God I want to throw up right now.

And why is that, exactly?

Better than coming back and getting screwed by Scumbag.

He's not ready to go. Him coming back would have significantly improved our shot at a National title. Now, we're just another dog in the hunt.

Best of luck to him, but I think he's making a mistake.

That's what happens when you hire a shady coach and are 4 schollies about the NCAA limit.

It certainly feels like the decision was taken out of Meeks' hands.

How many times do we have to go over this? Calipari has ZERO infractions. Even Roy Williams has eight.

Furthermore, I'm glad we let some of those kids go. They didn't belong at UK and weren't the caliber athletes we deserve/need at our program. They were the result of two consecutive sloppy coaching hires that didn't pan out.

You're not a UK fan so you really can't understand the anguish we've been through for the last ten years. This is the first time we've been excited in a long time.

How many times do we have to go over this? Calipari has ZERO infractions. Even Roy Williams has eight.

Furthermore, I'm glad we let some of those kids go. They didn't belong at UK and weren't the caliber athletes we deserve/need at our program. They were the result of two consecutive sloppy coaching hires that didn't pan out.

You're not a UK fan so you really can't understand the anguish we've been through for the last ten years. This is the first time we've been excited in a long time.

http://kentucky.***/2/871715.html

Stay classy, Calipari

I don't care that it's not a violation.  So you're saying you convince kids to commit to UK, only to be discarded?  Nice...

If they didn't belong at UK, don't recruit them.  But if you do recruit them and bring them into the "family", then their commitment and scholarships should at least be honored.

Never have I seen a coaching hire result in this much roster turnover before a single game has been played.  Wow...

I can't expect you to understand. It's not fair to you. Obviously you support a school where basketball is not as important. That's ok.

Bottom line, this was a business decision about restoring the program.

The players that were released had an opportunity to earn roster spots but proved themselves unable.

If you work for me and I can find a guy better than you, you're gone.

It's the same thing here. The kids that were released still have an opportunity to play college ball elsewhere.

The program is bigger than any one player.

I can't expect you to understand. It's not fair to you. Obviously you support a school where basketball is not as important. That's ok.

Bottom line, this was a business decision about restoring the program.

The players that were released had an opportunity to earn roster spots but proved themselves unable.

If you work for me and I can find a guy better than you, you're gone.

It's the same thing here. The kids that were released still have an opportunity to play college ball elsewhere.

The program is bigger than any one player.

No, no, I understand.  Let's continue our good-natured debate

What I do not get is UK's fans' complete indifference to the school turning it's back on these student athletes.  Guys that sacrificed lots of time in their lives to represent UK, only to have the rug pulled out from undernearh them.  

Like now -- these 2 kids were completely blindsided during the summer semester that they

1) no longer are members of the basketball team

2) and more importantly, no longer have a scholarship paying for their college education

Now if they want to play basketball again, they need to sit out a year (way to go, NCAA.  Reward coaches for moving whenever they want, and penalize the student athlete).  And now they possibly have a $20,000+ financial burden that they had no indication was coming (if they cannot secure a scholly elsewhere).  I sure hope these guys have the financial means to finish college.

And the whole "they had a chance to earn their roster spots" argument.  Come on...  Calipari's been on the ground less than 3 months, the recruits probably just arrived on campus (maybe not even yet).  No official practices have started for them to even be given a chance to "earn their roster spots" with the team.  Not to mention that judging by the comments made about at least one of these guys in that article, they had already earned their spot.

I hope recruits' parents are well versed on this story when Calipari comes and sits in their living rooms over the next few years, preaching how he's going to take care of their sons.

Bottom line -- how many other coaches have done this sort of thing when hired at a new school?  While it may not be illegal, it's shady and unethical.

But do me this favor -- kick the crap out of UGA.  That's all I ask

But do me this favor -- kick the crap out of UGA. That's all I ask

Done. ;D

If I could bottle the arrogance of Kentucky fans, I could make millions.

