston College, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Iowa, Marshall, Maryland, Michigan State, NC State, Pitt, Rutgers, UVA, Wake Forest, Washington State
Additional Note: Greenwood picked Kentucky over Michigan State, Virginia, and Maryland. At 6-4, 193 pounds, he has the size to compete in the SEC, and more importantly, looks like a playmaker. Greenwood said WR coach Tommy Mainord played a huge factor in his decision, and his commitment was a big win for Mainord, who is the primary recruiter in the DMV area.
*****
DECOMMITTED
DARIUS FULLWOOD
Defensive End
Olney, MD
6-4 | 240
Ranking:
247Composite: 21 WDE | 484
247Sports: 30 WDE
Rivals: 22 SDE
ESPN: 43 DE
Scout: 55 DE
Committed: June 28, 2014
Flipped to: Virginia Tech (9/24/14)
*****
ALEX STUMP
Wide Receiver
Lakewood, OH
6-3 | 190
Ranking:
247Composite: 37 WR | 300
247Sports: 31 WR
Rivals: 44 WR
ESPN: 84 WR
Scout: 24 WR (****)
Committed: May 3, 2014
Flipped to: Ohio State (10/12/14)
*****
ANDREW DOWELL
Running Back
Lakewood, OH
6-1 | 211
Ranking:
247Composite: 28 RB | 343
247Sports: 41 RB
Rivals: 15 RB
ESPN: 107 RB
Scout: 26 RB
Committed: October 5, 2014
Flipped to: Michigan State (1/27/15)
*****
DAVID DOWELL
Safety/Wide Receiver
Lakewood, OH
6-1 | 180
Ranking:
247Composite: 18 S | 319
247Sports: 25 S
Rivals: 30 CB
ESPN: 33 ATH
Scout: 35 WR | 158
Committed: October 5, 2014
Flipped to: Michigan State (1/27/15)
*****
DAVON HAMILTON
Defensive Tackle
Pickerington, OH
6-3 | 285
Ranking:
247Composite: 90 DT | 1408
247Sports: 42 DT
Rivals: NR
ESPN: 69 DT
Scout: 54 DT
Committed: December 4, 2014
Flipped to: Ohio State (1/26/15)
*****
LUKE HIERS
Center
Lake Wales, FL
6-3 | 295
Ranking:
247Composite: 12 C | 644
247Sports: 14 C
Rivals: 8 C
ESPN: 7 C
Scout: 16 C
Committed: May 1, 2014
Flipped to: Central Florida (9/28/14)
*****
MONTRELL CUSTIS
Cornerback
Hampton, GA
6-0 | 175
Ranking:
247Composite: 72 CB | 771
247Sports: 63 CB
Rivals: NR
ESPN: 34 CB
Scout: 28 S (****)
Committed: November 10, 2013
Flipped to: Alabama (4/14/14)
Custis visited Kentucky earlier this month and could flip back to UK on Signing Day.
[All images and star-ratings via 247Sports.com]
Something tells me Marcus Lee has heard this a time or two before.
We’ve heard several arguments as to why Kentucky is better than Virginia, but Grantland’s Mark Titus’s is the best yet. Titus argues that Kentucky is the superior team for three reasons:
1. Kentucky advanced further than Virginia in last year’s NCAA tournament.
2. Kentucky is deeper than Virginia.
3. The source of Kentucky’s success is more reliable than the source of Virginia’s success.
Titus argues that Virginia is good because of the system they run, not their physical ability, whereas the complete opposite is true of Kentucky:
If college basketball were an egg that teams were trying to crack, then Virginia would be an elaborate machine that uses a laser to cut the egg so precisely that its contents remain uncontaminated and the shell stays so intact that it could be shoved back up a hen’s butthole and then laid again. Kentucky, on the other hand, would be a sledgehammer. Somewhere, somebody’s got the manual that explains how to shut down Virginia’s machine. There is no way to turn off a sledgehammer. You just have to close your eyes, stick your chest out, and pray you survive the blow.
I’ll take the sledgehammer any day.
Congratulations to UK signee Isaiah Briscoe, who was named a McDonald’s All-American a few minutes ago. Briscoe is the only UK signee to make the roster over Charles Matthews and Skal Labissiere, who wasn’t considered due to his ineligibility under the TSSAA guidelines.
