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SEC Coaches that are the best at hoarding blue-chippers at key positions

Started by jbcarol, July 08, 2014, 11:57:20 am

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jbcarol

Hugh Kellenberger @HKellenbergerCL  ·  6 hours ago

Ole Miss is in the habit of stacking four-star wide receivers like most of us stack cans of soup. http://www.clarionledger.com/story/olemisssports/2015/01/26/ole-miss-trend-wide-receiver-van-jefferson-damarkus-lodge-laquon-treadwell/22361005/ ...

QuoteOXFORD -- Ole Miss may not yet know who is starting quarterback will be in September, but the Rebels' coaching staff continues to double-down on the players whoever it is will throw to.

That's the biggest takeaway from the verbal commitment of Van Jefferson late Sunday...

Jefferson does not exactly fill an immediate or notable need... he's part of a trend, one that includes DaMarkus Lodge...

This is what Ole Miss' receiver depth chart looks like right now for 2015:

    Laquon Treadwell caught 48 passes for 632 yards and five touchdowns in nine games as a sophomore...
    Damore'ea Stringfellow sat out 2014 after transferring from Washington, but caught 20 passes as a freshman. It would be hyperbolic to suggest he is Treadwell's equal, but Stringfellow's talent is not that far off. He just has to figure out how to behave off the field.
    Evan Engram is technically a tight end, but for the purposes of this discussion we'll include him. The all-SEC sophomore had a monster Egg Bowl and finished the year with 38 catches for 662 yards.
    Among the slot receiver options are not only Jefferson (and potentially Lodge), but Cody Core (41 catches, six touchdowns), Quincy Adeboyejo (26 catches) and Markell Pack (14 as a freshman).
    Derrick Jones and Quintavius Burdette are raw but as fast as anyone, Collins Moore is back after missing all of 2014 with an injury, and Dayall Harris and Sammie Epps (a hybrid TE/WR) both redshirted in 2014 but are expected to push for playing time somewhere.
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jbcarol

Another benefit of hoarding: injuries and illness.

At UK, Poythress is out for the season (ACL) and Lyles expected to be out again for GameDay v. Florida.

Calipari played only six men over 10-12 minutes against UGa in Rupp.
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jbcarol

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  1 hour ago
5 spots where Auburn's signees face crowded path to immediate playing time http://s.al.com/KJG7N0S

QuoteAuburn signed five offensive linemen, a large class that helps offset the losses of Reese Dismukes, Chad Slade and Patrick Miller. Usually, a team that loses three starters on the offensive line has to break in a few rookies, but the Tigers remain stacked with six offensive linemen who have SEC experience. Both Shon Coleman and Avery Young return as key components who started every game last season...

If Joshua Holsey remains at safety and doesn't move back to corner, this position appears to be one of the deepest on the defense. Auburn lost Jermaine Whitehead, but Johnathan "Rudy" Ford is back after leading the Tigers in tackles, Derrick Moncrief played 20 snaps per game last season and Holsey has started 11 games at the position. In addition, the services of former Georgia starter Tray Matthews are now available... Auburn brought in three safeties in this class --

Auburn's made it clear that Jason Smith, a junior college transfer, will get a chance to compete to take over for Nick Marshall, and the Tigers also landed early enrollee Tyler Queen. The problem both face is that the front-runner for the spot, Jeremy Johnson, has two starts and two years of experience in the offense under his belt that gives him a much better understanding of the offense. The same, to some degree, goes for Sean White, who redshirted last year.
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jbcarol

ESPN SEC @ESPN_SEC  ·  7 minutes ago

SEC morning links http://tinyurl.com/o4kftec

QuoteBama hasn't exactly been hurting for running back help over the past few years. Actually, ever since Nick Saban took over in 2007, running the ball has been the Crimson Tide's staple. But with the Tide losing T.J. Yeldon to the NFL, Altee Tenpenny transferring and Tyren Jones being suspended, Alabama finds itself a little thin at the running back position. With that said, Saban is prepared, and now freshman Bo Scarbrough has a chance to see a bigger role immediately. He's already on campus...
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jbcarol

AL.com sports @aldotcomSports  ·  2 hours ago
Breaking down Alabama running back battle entering spring practice. http://ow.ly/K34Kq

QuoteBY THE NUMBERS

-- Derrick Henry: 172 carries, 990 yards (5.8 average), 11 touchdowns.

