Cauley-Stein, Wiltjer to return to UK; Goodwin to enter name in NBA Draft - per UK

[Darrell KSR]

Just breaking.

[Darrell KSR]

Goodwin will not hire an agent.

[Darrell KSR]

Kentucky says additional announcements regarding "remaining players" will occur at a later date.

[BigBlueBrock]

Interesting that Poy wasn't included in this release. Must be really giving it some serious thought.

[Darryl]

Probably best for all. This means Wiggins to UK, IMO.

2-3 weeks ago I said we NEEDED WCS and Randle to be the national title favorite. Add AW and we are as prohibitive a favorite as any year ever.

Darryl

[Jeeepcat]

WCS coming back just tickles the sh!7 outta me!

[Darrell KSR]

Full Release:

http://t.co/xUB54VFleD

[UKFlounder]

Wow.

I keep noticing the date though and hope that it doesn't matter :)

[Harlow]

april fools ?

[BigBlueBrock]

Noel not included in the announcement, either.

[Darrell KSR]

Archie will also stay in Lexington to complete his coursework.

[WoodstockCat]

Full Release:

http://t.co/xUB54VFleD

Not often that Cal says "Although I wanted player to return...."

[UKFlounder]

Well, nobody can say he "chased Goodwin off to open a scholarship" or anything like that


Not often that Cal says "Although I wanted player to return...."

[anderwt]

I think Poythress comes back for sure now

[Darrell KSR]

Very interesting that neither Alex Poythress or Nerlens Noel included in this announcement.

Noel is gone, no doubt about it. But why wait to announce that?

Poythress...maybe still deciding, who knows?

[TheFabFueder]

Is Goodwin getting an agent or could he pull his name out?

[akaukswoosh]

Goodwin will not hire an agent.

Curious to see what happens. If he still leaves if they tell him to find a jump shot. This is a kid who might be scared of finding himself on the bench behind UK guards who can shoot.

[Darrell KSR]

Is Goodwin getting an agent or could he pull his name out?

Has not hired an agent. Can withdraw by whatever the NBA's deadline is to withdraw and remain eligible.

[Jeeepcat]

Now I am wondering if Wiggins, Hawkins AND ? are added to the roster....

(Gordon)

13 Scholly

WCS
Wiltjer
Poy
Lee
Randle
Harrison
Harrison
Willis
Young
Johnson
Wiggins
Gordon
Hawkins

2 Walk Ons

Polson
Hood

Mwhahahahahahahahahha

:confused0053:

[Darrell KSR]

Curious to see what happens. If he still leaves if they tell him to find a jump shot. This is a kid who might be scared of finding himself on the bench behind UK guards who can shoot.

If desire is to get to the NBA in a favorable draft spot--this year might be a better year.

As you know, I buck the tide by suggesting it's never a mistake to return to college. But **if** the only thing that matters is draft status, I can see an argument for him leaving UK this year, rather than play behind others next year and enter in a stronger draft.

[MickintheHam]

Goodwin will not hire an agent.

Who is manning the fax machine in the Basketball offices?

[akaukswoosh]

If desire is to get to the NBA in a favorable draft spot--this year might be a better year.

As you know, I buck the tide by suggesting it's never a mistake to return to college. But **if** the only thing that matters is draft status, I can see an argument for him leaving UK this year, rather than play behind others next year and enter in a stronger draft.
I've heard for a while this is a kid who doesn't want to 'do' school another year. We'll see.

[UKHistory]

Thatta boy Archie. I do think Archie needs to stay but as long as finishes up his course work, I can accept his decision and certainly support him going forward.


Archie will also stay in Lexington to complete his coursework.

[CitizenBBN]

Not often that Cal says "Although I wanted player to return...."

Agreed. He was pretty clear about his views on it, to the point of bluntness.

This is why you just never know. Goodwin was by far the most emphatic about none of them being ready for the NBA, and WCS was the most "iffy" in his statements.

[akaukswoosh]

Ditto


Thatta boy Archie. I do think Archie needs to stay but as long as finishes up his course work, I can accept his decision and certainly support him going forward.

