New York native Doron Lamb says Kentucky is his leader, which is good news for the Wildcats.
The 6-foot-4, 175-pound Lamb told Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com that he’s “still open”, but that Kentucky “is at the top.”
He recently took an unofficial to Lexington.
“It was a great experience,” Lamb, the No. 5 point guard in the Class of 2010, said at the Paul Pierce Skills Academy in Boston. “The fans go crazy. I hung out with the coaching staff, John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, and got to see the practice facility.”
Lamb has also visited Louisville and told Jeff he’s also considering Kansas, Oklahoma, Marquette and UConn.
MCFADDEN TO IONA
Mike McFadden, a 6-8, 225-pound four man from Newark Technology, has verbally committed to Iona.
Iona beat out Penn State, New Orleans, Robert Morris, Quinnipiac, Cleveland State, Tulane and Rhode Island.
“Yeah,” McFadden said. “I wanted to stay close to home and that was a good fit for me. They have a good education and I like the way their program is.”
McFadden is fully qualified.
“I should be able to play,” he said.
He becomes the fourth player in Iona’s recruiting class, joining Chris Pelcher, Rashard McGill and Ben Mockford.
InfinityDividedByZero / July 1, 2009
Lamb fits the profile of type of kid that Calipari has targeted/exploited repeatedly through the years. He will continue to target talented, disenfranchised African-American youths, who have struggled in school, while playing up his co-opted DDM offense and relying upon on more flash than substance in selling himself.
In 2010, he won’t have nearly as good a year as his spectacular 2009 class because there aren’t as many poor students and there aren’t as many with handlers at the high end of class. The talented but troublesome duo of C.J. Leslie and Luke Cothron should be next on the 2010 KY list.
2011 will be his next strong year with Gilchrist already in the bag.
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blasphemy / July 1, 2009
Glad I could read your non-biased and completely objective opinion on Coach Calipari and Kentucky. The guilt-by-association court just started and has your name on it.
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USC.trojan / July 1, 2009
AZ,
West coast is saying…..DAMAGE CONTROL.
The UK fan rumor mill is to blame. All those high hopes and statement of Lamb being a Calicat….NOT.
Like it said ….
“As for those who have said Lamb is close to committing to John Calipari, he says he’s “still open”,
OPEN.
No commit.
So, WHO else will LAMB visit?
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JackaLope / July 1, 2009
“…talented, disenfranchised African-American youths, who have struggled in school…there aren’t as many poor students…” Wow things have really changed. It seems like just yesterday there were poor sections of cities, food stamps, impoverished communities, and a long long time ago there was a public support system referred to as well-fare, but most students and fans aren’t old enough to remember those days. Hell, I can remember when the vast majority of student athlete basketball players fit your description of Caliparis and only Caliparis recruiting base. At this pace, in ten years, I predict the McDonalds all Americans will be 95% white and bound to Princeton, Yale, or Harvard.
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USC.trojan / July 1, 2009
I would say that LAMB had a great year, last year, and was apart of one of the best teams, at Oak.
What was there record?
40-0….undefeated until the last game.
That is a great accomplishment.
But, one short …..of getting that ring.
Goes to show you what a big factor chemistry plays.
Look forward to your next piece on LAMB….
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Big Ben / July 1, 2009
UConn fan sites claim they’re getting a visit from Lamb for a football game in Sept. Assumption would be Kansas is trying to get him for their Midnight Madness (where they seem to close a lot of their top targets). I would bet he also officials to Kentucky.
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USC.trojan / July 1, 2009
Lamb will also visit Oklahoma?
So, who is left……..
AZ….what does LAMB have to say?
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USC.trojan / July 1, 2009
Kansas has shifted it s focus to Blackshear ,in 2011.
So, many do not see Lamb as a Jay.
Blackshear is top quality as well and from BS area …type of players he likes.
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Big Ben / July 1, 2009
If Capel gets a visit from Lamb I’ll be even more impressed with him than I already am. For a top recruit that has every school in the country clammoring for him, a guy with no tie to Oklahoma, to seriously consider Oklahoma is a testament to Capel’s skill as a recruiter and coach. I’m not sure if he stays at Oklahoma his whole career, but he’s a rising star.
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Big Ben / July 1, 2009
Could be, the scholarship situation at Kansas is going to be tight next year with Harrison Barnes eyeing one, McCullum (also a PG that is high on KU) or Lamb (first to commit) and Royce Wooldridge. Assuming X is 1-and-done and Aldrich jumps that still only gives them 3 to give.
It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Bradley Beal snaps up Blackshear’s scholarship before he has the chance to decide. Beal’s a 2011 St. Louis kid and the rumor is he might be ready to pop right now.
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USC.trojan / July 1, 2009
Lamb is on the record as saying OKL is being considered ,in part , because of his relationship with Tiny….
And Capel would be apart of that mix.
But, OAK Hill just had an outstanding season.
The team almost went UNDEFEATED.
Sure like OAK guards had some good chemistry together.
.Until we get the next AZ quotes from LAMB…
There are more discussions of Lamb….
/wildaboutazcats.com/
wildcatsportsreport.com/forums-home/wsr-free-forums
(The Lamb…)
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USC.trojan / July 1, 2009
Capel is a rising star.
And I do not see him staying in OKL.
When do you think K will retire?
The timing maybe right…
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Big Ben / July 1, 2009
Maybe not, but rumor has it that Arizona, Kentucky, Virginia and Georgia all called him before making their current choices. Duke would the only bigger fish likely to call so maybe he is just waiting. Oklahoma isn’t a terrible job unless you want butts in the stands.
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USC.trojan / July 1, 2009
Arizona was interested , rumor has it.
Doesn’t Capel have a clause in the contract…..so if Dukie becomes OPEN…he can be “considered”.
Give it acouple of years.
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Big Ben / July 1, 2009
I’m sure he does, but I don’t think those clauses are all that important. Many coaches have outs in their buy-outs for specific schools (Self to Kansas, Donovan to Kentucky though he didn’t take it). I would think Capel would set it up similarly for Duke and maybe one or two other schools. That said, for a Duke the buyout isn’t going to keep them from getting their guy.
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DrDick / July 1, 2009
Both Lamb and Knight will sign with Kentucky. Until the NCAA investigates and exposes John Calipari and his runner WWW – the other schools will not be able compete with Kentucky for recruits.
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blasphemy / July 1, 2009
Hey man, what is your team so I can “hate” on them and spread rumors and unproven allegations on them. Please tell me =) or…… can you handle the truth……. (by truth I mean rumors)
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blasphemy / July 1, 2009
(Not a facetious comment)
I haven’t seen Lamb play, yet, but he’s a 5 star by rivals and in the top 40 in espn (like anybody really agrees with espn’s rankings) haven’t seen scout though. Hope we get him. I think the addition of Lamb to UK would be good, I would also like another small forward assuming we get D. Lamb. I guess UK fans will see what else we will need after this upcoming season. Hope it all goes well this upcoming season, I would be happy with a sweet sixteen, very happy with an elite eight, and ecstatic with anything more.