-- Tyren Jones: 36 carries, 224 yards (6.2 average), 2 touchdowns

-- Kenyan Drake: 22 carries, 112 yards (5.1 average) 4 touchdowns

THE DEPARTED

-- T.J. Yeldon 194 carries, 979 yards (5.0 average), 11 touchdowns

-- Altee Tenpenny 26 carries, 136 yards (5.2 average), 0 touchdowns

-- Jalston Fowler 12 carries, 69 yards (5.8 average) 0 touchdowns

SPRING CAST

-- Derrick Henry

-- Kenyan Drake

-- Bo Scarbrough

-- DeSherrius Flowers

(Tyren Jones suspended indefinitely)

BURNING QUESTION

How healthy is Kenyan Drake after breaking his leg Oct. 4 against Ole Miss?

STAR ATTRACTION

For the first time in his Alabama career, Derrick Henry will be the top dog in Alabama's backfield...
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jbcarol

 Cecil Hurt @CecilHurt  ·  15h 15 hours ago

Of four blue chip RBs signed by Alabama in 2013, only Derrick Henry is still on the roster.
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jbcarol

Seth Emerson @SethEmerson  ·  2h 2 hours ago

Georgia's top three outside linebackers (and maybe more than three) are too good to keep on the bench. http://www.macon.com/2015/04/09/3686313/georgias-outside-linebackers-too.html ...

QuoteThe Bulldogs will find ways to play its talented top three outside linebackers - Jordan Jenkins, Leonard Floyd and Lorenzo Carter - at the same time.

"Yeah. We want to get as many of those guys on the field as we can, in different ways," said Sherrer, who coaches the outside linebackers.

Put another way: The depth chart may list Jenkins (15 sacks in three years) and Floyd (12.5 sacks in two years) as starters, but Carter (4.5 sacks as a freshman) will almost certainly play as many snaps as them. Throw in Davin Bellamy, and Georgia's coaches are going to get creative to try to maximize the snaps of their outside linebackers.

Jenkins, who at 6-foot-3 and 252 pounds is the biggest of the three, could play some at defensive end. Carter, who's the tallest at 6-foot-6 and is adding weight, could also do that. Floyd, who is 6-4 and 230, could also play some inside linebacker, as he did last year.

"A lot of times it depends on what style of offense you're facing each week too," Sherrer said. "But last year at Auburn we played three of those guys at the same time, and then on third down sometimes we had four on the field. It just gives us more ability to mix and match those guys."

That mixing and matching could include several new players. Junior college transfer Chuks Amaechi and freshman early enrollee Natrez Patrick have been impressive enough this spring that they're pushing for snaps.

Patrick began camp at outside linebacker, but moved inside, flipping spots with Amaechi, who will likely stay with Sherrer's outside linebackers this season.
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jbcarol

Karl-Anthony Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein, Trey Lyles, Devin Booker, Dakari Johnson and both the Harrisons, Andrew and Aaron — all of them will leave the Kentucky basketball program to enter the NBA Draft... And for them, it is likely to become a mistake.

QuoteLet's make this clear up front: We are not referencing Karl-Anthony Towns or Willie Cauley-Stein... We're not really talking about Dakari Johnson... And we're not talking entirely about the Harrisons. Their tortured stay with the Wildcats, which somehow managed to turn two Final Four seasons into some sort of opera, came to a necessary end...

We gather the information, we talk to about 20 NBA teams, maybe more. We let the parents talk directly to the NBA so there's no confusion. We have about a 5-minute meeting; I'm not convincing anyone to stay, and I'm not pushing anybody out the door."

This is the deal Calipari makes with all of the elite prospects he recruits, and it would be disingenuous of him to renege at this juncture.

The only problem with this approach is when he gets a Trey Lyles instead of a DeMarcus Cousins, or a Devin Booker instead of a Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

Sometimes, the correct choice is to reach higher.

We know about Anthony Davis, Mike Conley, Derrick Rose, and there is no argument regarding whether they've excelled or were prepared to enter the league. We don't hear so much about Byron Mullens, Xavier Henry or Josh Selby...

