UNDERTHEBRIDGE

I debate day in and day out with myself about Knight's prospects of staying versus going. In the end it boils down to a few things. First and Foremost, how he performs down the stretch. If UK can manage only maybe 3 losses the rest of the way I'd say Knight probably played pretty darn well. Any less losses probably mean he played REALLY DARN WELL!! If UK really burns out and drops 4 or more I'd say Knight potentially is coming back. Knight has a lot of intangibles about him, a guy that can shoot, score, and handle the ball like him is very appealling in the NBA. Still, he is not NBA sized yet and bigger, more mature, experienced players can make him look bad. Does the allure of leaving right away for guaranteed money beat the idea that as a shooting guard/point guard next season for a high profile team he could potentially earn even more?? End of the day I think he leaves. Sharing time with Teague will make next year's backcourt very crowded considering Miller and Liggins, plus potentially Lamb will all be wanting their time. What makes everything tough is the surprise of Bledsoe and Orton leaving last year. As I told someone yesterday. Wall and Cousins end of season last year were no-brainers. Top 5 picks, ridiculous god-given attributes, no real flaws in their actual skills department (doesn't mean mentally and decision making wise they couldn't use work). Easy choice. Bledsoe had lots of upside, but also had lots of ???? Orton had even more of the negative and less of the positive. I see Jones and Knight both still being very much like Bledsoe and Orton. They have lots of positives surrounding them, but they also have many different aspects of their game that make you wonder are they really ready. In the end the allure of money and the fear of competing for playing time next year I think will play a huge factor.

No, I am not going to start a thread and then not provide my own opinion. Here it is. Next season we can assume unless Polson doesn't want to stay he will hang around. Vargas should probably be here. I don't think anyone else really wants him. Miller and Liggins for sure. First two players I think we could potentially lose are Hood and Poole. Hood came in with mediocre fan fair as the other guy in last year's recruiting class. He hasn't really impressed much and I don't see him coming around anytime soon. I see him transferring. As for Poole. I think the kid likes being here. I don't doubt he has game, still, he will need to improve if he wants to see the court. I think he stays, guy feeling perhaps. Now the Freshmen. Knight, Lamb, Jones. Lets start with Lamb. He opened up as the lesser known of this trio and showed right away why he is here. He can stroke it from just about anywhere on the court. The kid plays with confidence all the time and has really worked on other aspects of his game such as ball handling and defense as the year has progressed. Still, shooting guards his size are in abundance and the thing to notice about Lamb isn't his big games, but the games he disappears. Taller/quicker defenders really give him trouble. He creates his shot well, but that isn't great and he needs to be great. I've heard the word floating around that Lamb wants the NBA as bad as any of these three, but based on simple math I think he is the least likely first rounder. UK fans apply the Daniel Orton/Eric Bledsoe to this kid, but lets compare. Bledsoe was very similarly up and down like Lamb last year. He could fill it up at times, and at times he looked like the inexperienced, out of control freshman he was. Still, Bledsoe could do one thing Lamb can't, jump out of the gym with athleticism comparable to Wall. He also was a pure Point Guard with Shooting potential. Lamb is the opposite. It's not as attractive. Orton had ridiculous height which helped his case. He also had a nagging knee injury that could have prevented him from ever making the NBA if it had occurred his Sophmore year. Thus he left. I don't see this happening to Lamb. LAMB STAYS. Brandon Knight??? The shooting guard turned point guard. Knight is a cerebral player (yes in a Knight paragraph it is mandatory to speak about smarts.). The kid has speed, can get to the rim, can shoot, can pass well, etc. Still, he lacks overall toughness. Its coming, but Knight struggles against physical play. Bump him, keep him from getting his shot a few times, knock him from his intended route to the rim, cause him to miss a few shots, create some turnovers and Brandon Knight simply will disappear. The kid is a great shooting guard, but as a point guard he still is trying to realize that simply because he doesn't score doesn't mean he isn't effective. Still, Knight is a bonafide player. He won't probably rank among the top 15 drafts, but he is going to be right there towards the next 15-25. Strength will definately keep him lower. However, if Knight continues to show mental toughness and determination to drop big shots the next few weeks I think he will be a 1st rounder for sure. This doesn't bode well for keeping him around next season. Especially with a stud point guard on the way. Still, Knight could find it very appealing to be a shooting guard/point guard mentor next year with Teague. This one totally depends on Knight and his family. I think the shape of the NBA and where he is projected will also play in to the decision strongly. Verdict: Knight leaves. It will be a long process in which we'll probably wait till the end for the final verdict, but I think he steps up down the stretch and in that case I just don't see him staying ultimately. Terrence Jones?? This kid came to UK after all the drama and everything with no one really knowing what to expect. He was known as a Forward/Guard combo. He could play in the paint, shoot outside, and handle the rock. Still, I don't think many people expected Jones to explode on the scene like he did so early. His first 6-8 games of his career were well beyond expectations. Then came the midseason drag. Jones is still a beat but I think he has begun to perform about where I expected him. The kid has ridiculous potential and wonderful attributes. Still, he has many downsides as well. He can become very one-dimensional at times needing his left hand and simply trying to drive at the rim. His combination of strength, height, and speed make him tough for any player to defend at the college level. Still, he isn't a perfect science. His shot outside isn't as pretty or automatic. In the open court with guards around I don't trust his dribbling and definately not his decision making. In the end I could go on and on and on and on and......about Jones, but the fact is, he is a kid that would easily benefit from another year of college to improve his game. Frankly though, he has two bigger and probably more talented guys coming in next season to compete with. The NBA drafts often on potential and Jones is full of it. The question becomes, does Terrence Jones love the college life and feel he can improve and better his stock with another year, or does the call of the money and the pros have him already gone?? Verdict: Gone So if you are counting at home: Leaving: Harrelson (graduation) Hood Knight Jones Staying: Polson Vargas Poole Liggins Miller Lamb

