But, UK was Legion's second choice behind Michigan.

I remember reading some interesting articles concerning Legion, his mother, and a "trusted adviser".

The "trusted adviser" was intimating Legion would attend school x (I don't remember which school, maybe UCLA). Legion's mother stated that Alex would NOT be attending said school, and the "trusted adviser" should keep his mouth shut.

Anyway, it simply adds an unusual dimension to the situation. There may be a dynamic at work here that we are not aware of.

Whatever the reason, it is not good. Losing 3 of your top 7-8 players can't be painted with a positive brush.

"There are multiple members of this team that arent happy with the way the Coach operates and are considering a transfer"

I've posted on this likelihood on a number of occasions.  Happens all too often with a new coach.  If Legion's mom was truly screaming at Rupp Arena, she would be the first parent to get in the way of their kid's success.  Let her scream somewhere else.

If Bradley and/or Crawford are considering transfer, (and I wouldn't be surprised) I say let them go and we'll rebuild from scratch or should I say Patterson.  Really tired of waiting for these two to play like mature upper classmen.

   The Merrick Inn stories and other talk cannot be helping his relationship with Barnhart.  I think therein lies the reason that a contract has not been signed.  I think Mitch is leaving his options open for cutting ties without a contractual buyout if Billy Clyde embarrasses us off the court.

1. Word gets out about the hellish practices and discontent among the current team and kills our recruiting efforts.  Some more players from the current team defect.  If, indeed, there are others considering leaving, they must be underclassmen (not Crawford or Bradley) because seniors would basically be done for good.  Please don't let Patterson be one of them!  Was that disgusted look on his face at the end of the Carolina game due to the final score or other frustrations?
2. Legion's discontent is an anomoly rather than the typical feeling of the whole team.  A potential locker room distraction is removed and the rest of the team rallies together with an "us-against-the-world" attitude and buys into Gillispie's system and ways of doing things.  Hopson takes Legion's scholarship and minutes next year and -- along with Liggins, Miller, Patterson, and Meeks -- we finally begin to put "Old UK"-caliber talent on the floor and return to respectability and begin competing for championships again.

I understand that Billy Gillispie wants his players to work hard and improve their game.  He rewards those who showed strong practice effort with playing time.  There is nothing wrong with that.  However, I do not believe sacrificing your team's chances of winning a basketball game by sticking to such a strict rule is an intelligent idea.  There is simply no excuse for playing Michael Porter 28 minutes (and get 3 points out of him) and Alex Legion only 6 minutes (he scored 7 points during that span) while your team is trying to come back from a 20 point deficit against the then No. 2 team in the country.  I don't care how hard Michael Porter practiced, when I need offense I am going to play Alex Legion.  After watching the more talented Tarheels kicked our butts, would anyone ever argue against putting more talent on the floor???  Moreover, I would understand if Gillispie bench Alex Legion if he was playing terribly or without energy, but that simply was not the case!

Alex Legion's mother is controlling, so it does not surprise me that she wants her son out of Kentucky because of how little playing time Alex is getting.

The bad news is that this season is going right down the toilet.

The good news is that Gillispie can honestly tell Scotty Hopson that he will be getting 25 or more minutes of playing time per game, and seeing how pathetic UK is going to be, Hopson's mom might actually let his sone come play for UK.

Gillispie probably should be calling Tyrek Evans right now and tell him that he will get 30 minutes a game if he comes to play for UK instead of U of L...

PG - Andre Liggins / Jasper
SG - Jodie Meeks
G/F - Darius Miller
G/F - Scotty Hopson
C - Patrick Patterson

Other players in playing rotation:

   Perry Stevenson, A.J. Stewart, Michael Porter

PG - Tyreke Evans (25)/ DeAndre Liggins (25)
SG - Jodie Meeks (25)/ Scotty Hopson (25)
F - Darius Miller (25)
F - AJ Stewart (25)/ P.Stevenson (10)
C - Patrick Patterson (30 min)

rest of the team (10)

Even if each player gives us only 10 points, we'd still average 80 points...also, the taller/more athletic guards will help get more rebounds than this year's team...