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pastaboy / July 1, 2009
I see Cal hate is spreading into the racist community ….based on the 1st post …..get used to it haters ….Cal has been invited to the BCS cocktail party ..LOL …….and there is a Big Blue Tsunami headed your way ….gonna get ugly for the haters ….wouldn’t want to be you .
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USC.trojan / July 1, 2009
So , what is the story with WWWessel.
Are his actions illegal?
Wait…lets ask memphis folks…they must know.
Due tell.
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JackaLope / July 1, 2009
They are legal so far. Until the Ncaa decides otherwise, Im going to take the American view point, you know innocent until proven guilty. Im not a big fan of
Wes and I wouldnt want him associated with any program I support. That being said, I tend to root towards someone that has found loop holes with in Ncaa regulations, if that is what he has done. The Ncaa does not work and needs drastic reform, if people like Wes help bring that on, then Kudos.
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memtiger87 / July 1, 2009
Jackalope,
Do you realize how stupid your post was? Why is it OK to cheat? Winning is a great thing, but as you probably know, the vast majority of these guys will never make the NBA. How about learning to follow some rules? It might keep them out of jail later…..
Come on, innocent until proven guilty? Just not caught handing over a bag of money like Floyd did. These guys are much to smart for that. They have a stooge do their dealings and if they get caught, they don’t know who the hell they are.
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JackaLope / July 1, 2009
Then please inform me…
What has www done to cheat? I was with the understanding that if he had crossed the line, he would be banned. I dont condone cheating a bit. If the Ncaa regulations are that easy to get around (having a stooge do the dealings) its the Ncaa that needs to address the problem. There are so many bylaws that the Ncaa doesn’t understand who is straight.
Here is a problem you should be familiar with: Why is the school punished for something a coach or recruit did. The schools punishment will most likely take effect after the coach or recruit has left. The only time a school should be punished is for “lack of institutional control”.
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pastaboy / July 1, 2009
memtiger is a Cal hater today …..in March he was a Cal lover …today memtiger is a Joe Jackson lover …..when Joe ditches Memphis next year he will be a Joe hater …get the picture? ….small fans make for small programs …Cal overcame these losers by winning so much ….but ultimately he left to go where he would be apprecaited by intelligent , knowledeable fans …..rather than deal with a mudhole on the Mississippi attitude supplied by little people with no future or meaningful way of life .
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USC.trojan / July 2, 2009
So, WWW did not cheat ?
He funnels players to coaches.
Another one is Kent from OU.
WWW has sent some nice chicago guys to nowhere land.
Until one of WWW internal folks TURNS on him….for not getting paid.
Will the truth be told.
(just like the OJ money thing.)
PS-
Many things are being said about Johnson.,AD.
He let things happen.
And when everyone rejected Rose…AD,WWW and Cali all got him IN.
3 MORE weeks before the NCAA issues its penalities.
Or will it wait for BB season to start.
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USC.trojan / July 2, 2009
AZ,
Just talked to some boyz in the south…
Is it TRUE that BARTON was the No.1 recruit priority for Kentucky.
But, were out worked and beat by Josh.
The Boyz were laughing because it was CLEAR that Cali does not understand the two for one deal. The same one used with the X brothers.
Josh worked the Cali staff…..big time.
The WEST coast folks would agree.
So, Cali rushes for LAMB.
And again. rumors of his commit were WRONG.
And right after the visit…….”Lamb said, “It was a good visit, but I don’t know yet. I’m going to take more visits.”
There was no …BUT…..which followed.
2010 Recruits: Kentucky : Zero for TWO
Memphis: ONE for ONE.
Lets keep the damage control to a MIN.
Please share your opinion on the situation.
If you were the SECOND CHOICE ….YOU would also want to do other visits as well.
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JackaLope / July 2, 2009
Yeah, I agree Cal obviously cant recruit
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Sparty / July 2, 2009
Dude.. you seriously have a problem. Why would you not expect the people of Memphis to take a definite negative stance on your “beloved” coach for what he did to them and their program? The guy lied.. LIED.. to the fans in Memphis saying that Memphis was where he wanted to be, and then 3 days later stabbed them in the back by bolting to UK because it was his “dream job”. Who knows.. perhaps UK is ok with a lier coaching for them. Your program had become totally irrelevant anyway, and the only way that you guys could bring it back to the forefront was to buy a program from a smaller school. I’m not a UK hater, and I’m not a Memphis fan, I’m a fan of the sport. And after my team having handed its rear end to them at the hands of Memphis in the 2008 tourny, and then having to navigate the crowds in San Antonio, I’ll have to say that the Memphis fans are some of the most knowledgable fans I’ve seen. The fact that they are rabid fans should only entice solid recruits, and solid coaches to flock to that “mudhole on the Mississippi”. Personally, I think that the program in Memphis is going to be much better off in the long run having shed the shadiness that was running the program. You have fun in about 3 or 4 years when the NCAA has its sites set on UK for violations. I think that Memphis and its fans will have the last laugh on that one.
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memtiger87 / July 2, 2009
Sparty,
Thanks, you are spot on. As a Memphis fan, it did not bother me if Calipari left. He had some very good years here and would have been thought of very highly around here. It was the way he left. Working Memphis’ recruits while he was “thinking about it” was unprofessional and unethical. And no, Pastaboy, when a coach recruits players for a university and uses their resources to do it, they are not “his” recruits. Cailipari also threatened Memphis by saying he would try to talk the current players into staying IF we hired Tony Barbee. A coach with principle would have told the recruits that they should stay or, at least, not sign any of them at thenew school. Unfortunately, Calipari has no such principles. Instead of leaving as a hero, he left as an ass.
Honestly, I’m glad he is gone. Memphis has restored some integrity and our new coaching staff is doing great things.
Do I hate everyone doesn’t want to come to Memphis? No way. I have no qualms with D Williams, Bledsoe, or Pilgrim if he chooses to go elsewhere. I think Bledsoe made a poor choice as did his coach, but I don’t have any bad feelings toward him. I said after we signed E Williiams that we don’t need the Stephenson headache. I could care less where he went to. If Joe chooses Kentucky, that’s ok too. Our program is going to be in great shape either way. 2010 is off to a great start!
So pastaboy, why couldn’t Calipari land Will Barton?
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pastaboy / July 2, 2009
Even Pastner will tell you he spent the better part of a year telling Dodson, Cousins, et al that they need to come play for Cal ….that was the pitch …play for Cal if you want to learn and pursue an NBA career …..so in that sense how can anyone blame these kids if in fact they want to follow the guy to KY? Calipari had 4 signed recruits and 1 verbal when he left . Now lets see …Coleman stayed at Memphis …….Xavier went to Kansas …..Nolan Dennis went to Baylor ……and Dodson a juco guy went with Cal as did the verbal Cousins . Wow thats really raping a recruiting class . 2 out of 5 guys . As far as Barbee is concerned once again you do not have the facts ….he recommended him for the job and said he could help his buddy get some recruits …there was no talk about taking current players or leaving them quid pro quo ….. you are a bitter little person …..why not wish Cal the best and thank him for what he did for the program and be secure and proud of the Memphis program and confident it will prevail? …… thats what they do at Kansas …at N.Car …at UCLA ….no memtiger its little people like you that drag down the Memphis program ….
