DECISION 2007: Jai Lucas

by JL Blue on May 14, 2007 12:20 PM EDT in Events Comment 45 comments

BREAKING: Rivals.com says Lucas to Florida, Hamga to UNLV. Not a good day for coach Billy Clyde. Patterson becomes -- if possible -- an even bigger need now.

It only seems like four years since Texas point guard prospect Jai Lucas started being recruited by UK. Tubby Smith, with deep ties to Lucas' well-known NBA father, John, targeted the 5'9" floor general as his de facto Ramel Bradley replacement sometime in early 2006, and the Cats've been in the mix ever since.

Today was the day Lucas finally revealed his choice. For 9/10 of the kid's recruitment, Kentucky, Oklahoma State, Maryland and Oklahoma were the acknowledged four finalists. Then Florida won a second straight national title and starting point guard Taurean Green took off for the NBA (good luck with that one). Suddenly all of Lucas' platitudes about sticking to his original four flew out the window. Such is the nature of recruiting, especially when the hot school gets involved.

Hard to fend off the chumps ... I mean champs, sorry.

Here's a little something from Jerry Tipton at the Herald-Leader.

Jody Demling provides his thoughts .

Now Chris Diggs weighs in. I think the C-J guys are collaborating ...

A little news swarm on Hamga reporting that he committed to the Runnin' Rebs of UNLV, but no confirmation yet. Jody Demling has the latest.

Update [2007-5-14 15:39:53 by Truzenzuzex]: Jody Demling is reporting Lucas is a Gator .

Chris Diggs is baffled by Jai's decision , and I'm not ...

Jones claims Hamga to UNLV is confirmed by a conversation with his coach. Still waiting on a second. Guess we can thank Mark Adams for that. Hope he gets his money's worth.

LHL confirms Hamga to UNLV. Solid enough for me to call it.

Where are the Florida blogs on all this ...???

Barad-dûr reports on Lucas' commitment.

Dannyboykn at Kentucky Wildcat report is seriously bummed, and has a few ill wishes to pass along ...

The fur is really flying over at TCP . Imagine that!

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Comments

I see Lucas Sr. comments as a positive.

I would say that Lucas Sr has a lean towards UK. All his reasoning there was heavy to UK. Could have been intentional, and I suppose the whole interview might have a had a different lean if it had been a reporter from Gville asking the questions.

by blueblood on May 14, 2007 12:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank god it's finally over

and on Wednesday all of the drama will finally end. If Lucas does end up a gator, my feelings won't be hurt. Sure they will get another tremendous player, but we don't need another guard. That is one thing we do have enough of.

The way I look at things, Patterson, Sanchez, or Hamga, or maybe a combination of some of those, are much more important. We need capable big men, and we need them now.

Getting a Lucas commit is a luxury we could afford to go without.

a perpetual state of bliss

by piketaylor on May 14, 2007 12:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not official

But yes, I see your point. Conclusions allow us to at least begin to prepare for what's coming.

The uncertainty doesn't suit me.

The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...

by JL Blue on May 14, 2007 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, I'm with you ...

but unlike Diggs or others, I'm not making any call. I have no clue, and my cluelessness, in this case, may serve me well.

by Truzenzuzex on May 14, 2007 1:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lucas

I like Lucas a lot but totally agree that we dont need him nearly as much as we need some bigs. Still, if he picks UF over UK I am going to scream. I hate that school with very ounce of my being and I know how the recruiting game works but I am am sick of losing players to them. It may not be that big of a deal but the national media just throws it in our face and I totally want to be able to get on the Orlando Sentinel and make fun of Mike Bianchi.

by davw83 on May 14, 2007 2:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I feel ya, I do ...

but we will get our chance, no matter what Lucas decides, to mock Bianchi and his ilk.

Patience, patience. We have been here before and know how it works. Arkansas, UNLV, and others have been where Florida is now. Guess what -- they aren't there anymore.

by Truzenzuzex on May 14, 2007 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Frankly

I just hope this kid can't drag anything else out this long.

Ah, Crap.

by barefootpirate on May 14, 2007 2:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

According to KSR...

