Does Jai Lucas feel stupid now????

[crazzedcats22]

seems to me he went to Florida because he was pretty sure PP would be there.

[Craig the Blueheart]

I don't know if he feels stupid. All in all, this is a great day. We are not burdoned with a question mark at that position, and we have the opportunity to get a great PG next year. In addition, we have plenty to run that position next year. He knew that, and made the best decision for himself.

[teamchemistry09]

Jai Lucas will be a great PG for Florida so he shouldnt feel stupid. Either way, they both made the best decision for their futures

[Coldstream]

In the end, Lucas had to what was best for himself. He had 'hoped' that PP would follow him there. Not much you can do other than that.

[Terry L. Wildcat]

I wish Jai good luck...Billy Clyde will get us a point guard next year.

[UKSam]

This just makes the UK/UF rivalry even more fun!

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

who should feel stupid is he who assumed they were a package deal

[BRN2BNK]

There is a little egg on Jai's face here...We will see as the years go on. Hopefully the tables will turn back to a historical perspective and UK starts pouncing UF again.

[TOPCAT]

SAW ON ANOTHER BOARD THAT HE HASN`T SIGNED THE L.O.I YET!Rivals has him just as a verbal.HMMMMN

[Caveman Catfan]

SAW ON ANOTHER BOARD THAT HE HASN`T SIGNED THE L.O.I YET!Rivals has him just as a verbal.HMMMMN

Speaking of PGs, the guy from Scout.com informed on the Sports Mob today that UK was backing off of B. Jennings.

[bevcat]

I heard on the Sports Mob today that as late as Sunday that Patterson told Calathes that he was signing with Fla. So when Jai held his press conference on Monday, he thought that PP was going to Fla. What a shock he must have had today when he heard Patterson commit to Kentucky!

[UderricKY]

I always felt it was a bit one-sided, on the part of Jai, when it came to the tag-team commitment of these two.

Jai always seemed to be pushing the issue, while, PPAT was as silent about that scenario as he was about his recruitment.

[Doug Hardin]

I wish Jai good luck...Billy Clyde will get us a point guard next year.

If not next year, he's already got Vilarino coming in the following year.

I would guess Jasper's and Porter's progression will determine how hard Gillispie recruits a PG next year. Jennings is good enough that you go after him regardless of your team's needs, but if he signs elsewhere, I would imagine Gillispie will focus on finding another wing (Miller) and a big.

[Kentucker]

seems to me he went to Florida because he was pretty sure PP would be there.

He's going to feel both stupid and very lonely when Donovan bolts for Orlando!

[KapitalCat]

seems to me he went to Florida because he was pretty sure PP would be there.

He will only feel stupid if BD goes to the NBA. He said KY was guard heavy and he's right. Ky didn't need another guard, they needed an inside player and they got one.

[TrueblueCATfan]

He might if Donovan bolts to the NBA

[Bombastic Blue]

who should feel stupid is he who assumed they were a package deal

Assumed? We didn't assume. They BOTH stated that they wanted to play together. My guess is that the point guard that verballed for 08 or 09, can't remember which, changed Jais' mind.

[UderricKY]

Assumed? We didn't assume. They BOTH stated that they wanted to play together. My guess is that the point guard that verballed for 08 or 09, can't remember which, changed Jais' mind.

So, you're assuming an '09 PG's recruitment/commitment caused Jai to not come to UK? Jai would have been a JR that year...if he is that nervous about someone coming in and taking his playing time...that shows he lacks any competitive drive...were we not supposed to recruit another PG til the day that Jai decided to leave?

[WildFan]

He should not feel stupid, yet. Hopefully when UK returns to their traditional place (kicking florida's tail) the correct decision will be self explanatory.

[Swimmer4uk]

He committed to a two-time defending national championship team that many regard as taking the top spot in a top conference. He committed to a coach that many regard as no longer the top up and coming coach but a premier coach in the NCAA.

He also committed to a team where he will play IMMEDIATELY whereas at UK he will not. He filled a spot on a team where he was needed. I think he made the right choice.

[WildFan]

He committed to a two-time defending national championship team that many regard as taking the top spot in a top conference. He committed to a coach that many regard as no longer the top up and coming coach but a premier coach in the NCAA.

