[Stardust]

It was about this time last year when the threads started up about which Underclassmen Cats would leave for the greener pastures of the NBA after this season.

The number of Freshman is considerably less than last year, and there are really only the two Juniors that contribute significantly.

Plus you have to take into consideration the Frosh that are coming in next season that will likely push anyone who feels they will have limited minutes next year to go ahead and declare for the draft.

Thoughts?

[Spud6]

I see Terrance and Darius entering the draft.

[Aslan]

TJ is gone for sure.
Knight is a maybe, but I believe he will stay another year.
I don't think anybody else will even consider leaving.

[Stardust]

No Lamb? I think he projects into a better scorer in the NBA than either TJ or BK. Lamb is a prototype NBA shooting guard from what we have seen in recent years.

[Old School]

Isn't there an issue of an NBA lockout next fall?

[LWC]

I think I read somewhere that the draft would happen before the lockout would become official, but also that players have to declare way before the draft.

Wouldn't that be terrible for an NCAA player? Get drafted, and sit doing nothing for a year!

[Old School]

I think that the possibility of a lockout would affect a players decision to jump to the NBA. Just think of what UK's team would be like if Knight and Jones stayed another year.

[Aslan]

I think that the possibility of a lockout would affect a players decision to jump to the NBA. Just think of what UK's team would be like if Knight and Jones stayed another year.

Wouldn't be enough PT to go around for the players coming in. I could see a player or two committing to another school if TJ and Knight stayed.

[Stardust]

Wouldn't be enough PT to go around for the players coming in. I could see a player or two committing to another school if TJ and Knight stayed.

That is a very real possibility. I do not believe any of the to three recruits have actually signed anything with UK.

[FoOtBaLl FrEaK 8-0]

All 4 of UK's 2011 recruits have signed a LOI.

[Stardust]

^ Can you show a link? All I have found is a verbal commitment from Teague and a Financial-Aid agreement for Gilchrist.

[sstack]

I do not see anybody leaving for the NBA at the end of the year. I like what we have coming for next years team and think they are going to be a serious threat next year.

[zaga_fan]

I honestly think there is a chance that no one leaves.
Knight isn't blowing anyone away or anything...
and I know everyone is high on TJ for what he's done...
but his NBA stock is dropping pretty fast and Cal benching him hasn't helped any I'm sure.

[wrestler_119]

nbadraft.net has Terrance Jones, Brandon Knight, and Enes Kanter leaving.

Terrance an Kanter are at #3 and #4 while Knight is #24.. Intresting thing is they have the top 5 players in the draft all being Freshmen.

http://www.nbadraft.net/2011mock_draft

[MSU Eagle]

I see TJ going for sure. Knight and Lamb are possibilities, though I think another year of college would help their stock. The lockout, plus Knight being a great student, may keep him there. Scary how good Kentucky could be next year if only one guy leaves.

[Mr. Pike Central]

I think Terrance Jones will probably be the only freshman bolting for the NBA.

I think Brandon Knight likes school to much to bolt early.

[Stardust]

nbadraft.net has Terrance Jones, Brandon Knight, and Enes Kanter leaving.

Terrance an Kanter are at #3 and #4 while Knight is #24.. Intresting thing is they have the top 5 players in the draft all being Freshmen.

http://www.nbadraft.net/2011mock_draft

I guess it's fair to include Kanter, though it's difficult to truly embrace him as a UK player, fair or not.

[vundy33]

I- The Blue Knight is rated in the high 20's in the mock draft, but I don't think he'll leave. Marques Teague will be coming in, so I'm curious to see how the PG spot will turn out with Brandon Knight, Teague, and Doron Lamb all vying for the spot. I think Teague and Lamb will play some SG, but Knight will only be in the PG spot.

II- Terrance Jones. Ladies and gentlemen, this Cat is gone. He's predicted at 3 in the draft, and it's likely that he will go there or higher. He's just a man-beast that will dominate at the next level.