Hamgas has committed to UNLV... what a shocker... the spin over the weekend must have achieved it's desired result.

by blueblood on May 14, 2007 2:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good for him

He should enjoy playing Idaho every year.

Not every kid is meant to play at Kentucky, but why would you reclassify ... to go to UNLV?

I love the quote frm his coach, btw: "He really feels that if he develops the same way that Gaston Essengue (the friend at UNLV) then he will play in the NBA."

That would be the Essengue extremely unlikely to set forth on an NBA court as a player.

Enjoy the WAC, dude.

The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...

by JL Blue on May 14, 2007 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hamga

KSR is reporting per the LHL.

by davw83 on May 14, 2007 3:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hamga

Per the CJ Hamga hasnt committed anywhere yet.

by davw83 on May 14, 2007 3:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

re:hamga

i like this explanation better: gillispie got a verbal from patterson (and lucas?) and pulled the offer for hamga, so he had no choice but to commit to unlv. we'll see...

by boobs on May 14, 2007 3:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

wouldn't we all like that better.

by blueblood on May 14, 2007 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is a bird in the hand....

worth two bigger birds in the bush?

by blueblood on May 14, 2007 3:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lucas

Lucas to UF per Matt Jones at KSR

Go Cats!

by Blueman2000 on May 14, 2007 3:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Demling has it also ...

we must have posted it at the same time!

Way to go.

by Truzenzuzex on May 14, 2007 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

UK44

hamga to UNLV
Lucas to FLA

by UK44 on May 14, 2007 3:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My point is ...

that I think his AAU coach had a lot to do with it, and he was the one who dumped the "Beas is being flooded" story.

Probably just sour grapes on my part, but the confluence of events looks suspicious to my partisan eye.

by Truzenzuzex on May 14, 2007 3:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

re

not to change the subject on a disappointing day, but why do people give credence to what chris diggs says? he isnt a journalist, he just had the good fortune to become the c-j's fan blogger. no disrespect to him, im sure he's a nice guy, but who cares what he thinks? citing his opinion is like citing mine.

"Commenter boobs says we should have all seen this coming. but he thinks patterson can still be landed, and he says a class that includes alex legion and pat patterson is still very solid."

by boobs on May 14, 2007 3:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Your opinion ...

is always worth citing, boobs. ;-)

by Truzenzuzex on May 14, 2007 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What a bad Friggin day!

Today has been a world class disappointment! We thought maybe we may get a Lucas commitment. Turns out we not only lose Lucas to Florida, but also lose Hamga to UNLV! I think in terms of our program, the Hamga lose is the bigger of the two. We needed a big, atheletic pressence down low. Jai was not necessary given all the guards we have. That being said, however the Lucas thing hurt alot more. I don't know if it was the extended recruitment or the fact we lost him to Florida and Billy D.(yeah this was it!!!) The only thing that gives me comfort is seeing Jai get posterized. Never before have I wanted so badly to see a 6'6" point guard dunk over a 5'10" guy. On the other hand maybe this is a blessing in disguise, as Jennings is a still out there for 2008. Hopefully its true what they say about unanswered prayers!

Go Cats!

by Blueman2000 on May 14, 2007 4:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I predict we will ...

have a few more bad days, too. But there will be good ones as well. Buck up, chest out, stiff upper lip -- we are Wildcat fans!

Go Cats!

by Truzenzuzex on May 14, 2007 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

by davw83 on May 14, 2007 4:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Billy D.

This is alittle off base, but I have a new found dislike of Billy D. I was somewhat suspicious of his waiting for two weeks to tell Ky, "no, not interested." Then he gets in on Jai Lucas at around that time. I think he blatantly held up the process of UK moving forward with a coaching hire, so it would enhance Florida's chance of getting in on Lucas and get a better standing with Patterson. He could have done like most other coaches and said, "not interested," but he kept saying things that led everyone to believe he may be. I am sorry if this is sour grapes, but I need to "Decompress a little!" Maybe I will be better a little later, but right now I like Billy D. as much as syphillis likes penicillen! (Probably didn't spell that right, but you get the idea.)