The Washington Post published a piece this week showing that one-and-dones chosen later in the draft are underperforming others that are selected in the same neighborhood. There's a reason for that. The absolutely magical talents can find their way, and will be given more time to get there. The rest become, well, the rest.

It's possible that will become Booker's future now that he has short-cut pre-NBA development by standing up...

Booker is not yet extraordinary in any NBA-level skill. Compared to many players who earn their livings as shooters, he is a good athlete. Compared to the majority of NBA wings, he is not. He has not yet learned the intricacies of how to get open; with Kentucky, it often was about him being free because defenses were occupied with the other high-level talents on the floor.

Lyles is projected as the 19th pick by Draft Express, which seems almost tragic. He is a major talent who needed only the opportunity to polish his ability and demonstrate what he can accomplish. As a sophomore at Kentucky, with Towns and others gone, he would have had an excellent opportunity to blossom into the top-10 pick he genuinely is.
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jbcarol

If I had asked you which Georgia running back would go over 100 yards Saturday, I doubt your answer would have been AJ Turman.

QuoteThe redshirt sophomore missed all of last season with a foot injury, and yet he led all backs in the spring game with 106 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries. Now obviously Turman isn't about to unseat Nick Chubb as the starter. But as last season proved, the more depth at running back the better, especially when both Sony Michel and Keith Marshall missed time this spring due to injury.
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jbcarol

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jbcarol

Calipari adamant about not platooning again

Hoarding NBA first round talent catches up to him on recruiting trail


QuoteIf you're a Kentucky fan hoping for John Calipari to execute his now-infamous platoon system in the fall, you're in for quite a wait.

The Wildcats coach called the 2014-15 season's substitution format an "outlier" in a recent blog post on his website that reflected on his decision to tweak his coaching style in deference to his loaded roster.

"As we go forward, we're going to continue to care about kids and every decision we make will be based on them. I may never platoon again for as long as I'm coaching, but I'll always care about the kids and do whatever I think is best for them," he wrote.
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jbcarol

Michael Carvell ‏@Carvell_AJC 28m28 minutes ago

#Bama has now lost 4 RB's since the end of last season: http://on-ajc.com/1Tv82N1

"If anything, this (losing #Bama RB signee) probably hurts the team more than anything else"
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jbcarol

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ 16h16 hours ago

UK's had a big man go top-10 in NBA draft every year under Calipari. Likely two this year. "It's a heckuva pitch." http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2015/06/19/nbpa-top-kentucky-caliparis-success-big-men-impressing-elite-recruits/29004859/ ...

QuoteCHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Duke and Kentucky look like early frontrunners for the No. 1 college basketball recruit in the Class of 2017, 6-foot-11, 245-pound DeAndre Ayton, and he has one primary concern as he evaluates both programs.

"I just want to see how they do with their bigs," he said. "That's pretty big. I'm looking at that a lot."

Coincidentally, there's a pretty handy guide right in front of him. The Wildcats' Karl-Anthony Towns and Blue Devils' Jahlil Okafor could go 1-2 in next week's NBA Draft. So how did the two schools do developing their stars?

"They did all right," Ayton said of Duke. "I think (Okafor) could've done more. Could've been more athletic, to me. Because I'm an athletic big, like a stretch four. I don't like to be in the post that much."

"I picture my game as Karl Towns," Ayton said, "because he runs the floor, he plays defense and he shoots the outside jumper."

John Calipari's recruiting pitch these days is heavy on his recent success with post players.

"They did pretty well with Karl-Anthony Towns," said 6-11, 235-pound Nick Richards, a top-25 recruit in the 2017 class. "He wasn't even really a post player, and to see what they did to him was really great."

Calipari's rep for years was that of a point guard whisperer. From Memphis to Kentucky, he had a run of lottery picks at the position: Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, John Wall, Brandon Knight. Lately, though, the parade of star big men has been even more eye-popping.

Kentucky produced a top-10 pick in the post each of Calipari's first five seasons – DeMarcus Cousins, Enes Kanter, Anthony Davis, Nerlens Noel, Julius Randle – and this year the Cats will likely have two: Towns and Willie Cauey-Stein. Incoming 6-11 freshman Skal Labissiere is already the projected No. 1 pick in next year's draft.

