Hey Kentucky, Isiah Thomas is Available
College Basketball, Media Gossip/Musings March 31st. 2009, 10:30am
First everyone had Florida’s Billy Donovan going to Kentucky. Before Billy Gillispie could run away from that irksome TV reporter, Donovan was penciled in as his replacement. Oops. Didn’t take. And yesterday, the internets and a TV station feverishly reported that Calipari had rejected the Memphis counter and taken the Kentucky job and was already starting to move recruits from one shady program to another when … oops. Didn’t happen yet. It still could … but we heard the same “lock city!” stuff about Donovan last week.
After Calipari met with his players Monday morning, the boosters supposedly made their push in the afternoon. (Or, Calipari had already made up his mind and was trying to handpick his successor!) All that Fed Ex money was probably trying to match or top UK’s reported 8-year, $40 million offer. Calipari decided to sleep on it. Understandable.
Let’s say Calipari doesn’t take the job. We’d love that more than anything.
Then who? One writer in Kentucky is still holding out hope that Tom Izzo’s going to leave East Lansing for Lexington. Does anyone else find it comical that Kentucky thinks it can snap its fingers and have any coach in the country? So history and Jodie Meeks and Patrick Patterson are enough to get anyone? Next up: Jamie Dixon of Pitt! The Panthers lose everyone and … oh, wait … he’s never won anything, forget that guy.
Anyone have Roy’s cell phone?
Is Calipari the right guy for UK? (Kentucky.com)
18 Responses to “Hey Kentucky, Isiah Thomas is Available”
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March 31st, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Does anyone else find it comical that Kentucky thinks it can snap its fingers and have any coach in the country?
Yes.
March 31st, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Can you imagine the uproar if Saban or Miles pulled this crap and took a #1 recruiting class to another school?
I understand that players go to play for the coach more than the school, but taking your recruits and leaving the former school wiped out is just wrong.
March 31st, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Although, this might be a very good reason for Cal not to go. In Memphis, he can get away with almost anything (players with fur coats, FedEx boosters paving the way, etc…) and get no notoriety from the Memphis media, who longs to have a winner in the city.
If Cal leaves for UK, he will be under the national spotlight from Day 1, which is different than his ability to fly under the radar in Amherst and Memphis. His shady, under the table tactics with recruits will likely fly with the folks in Big Blue, but nationally that kind of attention gets the NCAA knocking on the door.
If he leaves for Lexington, will it surprise anyone if Memphis is on probation in less than 4 years?
March 31st, 2009 at 10:41 AM
I will be more surprised if they AREN’T.
March 31st, 2009 at 10:42 AM
8 year, $40 mill? I thought it was 8yr/$35 mill
I hope he stays at Memphis. great class coming in next year
March 31st, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Let’s say Calipari doesn’t take the job.
I see Calipari definitely going sometime this week. It’s too much money for someone of his nature. Besides, it will get him out of the C-USA and into the SEC where he won’t have to hear as much of that weak conference schedule arguement every year.
March 31st, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Cal will only go if he can take Worldwide Wes with him.
March 31st, 2009 at 10:46 AM
fantasy baseball trade would you do it?
hunter pence(promising young guy)
heath bell(avg relief pitcher)
for
alphonso soriano(owner of a loud car)
im leaning towards yes. what do you all think?
March 31st, 2009 at 10:47 AM
was that a italian joke?
/wopwopwopwop
March 31st, 2009 at 10:50 AM
This is the same situation as Alabama football a few years ago bringing in Saban. The State’s #1 university had been overshadowed by it’s in-state rival so they need to overreach (overpay) a little and make a big splash with their new coach.
March 31st, 2009 at 10:53 AM
mrejr – yes.
March 31st, 2009 at 10:55 AM
For more shady recruiting stories in Chicago, one of the top unsigned recruits signs with Uconn after never taking a visit or meeting face to face with the coaches, looks like Calhoun isn’t worried about getting caught because everyone here is saying something fishy went on.
http://ilprepbullseye.com/page41.html
March 31st, 2009 at 10:56 AM
yes on the trade or yes on the eyetalian joke?
March 31st, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Rod Strickland is the brains behind this whole operation.
March 31st, 2009 at 11:10 AM
The trade. I don;t know the specifics of your league, but I’d take Pence for Soriano this year. And I’ve heard some people think Bell is posed for a decent year.
March 31st, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Mejr
This trade depends on how many closers you have. Bell could get some saves.
Pence is just hitting his prime and could have a good year. You know roughly what soriano will do, but if you need saves, I wouldn’t do it.
/I just got a feeling about pence this year.
March 31st, 2009 at 12:31 PM
I like Pence, but I like Soriano a lot more. Bell is a dime a dozen closer who shouldn’t even be a consideration when evaluating the trade.
In a keeper, maybe Pence, but in a redraft, Soriano.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:13 PM
why in the world would kentucky let him sleep on it and shop the offer around???