It's already starting

[mhall]

Looking into possible violations in the recruiting of John Walls. Nothing to big is probably gonna come from this but this is just the beginning you mark my words. When you make a pack with the devil just to get wins it will come at a cost.

I am not liking this either so help me, I think Barnyard made a big mistake hiring Dark Cloud Calipari, look at his record guys just look at it. Yea, I know he doesn't know anything about it and hasn't been implicated in any wrong doings blah blah. I wish you guys the best with this joker, you are going to get the big wins but at what cost????????????

[Tim_T]

John Calipari, Eddit Sutton, Jim Harrick and a few others all have one thing in common....they have never been found guilty of any NCAA violations LOL.

[zx150]

If I was a cat fan I would be worried. Trouble seems to follow this guy. He has not been caught yet, but if or when he does he will get the death penalty.

[MrSplitshot]

I hope that it's much ado about nothing. Considering that Forde broke the story on ESPN, it lost a ton of credibility with me. I think he's a prick with an agenda. It's funny to watch all of the UL fans cyber high-fiving each other over it... LOL

I don't care for the AAU coach relationships that define recruiting high school players these days. They seem like kinda-sorta agents to me. Why is this not an issue with another one of Clifton's (Wall's AAU coach) players who went to Duke? The guy had an agent's license at one point, but forfeited it...when exactly, I dunno. If it was before Wall came into the picture than the dude was not an agent. If he still had the license while in contact with Wall, then he was an agent and it's a problem...if he was promoting Wall, it's a big problem...if not, it's some repayment for some trips Wall took to visit UK under Gillispie and 3-4 early cupcake games on the pines.

One thing that makes me feel a little better in the deal is Sandy Bell in UK's Compliance Office. I'm sure Sandy got put on DEFCON 5 the moment Cal came into the picture and is on top of this deal - I really don't think they would be risking something like this if it was an issue. I also don't think Wall will suit up until it is clean and resolved per the rules.

My guess is that this type of thing is extremely common with ALL of the bigger named programs, BUT...because Cal has the spotlight shining on UK due to his history, and because tools like Forde look for controversial stories to make a big deal out of, it's being magnified. What is something that would usually never get mentioned in the media becomes front page on ESPN because they know it gets a lot of attention from the BBN and those that like to hate/ridicule us.

Hope it's much ado about nothing...

There are some respected journalists out there that write really good pieces. It's a shame Forde aint one of them.

[Tim_T]

There are some respected journalists out there that write really good pieces. It's a shame Forde aint one of them.

Split, let preface what I am about to say with the following comment: I despise Pat Forde, not for his takes as a sports writer, but because of a run in we had when we were co-workers. I used to work in the sports department a the C-J and if Pat Forde fell off the second street bridge as I was driving over it, I probably wouldn't be able to reach my cell phone in time.

All that being said, Pat Forde is one of the best sports journalis IN HISTORY! If you really had an insiders view, he is that good. He is as good of a writer as I have read and he has the investigative know-how to break news. All this being said, Pat was just the first one to break the news, but this investigation has been going on a for a bit.

Oh yeah, I forgot to add, your confidence in Sandy Bell is well founded. After all, she found Randolph Morriss' maigc fax after he went undrafted in the NBA!

[lil skeeter]

its not as bad as what you VILLE fans are hoping. it would have come to light no matter the coach at UK, so not sure why Calipari is even being brought up.

[lil skeeter]

one more thing........GO BIG BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lil skeeter]

walls old aau coach was/is some type of agent. so if he bought walls a big mac or a pair of socks, walls will have to pay that back. nothing to do with recruiting practices/methods by our clean handed coach. this is what uk has to look forward to every year. somebody always in the shadows trying to bring the program down. i guess thats what uk basketball gets for being one the best programs ever. man it feels good to say that. maybe one day little brother will get the chance. well, i wont hold my breath..GO BIG BLUE!!!!

[kyfanatic]

If Pat Forde is such a great writer then why does he report BS untruths with agenda's against UK in other stories? It's a plain simple fact he is a UK Hater and always has been,this story is not some big breaking news,it's been known about for 5 or 6 months ,but Forde tries to make it look like some major cheating when it's a simple matter of who spent a couple $$ on what that happens all the time.At worst Wall will have to repay a few bucks,The guy lost his agent license pre-2008.He was an AAU coach,whoopee.
When is Forde going to break the story on the car T-Will was driving around last year? Or how Pitino hired Marquis Teagues Coach?Stupid Louisville fans have been shown how Pitino is a Cheater but refuse to get it in their head.
An Abortion a Day Keeps the Child Support Away!!!!!

[know1]

These eligibility issues have nothing to do with Cal. They even go back to when Gillispie was the coach here. He was recruiting Wall as well. In fact, I'd say just about EVERYONE was recruiting Wall. I guess they're all cheaters.

[DJD]

These eligibility issues have nothing to do with Cal. They even go back to when Gillispie was the coach here. He was recruiting Wall as well. In fact, I'd say just about EVERYONE was recruiting Wall. I guess they're all cheaters.

Yeah but some cheat on their wifes more which is ok cause it's not against the law.... Sorry Ricky P. bout that right there, the devil made me do it.

[mhall]

Well as expected the hate and mud must fly. Brian, great post, insightful without the classic Pitino ***** to comments. I said in the beginning that I was not liking this and I'm not. I personally think bringing Calipari into the Kentucky camp somehow cheapened a long and storied history.

Comparing Calipari with Pitino is shallow and holds no merit it also doesn't diminsh the fact that the guy brings contraversy litterally EVERYWHERE he goes. I wish Ky the best I think they are in for alot of issues with this guy I really do.

Know1 the kid ended up at Ky that's why Calipari will be looked at under the scope on this, it would have happened whomever was the coach. However with his sparkling reputation it will be looked at even harder.

Oh and by the way Pat Forde is an ass, he has wrote MORE bad press about Louisville then he ever has about Kentucky so please don't give me that he loves Louisville and hates UK stuff cause that's just a load of bull. Most and I mean most all UoL fans hate Forde with the burning passion of ten thousand suns.