[Mountain man 14]

Who do you guys think is staying? Whos gonna go pro?

[PaintsvilleTigerfan]

All but noel.

[judgementday]

I believe Goodwin and Noel are def gone.

I am on the fence about Poythres....I could see him leaving if he has a really good 2nd half of the year.

[crazytaxidriver]

Poythress is really the only one I hope stays. He reminds me a little of TJ his first year

[zaga_fan]

How many schollys have they given out for next year?

[Wildcatk23]

Someone has to leave in pretty sure.

[outdoorsman43]

- Noel is gone without a doubt.

- Poythress is about 99% gone.

- Goodwin is about about 98.9% gone.

- Cauley-Stein possibly returns.

ESPN's Chad Ford has his big board and here's what the draft projections look like as of now:

1st - Nerlens Noel
4th - Alex Poythress
8th - Archie Goodwin

You guys know better than this. It doesn't matter if they are "basketball ready" or not (see Daniel Orton, Marquis Teague, Doron Lamb), they will leave anyway. The only player we have seen return for another season when they could have left was Terrence Jones in 2011. Before the season even starts, you may as well assume they are all leaving after one year. I don't blame any of these kids for leaving and never will.

I wouldn't even doubt if Willie Cauley-Stein leaves after this season. Especially, if he improves his play throughout the course of the season and Kentucky makes a good run in March.

Ryan Harrow is another possibility. If he finds his groove, starts running Kentucky's team, and puts up good numbers, then don't think he won't leave either. That scenario would work best for him too, seeing that he or no one else is going to play over Andrew Harrison at the point guard spot next season.

In the cases of Cauley-Stein and Harrow: neither will probably be "basketball ready", but it doesn't matter. You have to keep in mind that this is a weak draft class and the NBA scouts are looking for "upside" more than any other quality. I'm not saying either will leave. I'm just saying to not be surprised if it happens.

How many schollys have they given out for next year?

Someone has to leave in pretty sure.

Don't you worry about having enough scholarships. Those things always find a way to work out.

[Stardust]

How many schollys have they given out for next year?

I've questioned this as well and have done a little research on it.

This summer, 8 of the allowed 13 were accounted for, leaving Twany Beckham, Jarrod Polson, Sam Malone and Brian Long all as walk-ons, although those four players have received scholarships for 2012-13. Thus, 12 of the 13 are accounted for. Scholarships are only year to year, thus anyone can lose a scholarship for the next year.

Julius Mays is the only senior, thus the only guaranteed spot to open up. Prior to the start of the season, Nerlens Noel, Alex Poythress, Archie Goodwin and Ryan Harrow were all projected to be first-round NBA draft picks for next year. I don't see Harrow as a 1st rounder, but I don't see him staying to be a bench player next year either. I do not see Noel, Pythress coming back, and Noel is already missing classes. This would open up five spots, leaving the Cats with 6 total openings.

Cauley-Stein is a long-shot to be drafted period and would be better served to stay like Jones did last year.

For 2013, the Cats have 2 signed: Lee & Willis, 3 commits: Harrison twins and Young. That only leaves 1 more spot open for targets Gordon, Johnson, Randle and Wiggins.

What will happen if the Cats need more than the 6 available? They will take the scholarships back from the Walk-Ons. So, the Cats will have enough open spots, which I did not think they had a couple of weeks ago.

[RunItUpTheGut]

Look, if you dont perform, theres a chance you might lose your spot.
It should be that simple.

Looking at next year, assuming we sign Wiggins, and everyone but Noel returns....

Scholarships
Goodwin
Poythress
Harrison twin #1
Harrison twin #2
Young
Wiggins
Lee
Hood
Beckham
Harrow
Cauley Stein
Wiltjer

That leaves one spot.
If we pick up another big recruit, give it to him, of not, i say give it to Polson.

Make Long, Malone, and Willis all walk on or make them leave.

[toussaints]

Noel, Poythress, Cauley Stein, Harrow and Goodwin declare. When you recruit a kid a promise him a fast shot at the NBA, they'll take it, no matter what advice is right

[outdoorsman43]

Are you all seriously worried about Goodwin and Poythress returning?

