“I think when you can get a couple of recruits in the fashion that he [did] late in the game, in terms of recruiting for the upcoming year, it certainly raises the eyebrows and the interest level of a lot of other players that might be looking for places to play in the future,” Barnhart said.

That certainly seemed to be the case. Gillisipie didn’t even take a break. Other players have flocked to Lexington for unofficial visits and the new coaching staff has turned up the heat. The younger players have been told what a special place Kentucky can be. Once Gillispie finds a player he likes, he can turn on the charm and deliver a sales pitch that makes it hard for that recruit to say no.

DeAndre Liggins, a 6-6 wing from the rising senior class, made another powerful statement when he selected Kentucky over Illinois, Kansas and Memphis. That must have created an awkward moment between Gillispie and Kansas coach Bill Self when their paths crossed this week. Gillispie was Self’s top assistant at Tulsa and Illinois and they remain good friends, but the stakes will be different now that they are recruiting against each other at two of the winningest programs in college basketball history.

Remember those competitive fires?

Kentucky also has commitments from guard G.J. Vilarino (2009), power forward Dakotah Euton (2010) and point guard K.C. Miller  (2010). Vilarino is from McKinney, Texas and was being recruited by Gillispie at Texas A&M. Euton is a Kentucky product from Rose Hill Christian in Ashland. Miller is a sophomore from Dallas who was first contacted by Gillispie when he was an eighth grader. He picked the Wildcats over Texas.

Add Rick Barnes to the list of Hurricane Billy victims, along with Donovan and Self.

When Donovan turned down Kentucky’s overtures after Florida won this year’s national championship game, Barnhart turned to Gillispie. It turns out the AD’s second choice was pretty darned good. Barnhart had to find someone who could recruit. These days that means connecting with great young players — no matter how young they are.

In just three months Gillispie has delivered a strong message that he can do just that. And he is willing to work at it.

He’ll work as hard and as long as it takes.

“There have been some long days that you hope would end, but it’s been fun,” Gillispie said. “We’ve always gone at it hard. You know, everybody works hard in college basketball. It’s amazing how hard people do work, but you have to try to survive.

“Expectations are great, so you want to try to meet expectations. As hard as it is sometimes, it’s a passion more so than a job.”

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