Go Cats!

by Blueman2000 on May 14, 2007 4:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Patterson?

Patterson will probably be coming the Gators' way too. Could be wrong, but it's just such a perfect fit now for Patrick that I really think he'll be wearing those most perfect of color combinations -- orange and blue -- in '08.

Billy Clyde is good, but he's no Billy the Kid.

Orange & Blue Hue http://www.orangeandbluehue.com

by Gatorpilot on May 14, 2007 4:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well ...

Don't forget that if Taurean Green doesn't hire an agent, this is quite probably a very different day. That is per Jai himself.

The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...

by JL Blue on May 14, 2007 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Woa!!! It lives, and speaks ...

but does it make sense?

I was wondering where you guys were, glad to see you remembered you had a blog. :-)

Seriously, Ryan, congratulations to you guys. Fairly competed, and fairly won.

I'm not quite ready to give up on Patterson yet. Lucas was wild about playing with Pat, but the reverse wasn't exactly as strongly indicated, and there have been reports that they will be going to different schools.

We'll know in a couple of days for sure, though.

by Truzenzuzex on May 14, 2007 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Taurean Green

Taurean Green already hired an agent last week. That's old news.

Patterson is fair game. He's also the bigger prize. We need Patterson more than Lucas as we already have a burger boy lined up at the point (Calathes), but I'm thinking Billy D wants to use him as a SG.

Re: the blog, I know -- been busy with real life lately. I wish I could write all the time on this stuff, it's great. I'm easing back into a regular writing schedule now. Let's start trading some (good natured) barbs! Rivalries are fun.

Orange & Blue Hue http://www.orangeandbluehue.com

by Gatorpilot on May 14, 2007 4:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Heh ...

well, we're not quite ready to grant you "rival" status yet. :-P

by Truzenzuzex on May 14, 2007 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rival status

How many more times do we have to beat you to get it? :-)

Seriously, the rest of the basketball world recognizes it as a rivalry. We Florida fans certainly do. Who else do you play in the SEC that you consider a bigger rival?

Orange & Blue Hue http://www.orangeandbluehue.com

by Gatorpilot on May 14, 2007 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well statistically

ALOT!!!!... I mean the series between UF and UK is about 75-20 all time... How many more do you think you should have to win?

by blueblood on May 14, 2007 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In the SEC?

Perhaps nobody.

At one time, and for a short couple of years, Arkansas was thought of as a rival by some fans, at least as close as we have ever had to one here. Maybe UT by a few during a couple of the the Mears years.

But our actual rivals are real basketball schools, such as Louisville and Duke -- Louisville mostly by virtue of its geographic location, and Duke because of The Game, and The Revenge. After that, UNC is a big rival whom I desperately want to beat.

But Florida? Kind of a funny thought. Tell you what -- beat us 3 more times in a row, and you've got it. I'll even overlook the fact that you have only two national championships, because the fact that you earned them back-to-back gets you bonus points. :-)

by Truzenzuzex on May 14, 2007 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok...

Ok GP, since I am going to quote stats to you, I'll be specific. As of the end of this year.... the series of UK v FL is 84-30... that means UF hasn't even won half as many games vUK as UK has won vUF. I don't think that is even worth comparing anymore.. two good years with the exact same starting 5 +1 doesn't make you a powerhouse. It does however make you a worthy opponent for the current situation. I applaud UF for their recent success, let's just not let that Gator head get too big for it's A#$. You can eat all you want right now, but somehow that stuff has all got to come out eventually.

by blueblood on May 14, 2007 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Never let it be said...

... that we Gators don't respect Kentucky's basketball tradition.

It just gets a bit tiring, having to constantly acknowledge ancient history and going through the motions of all that, while also constantly whipping your asses.

In the modern era, of course.

I was present for much misery at the hands of your Cats and it's hard for me not to hate them as a result. They rained horrors down upon in Gainesville -- and in Lexington -- for many, many years. Maybe the last few years are just a drop in the bucket, but as far as anyone outside our little sphere of the rivalry are concerned, Florida now has Kentucky's ticket. The only people who honor your tradition are your own fans. It's worth remembering, lest you get a bit of a 'head-in-the-sand' mentality.

