Katz Nuggets: BE '07-'08 Scheduling and Calipari to Kentucky?

[Dish]

From his insider blog...

• The Big East is going to 18 conference games next season with every team playing each team at least once. The decisions on which teams will play home-and-home series won't be made until after the withdrawal deadline for the NBA draft in mid-June, according to Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese.

• Multiple sources continue to believe that Memphis coach John Calipari would be the best fit and is a strong possibility at Kentucky. Those same sources are convinced that Calipari would take the job if offered.

[NYWarrior]

• Multiple sources continue to believe that Memphis coach John Calipari would be the best fit and is a strong possibility at Kentucky. Those same sources are convinced that Calipari would take the job if offered.

I dont know if he'd be the best fit -- but he'd sure take it if offered.  Escape from CUSA.

Still seems to me that Rick Barnes would be ideal in Lexington. He's built programs all over the country and recruits well nationally.  But, UT pays a ton and he's got things rolling in Austin

[muarmy81]

• Multiple sources continue to believe that Memphis coach John Calipari would be the best fit and is a strong possibility at Kentucky. Those same sources are convinced that Calipari would take the job if offered.

I dont know if he'd be the best fit -- but he'd sure take it if offered.  Escape from CUSA.

Still seems to me that Rick Barnes would be ideal in Lexington. He's built programs all over the country and recruits well nationally.  But, UT pays a ton and he's got things rolling in Austin

I agree that Barnes is a great recruiter but Calipari is no recruiting slouch himself and he recruits those athletic, run-first types of players that Kentucky has been crying for since Pitino left.

[mu03eng]

Not to mention if you thought Crean was a bad in-game coach you should watch a Rick Barnes coached game.  The man is horrible at in-game adjustments and had no idea how to use super-player Kevin Durant.  During the USC game Durant was being guarded by quick but small guards.  Barnes never once sent Durant down low to post them up.  Kentucky needs less of a recruiter and more of a coach that plays an exciting brand of basketball.  I think Calipari or Gillispie are the front runners.

[CTWarrior]

Not to mention if you thought Crean was a bad in-game coach you should watch a Rick Barnes coached game.  The man is horrible at in-game adjustments and had no idea how to use super-player Kevin Durant.  During the USC game Durant was being guarded by quick but small guards.  Barnes never once sent Durant down low to post them up.  Kentucky needs less of a recruiter and more of a coach that plays an exciting brand of basketball.  I think Calipari or Gillispie are the front runners.

Agree 100%, mu03eng.  At Kentucky, where getting to Final Fours with some regularity is part of the basic job description, recruiting isn't enough and Barnes is not a good game coach.  If I was the AD at Kentucky, Donovan would be my first choice, then Calipari.  I doubt Donovan would take it, but I think Cal definitely would.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Coach Cal would have been my choice if I were UK, but apparently he just signed an extension with Memphis.

Billy G. is likely to Arkansas.  If they don't get coach Donovan....well look out.  Could get awfully interesting.

[Eye]

I still think they're going to find a way to get Calipari, Chicos. But if they don't get Donovan or Calipari, I agree with you completey, I think the field becomes big-time wide open.

[77ncaachamps]

When was the last time a SEC coach "defected" to another SEC team?

I do NOT think Florida will let Donovan go, and vice-versa. His program is solid. And winning this year's championship is only going to solidify it even more. He can cherrypick his recruits.

[Silky Johnston]

When was the last time a SEC coach "defected" to another SEC team?

Tubby went fromt georgia to KU.