Golden Nugz for 04-01-09

by GopherNation on Apr 1, 2009 4:00 AM CDT in Golden Nuggets

I'm leading with something non-Gopher related since Calipari behing hired as the highest paid coach in college basketball is kind of a big story. Personally I think this is a great hire for Kentucky and a great spot for Calipari. Kentucky is getting someone who is a great recruiter, they are getting someone who will relish the spotlight and they are getting a proven winner. Calipari is getting a chance to prove he can be the best and he's getting a job that will have virtually unlimited resources. This is a match made in bluegrass heaven.

The biggest shocker of the story is THIS.

John Calipari put together an outstanding 2009 recruiting class for Memphis. Now, it might be coming apart.

Two signees say they have agreements from the school that would release them from their scholarships should Calipari leave. One player who has publicly committed and another who is interested say Calipari's departure could change their minds.

I guess it makes sense. If I'm a top notch player and I agree to go to a Conference USA school because I believe the coach can take me to the Final Four, then I don't want to get screwed when he leaves for greener pastures. It is likely that this will be more common in years to come.

Interesting nugget for the political junkies among us. Apparently President Obama has former Gopher and the man who many hope will succeed Brewster, Tony Dungy, on a short list for the White House Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. I don't want this to turn into a political discussion but this is an intriguing choice on Pres. Obama's.
I'll stick with politics for a minute. Apparently the U of MN has been rather busy in this current legislative session. The Minnesota Daily has a comprehensive recap of what concerns our favorite division 1 institute in this state.
Miami of Ohio's hockey team has made the Final Four (or Frozen Four I guess) and Joel Maturi is getting a little credit. Maturi is the one who hired a young and inexperienced Enrico Blasi, then 27, to coach the RedHawks. Maybe one of his recent hires will lead to a Final Four or BCS game or something sweet like that!!!

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I've read elsewhere....

…that Calipari had signed 2 of the top 5 high school players in the country, and that another one (last name of Wall) was strongly considering going to Memphis. If Calipari takes those three to Kentucky, along with what I have read is already a strong recruiting class for UK, well, Calipari may dominate a weak SEC next year and be a hero pretty quickly.

by JG2112 on Apr 1, 2009 8:00 AM CDT reply actions

1 Signed, 1 Verbal, 1 Leaning

All 3 may wind up at UK but more likely 1 or 2 of them.

by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 1, 2009 8:15 AM CDT reply actions

You must...

…be excited by this hire, yes?

by JG2112 on Apr 1, 2009 8:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Grand Slam HR

GREAT hire by UK.

Gillispie never was the right fit.

by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 1, 2009 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions

I've also heard UK oversigned by a one or two

Majerus was on Barriero last night and said UK was already oversigned. So JC is going to bring his Memphis recruits and then either cut loose some of the incoming talent or cut a significant portion of the current roster.

should be very interesting, but I think Calipare will be a great fit for UK and they’ll be back on top VERY soon. JC has turned weaker programs into programs that are nationally competitive. I’m going to assume he can take a premier program to wherever he wants to go.

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Apr 1, 2009 9:40 AM CDT reply actions

Horrible precedent

If Memphis signees go to UK now, it sets a horrible precedent. It’s almost like a package deal. Bad news for college basketball, and it opens to door for more shenanigans.

And I can see why UK fans would be excited about hiring Calipari. For me, he’s just like Billy G but with a personality (albeit caustic) and media savvy. Like Clyde, Calipari has put people close to a recruit on University payroll. I think that’s a shady practice, though Calipari isn’t to be blamed for a loophole that many are taking advantage of. And the Marcus Camby incident at UMass is questionable.

All that said, this is intriguing. Calipari and Pitino, with their history, both in the commonwealth will be interesting to say the least.

Maroon and Gold Headquarters: The Daily Gopher

by PJS on Apr 1, 2009 10:36 AM CDT reply actions