And while many have been, not all were ready-made pros when they arrived in Lexington. Cauley-Stein, a Kansas native, couldn't get a scholarship offer from the Jayhawks.
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jbcarol

Ben Roberts ‏@NextCats 12h12 hours ago

Jamal Murray on UK's loaded backcourt: "I trust (Cal) with how he's going to play us, and we're going to have a lot of fun with this."
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jbcarol

Quote from: jbcarol on June 25, 2015, 06:43:37 am
Ben Roberts ‏@NextCats 12h12 hours ago

Jamal Murray on UK's loaded backcourt: "I trust (Cal) with how he's going to play us, and we're going to have a lot of fun with this."

Matt Jones ‏@KySportsRadio 14h14 hours ago

Not an exaggeration to say Kentucky will have 3 of the best 10 point guards in America all on the roster at the same time
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jbcarol

Drew Champlin ‏@DrewChamplin 36m36 minutes ago

Recruiting: 5 top Alabama RB targets for you to scroll through on this holiday weekend - http://ow.ly/P96yQ
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jbcarol

ESPN SEC ‏@ESPN_SEC 20h20 hours ago

Kody Walker gets a sixth year at Arkansas http://es.pn/1KTAVyp

QuoteWalker, who rushed for five touchdowns in only three games as a true freshman in 2011, had his most productive year in 2014, registering 31 carries for 149 yards and one touchdown.

"We are very excited to have Kody with us for an additional season," coach Bret Bielema said. "Adversity has defined him throughout his career and he has championed the moment. Every person on our staff and every player in our locker room is pulling for Kody to succeed, and we expect him to be a major contributor to our football team these next two years."

Walker's freshman season came to an end after he suffered a stress fracture in his shins during a game against Troy. A year later, his season ended after he broke his leg in the Razorbacks' loss to Louisiana-Monroe in Week 2.

Kody Walker becomes the first FBS player to have scored six touchdowns before his true freshman season.
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jbcarol

Kentucky line commits finally open up

QuoteIt's likely to go down as the best class of offensive linemen in school history, and it might not be that close. Tate Leavitt, Drake Jackson, Landon Young and Luke Fortner will shoulder enormous expectations when they make their way to Lexington.

Jackson and Young are Rivals250 recruits that picked up offers from the likes of Alabama, Auburn and Ohio State over the course of their recruitments. They're both solid with Kentucky. Over the course of Leavitt's recruitment he picked up offers from Alabama, Auburn and Oklahoma, among others, and he picked Kentucky over the weekend.

Fortner is a standout student, can play every position on the offensive line, and is a player the UK coaches are very familiar with, having worked with him on multiple occasions...

Cats Illustrated: Not a lot of fans know John Schlarman personally on the same level that you all do. What kind of a man is he and what kind of a coach is he?

Drake Jackson: He's a player's coach but he'll hold you accountable and push you. His personality is the best. Always positive and the nicest guy ever. I'd go out there and do anything for him...
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jbcarol

Incoming Kentucky point guard Jamal Murray has skyrocketed to No. 6 in the DraftExpress.com 2016 mock draft.

QuoteIncoming Kentucky [lead] guard Isaiah Briscoe is No. 19

Soph. Tyler Ulis is slotted to be Kentucky's starter at the point.

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ 7m7 minutes ago

Cal says he'd like Murray to play for Canada in the next event but thinks that is really going to be tough.
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jbcarol

AL.com sports ‏@aldotcomSports 52m52 minutes ago

The freshmen to watch when Alabama opens practice. http://ow.ly/QwgGi

QuoteRB Damien Harris

His situation resembles the opportunities presented Trent Richardson in 2009 and T.J. Yeldon in 2012. Experienced talent returns, but there should be a place for the nation's top-ranked running back recruit. Injuries, dismissals and transfers thinned the depth chart to the point Harris will have a role regardless of how things go in August.

Derrick Henry will top the depth chart with the flexible Kenyan Drake next. After that, none of the other scholarship running backs have collegiate experience. It might be a stretch to say Harris will breakout like Richardson and Yeldon, but he'll have the opportunity to make plays in Year 1.
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jbcarol

Damien Harris ‏@DHx34 Aug 5

It's time. Going dark until after camp, see yall later ✌🏽️🅰 #ZeroDark-34

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jbcarol

Michael Casagrande ‏@ByCasagrande 2h2 hours ago

Why Alabama could use 9-10 defensive lineman this fall. http://ow.ly/QDObh

QuoteThree potential high-round draft picks ― A'Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed and Jonathan Allen ― return with role players and former top recruits competing for time.

