Willie Warren Appears to have committed to Baylor

[Coldstream]

Being reported that Willie has verballed to Baylor on rivals.

[Littlemeyer]

That's odd. I think? :shrug1:

I was unaware of Baylor even being in the mix.

[Coldstream]

By the way, I find this kind of surprising, maybe shocking because his teammate whom as you may remember he pledged to play with in college just finished his visit at UK and was infatuated with the program.

[Coldstream]

Willie Warren to Baylor…. (http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=2850)

by Matt Jones @ 8:12 pm. Filed under Blue Blooded Opinions (http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?cat=1)
Just got off the phone with Rotnei Clarke (who will be on the radio show tomorrow and who we will have a story about later tonight). He confirmed that Willie Warren has committed to Baylor. Unbelievable…..:confused:

[Littlemeyer]

Blessing in disguise? Maybe?

I'd love to have Clarke, with or without Warren. And we definitely need some big men. So maybe we can get Clarke with just one scholarship, instead of the package deal with another guard.

But don't get me wrong. I'd've LOVED to have had Warren, too. You take players of that caliber, position be darned. Or so I've been told. :thumbup::big_grin:

(Sweet! If THAT'S not a "riding the fence" post, I don't know what one is! :icon_mrgreen:)

[Coldstream]

Blessing in disguise? Maybe?

I'd love to have Clarke, with or without Warren. And we definitely need some big men. So maybe we can get Clarke with just one scholarship, instead of the package deal with another guard.

But don't get me wrong. I'd've LOVED to have had Warren, too. You take players of that caliber, position be darned. Or so I've been told. :thumbup::big_grin:

(Sweet! If THAT'S not a "riding the fence" post, I don't know what one is! :icon_mrgreen:)

Matt added this to his blog:
I asked if him if this ended the possibility of he and Willie playing together and he said, "yeah I guess it does. Now he wants me to go down there too, but thats not going to happen."
More later…..



Also, I know Clarke's dad mentioned that the Liggins commitment was actually a plus for his son since he knows Liggins likes to pass the ball.

[matt colvin]

Dang. Surprises the heck out of me. Well, I guess we move on though. Hopefully Coach Gillispie can get a Clark or Zeller, and then get Rotnei Clarke as well. But that surprises me to death. Wonder what made the decision for him???

[Coldstream]

Dang. Surprises the heck out of me. Well, I guess we move on though. Hopefully Coach Gillispie can get a Clark or Zeller, and then get Rotnei Clarke as well. But that surprises me to death. Wonder what made the decision for him???

I am hoping for Darius Miller to commit soon. KY boy and a huge upside and the caliber to play at KY's level. :thumbup:

P.S. I have no idea what the deciding factor was in WW's decision but he seems to be a guy who acts on impulse. Even Rotnei Clarke commented that with "Willie, you never know" when asked where he wants to go.

[matt colvin]

Well. Maybe we will nab Miller then. Definitely have the room for a good center, Clark or Zeller. I would like to think that Warren going to Baylor makes Miller more prone to come here.



As Clarke said about Willie, the same could be said about Gillispie's recruiting----who it will be, you never know :p

[KYISSUPREME]

Willie seems to be pretty confident in his abilities, so I don't think competition for playing time was a factor. Or was it? Could be he thought Miller was ready to commit and looked elsewhere? Just a thought.

[matt colvin]

Just went to a Baylor forum to see if they were all excited, and the closest thing they had to Baylor basketball was something about Michael Dunigan. So it sure looks like that is a high excitement program. :icon_rolleyes:

[Wildcat Larry]

This rivals the Darius Rice to Miami choice of a few years back as coming out of left field and unexpected. Strange indeed. :shrug1:

[matt colvin]

Could someone check Rivals again. In the comments section of Matt Jones' blog, someone said it is no longer there. I know, great source, but I'd just like to make sure. Thanks a lot.

[matt colvin]

\Per Marc Maggard:




This has comments from Warren about his decision vs. our verbals, so it's pretty interesting.

[matt colvin]

So far (Maggard is still completing the above article), it doesn't sound like he was very team oriented. Mentions more than once a desire to be the man. Also the location. Mentions the publicity he'll get in the front door of the three NBA teams. Pretty obvious what the focus is.

[Sticeman]

Honestly, with all the commitments we have received in the last week we had to figure we werent going to get all guys that we offered schollys to. I mean I am still blown away with how Billy gets these guys in here and before they leave the state they are already wearing the big blue.

I really wanted Warren but I am still excited with the players that we have landed all we need now is for Clarke to commit and land Zeller or Clark and we are $$$$ for the next 2 to 3 years.

All I can say is go baby go, and its like De Ja Vu the late 90's all over again.