III- Darius Miller has some things to think about once the season is over. The SF/wingman position has the most depth on this team, and will be even deeper next year. The 3 spot next year will have quite a few going for it, all very capable of the position. Liggins, if he stays, Michael Gilchrist, Stacey Poole, Jon Hood, Kyle Wiljter(swing forward, great outside shooter) and probable commits DeAndre Daniels and Trevor Lacey, though the latter is more of a 2 guard.

IV-DeAndre Liggins..this is a tough one. He's in his junior year, and is one of the best defensive players in the country, if not the best. He's not ranked in any mock draft I've seen, but that doesn't mean he won't go, maybe even in the first round, I personally think he's 1st round quality. If he goes, it's not going to be that big of a deal because of all the said depth I mentioned before. But, if he stays, it will be a HUGE deal. He's a great leader, and he'll be one of our only senior leaders. A defensive beast already, he'll be even better next year, and at a strong, thick 6'6 at the 2 or 3, with his great personality and leadership skills, his defensive presence will spread to the rest of the team just like it has this year and our defense will be a force to be reckoned with. I think he stays and becomes one of the best defensive players and senior leader in Kentucky Basketball history!


Vundy's 2011/2012 Kentucky Basketball starting lineup:

PG-Brandon Knight 6'3 185, Sophomore
SG-DeAndre Liggins 6'6 210, Senior
SF-Michael Gilchrist 6'7 220, Freshman
PF-Kyle Wiltjer 6'9 226, Freshman
PF-Anthony Davis 6'10 210, Freshman

Bench

PG-Marques Teague / Doron Lamb
SG-Doron Lamb /Marques Teague / Stacey Poole Jr. / Trevor Lacey
SF-DeAndre Liggins / Stacey Poole Jr. / DeAndre Daniels / Jon Hood
PF-Anthony Davis / Michael Gilchrist
PF-Eloy Vargas / Kyle Wiltjer
Overall, with whatever happens, we're going to have a dang good team next year. Any way you look at it, we're going to be stacked at every position, with the weakest position being the 5, but that's still going to be strong with Eloy getting better and being a senior and Davis and Wiltjer switching it up, sort of like Orton and Cousins last year, but the opposite. Instead of being big bruising inside presences, these guys can throw their bodies around with the rest of them, both are phenomenal shot blockers, and both can take it to the arch and hit the three, Wiltjer more so than Davis and maybe top 3 shooter from behind the arch on the team next year. We have a perfect mix of youth, skill, leadership, size and speed.

This years team is getting so much better and better with each game it's scary.Imagine what we'll have next year, with a MAXIMUM of 3 of our super freshman leaving, which almost definitely won't happen.

So, in my opinion, we're going to only have 2 starters leaving early, TJ and Darius, who are both going to be replaced with kids that are just as good or better.

Are you ready? :1::devilflam

[theVILLE]

Coming from a cardinal fan, If all those players are at UK next season, WHO could beat them??? I dont see anybody beating them! However, I dont think there is going to be enough PT for the players and to keep them satisfied! Lets face it, these kids arent out here to get an education or to help other players...THey may put on like that, but really they are worried about getting to the next level...Agree? My next question is, how many schollys can u have on one team????

[vundy33]

^ Can you show a link? All I have found is a verbal commitment from Teague and a Financial-Aid agreement for Gilchrist.

Here ya go Dusty. All four have signed LOI's...

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketba...ol/_/id/96

[vundy33]

Coming from a cardinal fan, If all those players are at UK next season, WHO could beat them??? I dont see anybody beating them! However, I dont think there is going to be enough PT for the players and to keep them satisfied! Lets face it, these kids arent out here to get an education or to help other players...THey may put on like that, but really they are worried about getting to the next level...Agree? My next question is, how many schollys can u have on one team????

All of the scholly's for the commits we have right now are covered and good. If it so happens that another big recruit decides to come to Kentucky, Cal will probably get rid of Polson. He's not going to get playing time at ALL, for his entire career. It's just a fact. He's not needed.

[LWC]

Do a signed LOI means they cannot go anywhere else? Correct?

