Kentucky freshmen Eric Bledsoe, DeMarcus Cousins, Daniel Orton and John Wall and junior Patrick Patterson will enter their names in this year’s NBA Draft.
All five players are projected as first-round picks, with Wall likely to go No. 1 overall.
It marks the second straight season a Kentucky player has declared early for the draft. All-American Jodie Meeks decided to forego his senior season last year to turn pro.
Bledsoe averaged 11.3 ppg while hitting 49 three-pointers and shooting 38 percent from behind the line in his freshman campaign.
“I never thought I’d be in this position after one year,” Bledsoe said. “Coach Cal pushed us all to be the best we could be and he believes I’m prepared to take my game to the next level. I want to thank the fans for all their support this year.”
Cousins was second on the team in scoring, averaging 15.1 ppg while posting a team-best 9.8 rpg average, all in only 23.5 minutes per game. He destroyed the UK freshman rebounding record by nearly 100 rebounds and scored the second-most points by a UK freshman, behind teammate John Wall.
The Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year also led the Wildcats in double-doubles this season with 20, the most by a UK player since 1973 and the fourth most in a season in Kentucky basketball history.
“Coach challenged me to grow on and off the court this season,” Cousins said. “I believe my game expanded along with my maturity. This year was the most fun I’ve ever had playing basketball and a lot of it had to do with the support I got from our fans.”
Orton served as the Wildcats’ sixth man this season and finished averaging 3.4 points and 3.3 rebounds. He was second on the team in blocked shots with 53 and ranked eighth in the SEC in blocks per game (1.4).
“Being at Kentucky allowed me to play with some of the most talented players in the country,” Orton said. “Battling with DeMarcus (Cousins) and Patrick (Patterson) every day helped improve my game. I want to thank the coaching staff for helping put me in a position to be drafted this year.”
Patterson ranked second in the SEC and 12th nationally in field goal percentage (.575). He recorded nine double-doubles this season, fourth most in the SEC, and 11 double-digit rebounding performances. He finished his junior season ranked 13th on Kentucky’s all-time scoring list (1,564) and sixth on Kentucky’s career double-double list with 30.
“I want to thank the fans who have supported me all three years,” Patterson said. “I also want to thank the coaches for putting me in a position to showcase other parts of my game as well as my versatility. Lexington and UK will always be a special place to me.”
Wall led the Wildcats in scoring (16.6), assists (6.5) and steals (1.8) while setting the school single-season assist record with 241. The Adolph Rupp National Player of the Year recorded five double-doubles on the season, three in points and assists, and two in points and rebounds, making him the first player in UK history to record double-doubles in points and rebounds and points and assists.
“I’m not the same player as when I arrived at UK,” Wall said. “I believe I’m ready for the next challenge as Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans were the last two years under Coach Cal. I want to thank my teammates and the fans for all their support this year. I love them.”
“I’ve spoken with all five guys concerning the NBA and have encouraged them to put their names in the draft,” UK head coach John Calipari said. “They’ve all met individually with our compliance office to make sure they have a full understanding of eligibility rules and academic responsibilities. I’m so proud of these five young men, with everything they did for us on the court and the way they represented us off of it.
“It’s extremely unusual for four freshmen from the same team to have this opportunity, but it’s my job as a coach to prepare these young men for such opportunities.”
Underclassmen have until April 25 to declare for the draft and have until May 8 to withdraw their name from the draft.
The 2010 NBA Draft will take place on June 24.
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(Photo courtesy Getty Images)
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UofA BJ / April 7, 2010
Time for Calipari to get out his checkbook.
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BostonCat / April 7, 2010
don’t be bitter because your coach is struggling to land top 50 players let alone elite players. there might be some transfers or JUCOs out there you guys might be able to land.
this was a special group that accomplished a lot. because of their efforts they now have options and are exploring them. i wish them the best and if any of them decide to return i look forward to them ripping it up another year.
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GasCan / April 7, 2010
Time for UofA BJ to get back on his knees and show us how he earned the BJ portion of his name.
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razor ramone / April 7, 2010
By the looks of your name, you need to break out the kneepads UofA
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tsmooth / April 7, 2010
UK got turned down by an unranked recruit who is a walk on at L’ville,and the funny part is, UK offered him a scholly and he still didn’t go!!
