It appears that North Carolina and Arizona are the two big winners in the early draft sweepstakes. With the rule change allowing players to test the waters and have the NBA teams pay for the workouts, more and more players are sticking their foot in the waters hoping to make a splash. This rule change really leaves the college coaches in a bit of a pickle. Do you sign his replacement or do you hope he comes to his senses? Now there are some sure bets, like Michael Beasley and Derrick Rose. I am not talking about those guys, but a player like Bill Walker from Kansas State or the three players from UNC who tested the waters. Those are the “flip a coin” type guys.
However, before you shed a tear for Roy Williams remember he still has Tyler Hansbrough back for another year. Today Roy Williams can go back out on the golf course for another month with the knowledge that Ty Lawson, Danny Green and Wayne Ellington will be back in Chapel Hill. Coaching just got a little bit easier for ol’ Roy. He has another year with more talent than anyone he plays against.
The other big winner is Lute Olsen. With the return of Chase Buddinger and Jordan Hill (and if Brandon Jennings can make grades) the Wildcats will be in the hunt out west again. And it looks like all his distractions are gone (marital problems and staff issues) and that magic 800 mark is in sight.
The big losers are UCLA and Kansas State. Both Bill Walker and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute will stay in. With Walker’s new knee injury and Moute’s lack of polish both players would have been better served to come back one more year. Then again they will make big money overseas even if the NBA doesn’t come calling.
Also, George Hill of IUPUI and Paul Graham of Florida Atlantic are staying in. The thought is their value may never be any higher. At least in Hill’s case he is close to graduating so he will have something to fall back on.
Once again, it begs the question of who are some of these guys listening too? Oh, that’s right, they listen to an advisor who only gets paid if they leave school. Let’s see, I will be Bill Walker’s advisor for the moment. If I tell Bill to go back to school I get nothing, however, if I tell him to come out, then I get paid a percentage of what his first contract is. So I get nothing or 10% to 20%? Pretty easy decision. Come on guys, listen to the people who know – not someone you think knows.
