Matt Jones confirmed

GonzoCat90

Heisman
Mar 30, 2009
32,377
34,559
0
I know where you're coming from, but I will disagree in this case, depending on the details.

If he's getting 2nd round money and a G-League contract, he might be much better off sticking it out in Lexington until he can get things straightened out.

If he's getting first round money and care from NBA team doctors, by all means. Take the money and run. (I know, I know).

Leaving is definitely a risk. He isn't a guaranteed first round pick with the small sample size and injury concerns, I don't think.

But with four (potentially) foot injuries before you turn 20? Maybe this one is just an ankle and isn't severe and it doesn't hurt his draft stock. If that's the case, he needs to go now instead of risking another.

You can be picked in the 30's and still be part of a team's future plans. If your injury history pushes you to going undrafted, that's a big hill to climb, especially when you can't seem to stay on the court to prove yourself.

Coming back another year and staying healthy is obviously better, but what are the odds of that when his last three seasons of basketball have been dramatically cut short due to injury? At some point your body says enough and there's no G League or anything else.

At 19-20, teams might have some hope. *Another* year with a serious foot injury? Even Greg Oden stopped getting chances. Make that few hundred thousand while you can. If that's all you can make, that's all you can make. The scholarship isn't going anywhere.
 

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,077
61,365
113
Sounds like we dodged a bullet. But leave him out until tournament, IMO. Let him rest. And I'd like to see a thiner lineup can do. More minutes for everyone to go around. I think we are a better team with JV for certain.. but there were, and still are, some growing pains getting him acclimated.

I think we can still win the SECT without him. Might even serve our guys better to get serious minutes for 3 days in a row.
 
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GonzoCat90

Heisman
Mar 30, 2009
32,377
34,559
0
I disagree, or actually not necessarily disagree entirely, but I think there's other options he should consider.

Let's not just dismiss the fact that the vast majority of players are not going to return to college. They'll have kids, families, responsibilities. Also, to dismiss the fact that a lot of these guys are young, immature, and uneducated, not to mention are surrounded by people with their hand out, isn't the most honest assessment. Most of these guys have no clue how to handle a couple hundred thousand dollars. It's gone as soon as it comes in with some.

If it's big money, guaranteed, sure, I can go along with that. It it's iffy, I think there's nothing wrong with being open to getting as close to that degree as you can for safety. If he can make half a million overseas tomorrow, barring injury, he could probably do it in a few years as well.

With Vanderbilt it's a tough call, because of his conditions. But I just hate how people with the security of a college degree and good jobs goes about telling others to skip it and chase greed. I know that's not what you're doing, but in a general sense it happens a lot. There is nothing more important than an education. It's not just about the degree.

That's all in play for sure. But those things are still in play for his life if he ends up getting hurt again and never making a dime. If I have that injury history already, I'm taking my 300k or whatever I can get and figuring the rest out later.

If I'm going to be healthy, I'll be healthy and earn that second contract. But if im destined to be hurt, I want something, anything, as a cushion before I go finish my degree.
 

morgousky

Heisman
Sep 5, 2009
23,959
43,171
0
That's all in play for sure. But those things are still in play for his life if he ends up getting hurt again and never making a dime. If I have that injury history already, I'm taking my 300k or whatever I can get and figuring the rest out later.

If I'm going to be healthy, I'll be healthy and earn that second contract. But if im destined to be hurt, I want something, anything, as a cushion before I go finish my degree.
For sure.
 

KyCatFan1

Heisman
May 6, 2002
30,867
31,594
113
I am also not expecting to see Vanderbilt playing again this year and will be pleasantly surprised if he does. With everyone acting so secretly about the injury it makes you think it is his foot. Hopefully it turns out to be nothing, but with the way things have gone with Vanderbilt this year I don't have high hopes. We definitely won't hear much before the brackets come out if it is serious. I guess we will all have to wait until we see him on the bench (unless they keep him away) to have a chance to see what the injury might be.
 

yoshukai

Heisman
Dec 21, 2002
29,873
42,385
102
The one that deserves the apology is Richards. Looks like we’re going to have to dig him out of the trash some of our “fans” buried him under.
Did you apologize to the OP ? You were one of the ones saying we were being trolled.
 
