Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
Have gotten a couple of emails this morning from people upset about my writeup on GJ Vilarino and KC Ross-Miller this morning. Two quick points….first, I think both kids are good basketball players and will do well in college. The question is whether they are UK caliber players. With Vilarino, I am a bit concerned….with KC Ross-Miller, I go back and forth. Both have skills, but I think there are better kids in both classes for what UK wants to do. Most non-UK analysts tend to agree. Do I hope I am wrong? Heck yeah….I want both to be stars at UK and have their jerseys retired. But objectively, I am concerned if these two are the totality of the PG position for the future for UK…..and to be fair, Gillispie may agree since he is still actively recruiting at the position in both of their classes.
Second, a broader point on some of the comments made. Most tend to say “Gillispie knows more than you about recruiting so why dont you just shut up!” That is undoubtedly true. In fact, Gillispie knows more about these players than likely anyone who comments on them anywhere. BUT if you are going to follow recruiting and have an opinion, then at times it may be counter to the coach. IF you are one of the people who says, “if Gillispie does it, that is fine”, then I understand that position. Heck many (if not most) of the writers on this site dont care about it at ALL and just want to wait until they get in uniform. But if you are going to follow it and want to know about the players, it seems that you should want to know all positive and negative…..not just the glorious reports.
Yes I did hear that a random writer for a Michigan State magazine says GJ Vilarino looked good….and I am glad to hear that. But if you write me and say that this is “proof” that he is a great player (as some people did), then I would suggest to you that all you care about is finding that which is positive. A fine position, but not one that is objective.
And with that, go read Tomlin’s column….it is brilliant.
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July 9th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Pete Rose belongs in the HOF.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
GJ was the only Junior on Texas All-State team. Not bad with all the talent in that state.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Agreed. Fans that think critically build strength in the program and not vice versa.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Nicely put. Some of us appreciate your evaluations, even when we disagree.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Matt whats the word on the Kickball game? Bring anyone you want, grilling out, drinks. Everyone loves Kickball.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
5. Why do you still visit then?
July 9th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Raymond Greenspoon thinks this is bullshit.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Unrelated but just unbelievable stuff about Shawn Kemp Junior:
Some of the scattered Kemp Kids seem interested in bonding over their shared experience: Kemp Jr. said he has been contacted, on MySpace, by a half-sister and half-brother he didn’t know existed. (”I guess they just went on and searched,” he said. “I got a message saying, ‘I’m your brother,’ and I was like, ‘Oh, OK.’”)
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/luke_winn/07/09/shawn.ke mp/1.html
July 9th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Matt,
This is your blog. You keep writing, and we will keep debating! I personally think that the recruiting talk is fun, but until they sign a LOI, I try not to get to invested! I would have loved to have seen Rotnei Clarke sign with UK, but I get to root for him with Pelphrey anyway, so it is all good! We need a Liggins update!
July 9th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
I appreciate getting honest appraisals of players like Matt is doing instead of fluff. He didn’t say that GJ and KC should be going to Bellarmine. He merely stated that they are not progressing as rapidly as the other kids in the class according to multiple sources. I’m just optimistic that they will make necessary improvements and be great contributors.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Lets get to the bottom of this and find out what Kige has to say about Vilarino and Ross-Miller.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I get worried when these guys are supposed to be great and then don’t crack the top 100 in any rankings. I think a lot of us have these doubts and believe it is easier to ignore it than worry about it.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
pretty accurate. Vilarino and Ross-Miller are both being under-valued at this point because there are flaws in their games that get noticed. That’s it really. BOTH… and I repeat BOTH of them are top 100-125 caliber players with Ross-Miller actually having the talent of a top 50 or so when he puts his complete game together. Screw what the recruiting analysts who rank these players say… they don’t see them play every game. What KC and GJ do well, they do it very well. Both will end up at UK so even hinting that one or the other may not is absurd. Both will be here. I promise. Even if UK gets a commitment from Golden, who many consider a PG, KC’s still coming. And it’s not “recruiting over” a player per se. It may appear that way, but you recruit for talent and depth. Golden, for instance, wouldn’t be an example of recruiting over Ross-Miller. It would be recruiting to add depth. This UK staff will take multiple players at the same position every year if they can get it that way as long as those players have talent.
