[Cactus Jack]

A little surprised but not shocked that Perry entered at the last minute. 

If he stayed, he'd probably have been 11th or 12th, but sees fewer minutes than last season. Best case, he sees the same amount of minutes, but it's likely due to an injury, defection, or someone ahead of him not panning out at all. You'd have to think that Lowe, Aberdeen, Johnson, and Oweh were going to be firmly ahead of him and Chandler would be given more opportunities.

Don't think that it's out of the question that he returns to Kentucky, especially given the timing and that there doesn't seem to be a ton of buzz about other schools. Past the initial two weeks, the longer he stays in the portal, the more I like his chances of returning, especially if there's another defection or injury. 

Speculation that's out so far isn't from the most mainstream sources, and even then, it's just a recap of schools heavily involved in his recruitment (Ole Miss, Purdue, Cincinnati) and the seemingly obvious choice if he were to look to a smaller conference (Western Kentucky). Personally wondering if Indiana or a Texas A&M-type could be a possibility as well; new coaches have tons of roster spots to work with and they can't gamble on hitting a home run every time. 

If he commits elsewhere, I'd project his trajectory to be similar to UK's pursuit of Ansley Almonor-- one of the last pieces to commit to a roster that's largely filled out. Don't why he'd leave being locked into a third string spot and spot duty with Kentucky for the same situation at another school, and teams pursuing him will need to sell him on both coming to them and leaving UK. He can make a Western Kentucky or Murray State wait on him. Otherwise, I don't see any of the other schools promising him a starting spot or making him a huge priority at the moment, but I guess you can see them promising back-up roles and minutes as they fill their final slots and look for depth.

Either way, I think Kentucky fans are in for at least two more surprises, likely a combination of someone leaving (or Oweh staying in the draft or going elsewhere) and another name who'll be asked to make real contributions being added.

[-STAT-]

At the end of the day, I had a feeling he would enter. I guess the only thing surprising for me is that it was at the 11th hour before the deadline to enter closed. We all know he had his limitations, no denying he is a great player. Would've loved to see him stick it out and battle through but being buried on the depth chart will really bury a player's confidence. He was just in a tough situation, especially now with a lot more in front of him than last season. He had up/down moments last season, have to give him all the credit in the world for stepping up and being thrusted into the rotation due to all the injuries.

Seen comments all over Facebook & Twitter last night bashing the kid "if you ain't with us you're against us" type stuff and IMO it's ridiculous. It was his lifelong dream to play for Kentucky, not many people get to say they can live out their dreams, just unfortunate that it didn't work out. Wherever he lands, I hope he succeeds, and I wish him nothing but the best.

[SEKYFAN]

It's probably the best move for Perry. If he finds the right situation, he could certainly flourish with his obvious offensive skills. I hope nothing but the best for him.

[Bluecat]

I hate to see him go but I get it. I think he can get PT elsewhere and be productive.

[4 Quarters]

Good luck, I still believe you can play major college basketball.

[Mr. D]

In this world of NIL, transfer portal, and players getting a 5th-6th year of eligibility this is the right move. Players of Travis's ability and limitations have two paths: 1) play a power 5 school and get limited opportunities and be buried down the depth chart for 2-3 years before potentially playing meaningful minutes or 2) go to a mid-major and play significant minutes with the opportunity to transfer to the power 5 in your 4th/5th year. For most 18-year-olds option 2 is the better option.

For all of his clear scoring ability and even his basketball IQ, Travis was an 18-year-old freshman playing in the SEC against 22-, 23-, and 24-year-old men. He wasn't ready for that level of physicality, athleticism, or experience. A couple of years of playing 25 mpg at Murray State, WKU, NKU, Bowling Green, etc. would go a long, long way for him to mature into a well-rounded college basketball player. Then he could potentially transfer back to UK or to a higher level once he has gained a lot more experience and matured physically/mentally.

[jetpilot]

In this world of NIL, transfer portal, and players getting a 5th-6th year of eligibility this is the right move. Players of Travis's ability and limitations have two paths: 1) play a power 5 school and get limited opportunities and be buried down the depth chart for 2-3 years before potentially playing meaningful minutes or 2) go to a mid-major and play significant minutes with the opportunity to transfer to the power 5 in your 4th/5th year. For most 18-year-olds option 2 is the better option.

For all of his clear scoring ability and even his basketball IQ, Travis was an 18-year-old freshman playing in the SEC against 22-, 23-, and 24-year-old men. He wasn't ready for that level of physicality, athleticism, or experience. A couple of years of playing 25 mpg at Murray State, WKU, NKU, Bowling Green, etc. would go a long, long way for him to mature into a well-rounded college basketball player. Then he could potentially transfer back to UK or to a higher level once he has gained a lot more experience and matured physically/mentally.