I want to begin by saying this season is nowhere from being over and this team has actually been pretty fun to watch despite lacking the personality of last year's team. Still, after consistently reading one and done this, one and done that. No one stays, etc. etc. I wanted to start a thread simply on this issue. Sound off on what you think. I'd prefer if you at least provided some logic behind your opinion besides just oh so and so is gone, etc, etc. Lets also consider that things could very well change between now and the end of this season. Still, what do you think?

Saw a good commentary on K-State today. Greg Anthony said on Yahoo that he talked to Frank Martin after their NCAA loss last year about their prospects for this season. Martin stated he was worried about their prospects because they lacked a true leader. I think when people predicted K-State so high pre-season, it was based entirely on the talent level. Sadly, all the talent in the world doesn't make you a winner if you don't have guys willing to check their egos at the door and play as a team. Jacob Pullen isn't that guy. Neither are their bigs.

Duke and Ohio State are most likely contenders. Kansas, Pitt, Syracuse, Villanova, Texas in next tier. After that not really sure. Just like with last year I think no single team is a lock to win it all. I think Ohio State is the most complete all around team and I think Duke is the most talented and hottest shooting team. Kansas has lots of talent, but I'm not sold that they are all on the same page. Pitt, Syracuse, 'Nova are all very good teams, but they are all teams that lack something here or there that makes them beatable. I have to agree with a lot of people that Michigan St. isn't necessarily to be written off, but I do think they have to start turning it on soon. Missouri, Illinois, UCONN, Purdue are all tough when things click, when things don't, they are beatable. Kentucky actually isn't a crazy pick to be a contender amongst the top 25, but just like with almost all these teams apart from Ohio State and Duke, Kentucky has glaring weaknesses that make them far from a sure thing. Oh, and I still think BYU over San Diego State for best mid major right now. Strongest bet would be 1 Big 12 team, 1 Big East team, Ohio State, Duke. Pac-10 as worst of the big six conferences with SEC following closely. Best probably Big East, Big 12, Big 10, ACC in that order.

Maybe Miller is starting to realize that while he isn't necessarily the Star of this team, His presence on the court does matter and he has to insert himself occassionally into the game. One thing I really liked tonight was that he shot that little floater in the lane with confidence tonight. Sometimes this season I've felt like he simply has thrown the ball up there with a hope a prayer but no actual touch involved. As for the freshman, Jones is Jones. He plays on emotion and tempo. Brandon was aggressive tonight and I hope he starts being more assertive as he gets used to SEC play. Jones is very important to this team, but I am still convinced Knight's play is more important because of his role as PG. His whole game hinges on him getting shots and asserting himself. We are a much more complete team when that occurs it seems. Lets string together a few important wins.

Definately impressive win for Seahawks at any location. Still, gotta think the home field advantage helped some especially since it took the Saints away from NOLA.