P.S. UK’s 2010 class is gonna be absurdly loaded. Prepare yourselves.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Shake dem haters off Matt.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Keep your opinions coming Matt, I also have an opinion and there is NO DOUBT I’m right, YOUR FANTASY BASEBALL TEAM SUCKS!!!
Anyone that wants to see for themselves just click the link…
http://games.espn.go.com/flb/leagueoffice?leagueId=50991
Last place dude? PATHETIC!!!
July 9th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
You could include Euton in this mix as well.
The fanbase is still trying to adjust to this new world recruting which looks out past the line of sight. We are not used to it.
In BCG we trust but when early returns on these guys suggest they are nothing more than 3* contributors people get concerned. Not likely that it will make any differance but it should be discussed. There is a limited number of these slots available.
July 9th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Matt, I think the issue most people are trying to get at is figuring out what credentials do you have as a talent evaluator as opposed to a wanna-be talent evaluator.
July 9th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Matt, perhaps you need to define your definition of a “UK caliber player”. Outside of Patrick Patterson and flashes of Jodie Meeks & Derrick Jasper at times, who would you consider to be UK caliber players as freshmen? Some people are living in the fantasy world of the late 90s still in terms of recruiting and who UK should be getting and that every recruit should be an all-american his freshman year. Yes, BCG and staff are doing their best to get us back there, but in recent history UK players haven’t exactly been getting the job done so I’m not sure what “UK caliber players” are right now other than a fanbase’s longshot wet dream and yearning for yesteryear.
The GJ’s and KC’s of the world might not be instant superstars, but guess what? They haven’t been coached by college staffs yet or fully developed their game. We’ve all come to the conclusion that they’re not the next Derrick Rose, but that doesn’t make them not UK caliber. Yes, GJ is getting recruited over in his class — for the best player in the country. Even still, that’s not for his entire career, that’s for his Freshman season when he’ll just be developing and improving and not counted on to contribute a lot anyway.
July 9th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
i kno this is off subject of GJ and Ross-Miller, but according to rivals, Terrence Boyd said UK “is definate leader in his recruitment at this point” Great news to kno ANOTHER top prospect has UK as the leader!! Here’s the link:
http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=825226
July 9th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I have a Phd in scouting from Drake University
July 9th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Matt,
Your DH position is empty! I realize you are a busy guy, but fantasy sports is important! Last place is really embarrassing! Are there any girls in your league! If so, that makes it that much worse!
July 9th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
The Internet is no place for opinions. Period. IMO.
July 9th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Give me John “Great” Wall. Vilarino, It’s been fun. Keep it real at UTEP.
July 9th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
people that say BCG wouldn’t recruit a guy that isn’t ready, or trust his opinion are looking thru the blue tint. I’m sure there’s no coach in america that spends time recruiting people they think “won’t help the team.”
It’s warning signs you have to watch for like progression or lack of progression and that’s what these articles, comments and rankings are about.
Progression and potential is the difference between a chuck hayes, or a sheray thomas.
July 9th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
A big thing that’s being missed in these discussions is that a lot depends on how well the coachgin staff helps to develop the players after they get here. That was not a strong suit of the previous regime, especially in the latter years. I believe that Gillispie and his staff will excel at that. So give me these guys that they feel good about and I won’t worry about the “expert naysayers”. And I don’t want any “one and oners”. None. Period. Just asking for disruption to your program. And I am not a fan of Memphis.
July 9th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
is GJ still just 5′9″ as listed on scout.com?
July 9th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
So what if they are only 3 star? Acie Law was too and look what Gillispie did with him. Stars dont matter. Analysts dont matter neither. Gillispie is the type of coach that will get the best out of his players, look what he did with Stevenson. And if not, then they will transfer like Alex Legion because he is selfish and doesnt work hard, words from Bruce Weber. And if Gillispie had Bradley and Crawford say their junior year, Crawford would have been a solid 1st round pick and Bradley 2nd round, maybe. He is just like Pitino of the old days and I am looking forward to where the program is headed. Everyone knows the 2nd season at a school is when he makes his biggest turn around so I’m excited for this season.
July 9th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
#26, GJ is now listed at 6′0, 170 lbs.
July 9th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
#26. He is just over 6′. He makes up for being slightly undersized by his athleticism (and 42 inch vertical).