Nick Saban isn't downplaying this group. He sees an opportunity for as many as nine or 10 players to rotate in action this fall...
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jbcarol

Curated SEC Infotainment and aggregated college sports updates where it just means more on Hogville.net

 

jbcarol

Curated SEC Infotainment and aggregated college sports updates where it just means more on Hogville.net

jbcarol

If Nick Chubb's rushing averages from the last eight games are spread across a season, he'll break 2,000.

Also:
QuoteThese Heisman hopefuls may need some help from their team or carry the burden of success of on their own shoulders:

LSU RB Leonard Fournette, Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott, Arkansas RB Alex Collins,

Behind Chubb on the Bulldogs' depth chart sit two former five-star recruits in Sony Michel and Keith Marshall.
Curated SEC Infotainment and aggregated college sports updates where it just means more on Hogville.net

jbcarol

Curated SEC Infotainment and aggregated college sports updates where it just means more on Hogville.net

jbcarol

Curated SEC Infotainment and aggregated college sports updates where it just means more on Hogville.net

jbcarol

Ben Roberts ‏@NextCats 21h21 hours ago

Ben Roberts retweeted Michael Casagrande

Damien Harris listed as No. 3 RB on Alabama's depth chart, behind Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake ...

http://247sports.com/Player/Damien-Harris-21662

247's #1 RB in 2015
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jbcarol

Matt Jones@KySportsRadio

The nation's #1 Point Guard De'Aaron Fox will visit for Big Blue Madness http://bit.ly/1XgAmo9  #BBN
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jbcarol

SEC Network ‏@SECNetwork 19h19 hours ago

"We have the best RB group in the country. Even though I'm hurt I still feel that way." @Jwillpart2 #FinebaumFriday



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jbcarol

BLACKSBURG, Va. – For one quarter Monday night, the ghost of Virginia Tech past came to life for Ohio State.

It took the star who had to sit out that 2014 upset to ensure it didn't happen again.


QuoteAfter missing the Buckeyes' national championship season with a shoulder injury, Braxton Miller made his return a spectacular one. The quarterback-turned-receiver scored two third-quarter touchdowns after Ohio State trailed at halftime. That allowed the No. 1-ranked Buckeyes to regroup for a 42-24 victory in front of 65,632 in Lane Stadium.

It would take Miller's heroics to change momentum back. Miller was the Big Ten's Player of the Year in 2012 and '13 before his shoulder injury forced him to sit out 2014. He volunteered to switch to receiver largely because he lacks confidence in his shoulder.

"I love Braxton Miller," Meyer said. "He made a lot of decisions as young people have to, and he did it for the best interest of his team and Ohio State and his team.

"That makes you feel good. This kid is all about the right stuff. I'm honored to coach him for the fourth year."
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jbcarol

Derrick Henry almost transferred from Alabama, reports Alex Scarborough of espn.com.

Quote"Henry, then a freshman, was unhappy. He was homesick for Yulee, adrift without his support system. At Alabama, coaches cursed at him on the practice field for the first time in his life. It wasn't enough that he was a five-star recruit with a once-in-a-lifetime ability to run the football; he needed to learn how to read the defense, catch the football and block. With three running backs ahead of him on the depth chart, he'd managed just 28 carries during the regular season."

Eventually won the spot over classmates Tenpenny, Kamara, et al.
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jbcarol

AL.com sports ‏@aldotcomSports 2h2 hours ago

See how ex-Alabama transfers performed last week: http://ow.ly/Su0RZ 



QuoteFans stormed the field once the game was over.

Toledo accomplished a program-first Saturday in front of its home crowd — aided by former Alabama quarterback Phillip Ely.

Ely and the Rockets pulled out a 30-23 double overtime win over Iowa State Saturday.

Toledo had previously never beaten two Power Five conference teams in the same season.

Though Ely was just 11 for 28 for 138 yards with an interception, he did throw an early 3-yard touchdown.

Running back DeSherrius Flowers (Jones County Junior College): Flowers ran for 30 yards and a touchdown on five carries during a 34-6 win over Pearl River Community College.

