The Monday After: Sorta Gloomy but not Totally
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So, when it dawned gray and damp, I’m thinking this feels appropriate.
Especially after a glorious Oaks and Derby Day that was much needed, for reasons I don’t need to explain.
After throwing myself into the Derbytime fray for decades, I’ve stepped back in recent times. Actually I’m usually in New Orleans, but my the JazzFest is currently set for October.
If they build it, I will come.
Even though I don’t go to the track, and party like it’s 1999, like I did in 1999, I love the energy, excitement, sense of community spirit those two minutes of racing bring to our burg. Other than, you know, almost getting knocked down walking into the grocery by a woman wearing a hat the size of a beach umbrella.
Most important thing we learned: Alabama and Arkansas have arrived
Remember 2020, when the Crimson Tide and the Razorbacks finished ninth and 10th in the league? Well, it’s taken just two seasons for Nate Oats and Eric Musselman to shift the paradigm and flip the SEC’s balance of power. Alabama and Arkansas finished first and second this time around, each making the Sweet 16 and succeeding in ways that feel sustainable. Oats continues to recruit as well as any coach in the conference. Musselman will always be a threat for top transfers. And the conference’s upper crust is as deep as ever for the foreseeable future.
In recruiting, as in life â you win some, you lose some.
The Tigers did a little of both this week, inking former five-star center and North Carolina transfer Walker Kessler while losing the commitment of four-star guard Trey Alexander.Â
The addition of Kessler, a 7-foot-1, 245-pound stretch center, gives Pearl plenty to work with in the paint as well as a threat from the perimeter. Kessler s versatility was one of the big draws for Auburn coach Bruce Pearl during the Newnam, Georgia native s recruitment out of high school. We were recruiting Walker since he was a sophomore and we were one of the first schools to offer him. The first time we ever laid eyes on him was at our team camp. That was the beginning of our relationship. Itâs been so much fun to watch Walker work, train and develop into a state champion and a 5-star prospect, said Pearl. One of Walkerâs greatest assets is his family with that love and that relationship. We both know the feeling that
Walker Kessler transferring from North Carolina to Auburn Follow Us
Question of the Day
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) - Former North Carolina big man Walker Kessler is transferring to Auburn.
Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said Monday that Kessler has signed an athletics financial aid agreement to play for the Tigers next season
The 7-foot-1, 245-pound forward/center was a five-star prospect who averaged 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game as a freshman. Kessler also shot 58% from the floor.
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He will have four years of eligibility remaining,
“Sometimes things take time and they are better with patience,” Pearl said. “We were recruiting Walker since he was a sophomore and we were one of the first schools to offer him. The first time we ever laid eyes on him was at our team camp. That was the beginning of our relationship.” The Newnan, Ga. native had 16 points, 12 rebounds and eight blocks against Notre Dame in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament.
The Tar Heels traded Walker Kessler for Brady Manek.
If Armando Bacot is advised by NBA teams for which he is auditioning that the needs another year in college instead of coming out as an undrafted free agent, the 2022 Tar Heels could be much-improved over the last two seasons.
And if Dean Smith’s old axiom is true that college players make the most improvement between their freshman and sophomore years, Caleb Love, RJ Davis and Kerwin Walton will be a lot better.
Walker Kessler, who must prove that at Auburn, will be replaced by a true stretch forward that Kessler’s family thought he should have been as a UNC frosh.