If Burton was the comparable to Murphy- Murphy is a fair amount more advanced at the same stage. Newbern was a gem- one of my all time favorites- he played like Dupree except with 30-40 pounds more muscle. So yes- he was more ready but couldn't play the first year. However, all that is really beside the point. Despite the problems with the scandal - Clem got handed the ideal situation for a new coach. He inherited the good crop of recruits (the three I mentioned) and absolutely no expectations. Pitino on the other hand got dealt a better basketball team but zero recruits. So he was given an older squad that had little upside. He was given the choice between blowing it up and bottoming out early or doing the best he could with it and risk bottoming out later. That's where we are now.
Clem was a great teacher and developer of talent. We don't know that about Pitino yet- scattered results. Pitino did a fine job of coaching the first year and not so fine the second. The jury is out. But in terms of recruiting we are definitely on the right track with the two straight solid classes.