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pastaboy / July 2, 2009
I have no idea why Cal didn’t get Barton …… what’s your point? …he doesn’t win every recruiting battle ….no one does ….just another snide remark by a little person ……which further denegrates Memphis basketball
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pastaboy / July 2, 2009
another bitter little person heard from
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Wayne / July 2, 2009
pastaboy knows nothing about basketball…..Why should anyone listen to you when just a few months back you were a Memphis fan ? And to say that Ky only got 2 out of 5 Memphis recurits like that is a good thing……What do you not understand, Cal lied to the program and to the fans !!!! Just because you keep Cal’s nutts in your mouth dosen’t mean I want them in mine…But i guess it shows a lot about your up-bringing because being unethical mean nothing to you……And Joe jackson will play for the Tigers, Its his Dream to play for the home-town Tigers…But I guess you know everything Pastagirl……
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Sparty / July 2, 2009
Good come back to something that you obviously have no response to because you know that what your coach did was underhanded and wrong. And the NCAA was wrong for allowing it to happen the way that it did.
Its fans like you that turn people into “haters” of progams and schools. Rivalry and passion is a good thing, but not at the expense of your own morals, unless you have none. You have every right to be proud of your team, your school, and the great basketball heritage that it has, but not at the expense of belittling and mocking the program and the fans of the program that your school rifled to become relevant again. You, my friend, are the small person. You make every fan of UK look small.
I applaud the fans from Memphis. They may be a little bitter, but they have every right to be. And from the class that they have coming in this year, I don’t see them fading very much from the public stage. We will see what Pastner has as far as coaching abilities. I wish them the best of luck in the coming season. (Thats sportsmanship in case you don’t recognize it)
By the way… in case you didn’t actually read the post (I know thats a stretch for you from reading your previous posts).. I’m not a Memphis fan.. nor am I a UK/Cal hater. I’m a fan of the sport.
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pastaboy / July 2, 2009
another voice heard from “Smallville”
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AAUMtownMagic / July 2, 2009
Ok, its like this Cali is a good coach not a great coach. Cali is a good recruiter not a great recruiter. What keeps Cali from being great? Calipari. I admit I am a Memphis fan, a big Memphis fan, but never like Cali. Even with all the great success he has had at Memphis I never really liked the man. One when he was coaching for the New Jersey Nets he went on record calling reporter Dan Garcia a F***ing Mexican Idiot(Big NO NO REALLY BIG, RACIST BIG). Also looking at his record and the way he left UMASS(Camby got 28,000 from a sports agent to go to UMASS) you have to be a Idiot not to think Cali didn’t have his hands all over this. Now you can tell by my grammar and my spelling I’m not a Harvard Grad or anything but Cali need Memphis more than Memphis need Cali, if not why did he start for only 300,000. Memphis is a wide open port for recruits, even without Cali Memphis can get recruits just because of the location (Mid-South Close to everything but the west coast)It’s a Big City(Metro area over 1 million) and it’s a NBA city(we all no the Grizzles sucks but that also mean a ton of scouts in the city) and a great Campus. Now Cali had the same recruits (plus a Mr. X Henry) on his roster had the same amount of money if not more put in his face and could have been the preseason #1 to win it all if he had stayed at Memphis. Do you really believe that he wanted Kentucky because that’s his dream job, NO. The SEC just got a big TV deal, the SEC has some really big name coaches mainly Donovan that a lot of NBA teams are after. Now if you can get all your recruits to follow you to UK whoop Donovan’s butt and kick Bruce Pearl in the pearls and at least win the SEC title every NBA team in America is going to see it and with all these coaches getting fired your bound to get a job. So Yes what im saying is Cali is using Kentucky the way he used Memphis the only reason he left Memphis is because no NBA team would look at hiring him coming out of a weak conference like they did at UMASS(big mistake). And with the recruits he’s got he can win the SEC but I don’t know about a NC. Long Story Short Cali is trying to get back in the NBA. He might stay there 2 or 3 years max but after that bye bye.
P.s. I have been reading this blog for sometime and never wanted to post until I seen how dumb pastaboy is. Pastaboy, grow up stop being a clown, it’s easy to make enemies but it’s hard to make a friend, Stop taking the easy road.
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pastaboy / July 2, 2009
accepting another job is not underhanded and wrong…… funny …but prior to the Missouri game I did not here ONE Memphis fan talk about how unethical , or underhanded Cal was ? At least you admit that there is some bitterness ….that’s my entire point ….this bitterness is spilling over and consuming the Memphis fanbase . They look like rubes on these message boards ..as do you I might add . The net effect is to make Memphis basketball look small , peevish , and yes ….bitter . It could be a long year for the little people ….BiG Blue Tsunami headed your way LOL
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AAUMtownMagic / July 2, 2009
And get Cali nut’s out of your mouth you look like a fag, Find a new hero. And for the record No i repeat No memphis recruit would ever play for Cali, and from what im hearing from a lot of recruits none of them want to play for him either. The man killed himself with this Memphis Kentucky thing and then finished it off with the pushing of players out of UK. Who wants to play for a team like that
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pastaboy / July 2, 2009
Most of the people in here are probably beneath me on the social scale …just a guess ( snickers) ..so I’m not really here to make friends ….but I am here to strive for thruth , justice , and the American way
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pastaboy / July 2, 2009
bingo …on my previous post
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AAUMtownMagic / July 2, 2009
OH MY GOD IVERSON is interested in Playing for the Grizzles.
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AAUMtownMagic / July 2, 2009
But with all said i wish you guys a good year, i hope it’s Kansas and Mich St in finals with Mich St. winning it all. Within the next 3 years Memphis will have a National title mark my word, This is my last and final post on this site just had to give my 2 cents, the hardwood calls got to get back to practice. PEACE AND……GO TIGERS
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memtiger87 / July 2, 2009
Pasta, check your facts about Barbee. It doesn’t matter anyway. Memphis has recovered just fine.
Not sure why you don’t get it , no one hates Calipari for leaving, it was the way he left. I am more excited about Memphis basketball than ever and think our new coach is great.
I’m sure Calipari will do great in Kentucky. I have a feeling he will leave them with an NCAA investigation. He is two for two now… He is old news and Memphis needs to distance themselves from him. I’ve never seen someone that only follows a coach. It is strange indeed.
I also like the way you say that Pastner sucks yet won’t acknowledge him for taking Calipari’s top recruit. He hasn’t endeared himself with alot of recruits by booting previous Kentucky players. The 2010-2011 guys are really liking Pastner’s youth and positive attitude.
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pastaboy / July 2, 2009
Please explain why the NCAA said Calipari is not the subject of an investigation yet he has “left Memphis with an investigation” ? How is it possible for someone who isn’t a target of an investigation to be responsible for a school being investigated? If this news came out back in Feb. you would be defending Cal rather than slurring him with ambiguous claims . This is yet another example of a small person . You are bitter . You embarrass Memphis basketball along with the rest of your message board pettiness patrol. Its not strange to root for a coach ….. I would love to see Ky. dominate the SEC and Cal win a NC . Unless KY plays Memphis I will most certainly root for him . If Tommy West went back to Clemson or anywhere …I’d sure as hell root for him ….. Calipari didn’t steal anything from Memphis …..the recruited players were recruited to play for Cal ….not Memphis ….ask Pastner …..like I said …that was the pitch …. these guys have every right to opt out of an LOI if the coach leaves ….its SOP . Happens every year . When Mike Davis went to UAB …4 guys followed him …Indiana fans didn’t act like silly little kids and cry and whine …… grow up …..Calipari is in fact one of the top coaches in America …..has never been accused of any wrong doing, or investigated ….or sanctioned ..or penalized in any way shape or form by the NCAA …thats a fact that you can’t deal with ….sorry ….it must suck to be a hater ….especially when there is a Big Blue Tsunami headed your way LOL
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Sparty / July 2, 2009
Thank you for proving my point. Small minded people feel the need to denigrate those that don’t see things the way that they do. I have been nothing but cordial, but since I don’t worship your new coach the way that you obviously do, then I am the little person. Keep drinking the kool aid.
And btw… what he did was underhanded. Not accepting the job. No one would ever want to step in the way of a person and their dreams. It was the way he went about it. Lying to the people of Memphis, while calling recruits and telling them that he was leaving. Granted they hadn’t signed LOI’s (most of them), so they were free to do what they wanted. But you could tell that the fans in Memphis idolized this man. That he really was the face of Memphis, and he lied to them. Does that make him a bad person, no, not necessarily, just a person without morals. I don’t think that there would have been such a public backlash from the fans if he had been straight with them to begin with and not told them that he wasn’t going anywhere. He was even asked the question at his press conference after taking the UK job why he had told the fans in Memphis, when he got off the plane after losing to Missouri, he was going no where and then bolted. He never answered the question. Enough said.
And I’m sure that if you ask the true Memphis faithful, you’ll find more than your fair share of people that didn’t like him or the way that he coached. As I said before, they are very avid, knowledgable fans that deserved more from the man that was given everything by them and yet he left them with the cupboard barren. All the good seasons.. they are appreciated, I’m sure, but it won’t take the sting out of being lied to in the end. In the immortal words that have been burned into my ears on that horrible night in San Antonio.. GO TIGERS GO! You have a new fan (at least when you play against UK)
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Wayne / July 2, 2009
“”Calipari didn’t steal anything from Memphis …..the recruited players were recruited to play for Cal ….not Memphis”””
Since when was Calipari a school ?
“”these guys have every right to opt out of an LOI if the coach leaves””
No!! a LOI is a contract….Cal made up LOI’s with options in them…something no other school or coach does…
“”When Mike Davis went to UAB …4 guys followed him””
and how many of those guys had to sit out a year ?
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memtiger87 / July 2, 2009
Pasta – Don’t give me this garbage about you being a Memphis fan. You bad mouth Memphis constantly now you say you will root for Kentucky unless they play Memphis. Man, we sure don’t need fans like you.
As far as Calipari goes, he recruited those players with Memphis resources. He was being paid by Memphis.
Supposedly, Calipari wasn’t targeted. However, he was the coach when the Derrick Rose situation developed. Unless someone from Memphis assisted or knew about his SAT, I am not sure how Calipari or the university could be held accountable. If Calipari did know about it, which is certainly possible, he should be held accountable. However, the other situation is different. Calipari was in charge of the basketball program. He should be accountable if Reggie Rose was flying on the airplane without paying. Hell, he shouldn’t have been there in the first place. Did Calipari not see him? The buck stops with him…. But of course, he is slick and will leave with the Tigers probably vacating the season (which would be his second final four vacated). Not sure how you can call this dude clean.
That said, he’s gone. A few months later and all is good. I like the way our program is going. Go Tigers!
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pastaboy / July 2, 2009
If you are a player with NBA potential …and Josh Pastner has been telling you for 9 months …hey man ..come play for Cal …he’ll get you ready for the NBA …look at his record with his guys getting drafted etc. etc. …. then you sign with Memphis …then Cal leaves …what are you going to do ? Well Josh flew over here to see me and the Memphis athletic dept . paid for it ..so I guess i’ll stay here and potentially jeopardize a multi million dollar income ……LOL …. silliness . YOu still haven’t named one time the NCAA has accused , investigated , penalized , or sanctioned Calipari for anything . Just little people pettiness , innuendo , and sour grapes . Now as for Reggie Rose flying on the team plane …guess what genius ? ….its legal …and its within NCAA rules for him to do so …did Cal see him? LOL ..Sure he saw him …and he probably said ….”Hi reggie ” ,,,and Reggie probably said “hi Cal” …you know why moron? …BECAUSE ITS FRIGGING LEGAL ……HAHAHAHAHAAA …you really need to do a better job learning the facts . You’re a petty little person and you give memphis basketball a bad name …now scoot along …
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pastaboy / July 2, 2009
Wayne ……..see above …according to the lead recruiter ….Josh Pastner …these guys were pitched the idea of playing for Cal …ask Josh ….he’ll tell you ……..LOI’s with out clauses has been around for years ,,,Cal didn’t start it and it will still go on for years …………….. as far as Mike Davis is concerned you bring up a good point …..they were roster players for Indiana …not merely recruits …Cal took no players …and 2 recruits chose to go with him ….. while 2 opted for other venues ..and 1 stayed at Memphis
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pastaboy / July 2, 2009
As far as Reggie not paying ….he did pay ….. on 2 occasions he did not pay …the rest of the time he did pay ….. this looks like to me something that slipped through the cracks …and honest error by the person in accounting responsible for disbursements and recievables etc. …. now if Reggie had flown 9 times and never paid …well then there could be a potential violation …. the facts here support Memphis …. Cal had nothing to do with it . Now if Reggie had flown free 9 times and never paid …then Cal could be held accountable under the guideline of administative negligence ….but even thats a stretch …. the funny thing is you keep harping about violations trying to get at Cal …but would only hurt Memphis …..
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memtiger87 / July 2, 2009
Oh poor pitiful Pasta, it isn’t legal if he doesn’t reimburse the school for the flight. And of course, John Calipari, should have no part of this investigation since he was only the one in charge of the men’s basketball program. And he didn’t pay for two flights. But Calipari, denies any involvement in the matter. As usual, same thing at UMASS.
I never said that the players didn’t want to follow Calipari. They obviously did. A coach with some ethics (and the fact that the school paid for the recruitment) shouldn’t have signed any of them to his new school. Or, at the very least, call each one of them and try to convince them to come with him to his new school when he was “thinking about going to Kentucky.” It was still legal for him to contact those recruits at time since he was still the head coach of Memphis. Legal, but ethical?