[CitizenBBN]

Has not hired an agent. Can withdraw by whatever the NBA's deadline is to withdraw and remain eligible.

Does the NCAA have a deadline as well or is theirs just the declare date obviously put in place to help coaches be able to wrap up recruiting and not for the benefit of the players at all? Sorry, had to put some soapbox in there.

[ukpumacat]

I am a little surprised. I thought WCS might test the waters, and it sounded like Archie would be back. Obviously, he still may be, but this is the only time he can "test the waters" iirc, so that means he is either gone this year or next more than likely. THat also tells me he should just go this year, as not only will he get lost in a sea of players next year, but he will get lost in that draft.
Not thinking about the kids, and just about UK, this couldn't have worked out better. We needed WCS back, and are now STACKED at the 4 and 5. If Alex comes back, even more so (and he can slide to the 3 at times as well).
I agree that this makes it even more probable Wiggins comes. I am sure Cal made it very clear exactly where his spots and minutes would be next year.

[CitizenBBN]

Jeeepcat -- my guess is Hood keeps his ride and Goodwin/Harrow have freed up the 2 rides we need for Wiggins/Hawkins. Or at least there's a ride for Wiggins. He isn't here yet.

[ukpumacat]

Btw, Goodwin does not sound like a guy considering returning. Unless he gets really bad reviews from NBA teams, he is gone imo.

[Jeeepcat]

I am a little surprised. I thought WCS might test the waters, and it sounded like Archie would be back. Obviously, he still may be, but this is the only time he can "test the waters" iirc, so that means he is either gone this year or next more than likely. THat also tells me he should just go this year, as not only will he get lost in a sea of players next year, but he will get lost in that draft.
Not thinking about the kids, and just about UK, this couldn't have worked out better. We needed WCS back, and are now STACKED at the 4 and 5. If Alex comes back, even more so (and he can slide to the 3 at times as well).
I agree that this makes it even more probable Wiggins comes. I am sure Cal made it very clear exactly where his spots and minutes would be next year.

I wonder if it went like (Archie) "Coach promise me you'll tell me when you know about Wiggins so I can decide..."

[ukpumacat]

I wonder if it went like (Archie) "Coach promise me you'll tell me when you know about Wiggins so I can decide..."

Good point. Not gonna lie, the fact that Cal came out and said, "I wanted Archie to return" makes me a tad skeptical.

[Bakert]

Needless to say I wish them all the best in whatever their decision is, but I was really looking forward to seeing Archie back. I really believe a lot of what I and others perceived as selfishness at times was more "you guys suck, get out of the way and let's see if we can't at least get to double digits this half." Maybe not so much the first part, but I do believe he worked hard, played hard, and truly cared about what happened. Furthermore, I could see him being *really* good with the group coming in next year. Let's hope that if Alex stays he takes advantage of the opportunity.

One other things, I wonder if part of Archie doing this is not motivational - he knows he can't test the waters twice, so you do it now and that motivates him to work that much harder so that next year he has to go if he declares.

[CitizenBBN]

I am a little surprised. I thought WCS might test the waters, and it sounded like Archie would be back. Obviously, he still may be, but this is the only time he can "test the waters" iirc, so that means he is either gone this year or next more than likely. THat also tells me he should just go this year, as not only will he get lost in a sea of players next year, but he will get lost in that draft.
Not thinking about the kids, and just about UK, this couldn't have worked out better. We needed WCS back, and are now STACKED at the 4 and 5. If Alex comes back, even more so (and he can slide to the 3 at times as well).
I agree that this makes it even more probable Wiggins comes. I am sure Cal made it very clear exactly where his spots and minutes would be next year.

x2. IF we get Wiggins, still an if IMO, we have the ultimate balance.

I really wanted WCS back. That's not any doubt in Johnson, but WCS should be pretty special in a year and I just selfishly want to watch him grow into that player. Good freaking luck in the paint against us with WCS/Johnson and Randle/Lee and hopefully Poythress.