Perfect. Hopefully his is getting this exact advice.

[Cactus Jack]

In this world of NIL, transfer portal, and players getting a 5th-6th year of eligibility this is the right move. Players of Travis's ability and limitations have two paths: 1) play a power 5 school and get limited opportunities and be buried down the depth chart for 2-3 years before potentially playing meaningful minutes or 2) go to a mid-major and play significant minutes with the opportunity to transfer to the power 5 in your 4th/5th year. For most 18-year-olds option 2 is the better option.

For all of his clear scoring ability and even his basketball IQ, Travis was an 18-year-old freshman playing in the SEC against 22-, 23-, and 24-year-old men. He wasn't ready for that level of physicality, athleticism, or experience. A couple of years of playing 25 mpg at Murray State, WKU, NKU, Bowling Green, etc. would go a long, long way for him to mature into a well-rounded college basketball player. Then he could potentially transfer back to UK or to a higher level once he has gained a lot more experience and matured physically/mentally.

Agree with a lot, but not all, of what you've said.

Going to a directional Kentucky and working back to Kentucky still isn't the experience that playing for Kentucky for four years would be.

[jetpilot]

In this world of NIL, transfer portal, and players getting a 5th-6th year of eligibility this is the right move. Players of Travis's ability and limitations have two paths: 1) play a power 5 school and get limited opportunities and be buried down the depth chart for 2-3 years before potentially playing meaningful minutes or 2) go to a mid-major and play significant minutes with the opportunity to transfer to the power 5 in your 4th/5th year. For most 18-year-olds option 2 is the better option.

For all of his clear scoring ability and even his basketball IQ, Travis was an 18-year-old freshman playing in the SEC against 22-, 23-, and 24-year-old men. He wasn't ready for that level of physicality, athleticism, or experience. A couple of years of playing 25 mpg at Murray State, WKU, NKU, Bowling Green, etc. would go a long, long way for him to mature into a well-rounded college basketball player. Then he could potentially transfer back to UK or to a higher level once he has gained a lot more experience and matured physically/mentally.

Agree with a lot, but not all, of what you've said.

Going to a directional Kentucky and working back to Kentucky still isn't the experience that playing for Kentucky for four years would be.

Not nearly the cool factor but far better developmentally than stuck on the end of the bench at UK. Shot 31% last season and can't guard SEC guards...he's getting very few to no minutes. I love him but he's much better off elsewhere.

[Cactus Jack]

Not nearly the cool factor but far better developmentally than stuck on the end of the bench at UK. Shot 31% last season and can't guard SEC guards...he's getting very few to no minutes. I love him but he's much better off elsewhere.

Won't argue the developmental aspect in most cases, but at a certain point, defense is only enhanced, not improved by leaps and bounds.

Was more going for UK being likely to make the tournament and go on deep runs, traveling to games on a chartered flight instead of a long bus ride, the NIL money and networking, etc.

I guess some of those overlap with the cool factor, but I've attended weekend Conference USA games where the crowd size and atmosphere made it feel like a weekday JV game. Not saying it's JUCO or Last Chance U, but I can't imagine that there's much glamor in the slog of a Horizon League season at NKU even if you are dropping 30.

[jetpilot]

Not nearly the cool factor but far better developmentally than stuck on the end of the bench at UK. Shot 31% last season and can't guard SEC guards...he's getting very few to no minutes. I love him but he's much better off elsewhere.

Won't argue the developmental aspect in most cases, but at a certain point, defense is only enhanced, not improved by leaps and bounds.

Was more going for UK being likely to make the tournament and go on deep runs, traveling to games on a chartered flight instead of a long bus ride, the NIL money and networking, etc.

I guess some of those overlap with the cool factor, but I've attended weekend Conference USA games where the crowd size and atmosphere made it feel like a weekday JV game. Not saying it's JUCO or Last Chance U, but I can't imagine that there's much glamor in the slog of a Horizon League season at NKU even if you are dropping 30.

I agree with you mostly. It's ride the pine at a top program and enjoy all the benefits or go somewhere else and play/develop. But it looks like he has chosen the latter.

[Cactus Jack]

I agree with you mostly. It's ride the pine at a top program and enjoy all the benefits or go somewhere else and play/develop. But it looks like he has chosen the latter.

I won't be surprised if he's back at Kentucky. His limits there are his limits anywhere else in the SEC. Everyone is thinking Ole Miss, but I can't think of a similar player who has has lots of success under Beard, whether at Texas Tech, Texas, or Ole Miss.

