Misc thought of the day: The open scholarship.
by Oakie.myers on Jun 25, 2009 1:03 PM EDT
33 comments
Forgive me if this has been discussed. If so I’ve missed it, so please berate me and allow me to go on my merry way.
My miscellaneous thought of the day.
Why do we still have an open scholarship? I have head several possible guesses. A walk on will get for next year. Matt Pilgrim may be back (unlikely but it’s been a rumor). A Chinese shooting guard to replace Jody. A mystery recruit we will add. I tend to think it’s a little different than that. I think Coach Cal is showing his class here.
I think the scholarship is still Jody’s and Cal is holding it until after the draft. As some of you may know, if a player with collegiate eligibility goes undrafted after declaring for the draft he may return to school if he notifies his coach within 30 days of his intention (Link here). This is also a rule that will be eliminated next year (link).
With this in mind, what would happen if Jody does go undrafted and coach has already filled his spot? We would leave this young man in limbo with no where to go but overseas or into basketball obscurity. Sorry Jody I know you were our leading scorer last year and all but we have given your scholarship away to someone else.
Now with that rule in mind, lets review the current situation. Jody is entering the draft, projected everywhere from end of the first to undrafted. Imagine the pressure on the kid? I wouldn’t want to quit my job to go apply for a job I have no assurances of landing. So what does our new coach, a coach Jody has never played for, do? He assures Jody will have a home should the worst happen and he goes undrafted. Hey kid you have too much to worry about. If things don’t work out you can come back and we’ll just go win a national championship.
I’m guessing after the draft tonight we will see some action with the open scholarship. Either it’ll be Jody’s if he isn’t drafted, or someone else will fill it (I would guess Pilgrim or a walk on for a year).
Now, how does that make you feel about our coach? I have no inside knowledge so I can’t say for certain this is what the situation is. But my common cents tells me we have one hell of a coach and doesn’t want to leave a kid, especially one as talented as Jodie hanging.
Oakie
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Personally,
assuming Meeks is drafted, I would like to see Pilgrim get it. I’m just really intrigued by that guy, and whether he’s the “beast” or not, I’d like to see him on the floor.
Obviously, he likely wouldn’t play that many minutes this season with Patterson, Cousins, Orton, plus a senior Perry Stevenson and Ramon Harris, plus Calipari’s seeming interest in Harrelson.
If he’s good, though, he could be a presence next season and share a starting role with Orton after Patterson and Cousins are likely gone.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
by blbskue on Jun 25, 2009 1:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
CAL
doesnt always use them all up. I think there’s a good change he just hangs on to it. He isnt a guy that will use the 13th ship just to fill roster space when in his system the 13th guy aint going to see he court. Cal likes to focus on players who will actually be in the game and not waste time practicing guys he isnt going to use.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
by davw83 on Jun 25, 2009 1:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I know but..
with all the scholarships coming open next year, he really doesn’t need another. I’d say the smart bet is to stay with Pilgram to shar some big man minutes with Orton next year. You have to have some experience on the team next year.
by Oakie.myers on Jun 25, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unless Pilgrim isn't good enough to see the court next year either
Imagine that… a guy with a 9.2ppg career average at Hampton might not be good enough to see the pine even with the loss of Cousins, Patterson, and Stevenson?!!? Shocking!
I hope the guy gets a shot, but I’ve doubted his ability to truly compete at the high major level ever since I first heard Gillispie was going after him.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
by chirop1 on Jun 25, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Beneficial side effect
I think Cal’s primary concern is keeping the scholly free for 2010-11. I think Pilgrim coming back is a long shot, and filling it with another recruit is an even longer shot. At this point, I’d say he has in mind to give it to a walk-on for next year only, just to be a nice guy. But he hasn’t announced that yet because if by some miracle Jodie does fall through the draft, he would give it back to him. No harm in waiting until after tonight to announce what’ll happen to it.
by Acdixon on Jun 25, 2009 2:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wouldn't it have been open then anyway, or would Pilgrim have had two more years with us?
I was thinking he had the sit-out year and one more, in which event that scholarship would have been open after this year anyway.
by Ken Pomeroy on Jun 26, 2009 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Calipari Said (A Month Ago)
UK will have 12 or 13 players on scholarship next season – the 13th being Jodie Meeks (or not).
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 25, 2009 2:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe he is saving it for his son to play point guard.
:-)
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
by HozeKing on Jun 25, 2009 2:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Patience grasshoppers.....
I do believe that Coach Cal has a plan……and it involves a player to be named later…..
I dont think we get Meeks back, and I dont think Pilgrim is waiting for a handout. Then again he might be saving it for his son just like Hoze says, just so Hoze can be right about something this decade.
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Jun 25, 2009 3:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Your obsessive man-love for me is making me nervous.
‘I won’t be ignored, Hoze!!!’
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
by HozeKing on Jun 26, 2009 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hehehe....I am just the only one on here
that still wants to bother with debating you…..everyone else has developed more sense and realizes you cant get into a battle of wits with an unarmed man…..it isnt fair….but I have never been much about fair.
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Jun 26, 2009 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Confirmation
I’ve already opined that the 13th is being held for Meeks. In the unlikely — near zero — event Meeks isn’t drafted I believe slot will remain open for next year or less likely the year following. Pilgrim is not a candidate because his would essentially be a 2-year commitment. If the position is filled it will be a one-year award to a walk-on.
