UNDERTHEBRIDGE

Any lineup consisting of Teague, Lamb, Liggins/Miller/Gilchrist, Jones, Davis with at least two of the aforementioned guys plus Wiltjer, Vargas, and perhaps one other guy seems pretty scary. Is Jones/Gilchrist/Davis the scariest forward/center group next year? Or does Zeller/Henson/Barnes outrank them? UNC vs. UK is going to be a nasty nasty game.

I stated before the SEC Tournament started that I didn't see any way that Jones stayed, I was convinced he was out the door. Than it seemed like a domino effect of events on and on and on, but finally I think the kid made the right decision. At the end of the day, Jones overperformed to start last season, and for the first ten games of last year he was one of the best players in the country. Then defenses started schemes to shut Jones down, UK began looking to Knight more for leadership, and Jones game began to suffer some. The kid is a great player, but he has a lot to work on before he can be a great NBA player. Good decision. Looks like only one "one and done" player for UK this year.... (maybe next year that changes, but I still think last season's four freshmen early deal was a fluke and hardly the norm for what to expect)

No word yet except that Jones woke up a big ago (I've followed him via twitter all year, only darius miller is more random on twitter). I think Jones will end up staying. Kid has tons of upside with his size and athleticism. However, his overall skills facing up or playing with his back to the basket really aren't impressive. Of the Kentucky 3, Jones has the most chance of improving his stock in the draft with another year of college. I'm still 50/50 on him returning just because i think he still very much wants into the NBA.

Not suprising they all declared. Knight I'd say is the only one I'm now 100% on saying is gone. As I stated in a thread about 2 months ago, Knight's play the last month of the season would dictate a lot on his status and while his game could use another season, his stock in the draft may never get any higher. Jones declaring will give him time and more feedback about his stock, the lockout, and his personal preference, still maybe 50/50. Liggins should declare if just to get exposure in front of scouts. I am of the mind he has the least guarantee of up front money and w/ an impending lockout could in the long term really lose if he stays in the draft but he at least should evaluate prospects

This announcement today has only convinced me of one thing and that is probably that Knight is gone now for sure. I think Liggins and Jones both very well could be gone, but I think both are also looking just to see where their game is and what improvements they need to make, if the feedback is positive enough then they will go. I think all three guys stand to benefit from 18 days more of evaluation and consideration. I think few people will argue with the perception that each is not nearly complete as a player but with the state of this year's draft they have slowly moved up the draft boards. Each guy could benefit from a year more of the college game, I do not see a John Wall or Demarcus Cousins in this group who I can say, wow, there is nothing more college basketball can give these guys that the NBA can't (not speaking money). Jones game depends on the GMs, Coaches, and Scouts perception of him, we all know he has freaky potential, but his effort and shortcomings(no right hand, less than stellar jumper, lack of interior post moves, especially against stronger, bigger players) on the court also leave many people with question marks about how NBA ready he is. Liggins could very well be a player the style of Bruce Bowen, anyone know when Bowen got drafted? (He Didn't) Liggins has lots of great attributes that make him very desirable and his jumper has improved, still I don't think he stands out enough to push him over the top. Furthermore, a looming lockout and uncertain draft status don't seem like promising money making prospects. There is an okay chance Liggins succeeds and does well, I think there is a better chance he could make the wrong decision by staying in the draft and dooming himself to a future of foreign basketball leagues. As for Coach Cal and UK in the state of this, I've seen a couple different outlets now and fan reactions, I'd say overall we are all disappointed these guys didn't come with a resounding statement of staying in college, but the world of Kentucky is far from over. Coach Cal recruits the best players he can get. Many of them are immediately going to be top NBA prospects and frankly a lot of them would never set foot on college if they could declare straight from high school to the NBA. However, they can't declare right away and most would rather spend a year in an American college playing the game under a top coach while potentially getting a good education instead of travelling to Europe to purely play basketball, make money, and do whatever else. Yes we will probably year in and out have this wonderful month long "will they stay or go debate". Sometimes guys will be tweeners with some part of their game left to improve upon, other times the guy will be a sure bet NBA All-Star. Either way we wish them best and recognize that UK basketball has become something it hasn't been in a good ten years, nationally relevant and a championship contender. Face it, one and dones will happen and frankly if they do happen it probably meant we had a darn good season, otherwise the alternative is that the freshmen fall flat on their face, flame out and are unimpressive all season leading to them deciding to come back.