July 9th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
#24- Hayes was a 4 star prospect who was voted a parade all american out of high school. He had an offer from KU. Sheray was a 3 star from Canada who nobody had heard of. Big Difference.
July 9th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
I mean you don’t really need a top 5 PG, but a couple of guys who run a clean, turnover free, offense. When was the last time we had a top 25/50 pg?
July 9th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
30) I thought Hayes was ranked in the 70’s or something.
July 9th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
#31…Rondo. #3 pg that year.
July 9th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
#31…Rondo. #3 pg that year, #22(I think) overall. I wish Gillispie took over that year with all that talent that came in. He would have done big things with them.
July 9th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
#34… Rondo was #25 overall not that it matters
#30… Good point… Chuck was Mr. Basketball in Cali
July 9th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
I would bet anyone any amount of money that when these two guys are in their Junior years in college they will be considered some of the best guards in the SEC and COuntry. I just beleive that they will end up being really good players. I think the reason that they are being overlooked is because they don’t shoot the ball really well. They will both do the work while at UK in practice to excell on the floor in games. Gillispie wants kids with talent. I don’t think he wants kids who are already as good as they could ever be. He wants kids with talent that he can mold into the kind of player that he needs. BCG is one of the best at developing players so he isn’t worried a bit about these guys excelling once they step on campus. I am sick of hearing this. Lets wait til they get on campus and focus on the guys who we are actively recruiting.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
All im saying is on our most successful teams we didn’t have the star PG. Just SOLID role players that got the ball to the right guys. Not that I am against having a star pg, the PGs are always my favs on the team, but nothing wrong with the blue collar point.
July 9th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Matt, I trust your assessment of the prospects. I’m not local anymore so I just get any info from you, JDemling, WCN, and Sea of Blue. Those 4 are my only connection to the Cats. I check your site every morning and afternoon for info on my Cats. Love the opinions and humor, keep up the good work.
July 9th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
#37 I agree. If someone were to ask me or you who the best point guard has been in the last 15 years we probably all would say Wayne Turner. Point is that a point guards success is based on win and losses not scoring ability or great talent. Rajon Rondo was probably the most talented point that UK has ever seen but an elite and a 2nd round loss won’t cut it. GJ and KC will have alot of talent around them in the next 4 and 5 years. BCG wants guys who can handle the ball well, not make turnovers, and initiate the offense. He wants a point guard that can be scrappy on D and get the ball to the big guys who can score. We will have great wing play and great inside play in the years to come. With some of the guys we have coming in I don’t think you want a point guard that is going to take alot of shots. The majority of shots need to be taken by guys like PPAT, Miller, Stevenson, Meeks, Hood, Ferguson, Pilgrim, and whoever else we sign in the coming years. THose are the guys who can put the ball in the basket. If GJ and KC can find those guys and get them as many oppurtunities as possible we will be successful.
July 9th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
PLUS both of these guys will have two years to sit back and work on their games when they get on campus. Galloway and Liggins can man the point and be successful. In the first couple of years they will be asked to come in and be solid. They won’t be asked to light the world on fire. GEEZ all we need them to be is solid.
July 9th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Matt, I enjoy the blog and especially appreciate it now that everybody else tries to get in my pocket and I agree 100% with your post. I do think you are making a very similar argument to the one I used to make when we disagreed on the previous administration and many times you took offense and deleted my comments. As long as the posts both from you guys that run this site and visitors like me make coherent points then I think all opinions can be voiced. It’s pretty obvious that Miller and Vilarino haven’t lived up to expectations so far. I do hope they aren’t reading all of this stuff but simply listening to their coaches. It’s pretty hard I imagine for a 16 year old kid that has probably always been the best athelete in his town to be told that he isn’t good enough.
July 10th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Sorry I am with Matt. All the recruiting services cannot be wrong. GJ for sure is looking to be non-UK caliber. KC and Dakota better pick it up quick if they want a spot on the bus. Simply put, I’ll be one ticked off MF’er if we have to tell a Barnes, Wall, Orton or even Jenkins that they can’t come to UK cause we gave their scholly to GJ.
IF CBC and GJ are going different ways, for both parties the sooner the better. GJ can be recruited again and CBC has another scholly open for a Wall-Orton-Stephenson shocker!!!