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yoshukai

Heisman
Dec 21, 2002
29,873
42,385
102
Vanderbilt had a stress fracture in his left foot the summer after his junior season and another injury to the left foot before his senior season.

He injured his right foot at the end of the Jordan Brand game and that's what he has been dealing with all season.

The kid has bad feet. Had them before he got here. Has them now. If he's going to get paid to play basketball, doing so as soon as possible, at whatever level will pay him, is the move. He has a UK degree whenever he wants it. Those feet can't take any more injuries for free.
This exactly.
 

CalipariCapo

All-Conference
Feb 25, 2018
1,609
2,824
0
I disagree, or actually not necessarily disagree entirely, but I think there's other options he should consider.

Let's not just dismiss the fact that the vast majority of players are not going to return to college. They'll have kids, families, responsibilities. Also, to dismiss the fact that a lot of these guys are young, immature, and uneducated, not to mention are surrounded by people with their hand out, isn't the most honest assessment. Most of these guys have no clue how to handle a couple hundred thousand dollars. It's gone as soon as it comes in with some.

If it's big money, guaranteed, sure, I can go along with that. It it's iffy, I think there's nothing wrong with being open to getting as close to that degree as you can for safety. If he can make half a million overseas tomorrow, barring injury, he could probably do it in a few years as well.

With Vanderbilt it's a tough call, because of his conditions. But I just hate how people with the security of a college degree and good jobs goes about telling others to skip it and chase greed. I know that's not what you're doing, but in a general sense it happens a lot. There is nothing more important than an education. It's not just about the degree.
Exactly!! Going to college gave me a broader perspective on life and the world around me. My emotional intelligence raised higher than my IQ but building lasting relationships that challenge you to be a better person every day is what its all about. By being able to see the world through a lense other than basketball, these players can find a passion they can pursue after basketball that will give them the sense of accomplishment it takes to lead a happy, accomplishing life. Once you find a deep appreciation for knowledge and your position in the world, other avenues for money open up. Just like Kobe focusing on business and winning an Oscar after retiring from basketball or Poythress graduating with a very challenging accounting degree (you know he's investing his money towards everlasting wealth). I know Kobe didn't go to college but I have no doubt that he broadens his mind and perspectives By doing his own individual studying about the world and his position in it. Very well said @morgousky. It's hard to articulate these sorts of things that go through my head without writing a book lol. Knowledge truly is power.
 
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LadyCaytIL

Heisman
Oct 28, 2012
32,944
34,463
113
Right. All the tourney games were going to be played in the O Dome.

On the road on Senior Night with Vanderbilt in foul trouble. Not the best way to prove your point.

I think anyone who watched the Arkansas game, for instance, knew this team could at least make some noise if healthy.

We had no fight in that game until we were down 23pts..... if you dont think that was a major red flag ..... you'll come to see it as such when the season is finally over...

I allowed that 4 game winning streak to give a glimmer of hope back.... but that UF game crushed it all again... This team just cant mentally stay focused for enough games in a row to make some real noise.
 

morgousky

Heisman
Sep 5, 2009
23,959
43,171
0
Exactly!! Going to college gave me a broader perspective on life and the world around me. My emotional intelligence raised higher than my IQ but building lasting relationships that challenge you to be a better person every day is what its all about. By being able to see the world through a lense other than basketball, these players can find a passion they can pursue after basketball that will give them the sense of accomplishment it takes to lead a happy, accomplishing life. Once you find a deep appreciation for knowledge and your position in the world, other avenues for money open up. Just like Kobe focusing on business and winning an Oscar after retiring from basketball or Poythress graduating with a very challenging accounting degree (you know he's investing his money towards everlasting wealth). I know Kobe didn't go to college but I have no doubt that he broadens his mind and perspectives By doing his own individual studying about the world and his position in it. Very well said @morgousky. It's hard to articulate these sorts of things that go through my head without writing a book lol. Knowledge truly is power.

