WHO IS STAYING? (ANSWER: Green, Richards, Washington, Baker)

[George]

No way Quickley and Keldon Johnson don't start, IMO.

Johnson’s definitely a starter. Quickley probably is, too, because I can’t imagine any scenario in which Green is the superior PG. Crazier things have happened, though.

[Joneslab]

Because he is an athlete but not a basketball player. He has so many holes in his game that I doubt he will ever fill them. I don't have anything against the kid, I just can't see him any better next year.

A lot of young players are kind of in this boat. Charles Matthews was as a freshman. Malik Newman went from a really flawed player at Mississippi St. to arguably the best player on the court in a game full of pros Sunday. Deandre Liggins is somebody who went from kind of just a livewire athlete to a really solid player.

Happens a lot. Doesn't happen enough here because very few of our players stick it out and mature.

Athletic ability matters. These players get mocked a lot for it, particularly at Kentucky where we thirst for pure, old-school basketball. But the ability to run and jump is crucial in a game that involves a ton of running and jumping. Diallo wrecked a lot of games this year just based on his athletic ability. He was shockingly good against Buffalo.

To me that's not a hindrance but rather the foundation of something that could be special if he'd put in the work. I don't expect that to happen, but I'd take it.

[justford]

Because he is an athlete but not a basketball player. He has so many holes in his game that I doubt he will ever fill them. I don't have anything against the kid, I just can't see him any better next year.

Similar to Marcus Lee??

[George]

Because he is an athlete but not a basketball player. He has so many holes in his game that I doubt he will ever fill them. I don't have anything against the kid, I just can't see him any better next year.

Before freshman starters were the norm, this could’ve been said about any number of first-year UK players. I’d hate to know what our program would look like today if we’d bailed on youngsters because of holes in their game.

[Joneslab]

A lot of these kids didn't get much of a shot before Cal. They got comfortable and then played bigger roles as sophomores.

But Kelenna Azubuike comes to mind as a guy who came in as an athlete first and a basketball player second. If he would've started as a freshmen I think there would've been some pretty serious frustration with him.

[Lighthouse]

Diallo is a freakish athlete but his basketball skills and IQ are lacking. It's been mentioned before how maybe he should try another sport.

[George]

Diallo is a freakish athlete but his basketball skills and IQ are lacking. It's been mentioned before how maybe he should try another sport.

But why not put in the time to see if he’ll develop?

He has uncanny abilities that can’t be taught. If his game catches up in any way - and there’s no reason to think it can’t - then he has the potential to be an incredible player.

[BobS]

The Buffalo Diallo was incredible. If he can harness that guy, he is an AA at UK. But I still think he's gone.

[Lighthouse]

But why not put in the time to see if he’ll develop?

He has uncanny abilities that can’t be taught. If his game catches up in any way - and there’s no reason to think it can’t - then he has the potential to be an incredible player.

If he decides to stay, I'll support him until he has another very selfish streak or argues with Cal or an Assistant. I also remember how many games we won late with him on the bench and a lot of us glad.

[GOCAT15]

I’d say Shai is 100% gone since Cal offered Hagans.

[KCKUKFan]

Shai is announcing his "decision" on Tuesday night, but based on the fact that we've offered Hagans, then it's pretty obvious he's out the door already.

I expect Diallo to leave, just because he wants to be somewhere else.

I'm still torn on Kevin Knox. My head tells me he's gone, but my heart wants to believe all that chattering going on about him staying. Let's say he did stick around, and we landed Montgomery and Hagans (which is looking more likely by the day). What would the roster look like?

1) Immanuel Quickley
2) Ashton Hagans
3) EJ Montgomery
4) Keldon Johnson
5) Tyler Herro

(and, WOW... what a class it turned out to be).

6) Kevin Knox
7) Quade Green
8) PJ Washington
9) Jarred Vanderbilt
10) Nick Richards
11) Wenyen Gabriel
12) Sasha Killeya-Jones
13) Jemarl Baker

Am I missing anybody?

[Lighthouse]

It sure looks good on paper, now if it could only happen.

[Matt Dillon]

I just read an article, on SEC Country, stating Knox went home and met with his family over the weekend. His dad said there should be an announcement coming later this week.

[Joneslab]

I didn't hear this myself, but per another board Matt Jones hinted that Vanderbilt will have surgery.

If true then Vanderbilt is almost assuredly back.

You would expect Knox to at least test the waters and not hire an agent. Not sure why he wouldn't even go through the process to get some feedback.

[Lighthouse]

I didn't hear this myself, but per another board Matt Jones hinted that Vanderbilt will have surgery.

If true then Vanderbilt is almost assuredly back.

You would expect Knox to at least test the waters and not hire an agent. Not sure why he wouldn't even go through the process to get some feedback.

Testing the waters would certainly be the best thing for Knox and all his teammates to go through.