[Old School Hound]

I want to hear what Plantguy has to say about this . Does this bolster his argument that the name KENTUCKY doesn't mean what it once did, even for KY boys ?

[jetpilot]

I want to hear what Plantguy has to say about this . Does this bolster his argument that the name KENTUCKY doesn't mean what it once did, even for KY boys ?

Geez...just the opposite. The name means so much that a lot of great players came in and made our Mr. Basketball the 13th man.  You're always opinion shopping, hence the budding bromance with plant.

[Mr. D]

Not nearly the cool factor but far better developmentally than stuck on the end of the bench at UK. Shot 31% last season and can't guard SEC guards...he's getting very few to no minutes. I love him but he's much better off elsewhere.

Won't argue the developmental aspect in most cases, but at a certain point, defense is only enhanced, not improved by leaps and bounds.

Was more going for UK being likely to make the tournament and go on deep runs, traveling to games on a chartered flight instead of a long bus ride, the NIL money and networking, etc.

I guess some of those overlap with the cool factor, but I've attended weekend Conference USA games where the crowd size and atmosphere made it feel like a weekday JV game. Not saying it's JUCO or Last Chance U, but I can't imagine that there's much glamor in the slog of a Horizon League season at NKU even if you are dropping 30.

It's interesting that you would use NKU as an example since I graduated from there when they were playing their best basketball. When Drew McDonald and the team were top of the Horizon League they drew some great crowds with a big atmosphere. But that's an aside lol. 

If Travis wants to be a glorified walk-on that gets the perks of being at UK, then that is available. If he wants to ever get to the level of an SEC level player, he needs to play regular minutes and not be buried on the end of the bench. I think Ansley Almonor is a good example off this year's team. He played 3 years at Fairleigh Dickinson perfecting his shooting ability so that he became an elite level corner specialist. That one skill set got him an opportunity to transfer to Kentucky and have some huge moments during the season.

[4 Quarters]

Not nearly the cool factor but far better developmentally than stuck on the end of the bench at UK. Shot 31% last season and can't guard SEC guards...he's getting very few to no minutes. I love him but he's much better off elsewhere.

Won't argue the developmental aspect in most cases, but at a certain point, defense is only enhanced, not improved by leaps and bounds.

Was more going for UK being likely to make the tournament and go on deep runs, traveling to games on a chartered flight instead of a long bus ride, the NIL money and networking, etc.

I guess some of those overlap with the cool factor, but I've attended weekend Conference USA games where the crowd size and atmosphere made it feel like a weekday JV game. Not saying it's JUCO or Last Chance U, but I can't imagine that there's much glamor in the slog of a Horizon League season at NKU even if you are dropping 30.

It's interesting that you would use NKU as an example since I graduated from there when they were playing their best basketball. When Drew McDonald and the team were top of the Horizon League they drew some great crowds with a big atmosphere. But that's an aside lol. 

If Travis wants to be a glorified walk-on that gets the perks of being at UK, then that is available. If he wants to ever get to the level of an SEC level player, he needs to play regular minutes and not be buried on the end of the bench. I think Ansley Almonor is a good example off this year's team. He played 3 years at Fairleigh Dickinson perfecting his shooting ability so that he became an elite level corner specialist. That one skill set got him an opportunity to transfer to Kentucky and have some huge moments during the season.

I too have attended many NKU games.  I'm guessing I have never seen over 2,000 fans in the 9,400 seat arena for a Horizion League game.

[jetpilot]

So are we now at is it better to sit the bench with 20,000 there or play 35 minutes with 2,000 there?
I don't get it.

[plantmanky]

I want to hear what Plantguy has to say about this . Does this bolster his argument that the name KENTUCKY doesn't mean what it once did, even for KY boys ?

Geez...just the opposite. The name means so much that a lot of great players came in and made our Mr. Basketball the 13th man.  You're always opinion shopping, hence the budding bromance with plant.

Perry isnt an elite D1 player, heck hes barely a D1 player.  Shouldnt have been on UK roster to begin with, but to appease the fan base Mr. Basketball must have a roster spot.  

  This really proves that Kentucky high school basketball isnt as good as people in state think it is.

[jetpilot]

I want to hear what Plantguy has to say about this . Does this bolster his argument that the name KENTUCKY doesn't mean what it once did, even for KY boys ?

Geez...just the opposite. The name means so much that a lot of great players came in and made our Mr. Basketball the 13th man.  You're always opinion shopping, hence the budding bromance with plant.

Perry isnt an elite D1 player, heck hes barely a D1 player.  Shouldnt have been on UK roster to begin with, but to appease the fan base Mr. Basketball must have a roster spot.  

  This really proves that Kentucky high school basketball isnt as good as people in state think it is.

Fair enough.