Oh, and btw, UofA is not struggling to sign recruits. They aren’t losing much this year, therefore they don’t need to go out and chase everything, a la UK. UofA brought in a ton last year, and one more year under Miller should help out a lot, especially Derrick Williams, the best freshman nobody heard of.
I do believe UK is targeting anyone that can run and dribble for next year’s team. Enes Kanter probably won’t play a lot due to eligibility problems, BK is nowhere as good as Wall, Stacey Poole doesn’t have a great game, Chris Hill won’t qualify academically it looks like, and CJ Leslie has little O game.
Also, I do think that UK is targeting some JUCO players, and none have signed or verballed. None are returning. UK will hardly be a top 20 team next year, and Memphis will show who has the better coach.
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RockChalk97 / April 7, 2010
Definitely knew Wall and Cousins were gone. Pretty sure Bledsoe was gone but Orton? I didn’t think he had enough playing time to make the jump. Guess it shows that you can come off the bench and go to the NBA (as a freshman none the less). Good for him if he’s projected for the first round.
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RockChalk97 / April 7, 2010
On a side note imagine if Xavier actually jumped Kansas to Kentucky that would have been 5 frosh from one school in the draft! CRAZY
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BostonCat / April 7, 2010
congrats on knowing next to nothing. uk got turned down from a walk-on because he wanted a 4 year ride guaranteed. which he wasnt going to get. so please try better next time. i’m sure uk will get turned down. we will also land multiple elite players each year. so…the walk on can go walk on somewhere else. my feelings arent hurt.
ua not struggling to sign recruits….you are right. they werent really after payne, jones, selby, and lamb. much better for a team that went 16-15 with a guy like jordin mayes.
kanter wont have much of a problem if any. his goal from the beginning was to play college ball for a year, maybe two to get ready for the nba. his parents are smart and wealthy and everything has been documented. the NCAA also just passed or will pass a rule to help players like kanter out as they do in other NCAA sports.
poole isnt meant to be an impact player right away. he will be a 3 or 4 year role player. we have tons of wings that can get the job done next year. the great part about a kid like poole is he is a great kid with a great family that brings MORE NBA figures around the program.
CJ leslie has little offense. imagine that considering he is a top 15 player. oh well…guess we will just take jones too just in case.
good luck next getting over .500. dont worry about uk. we will be fine.
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UofA BJ / April 7, 2010
Its funny how you know so much about players you have never seen play, like jordin mayes, who by the way is better than stacey poole.
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UofA BJ / April 7, 2010
They are initials given at birth douchbag.
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UofA BJ / April 7, 2010
how original,but seriously that was just said and you killed it.
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BostonCat / April 7, 2010
LOL ok.
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bigpapijugg / April 7, 2010
i love false reporting. i know espn said that 5 players declared. but the truth is only 4 have. Bledsoe, Cousins, Orton, and Wall have declared. Patrick has not and will not make a decision for another week or two. this is because he tested waters last year and cannot do so this year while still maintaining his eligibility. Believe it or not he IS thinking about returning.
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bigpapijugg / April 7, 2010
bledsoe wouldnt have had the playing time to become a star had za-vee-ay came to UK. dumb ass Meeks shouldnt have left tho haha
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jhawk4 / April 8, 2010
Bigpapijugg- Every news outlet i’ve seen has Patterson gone too. Where are you getting the patterson not declared yet info?
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UofA BJ / April 8, 2010
He’s obviously dreaming if he thinks patterson is coming back, and I doubt he has any info, he is making stuff up.
Who tests the waters comes back is a projected lottery pick but decides to stay for senior year. Dumbest thing a kentucky fan has said all day.
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jhawk4 / April 8, 2010
Well i took it upon myself to do some research and a Kentucky news station says he is still undecided on his future, so i guess that works for me as a credible source. i wonder when ESPN and others will pick up on it.