However, several UK targets made the roster, including Jaylen Brown, Thomas Bryant, Cheick Diallo, Brandon Ingram, Malik Newman, Ivan Rabb, Caleb Swanigan, and Stephen Zimmerman. Come late spring, UK will surely pull in a few more burger boys.
Here are the complete rosters:
EAST TEAM
- Dwayne Bacon, SG, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) – Florida State
- Antonio Blakeney, SG, Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.) – LSU
- Isaiah Briscoe, PG, Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.) – Kentucky
- Jaylen Brown, SF, Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.) – Undecided
- Thomas Bryant, C, Huntington Prep (Huntington, W.Va.) – Undecided
- Cheick Diallo, PF, Our Savior New American (Centereach, N.Y.) – Undecided
- Henry Ellenson, PF, Rice Lake (Rice Lake, Wis.) – Marquette
- Jawun Evans, PG, Justin F. Kimball (Dallas) – Oklahoma State
- Luke Kennard, SG, Franklin (Franklin, Ohio) – Duke
- Dedric Lawson, PF, Hamilton (Memphis, Tenn.) – Memphis
- Ben Simmons, F, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) – LSU
- Diamond Stone, C, Dominican (Whitefish Bay, Wis.) – Undecided
WEST TEAM
- Carlton Bragg, PF, Villa Angela-St. Joseph (Cleveland, Ohio) – Kansas
- Jalen Brunson, PG, Stevenson (Lincolnshire, Ill.) – Villanova
- Deyonta Davis, PF, Muskegon (Muskegon, Mich.) – Michigan St.
- P.J. Dozier Jr., PG, Spring Valley (Columbia, S.C.) – South Carolina
- Brandon Ingram, SF, Kinston (Kinston, N.C.) – Undecided
- Chase Jeter, C, Bishop Gorman, (Las Vegas) – Duke
- Malik Newman, SG, Callaway (Jackson, Miss.) – Undecided
- Ivan Rabb, C, Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) – Undecided
- Malachi Richardson, SF, Trenton Catholic Academy (Trenton, N.J.) – Syracuse
- Caleb Swanigan, C, Homestead (Fort Wayne, Ind.) – Undecided
- Allonzo Trier, SG, Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) – Arizona
- Stephen Zimmerman, C, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) – Undecided
Like it or not, Signing Day is one week away, and UK and KSR are teaming up again for wall-to-wall coverage. Starting at 8 a.m., KyWildcatsTV will produce a live webcast from the Nutter Training Facility that will let fans in on the behind-the-scenes action. The webcast will be broadcast live on UKAthletics.com and SEC Network+.
Here are some more details from UK about the telecast, which will include our own Matt Jones:
The live stream will feature exclusive access to Stoops and his coaching staff. Assistant coaches will join Jeff Piecoro in a special “Xs and Os Room” to break down film of the signees and show why the newest Wildcats project as the future stars of UK football.
Joining Piecoro on the coverage will be Tom Leach, former UK quarterback Freddie Maggard, Dick Gabriel and Kentucky Sports Radio’s Matt Jones. UK’s four early high-school enrollees and two Nebraska transfers Courtney Love and Greg Hart will be spotlighted in special features to introduce them to fans.
KSR will also broadcast live from the Nutter Training Center from 10 a.m. to noon to give you even more coverage.
Someone prepare my caffeine drip, please.
Chet White | UK Athletics
Devin Booker’s recent hot streak has led many fans and pundits to draw comparisons between him and Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson. This season, Booker is shooting 50% from three-point land, and 66% (22-33) over the past nine games. Chad Ford was asked if the comparisons between Booker and Thompson were that outlandish during his weekly chat today. Here’s his response.
“I would have said yes in July or October and maybe even in late November. Now? No, not outlandish. He’s been great for Kentucky. He might be their most important player right now. And when you watch what Steph Curry and Thompson are doing. Or if you watch Kyle Korver’s historic season in Atlanta — you look at Booker and see that potential to be an elite shooter. He’s steadily moved up the board all year, sits at No. 14 right now and I still think he has room to keep moving up.“
Happy for Booker’s success, but ugh; however, this gives me an excuse to share this NBA Jam: On Fire edition of Thompson’s historic 37-point quarter the other night:
