2008 Recruiting Update

Billy Gillispie works underneath a shroud of mystery, which makes following the recruiting of the new Wildcat regime a difficult task. Where Tubby Smith's recruiting style assimulated a snail race, Gillispie's recruiting is more like a game of Where's Waldo. There seems to be no question that Billy Clyde possesses the aptitude of a successful recruiter, but his methods are new to the Wildcat faithful.

With two newcomers signed and two seniors leaving, Kentucky theoretcially has one scholarship to give. However, there will more than likely will be a couple of defections at seasons end. The remaining need for the Wildcats seems to be on the interior. However, there are very few big men left on the table for 2008.

As we enter the home stretch in recruiting for the class of 2008, let's examine some the names remaining on the Cats' radar.

Roderick Flemings - 6'7", 210, SF - Roderick (pictured)attends Weatherford Junior College. He was a high school All-American from the class of 2005, who orginally committed to Oklahoma State. Roderick is averaging around 20 points and 10 rebounds a game. Some analysts consider Flemings to be the best junior college player in the country. Roderick ranked 26th in the Rivals Top 150, Class of 2005.

Tyrone Appleton - 6'3", 190, PG - Tyrone attends Midland Community College in Texas and is known as being a excellent on-ball defender. He is currently being recruited by Kansas, Kentucky, and Texas.

Verdell Jones - 6'4", 160, PG - Verdell is from Champaign, IL. He considered a three star prospect by Rivals. Verdell has been on the Wildcats' radar for several months, and attended Big Blue Madness in October. Jones is also being recruited by Minnesota and Tennessee.

Brad Tinsley - 6'3" 180, SG - Tinsley, a Rivals' four star recruit, is a recent addition to the Wildcats' list. He is ranked 93rd in the Rivals Top 150. Tinsley is also being recruited by North Carolina, Tennessee, and Marquette.

And of course there is also the Scotty Hopson saga. Hopson, one of the most highly touted Kentucky players in recent history, originally commited to Mississippi State while Tubby was still at U.K. Since the arrival of Gillispie at Kentucky, Hopson has backed out of his verbal commitment to the Bulldogs. Although, reports are conflicting as to whether Kentucky is actively recruiting Hopson. Hopson is known as being incredibly talented and for his poor work ethic. Besides the Wildcats, Hopson is also reportedly interested in Tennessee and Louisville.

Boyd is a Cat!

National Signing Day has kicked into full gear. The Cats' biggest question mark going into the day was Henry Clay's Aaron Boyd. Boyd, the brother of former Wildcat Shane Boyd, had narrowed his list to Oregon and Kentucky. Oddly enough, requiring Boyd to decide whether he would rather play for Rich Brooks at Kentucky or play on Rich Brooks Field in Oregon. The acquisition of the Lexington standout adds a little extra momentum to Kentucky's recruiting class, which is currently expected to rank in the low 60's.

We will have a full list of Kentucky's signees towards the end of the day.

What's hoppin' in Hoptown

As the early signing period for college basketball comes to a conclusion, the most interesting story in the state of Kentucky may not be about who did sign, but rather who didn't. Namely, Scotty Hopson, the most highly touted high school player in the state of Kentucky. Scotty verbally committed to Mississippi State well before Billy Clyde came to town. He is currently ranked as the ninth best player in the nation in the class of 2008.

Hopson's UK recruitment was a typical Tubby Smith affair, as the Hopkinsville native made his decision before UK got around to showing him any interest. In addition, Coach Smith even had Ravi Moss (also from Hopkinsville) advising him to recruit Hopson. Kentucky native Rick Stansbury sold Scotty on Mississippi State before Kentucky ever got involved.

This week the early signing period finally gave Hopson the opportunity to make his commitment to Mississippi State official. He didn't pull the trigger. Rumors swirled all week about when, where, and whether Scotty would sign. It never happened.

Today, a newspaper in Hopkinsville ran a story stating that Hopson would not sign and that he was considering other schools. The schools mentioned in the article were Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Louisville, Kentucky, and Mississippi State.

More to come.

USC Trojan Tuesday

The president of the University of Southern California challenged coach Tim Floyd to find a bigger distraction for the class of 2008 than O.J. Mayo was for the class of 2007. Many thought it couldn't be done, but Tim 'Tool Time' Floyd knocked it out the park when he signed rapper 'lil Romeo to play basketball for the Trojans. On Monday, 'Lil Romeo signed his letter of intent at a posh Beverly Hills hotel, accompanied by his music mogul father Master P.

In other Trojan news, former Southern California recruit Leonard Washington, may or may not be almost, maybe, but not quite qualified to play basketball. Kentucky has flirted with Washington ever since he was released from his letter of intent to play for USC. USC released Washington when he failed to qualify for the class of 2007.

Washington is a interior player in the mold of Chuck Hayes. If he becomes qualified, Leonard could definitely be a welcome addition to the 2008 class. According to sources, Washington has narrowed his list to Kentucky and USC.

Given that Washington is an academic question mark, it will be very important that he places himself in an environment where he can succeed, both academically and athletically. In my opinion, living in Los Angeles and playing on a team a with rapper/movie star could be just what the doctor ordered.

One in the Bag!

Darius Miller of Mason County has signed his letter of intent to play for the University of Kentucky. Kentucky's other 2008 commitment, DeAndre Liggins, is not expected to sign during the fall signing period. There are questions about Liggins' eligibility right now, although his commitment to the Cats is firm.

Signing Day is Here!

Recruiting: The fall basketball signing period for high school seniors begins today. This is always a crazy day in the world of recruiting. For Kentucky, its an even bigger day. Chris Singleton makes his college choice known today. He has a press conference scheduled at 2:45. Chris is deciding between the University of Kentucky and Florida State. Most analysts predict Florida State will be his destination, which will leave UK in a pickle regarding a big man in the class of 2008. Gillispie was phenomenal with his last minute signings of Patrick Patterson and Alex Legion for the 2007 class, but there simply aren't many quality uncommitted big men left in this years class.

Injury Update: Jodie Meeks will be out three to four weeks with a groin injury. That is not good news for an already beleaguered Kentucky squad.

Criminal Update: Former Kentucky player Rekalin Sims was arrested this week and charged with assault and robbery. The crime was reportedly a group effort, with Rekalin driving the get-away car. Rekalin is (was) playing for the Fresno State Outlaws in his eighth and final season of college basketball. When asked about the situation, Rekalin told reporters that his back was really slowing him down, and that is probably why the cops were able to catch up with him.

Lexington's Finest

The UK Football Wildcats received some good news this week on the recruiting front. One of Lexington's top high school seniors, Winston Guy of Lexington Catholic, has decommitted from Arkansas. Guy, who has been noticeably present at several UK Football games this year, has decided the trouble currently brewing in Fayetteville is a little too much. Guy is rated as a 3 star defensive back and would be a great addition to the Wildcats recruiting class. He has not named a new school as a favorite for his services, but Winston did dress up as Stevie Johnson of the Wildcats for Halloween. That has to be a good sign.

One of the other top prospects out of Lexington, Henry Clay's Aaron Boyd, is rated as a 4 star wide receiver. Boyd is currently looking at the Wildcats, along with Florida, LSU, Tennessee, and Louisville. Boyd would be the Wildcats highest rated recruit if he committed to Kentucky. He also happens to be the brother of former Wildcat quarterback Shane Boyd.