Still, I cant imagine him coming back. It was almost a foregone conclusion that he was gone since the year started
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MilesCat / April 8, 2010
This is from Kentucky Sports Radio: Mrs. Patterson says
Patrick has not made a decision yet. He will do so in the next week or two and he will decide it by the 24th. It his decision and he knows that if he puts in the Draft he cant take it out. He wants to weigh the pros and the cons of the decison. The pros like the fact that he loves the fans and he could get his master’s degree at Kentucky. But then he sees cons like the injury that Desean from West Virginia got in that last game. But he is taking his time and wants to make a thoughtful decision on his own terms.
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RockChalk97 / April 8, 2010
Do players leaving early have an affect on graduation rate and scholarships in the long run?
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BostonCat / April 8, 2010
graduation rate is meaningless. its the APR that matters and as long as a player leaves in good academic standing its fine it will have no effects. its unlikely to effect uk regardless because uk has a good APR and its works on a sliding average. and even if they did lose a scholarship so what. 12 rides vs 13 doesnt mean much when cal probably will never have the need for 13 anyways.
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MilesCat / April 8, 2010
I believe so, that it is why Cal has talk to each player about what they need to do academically. I know for a fact Cousins and Wall are stil in classes, which even suprises me. Orton is already in San Fransisco, but is somehow doing class work on-line. Haven’t not heard Bledsoe’s situation. Patterson of course is still doing his class thing.
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bigpapijugg / April 8, 2010
u of a BJ- good job making yourself look like a dumb ass. if im dreaming then why the hell is it being reported all over kentucky. why would his mom say that. why would Patterson have a picture taken wearing a “one more year” shirt for the guys that were thought to be leaving. you need to stick to the other wildcats and continue your sucking off of Jessie Wildcat….
thanks
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bigpapijugg / April 8, 2010
oh yeah and here is your link, jackass.
http://vaughtsviews.com/?p=4221
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GasCan / April 8, 2010
The info has come from his own mother. She has spoken personally to several Lexington media members, and has said he will decide in the next two weeks. I still believe he will ultimately decide to enter the draft, but it is far from a sure thing at this point.
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ChicagoUK / April 8, 2010
I thought Zagsblog was the only place where fans of all schools could discuss issues with civility. Oh well..
It has been well-known to UK fans that all 5 are leaving. The Patrick Patterson issue is a hiccup but he will leave in the end (whether he wanted it released or not, he did compose the statement annoucing his exit).
Today is the first day Cal is out on the road as are other coaches, and the playing time issue had to be cleared up.
While UK’s next class will not be anywhere as good as the past class, it should be be a top-3 class when done. I expect Knight, Lamb, CJ Leslie, T Jones to join Kanter and Poole. Add Liggins, Hood and D Miller, UK will be fine next year.
By the way, Michael Gilchrist (best player regardless of class) will commit to UK on Wednesday. You can book it.
The other two top players in the 2011 class are also rumored to have UK in the lead (Q Miller and M Teague).
The future is bright at UK. Best of luck to KU, Zona and others.
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MuchLuck / April 8, 2010
Calipari will always have the “one-and-done” issue. It has always been widely accepted that Calipari is more of a recruiter than a coach and does not have the capability of developing players to the NBA level. The players he recruits already have the NBA talent and would, normally, move directly to the NBA from high school if the rules permitted. Certainly, the extra year playing at the college level (or SEC level anywa) helped them hone their skills, but can you imagine how these 5 players would have improved under a coach that develops and improves player skills?
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BostonCat / April 8, 2010
comical…orton and bledsoe are 1st rounders because of cal. neither were thought that highly of at the start of the season. nba teams are calling uk/cal to talk about guys like miller and liggins because of they have done under cal in just 1 year. pattersons stock has improved because of added dimensions to his game he got working under cal.
its and easy argument to make that cal “doesnt develop players” because opposing fans want to believe it because they dont want to admit he is a great recruiter, great coach and great developer of talent. opposing fans want to leave the door open in one or more of those areas so they have something to believe in.
cal takes players and their NBA stock improves. other coaches, turn players into 3 and 4 year guys. but somehow these fans think they are being developed. makes no sense. well it does actually. people hate cal and will believe ANYTHING to justify their absurd ramblings.
