The House of Blue

Just a WAG, but Poythress & WCS return, Noel, Goodwin & Harrow leave for pay and Wiltjer transfer. We get Randle and Wiggins heads to FSU.

I disagree that Willie's stock can't get higher. He's being projected as a late lottery-mid first rounder right now.

He has top 5 potential even in a loaded draft.

I agree with both of you. And another factor that I do personally think is important, Willie is financially very comfortable, so I don't believe he is as eager to get a payday as some other guys may be.

Due to the departure of some of the big guys in this years draft, Willie is very capable of becoming the best big man in the country next year if he puts in the extra work over the summer. He easily can be a top 10 pick again in next years drive. I'd be willing to bet top 7. Top 5 IMO would be pushing it

If Poythress has'nt bought into what Cal wants this year,what makes peolpe think he will do it next year.Poythress has blown a huge opportunity to make big bucks with his atttitude and play this year.Also.he may not have the skills everyone thinks or thought he had coming out of high school.

I understand how you might think, but not everybody matures at the same rate. It's been said by many others but I think it's a great point. Compare Poys progress to Miller. They are actually really similar players in size and also position and mental makeup. It took Miller a while to understand his role but when he did I think we can all agree he became a VITAL part of our national title team. I remember he took a lot of heat his first 2 years for playing soft and not showing up every game. Everyone talks like they want 3 or 4 year players. Maybe it take Poy that long. Problem this year is that there is no one else on the bench to sub in for when he has a off night. We all expected this class to be more than they are an thats not fair because it was always a gamble banking on a team of all freshman and transfers to be a top 10 team. He dosn't have the benefit of being able to learn and grow behind veterans and other peers. He has Ben expected to be a superstar from day one but he didn't write all those recruiting articles about himself. He needs another year or two. Good for us just like Miller was. We will need him. So let him take his lumps this year like us fans and understand that he will be pushed more next year or sit. He will have an impact like Miller did before he leaves UK, if we don't run him off first.

Up vote for everyone.

This! Next years draft is loaded. But its not loaded with 7 footers. Actually this draft has more promising big men than next years will with Noel, Len, Plumlee, Olynyk,and Zeller assuming Zeller declares.

Steven Adams is really the only legit 7 footer WCS will be competing w/for draft position if he stays next year. Some team that drafts a PG this year(one that won't be a difference maker and that certainly won't get his team out of the lotter position) like MaClemore or Smart or a wing like Shabazz will be looking for a big man next year early.

Lets also not forget that having Andrew Harrison at PG and a wealth of talent at other positions around him will only make Willie look that much better. If he comes back I think he's a lock for the top 10 and has a good chance at going top 5.