Running back Tyren Jones (Hutchinson Community College): Jones did not record any stats during a 40-8 win over Iowa Central Community College.

Running back Alvin Kamara (Tennessee): Kamara rushed for 47 yards and a touchdown on seven carries during a 55-10 win over Western Carolina.
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jbcarol

Brent Zwerneman ‏@BrentZwerneman 19h19 hours ago College Station, TX

Texas A&M's Christian Kirk an ideal example of Kevin Sumlin's edict of "the best players play": http://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2015/09/texas-ams-christian-kirk-a-prime-example-of-the-best-players-play/ ...

Kevin Sumlin on Christian Kirk's showing: It says the best players get to play here, whether you've been here 5 years or 5 days.
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jbcarol

AL.com sports ‏@aldotcomSports 23h23 hours ago

Bo Scarbrough's NCAA suspension over, Nick Saban says #Alabama will find role for RB http://ow.ly/SLPnK  #ALCFB


Bo as a high school junior

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jbcarol

Here's how ESPN analyst Chad Ford judges UK players in the 2016 NBA Draft:


Quote■ Isaiah Briscoe is an intriguing player. NBA scouts will need time to assess him.

"Briscoe is a wild card for me," Ford said. "There's talent there. Where he fits in all of that (at UK) will be the question mark."

Ford wondered about what happens if Briscoe is third on UK's unreal point guard depth chart. Behind Ulis and Murray. Ahead of Dominique Hawkins.

"There is probably going to be a problem with getting Briscoe and Murray significant minutes at (point guard)," Ford said. "If Briscoe spends all his time off the ball, that might not help his draft stock."

Then again, you can look even further into the future to judge Briscoe's draft status.

"Briscoe's got a chance," Ford said. "He's not a, for sure, one-and-done type of player. ...

"There's talent there. Where he fits in (UK's rotation) will be the question mark."
Curated SEC Infotainment and aggregated college sports updates where it just means more on Hogville.net

jbcarol

Quote from: jbcarol on September 30, 2015, 10:02:35 am
AL.com sports ‏@aldotcomSports 23h23 hours ago

Bo Scarbrough's NCAA suspension over, Nick Saban says #Alabama will find role for RB http://ow.ly/SLPnK  #ALCFB


Bo as a high school junior

AL.com sports ‏@aldotcomSports 11m11 minutes ago

Alabama needs someone besides Derrick Henry to run the ball. Could Bo Scarbrough be the answer? http://ow.ly/UA1qu 
Curated SEC Infotainment and aggregated college sports updates where it just means more on Hogville.net

jbcarol

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ  3h3 hours ago
Calipari: "Ten turnovers from my guards, not going to get it done." http://cjky.it/1S6EbbS

Calipari not sure if Briscoe will play tomorrow.
Curated SEC Infotainment and aggregated college sports updates where it just means more on Hogville.net

jbcarol

John Talty ‏@JTalty  1m1 minute ago
Derrick Henry is loose. 74-yard touchdown for the big guy and Alabama is running away here.
Curated SEC Infotainment and aggregated college sports updates where it just means more on Hogville.net

jbcarol

Good to have depth:

AL.com sports ‏@aldotcomSports 9h9 hours ago

How does Derrick Henry compared to other Heisman Trophy candidates (sic)? http://ow.ly/UGege



AL.com sports ‏@aldotcomSports 13h13 hours ago

What Kenyan Drake's injury means for #Alabama http://ow.ly/UG7dK


Broken arm and may be back for the bowl game(s) or even the SEC-Championship.
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jbcarol

http://www.verbalcommits.com/schools/kentucky

Ben Roberts ‏@NextCats 15m15 minutes ago

In addition to 5 five-star recruits, UK is nearly certain to return Matthews, Willis, Humphries, Hawkins, Mulder & Wynyard. Maybe Lee & Ulis

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jbcarol

John Clay ‏@johnclayiv 16m16 minutes ago

Alabama's Damien Harris could see more carries this Saturday http://www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sidelines-with-john-clay/article45636810.html ...

QuoteWhat figures to be a rough day for the Buccaneers could be a good day for former Madison Southern running back Damien Harris.