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MuchLuck / April 8, 2010
I guess you know that nba teams are calling uk/cal because you are his receptionist?……which actually disqualifies you from having an unbiased opinion.
The reason it’s easy to make the argument is because it’s pretty obvious. The “everybody hates us cause we’re from Kentucky” really only works when we’re having to pay taxes to the Appalachian Community Project Fund.
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Michael / April 8, 2010
Nice post ChicagoUK. I agree we all get a little carried away sometimes. It’s only hoops.
If you get that class it’s just as good as last year I believe, although I think Jones will end up at UW. Gilchrist would be huge of course.
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MilesCat / April 8, 2010
You are joking right? Cal is not the best X and O coach by far, but he knows how to develop players and get the most out of them. Let me guess, the players only want to come to Cal, because he pays the most and WWW helps to get him the best players. Bring something better to the table…PLEASE!
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JessieWildcat / April 8, 2010
Five enter and TWO return.
Still LMAO about Orton and Eric B.
So, both will have to leave after the soph year?
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BostonCat / April 8, 2010
from chad ford’s twitter:
“All five Kentucky players declare for the draft. Wall goes 1. Cousins 3 to 5. Patterson 10 to 18. Orton 10 to 18. Bledsoe 12 to 20.”
but maybe you have better connections the chad ford and a better eye for talent then nba scouts.
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ChicagoUK / April 8, 2010
Curious to hear Zag’s opinion on Austin Rivers re-opening his recruitment. Looks like UNC, Duke, Florida and to a lesser extent UK are in the mix. He is an exceptional talent.
If he does end up at Duke as many predict, the backcourt of Irving, Rivers and Curry as a backup will be flat-out amazing in 2011-12.
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UofA BJ / April 8, 2010
Why you hit the nail on the head, except WWW pays them not Cal.
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UofA BJ / April 8, 2010
Spoken like a true hillbilly bum fuck when you say graduation rate is pointless. But again thats all you kentucky folk are.
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UofA BJ / April 8, 2010
B.S.
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UofA BJ / April 8, 2010
Nice post chicagouk.
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UofA BJ / April 8, 2010
Uk is not in the mix for Rivers and never will be.
Cmon his dad would never send his son to play for that used car salesman Calipari. Plus im sure austin is smart enough to pick a school that happens to win it all it wont be vacated a couple years later,seriously cals only shot is praying on the poorer 5 stars not the ones that already have money and a brain.
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BostonCat / April 8, 2010
his dad and cal are friends actually.
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BostonCat / April 8, 2010
please outline why graduation rate means anything to people who matter?
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tsmooth / April 8, 2010
U of A isn’t struggling, dipshit. They don’t need to go out and get a bunch of players because they will have virtually everybody back next year. Please, look at a roster for once.
And sorry dude, but I know more about sports than you. My media credentials say so.
CJ Leslie has very little offense. Watch a game of him instead of a highlight reel, and you will come up with the same conclusion. He gets dunks. That’s about it. Great D player, just no O.
Try to actually go out and see players play instead of relying on message boards and websites. You learn more that way.
Funny that the NCAA just passed the bill when Kanter chose UK. WVU had a player suspended for 20 games because of the same allegations. Can’t suspend a UK player though!
Btw, not even a UofA fan. Just had to show how stupid you are
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tsmooth / April 8, 2010
UK will not get Lamb and T Jones. My sources have said as much. Lamb is leaning to KU, and Jones is leaning to UW.
Teague has L’ville in the lead, and Q Miller isn’t leaning anywhere right now. He likes Duke and UK the most.
Not hearing Gilchrist deciding Wednesday. Gotta check on that
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razor ramone / April 8, 2010
Hey Arizona Blow Job – The hillbilly jokes are as juvenile as they come. I would think with your pristine UA education, you could come up with something more witty.
Before you destroy all credibility for yourself, read this article from last year. I’d say that destroys your “theory” about Doc Rivers and Calipari
http://vaughtsviews.com/?p=324&postcomment=true
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UofA BJ / April 9, 2010
wow awesome article it doesnt even say they are friends. Because Cal has talked to Doc Rivers before means what in Austin’s recruitment exactly?