Actually its smart move for Meeks more than likely. His stock is as high is it will probably be for him, and if he has a hard time with the new O at UK, it will go down.  Tyler Smith is a perfect example to compare to.  Had he went out last year, he probably gets drafted late first, early second round.  This year, he didn't have as impressive of a season and had more holes in his game exploited, so his stock wasn't as high as last year.  Therefore, he's coming back to UT to try and improve his status for next season.  This is a very weak draft as well, so that effects the decision also.

Hmmm....

Millions of dollars and celebrity status or $10,000 scholarship and 8:00 am classes every day?

Tough, tough choice...

If I could bottle the arrogance of Kentucky fans, I could make millions.

Keep hating on us, Burley. It's cute.

Hmmm....

Millions of dollars and celebrity status or $10,000 scholarship and 8:00 am classes every day?

Tough, tough choice...

1 NBA contract does not set you up for life.

Hmmm....

Millions of dollars and celebrity status or $10,000 scholarship and 8:00 am classes every day?

Tough, tough choice...

1 NBA contract does not set you up for life.

It will get you well on your way! He obviously thought so too, leaving early.

As it stands, Jodie does not have a guarantee from any team to take him in the first round. That means he is not guaranteed any of those millions.

He should have listened to the experts and stayed for a year in Calipari's dribble drive offense so that he would be prepared for the next level.

Hmmm....

Millions of dollars and celebrity status or $10,000 scholarship and 8:00 am classes every day?

Tough, tough choice...

1 NBA contract does not set you up for life.

It will get you well on your way! He obviously thought so too, leaving early.

Or alternatively, the door was shut behind him since there was a significant scholly crunch

If I could bottle the arrogance of Kentucky fans, I could make millions.

Keep hating on us, Burley. It's cute.

I don't hate Kentucky fans.  They provide me with a great deal amusement.  Much like Bama fans.

Hmmm....

Millions of dollars and celebrity status or $10,000 scholarship and 8:00 am classes every day?

Tough, tough choice...

1 NBA contract does not set you up for life.

It will get you well on your way! He obviously thought so too, leaving early.

Or alternatively, the door was shut behind him since there was a significant scholly crunch

No, Jodie's spot at UK was never in jeopardy. Now that he is gone, there is actually a scholly remaining.

As it stands, Jodie does not have a guarantee from any team to take him in the first round. That means he is not guaranteed any of those millions.

He should have listened to the experts and stayed for a year in Calipari's dribble drive offense so that he would be prepared for the next level.

What if Meeks had not succeeded in the dribble drive and actually hurt his draft stock?  Some experts said it was a wise decision for him to go now.

As it stands, Jodie does not have a guarantee from any team to take him in the first round. That means he is not guaranteed any of those millions.

He should have listened to the experts and stayed for a year in Calipari's dribble drive offense so that he would be prepared for the next level.

What if Meeks had not succeeded in the dribble drive and actually hurt his draft stock? Some experts said it was a wise decision for him to go now.

And what if he blows out a knee before the draft?  What are his options now?

As it stands, Jodie does not have a guarantee from any team to take him in the first round. That means he is not guaranteed any of those millions.

He should have listened to the experts and stayed for a year in Calipari's dribble drive offense so that he would be prepared for the next level.

What if Meeks had not succeeded in the dribble drive and actually hurt his draft stock? Some experts said it was a wise decision for him to go now.

And what if he blows out a knee before the draft? What are his options now?

If everyone went through life with that mindset nobody would get anywhere. He can always go back. Shaq did it.

I honestly don't know what I would do in that situation either. To make things even more complicated the decisions vary from sport to sport too.

Do you really think he didn't see dollar signs in his decision??

It was clear from the beginning that Jodie was in "Keith Bogans at the end of his sophomore year" mode. Jodie wanted badly to be in the this year's draft (which is, admittedly, weaker than next year's). Jodie was going to be in this draft unless he absolutely had to come back to UK.

In the end, I hope I am wrong about his decision. I'd love for him to be picked in the first round and do well in the NBA. Jodie is a class act and a very good young man.