Lots of reasons Knight is gone. Lots. Still, why is Sullinger coming back? I think most people saw a one and done in him. Harrison Barnes? Despite a tough start to the year I think we've thought he was one and done. Perry Jones? Even with a (is it five or six) game suspension to start next year he is coming back, and I think we thought he was gonna be one and done. Kyrie Irving, Josh Selby, gone. Both had injuries this year plus Selby's suspension to start that i feel really pushed them. Knight could very much leave and I wont be surprised. Still, I could very well see him staying. As for Jones, 50/50.

Yeah, that was definately a quote I rethought later. Teague hasn't really seemed impressive in either game. I don't know if the all star games don't fit his style of play or what but he seems like an after thought out there. I don't doubt his talent. Just not seen much of him in these two games.

Lets see if this works

Its half, from what I saw, Gillie excites me most. Davis is definately gonna be huge for next year, but Gillie has a maturity about him I like. Teague hasn't really stood out but these events aren't usually PG based events. Wiltjer is gonna have moments his first year or two, junior senior year I expect big things.

Congo kid right? BEAST MODE!!!!!!

Gilchrist is nasty, per usual. Davis might be a highlight reel, Teague the point guard, the supporting cast big, Gillie though will be a huge key.

Best of luck to him. Kid sadly picked up an injury early and never really got to get going this year. Still, we wish him the best. Top 5 guy.

Interestingly enough, I think people are actually still selling Josh Harrelson short after now reading most posts. Foul Trouble will be key for Josh to avoid, but in terms of this upcoming game he has two goals. One, simply keep the other team's big guys from going off on us and Two, be in the right spot at the right time offensively. No he isn't going to create his own shot often against Sullinger, but he can definately put up 10 or 12 points by simply being there when his defender leaves him to double someone else. Defensively, Josh just has to play big and cut off the lanes. Hook shots and turn arounds might happen, its the easy up and arounds or blow by dunks he needs to stop. If Josh can pull off this one he may move past Andre Riddick, Tony Delk, Mashburn, Tayshaun, Patterson, and Sean Woods, into my #1 Unforgettable player of all time.

My head says Ohio State by about ten points. My heart says Kentucky keeps this one close and its any one's game at the end. Ohio State is older than us, has more bodies than UK, has the best big man in the game and probably nation. They run a rough and tough style of ball and go hard for the boards. They can shoot, they defend well, they play hard. Still, UK has lots of talent. Brandon Knight will potentially be the best guard on the court (this is said without any disrespect to Lighty or any other Ohio State player). Terrence Jones isn't chopped liver, the kid has game, he is big, physical, and could be a huge factor throughout. UK has Doron Lamb and Darius Miller who are both talented scorers who can drop points in spurts. Josh Harrelson may not be Sullinger, but he is big, physical, and probably has practice against a center that ranks at or higher than Sullinger in Kanter everyday at practice. No I don't expect Josh to simply shut down the big man, but I do think given the right help defense Josh can contain him in spurts and give him some frustration. Deandre Liggins brings intense in your face defense, and has a long frame to keep shooters from getting off uncontested shots. UK lacks the depth of big bodies down low and will have to play great all around team defense next friday. Furthermore, they will have to hits shots early and often as a team. What I'd like to see is a lot of going to the basket early to draw fouls and perhaps lull the Buckeyes into the paint and open some three pointers up. On defense I'd say defense by comittee. Josh has the frame to post up Sullinger, but Jones has the athleticism (when in the right mind set). Biggest keys for UK on defense is move their feet, hands up, no silly fouls, and REBOUND REBOUND REBOUND!!! In the end i won't say if it will be enough or not. Its the NCAA Tournament. Anything can happen, no it would not be crazy to see UK win this one. As I said before, UK has a lot of talent on the court. It will be the little things such as hustle, turnovers, steals, assists, offensive rebounds, and simple desire that can really determine this one. GO CATS1

