[FONT=Tahoma]Kentucky[/FONT][FONT=Tahoma]’s trip to the Great White North proved that Coach Calipari has the Wildcats in great hands for the 2010-11 season. The display of the young Cats was a relief for [/FONT][FONT=Tahoma]Kentucky[/FONT][FONT=Tahoma] fans. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Tahoma]Brandon Knight was an absolute machine, scoring 75 total points on 26-56 from the field and 19-21 from the free throw line, all while dishing out a team high 25 assists. The John Wall replacement lived up to and above his hype. A better shooter then Wall, Knight looked for the shot first and the dish second, but played with incredible control only turning the ball over 5 times. His assist to turnover ratio was an unreal 5:1 assists for every turnover.[/FONT]
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] [FONT=Tahoma]Doron Lamb had a slow start in game one, but busted out in games two and three showing the shooting skills that helped get him a slot at [/FONT][FONT=Tahoma]Kentucky[/FONT][FONT=Tahoma]. Lamb ended the three game series with 53 total points, shooting 52.8% from the field and 11-14 from the line. He had 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 7 steals and led the team in scoring against Western.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Tahoma]The entire team played above my expectations. Remember, no Kanter, no Vargas and then no Jones. Eight young man played 120 minutes of basketball in a 38 hour window. The performance of Calipari’s second consecutive Number 1 recruiting class only heightened expectations for October and beyond.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Tahoma]In part 2 of ‘The Future of Kentucky Basketball -2012’, we’re going to take a look at two more of the top prospects in the Class of 2012. In Part One, we highlighted the number 3 and 4 players in the Class, DuJaun Coleman and Shabazz Muhammad. Both post players with tremendous skill. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Tahoma]As discussed, Coleman is one of two players in the 2012 Class currently holding a scholarship offer from Coach Calipari and the Cats.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Tahoma]Today our focus turns to the Number 5 and 9 players in the class, Brandon Ashley and Khem Birch. [/FONT]
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[URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/basketballrecruiting/basketball/recruiting/player-Brandon-Ashley-91822″][/URL][FONT=Tahoma][URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/basketballrecruiting/basketball/recruiting/player-Brandon-Ashley-91822″][/URL][/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma][URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/basketballrecruiting/basketball/recruiting/player-Brandon-Ashley-91822″][B]Brandon Ashley[/B][/URL] | [COLOR=black]Brandon is a 6-8, 225 lb Power forward out of Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, California. He is ranked as the no. 5 overall player, in the 2012 class, and No. 1 at the Power forward position.[/COLOR][/FONT]
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[I][COLOR=black][FONT=Tahoma][URL=”http://espn.com”]ESPN[/URL] | [/FONT][/COLOR][/I][I][FONT=Tahoma]Ashley is a long, athletic and talented forward that provides the wow factor especially in transition where he is a threat to go coast to coast and finish above the rim in traffic. He runs the floor like a deer and handles the ball great for his size. Ashley scores in the lane with his great length and ability to elevate over defenders with ease. He can shoot short pull ups, finger roll or punch it on the late help defenders. [/FONT][/I]
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[I][FONT=Tahoma]Defensively he can block shots on or away from the ball with his athletic ability and great timing. He rebounds in and out of his area as well. Ashley is a live body and pogo stick forward that seems to get better each game you see him. He is capable of defending on the perimeter and in the post and his [B]upside is simply off the charts[/B].[/FONT][/I]
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[I][FONT=Tahoma][URL=”http://scout.com”]SCOUT [/URL]| Very talented young forward with high skill level, above average athleticism and an advanced feel for the game. A [B]potential elite prospect in the class of 2012[/B].[/FONT][/I]
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[I][FONT=Tahoma]Ashley has a great frame, with very long arms, and outstanding agility for a young big man. He can score in the paint with either hand and has good ball skills overall. Ashley plays a very complete game, as he’s a good rebounder and defender.[/FONT][/I]
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[I][FONT=Tahoma]He’s still maturing physically and will no doubt be a very good low-block scorer a year from now when he’s bigger and stronger. But you have to love his frame, length, feel and approach to the game.[/FONT][/I]
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[I][FONT=Tahoma]He plays hard at both ends of the court, even when he’s not getting a lot of touches on offense. I love his approach to the game.[/FONT][/I]