Winning is a great thing. But winning right is more important. Calipari will win at Kentucky. I won’t deny that, but if winning is more important than ethical behavior, you got the right man. Memphis will probably vacate 2007-2008. Big deal, I was there and enjoyed the season. Has any other coach had two final four seasons vacated? Do you think that if someone questions his ethics that it is just innuendo or bad luck? Get your head out of your ass. It’s OK for you to like him. If he would have left Memphis with some class, I wouldn’t have a problem with him. On the contrary, I would have good things to say about him and would be grateful for the years of good basketball. I guess you heard the one about the ‘bridge builder’. Well, he built a million bridges in Memphis in the end but sucked one giant #### in the end. That’s how I will remember him. No sour grapes. I think people are more into Tiger basketball under Pastner than I have ever seen. Donations are at a record pace and the program is looking great.
So don’t go around here talking like you are a Memphis fan. You are a Calipari fan, and I have to say, that is very gay!
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memtiger87 / July 2, 2009
There was talk of Wesley Witherspoon and Sallie going to Kentucky. But both thought otherwise, probably because they didn’t want to sit a year. And besides, with the players that Cal brought in, he had no use for them anyway. He isn’t a hero, he would have raided the current roster if he thought he could use them. He also needs to win immediately, so it wouldn’t help him to tie up any scholarships for guys that can’t play next year.
Also, rumor had it that John Wall was going to sign with Memphis. He went with Calipari as well. I won’t give him any slack over this one since he neve signed with Memphis.
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pastaboy / July 2, 2009
Please provide quotes on other blogs from yourself about Cal being unethical ….. oh say …prior to April , 2009 . LOL …That’s right you didn’t say anyting then did you? You loved Cal in March didn’t you . He was winning and winning the right way wasn’t he? No Memtiger …its sour grapes …. its pettiness …its that small time Memphis attitude …. and in 5 years …if Pastner leaves and goes to Arizona ..little people like you will find something wrong about his exit ..and the process will begin again ….. its going to be a very long season for the little people like you ……Memphis will do well ….but it won’t be Cal like …they won’t win 30 ….they won’t be a number 1 or 2 seed ….and guess what …ain’t gonna happen in 2010 or 2011 either ….. sit there and suck your thumb and mumble Joe Jackson , Joe Jackson with all the other losers …..but while Cal is winning NC;s and dominating college basketball …..Memphis will be stewing in their hatred and watching 22 and 12 CUSA N.I.T. teams ….. it’ll really suck to be you then .
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pastaboy / July 2, 2009
there was no rumor about Wall LOL …wall made a public comment about wanting to play with Cousins …and for Cal
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pastaboy / July 2, 2009
sour grapes
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pastaboy / July 2, 2009
btw …. the gay comment shows what a real redneck you are ….. I’m not gay …but if I was I’d go after Pastner …..now there’s rump ranger if I ever saw one
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memtiger87 / July 2, 2009
If Memphis goes 22-12 and goes to the NIT, I will be just fine. I hope they do much better, but unlike you, I won’t be whining about it. I won’t sit here and say it was a fluke that Kansas beat us. If we had a coach with some good sense, there would have never been a 3 point shot attempted. Which, by the way, was no fluke. Should have been a solid foul on the floor, but the Memphis players weren’t sure what to do. It was a clean three point, which I watched in person. What’s that? Couldn’t afford tickets? Houston? Were you in Phoenix this year to see Calipari get out coached by Mike Anderson? I was there too. I think it probably sucks to be you!
I wasn’t bad mouthing Calipari this March (I was after the 2008 NC game though). Get this: I’ll bet 95% of Memphis fans don’t like Calipari because of the way he left.
I guess I always knew Cal was a scumbag. But when he is your scumbag, you overlook these things. He held the university hostage year after year for better salaries (NC State, Alabama, remember). If he left Memphis with dignity, we would be big Calipari fans. Memphis helped him when he needed a lift and he returned the favor. He sure wasn’t in demand like he is now. It was mutually beneficial until he bit the hand that fed him.
If Pastner leaves and does to us what Calipari did, I’ll say the same things about him. If he works his contract and wants to leave, I’m OK with that. Just don’t pillage the program when you leave.
You keep bring up Joe Jackson. He won’t make or break the Memphis program. We’ve already land your boys’ prize recruit who is a higher ranked player. 2010 lineup is looking excellent; definitely top 10 preseason….
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memtiger87 / July 2, 2009
I’d say you are definitely gay. I can’t understand a guy worshipping another man like you do. It is pretty scary. Do you stalk him too?
Why would I be sour grapes when our program just got an upgrade?
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pastaboy / July 2, 2009
If you were a true Tiger fan you would think that Collins …WAS ,….fouled …….he did after Rose pushed him for 20 feet . ” “I think i was fouled , actually, but I ain’t arguing” Sherron Collins . The entire play was a fluke …..the non call on the foul …..Collins falling and the ball landing in Mario’s lap ….and the shot …… a true Tiger fan would never criticize his or her coach in that situation to score points in some blog thread . No memtiger …. you are a small timer …. btw …I live in Florida not the hell hole of the South .. …. but when I did live in Memphis I had seats a little to the right of center court in the Pyramid …..about 8 rows up …behind Harold Byrd’s seats …..the donation I paid for those puppies will equal all the airline tickets you buy the rest of your pathetic life . LOL ….
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pastaboy / July 2, 2009
So men who worship Jesus are gay according to you
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memtiger87 / July 2, 2009
Talking about sour grapes!
WTF? “a true Tiger fan would never criticize his or her coach in that situation to score points in some blog thread” You’ve been butchering the Tigers for weeks for no other reason than you were pissed we didn’t get Stephenson. Not sure why you cared since you are only a Calipari fan, not a Memphis fan. Do I need to rehash your statements of Memphis? Just for points on a blog thread?
Sure, I’ll criticize Calipari. There was contact but not a hard, real foul. Look, this happens all the time. Get a good solid hack, but no technical. Rose was just trying to play defense and body up. He had no idea what he was supposed to be doing. Not his fault, just poor coaching. Everyone but you agrees with that. Bruce Pearl used the same tactic against us that year. They should have never got off a 3 point shot unless it was at half court. It was a botched coaching job and some poor free throw shooting. Either one would have done the job. Man, you’ll even defend him when everyone in the country knew he blew it. The players showed have known exactly what to do in that situation. They didn’t, Memphis lost.
Go ahead and get in the last word. You are obviously an idiot that just wants attention. Go ahead and worship Calipari, whatever. It’s still definitely gay. Go seek mental health help and take care of your issues. I can’t waste any more of my time talking to a complete dumb a$$.
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memtiger87 / July 2, 2009
Jesus isn’t a basketball coach, dumb a$$.
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pastaboy / July 2, 2009
1st of all ….with 10.3 seconds left …..a hard foul would have to occur almost on the inbounds pass ….. that would have put Collins on the line at about the 8 second mark . He cuts in to 1 …then they foul … now we’re on the line with maybe 5.5 left ….not a good scenario the way Memphis was shooting ……. the play was …for Rose to foul Collins around half court ..after 4 or 5 seconds had ticked off .. Rose knew the play ….Cal knew the play ….Collins knew the play …he puts a move on Rose and Rose rides him looking for the call …. if he grabs him from the side or from behind its an intentional …. thats the rule …he literally knocked Collins to the floor looking for the call …then put his hands up not wanting the intentional …… if you knew anything about basketball you would realize this ….. Collins knew he was fouled LOL ..he admitted it . But to his credit …even cal admitted he probably should have called a time out ….. true Memphis fans supported him for his honesty ….. little people like you …. homophobia redneck types give Memphis a bad name ….
