The House of Blue

What you are saying is true, especially for kids like Cousins and Wall. But, Knight and Jones are different. Take a look at the difference in the money 1-8 kids make compared to the 9-12 and then look at the tremendous dropoff after that. Cousins and Wall would have lost tons staying at UK. Thats not necessarily the case for Knight and Jones. If you look closely, Knight could improve his draft status considerably next year and make up to 50% more by 2015. Yes, there is the risk of injury and yes, there is guaranteed money to consider. But, its pretty obvious that TJ is going to spend a lot of time on the bench or in the developmental league--and Cal knows that. With another year in college, TJ could end up a lottery pick with major bucks and endorsements. That isn't as much of a stretch, honestly. UK and Cal are going to be fine either way, so to me, I think its in Cal's best interest to give TJ his honest assessment, which I believe he will--another year in school would benefit Jones more than UK, IMO.

Knight is an accomplished guard right now, but he is still a boy. If he had the Craft kid's body, BK would be a lottery pick. With another year at UK, working with Rock, he will develop the kind of body he's going to need to battle night after night in the NBA. Right now, he is going to be a spot player, at best, while waiting for his chance several years down the road. Lots can happen sitting on the bench in the NBA, and not much of it is good.

Having said this, I can understand why people think they should leave. Just to remind you, TJ and Bk are NOT John Wall nor Demarcus Cousins. Those kinds of guys just don't come along often.

Nice take.

Hard to believe how good this team would have been with Orton playing. Josh came on strong in the last half of the year, but we lacked a defensive presence in the paint all year long. Hope Orton heals successfully and lives up to his potential.

I think a lot of that will depend on what UNC brings back.

And, as much as it pains me to say it, Duke is looking pretty strong as well.

I think Sullinger is crazy. He has to realize he had it made this year with Diebler, Lighty, and Buford on the floor with him keeping a lot of teams from doubling down on him. Diebler and Lighty are gone next year and he'll probably end up getting doubled a lot more.

I don't understand how Zeller or Henson aren't listed in the mock draft. I was more impressed with Zellers skill level as any post player I saw this year. Henson has unequaled length compared to other potential draftees.

I do think that Carolina and dUKe recruits are a little different than the ones Cal brings in. Their recruits probably do choose to go there because they've been a fan of theirs for a few years. Most of the recruits Cal is bringing to Kentucky come here because they see it as the biggest stage in college basketball to showcase their skills and they know they are going to play a similar style as they do in the NBA. I doubt many of our recruits we've had since Cal has been here were fans of Kentucky for any long period of time. I'm not complaining but I do think there is a difference in the recruits we end up with compared to those two schools.

Tom leach said something that is basically the opposite of what you're hearing on Knight today. I have no idea what he'll do but it will be interesting to watch.

Liggins can improve his stock. His offensive game can improve and his ceiling is actually quite high. He's already a NBA 2 guard in terms of defense. If he can prove he can score more consistently (he could start next year if knight leaves) then I can see him having a bruce bowen type of nba career.

Jones stock has dropped, and its not a lock he is a top ten pick, go look at the draft boards..How ironic would it be if it was knight/liggins leaving and jones/lamb staying..the latter being thought by most who wanted to go the NBA as fast as possible.

I am not naive. I think Harrellson, Knight, Jones, and Liggins could all be first round picks. I think this draft is so weak that even Darius Miller might land a late first round pick if he came out, or a high second. UK could easily have another 5-man draft. These 5 are even more attractive than last year's 5 in my opinion, even though not as talented, because they have all improved so much this year and are so clearly coachable and great defenders. None of them have any of the perceived "baggage" or "attitude problems" that Cousins had last year. I can name an NBA team where every one of them could fit right in. And it is obvious that NBA GMs love UK players.

Liggins might drop to the second round but any GM would love to get him. He is another James Posey or Bruce Bowen, a shut down defender who can also give you a big three-point shot or a drive-and-one in a tight game, and he will have a long career.

I think UK's roster next year will be Doron Lamb and a bunch of freshmen.

I thought the reason so many jumped at the earliest opportunity was to get the 3 years in as quickly as possible so they could get to the big money at an earlier age. The NBA was silly enough to jump on these kids at such an early age and then a lot of teams would lose them to free agency by the time they were physically and mentally maturing.

I swear, I hate agreeing with you, , but I have found myself doing it a lot lately.
I have said all year, that I could see Dre as a Bruce Bowen mold player. I too, belive that we gave only seen the tip of the potential iceburg of his talent. This is a kid who has great size, and tremendous defender. I too belive he has yet to hit his ceiling. I think another year (starting or not) could raise his stock.

As for Knight, I have heard so many different opinions from "insiders" and "sources" (not a knock on anyone, I apreciate everyone's take) that I no longer know what to think. All I know is that my gut and my heart tell me that BK stays.
The economics of a potential lockout, his acedemics, as well as being a bucket away from the finals (not to mention his play in the final four) I will belive he is coming back until I see or hear him announce that he is gone. I know it is the most unlikey of scenerios, but what about the slim (next to none) chance of losing Liggins and Lamb, but keeping TJ and BK.??

Does anyone have any idea of the time table for when these guys may make their decision? No way I will be able to fully focus on football till then.

Know way Liggins gets drafted in the first round, and I think he will come back. All three of the freshmen need atleast one more year in college. Not to mention the toughest competition will be during practice. Atleast for Jones and Knight.
As far as comparing them to Wall and Cousins, there is no Comparison period. I would say the Wall and Knight comparison islike comparing Mario Chalmers to Derrick Rose right now, at this point in thier careers. Comparing Jones and Cousins and Jones is akin to comparing the careers of Moses Malone to Luc Longely. Now I think that both of these players have unlimitable potention. But the Kings and the Wizards knew that both of those players would come in and contribute right away. Jones is atleast 2-3 years away from contributing in the NBA. Knight may be able to contribute in spots his first year, but consistantly he wont for a year or two. "My Opinion"

Fact, with the looming CBA negotiations. I think that the owners will really push hard for either a rookie salary cap, but I think that they will finally agree to an extra year of college or over seas, etc...
Therefore I doubt very seriously that any of our freshman leave. There is already presadence in the NFL for making the players wait. And I dont believe thay have near as many busts, but I could be wrong about my whole argument. But that is the way I see it anyway.

Plus I think that next year we will see the Miller that we should have seen f0or the past 2 years. I think he has the most skill of anyone we have had in a long time He can do everything, and I believe that he will show the rest of the country, what we all knew was just somewhere under the surface. I have been very disappointed in the way he has deferred to other players for the past 3 years. I just really dont understand it, unless he justdoesnt have that "IT" gene, for lack of a better word.

Jeff - Sullinger may really want to be th #1 pick or at least the #1 big man taken in the draft. Maybe in the back of his mind he knows that when he works out for a team and then Kanter walks in a couple of hours later and works out that same, the GM is going to say why would we draft a 6'7 or 6'8 guy when we can draft a 6'11 guy who is equally or more gifted. Let's face it, Kanter dominated Sullinger the one time they played against each other. Just a thought.