- There was an interesting piece from our good friend Jody Demling’s blog regarding 2008 recruit Bud Mackey earlier today that caught my eye. Rick Bolus, best known for his “blue chip” basketball camps he’s held since 1980, has ranked Mackey as the top player in Kentucky’s 2008 class.

Most national recruiting services rank Mackey below Mason County and UK recruit Darius Miller as well as University Heights and Mississippi St. recruit Scott Hopson.

That’s not the case with Bolus and I’m guessing a lot of that has to do with the fact that Mackey was the best player on the best team in the state last year. I’m really not sure if Bud is the best of the three players, but it makes for an interesting debate nonetheless.

- A quick note: IU football coach Bill Lynch will appear Wednesday just after 2 p.m. on a new Louisville based radio show with Demling and Courier-Journal Sports Columnist Rick Bozich called the Zonebusters. Those of you in the Louisville area can hear the show on 1570 AM and for those of you who are out of the area, you can stream the show at 1570thezone.com.

Under the category of “I’m glad that didn’t happen to IU” comes the news that Mason County (KY) wing Darius Miller has committed to Kentucky.

Miller had been heavily recruited by Illinois and their former assistant coach, Tracy Webster. At one point there were rumors that Illinois was leading for Miller.

However, a funny thing happened this week when Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie poached Webster from the Illini and then received a verbal commitment from Miller just two days later.

Our good friend Jody Demling from the Louisville Courier-Journal breaks it down:

His commitment comes just two days after news broke that UK is planning to hire former Illinois coach Tracy Webster as its third assistant coach. Webster was a key factor in Miller’s interest in Illinois until recent weeks.

“I think that was a factor,” Brian Miller said. “But also he really liked and felt comfortable with Gillispie and his staff. He just felt very comfortable.”

So yeah, not only is Bruce losing major recruits left and right, he’s now losing assistant coaches. Is there any doubt that the Illini program is full blown Titanic mode?