Alabama figures to rest star running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Derrick Henry as much as possible. Meanwhile, fellow running back Kenyan Drake is out with a broken arm. That means Harris, a freshman from Richmond, along with fellow freshman Bo Scarbrough, could see plenty of carries.

"Both guys are going to play a role, no question about that," Alabama coach Nick Saban said...

Harris has carried the football 34 times for 126 yards on the season.

Rated as the No. 2 running back prospect in the Class of 2015 by ESPN, Harris was the subject of a tough recruiting battle between Kentucky and Alabama...
Curated SEC Infotainment and aggregated college sports updates where it just means more on Hogville.net

jbcarol

Barrett Sallee ‏@BarrettSallee 22h22 hours ago

Bielema on how to approach Bama's defense: "I'd spend a day in prayer."
Curated SEC Infotainment and aggregated college sports updates where it just means more on Hogville.net

jbcarol

Quote from: jbcarol on August 06, 2015, 02:51:57 pm
Damien Harris ‏@DHx34 Aug 5

It's time. Going dark until after camp, see yall later ✌🏽️🅰 #ZeroDark-34



Damien Harris ‏@DHx34  Dec 5 Atlanta, GA
"Why didn't you go to ......." This is why. Roll Tide. @ The Georgia Dome
https://www.instagram.com/p/-7tmZDNMlN/

Nation's #1 RB from '15 blocked the punt that led to the safety
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jbcarol

 Michael Carvell ‏@Carvell_AJC 2h2 hours ago

Clemson OC compares Alabama's defensive line to 2015 Kentucky basketball http://sec.news/1OL5TXO

QuoteClemson Tigers have the arduous task of facing one of the country's most dangerous defensive lines Monday night against Alabama in the College Football Playoff championship game. Clemson co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott compared the depth of the group to none other than Kentucky's Final Four team during the 2014-15 basketball season.

Alabama's defensive line features the likes of All-SEC first-teamers A'Shawn Robinson and Jonathan Allen, who have both combined for 79 total tackles including a whopping 22 tackles for loss. But beyond the starting four, even Alabama's backups such as Da'Shawn Hand, Tim Williams, and D.J. Pettaway, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban is consistently able to rotate fresh guys in the trenches and get consistent production out of them. Williams is second on the team with 12.5 tackles for loss.

Scott compared the unit to John Calipari's 38-1 Kentucky team from last season.

"That combination is exactly what you would draw up for a defensive line. They've got big guys, they've got quick feet, they're very powerful, they do a great job of using their hands. And I think the biggest thing is the depth. Scott said Tuesday." Typically at most colleges they roll the next group in there and they're good solid players. This group of linemen reminds me of last year's Kentucky basketball team. When they roll in the second group, they're just as good as the first group. So that'll definitely be a challenge for our guys up front every play."

The 2014-15 Kentucky basketball team went 38-1 last season —
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jbcarol

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ 5m5 minutes ago

Top 3 UK bigs averaged a combined 13 ppg, 12.3 rpg, 2.3 bpg in 3 losses. Almost as many fouls (32) as boards (37). http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2016/01/06/uk-stock-watch-mulder-up-big-men-down/78366890/ ...

QuoteSTOCK DOWN

* Kentucky's big men. A theme has emerged in the Cats' three losses: They've gotten clobbered inside. UCLA, Ohio State and LSU all outrebounded and outscored UK in the paint. Afterward, the Tigers were clear about the game plan going in: bully their visitors on the block.

"We weren't up for the challenge," Calipari said. "We weren't ready to compete at the level that they competed at, especially our inside people. We didn't get very much from anybody in there except a lot of fouls."

And that's been the case in every loss. The numbers are staggering. Kentucky's top three big men – 6-8 Alex Poythress, 6-9 Marcus Lee and 6-11 Skal Labissiere – have combined to average just 13 points, 12.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocked shots in the three defeats.

Calipari's teams have typically been great on the glass and terrific at protecting the rim, but this group is not. The trio of Poythress, Lee and Labissiere committed nearly as many fouls (32) in the losses as it grabbed rebounds (37). Those guys had more turnovers (11) than blocks (7) in defeats.

While all have had their breakout moments, it appears Kentucky can't count on any of its main post players for consistent toughness. So what do the Wildcats do? Maybe, at some point, turn to 6-10, 250-pound freshman Tai Wynyard. The midseason addition has yet to play, but Calipari might not have a choice now.

