Look at how the UK basketball scholarship roster for next year looks right now:
John Clay is a sports columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader. A native of Central Kentucky and graduate of UK, he covered UK football for 13 seasons before being promoted to columnist in 2000. Born in Paris, he graduated from George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester in 1977. He lives in Lexington with his wife and two sons. You can e-mail him at jclay@herald-leader.com.
By my count that is 14. What can we do? That’s a really good 14 by the way.
I put Donald Williams on the list, even though I don’t realistically expect him back next year as a scholarship player.
So then 13. How many are allowed? Hopefully we’ll get John Wall…
you might wind up adding more to it later
If you are right, John, then we have 13. That means we will need to drop one player for each we add, such as Wall, Henry or Dennis. If we add players, who is leaving? While I have no idea, I’ll speculate like I were a columnist: I like Harrelson’s skill set, but I could see him struggling in this new offence. Harris seems unlikely to play in this offense also, not to mention he needs to wear body armor and a helmet given what happened this last year. One final option might be to ask Miller and/or Hood to walk on, since various grants and what not might cover the cheap in state tuition anyway.
So UK has gone from forcing coaches out to now forcing players out? How proud you must be of your classy program.
Bronner,
Our “classy program” is doing what every top program in the country has done, does, and will do in the future when necessary - Get Over It. What program do you support? Jealous, are you?
I am not sure who plans on leaving next…Harris? Harrellson? Stewart? I mean I know that as a player I would love to play for Coach Cal, but who is to say the transfers or RS FR, will fit into Cal’s plans…all I can say is wait and see…wait and see…no one can speculate unless you are the specific player/coach…so we will have to sit back and see what happens…Jodie has until June 15 to pull his hat back out of the draft, and does everyone think that Orton is going to be happy playing backup to Cousins? I wouldn’t but like I said…only they know for sure!
Orton’s out now — expect Stewart next.
You’re pathetic. UK stands for everything that is wrong with college athletics today and the sad thing is you know it and don’t care. Winning is all that’s necessary to you. How it happens be damned.
I’m through with this. You and your program will reap what you sow. Enjoy!
I’m guessing “Bronner” is either a Louisville or Duke fan…
I don’t understand actually. We are speculating. Cal said he would not take a scholarship from anyone on the team that wanted to stay. But we all know that a kid that isn’t going to play in the new system will want to leave to play somewhere else. It is a mutually preferable situation. Porter was rumored to be quitting for the two reasons he gave before Billy G was even fired. Pitino asked Ky players deserving of scholarships to walk on so we could use another scholarship - that could happen here is no one else voluntarily leaves. Bronner ‘is done with this?’ Done with what? Rooting against Ky? ‘Cause I’m pretty sure he was never a UK fan.
Personally, I am glad to see Porter leave. I never cared much for his cowardliness on the court in the first place. He’ll free up a scholarship for a much better player. If in-state recruits can still get free college due to grants and what not, then I think the respectable thing to do would be to do that to free up a scholarship for a player that could enhance your chance to make a great team. I really hope that Meeks doesn’t get silly and sign an agent because I don’t feel he’s ready for the NBA…he showed little greatness over the last 8 or so games of the season. Not saying he’s not a great player, we all know he is dangerous, I just don’t feel it’s quite his time to move to the next level…one more year Jodie would do you and UK a great deal of good! As for Bonner, last I checked every team in the NCAA strives to win and will take the measures needed to do so. As long as it is legal, moral, and accepted, who cares what you think! UK basketball history is that of a powerhouse, one expected to be a legitimate contender for the national title every year. Not to WIN the title every year, but be the threat that UNC, Duke, Kansas, UCLA, and the like have been year after year. We haven’t been that since 2000 at least. We’re taking the proper steps to get back to that, and like it or not, we’ll be back on top! GO CATS!!
i have been a uk fan since klye macy. It will be good to see uk back on top. Watch out duke and unc. Here come the cats!!!!!!!!!
The only other recruit we really need is Wall. That’s of course if Meek’s and Patterson stay.
All you complainers of the UK program need to realize that it is a business. No one is trying to be mean or cruel to any player. Respecting them by telling the truth about their playing time or chances of playing at all is the only way to do it and be fair. We are only trying to improve our program. Shouldn’t all schools be doing this.
miller needs 2 stay. great potential for the new offense.porter leaving was a good thing. harrelson and stewart should go as well. we need a point guard really really bad. and why would orton have to play behind cousins? have any of u seen him play? i don’t know if that’s a good trade or not. why not go three bigs in the middle. we all know pat can play coast to coast, but the 2 fresh can as well, cousins had a runout in mcd’s game for a dunk, orton has a highlight of him going line to line and beaking the backboard. they are both beast. cousins is probably one and done anyway. orton should be here to soak up the soph glory. once again, we need a pg. maybe liggins should move on to open a “ship” for a big name recruit. not sayin names, but u know who i mean. meeks should come back, but the check will decide that. i mean come on, open three’s off the drive with real rebounding ability comin in waves in the middle. would be perfect for him. with one more recruit and both comin back it would be a whole new ballgame. coach cal will do what’s best to win, and i say what’s wrong with that? i for one, am tired of being on the back burner of ncaa ball. we are a powerhouse and it’s damn sure time we reclaimed our spot. we got the right coach, now we need the right players and it’s up to coach to make that happen. i believe he will. this is just the first bunch, it’s only up from here. 1 and done, so what, the talent pool will surely flock to the real deal.
Go cats