[matt colvin]

This might not be over, going by the above article I posted. He's apparently given other 2 verbals out already during his recruitment. I guess he could change his mind again.


However, after learning some of this stuff, not too sure if I wouldn't much rather have Miller.

[UderricKY]

After reading Maggard's interviews...I don't believe I would want Willie Warren at UK...sure hes unbelievably talented..but he has the makings of a selfish head-case.

[RP_McMurphy]

Now is the time to put on the Blue and get on the trip coming down the Glory Road.

[BigBlue75]

If Willie Warren wants to play somewhere else and not be a part of the Big Blue, that's fine.

Let's move on.

[Caveman Catfan]

I hope UK puts Baylor on its schedule!

[matt colvin]

And give Baylor and Warren the exposure????? lol

[Tom Blevins]

I would like to have had Willie Warren, but we'll be okay. I'm still very excited about the possibility of Rotnei Clarke becomming a Cat. Plus, I'd really like to see us land a quality big man from the class of 2008.

[CATHEAD]

Warren has been one of my favorites for a long time and I wish we could have gotten him, but everything happens for a reason. This opens the door for Miller, who I have also coveted for some time, and lets us put more focus on Zeller as well. Besides, we can't sign EVERYONE. I wish Willie nothing but the best, but he better hope Baylor doesn't meet up with Billy and Co.

[WildcatRick]

This probably makes no sense(sounds bad in my head before I even type it), but if we lose a player like Warren I'm glad its to somebody like Baylor and not Puke, Florida or UNC.:shrug1:

It kinda makes the recruiting puzzle for 08 look a little more clear, IMO.

[DCWildcat]

This probably makes no sense(sounds bad in my head before I even type it), but if we lose a player like Warren I'm glad its to somebody like Baylor and not Puke, Florida or UNC.:shrug1:

It kinda makes the recruiting puzzle for 08 look a little more clear, IMO.

I agree.

Maggard's stuff reeks of sour grapes to me. Poor form.

I wanted and still want Warren. Hope he's just on impulse and will come back to the light side.

[Hurricanefballfan]

seems to be a me first oj mayo type player, and very implusive.. maybe the best to move on. he even commented in maggard's interview " my mom is going to kill me" sounds somewhat immature as well, especially when contrasted with rotni. JMO

[CATHEAD]

This probably makes no sense(sounds bad in my head before I even type it), but if we lose a player like Warren I'm glad its to somebody like Baylor and not Puke, Florida or UNC.:shrug1:

It kinda makes the recruiting puzzle for 08 look a little more clear, IMO.

Totally agree on the Baylor thing, Rick. I was thinking the same exact thing.

[BigBlue75]

"Uh, Willie, you do know that it was the Baylor WOMEN's team that won the national championship a couple of years ago, not the men, right?" :icon_mrgreen:

[Terry L. Wildcat]

Did he drink the black koolaid?;)

[RaleighCat]

I won't really believe Warren's decision until he signs on the line that is dotted.

Also, the comments on wanting to play at Baylor so he can impress three local NBA teams is hilarious. Baylor isn't about to replace UK or Dook as TV's team of choice. As if Baylor will give anybody more exposure to the NBA than a Kentucky?

I'd love to have a talented player like Warren- but at least now we have multiple options. That wasn't the case a short time ago.

[DCWildcat]

I won't really believe Warren's decision until he signs on the line that is dotted.

Also, the comments on wanting to play at Baylor so he can impress three local NBA teams is hilarious. Baylor isn't about to replace UK or Dook as TV's team of choice. As if Baylor will give anybody more exposure to the NBA than a Kentucky?

I'd love to have a talented player like Warren- but at least now we have multiple options. That wasn't the case a short time ago.

I agree.

I don't think Warren's a head case--I haven't seen anything to suggest that he has a bad attitude, is lazy, gets in legal trouble or fights, is a complainer, has academic troubles, gets suspended from school, or is full of the AAU mentality, all of which OJ Mayo has. I just think he's a talented basketball player with a ton of confidence, some impulsivity, and who might be a little gullible (got to think the Baylor coach put that ridiculous notion of showcasing for NBA teams into his head).

[KYISSUPREME]

I agree.

I don't think Warren's a head case--I haven't seen anything to suggest that he has a bad attitude, is lazy, gets in legal trouble or fights, is a complainer, has academic troubles, gets suspended from school, or is full of the AAU mentality, all of which OJ Mayo has. I just think he's a talented basketball player with a ton of confidence, some impulsivity, and who might be a little gullible (got to think the Baylor coach put that ridiculous notion of showcasing for NBA teams into his head).

DC, I tend to agree with you. A guy like Warren may sign with the last guy to talk to him. This guy could have multiple informal commits before it's over. He seems like an impulse shopper. You know, the ones who buy all the stuff next to the cash register.