"He does a lot of things," Murray said of Wynyard in practice. "We're very surprised by his talent. He comes in and he gives us some girth and some toughness. He does the plays that we need to have. He's just got to learn all the plays, all the sets, and he'll be fine."
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Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ 11h11 hours ago

Calipari: "Bottom line, folks: If you don't have post presence, your team is a fraud." http://cjky.it/1S6EbbS
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Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ 9h9 hours ago

When Ulis, Murray, Briscoe all click: "I don't think there's a team in the country that can guard us three." http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2016/01/12/uk-basketball-mississippi-state-game-rupp-arena/78630562/ ...

QuoteOn a night when Ulis scored 21 points and Murray 22, and when forwards Alex Poythress and Marcus Lee faded into the background yet again, Briscoe's 14 points, five assists, four rebounds, a steal and just one turnover might've been the bigger story. Because it meant that three-headed monster is alive and well – and 14th-ranked Kentucky (13-3, 3-1 SEC) is going to need it.

"When we're all playing so well, it's hard to stop us, because we have so many different options," Ulis said. "They tried to take me and Jamal away this game and last game, and Isaiah, he stepped up and did a lot of great things."

Before breaking out Saturday at Alabama, Briscoe had averaged just 5.8 points and made 9 of 32 shots in the four previous games. He has scored 26 points on 13-of-19 shooting the past two games. Against the Bulldogs (7-8, 0-3), Briscoe swished pull-up jump shots and driving layups – more than once leaping from one side of the rim and sinking a reverse layup on the other side.

The former McDonald's All American credited assistant coach Kenny Payne with helping him get back on track.

"Coach Payne was just telling me, 'Watching you grow up and watching you play before you got here, you've been going off confidence,'" Briscoe said. "He said, 'Just go out there and play with your heart, play with your confidence. That's who you are.' The last two games, that's what I've been doing."

That heart, he said, helped the 6-foot-3 guard become Kentucky's post presence for the night. With the Bulldogs playing a zone defense and the Cats' two starting big men producing a total of four points until the final minute, Calipari ordered Briscoe to run the baseline behind the defense and search for the soft spots in the lane. Ulis and Murray found him there.

"We couldn't get anybody with size back there that had any confidence to score a ball," Calipari said. "So then we put him under the basket. That's what the adjustment was. 'You dudes are afraid? We'll go to him.' And he got behind the basket and he scored."
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Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ 9h9 hours ago

.@TimSullivan714 on the continuing enigma that is Kentucky's frontcourt. http://goo.gl/HN99b1

Quote"If you don't have post presence, your team is a fraud," he said.

Say what?

"Can I tell you that again?" Calipari continued. "If you don't have post presence, your team is a fraud."

This was a few minutes after Alex Poythress had scored a career-high 25 points and Marcus Lee had grabbed 11 rebounds in one of the more productive performances of this season by UK's frontcourt. Yet rather than rejoicing in the contributions of his big men, Calipari was moved to underscore their inconsistency.

It was as if watching Poythress and Lee being assertive filled Calipari with aggravation that this was not the norm. It was as if the coach of a team that had been ranked No. 1 nationally at the end of November could see his team devolving in a dangerous direction: too much reliance on perimeter shooting; too little proficiency at pounding the ball inside.

But if that danger seemed slightly overstated Saturday in Tuscaloosa, it was clear, present and ominous Tuesday night at Rupp Arena. Kentucky struggled to beat a thoroughly mediocre Mississippi State outfit, 80-74, with Poythress and Lee combining for eight points and nine fouls in 55 minutes.

"When we have a lot of guys no-show, it's hard to win. . ." Calipari said. "I thought Alex made the free throws down the stretch and showed a lot of courage. There were (good) things that he did. But in the guts of that game, he was not a factor, and when you're that good, you need to be a factor."

Maybe the 14th-ranked Wildcats can keep winning without steady contributions from their most seasoned starters, but depending on a three-guard attack that features two freshmen is not normally a successful formula in the NCAA Tournament. If you can't generate consistent points up front, if your big men blend into the background in a half-court game, your team is likely to be exposed and eliminated when the season reaches its win-or-go-home stage.
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