Class of '66 Old Fart

Nice words to hear, but things happen and the only sure things in life are death and taxes but let's hope we do indeed get to enjoy 2 years of Thomas.

To no one's great surprise, Jahlil Okafor has declared for the draft.

Just so I'm clear on this, if they successfully got at least a 'C in Crayon 101; Intro to Not Running With Scissors along with a passing grade in Proper Use of Paste there is no negative impact on pUKe's APR?

Very much agree.  I think Holt more than earned his way with the play he gave us especially considering how late it was when he joined the team.  And this is in no way meant as a negative slap at DD.

In the case of pUKe which may lose 5-7 players to the NBA draft, how do these early departures (not to mention previous year's early departures) impact its APR calculation?  Or do they not play a factor in the calculation whatsoever and the early declarers for the draft simply stop attending classes and there are no repercussions?

UTEP's Vincent Hunter declaring for the NBA Draft.

I didn't want Troy to leave any more than anyone else, but on the flip side, we are still oversigned by 1 for next season.

If Troy goes, he goes.  Will that be a catastrophic event for next year?  No!  Troy made huge progress this last season, but he still has many deficiencies which showed up towards the end of the season.  If Troy is the only departure out of what was our basic player rotation I think we'll be OK with our 3 incoming recruits.  Yes, they will be freshmen, but from videos they seem to have more polish to their game than what Troy showed us as a freshman.   Early departures for a stab at the pros and the lure of the $$ is a fact of life in college basketball.     OOPS!  I had already posted the above and then saw the news that Troy is staying but it doesn't change the thoughts I expressed above.

I've often used the word epidemic to describe what happens at the end of each season and I'll bet we don't hear of more than 2/3 of the transfers that take place if that many.  But are we too hard on Crean?  Nah!

I'll be honest and admit that I don't feel the same way about Eric Gordon, Noah and Cody that I do about Vic, Jordan, Derek and Verdell.  The latter 4 I've tried to keep close tabs on their careers after candystripes but I really don't follow the first 3 that closely and I think it relates to the lack of a 'cemented connection' because they were on campus for only 1 or 2 years.  Am I the Lone Ranger in this regard?

Adding strength obviously and for JBJ and RoJo in particular I'd suggest trying to catch live chickens ala Rocky to improve foot speed and agility.

Shaqquan Aaron to transfer from L'ville.

I hope it is because I'd like nothing better than to kick the s**t out of them and Sleaze Boeheim.

Rondae Jefferson, sophmore at Arizona announced for the draft.

No doubt it will be later rather than sooner.  My hat's off to Tennessee for taking the bull by the horns and axing Tyndall the way they did.   Then there's the other side like Syracuse and UNC who've been caught redhanded as hell with major academic issues spanning years and Boeheim and Williams are still going on their merry way.  That's as mind numbing as seeing that Dave Bliss has gotten a college coaching position.  NCAA = No Cajones Across America.

Kansas announced Cliff Alexander will enter the draft.

From the video I've watched, Bryant has that instinct for the ball that I see in Holt but don't see in HMP.  It's almost a sixth sense ability to be pro-active vs. reactive if that makes any sense.  

And I'll bet you think the Easter Bunny is real?   :shout:        It would be wonderful if we did but I'm not holding my breath.  In fact I think he potentially becomes the odd man out in the rotation.

We salute your return - http://media.syracuse.com/news/photo/2012/02/10508803-large.jpg

That is absolutely correct.  Immediate hardship waivers were eliminated by the NCAA in 2014 so Patterson will have to sit out the 2015-2016 season.

On a different thread, Bryan Medema in regards to freeing up a scholy for Bryan said  "The only realistic/sensible departures are Priller and April. If both leave we know what that means...   I think there is a wild card in Devin Davis.  The true extent of his injuries has been very closely guarded as well they should be.  As much as we all want to know, frankly, it's none of our damn business!!  We have absolutely no idea what the doctors are telling DD and his family with respect to WHEN and IF he can resume playing competitive basketball.  What if he's not cleared to play for next season or perhaps not until the second semester?  Do we hold his scholarship?  Could he give up his scholarship for a season and then if fully cleared to play in 2016-2017, he goes back on scholarship?  I truly want to see him back in candy stripes but there is still much uncertainty surrounding DD's health and the implications it could have on next season's roster?

Ron Patterson reportedly transferring to IUPUI.  Surprise to me that he's coming back home.

No, but it will have time release etching and the engraving will automatically self-destruct when he's caught the next time.

Too much inbreeding.

April 4, 2015, a day that will live in our minds for a very long time.  Thomas Bryant commits and pUKe loses.  And the irony of having its undefeated season ended in the State of Indiana, home of the last undefeated team and ended by a Big 10 school, the conference that produced the last school to go undefeated.  And to think my high school fight song was sung to the tune of 'On Wisconsin'.  Had to be an omen.