The Annual Who Goes & Who Stays Thread (UPDATE: Everyone to Enter the Draft)

[Joneslab]

It's really hard to judge 2015 as an all-time great because of the game they lost. I do think they were as good defensively as any team I've seen. I also think that if Ulis and Booker would have been given the keys we would have lost more games, but probably would've won the title. (Though to be fair Booker really struggled against Wisconsin.)

But I do think Andrew Harrison improved from freshman to sophomore year as much as any returner Cal's had. Aaron Harrison strangely regressed.

For anyone who's a little unsure about the '96 team, take a look at their first half against LSU that year. I have never, ever seen a college team do that. And they did things like that on the regular. They were absolutely unreal as a team.

As far as love and adoration for teams, though, I probably got closer to the early 2000s Tubby teams than any other group. I loved those guys.

[KCKUKFan]

It's really hard to judge 2015 as an all-time great because of the game they lost. I do think they were as good defensively as any team I've seen. I also think that if Ulis and Booker would have been given the keys we would have lost more games, but probably would've won the title. (Though to be fair Booker really struggled against Wisconsin.)

But I do think Andrew Harrison improved from freshman to sophomore year as much as any returner Cal's had. Aaron Harrison strangely regressed.

For anyone who's a little unsure about the '96 team, take a look at their first half against LSU that year. I have never, ever seen a college team do that. And they did things like that on the regular. They were absolutely unreal as a team.

As far as love and adoration for teams, though, I probably got closer to the early 2000s Tubby teams than any other group. I loved those guys.

The first half against LSU wasn't much different than 15s first half against UCLA. That LSU team obviously quit five minutes in.

I'm not shortchanging 96. The most devastating college ball team I've ever seen. But I just dont think the gulf between them and some of Cals best UK teams is that large.

[Dwight Schrute]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t the NCAA now allow players who aren’t drafted and don’t sign with agents to return?

So if that’s true that means those players are decided against playing college basketball next season. I wonder if their decisions would change if they were allowed to make money off their likeness?

[Lighthouse]

The first half against LSU wasn't much different than 15s first half against UCLA. That LSU team obviously quit five minutes in.

I'm not shortchanging 96. The most devastating college ball team I've ever seen. But I just dont think the gulf between them and some of Cals best UK teams is that large.

If you're talking about the 96 team against LSU, I certainly don't think LSU quit until the last few minutes. They were just solidly overwhelmed by a far better team.

[lilproUK98]

I always assumed that game against Mississippi St. was probably thrown.

But that was obviously a really good Mississippi St. team that went on to the FF. If the 2012 team caught the '96 team like that they'd win.

But the question in these hypotheticals is that the game is played when both teams are at their best. I've never seen another college team like '96 when it was at its best.

'90 UNLV would be the only one close IMO.

[JFCats22]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t the NCAA now allow players who aren’t drafted and don’t sign with agents to return?

So if that’s true that means those players are decided against playing college basketball next season. I wonder if their decisions would change if they were allowed to make money off their likeness?

No, they have to withdrawal from the draft process in order to retain eligibility.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2020/03/tentative-2020-nba-draft-dates-deadlines.html

[justford]

What player in Cal’s time here in your opinion made the worst decision by leaving early for the NBA? EJ would have to be near the top.

[Joneslab]

What player in Cal’s time here in your opinion made the worst decision by leaving early for the NBA? EJ would have to be near the top.

You'd have to know what will happen with E.J. to know if it's a bad decision. He might make a team, make a few million dollars, invest that money, play overseas for a few years, retire a millionaire, then come back and get his degree when he's 34. When judging whether or not it was a good decision it takes time to know what will happen.

Taking the long view like that you probably have to go with a guy like Marquis Teague. He had no business leaving after his freshman season, but he sort of latched on to those other great players. Played 91 career NBA games and averaged 2 points a game. He probably should have come back to college.

Somebody mentioned Jarred Vanderbilt above. He's had a hard time in the NBA, though the jury is still out because the guy just turned 21 years old. But his career looks like it has really stalled out all of a sudden.

In a perfect world you would need to be a college star to really show you could play in the NBA. But right now at Kentucky we're in a situation where people are chasing free agent and two-way contracts, which is very unfortunate and could honestly signal the end of John Calipari's coaching career.

[KCKUKFan]

and could honestly signal the end of John Calipari's coaching career.

I'm not sure where you're getting this... Cal will adjust. If anything, he seems re-energized.

[Joneslab]

I'm not sure where you're getting this... Cal will adjust. If anything, he seems re-energized.

I'm not sure he's really into reinventing himself at this late stage. It would be a regression for a guy who has always prided himself on progression. Coaching up purely college players while 18-year-old phenoms jump right to the NBA doesn't seem like something Cal would be down to do. Twenty years ago maybe but not now. Remember that old line: "I'm here because I can recruit the best of the best."

I've long believed he'd coach until the CBA agreement changed, then he'd look to find a job in NBA upper management somewhere.

[SBCatMan]

When Cal first came here, it was frustrating for many fans because we were losing our top tier talent to the NBA every year. Frustrating, but understandable. Now, we are losing bench-warmers and marginal talent, not to the NBA, but to NBA dreams. I cannot imagine EJ even getting a sniff of the league. Hagans may go undrafted, and even Nick’s stock is falling fast. Of this year’s crop, only Maxey looks like a sure bet.

[JFCats22]

When Cal first came here, it was frustrating for many fans because we were losing our top tier talent to the NBA every year. Frustrating, but understandable. Now, we are losing bench-warmers and marginal talent, not to the NBA, but to NBA dreams. I cannot imagine EJ even getting a sniff of the league. Hagans may go undrafted, and even Nick’s stock is falling fast. Of this year’s crop, only Maxey looks like a sure bet.

I don't think anyone was really mad or didn't understand why guys like Wall, Cousins, Davis, KAT, etc...left for the draft. Fans probably didn't love it but they understood it.

What's happening now is completely different - Briscoe, Dakari, Vanderbilt, EJ, Diallo, Hagans, IQ, Wenyen, etc... plus the transfers - SKJ, Whitney, Lee, Juzang, Green, Humphries, Baker, etc...is what is driving fans crazy.

Players leave early for the draft and transfer all the time. But, nobody else is doing it to the volume that UK is. As of last draft UK had more guys go in the second round/undrafted than UNC, Duke and KU did combined since Cal got to UK.

[SBCatMan]

Well said. My point exactly.

[GOCAT15]

So I was under the impression at the beginning that Zan Payne May contribute at some point, was I wrong? I just never hear anyone talk about him.

[Joneslab]

So I was under the impression at the beginning that Zan Payne May contribute at some point, was I wrong? I just never hear anyone talk about him.

Seems way undersized for this level.