I am excited about what the future holds for The University of Kentucky & its basketball program. We'll have a new coach who hopefully brings an exciting style of play & a charismatic attitude to Lexington. For the past 5 or so years, I had hoped that that coach would be Billy Donovan. He shunned us once, but I was willing to forgive & forget, and embrace him once we relieved Billy Clyde; however, it seems that Donovan has shunned us again.
So, we move to John Calipari. Rumors are swirling that there is mutual interest, and that a deal could potentially be completed within the next 24 hours.
Many think that Calipari will come to Kentucky simply for financial reasons. Surely nobody can throw more money at Calipari than Kentucky, right? Well, maybe - or maybe not. Memphis has some of the wealthiest boosters in the land & have a great "working" relationship with FedEx and their higher-ups. By "working", I mean that FedEx gives Memphis as much money as they want. There are a short list of programs who can compete with Kentucky financially, and I think Memphis is one of the select few. And there's no doubt in my mind that Memphis is committed to John Calipari...
Here is my request to Kentucky fans, both on the internet message boards & standing around the water cooler. Let the people in charge do their job, and quit spreading rumors.
The fact of the matter is that we're all hopeful & excited about what the future may hold. If Calipari comes, he could be great & he could bring some star recruits with him for next year; however, nothing is official & many coaches don't like to throw their former employer (and the program that they helped build) under the bus by "stealing" their recruits. Billy Gillispie refrained from bringing DeAndre Jordan, the #1 center who committed to BCG @ Texas A&M, with him to Kentucky because he didn't want to upset A&M. It was the right thing to do, in my opinion.
Let me set the record straight. I've read some inaccurate posts on here (and elsewhere) and would like to take the time to straighten things out.
Xavier Henry is the #1 recruit in the nation. He has committed & signed with Memphis. It's likely that he will end up in Memphis, with or without Calipari.
DeMarcus Cousins is the #4 player in the nation. He's a 6'10'' big man who is the #1 ranked center coming out of high school. He, like Henry, has committed to Memphis; however, Cousins has not signed with the Tigers, which basically means that he can still go wherever he pleases.
John Wall is one of the top PG's in the land, hailing from North Carolina. He's also a top 10 player in the nation, and his list of schools have been trimmed to Memphis & Duke. As I posted earlier, Seth Curry has announced that he will transfer to Duke, so this may impact Wall some; however, Wall is the type of impact player that can start at virtually any program in the country. He HAS NOT COMMITTED ANYWHERE - and that includes John Calipari & Memphis.
The rumors & excitement is running rampant in Lexington & the great Commonwealth of Kentucky. Undoubtedly, it is the product of the enormous amount of support of the Kentucky basketball program; however, we need to keep things in perspective & to our best to stay on focus & spread the truth -- not rumors & hearsay.
Here's hoping that Kentucky will seek permission to speak with Calipari & will make him an offer that he cannot refuse!
