Ostensibly Hoops

[aTm]

MeccaCards is obviously an eCat pseud

[eCat]

I've never heard of Cardinal Authority before today

[aTm]

Houston hires Kelvin Sampson. I'm going to go ahead and move A&M down to 9th overall on my "Top D-1 Men's basketball coaches in Texas" list. That's not a joke either, 8 programs in our own state have better coaches. I'm sure things will be looking up, UP, UP, in Kennedy's 4th year though. We made the CBI this year!

[eCat]

I guess Sampson is an upgrade - what has he been doing for the last few years?

[aTm]

Assistant coach in the NBA with the Rockets.

[eCat]

I think Brooklyn's source was right about Parker

Parker and Kennard are going to be a formidable pair next year, along with UNC having a solid team

College basketball will be much better next year

[hedge]

While in this particular case I hate the idea of Dook having a seasoned star returning, and I don't ever fault any player from cashing in for any reason (like Reggie Bullock last year), as a college hoops fan, I'm pretty happy a guy of this caliber is basically saying he loves his school, enjoys playing college hoops and enjoys the college experience in general enough to come back another year. Good for him...

[hedge]

I'm thinking UNC, Dook and UK are going to be shifting around in the top 5 most of next year. Who else is supposed to be good next year?

[eCat]

While in this particular case I hate the idea of Dook having a seasoned star returning, and I don't ever fault any player from cashing in for any reason (like Reggie Bullock last year), as a college hoops fan, I'm pretty happy a guy of this caliber is basically saying he loves his school, enjoys playing college hoops and enjoys the college experience in general enough to come back another year. Good for him...

those mormoms....

I actually watched a good chunk of the McD's game yesterday. I don't think you can decide much from those games, but its clear that UNC, Dook, UK and Kansas - the traditional blue bloods - have the lions share of recruits in the game. Mudiay and Oubre Jr. look like ballers.

What is exciting about Kentucky getting Ulis is the kid probably won't go pro for a few years - some even think he's a 4 year guy , although I can't imagine Cal not trying to land the hot PG in future classes just because he has Ulis as his starter - he's going to be a Wayne Turner type point guard for us, but it appears he's going to be much more polished from the start than Wayne was.

[hedge]

Our guy (Justin Jackson) won the co-MVP. I'm not getting terribly excited about that, b/c I believe MacAdoo also won the McD's game MVP the year he played. The main reason I mention it is b/c this kid (Jackson) reminds me a lot of Tayshun Prince...

[Bluecat]

Kennard is class of '15 - so he won't be with the Dookies next year with Parker

[eCat]

yea I don't know what I was thinking on that one.

[eCat]

Our guy (Justin Jackson) won the co-MVP. I'm not getting terribly excited about that, b/c I believe MacAdoo also won the McD's game MVP the year he played. The main reason I mention it is b/c this kid (Jackson) reminds me a lot of Tayshun Prince...

I didn't keep up with many UNC guys but I think you have Pinson and he got a dunk at the last of the game.

[hedge]

Pinson and Berry didn't do all that much. Some of the posters at IC think all 3 of these guys are going to be studs. I'll be happy if 2 of them are solid contributors...

[hedge]

Our whole deal next year is going to be if Brice Johnson, Meeks and Tokoto improve as much next year as they did this year. If they do that, all 3 of them will be very, very good. Paige is already a stud and MacAdoo, while somewhat disappointing overall, at least compared to what was expected when he was recruited, is already a very solid player and should be even better next year. Like I said, he will be a George Lynch type of presence, consistent 15 ppg/7 rebounds and a senior leader. No, it's not as exciting as landing the one and done stud, but you love to have that kind of guy on your team and he usually ends up being more valuable to the team than the freshman stud. If we can somehow get something out of one or two of the incoming recruits, next year should be pretty fun. Of course, Dook and UK are going to be similarly stacked, so there's no way you can say UNC will be the favorite next year, but it will be Roy's favorite type of team, the type he has had the greatest success with in the past, i.e., the talented experienced team. Should be fun. Of course, after UK wins #9 this year, that will be even more pressure on our guys...

[eCat]

Pinson and Berry didn't do all that much. Some of the posters at IC think all 3 of these guys are going to be studs. I'll be happy if 2 of them are solid contributors...

listening to Rose and Williams last night they weren't impressed with anyone in the game

The more I think about Parker, the more I do like the idea of him coming back.

On the Catspause board , mid season when the Cats were tanking, I was writing about how I thought players owed it to the team to come back - I know that's fantasy land, but the reality is there is a bit of an implied contract. We provide you with the best facilities and have a known track record for NBA access and in return, you play a high level of basketball. We should get at least one year of high quality basketball out of you - so the idea of these kids coming in and just stinking it up, leaving and making their fortune in the NBA sucked.

I don't necessarily blame Noel, because he played his ass off when he wasn't hurt - so he met the "contract" so to speak - but Goodwin? He killed me. I do realize that Goodwin was a victim of that NC St PG we had last year that had to be talked out of the fetal position before every game but still- you'd think that being a NBA ready player, you'd have more pride than to leave college losing the first round of the NIT.

That said, this year the players were so highly rated and their performance on the court until the SEC tournament was so bad (mostly based on basketball IQ and lack of teamwork) they had little choice but to return next year so the implied contract I talked about is mostly self fulfilling - but if these guys were to all have left, say after a loss to Kansas St, I would have been pissed.

As it is now, we're in the final four, we're setup well for next year and to be honest - the turnaround has provided so much good publicity for UK (while making us the Darth Vader of College basketball) that I'm ok if these kids bolt including the twins.

[eCat]

I think we play UNC next year in an invitational where we alternate between teams each year

Bluecat/Jungle Rat - you guys considering getting tickets to the final four in Indianapolis next year? I'm planning on going and just driving back - although I might get a room at the Marriott across from Lucas for Monday night if I can reserve it at my corporate rate early.

[hedge]

What is Goodwin up to now?

[eCat]

What is Goodwin up to now?

I'm not sure but he actually had a good year from the reports I read and surprised alot of people which doesn't help UK because Cal told him he didn't think he should go.

The story goes, Cal called Archie into his office and had a few NBA scouts on a conference call. They didn't know Archie was in there (so Cal says) and he is like "so what about Goodwin" and all the scouts said the kids needs to stay another year.

Goodwin leaves and 45 minutes later texts Cal that he is going pro

[hedge]

I just looked him up, evidently averaging about 11 per game with the Suns. Getting paid $1 mil this year and next, with team option after that. $2 million before he turns 21, not bad...