Like you I can't help but think this is positive re Wiggins.

[cattails]

Is Goodwin getting an agent or could he pull his name out?

Really surprised WCS is coming back, but also very glad. Wiltjer if he works hard to add strength and weight could shock the world. Goodwin kind of a surprise he is leaving and then again not a surprise, he really needs a lot of work. More information will shake out.

[KeithKSR]

Does the NCAA have a deadline as well or is theirs just the declare date obviously put in place to help coaches be able to wrap up recruiting and not for the benefit of the players at all? Sorry, had to put some soapbox in there.

The NCAA deadline to withdraw and maintain eligibility is April 16.

[Catonahottinroof]

Isn't Polson or Hood on track to graduate this season? Would their scholly be freed in that case?

[anderwt]

I get surprised each year..I thought Archie/AP not WCS /AP(probably IMO)

[Padukacat]

Well IMO this is great, I believe Archie really did his best and had no ill will, but when it came to team cohesion he and harrow were the two worst parts. This frees up shots for w studs and will help us next year considerably. Not to mention that wcs was THE most important returning player for a title run, amazing how well this has played out.

[Bakert]

Btw, Goodwin does not sound like a guy considering returning. Unless he gets really bad reviews from NBA teams, he is gone imo.

I agree. Like Cal, I was really hoping he would come back, but his statement didn't make it sound like a guy who was going to come back.

[Darryl]

IMO, Cal let Goodwin know we are probably getting AW and the minutes would be drastically reduced. If Gordon were to pick UK tomorrow, Poythress may decide to leave but I think that is almost certainly not happening.

Poythress/WCS return.

Darryl

[cattails]

The NCAA deadline to withdraw and maintain eligibility is April 16.

Thanks Keith, I thought it had moved up by the NCAA.

[Darrell KSR]

Btw, Goodwin does not sound like a guy considering returning. Unless he gets really bad reviews from NBA teams, he is gone imo.

I agree.

[Jeeepcat]

If Cal had Archie for 3 years - he could be...well ya'll imagine it...

[Philly Cat]

I think Cal had a full and frank airing of views with Archie, as they say. Compare Archie's post-RM comments to his comments today. The only intervening change has been Cal's talk with him about playing time next year. Archie knows he's not ready, and I bet he'll decide to return.

BUT, here's the thing. Last year, Cal was emphatic with his players that they should keep their mouths shut about NBA plans until right up to the NBA deadline; otherwise, they were just boxing themselves in with the NCAA's silly accelerated deadline. Did he not give Archie that same advice? If not, isn't that a sign that he doesn't want Archie back (public protestations aside)?

[Darrell KSR]

BUT, here's the thing. Last year, Cal was emphatic with his players that they should keep their mouths shut about NBA plans until right up to the NBA deadline; otherwise, they were just boxing themselves in with the NCAA's silly accelerated deadline. Did he not give Archie that same advice? If not, isn't that a sign that he doesn't want Archie back (public protestations aside)?

It is a little peculiar.

There is reduced opportunity to "game the system" this year, but still an opportunity--that is now foregone.

Here's what *could* happen.

a) College player says nothing. No official entering the NBA draft.
b) NBA entry deadline is April 28. College player can privately explore options in draft until then. If they desire to go into the draft, enter name, and they're in. No testing the waters, as they can't come back.

Instead, this is what is apparently occurring.

a) Archie is entering the draft. This is the "testing the waters" stage. He puts his name in the NBA draft, and does not hire an agent.
b) Archie has until April 16 to withdraw his name, per the NCAA deadline, 1 day before the April signing date. If he does not withdraw by then, he loses college eligibility.

I think it's a clear sign that he is gone, and that scholarship is needed for (somebody).

[Darrell KSR]

By the way, there is an outstanding article written by Jonathan Givony of Draft Express on all the deadlines, what they mean, how the NBA Draft Evaluation Committee works, who makes it up, who can communicate with them, etc. Highly recommended read.

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Testing-the-NBA-Draft-Waters-in-2013-4103