Stinks we lost but the Sky isn't falling after this one. Hopefully this game is another Cal teaching tool. We killed ourselves at the free throw line early and that hurt. Jones getting in foul trouble late first and mid second also hurt. Still, we struggled defensively all game and I think as a team we broke down mentally. Lamb is a talent but he forced too much in the second half. Knight struggled to get his shot in the second and this took him fully out of the game. Liggins is a wonderful hustle player who can do great things, today though he showed his other side, the out of control wreckless player that makes poor decisions. As for Miller, I don't know what to think. He made some good moves today down low as an undersized post player against UGA, but he just didn't have the touch. I don't know if it's confidence, lack of talent, mixture, or what, but the kid just makes you scratch your head. Harrelson was the one guy I enjoyed today. Hustled and played hard. I expected this one to be tough. First road SEC test. Hostile environment and intense battle. Georgia is a good team with a good personnel and coach. I think we were shown what we need to improve on to get better for the rematch. Go Cats!

As for all other accounts or speculation. Yup, Kanter could have taken a lot more money to be a pro if he wanted to. He didn't. Yes he could be playing professional basketball right now on a myriad of different levels and leagues if he wanted to. He didn't. Yes the money he did take is a lot, but when broken down fully and shown where it was applied to, it really seems like the bare minimum. Yes the defense of a father acting as agent for his son without the son's knowledge (and is this respect this actual would be plausible versus the Newton defense) does seem credible. Yes the can pay the sum back, just like Selby..... Still, these are all speculations in which we are looking for the justification of why the NCAA didn't turn a blind eye to this case when they did to other cases. Frankly the NCAA is letting kids who don't deserve it, off with a wrist slap and giving Enes, a pretty good kid, the death penalty of Collegiate Athletics. Still, in the end, they ruled accurately on Enes and I'm glad its over at least.

I've read a couple different blogs, articles, etc. on this the past few days and I feel I now have full closure and clarity on this situation. Sadly, the NCAA probably finally got one ruling right. As much as I respect Kanter and feel him and his parents tried to go about this situation as honestly and upfront as they could, they sadly were fighting a losing battle and as Gametime states above, once you are a pro you can't go back and sadly its black and white. Still, the frustration in this situation isn't so much the Kanter situation. It's the other situations recently that the NCAA has ruled upon over the course of the last 6 months or so while we've waited on the Enes decision which really makes one wonder. One blogger made a simple yet accurate statement I had to agree with despite my bias. Despite the NCAA messing up and getting the Selby, Newton, and Ohio State rulings wrong its not enough as a fan to simply hope they also vote wrongly in this situation. Hopefully this ruling will finally turn the NCAA around in their backwards rulings (probably wont but hey, wishful thinking). As for Enes. Whether he played for UK or not, his presence has been felt in many ways. I don't think Coach Cal would have brought him here if he had thought he had no potential to ever play, but still, from helping our other players develop, generating more fan loyalty and support, and giving us national exposure has been good. Enes Kanter may be one of the greatest (non coach, announcer, or equipment manager) names associated with the UK program to have never gotten to play a regulation game with the team.

Outside of a Florida State win over South Carolina, the ACC stinks.

I know I am sometimes "Underthebridge" or a rock when it comes to UofL news right away but is this fact that next year will be Louisville's best class ever or just your opinion? I feel like the '80's contained some pretty good classes. Unless that is we are referring to 2012 which I do know UofL is expecting a good pull though as someone said, with the current track record (and trust me I hope they get all the kids they are expecting) it doesn't look promising.

I'll give you props Rock Mom! You are one of the good ones who wears Red. Buckles out today definately hurt UofL down low on both sides. Still, UK had too much talent on the court today versus UofL.

"Im starting to think Jorts is a ghost that only UK players and fans can see. Nobody else ever seems to notice him. " -NHS BIG DADDY I have to bring this quote back from the updates thread. Big Daddy I LOL on this one.

Harrelson may never score 23 in a game the rest of the year, but I can say one thing about this kid: It is noticeable where he has worked to improve his game. He grabs balls with more authority and looks for the passes much sooner. He seems less hesitant down low and more willing to be the aggressor. Harrelson doesn't need to score on this team to be effective, he just simply needs to present a low post threat to rebound, bang and change shots. Someone noted, the success of Harrelson if it can continue, will be a very good thing for Jones. Still, Jones was just as impressive today with I think it was 6 Assists!! As a young kid its good to see he is learning that you don't always have to score to make the right plays. I had voiced it occassionally and today it showed. UK's guards as a group are very good and very long. Louisville was undersize at the guard position and that was a huge part of what hurt their outside shooting. Buckles injury definately changed the game as Louisville didn't have a second guy down low to matchup with UK. I felt the Cats really missed some opportunities late to expose their size advantage with Jones being guarded by my smaller players late. Still, SHOUT OUT TO KING JORTS!!!!

