[smitty]

IF and this is a big IF, Billy Donovan is in Lexington tonight and there is a press conference tomorrow, that does raise an eyebrow.

But would they annouce BCG out and Billy D in the same press conference?

I'm not so sure that Billy D. is going to be the next coach at UK or not. Ofcourse I would love for him to take the job, but there are a few factors that have not been mentioned that might persuade him to stay in Florida.

#1--His son is ending his junior year in high school.--what kid wants to leave all his friends right before his senior year. I def. do not think this will be the deciding factor, but it is def. a factor nonetheless.

#2--He refused the job 2 years ago, what makes us so sure that he will accept this time around? Sure UK is the pinnacle of college basketball, but what would make him change his mind and take the job now?

#3--He has a multi-million dollar contract in Florida that was just signed either this year or last year, and he has the support of the Florida fanbase/boosters already. Is the UK basketball tradition enough to entice Billy the Kid to come back to where he belongs?

With that being said, I do think there are some outstanding factors that the UK job has to offer that entices Billy D. to come.

#1--Football is king in Florida--There is no doubt that Florida basketball takes a back row seat to Football in Florida. There is no reason to indicate that will ever likely change. Basketball games at UF hardly sell out and the fanbase cares more about football than they ever will at basketball. Bottom line, the question is whether Billy D. wants to come to a "basketball" powerhouse (UK) or stay as only the second biggest man on campus--next to Urban Meyer. I think its a good possibility that his ego tells him to go to UK where he will most definitely be the King of UK.

#2--UK will probably offer Donovan the "keys to the castle" so to speak. Buy him a horse farm beside Keeneland, a new Cadillac every year, name a street on campus after him, a $3-4 million+ contract, etc. If they can spend $30 million plus on the new Craft Center, then the boosters can surely afford to give Billy D. anything he wants. This all combined with the major "blunder" of hastily hiring Billy Gillispie, and the subsequent handling of the new coaching situation on our hands now. All I can say is that Athletic Director Mitch Barnhardt better knock this coaching negotiation out of the park, otherwise he will be looking for a job along with Gillispie.

#3--"UK IS THE CAMELOT OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL!"--(Rick Pitino) Enough said on that subject!

With that being said, lets all cross our fingers, and pray to god that Billy D. accepts and we all celebrate the hiring of our new coach in the coming days. If not Billy D. then Barnhardt better hire one of the top coaches in the nation this time, otherwise I suggest we all go down and plaster his front yard with for sale signs!