Hey man, when I finally realized I wasnt going to be drafted, the fact that I discovered a new passion during college growth helped me. I know a guy that played baseball for Kentucky in the mid 2,000's that left early and got hurt, didn't take his education seriously and without baseball he's lost. Has actually turned into an alcoholic and is unemployed and golfs all day. His wife Is about to leave him.

I've lived this. I know better than to chase greed and devalue the idea of education.
 

CalipariCapo

All-Conference
Feb 25, 2018
1,609
2,824
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Hey man, when I finally realized I wasnt going to be drafted, the fact that I discovered a new passion during college growth helped me. I know a guy that played baseball for Kentucky in the mid 2,000's that left early and got hurt, didn't take his education seriously and without baseball he's lost. Has actually turned into an alcoholic and is unemployed and golfs all day. His wife Is about to leave him.

I've lived this. I know better than to chase greed and devalue the idea of education.
That is sad. Some people only see the money as the goal of success when in reality, money does not provide you with the spiritual sense of fulfillment that you need by tying your life to goals and fulfilling those goals to give your life a sense of meaning through your accomplishments. The same as Antwoine Walker losing all of his money through gambling and letting his "latcher-ons" take him for a ride. That all worked out for the best though because I love listening to Walker on the SEC Network/calling games. Gives me a nice ray of basketball enjoyment in a cloud of media darkness filled with former dookies/ACC slurppers.
 
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morgousky

Heisman
Sep 5, 2009
23,959
43,171
0
That is sad. Some people only see the money as the goal of success when in reality, money does not provide you with the spiritual sense of fulfillment that you need by tying your life to goals and fulfilling those goals to give your life a sense of meaning through your accomplishments. The same as Antwoine Walker losing all of his money through gambling and letting his "latcher-ons" take him for a ride. That all worked out for the best though because I love listening to Walker on the SEC Network/calling games. Gives me a nice ray of basketball enjoyment in a cloud of media darkness filled with former dookies/ACC slurppers.

It is very sad. He was a good one, I'm not going to say his name for obvious reasons, but a few years ago he was driving drunk actually ran his car into someone's house. He's just lost, and unwilling to go back to school. Why would he? When you're an athlete you don't even know how to be a regular student. You've never done it. Lol.

And that's another aspect of this that people don't think about unless you were an athlete. I've been both a regular student and an athlete. Let me tell you guys something, athletes are almost given grades (UNC I know). But really, even at U.K., the standards for athletes and regular students is nowhere near the same. These guys have a chance to get a degee with free tutoring, laid out schedules, and coaches who spoon feed your routines. The professors know who is an athlete and most accommodate it.

To simply give that up for some instant money that you might not even know how to handle is sad to me.

I get it, money is money. And I'm not in the position to be handed 3 million dollars tomorrow, but I think the culture lately Is dangerous and sets a bad tone. Some people have taken Cals recruiting pitches to heart, and I'm not a fan of some of this.
 

CalipariCapo

All-Conference
Feb 25, 2018
1,609
2,824
0
It is very sad. He was a good one, I'm not going to say his name for obvious reasons, but a few years ago he was driving drunk actually ran his car into someone's house. He's just lost, and unwilling to go back to school. Why would he? When you're an athlete you don't even know how to be a regular student. You've never done it. Lol.

And that's another aspect of this that people don't think about unless you were an athlete. I've been both a regular student and an athlete. Let me tell you guys something, athletes are almost given grades (UNC I know). But really, even at U.K., the standards for athletes and regular students is nowhere near the same. These guys have a chance to get a degee with free tutoring, laid out schedules, and coaches who spoon feed your routines. The professors know who is an athlete and most accommodate it.

To simply give that up for some instant money that you might not even know how to handle is sad to me.

I get it, money is money. And I'm not in the position to be handed 3 million dollars tomorrow, but I think the culture lately Ian dangerous and sets a bad tone. Some people have taken Cals recruiting pitches to heart, and I'm not a fan of some of this.
You speak my language man. I asked for your input on a thread I created while you were on a forced hiatus. It's called "let's draft a suitable compensation plan". Check it out if you ever get time. I'd love to get your input on it since we generally agree on most everything (from bball to politics lol). It address some of what you just said about athletes not really being students.
 