I don't know of late but I think for Harvard yes. There have been a few Princeton and Columbia guys out of Lex Cath though I don't remember any Harvard commits since Ryan.

All I have to say and this comment actually makes the Enes case seem even slightly sillier in my opinion, when did college become less about getting a good education and more about promoting your athletic ablities as a jumping board to professional sports? Cam Newton never had any aspirations of a great education. Heck many of the greatest athletes of high school sports don't really care about the academic benefits of the colleges. Requirements are just low enough to get into the right programs (yes even my beloved UK) and with the right people around you and the proper schedule you can make it just long enough at a school just till you are ready to jump for the big time. When was going to school not about going to school? Maybe its just a sign of the changing economy where Entertainment is our biggest money making industry and a college degree isn't really required to make money. Heck, now days a college degree is hardly a guarantee of having a job post graduation.

Wouldn't mind hearing the story. Was on the road to Philly at 4:30 so heard this one pretty soon after it happened. Course being out of state all weekend without a computer I didn't get to hear much on everything. (anyone willing to PM it that is) I won't throw stones at the kid, I'd say at this point he is probably recognizing the magnitude of his actions. Still, if you are a starting QB for a major university football program (even a mediocre SEC one) you probably need to keep a lower profile. People make mistakes, hopefully he learns from this one as he moves forward in life.

I like to stay optimistic about having good close competitive games, but on paper at least to this casual observer it seems likely unless injuries to Highlands (I've kinda been out of the High School Football loop lately) are an issue I don't know about.

Blowout 4 of the Finals?

Tough schedules definately help teams especially from classes like 2A or 3A or even 1A for that matter get prepared for their playoff runs. I'd say all three State Champs from these classes had to face a couple tough out of region folks. So in terms of their dominance in 3A yeah, I'd say a bit has to do with who they play. I mean heck, after going up against the likes of a Male, Manual, or St. X I'd say rarely does Belfry, Moore, or even Paducah Tilghman seem that tough let alone a Somerset, Breathitt, or even E-Town. (not saying these teams aren't 3A good, just not on the same plain as the before mentioned 6A schools. Still, I'd say as a whole how would Central stack up against the 2A or 4A champ would be a better indicator of how good they are. I just am not impressed overall with the 3A as a whole usually with the exception of Central.

I never liked the idea of six classes and never will. Just my personal opinon. We already had a diluted playoff system at times with four classes. Six simply dilutes it further. And I don't need to know that class A, AA, and AAA title games were blowouts to make this claim. And I don't really care that 4A was a close and sounds like pretty good game to think otherwise. There will always be potential for great matchups regardless of the breakdown of class. Bell and Boyle will happen whether 4 classes or 6 classes exist. Highlands, Boyle, Lex Cath, Cov Cath, Bell, Lawernce Co, Rockcastle Co. though only happens with 4 classes and frankly I liked that. Personal preference I guess.

Ahhh Mobaar you beat me to the mysterious Tubby fax!!

Uconn will be good. Whether Maui was simply the high point of their season or as a jumping board to greater things I'll wait to see. They have a solid base of returners to start from and they definately looked the crispest of the teams this tournament. Still, I know at least pretournament I knew Kentucky was a long way off from being ready for March and I'd say after tonight my opinion is still there. That also goes for a lot of the other teams in the field, Michigan St. maybe excluded though after the games I'd say Michigan St. fans would have to think that their team isn't yet where they need to be.

Ha, trust me sweet16, this whole recruiting debate about who to get and why has so many sides to it. I can't say anyone opinion is wrong, just that its definately different. People will argue about the Dukes and the UNC's and all that but we are seeing across the nation that many programs are seeing the effects of the recruiting landscape and the touted one and dones. P.S. next what about Butler comment I hear might drive me bonkers. No one doubts that you need balance amongst your team experience wise. Still, Butler in and of itself was an Anomaly for so many reasons last season. Mid-Major team, somewhat Cinderella story, very even parity filled NCAA field with few truley dominant teams even amongst the top, etc etc.