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pastaboy / July 2, 2009
No , but he was a shortstop wasn’t he?
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JackaLope / July 2, 2009
“And get Cali nut’s out of your mouth you look like a fag”
And you said one reason you didnt like Cal is because he made a racist comment. Tell me something, would you rather be a F****** mexican or a fag?
……cant really decide?
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jhawk4 / July 3, 2009
i dont know if you did pasta, but i played competitive basketball for many years and in those situations, your instincts are to not foul someone. he would have to be thinking “i need to foul once he crosses half court.” which he may have been had Cal called a timeout.
even so, do you really think that they would call an intentional, when just seconds earlier CDR slams the ball on the ground in frustration and no T was called? everyone knows thats supposed to be a T, every youth coach in america tells there team of 7 year olds that you cant do that. the refs were not going to call a intentional. that is a cop out excuse.
even so, all rose or any memphis tiger has to do is go up to the ref and tell him hey, we are going to foul when he crosses midcourt. but since Cal didnt call timeout… they couldnt do that.
the same thing happened in the Denver-Dallas playoff series this year, and dallas lost a game because the refs didnt call a foul on anthony wright trying to foul carmelo. the league said it was wrong later, but i had to sit and listen to every NBA analyst talk about how you have to make those fouls at the end of games obvious or else the refs wont call them.
the morale of the story is refs swallow there whistles at the end of games, they want the players to decide the outcome. every basketball coach should know that. even Cal said after the game that it was his fault.
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jhawk4 / July 3, 2009
sorry, i meant Antoine Wright, not anthony.
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pastaboy / July 3, 2009
As I stated earlier …. tell the ref we’re going to foul … he expects a quick rap up …the only viable fouling strategy for Memphis was a foul after 4 or 5 seconds had run off …. Collins lost Rose … he couldn’t grab him ..it would have been whistled an intentional ….guaranteed ….. Rose rode him into the floor and the ref didn’t make the call …Cal admitted he should have called time out …that’s true ….. but the play was there without the time out ….. you can tell a ref you’re going to foul immediately …but to tell him a strategy of fouling at half court he can’t listen to …every ref I know …and believe me I know more than you …will tell you after the inbounds pass if there’s no quick rap up … its game on …callem like it is .
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jhawk4 / July 3, 2009
i disagree.
a ref would never call an intentional foul with 4 seconds left in the national title game unless rose strait up tackles collins. rose was perfectly capable of hacking collins on the arm or something that wouldnt warrant an intentional.
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pastaboy / July 3, 2009
I don’t know I just replayed the tape and I think Collins was ahead of Rose ….with Rose chasing …if he hacks from behind it could be an intentional ….”I didn’t want to slap him like on his arm or something obvious that they’d call intentional,” Rose said, “so I hipped him a little bit and he fell a little bit. That’s why I thought they were going to call it, but they didn’t call it.” ………..from the horses mouth .
……….”I think I got fouled, actually, but I ain’t complaining,” Collins said.
from the other horse’s mouth .
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memtiger87 / July 3, 2009
I think… I think…
When you are committing an intentional foul, you make sure you make the foul. These guys were not sure what they were supposed to do. If Rose wasn’t in position to make a foul somebody should have been. Don’t even worry about a 2. Guard the 3. It’s very simple. A strategy used almost on a daily basis. I can’t remember someone being called on an intentional foul in this position (all though I am sure it has happened).
I said this about Calipari right after this game. He couldn’t shoot free throws for them, but good coaching would have won it too. I think if the tides were turned, Kansas would have known what to do and fouled.
Take up for him if you want, but good coaching in the last 10 seconds would have won that NC.
It probably would have been vacated anyway, but it would have made for a great night on the river walk.
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pastaboy / July 3, 2009
Do I have to print it in crayon for you ? Its easy to wrap a guy up right after the inbounds pass …..that was not the right play for Memphis because it would not take enough time off the clock …..duh ….. the play was to foul at half court ….a much dicier situation ….I don’t care if you call a time out and discussed it for 30 minutes …fouling a guy like Collins at half court ain’t easy …he’s fast …. fast enough to put a move on Rose who may be the fastest basketball player on earth . You read the quotes form Rose and Collins …..the ref didn’t blow the whistle …end of story ….btw …you’re starting to look silly in here disputing every post I make …. its obvious you don’t know the game …..why don’t you take your sour grapes elsewhere .
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pastaboy / July 3, 2009
If the final 4 gets vacated …it won’t be Calipari’s fault ..he’s not the subject of the investigation …according to the NCAA …..
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pastaboy / July 3, 2009
small time …petty …sour grapes ….etc etc
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memtiger87 / July 3, 2009
Most of us here watched that game. You must have been watching another. I am a Memphis fan, we lost. The timeout that wasn’t called would be to get people in position and make sure everyone knows the plan. I never said to foul on the inbound pass, did I? They weren’t in position and they weren’t sure what to do.
This stategy has been used countless times and works almost every time.
Am I the only one that saw it that way? Is it possible Calipari botched the game? I’ll bet Bill Self would have had his kids coached up at that time. Not sure how you could call Chalmers jumper a fluke, he was good from the 3 point line and had a very good look at the basket. It never should have come to that. Too bad we didn’t have a good game coach.
The refs don’t want to make questionable calls at the end of the game. It isn’t difficult to make a solid hack at half court. Ask Bruce Pearl who used this same tactic versus the Tigers for our only other loss that year.
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memtiger87 / July 3, 2009
Of course it wouldn’t be Calipari’s fault. It would be his second fluke vacated final four. This happens all the time!
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pastaboy / July 3, 2009
….”I didn’t want to slap him like on his arm or something obvious that they’d call intentional,” Rose said, “so I hipped him a little bit and he fell a little bit. That’s why I thought they were going to call it, but they didn’t call it.” ……… ……….”I think I got fouled, actually, but I ain’t complaining,” Collins said. No offense Mem …but I’ll take these guys opinion over yours …..I think they know the game just a wee bit more than you or your friends do …..and I think Calipari does too. But you continue to trash the Memphis Tigers to score points against a coach who led your team to a 139 and 13 record in 4 years ….. makes you look petty and small …which obviously you are ……
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memtiger87 / July 3, 2009
You don’t get the point. I THINK I fouled him, I THINK I was fouled. Lille Jayhawk said, make a solid hack. The refs never call an intentional foul at this point of the game. The team was confused and did did not know what they were doing.
I’m not making Memphis look bad by admitting that we blew it. Blew it on the line and coaches error at the end of the game. I can deal with it. To win that game, Kansas had to do everything right and Memphis had to everything wrong. That’s pretty much what happened.
I could be sour grapes like you and say it was a fluke. Or that we were better than Kansas. We lost and that’s that. As your hero says “it is what it is.”
