Mark Lyons (AP photo)
While CBS’ Jeff Goodman confirms that ex-Xavier guard Mark Lyons plans on visiting Kentucky, Kansas and Arizona — seems murky as to whether Lyons would be eligible to play immediately at UK — there is more reason to wonder if the starter on the Muskies’ Sweet 16 team would be a good fit in Lexington.
We have this take this morning from Cincinnati Enquirer columnist Paul Daugherty:
Because I spent Jan. and Feb. writing a book and March covering UC, OSU and UK, I mostly saw Xavier on TV. What I saw from Lyons on occasion was selfishness. I saw him come out of a game, Brad Redford come in to replace him and Lyons ignore Redford’s attempt at a fist pound. A big deal? Of course not. A metaphor for Lyons? Yep.
I even heard Bill Raftery rip him, for a stupid and costly foul late in a close game. Bill Raftery never rips anyone. He is the Joe Nuxhall of quasi-am TV guys.
Lyons’ role in the X-town Punchout was understated. Tu Holloway took all the heat. But Lyons’ jawing at UC’s bench played a big role. Referees will tell you they can’t talk to him.
For a coach to wave goodbye to his top returning scorer, in a year when he’s already losing his best player (Holloway) says a lot about what the coach’s relationship was with that top returning scorer.
John Calipari has taken players in past with questionable reputations and coached them into flying right. Considering the consensus opinion was that last year’s national title Cats enjoyed an unusual togetherness, however, do you risk taking a player who apparently had problems in his former home?
If Cal could put up with Daniel Orton and not have him destroy a team, he can put up with Lyons who would give UK some badly needed depth in the backcourt.
It’s a longshot though, he gets him…Lyons was recruited and has stayed close to Sean Miller.
Mark Liptak
I don’t want him. I trust Cal, but this guy is a red-flag. As others have pointed out, UK basketball is unselfish basketball. Has Lyons been that misunderstood? If not, can Lyons transform that radically? I don’t want to risk a whole season by betting that one of those answers is yes.
Considering our bench and the two prospects still available, I’m not sure it would be wise to jump to Lyons too quickly. I think Cal would be good for him, but would he be willing to sit for a while while learning?
I don’t know how he can be eligible in the SEC unless there is some major extenuating circumstance that will make Slive waive SEC rule to not take transfers with less than two years eligibility unless he’s a senior and his team is banned from post season play.
The post graduate rule has been eliminated unless a player enrolled in an SEC school prior to Oct1, 2011.
Lyons was involved in the fight at Cincinnati. I do not want a kid like that at UK!