It's not going to happen.

[tomcatfan722000]

I'd say the only locks to leave are Noel and Poythress. But lets face it the only reason Jones and Lamb came back last year was the uncertainty of the NBA Lockout. There were talk of losing a whole season. So if this whole group goes then I wouldn't e surprised with labor piece in the NBA.

[LWC]

Goodwin, Poythress, Noel and WCS are gone. Wiltjer and Harrow are my only question marks but Harrow will probably leave.

[Stardust]

Noel will NOT be back, he's already missing classes. Whether its to the degree of Orton and Bledsoe,

[Stardust]

Goodwin, Poythress, Noel and WCS are gone. Wiltjer and Harrow are my only question marks but Harrow will probably leave.

Harrow has already had to sit out one year. I expect him to have his starting position back by SEC play. He would sit next year due to the Harrison twins. If he believes he has any shot at the NBA, he will leave after this season as a starter.

[LWC]

Harrow has already had to sit out one year. I expect him to have his starting position back by SEC play. He would sit next year due to the Harrison twins. If he believes he has any shot at the NBA, he will leave after this season as a starter.

That is the key. IF he has a chance. If he doesn't, why not stay, get the degree and then try overseas? I agree that if he has a real shot at the NBA, he will leave, but I do not think he does. He may leave anyway but I would not draft him.

[outdoorsman43]

Goodwin, Poythress, Noel and WCS are gone. Wiltjer and Harrow are my only question marks but Harrow will probably leave.

I agree with everything, except questioning Wiltjer lol.

He's not going anywhere.

[outdoorsman43]

Noel will NOT be back, he's already missing classes. Whether its to the degree of Orton and Bledsoe,

Now, where does that come from? I'm not too quickly to believe that just yet.

[outdoorsman43]

I'd say the only locks to leave are Noel and Poythress. But lets face it the only reason Jones and Lamb came back last year was the uncertainty of the NBA Lockout. There were talk of losing a whole season. So if this whole group goes then I wouldn't e surprised with labor piece in the NBA.

Lamb was not projected to be drafted and Jones just made a decision that he thought was best for him. The lockout didn't stop Brandon Knight and DeAndre Liggins from entering early. So, I don't think that was much of a factor for Jones returning for his sophomore season last year.

[Ballers]

Well not many will go I'd say.
Maybe Goodwin, Poythress, and I think Noel stays.
He reminds me so much of Terrence Jones his freshman year.

[tomcatfan722000]

Well not many will go I'd say.
Maybe Goodwin, Poythress, and I think Noel stays.
He reminds me so much of Terrence Jones his freshman year.

Noel is the projected number 1 or 2 pick. He can only lose money if he stays. The kid is leaving.

[Ballers]

^He might be projected as 1 or 2 but I bet he don't go 1 or 2.

[Stardust]

Now, where does that come from? I'm not too quickly to believe that just yet.

I guess you have not read enough of my posts to know that I have a contact in the UK program.

[Patch]

I think all of the freshman are gone for sure, with the possible exception being Stein, but even that is shaky. Wiltjer is not NBA ready so I would expect him back for at least one more year, even though the draft this coming summer is not really deep. And Harrow I would think goes too, he has to know that he can't be the starter next year. But no matter who stays or goes, Coach Cal will get the numbers right and I know I am not the only one that is already hyped about next season!

[outdoorsman43]

I guess you have not read enough of my posts to know that I have a contact in the UK program.

He must be a true insider because I go there and haven't heard this.

[outdoorsman43]

Willie Cauley-Stein is projected 22nd in CBS's latest mock draft projection.

[Stardust]

He must be a true insider because I go there and haven't heard this.

Wildcat Lodge close enough?

[catwoman]

They all could go but if you went by what they have done so far I dont see a first rounder on the team. Now Im basing that only on their play so far this year.

[RunItUpTheGut]

In all honesty, i dont see how anyone could take Noel with the first pick right now.

[Warthog]

Stein will stay and that is all