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AP FILE PHOTO
Kentucky coach John Calipari
Published Tuesday, March 9, 2010 | 9 p.m.
Updated Wednesday, March 10, 2010 | 11:13 a.m.
A couple weeks back, hard-recruiting Kentucky coach John Calipari paid a visit to Findlay Prep hoops practice.
His goal? To see whether he could sway Pilots super-guard Cory Joseph, one of the nation's top unsigned (and uncommitted) seniors, to expand his final list of schools from five to six.
Most kids would at least be interested in hearing Calipari out. Of course, it's currently a non-contact period between college coaches and prep ballers. But through messengers, Joseph, who Rivals.com ranks as the No. 7 prospect in the 2010 class, said, "Thanks, but no thanks."
Calipari took another visit to the Henderson foothills Tuesday afternoon to watch the Pilots practice.
According to Findlay prep coach Mike Peck, Calipari still is interested in Joseph, but said the first-year UK coach understands where Joseph stands.
Instead, Calipari's main purpose for taking the trip to see Findlay was to get looks in at some of the Pilots' younger talents.
Among those he was taking a look at, according to Peck, were junior guard Nick Johnson, sophomore forward Winston Shepard and freshman guard Nigel Williams-Goss.
As for Joseph, he is still expected to decide between — in no particular order — UNLV, Minnesota, UConn, Villanova and Texas following the completion of Findlay's season early next month.
Calipari, whose No. 3 Wildcats (29-2) don't play in the SEC tournament in Nashville, Tenn., until Friday, made a stop on the UNLV campus before heading to McCarran Airport to head back east.
Donning a black velour Nike Kentucky jumpsuit, he sat and watched the Rebels practice for more than an hour.
After practice concluded, he and UNLV coach Lon Kruger exchanged pleasantries before heading to the far end of the court with five Rebel players, who were then used as pawns of sorts as the two veteran coaches discussed strategy for more than 20 minutes. That session included sharing zone offense philosophies.
Finally, before exiting the gym with Kruger, Calipari chatted up other members of the UNLV staff before finishing his rounds with an exchange with Rebels junior guard Tre'Von Willis.
The two hugged, shared a couple of quick laughs and parted ways.
Willis played for Calipari as a freshman at Memphis during the 2006-07 season, when the Tigers advanced to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament, falling to eventual national runner-up Ohio State. After appearing in 17 games and averaging 2.6 points per appearance, Willis transferred closer to home and has flourished ever since. After averaging 17.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg and 3.6 apg this regular season for the Rebels (23-7 overall, 11-5 Mountain West), he was named as a first team All-MWC performer on Monday.
Calipari concluded the day mentioning the trip on his Twitter feed (@UKCoachCalipari): "Great 2 catch up w/ my friend Lon Kruger & watched his team practice. Got 2 see Tre'Von Willis who played 4 me @ Memphis. He's now All-MWC."
Hopefully they were discussing more than zone offenses. How about a home and away series between both schools.
Two words: Reggie Theus.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruitin...
Rebels4life ... that'd be something, huh?
Calipari was wearing a black velour Nike Kentucky jumpsuit? Snazzy. Elvis has left the building.
Hope the coaches didn't divulge too much in regards to scheme. We could be that 8/9 seed opposite of #1 seed UK!
That'd be sweet Rebels4life. National exposure and especially we played the Wildcats before their rise to dominance. The T&M would be rocking.
Kudos to Cory Joseph. Snakes like Calipari and Pitino have shown little regard for their players and schools over the years.
Kruger should be honored that Cal would even show up at UNLV. Although he is here to steal all the talent that resides at Findlay Prep. Kruger will be satisfied with Findlay's bench players. Kruger was probably sharing his philosophy of inserting 6 foot power forwards who can't walk straight into the lineup. That's when Calipari started laughing and left.
I heard Kruger wants Joseph to play center.
Watch out Kruger he is a snake.Bailed on Memphis knowing he left a NCAA mess behind Coach Cal Has left a trail of unwanted dust behind himself after every school he has left.
Glad Coach Cal left Memphis and we now have the top recruitng class in the country for next season and how we hired Coach Cals Recruiter.
I wish well on UNLV in the post season this year
and I hope UNLV gets the fire for that Illustrious National Championship.
Josh Pastner "head coach of Memphis" will lead the Tigers back to the top ranks in the country
and I pray that he stays for a few years.We shall see Calapri's ability now that he has no coat tails to ride once this season is over with.He is still on Pastner's coat tails because three of Kentucky's star player were recruiced and initially signed/committed with Memphis and they were a product of Coach Pastners total committment to his job and tireless work.
Go Rebels and Go Tigers!!!! The UNLV Rebels can
be extremly sucessful in the Tourney but I see that all they need is to believe and play with more heart.Great Season UNLV
letsgorebels
Calapri's ability as a head coach and leading teams is of course a record that can not be disputed and his trail left behind him is not Disputable also.
If anything Kruger can use that against Calapari and I do not see Calapari being at Kentucky to long.5 to 6 years max and Kruger is an excellent coach seems to run a clean program.I like his style and the UNLV Rebels need to gain Findley's recruits with a good run in the Tourney.
The Rebels are just on the edge they have the talent to really do well.
There Moto for this post season should "Believe"
They have what it takes they just need to Believe Believe Believe