Orange & Blue Hue http://www.orangeandbluehue.com

by Gatorpilot on May 14, 2007 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's all i needed....

Gators were a forced to be reckoned with. You guys had a great team with Noah/Horford/Brewer. I don't mean any disrepect with this, but the immediate future is anyone's game again.

by bluebloodtoo on May 14, 2007 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have an idea?????

sorry, couldn't help it....here's some respect from the UK fans.

Hey tru,
How about a new poll. "Most hated/feared star opponent of UK."

Featuring the likes of:
Joakim "chomp his head off" Noah
Shaquille O O O nill
Christian "Pretty Boy" Laettner
Taekwon "did nothing" Dean

I bet the respect goes to the "chomp" man.

by bluebloodtoo on May 14, 2007 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Unless...

you include Jai "no show" Lucas. Then I'm sure he get it right now.

by bluebloodtoo on May 14, 2007 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Missed my point, Gator

My point is that the news that Green hired an agent SWAYED Lucas towards the Gators. He said as much late last week when news of Green's formal departure became known.

This one was all about playing time.

Here's hoping Lucas averages 2 points and 5 turnovers for his career. Yeah, I'm like that ...

The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...

by JL Blue on May 14, 2007 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ohhh...

... you meant if Taurean Green DIDN'T hire an agent (past tense) rather than DOESN'T (present/future tense.) The way you wrote it, it sounds like you thought there was still a possibility he wouldn't hire one.

Anyway, that could very well have played a role. Who knows? Didn't Jai Lucas say "Florida is a better situation" or something to that effect?

To be honest with you Lucas is not on my pie-in-the-sky meter. I want Patterson, just like everyone else. Hopefully Lucas leads us to Patterson. But I'm certainly not counting Billy Clyde out... yet.

Great reporting on this issue here at ASeaofBlue, as usual. My AOL cohorts beat me to the punch, so to speak, so I'm just back to my homily blogging.

Orange & Blue Hue http://www.orangeandbluehue.com

by Gatorpilot on May 14, 2007 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, GP. And in return ...

I'm in the way of knowing you might be getting a few visits ...

by Truzenzuzex on May 14, 2007 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jai Lucas

Have fun you wanker. And for that big African, He's going to be as effective as Woo --- btw, Im a woo hatah.

Ah, Crap.

by barefootpirate on May 14, 2007 5:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Trying to understand

Evidently Lucas is a heckuva player or UK and UF would not have been involved but we've all seen plenty of 5'10" taken. Still perplexed about the kid choosing UNLV. Bad decisions are bad on and off the court.

PS we're still big blue

by modcpa on May 14, 2007 5:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

WOOOO

WOO is awesome.

by davw83 on May 14, 2007 5:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

sick of Cats Pause making great UK fans look bad

I know I shouldn't bash another UK site. But that board has really hurt our image big time and it needs to stop ASAP. UK Athletics posted a very serious message on there about the NCAA investigating UK for inappropriate booster conduct as far as U of Kentucky is concerned.

I was afraid this was going to happen. The NCAA to me is tougher on UK more than anybody else.

I actually accidentally posted on "Taking It Up a Notch" that U of Kentucky needs a big man more than a point guard any way. We still have some good point guards right now on the roster. And I still think that we can recover from this. There are still many great point guards we can recruit.
Maybe not as good or well known, but there are some none the less.

That is if the tiny few 1 percent of UK "fans" - I really don't think they are true fans to begin with - get in the way.

Right now let's focus on Patterson. And if we lose him, we still have other options. Maybe not as good or well known, but options none the less.

by ukcatfan191 on May 14, 2007 7:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm with ya on that....

I don't think there was a single member of the BBN in on that. It's just way way too fishy. It all came up just at the right time, too sudden, and too much BS. This whole situation with Hamga smell as fishy as 'Vegas to me.

by bluebloodtoo on May 14, 2007 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs