Can Calipari pull off "1-2-3" recruiting class for 2011?
By Staff
It may seem that he walks on water now, but John Calipari is in the midst of attempting to pull off one perhaps one of the greatest coaching feats of all times, a recruiting trifecta of epic proportions. We are talking of course about pulling in a 2011 recruiting class consisting of the numbers 1,2, and 3 players in the country: Mike Gilchrist, Marquis Teague, and Quincy Miller.
Such a feat would be unprecedented. Calipari only hit the “daily double” with #1 recruit John Wall and #2 recruit DeMarcus Cousins. But to hit all three? Well to be in position to pull this off requires careful planning and may involve some roster games with this years recruiting class to set the table for 2011. One thing that will have to happen is that UK will have to play with less than 13 scholarship players next year to set the table for 2011.
First, let’s take a look at the roster and scholarship ramifications of Calipari hitting the trifecta for the 2011 class. Right now, UK is using all 13 scholarships. There are three seniors: Mark Krebs, Perry Stevenson, and Ramon Harris. We can all assume that Patrick Patterson and John Wall will go pro after this season. Now let’s all assume for a minute that DeMarcus Cousins decided he needs another year of Calipari and stays for his sophomore year. Let’s also assume that the DeAndre Liggins situation works itself out positively and he stays at UK. This will give us five scholarships available for the 2010 class.
Now Josh Harrellson will graduate after next season and let’s assume that Cousins decides to go pro. This only frees up two positions, so to make sure that they can sign the top three, they will need to have gone with 11-12 players next season. This means that UK can only have a recruiting class of four players for this class. A few weeks ago, I looked at the prospects and said UK could have a class of Josh Selby, C.J. Leslie, Stacey Poole, Doron Lamb and Eloy Vargas. The only way that UK could have a class of more than four players is if UK knew for sure that one of these players were a guaranteed one and done. So you can see, planning on that 1-2-3 class is going to require a very concise and accurate assessment of the roster.
Now, let’s look at the players themselves and see if UK can truly land all three:
MICHAEL GILCHRIST
The battle for the number 1 player in the 2011 class is looking like it is shaping into a Kentucky/Villanova battle. Gilchrist attended BBM with Kyrie Irving and then followed that up with a visit to Villanova. Gilchrist’s mom, Cindy Richardson has said previously that her son talked about nothing about UK and Villanova and Gilchrist said at the LeBron James Academy this summer that these were his top two choices.
There are some very close family ties pulling in both directions here. The nefarious World Wide Wes grew up across the street from Richardson and some feel that the Cal pal connection will sway him to UK. Nova coach Jay Wright and Richardson also have a strong relationship. I think that the odds are good that UK lands Gilchrist (let’s say 60%) but this will be a long recruitment. I have to admit I was recently confused by some Dick Vitale babble recently where he seemed to think that Gilchrist was going to North Carolina, but that may have just been Vitale.
MARQUIS TEAGUE
Of the three, I think that Teague is the least attainable. All throughout the summer, we heard whispers that Teague was going to commit to the Dirty Cards any day. That did not happen. Then in the fall, Teague took a visit to the Ville and a commitment was imminent. But it never happened? Wha happen? Well shortly after the UL visit, Teague was scheduled to visit BBM but he cancelled because his dad was not able to accompany him. Around this time, Teague made the statement that they were going to watch the teams and how their season would progress and then make a decision in the spring.
I still think that Louisville is the team to beat for Teague’s but I think the fact that he is waiting to commit does show he is keeping his options open. A lot of this does depend on if Kentucky does sign either Knight or Selby and if they are one and done as well. Teague does have top 5 of “Louisville, Ohio State, IU, Wake Forest and Kentucky”. Lest we forget, Teague’s brother Jeff went to Wake Forest and was a first round draft pick of Atlanta. Right now, I put UK’s chance at landing Teague at around 40%.
QUINCY MILLER
Of all the players, I give UK the best chance at landing Miller, right about 70% right now. Miller visited UK for the UNC game and came away raving from the experience. He is also good friends with John Wall and he has become an outright Wall (and UK supporter) on his twitter account. Just last night, during the UK/UConn game, Quincy sent out these texts:
Whoever talks crazy about J.Wall And UK..hit me up after the game and still tall reckless
J.wall UK, J.Wall UK, J.Wall UK!!! leeetttsss goooooooo!!! Who sayin something? I told y’all!! It’s eeeaaasssyyy!
Of course, Kentucky has competition for Miller. Quincy is in Duke’s backyard and has visitted Duke several times over the last few months and it looked like he was a heavy Duke lean just a few months ago. Baylor is also rumored to be making inroads with Miller.
So… the question remains and will be the big question for the next year and a half. Can Calipari pull in the trifecta of Gilchrist, Teague, and Miller? It’s an unprecedented haul but if anyone can do it, it is Calipari. I think UK has about a 60% chance at Gilchrist and Miller, but that goes to about 35% on all three players. Throw in a deep NCAA run and possible title this year and that will go to 50% or better. I have already found it’s best not to bet against Calipari at UK.
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