I'm on the call; will have some tidbits from time to time (will edit this post, so keep checking back.
All times Central (local)
10:11 a.m. - Kevin Stallings basically said he'd love to have Kentucky as a permanent opponent. "Everybody" would love to have Kentucky.
10:18 a.m. - Billy Donovan still an impressive speaker. Talked about coaching the national team, was asked about a player that didn't make the team, but said he really couldn't talk about individual players.
10:21 a.m. - Frank Martin is "sick and tired" of the myth that the SEC is no good.
Quote of the day, "My pleasure, always great to give you three minutes." (Evidently Martin was a little irritated that there wasn't that much interest for the SC coach.)
[NOTE--John Calipari is scheduled for 10:35, but they've been a little behind. Trying to catch up, as evidenced by the 3 great minutes Frank Martin gave, instead of the scheduled 7]
10:25 a.m. - UGA Mark Fox greatly concerned about the alarming number of transfers in college basketball. Says national coaches association is also.
Fox says age 20 would help quality of college basketball & NBA. Welcomes Silver's possible change in the NBA rule. Doesn't know if he could get it done with the Players' Association, though.
[Johnny Jones, LSU up next, followed by John Calipari]
10:34 a.m. - Johnny Jones - Brian Bridgewater has cleared all NCAA hurdles. They are "hopeful" that he will have 4 seasons to play 4, but it might be 4 seasons to play 3. Background - was not able to practice with the team last year, but could attend, be tutored, etc. He is a 6'5 scorer type, played a lot inside in high school, won state championship in Louisiana, etc. I think issues related to transferring to another high school his senior year, but I'm not completely sure of it. I know LSU folks are very high on the kid.
10:43 a.m. - John Calipari. "For the first time, I've had players return that had opportunities to put their names in the draft."
Jerry Tipton with first question about trip to the Bahamas.
"We're doing a little different than most teams. (Most teams don't care who they play). This is going to be different. We will travel with 12, 10 will play. We have teams come with us."
Basically, says teams will be older, players that almost made the country's national teams. Players are older, and Calipari likes that.
Tipton asks 2nd question about Rupp Arena renovation -- Cal says he wasn't involved, wasn't in town, just hopes everybody does the right thing for the university and the city.
Cal - doesn't mind the knock on him that he;s not developing players, as long as they keep getting drafted and thriving in the NBA.
Cal - we have to be on the side of the players. On the side of the students. That (age 20/rule) is between the players association and the NBA. "I've said to the NBA, don't make it a 4-year contract, make it a 3-year contract so they don't get hurt by staying in school an extra year, and they can get to the big money contracts at the same time."
Cal - our kids sign 4 year deals. If they leave before 4 years, their scholarships are still waiting on them. We have a 3.11 GPA. We've had (great?) APR, 10 kids have graduated. Everybody doing what they are supposed to do.
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