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Kentucky Basketball: Flashback to Tubby Smith’s 2004 recruiting class

By Tyler Reeder

Feb 16, 2017; Hartford, CT, USA; Memphis Tigers head coach Tubby Smith watches from the sideline as they take on the Connecticut Huskies in the second half at XL Center. UConn defeated Memphis 65-62. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2017; Hartford, CT, USA; Memphis Tigers head coach Tubby Smith watches from the sideline as they take on the Connecticut Huskies in the second half at XL Center. UConn defeated Memphis 65-62. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kentucky Basketball
Oct 16, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; A general view of Rupp Arena before Kentucky Blue Madness begins. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

With the NBA draft concluded and no meaningful basketball games to be played until November 10th (Kentucky vs Utah Valley) we are now squarely into what former Head Ball Coach, Steve Spurrier termed “talkin’ season”.

For the avid hoops fan however, this time of year has become filled with foraging for whatever piece of information one can get in regards to recruiting. This has been the case ever since John Calipari took the reigns of the Kentucky Basketball program in 2009. Recruiting has been a popcorn worthy past time to tide over those who yearn for the brisk winds of fall and the games that follow shortly behind.

Calipari: The Machine

The success Calipari recruits have brought to the program is unmatched. Once they step onto campus in Lexington, or even the success they have found once leaving the program is great for Kentucky exposure. He has consistently been at the top of his game when you look at yearly class rankings. Coach Cal accumulates the top ranked class most years. Those years he hasn’t landed the top ranked class, he’s a close second.

Adding three more lottery picks in the most recent NBA draft, Calipari has also been king when it comes to moving players along into flourishing NBA careers. He has produced 24 first round picks since his arrival in the Bluegrass, and many of those players have gone on to sign second contracts. A huge deal when viewing how the league has evolved toward a younger, more versatile style of play.

I’ll admit, I myself have become a little spoiled with this yearly haul of recruiting. I don’t follow it as thoroughly as I once did. Even while it has become much easier to follow with improved player analysis from a wide variety of services, a heavily followed AAU circuit and even national television coverage for top high school games and tournaments the shine has worn off a bit in my eyes. First world problems, right?

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