John Calipari really, really wants that practice facility

It's Kentucky vs. Kentucky, Izzo gets an extension, and some players under pressure to perform for next season.

August 12, 2022

Thursdays in August can be difficult to find content for the Daily. But leave it to Kentucky basketball, which currently is playing an exhibition tour in the Bahamas to grab some national headlines. Yet, is the story a big deal? Or is it just that not much else is happening?

Here’s that and everything else that occurred in college basketball yesterday.

STARTING FIVE

1. Kentucky’s a ‘basketball school’ (in a college football land)

In a world where upgrades to sports facilities are only considered new for 2 to 3 years, it’s not a surprise whenever a program wants renovations. However, it’s noteworthy when a guy like John Calipari is publicly asking for a brand new practice facility — and especially when using this approach.

In 2012, he made calls that helped upgrade the locker rooms at Rupp Arena. If the school or the state doesn’t push for funds, he says he’ll make calls himself, whether in-pocket or from his NBA players … who have combined to amass over 2 billion dollars (humble brag).

If it was just about the money, that’d be one thing. But playing the “this is a basketball school” card caught the attention of Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops.

It’s not ideal to have your school’s two most prominent coaches publicly jousting, but it’s likely this will blow over. Look for Calipari to smooth things over with his Wildcat peers, while the basketball team will go back to being the main attraction by the time we get to the fall. And hopefully, Coach Cal finds enough pocket change for a new facility.

2. Ole Miss remains in the SEC recruiting arms race

Another class of 2023 prospect is off the board in Jordan Burks, a 6-7 small forward out of Alabama. He picked the Ole Miss Rebels over the likes of Texas Tech and Mississippi State, making him the Rebs’ third commit in the class (Jacob Gazzo, Rashaud Marshall).

What makes Burks an interesting talent is that he’s still growing, both physically and on the court. In the July evaluation period, the wing averaged 12 ppg and shot over 40 percent from 3-point range. Burks already has the athleticism and physicality to play at the SEC level. If his offense continues to improve, he’ll have an impact when he arrives on campus.

Also in recruiting news from Thursday:

3. Tom Izzo with Michigan State for life

After an incredible past two weeks on the recruiting trail, it looks like Michigan State and Tom Izzo wanted to celebrate.

This isn’t any kind of a surprise, as Izzo could make an argument that he’s the game’s best active coach. He has a national title, eight Final Fours and hasn’t missed the NCAA Tournament since 1997.

The only question remained if he could adjust to college basketball’s off-court changes. Michigan State’s lack of transfer portal activity this offseason concerned the Spartan faithful, but the recruiting run that delivered a top-5 class calmed those worries.

Tom Izzo still has it, and as long as he’s around, the Spartans will be a tough out. And it looks like he won’t need to bend to current trends to build his teams, either.

4. These seven players NEED breakout seasons

It’s easy to tab those players likely to emerge as stars — guys such as Nolan Hickman (Gonzaga), Arthur Kaluma (Creighton), Kris Murray (Iowa), and Kerr Krissa (Arizona) all anticipate strong seasons. But their teams would win even if they struggled.

What about the teams whose seasons depend on a specific player taking a leap?

Matthew Cleveland, Florida State

The 6-7 wing won ACC Sixth Man of the Year and averaged over 11.0 ppg as a freshman. But injuries derailed the Seminoles’ season. With a bunch of solid role players (and plenty of height), FSU needs Cleveland to develop into THE guy. He has all the tools, but he needs a more consistent offensive game, especially from beyond the arc (18 percent from deep).

Joe Toussaint, West Virginia

Toussaint started 41 games in three years at Iowa but averaged under 17 minutes. He hopes for a larger role as WVU’s starting point guard. The 6-0 playmaker will guide a completely rebuilt roster — and he’ll be the one who must make the offense flow.

Jalen DeLoach, VCU

With both Levi Stockard and Hason Ward gone, DeLoach’s minutes will rise. He’s a good defender but isn’t a factor (yet) on offense. If he can impact from the 5-spot, the Rams’ frontcourt turns from a weakness into a strength.

Kam Jones, Marquette

Without Justin Lewis and Darryl Morsell, pressure already fell on Jones (7.4 ppg as a freshman) to assume a larger role. But now with Emarion Ellis potentially out for the season, the backcourt depth thins significantly. Asking Tyler Kolek (5.9 apg last season) to score more isn’t the answer. Marquette needs Jones to be an all-league caliber player.

Brandon Newman, Purdue

Purdue lost Jaden Ivey and three other rotation guards. So unless Zach Edey averages 30 and 20 next season (possible?), the backcourt will need to play well. Newman is the likely candidate. He started in 2020-21 (8.0 ppg in 23 mpg, and 38 percent from deep), but seemed to fall out of favor last year. Nevertheless, Matt Painter needs him to become a double-digit scorer to stretch defenses that want to collapse on Edey.

Frankie Collins, Arizona State

The Sun Devils return leading scorer DJ Horne and add incoming transfers, Desmond and Devan Cambridge. But they need Michigan transfer Frankie Collins to be the facilitator. The former top-50 prospect had limited minutes as a freshman and could be the piece that not only helps ASU make the Big Dance but also helps keep coach Bobby Hurley off the hot seat.

Olivier Nkamhoua, Tennessee

John Fulkerson and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield are gone, which sets the stage for rising junior Nkamhoua to command attention. Last season, he averaged 8.6 ppg and 5.6 rpg, but flashed at times, scoring 15 or more points in five games. Considering how strong the SEC will be, the Vols need their frontcourt to shine.

5. Zion Harmon enters the transfer portal

Harmon, a former top-50 prospect in the 2021 recruiting class, has elected to enter the transfer portal after not playing at Western Kentucky this past season.

Harmon decided on the Hilltoppers late in the process, giving coach Rick Stansbury a monster recruiting win. But the talented playmaker didn’t play because of personal reasons.

Now in the portal with still up to four years of eligibility, Harmon becomes arguably the most talented player available. Expect teams with needs at point guard to show interest, whether it’s to have him ready for the upcoming season or for the future.

TRIVIA TIME

As you (hopefully) read in yesterday’s Daily, UMass has only been to the NCAA Tournament once since John Calipari left in 1996.

Question: How many NCAA tourney berths did the Minutemen have under Calipari?

Answer at the bottom. Also, we’re counting any vacated appearances.

THE FAST BREAK

Links as you brainstorm college basketball versions of baseball’s Field of Dreams game.

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OFF THE CAROUSEL

Frank Martin’s family time

It’s been a nice week for Massachusetts and Frank Martin. The new coach snagged two recruits — a skilled 6-10 forward and a 6-4 combo guard — and learned an incoming transfer was cleared to play.

It’s also been a momentous week for the Goodman household, who officially sent Talia Goodman off to college. So it seemed like a good time to re-visit their conversation from our Off the Carousel series where they discuss college, why Frank Martin went to UMass (hint: look at the headline), and more.

Thanks for reading The Field of 68! Don’t forget to share it with your friends!

Trivia answer: Five. From 1992-1996.