I will quickly point out the only few oddities I saw from the brackets. First, Ohio State is ranked #1 #1. Meaning they are best #1. Is UNC really worst #2?? Would this suggest Syracuse is best #3? And then would that suggest UK is worst #4 making us a #16 overall?? Kansas is #2 of the #1's. Does that mean Notre Dame who until a day or two ago was a #1 in manys eyes is now second worst #2? Then Purdue must be just a little better than Syracuse as #3's? And of course Louisville in the comittees eyes is better than UK at #4? Anyways, first thing I thought of all this bracketing. Next, I think yesterday I could have believed Florida was a #2 seed. Not a strong one then, but a #2 seed. Today, after UK beat them very handidly, Florida was looking more like a mediocre 3 seed and possibly a 4. Winning the SEC regular season helps, but with ugly preconference losses, lots of close in conference wins, and struggles through the SEC tournament, Florida is a very low #2 in my eyes. My comment to this whole rant is this, after Ohio State and Kansas, teams 3-16 are so even that frankly any one of these teams could be a 2, 3, 4 seed and I'd probably not bat an eye. Okay, maybe Pitt or Duke being a 3 or 4 would be a little high, but honestly other than those two, every other team in this bunch could slide up or down if you look at different aspects of their games and different times in their seasons. Now the bubbles busting. Alabama got hurt. Poor early non conference play killed them. No real quality wins stunk. Yet I struggle in conference to claim that Tennessee or Georgia were that much better. Or Clemson or Florida State. I mean honestly, Auburn beat Florida State. Yes I know Alabama had to play Auburn (a simply miserable team) twice, but at least they beat them both times. They also beat Georgia and Tennessee. Look, I hate Tennessee as much as the next UK fan, but honestly, even when I look at them objectively I am stunned. They beat Pitt and 'Nova early. Belmont and VCU wins help. Still, they lost to Charlotte and College of Charleston!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They were miserable in SEC play. I don't care if they didn't have their coach for 8 games. They were 5-3 in that time, 4-6 since. Yes, they played UK and Florida for 4 of those losses. They aren't good. Otherwise, Colorado, V-Tech, St. Mary's all didn't get in, I'm not real hurt by this. I mean, I'm not sure Clemson is necessarily better Florida State, but at this point, we are splitting hairs. In the end, I guess my frustration with Alabama is that they won the SEC West and truely could have almost won the SEC Regular Season, instead they don't make the tourny for early season scheduling and bad losses.

In the end, Duke gets the #1 seed for a couple reasons. Primarily, not enough of the other teams they were competing with for this spot won their conference tournament. By that I mean all other teams. San Diego State was eliminated by their two prior losses to BYU and their lesser RPI and SOS. BYU was eliminated by their multiple losses game or player wise and didn't win conference tourny. Notre Dame sadly didn't win conference and couldn't win conference tourny. Great team and a tough 2. North Carolina lost head to head and thus there went their chance. Purdue got flat spanked by MSU and didn't have as good a record overall. Texas looked awful those few weeks and while overall a good team, they didn't win conference tournament. Duke gets #1 Seed is final outcome and frankly, them and Pitt are weakest #1's. However, I can't really claim that San Diego State is inversely strongest #2. And Florida is not a #2 so god knows why weakest two #1's were given weakest 2 #2's. For that matter, Pitt got BYU and Wisconsin who are good teams but not really what I'd consider as tough as Ohio St or Kansas bracket. Course this aside is all left for another thread.

I'd say the lower #1 seeds and the upper #2 seeds will be pretty similar. The lower #2 seeds and most #3 and #4 seeds will be right around each other. I'd say this is one tournament where unless you are Ohio State and Kansas you can have little arguement with where you are seeded because a lot of teams at one time or another have let opportunities slip through their fingers when it comes to securing a higher seed. Will be an interesting shake all around. Expect Conference tournys to be the tip of the Madness Iceberg.

Watching the past two weeks games and then considering what all these NBA scouts say about UK's pro prospects and comparing Jones to Knight and simply looking at Lamb individually, things seem very telling. Knight as I said to start this thread, would dictate where his Draft Stock was based upon play down the stretch. Heading into SEC Tournament play I'd say there are few SEC players at least who have seen their prospects rise so much. Knight is a playmaker, smart, athletic, and a scorer. He also lacks physical presence and at the NBA level would very much need to improve further as a point guard. Still, this kid in my opinion, shows time and time again he is most ready for the show when it comes to his game today. Jones, all the talent in the world, just a matter of whether he wants to use it or not. Defensively the kid is lazy and gets lost. His spurts of energy are few and far between. He'll come up with huge steals on occassion, count on it though that two to three times a game he loses his man and you see a wide open dunk down low. Offensively, he is a physical beast. He likes the post up game, still I question how effective he can be. His game seems to require an effective 5 playing opposite him. When Jones is the post presence his game struggles against true block shot specialists. He has poor shot selection and his mid range jumper isn't as automatic of late. I question whether its his discomfort with his role at UK as our down low offensive player or maybe he isn't as versatile as once thought. Still, I don't see much question he is gone after the year. I do have to say his games holes keeping getting exposed. I'd not be surprised to see his NBA stock decline a bit. Lamb. The kid is a 6'4'' shooter without overwhelming athleticisim that makes him as much of a slashing presence. The kid has a niche. He does it well in spurts. He has lots of confidence and room to grow talent wise and strength/size wise. His disappearance at cruical times the past four or five games has stood out most though. Lamb defensively is still learning, offensively he is also learning. He will learn to move with and without the ball, but at this point he is low second round pick at best. Once again, only reason this kid leaves is bad advice/tired of college. Doron Lamb lacks the athleticism and ball handling skills of Bledsoe and the height/physical presence of Daniel Orton to make him even comparable to either of those guys. If Jodie meeks and Azabuike couldn't do it with their size, I don't see much hope for Doron this year.

