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I remember reading a while back that Doherty still had 2 more scholarships that he was sitting on. Have there been any updates about who we may be looking at? Who has mentioned us?

In particular I remember a little buzz around a forward named Katuka (sp?)...any updates on this guy?

If anyone comes across any updates on some of the guys we currently have signed, please share! I know many of us would like to hear some good news about the basketball program.

I would like to trade for that 3 point shooter from Rice.

I suggest that Matt call Michael Jordan. His oldest son ( a senior) is at Loyola Academy, outside Chicago. His youngest son is even stronger and a sophmore.

stobor wrote:
In particular I remember a little buzz around a forward named Katuka (sp?)...any updates on this guy?

On Jan 10th, Katuka's head coach said SMU was in the lead. But he visited Kentucky since then and they are showing intrest per rivals.

Found this article on a kentucky blog from Jan 22:
The picture you see above is of Joseph Katuka, who is the newest UK recruit out of Monteverde, Florida. Katuka is 6?10?, a long rangy international big man that is most likened to Jules Camara. While Jules is often criticized, it is important to remember that Jules was a Top 30 recruit, but Katuka is much more raw, and has less offensive development. Schools such as Auburn and SMU have offered (who has Matt Doherty, who for all his faults, has a good eye for talent) and others like Illinois, California and Vanderbilt are beginning to recruit him. UK visited last week and apparently has been eyeing him for some time (this is the guy that was “off the radar” that I was told about a few weeks ago). No offer has been made at this juncture.
So what do I think? Well, my views are decidedly mixed at this point. While I dont that is necessarily bad that he is a “late bloomer” (the scouts on the major recruiting services quit paying attention after the junior AAU season so lots of guys slip through), count me very skeptical. IF Katuka is being brought in instead of Marshall Moses (more on him later), then I think this is a TERRIBLE decision. Moses is the real deal and that needs to be recognized. If he is simply a backup plan for Patterson, then I am ok with that….although still a bit skeptical. If Patterson goes elsewhere and we get Lucas and Moses, then there is one scholarship left….I want that to go to Pettigrew, but I understand the notion of looking at Katuka. But UK needs another big man project like they do a hole in the head, so my views are still mixed.

What are "all (Doh's) faults" he is talking about?

From that same sports radio blog

"With the staff’s decision on Moses, it is clear that the success of the once promising 07 recruiting class, totally comes down to Patrick Patterson and Jai Lucas. I will continue to report on what we hear about backup plans such as Joseph Katuka and Josh White…..and it may be the case that these young men turn out to be very good to great players at UK. "

Good news for us if Katuka is a back plan for Kentucky. While they think he may not be able to contribute to them right away he certainly could for us! And we for sure do not play the same level of compition that they do, that is until we make the dance.

The PonyGrad wrote:What are "all (Doh's) faults" he is talking about?

This is some sports DJ from kentucky. I am sure there is some rivalry there from Doh's unc/kansas days and he is prolly talking about Doh's run ins while he coached at UNC. Nothing to worry about, glad he got props for recruiting.



http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com

I consider Memphis a pretty solid 1-A team and until we can beat Memphis (or at least stay on the floor with them) forget about going dancing. But we are who we are and if this guy has a lot of upside and I trust Coach Doh on that, then I hope he comes here.

Memphis is a great team, Doh himself said it would take 4 years until we could play at that level consistenly. He said a couple of recruiting classes and then those kids would have to mature, but he thinks we can and will get there. If Doh stays, it will be more than worth the wait.

sounds good, we need to get this guy.

As for Jordan's kids neither can really play. The older one has no business at any mid major d-1 b-ball school and the younger one has raw talent but isn't really a basketball player. Both should have stuck with football.

NickSMU17 wrote:sounds good, we need to get this guy.

As for Jordan's kids neither can really play. The older one has no business at any mid major d-1 b-ball school and the younger one has raw talent but isn't really a basketball player. Both should have stuck with football.

they must've gotten most of their genes from their mom's side of the family. Even Bill Walton's kid is in the NBA!

ponydawg wrote:Memphis is a great team, Doh himself said it would take 4 years until we could play at that level consistenly. He said a couple of recruiting classes and then those kids would have to mature, but he thinks we can and will get there. If Doh stays, it will be more than worth the wait.

I thought it was 4 to 5 yrs before we could compete with memphis....don't think doh said anything about consistently playing with them.....right?

Well going up against Kentucky and winning a recruiting battle would be big for recruiting at SMU. Granted we did similar against Louisville getting Dia. Katuka seems to be taking his time making a committment though...and not much news since January concerning any progress.

Even without him we obviously have a nice group coming in...especially down low...has anyone heard anything on Mike Walker? We definately need much improvement at PG.

I am a little bit surprised that we haven't seen more interest from Dallas area prospects for Doherty's initial recruiting class...no knock on him of course because he is finding talent elsewhere, but I would have thought he would build more buzz in his own backyard. Especially considering the talent in the area.

stobor wrote:I am a little bit surprised that we haven't seen more interest from Dallas area prospects for Doherty's initial recruiting class...no knock on him of course because he is finding talent elsewhere, but I would have thought he would build more buzz in his own backyard. Especially considering the talent in the area.

Who is left in the Dallas area that is worth a look?

stobor wrote:I am a little bit surprised that we haven't seen more interest from Dallas area prospects for Doherty's initial recruiting class...no knock on him of course because he is finding talent elsewhere, but I would have thought he would build more buzz in his own backyard. Especially considering the talent in the area.

Wasn't that what Jimmy Tubbs was going to do when he was hired as the head coach? All it got us was "burgers and cheer".......