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pastaboy / July 3, 2009
Derrick Rose makes millions playing basketball …..I’ll take him at his word that he felt if he hacked it would be an intentional …besides …calling time out there only gives the other team a chance to set up a play ….its a 2 sided coin …. Rose knocked Collins down ..it wasn’t called …the ball landed in Mario’s lap …he makes a three …fluke play …. always will be …. you should defend your team instead of allowing your pettiness at Cal cause you to trash the Memphis players…unless of course you hate Rose too now …..who knows with losers like you .
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pastaboy / July 3, 2009
Rose never said he thought he fouled …he said he thought they were going to call it ….”it” means he knew he fouled …nice try scumbag …..
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memtiger87 / July 3, 2009
Rose make millions. He didn’t make a solid foul and he missed free throws at the end of the game. He has the potential to be one of the best in NBA history. Even Michael Jordan didn’t succeed 100% of the time.
This was a total team collapse. CDR and Rose missed free throws, Antonio Anderson threw a bone head inbound pass, Dorsey fouled out (which really wasn’t a bad play at the time). Calipari did not have his team set at the end of the game. They all contributed. Anyone of them could have bailed Memphis out and none of them did.
That said, they are probably my favorite team ever. They gave 100% and they did it against Kansas but came up short. Rose and CDR were exhausted and if you’ve played competitive basketball you know it ain’t easy to hit free throws when you are sucking wind. Maybe if Andre Allen hadn’t gotten thrown of the team he could have spelled Rose for a few minutes. It’s a game of “what ifs” and a chain of events that could have been broken by almost any person. You are right about this, a timeout would have given Kansas an opportunity to set up a play. But since you are planning on a half court foul, they could have set up a play and still never got off a shot. Calipari could have gotten lucky and Chalmers missed the shot, probably 60-40 in his favor, but there is no need to play the odds when you don’t need to.
Defending your team has nothing to do with accepting defeat. In the end, Kansas won and Memphis lost.
OK, say what you want. I think it makes us look small when we talk bad about other programs and say teams are lucky when they beat us. Kansas beat us, and as a whole, I think they were pretty gracious winners.
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pastaboy / July 3, 2009
Like Lee Trevino said before you choke …ya gotta be good enough to put yourself in a postition to choke …..I never said Memphis didn’t choke at the line ..they did …. but the play at the end was a fluke …and you are a petty person for hating on the man who was good enough to put himself and putting his team in a position to choke ….Cal was gracious and honest enough to say he should have called a time out …..but that wasn’t the reason Memphis lost the game ….. you and your band of Cal haters on these blogs represent probably only 5 % of the Memphis fanbase …thank God …and its you guys making Memphis look bad with your small time pettiness and sour grapes .
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memtiger87 / July 3, 2009
Calipari honest? What was about that statement about staying in Memphis? Now that’s funny!
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pastaboy / July 3, 2009
He said “Memphis is where I want to be” and at the time he said that I think he meant it . After reflection of the enormity of getting an offer from a storied program like Ky. he obviously changed his mind . And after watching the pettiness and smallnes of some of the Memphis fans it looks like he made the right decision.
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memtiger87 / July 3, 2009
He did make the right decision. Good riddance! Don’t let the door hit your a$$ on the way out! We like Pastner better anyway!
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pastaboy / July 3, 2009
Cal wouldn’t have lost Lance to Cincinnati LOL …..rookie mistake ….but all in all Pastner looks pretty good ….Memphis will do well under him as a prototype mid major team in a mid major conference ….. kinda like where our football team is …but I think the glory days of being a national power are gone for now
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memtiger87 / July 3, 2009
Cal lost Will Barton to Pastner LOL….Old Cal got beat to the punch by a rookie!
I think we will be very good. We still have an NCAA tourney team. 2010 recruiting is starting off outstanding. Rated #1 SG in 2010, 7th best player. It is just beginning. The kids love this guy, he will bring us some great players. Think what you will, but I am as optimistic as ever….
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pastaboy / July 4, 2009
139 and 13 …. will Josh have that recoed in 2013? ….checkmate
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memtiger87 / July 4, 2009
I would certainly take Calipari’s first four years and compare them to Pastners. Wouldn’t that be more fair? He is taking over a team that lost four starters (Doneal Mack is by far the weakest of the starting five) and only had one recruit (Will Coleman). Not exactly alot to work from.
By the way, you can dog Pastner some more. It looks like Pilgrim signed with OK State. If Lat Williams doesn’t qualify (your guess is age 40), Memphis is extremely weak up front. Pilgrim would have been a good insurance policy and added some toughness. But I won’t say bad things about him for not choosing Memphis, he wanted to go elsewhere. I wish him luck….
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pastaboy / July 4, 2009
Even though the program was in a shambles after Tic Price …Cal went 93 and 39 his 1st 4 years …… you think Pastner can beat that ? I don’t ……..Face facts …Cal is a HOF coach ….70% to him is the norm ….. Pilgrim wants PT after sitting out a year …Ok St. probably can give him more than Memphis imo. Besides alot of these guys are visiting here because of Cyprien ….. they just don’t want to risk committing to Doogie Howser who has never coached a game . ( laughs to self …..I crack me up )
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pastaboy / July 4, 2009
Just did a little checking on OK St……Travis Ford 1st year coach there has already assembed the 11th ranked class …..with PF Karron Johnson leading the way ….hard to imagine Pastner couldn’t sell Pilgrim on Memphis ….Matt will ride the pine there too.
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memtiger87 / July 4, 2009
I think having an NCAA investigation hanging over their head makes it tough to recruit. I’d be cautious too right now. Getting quality guys at Memphis will be easier when this thing is done, if it doesn’t effect the present or future of the program.
OK State is a very good program. Maryland is too. I think Pilgrim was an insurance policy, and he only was going to be on property for two years. I liked him better than signing Derrick Williams who would have tied up a scholarship for four years. He would have been a good pick up, if he will be cleared to play this year by the NCAA. Since neither one signed, it is a moot point. I don’t think anyone decent is left unless someone else bails. I think you can put an end to 2009 recruits….
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pastaboy / July 4, 2009
Now I’m hearing that monster PF Karron Johnson may go Juco which would open up a spot for Matt …. Memphis <———– 19 and 14 N.I.T
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memtiger87 / July 4, 2009
You are definitely bipolar. One day, Pastner is OK. The next he is a loser. Pilgrim would have been a decent stopgap, but he signed elsewhere. I am not sweating it either way. It’s hard to recruit when you are under a dark cloud from the NCAA, which is why I find it amazing that we signed Will Barton. I am not sure why they need 6-8 weeks to decide our fate, but such is life in the NCAA.
We may go 19-14 and the NIT. I think we will be a NCAA tourney team, but not much more. I wouldn’t blame it on Pastner, since he had one recruit in 2009 and inherited an NCAA investigation under Calipari. I’ll bet we do better then USC which faced similar turmoil. Your boy didn’t do us any favors when he left. He left a bare cupboard and an investigation, and we should be grateful…..
