It was [URL=”http://vaughtsviews.com/?p=7757″]announced[/URL] earlier today that Stacey Poole has moved ahead of Jon Hood for playing time, so I thought we would look at both of them coming in to Kentucky.
Poole comes from Providence HS in Jacksonville, Florida. As a senior he averaged 16 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists per game. He was ranked #33 overall by Rivals, and was known for his defense and as a “slasher” at the rim. He was UK’s first signed recruit of the 2010 class, but was the lowest ranking member of UK’s haul (not counting JUCO transfer Eloy Vargas or walk-on Jarrod Polson).
Hood comes from North Hopkins HS in Madisonville, Kentucky. As a senior he averaged 29 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks per game. He was ranked #40 overall by Rivals, and was known for his post play. He was the lowest ranking member of Kentucky’s 2009 class (not counting JUCO transfer Darnell Dodson).
I never saw Poole play in High School, but he was ranked above such Freshman as Louisville’s Gorgui Dieng, Washington’s Terrence Ross and UConn’s Jeremy Lamb – all of whom are getting playing time at their respective schools. In truth, I haven’t been overly impressed with the play I’ve seen from Poole up to now, but it has been pretty sparse (I remember one game where he was the ONLY Cat not to play). I remember when he shot the 3 in the Notre Dame game, I asked the TV rhetorically “was that Poole?” The TV didn’t answer, but I nodded anyway.
I never saw Hood play in High School either, but my brother-in-law watched him destroy the local team essentially single-handedly. All I heard was “oh man, he’s good.” And he must really kick butt in practice, because he gets the game time minutes. Hood looked pretty good in the exhibition games, but his expertise has not transferred to big games yet. I remember one article where Hood made a great move in practice and the team collectively yelled “do that in a game!”
Will Poole’s minutes soar this year? Probably not, I don’t see him starting over Liggins or Miller, but you never know. If Poole can show some consistency and flourish in the dribble-drive, Calipari is not above starting four Freshmen. It will be interesting to see how he does with Hood’s minutes, and if he has any breakout games. Poole should be around for a while, and I’m kind of looking forward to him being the “elder statesman” in a few years. Go Cats.
