Saturday, April 4, 2015

Running Players Off to the Pro's? UK's Dilemma

Interesting.

John Calipari has three seniors on his roster.  He has three commitments for 2015/2016.

Best I can tell, none of Calipari's seniors are scholarship players.  If true, that means that in order for UK to sign its three commitments, three of the team's underclassmen have to go pro.

Not a problem most years for UK, and shouldn't be a problem this year.  I can see Willie Cauley-Stein foregoing his last year.  Karl-Anthony Towns is a talented enough freshman to go high in the draft.  Maybe Dakari Johnson would be a lottery pick.

But what happens if only three leave?  What happens if Johnson, who frankly was outshone this year by Towns, opts to stay?  What if only one of the Harrison twins chooses to leave?  Alex Poythress was injured.  Trey Lyles and Marcus Lee didn't get enough minutes in the platoon system to be guaranteed a high spot in the draft.

Point is that there are realistic scenarios in which UK would have just three spots for three commitments.  But then there is no extra space for Jaylen Brown.  No room for big man Thomas Bryant.

Ten of the top 41 high school seniors are still uncommitted.  Some are waiting to see how much room is available on the UK roster.  Calipari may have to run off some of his players to the pro's.

It's still possible that with all of the coaching moves, graduate transfer situations, late bloomers, and pro commitments (or lack thereof), spring recruitment might yield a very talented player or two for UGA.  Could we get two out of Tevin Mack, Jaylen Brown, Mike Edwards, and perhaps, Mike Thorne?

Hang on.

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