Thursday Quickies: UK lands Olivier Sarr; what’s next?

Kentucky landed Wake Forest transfer Olivier Sarr yesterday, but there are still a lot of questions remaining moving forward with Sarr and how Kentucky will finish out the roster.

Sarr has the ability to be a game-changer for Kentucky, but the question remains if he will get an eligibility waiver. There is no guarantee that Sarr gets such a waiver, despite Wake Forest firing Danny Manning kind of late into the calendar.

The NCAA has granted waivers for this situation before, but they’ve also denied some. The NCAA (surprise) doesn’t have a consistent track record on these matters.

What we have found though, is that whenever the school the player is transferring from offers their support, the NCAA is more likely to grant the waiver. I’m not certain that Wake Forest will offer their support for Sarr’s transfer, but you never know for certain.

But let’s say that the NCAA does grant Sarr an eligibility waiver. Kentucky still likely fills one more spot on the roster with a frontcourt player, and there seems to be two primary options.

One is Evansville transfer DeAndre Williams. Despite a back injury that cost him most of last season, Williams still put up solid numbers averaging nearly 15 points per game along with nearly 7 rebounds per game. Williams, who stands at 6’9 or 6’10, plays more of a point forward role who would likely play the four at Kentucky.

The other is Frank Anselem, the four-star prospect in the Class of 2020, is another option. Where Williams is likely more of an instant impact player, Anselem is viewed as more of a developmental prospect. Anselem provides more rim protection than Williams, while Williams provides more offensive production.

Kentucky likely lands one of the two to finish off the roster for the 2020-2021 season. There is a case to make for each player, but it will really come down to fit for the Kentucky coaches. With Sarr in the fold, taking a player with a lot of potential who needs some time to develop like Anselem is a lot easier to do. Williams provides even more offensive punch, but lacks a lot of the rim protection that Kentucky needs next season.

It wouldn’t be too much of a surprise if Kentucky tells each of these guys they need a decision soon, as Calipari and the Kentucky coaches would almost certainly love to have their roster finalized sooner rather than later. Of course, who knows what the time frame for finding out Sarr’s eligibility will be.

If I’m making my prediction, I would guess Kentucky lands Anselem with the idea that he will provide spot minutes or be an option if foul trouble comes into play, but he spends most of his freshman year working on his game and getting stronger because with time, he has the potential to be a really good player at Kentucky.

Tweet of the Day

Let’s roll.

Quickies

A deeper look at new Kentucky commitment La’Vell Wright - KSR

Wright figures to play a role as a runner but can catch passes out of the backfield too.

Will Sarr be eligible? - SI

That’s the big question.

ESPN analysts support Sarr’s immediate eligibility - Cats Pause

Let’s hope the NCAA does the right thing.

Kentucky looking to add Frank Anselem for 2020 - Herald Leader

Anselem is someone that could be the final piece added to the roster.

MLB return-to-play proposal expected within week - ESPN

Some news on the MLB trying to return.

NFL teams to release schedule tonight - Bleacher Report

Hopefully its a schedule the NFL can stick to.

Being a sports fan may never be the same - Yahoo

Things are definitely going to be different for fans.