He also committed to a team where he will play IMMEDIATELY whereas at UK he will not. He filled a spot on a team where he was needed. I think he made the right choice.

I agree, he made the right choice for him at the point. I do hope we turn this rivalry around and show him that UK was the place to be if he wanted the better team.

[Swimmer4uk]

I agree, he made the right choice for him at the point. I do hope we turn this rivalry around and show him that UK was the place to be if he wanted the better team.

I think UK is the better team as far as fans devoted to the team. in the past 3 years or so... FL has been the better TEAM. i don't like saying it but its true. I think Clyde will change that

[eman484]

Regardless, I know Jai will be sad when Meeks picks his pocket and streaks the other way for a jam to solifiy a 20-point win for the Cats at Rupp next year!

[rickdacatkilla]

back to back national champions...and get's to play for the best coach in college ball, what's to feel stupid about?

[wildcatcrazy]

Agreed--why would he feel stupid?

Even if Donovan leaves it is not a bad choice. Not as good as UK in my more-than-biased opinion but still not a bad choice.

[poodoo]

I agree, he made the right choice for him at the point. I do hope we turn this rivalry around and show him that UK was the place to be if he wanted the better team.

WildFan, I love your response. I so share your hope in showing Lucas that UK is the place to be "if he wanted the better team." Sure, Florida had the better team the past couple of seasons (proven by the head-to-head competition against the Cats and the two national championships). However, FOUR key players are gone from THAT team.

I certainly want Lucas to be even more disappointed as the seasons unfold. Having said that, I want the young man, overall, to be HAPPY. Also, no, I don't think he is feeling "unsmart." I'm sure he is feeling disappointed right now, though, as he had most obviously strongly considered coming to UK and struggled with his decision. I happen to feel for him a bit in that regard, although I will NOT be feeling for him anytime we face Florida on the court.

Too, as one final comment about Lucas, I say that I had wanted him here and that I think he will be a fine point guard and leader (even with his lack of height). Having said that, I am thankful that I feel much more certain that Derrick Jasper will remain a Cat now, something I had so wanted to be the case. GO CATS! GO BILLY G!

[Art Vandelay]

I'm glad Florida got Lucas. Lucas may end up being a world beater, but I don't think a 5'9" point guard is really what Kentucky needed. His real value, in my mind anyway, was in helping us land Patterson. Given that Patterson is coming to UK without Lucas I don't really mind losing Lucas.

As for feeling foolish, well playing for a great coach and a back to back national championship program is never foolish. Besides, he might get to meet Tim Tebow!

[Woodgate]

if he does regret it that would be sad... but i think part of it was that he thought he could get PP there too, but not all of it at all. anyway i'd love to see BD go to the magic... and then jai transfer to us :P

[Gunsmoke]

back to back national champions...and get's to play for the best coach in college ball, what's to feel stupid about?
You may be right Rick about playing for the best coach in college basketball but he had great players who went against the norm and did not turn pro after the first championship. Billy D deserves a ton of compliments on his coaching abilities and recruiting abilities because he brought them there, kept them there and coached them superbly. However, Billy D will have to find that magic again this year with the departure of his stars. Can he? Time will tell.

[RP_McMurphy]

He's going to a good university and will get all the fire, smoke, mosquitoes and hurricanes he ever wanted in his life.

[TrueblueCATfan]

He's going to a good university and will get all the fire, smoke, mosquitoes and hurricanes he ever wanted in his life.

and don't forget the AlliGATORS

[katfever]

UK didnt need Lucas- but it would have been nice to have him. UK needed Patterson to fill a spot this year and Billy G delivered. There are better future PGs than Lucas and I am confident Billy G will get a top notch one. I wish Jai the best except when playing UK.

[poodoo]

I wish Jai the best except when playing UK.

Same feelings here, katfever. Nice post. GO CATS! GO BILLY G!

[Coldstream]

Don't know if anybody seen PP's comments in regards to Jai in the C-J but its a good one! :icon_biggrin:

• After much talk of a package deal, Jai Lucas signed with Florida and Patterson with UK. Patterson wished his friend well.
"We'll go head to head," he said, "and in the end, Kentucky will win."



http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/74784.html