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pastaboy / July 4, 2009
Once again you allow your bitterness to cloud the true facts . Calipari is not under investigation according to the NCAA …and their opinion matters most here . If you want to blame someone blame Derrick Rose …he’s the cheater …he’s the liar …he’s the one who refuses to be introduced at NBA games as a former Memphis player . Its not Cal’s fault Pastner couldn’t keep Nolan Dennis from going to Baylor …or the Henry’s from going to Kansas . Its not Cal’s fault Pastner couldn’t land Lance , or Derrick Williams , or Matt Pilgrim , or Nolan Johnson . The cupboard is bare because Fed Ex botched the coaching search by jacking up expectations …annoucing a wow hire …. then picking an asst. with no coaching experience as their 5th option …..that’s why the cupboard is bare .Most of these kids don’t want to play for a 1st year guy . Pastner has said numerous times the investigation has no effect on the program going forward , I guess you don’t believe him when he says that because you think it affects recruiting . You must not trust Josh .
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pastaboy / July 4, 2009
This mindset of the fanbase in here that 2009 is a write off season , poor Josh , bare cupboard , that mean ole Cal stole our team , bwah bwhahhahhhhaahh …… can you imagine what the sucking sound will be like if Joe Jackson goes to Ky next year? Then all you whack jobs can berate him on these blogs …… can’t wait ….it’ll be great entertainment .
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memtiger87 / July 4, 2009
I trust Pastner. I was an 18 year old top recruit with multiple opportunities, I would most likely go elsewhere right now. The real good recruits have been played multiple times by now. Why should they trust anyone? And frankly, no one really knows the outcome of the investigation. Most people in the know believe that there will be no present or future sanctions against Memphis. But like anything else decided by other people and totally out of your control, anything can happen.
Also, the name is Nolan Dennis. He and his mom decided to go elsewhere before a coach was named. Cousins and Dodson had already been contacted by Calipari when he was going through his incredibly difficult decision. They were gone. Xavier Henry still can’t make up his mind, and his dad controls them anyway. He is one and done and Kansas was a good place to be. They have the best shot at a championship run, and there is no doubt what a good tournament can do for your stock. Just ask Tyreke Evans, and particularly Derrick Rose.
Memphis did over reach when they mentioned their “wow” hire. They couldn’t get anyone to come into this situation. No recruits, lost four starter. You are coming into a team that had been winning and had to start over. Even with the huge sums of money offered, they couldn’t get their hire. In my opinion, Mike Anderson would have been the man. With Calipari stalling so he can line up his new team, we lost our shot at him. I think the would have gone to Memphis with an annual 1.5 million dollar raise. They did have to settle with someone other than a wow hire, and it was Josh Pastner.
I had my doubts and was disappointed. But his optimism, enthusiasm, and work ethic sold me. I am very excited about our program and I see very good things for us. You don’t and that’s OK, it is your opinion.
Why the big deal on Joe Jackson. He is a very good player, but he isn’t a Derrick Rose or Tyreke Evans. He is smaller and will be a very good point guard, but will not control games. Will Barton can take over games and we have him signed. The number one SG in the country! Not a bad pick up! I think Jackson will sign with us, but you are right, he may in Kentucky. I won’t say a bad thing about him just like every other possible recruit that signed elsewhere. If he likes the opportunity elsewhere, I wish him luck.
My expectations for next year are limited. I see us as an NCAA tourney team and not much more. Anything else would be incredible overachieving. I’m not happy with those expectations, but if you think this team can win the NCAA tourney, I’d say you are high. And, yes I am saying poor Josh. He came in late in the game, had to find players to fill a team and deal with the dark cloud of an NCAA investigation that made national news. While Calipari isn’t “under investigation”, he was in charge of the program. It may be his vacated second final four. If you don’t see a trend here, you are blind. Calipari is old news. Pastner is the new head coach. He has picked up an elite recruit for 2010, one that Calipari wanted very badly. No excuses for 2010, he has a full year to recruit and we’ll just have to see how he does. It looks like a good start to me….
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pastaboy / July 4, 2009
I heard the Ncaa meeting lasted a couple of hours rather than the expected 8 hours ….and that the Ncaa guys spent most of the time apologizing to Cal and R.C. There will be no vacating of anything ….. then what will you blame Cal for ? …. Personally I think the recruits were used to seeing Josh as that young recruiter who does all the bizarre stuff like calling at 7:00 am etc…..every program has a cheerleader type recruiter …..that was Josh’s job . They couldn’t make the switch mentally to seeing him as the head coach . Its like going to your grocery store and seeing that the bag boy has been promoted to store manager ….its off setting to say the least. If Cal had refused to sign Dodson or Cousins or even Wall ….do you honestly think they would have gone to Memphis this year? Not a chance ….. now how is that Cal’s fault ? The sooner you guys forget Cal and quit whining the better off Memphis basketball will be .
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memtiger87 / July 4, 2009
I’ve already forgot Calipari, he is yesterday’s news. And, as I have said, I wouldn’t trade him for Pastner. No sour grapes, but I like the direction we are heading.
Unfortunately, I do agree with you on one point. Many marquee players don’t want to play for a new coach. He is unproven and they don’t want to risk their potential NBA careers with an unproven coach. Pastner needs to get a season under his belt which demonstrates that he plays a style they desire and that he is able to get them to the next level. And we both know that most of the guys getting division 1 scholarships think they will be pros. We also know that this isn’t the case, but you could never tell these guys that. He’ll have to prove he is a winner and that he is a guy worth playing for.
About the investigations: I think we will have no sanctions. I don’t know that and cannot say as a fact that we won’t. A young recruit thinks the same way. Why risk signing with Memphis when you might have sanctions when you can go to another top program that isn’t having these problems. These guys watch Sportscenter.
Calipari’s gone. I don’t have good things to say about him due to the way he left Memphis. He is irrelevant anyway. The past is the past. The future is Josh Pastner. I think he will do very well. He’s locked down one huge recruit (Barton) and a top 20 in Lat Williams. I don’t know if he’ll qualify or not. Memphis really needs him to qualify or they are very weak in the PF and C positions. Whether he qualifies or not, they have what they have and will have to make the best of the situation at hand. I’m a realist. This isn’t a NC caliber team. Being a realist doesn’t mean you aren’t a fan. I’ll be a fan if they are 19-14 and NIT bound. I see them as better than that, but neither of us know until the season is played. They could gel into a very good team, but with last year’s four best players gone, it certainly will be a mystery.
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pastaboy / July 4, 2009
I think Lw will qualify ……. and I think we’ll see somone step up . My prediction has been Witherspoon to step into a role like CDR did as a 2nd year guy . He’s got the physical talent …. don’t know about his mental ability to dedicate himself to the game yet. Also Sallie could be ready to play some top caliber ball ….we’ll see . Ew ….Sallie …Lw ….. Coleman ……and Witherspoon ….. not bad …….also If Pastner runs alot of the Arizona 1/4 offense ….which he has indicated he would …remember the 1st outlet in that fast break is a big man down low or on the wing ….Garcia could really thrive in this offense . Now wasn’t that nice …you quit harping on Cal so I can quit defending him and we can talk Tiger ball .
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