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razor ramone / April 9, 2010
Are you really this disconnected ? Doc Rivers runs some of Calipari’s offense with his NBA team, they meet and discuss it often, and you don’t think he would consider his own son playing in that offense ? How ironic you make the racist comment about poor 5 star kids having no money and a brain, yet your shitbird school recruits the exact same kids as Kentucky. Oh, Brandon Knight has a 4.0 and his father is a successful engineer in Florida, but who’s paying attention to details , right ?
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UofA BJ / April 9, 2010
Calipari’s offense? LOL. What has he ever won with it?
Not a racist comment and never mentioned brandon knight,and he doesnt count as kentucky’s until he commits smart guy, was more refering to Derrick Rose (who got into college without a real qualifying score bc of calipari’s string pulling), tyreke evans,john wall, demarcus cousins to name a few.
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jhawk4 / April 9, 2010
uofa bj why did you have to go back there…
the next uk poster will talk about how wall had a team high gpa…then how cousins demeanor was ok because it was “heart” and “emotion” and how “calipari couldn’t possibly be involved with Rose’s SAT…”
we have had this argument a million times and it always goes the same way. drop it
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ZonaWildcat / April 9, 2010
^^^^THIS^^^^
Until he screws them over too, they will defend him until they die.
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beardown3232 / April 9, 2010
In case anyone didn’t know already, Doron Lamb’s father said that KU and UK are in the lead for Lamb. That is fine with me because considering Arizona’s situation, we need 4 year players (Kadeem Jack) more than stud freshmen (Lamb, Selby) that leave after one season. Good luck to KU and UK next season, and it should be fun watching Zona play KU in Vegas. Hopefully the same result happens that happened the last time the two played.
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RockChalkWoody / April 10, 2010
According to Oak Hill Coach Steve Smith (regarding Doron Lamb):
“I think Kentucky and Kansas are his two leaders,” Smith said. “He’s kind of torn between the two of them. West Virginia is getting there and working hard, but they started a little later. They didn’t get on him until sometime in January. UConn is trying, Arizona has faded and Oklahoma is out.
KU vs. UA should be fun next year. Looking more & more like Selby vs. Momo.
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jhawk4 / April 10, 2010
im very excited for KU-Zona. Good early test for both teams. Interested to see a Derrick Williams v Marcus Morris matchup (they should be the best players on the floor for their respective teams).
thankfully Jordan Hill is gone. That guy killed us last time we played (although I still think he got away with some blatant over the back fouls, but oh well).
This game will also be a homecoming for Elijah Johnson (from Vegas) and Jeff Withey gets to reunite with some of his old teammates! alright!
seriously though, this will be a good early season experience for both sides. Ku and Arizona have somewhat of a history playing each other and I would like to see the series continue
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beardown3232 / April 10, 2010
Living in Saint Louis, I go too hardly any Arizona basketball games but the two I have gone to most recently were when Arizona played in Memphis (and lost) and when Arizona played KU in Tucson. Arizona actually won the game by 17 points. The game the season before in Kansas was a lot more dramatic and I think it would be fair to say that Arizona came closer than any other team, to beating Kansas in the current home winning streak Kansas has.
I doubt it would happen but I would like to see Kansas and Arizona play each other every year, switching between Lawrence and Tucson. Over the last 20 years or so, Arizona and Kansas along with UCLA have been the most prominent basketball programs western of the Mississippi River.
My very early prediction for next year’s game is Kansas will be able to stop the Rucker Park Duo of Momo Jones and Kevin Parrom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaAUit6HOu8) but they won’t be able to stop Derrick Williams inside. The key might come down to whoever has Josh Selby playing point guard.
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RockChalkWoody / April 10, 2010
I agree…KU-UA should play every year. Obviously, Lute & Roy liked playing each other (Roy used it as a recruiting tool for the west coast).
Not trying to flame, but KU’s depth inside (The Twins, TRob, Withey) should be able to slow down Williams. As for Selby, it’s looking more & more like he’ll be running the show in Lawrence.
And now there’s a rumor circulating that Self & Terrence Jones are having dialogue according to his mom (I’m making no predictions on this one). Somebody will have to talk Jessie off the ledge if KU grabs Selby & Jones.
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