"The prosperity of commerce is now perceived and acknowledged by all enlightened statesmen to be the most useful as well as the most productive source of national wealth, and has accordingly become a primary object of its political cares."
--Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 12, 27 November 1787
by Wild Weasel on Jun 25, 2009 3:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If he goes into the season with one empty schollie...
Does that make the “Great Roster Purge of ’09” any more or less palatable to us?
On the one hand, we could have kept one of the players from last year’s team. On the other hand, it does lend credence that players were told they wouldn’t play regardless of the scholarship situation.
Thoughts?
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
by chirop1 on Jun 25, 2009 3:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He gets my vote for doing the right thing
if he was just looking for the easy way out, he keeps anyone who can help him in any way. By letting these guys find other places to go now instead of waiting they have a chance to salvage their chances at pro ball, wherever they may go. I do not think that any of the players that have left have that chance, but THEY do, and that is what is important.
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
by ALLBLUCAT on Jun 25, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
More palatable
It makes it more palatble to me becuase it seems like Cal is being honest with them about their playing situation as opposed to just recruiting over them.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
by davw83 on Jun 25, 2009 3:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You guys realize
that by having an available scholarship, he can accept transfers, such as, oh, I don’t know, maybe Elliot Williams of Duke. If not him, with the open spot, he can accept anybody that wishes to transfer in.
by wklawdog on Jun 25, 2009 8:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not Williams
His mother is ill. He’s going home to play at Memphis.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 25, 2009 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Williams
has stated that he is looking at UK, UT, Vandy, or Memphis per WLEX last night. He will also be petitioning the NCAA for a waiver to play next year wherever he ends up. According to him all of these schools are closer to his home.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
by davw83 on Jun 26, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No
He stated (in order) Memphis, Vandy, UT, or UK.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 26, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I didnt list mine in order
I just meant he was looking at that group of schools.
Dont be such a grouch.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
by davw83 on Jun 26, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You said he's going to play at Memphis
He has stated that he is looking at other schools so clearly you dont know yet.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
by davw83 on Jun 26, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Indeed, He Probably Is
His mother is sick. He wants to play next year. He won’t get an NCAA waiver at UK.
Lexington is not that much closer to Memphis (his hometown) than Durham.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 26, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually UK Is 5 Hours Closer ...
and about same distance as UT.
"The prosperity of commerce is now perceived and acknowledged by all enlightened statesmen to be the most useful as well as the most productive source of national wealth, and has accordingly become a primary object of its political cares."
--Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 12, 27 November 1787
by Wild Weasel on Jun 26, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not Close Enough For A Waiver
Memphis definitely, Vandy maybe.
UT unlikely, UK very unlikely (for waiver).
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 26, 2009 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Henry
Is going to be the one to fill the open spot. You all heard it here first.
Food for thought: The virgin birth has much more to do with the absense of a natural earthly father then the use of a virgin mother. Now, chew.....Because, it's called a "corrupt seed", not a "corrupt egg"!
by blubloodcatfan on Jun 25, 2009 11:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
#13?
The empty seat does not bother me at all (unless we have multiple injuries this season). We are the BBN and YES we DO put undue Pressure on our Coaches and Players. (goes without saying) We (BBN) have the greatest desire to win-win-win (and why not?) WE ARE THE BIG BLUE NATION!!!!! But we have to realize that our CATS are
not in the NBA! (although some are) We have some good leaders returning with a load of toddlers (talented I agree!!), but they all are kids under the age of 21. I LOVE my CATS and live for basketball season (sorry football is a warm up for me) but they are kids and we need to stand by them as we do our children and grandchildren. These kids have more than a full plate on their table. #1 studies-#2 practices-#3 win games-#4 make NCAA tourney and show well-#5 stay out of trouble-# 6 handel the media. Great Scott!!!!! We are asking these fine young men to be CEOs, ambassadors, of the world (SEC, NCAA, State of KY and BBN)!!!!! While under the age of 21?? We(BBN) would put our players on the ballot for President of this fine country, if we could! We love and worship them that much! They get us up when we are down and game time is like happy hour!! Let’s hear it for this group of kids (our children) and give them our support to the fullest. Yes, things should improve,over the last few years, but if you all live for our Cats then we must forgive the mistakes that might be made. I personally BLEED BLUE +LOVE OUR CATS (win-lose or draw)! Enough said—-see you in November!!
by kentuckystrong on Jun 26, 2009 9:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
1998 Wildcats Had Only 12 On Scholarship
That turned out OK.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jun 26, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BUT
it would be so awesome if we got a beastly chinese 6’5" SG that no one knew about until October
by dancoo626 on Jun 26, 2009 3:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
13th scholly will remain
unfilled most likely. Already have the best studs in the land. why try to appease another stud? one ball. call it insurance anyway.
I want to die while asleep like my grandfather,
not screaming in terror like the passengers in his car.
by bluecrip on Jun 28, 2009 5:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
As we all witnessed this week
That scholarship can be had for the right “price”. We send Pilgrim on his way but, Henry comes available and suddenly that scholarship CAN be had.
If (and hope not) one of our key players is injured can we fill that 13th scholarship then? Or are we then left to battle with 11??
by ukcris on Jul 1, 2009 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Calipari Said
Most years he awards 11 or 12 scholarships to recruits and maybe another 1 to a walk-on.
Pitino had awarded 11 scholarships when he left UK in May 1997. We did OK in 1997-98 anyway.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jul 2, 2009 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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