Reading the tea leaves on the Mitch McGary, TJ Warren recruiting decisions
By Paul Jordan
It was only a few years ago that the Big Blue Nation would be in a full fledged panic over the news that two top recruits are eschewing Big Blue Madness. Now, thanks to the recruiting prowess of John Calipari, Kentucky fans “read the tea leaves” and try to figure out what players Calipari has secured that may be driving these players elsewhere. But first, let’ take a look at what was lost with the news that Warren and McGary would not be Wildcats.
TJ Warren is currently rated as the 23rd best player in the class and the 6th best SF. Warren was at one time considered a pretty strong Kentucky lean and there actually was hope that he could swing his HS team mate McGary to “follow him to Kentucky”.
Mitch McGary is the 3rd best player in the 2012 class and the top PF. To be honest, I never felt he was that interested in Kentucky, so his decision is not as big a shock as Warren’s.
Kentucky fans are hopeful that the news of Warren’s disinterest means that Kentucky now has the upper hand for Shabazz Muhammad, the number one player in the class and the top rated SF. Muhammad will attend Big Blue Madness and has recently stated he will make a decision in November. Devonta Pollard is also a possibility at the SF position, but due to Kentucky’s system, Calipari can sign another SG like Gary Harris and play him at the SF as well. Kentucky seems to have their hopes tied to Mohammad, but UCLA folks seem to think he is a Bruin lean.
The situation at PF seems a bit more settled as there have been numerous rumors and stories that Alex Poythress will be a Wildcat. Poythress is rated as the 8th best PF in the class, but the 19th best player overall, so there is not a lot of separation in talent between the top players in this category. Gary Parrish was recently lamenting the fact that Memphis lost another player (Poythress) to Kentucky, so this looks like a pretty good deal. Robert Carter is still available as well and as we recall that a few months ago, Carter was rumored to be a Kentucky commit soon.
Tickets for the October 26th Blue/White game go on sale on Thursday. Tickets are $10 tickets and are available by visiting the UK Ticket Office between the hours of 9:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. ET or by calling 1.800.928.2287. Fans can also obtain tickets by calling the Rupp Arena Box Office 859.233.3535 or by going online to UKAthletics.com and Ticketmaster.com or Ticketmaster outlets statewide.
The rosters seem to be set for the “Big Blue All Stars” barnstorming Tour throughout the state. Here are the confirmed former Wildcats and other notable players that will be participating and the venues:
October 8 vs University of Pikeville
• Brandon Knight
• Chuck Hayes
• Josh Harrellson
• DeAndre Liggins
• Kenneth Faried
• Shelvin Mack
October 9 vs Alice Lloyd College
• Brandon Knight
• Chuck Hayes
• Josh Harrellson
• DeAndre Liggins
• Eric Bledsoe
• Kenneth Faried
• Shelvin Mack
October 10 vs Georgetown College
• Brandon Knight
• Jodie Meeks
• Josh Harrellson
• DeAndre Liggins
• Eric Bledsoe
• Kenneth Faried
• Shelvin Mack
October 11 vs Union College
• Brandon Knight
• Jodie Meeks
• Josh Harrellson
• DeAndre Liggins
• Eric Bledsoe
• Kenneth Faried
• Shelvin Mack
October 13 vs Mid Continent University
• Brandon Knight
• Jodie Meeks
• Josh Harrellson
• DeAndre Liggins
• Eric Bledsoe
• Kenneth Faried
• Shelvin Mack
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