[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.