UKUGA

Heisman
Jan 26, 2007
18,505
26,810
0
We had no fight in that game until we were down 23pts..... if you dont think that was a major red flag ..... you'll come to see it as such when the season is finally over...

I allowed that 4 game winning streak to give a glimmer of hope back.... but that UF game crushed it all again... This team just cant mentally stay focused for enough games in a row to make some real noise.

Well, we aren't going to win the title; so, you will appear prophetic.

And I agree, this team is lacking something. However, as usual, the refs helped zap some of that enthusiasm in the first four minutes of the game.

Unfortunately, it's pretty common for freshman to let those things get to them.
 

justin_uk_5

All-American
May 26, 2007
3,861
7,239
85
I like Matt and KSR but I don’t think it’s a coincidence that he had a ‘source’ tell him the injury is not that significant after Kyle Tucker tweeted out something similar
 

morgousky

Heisman
Sep 5, 2009
23,959
43,171
0
You speak my language man. I asked for your input on a thread I created while you were on a forced hiatus. It's called "let's draft a suitable compensation plan". Check it out if you ever get time. I'd love to get your input on it since we generally agree on most everything (from bball to politics lol). It address some of what you just said about athletes not really being students.

Awesome I'd love to read it. Link maybe? I've got 3 screens up and im bidding on routes (my new business). Hard to dig plus go back and forth.

Some of you guys have far better answers than me, I just have the feel when I hear something I don't like.
 

CalipariCapo

All-Conference
Feb 25, 2018
1,609
2,824
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Awesome I'd love to read it. Link maybe? I've got 3 screens up and im bidding on routes (my new business). Hard to dig plus go back and forth.

Some of you guys have far better answers than me, I just have the feel when I hear something I don't like.
https://kentucky.forums.rivals.com/threads/lets-draft-a-suitable-compensation-plan.259273/

Here ya go man. Throughout the thread it kind of breaks some of my points down and shows the flaws in it. Overall, it turned into a really good discussion of getting to the root of the problems. I gave it a shot in the dark that I thought would start a good basis for discussion and try to help lead to a more concrete answer.
 

catsfanbgky

All-American
Oct 18, 2006
18,901
7,622
0
We get hopefully some good news on the Vanderbilt injury, and some of you are still fighting like kids. How about post on the topic at hand, or private message each other with your useless bs. Damn this place is getting worse by the day.
 
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tWildcat

Heisman
Mar 12, 2011
9,801
14,326
72
We're not the only ones going through things. Kansas just lost Azubuike to an MCL sprain.
 

CalipariCapo

All-Conference
Feb 25, 2018
1,609
2,824
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We're not the only ones going through things. Kansas just lost Azubuike to an MCL sprain.
I didn't know this. I assume he's done for the season? If so, that is a MAJOR hit to them. Basically no interior presence to speak of if he goes down for the season.
 

tWildcat

Heisman
Mar 12, 2011
9,801
14,326
72
I didn't know this. I assume he's done for the season? If so, that is a MAJOR hit to them. Basically no interior presence to speak of if he goes down for the season.
I just saw it scroll across espn and on twitter someone said he's out the whole big 12 tournament and they'll reevaluate the injury on Sunday.
 

CalipariCapo

All-Conference
Feb 25, 2018
1,609
2,824
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I just saw it scroll across espn and on twitter someone said he's out the whole big 12 tournament and they'll reevaluate the injury on Sunday.
Just saw that too. I have West Virginia winning the Big 12 tourney anyways. I'm sure he'll be ready for the NCAA if it's only a grade one.
 

Wildcats1st

Heisman
Sep 16, 2017
18,949
28,911
0
I thought the foot injury this season was the “other foot”??? So his Hs foot injury was the same one he injured this year?? Lots of misinformation surrounding him I believe
 
Dec 12, 2007
68,157
14,860
0
I just saw it scroll across espn and on twitter someone said he's out the whole big 12 tournament and they'll reevaluate the injury on Sunday.

Probably done, and they are saying that to protect their seed. They shouldn't be a 1 seed anyway, but even more so if he is done.