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[FONT=Tahoma]Ashley in action on [URL=”http://www.nationofblue.com/2012-kentucky-recruit-brandon-ashley-2303/”][B]Nation of Blue TV[/B][/URL].[/FONT]
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[URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/basketballrecruiting/basketball/recruiting/player-Khem-Birch-104028″][/URL][FONT=Tahoma][URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/basketballrecruiting/basketball/recruiting/player-Khem-Birch-104028″][/URL][/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma][URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/basketballrecruiting/basketball/recruiting/player-Khem-Birch-104028″][B]Khem Birch[/B][/URL] | [/FONT][COLOR=black][FONT=Tahoma]At 6-8, Birch is “[B]absolutely one of the best shot blockers in the country”,[/B] according to ESPN. He’s ranked No. 9 overall and No. 3 at the power forward position. He plays for Notre Dame High out of [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=black][FONT=Tahoma]Fitchburg[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=black][FONT=Tahoma], [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=black][FONT=Tahoma]Massachusetts[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=black][FONT=Tahoma].[/FONT][/COLOR]
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[I][COLOR=black][FONT=Tahoma][URL=”http://espn.com”]ESPN [/URL]| [/FONT][/COLOR][/I][I][FONT=Tahoma]Birch has absolutely explosive athleticism. [/FONT][/I]
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[I][FONT=Tahoma]Defensively, his long arms and exceptionally quick leaping ability allow him to be equally effective blocking shots on-the-ball and almost unrivaled at roaming from the weak side of the floor. [/FONT][/I]
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[I][FONT=Tahoma]While his skills have evolved over the last year, his defense is still far ahead of his offense. His super high motor allows him to pick up lots of points inside the paint and while he has improved use of both hands and a cleaner stroke from the free-throw line, he still isn’t much of a low post scoring threat. [/FONT][/I]
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[I][FONT=Tahoma]Birch is always a factor in transition, both running down the middle of the floor and finishing as well as starting the break because of his rebounding talent.[B][/B][/FONT][/I]
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[I][FONT=Tahoma][URL=”http://scout.com”]SCOUT [/URL]| [/FONT][/I][I][FONT=Tahoma]Often times people will ask, “Why is so and so ranked so high, he’s doesn’t always score.” Well, when you are looking at young bigs you look for aspects of their game and need to be content to watch (and hope) other things emerge. Birch, in the morning session, was the best rebounder we saw. What was impressive was how he boarded: in traffic and out of his area. The offense will come. Right now he chases shots, runs the floor and tracks boards. [/FONT][/I]
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[I][FONT=Tahoma]There are few big men in the class of 2012 who are as physically gifted as the Canadian transplant. Standing near 6-foot-8 with long arms, Birch is a gazelle on the floor who is a game changer. Offensively, he’s coming along nicely… He’s got the look of a top 10 guy in his class at this point.[/FONT][/I]
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[COLOR=black][FONT=Tahoma]Birch in action on [B][URL=”http://www.nationofblue.com/2012-uk-recruit-khem-birch-2302/”]Nation of Blue TV[/URL].[/B][/FONT][/COLOR]
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[COLOR=black][FONT=Tahoma]Calipari has currently filled three scholarship slots for 2011. With the likelihood of seven available, he has plenty to go around. Obviously the 2011 Class will grow, but 10-11 scholarship players may once again be the entire roster for the 2011-12 Team.[/FONT][/COLOR]
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[COLOR=black][FONT=Tahoma]With only 6 names currently on the 2012 Big Board, unless names get added, it appears Coach Calipari may have to move out of his normal top 25 recruiting grounds to fill a class. As good as he is we all know every recruit he wants doesn’t come to [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=black][FONT=Tahoma]Kentucky[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=black][FONT=Tahoma]. I know that’s a shock to most of the world, but he has his share of turn downs, although very few. [/FONT][/COLOR]
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[COLOR=black][FONT=Tahoma]Out of the 6 on the 2012 board, I would expect him to pick up 3, maybe 4 if it’s a super year. The No. 1 Class for four years in a row may be in jeopardy unless he can find a way to nab two or three of the top 10. We all know his ability, which means I will [B]NEVER[/B] underestimate or bet against what rabbits he can pull from the recruiting hat.[/FONT][/COLOR]
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[COLOR=black][FONT=Tahoma]Until next time, Go Cats!!![/FONT][/COLOR]
