This was welcome news to get my mind off the South Carolina game. Ugh.

… that’s why it happened. It used to happen to me all the time — I would be away, and there would be some huge news.

It’s just Murphy’s law. :-)

… although I don’t think we have been a serious consideration for him for some time. He will stay close to home.

… my understanding is one of them (Donald Williams) will not be taking a scholarship next year as part of an agreement for this year, which leaves us only one short. Tubby Smith managed to handle a scholly shortage a few years back, as I recall, and I’m sure Gillispie and the athletic department will find a way.

Donald Williams will relinquish his scholarship (as agreed) and Stewart will leave/transfer.

… intelligence from other sources that Maggard is correct about this. I never, ever trust a single source, Maggard or otherwise.

I would expect him to transfer, although Maggard says otherwise. I doubt that part. He is clearly good enough to get a ride at many schools, and I would be surprised if he hung around after this year.

Still, if he plays well enough, there may be a ride available after the ‘09 crunch. We’ll just have to wait and see. But I have it from several sources that he has specifically agreed that his scholarship is only available for this year. I am comfortable enough with it that I now consider it a fact. That could obviously change, but only if Gillispie decides to change it for some reason.

… unless he qualifies for some sort of non-athletic aid.

I have always said that it makes no sense for him to stay, and I still say that. A scholarship is not out of the realm of possibility if some other player gets sufficient aid to open one up unexpectedly (like happened with Marquis Estill — I believe he got some sort of hardship aid). But I expect him to transfer next year.