[theVILLE]

All of the scholly's for the commits we have right now are covered and good. If it so happens that another big recruit decides to come to Kentucky, Cal will probably get rid of Polson. He's not going to get playing time at ALL, for his entire career. It's just a fact. He's not needed.

I agree with most of what you said.. Would polson be able to walk on? Cause he is the happiest water boy ive ever saw lol.... Also What is your opinon on the players getting PT and staying satisfied

[Stardust]

Here ya go Dusty. All four have signed LOI's...

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketba...ol/_/id/96

That is perfect and helps to ensure that no one will change their mind if we have players stay.

[vundy33]

I agree with most of what you said.. Would polson be able to walk on? Cause he is the happiest water boy ive ever saw lol.... Also What is your opinon on the players getting PT and staying satisfied

I've studied these players we're bringing in alot. Watched Anthony Davis and Michael Gilchrist just yesterday, and I've read just about every scouting report on them.

They're good kids. I don't think the PT situation will matter at ALL. Not one bit. These guys love passing the ball, and the players we have now are about as unselfish as it gets, so they're going to mesh superbly with them.

I actually feel a bit, just a bit, sorry for the rest of college basketball next year. We are going to have so much skill, it's ridiculous. And the best thing is is that EVERY player we'll have absolutely loves passing the ball and making their teammates better. All of that equals success. They just want to win. And win they will.

[Stardust]

^ Agreed, but you cannot overlook experience. We have never seen a team without some level of experience win it all. Last year was an excellent example of that. As great as the Fab-Five was, it came down to experience that cost them. If we get guys like Knight and Lamb, along with Miller and Liggins to go with this incoming class, then we have a chance at something special. I did not include Jones because I think he for sure goes, but if he came back, this is a Monster in the making.

[Navajo4life]

Guys, Darius Miller is NOT going to the NBA, he's not aggressive enough, he does not play fundamentally sound defense and he will benefit from 1 more year under Coach Cal. The only player I may see going is T Jones... Knight is not going, his mom wants him to get his college education before he leaves and he can do this in two years at UK....

PG: Teague
SG: Knight
SF: Gilchrist
PF: Liggins
C: Davis

Bench:
Miller
Vargas
Wiltjer
Lamb
Poole
Twanny Beckhma (when he becomes eligible)
Hood
Polson

[vundy33]

^ Agreed, but you cannot overlook experience. We have never seen a team without some level of experience win it all. Last year was an excellent example of that. As great as the Fab-Five was, it came down to experience that cost them. If we get guys like Knight and Lamb, along with Miller and Liggins to go with this incoming class, then we have a chance at something special. I did not include Jones because I think he for sure goes, but if he came back, this is a Monster in the making.

Exactly. That's why I didn't. We'll have plenty of experience with Knight, Lamb and Liggins leading the way.

Guys, Darius Miller is NOT going to the NBA, he's not aggressive enough, he does not play fundamentally sound defense and he will benefit from 1 more year under Coach Cal. The only player I may see going is T Jones... Knight is not going, his mom wants him to get his college education before he leaves and he can do this in two years at UK....

PG: Teague
SG: Knight
SF: Gilchrist
PF: Liggins
C: Davis

Bench:
Miller
Vargas
Wiltjer
Lamb
Poole
Twanny Beckhma (when he becomes eligible)
Hood
Polson

I'm telling you right now, Darius will be heading to the NBA. He is twice as aggressive and he was last year, and you don't exactly have to be a wolverine to play in the NBA. They have plenty of timid players. Cal will see that he's ready at the end of the season, and he'll go.

You have Knight at the 2, and Liggins at the FOUR? You do understand that he would be going from the 2 spot to a POWER forward, right? That's not happening. Knight is a pure PG, and Teague can play either position much proficiency. No way Knight will ever be at the 2.

[Aslan]

Noway in **** Miller goes pro after this year. If he declares himself eligible, he won't get drafted.
Knight didn't play the point in high school btw. He's been good playing pg this year, but he's a natural 2.

[Ballers]

Knight and Jones are going.
Darius is staying to build his draft stock up for next year.

I honestly think Lamb will stay. I hope he does, he provides great energy off the bench and is a big time player we can use.