At this point I think its conceded that Kansas and Ohio State are locks at #1. I'd say even with a first game meltdown in conference tourny it would have to be earth rattling to really shake either from the top. After that its very hard to deny the winner of the Big East a #1 after surviving the Big East. The question is now, has Duke played itself out of the #1 seed or not? I'd say when broken down objectively based upon records and stuff a few teams stand out about the rest. Duke, Notre Dame, Texas, Purdue, BYU, San Diego State, and surprise but legitimate chance UNC. Duke and Notre Dame probably have the inside track on this last #1 seed. ND can easily claim it with a Big East run, course they can also easily lose it with an early Big East Tourny exit. Duke wins the ACC its probably theirs, they lose to UNC or worse, to someone else, I'd say they lose the #1 seed option. I think at this point BYU and San Diego State have eliminated themselves from a #1 seed unless all heck breaks loose next week and BYU runs the MWC tourny with ease. San Diego State can't lose twice to BYU and still sneak the #1 seed away unless they revenge those losses (and all heck breaks loose elsewhere). BYU's 3 losses hurts them when compared to lossed by a Duke or ND. Texas hurt themself with the collapse a few weeks ago and I'd say barring surprises is embedded as a sure #2. Same with Purdue. Loss to Iowa hurt. They'd need a convincing win against Ohio State and a few losses of devestating fashion to other teams to really make them a #1. So, now I mention UNC, why!!?? Well, I hate to say it but they are quite hot right about now. They just won the ACC and beat Duke in relatively convincing fashion. 6 losses early hurt. I'd say all their losses minus G-Tech were to legit teams. Question is, do early season woes hurt a team that obviously is peaking now? Would winning the ACC Tournament next week be enough to give them the edge on Notre Dame, Texas, BYU, etc??? Fact is, I'd say the fourth #1 seed is by no means a guarantee to any one team just yet. A few teams have a better claim to it, but all teams I named have opportunities. Thus, the verdict, it will be claimed by game on the court. Duke wins ACC I'd say they have a lot of claim, only thing muddying that decision would be an ND Big East win.

Mobaar, No hating on Hood, I have no issues with the kid. I just for some reason feel he wants out. Poole on the other hand seems at least visually to always be happy and having a good time.

Another question to mull. Where does Coach Cal play into this decision?? He was under scutiny after last season when people claimed some players wanted to come back, but were advised otherwise by Cal. Still, at this time I can't imagine him seriously looking at Doron or even Knight maybe, and simply saying Son, you are a lock to a be long and prosperous NBA player, declare for the draft.

Agreed Bugatti. At this point in the season the only thing I've discovered is what I already knew. Duke and Ohio State are really good teams most nights, they also can be beaten by the right team on the right night. Kansas, Texas are good teams that can succumb to pressure and hot shooting by another team with talent. Pitt is good but always seems to lack one thing that makes them really great. Everyone else in the country is somewhere in the middle. Like last season, I wouldn't be surprised to see a team come on late, make a tournament run, and end up the Champions despite not really being considered a big player going into the tournament.

Haha, guys, there is no point debating Miller's shortcomings here. Regardless of how many there are, and how glaring they can be at times, he is returning next season. Hopefully with less of his Disappearing Magic Act and more of the energized great in spurts Miller that next year's team will need.

Anyone who thinks the idea of next year's team lacking a true Shooting guard appealing to Brandon Knight, must also consider how appealing that position must be for Lamb. This year Lamb has many times been forced into the role of ball handler and while he isn't horrible at it by any means, its not his chosen role. Next year Lamb could be the Cherry on top the Sundae. Course, so could Knight. In the end, Lamb and Knight have many up sides to staying that could benefit them long term. Still, kids all too often have difficulty seeing the big picture through all the short term benefits people wave in their face (I can fully relate to this idea). Terrence Jones would benefit from staying no doubt. He'd also potentially drop a few draft spots sharing time with Gilchrist and Davis. Gone.

Duke. Two road losses that weren't pretty but they are still the team. Ohio State is still my #2 and Kansas probably #3. Then Texas. Fill the rest in with five Big East teams, BYU, SDSU, etc.