Most of these guys will come back next year because they won't have a choice.
With another complement of McDonald's AAs on the way the Big Blue Bus will be crowded. Many are called but few are chosen.
There are certainly strong arguments that most of this UK team, especially the freshmen, SHOULD come back for at least one more year, but you never know how pro personnel guys think about them. Today more than ever, the pros draft on the basis of potential.
For example, last year it was said that if he chose to come out after his freshman year, James Michael McAdoo of UNC would be a 1st-round draft pick. JMA is slim but quick and skilled, 6'10" or so, who can run the floor and has a nice touch out to 18' or so. But the kid started only a couple of games in the latter part of the season, averaged about 8 PPG and 6 RPG, topping double-figures maybe TWICE. Now, this year he is showing a nice well-rounded game with more finesse than power and it is clear to anyone that he is pro material, especially if he toughens up physically.
On this UK team, Goodwin, Wiltjer, and Poythress look like possible pros after this season, and you can't teach Cauley-Stein's 7' height. So if these guys decide that they want to go pro, I think somebody would draft them. I don't think that would be their best move, since all would still have noticeable gaps in their game and none has shown outstanding production consistently. Much better from a long-term perspective, both for them and for UK, for them to stay at least another year, but nothing is certain in the crazy world of college ball these days. Oh well, that's Calpari's problem, not mine.
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johnlg00 writes:
There are certainly strong arguments that most of this UK team, especially the freshmen, SHOULD come back for at least one more year, but you never know how pro personnel guys think about them. Today more than ever, the pros draft on the basis of potential.
For example, last year it was said that if he chose to come out after his freshman year, James Michael McAdoo of UNC would be a 1st-round draft pick. JMA is slim but quick and skilled, 6'10" or so, who can run the floor and has a nice touch out to 18' or so. But the kid started only a couple of games in the latter part of the season, averaged about 8 PPG and 6 RPG, topping double-figures maybe TWICE. Now, this year he is showing a nice well-rounded game with more finesse than power and it is clear to anyone that he is pro material, especially if he toughens up physically.
On this UK team, Goodwin, Wiltjer, and Poythress look like possible pros after this season, and you can't teach Cauley-Stein's 7' height. So if these guys decide that they want to go pro, I think somebody would draft them. I don't think that would be their best move, since all would still have noticeable gaps in their game and none has shown outstanding production consistently. Much better from a long-term perspective, both for them and for UK, for them to stay at least another year, but nothing is certain in the crazy world of college ball these days. Oh well, that's Calpari's problem, not mine.
Share your thoughts
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