[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.