Saturday Quickies: EJ Montgomery testing the Waters Edition

It’s Saturday but the rain and the cold have put a damper on things here in Southern Indiana. I’m sure things are similar in the Bluegrass State.

Yesterday fans received the news that EJ Montgomery will declare for the NBA Draft with the opportunity to come back to Kentucky if he doesn’t get the information he wants. He made his intentions crystal clear: first round or he’s back.

I think it’s safe to say that EJ will be back next season. I can’t imagine a team will be willing to take a chance on him in the first round. Second round? Maybe.

Hopefully he can come back to UK with good feedback on what he needs to work on and have a breakout sophomore season like PJ Washington did.

There are some fans that are worried and if Montgomery did opt to stand in the draft, that would be a HUGE blow to the roster because there are few options out there right now for John Calipari to replace him.

Nick Richards is the one player from last year’s team that we haven’t heard from yet.

Tweets of the Day

BARF. Even with Tre Jones returning, I think Duke is taking a major dip next season.

Quickies

Kentucky offers Johnny Juzang | Cats Pause- Juzang is a five star combo guard. He’s a 6-7 knock down three point shooter. There has been talk of him reclassifying to 2019 as Jemarl Baker has transferred.

Where does Matthew Hurt’s rejection leave the Cats? | Lexington Herald Leader- To no one’s surprise Matthew Hurt picked the Duke Blue Devils over the Kentucky Wildcats yesterday. With Reid Travis and PJ Washington gone and with EJ Montgomery testing the draft waters, John Calipari desperately needs bigs. His prospects for Jaden McDaniel don’t look great. What other options does he have?

Keenelnad officials confirm death of another racehorse | WDRB- This is the second horse to be euthanized at the track this month.

Men’s basketball season ticket info released | UK Athletics- Fans that buy tickets now really have no idea what the team is ultimately going to look like. But hey, that’s how we roll at UK.

OL Richie Leonard decommits from Cats | Cats Pause- The three star lineman from Florida recently took a trip to Knoxville. And by the young man’s social media posts, I saw this coming. Don’t count on football commitments until they sign, folks.

Jordan Brand Classic tonight | Bleacher Report- UK will be represented by Keion Brooks, Tyrese Maxey, and Kahlil Whitney. They will all be on the same time and that will give us a taste of how they will play together next season. Out of the All Star Games, this one is usually the most fun.

Thunder close series gap 2-1 | ESPN- Things got chippy between All Stars Damian Lillard and Russell Westbrook but in the end, Westbrook got the better Lillard.

Tiger Woods steps out in Masters Jacket | SB Nation- The Masters Champ went full swag mode when he visited his own restaurant last night dressed in his Green Jacket. I wouldn’t take it off.

Bat Cats lose...again | UK Athletics- The Cats were blasted 16-1 by the #22 ranked Vols.

Michigan State gets big news | CBS- Cassius Winston has decided to forego the NBA Draft process and return to the Michigan State Spartans. They are now the favorites heading into next season. The Cats will play Sparty right out of the gate in the Champions Classic.