So what do we do with that 13th scholarship???
By Staff
So now that UK has an extra scholarship, the big question in the BBN is what UK will do with it? Theories abound and some are as off the wall as a Bigfoot sighting … and speaking of Bigfoot…. can he shoot the 3? Has he passesd his SAT? Well, we aren’t THAT desperate, but posters are abuzz with who or what will fill that last spot. So let’s take a look at the various theories and rate their probability of happening.
THE CHINA SYNDROME
Some Cat fans are speculating that Cal found a keeper on his recent trip to China and is just waiting to unleash his new prize on the SEC. Well Cat fans, there is ZERO chance on this being true. There is no Chinese Jodie Meeks on the way. Keep in mind per Cal’s twitters the he was not able to hold a basketball camp in China due to it being a dead period where players can not be evaluated. The NCAA rules apply over in China as well. I really don’t know what the outcome of Cal’s China dalliance will be, but we can expect some coaches or staff assistants but I don’t know if the semantics of having a China pipeline for players will ever be worked out but at the least, we can count on a few hundred million UK fans across the globe.
LANCE STEPHENSON
The talented (and troubled) New Yorker is still out there for the taking and UK has a scholarship available? Wow, if we can get him, UK will have the best recruiting class in the history of recruiting classes, but calm down Wildcat fans, this one has less than a 5 percent chance of happening, if that. Apparently Stephenson has been rebuffed by Calipari once and apparently Cal still has no interest. From all speculation, Lance came knocking on UK’s door when the Henry’s signed with Kansas and that is when Cal started his whole “be a giver, not a taker” twitter campaign.
XAVIER HENRY
Once again that whole Xavier is not happy with Kansas rumor is floating around but I have to say that the odds of Xavier coming to UK are pretty much zero as well. For starters, he has signed a LOI with Kansas so I really doubt that Bill Self is going to allow him to prance to a team that he may face in the final four. Even if Xavier left, Self could dictate he can not come to UK plus I doubt Xavier would leave Kansas if it meant sitting out a year. And since our roster is set now, you have to wonder how another hired gun would affect the chemistry. I think we will be OK, without X.
MICHAEL PORTER
Whaaa? Yes, this is the hottest, latest rumor that Porter deserves the scholarship and on some levels it makes sense. UK has an open scholly and Porter has just one more year so its no harm, no foul. I give this one about a 10% chance of happening for the simple reason that I don’t think Porter really needs basketball in his life right now. He will be a Dad in 3 months and from his twitters, that is occupying his life. Would it be fair to expect Porter to leave his new born child and get back into the grind of daily practices and road trips? Plus would he find any minutes to warrant coming back? UK’s 12 and 13th scholarship this year did not play at all. Now with a much upgraded roster, will he even see the court? I agree UK owes Porter some, but I think an invitation to Senior Day and his own paper hoop to jump through is much more of a possibility.
SIGN A JUCO PLAYER or TRANSFER
Now this is actually a possibility. I am not sure if there is a sharp shooting JUCO stud still available, but it could be a good move to get a JUCO that can be a sniper from outside. Another option is to do nothing with the scholarship and see if there will be any highly rated transfers around Christmas. Cal could offer a scholarship immediately and we can have another weapon after next Christmas. Most major schools won’t have an open scholarship, so if there is a big name transfer, it can make it easy for Cal to swoop in. Or if a JUCO can redshirt this year, get acclimated to the offense and get a early start on the 2010 roster. I actually give this a 50/50 chance of happening.
DO NOTHING WITH THE SCHOLARSHIP
While not an exciting choice, this may be the most practical. This roster is seemingly set, and this gives Calipari an extra recruiting bullet to plan his team and mold it the way he wants to. It makes more sense than signing a player for the sake of signing a player (Donald Williams) and can still leave the options over if a midseason transfer comes knocking. I give this about a 70% chance of occuring.
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