Interesting Diallo interview...

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AllBall

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I truly believe he may never play a sec for UK. This was a way for him to protect his status while convincing scouts he's working on his game under great tutelage. Unfortunate for us, but he'll count as a draftee under Cal. Hope this doesn't happen but it seems highly probable.
 

kybassfan

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Jul 1, 2005
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No I actually think non message board and non social media UK fans are usually older and would hate a player doing that.

Actually, you have a bunch of old farts on this board. Yeah, surprised me too. So here is my experience. I'll talk KY basketball with a rock. I know probably in the high 100's or low 1000's of fans. Of that group, I've met less than 10 that actually have an account on the board and 2 besides myself actively post. Bit higher percentage just read. So being generous, maybe this board is 1% of the fan base. Hold a gun to my head and make me try to guess accurately, I'd say .01 to .1% tops. Bottom line is that the board is neither a legitimate nor random sample of the general pop of Kentucky fans.

Plow that in with the likelihood that maybe half on this board object to Diallo with any vehemence, your 90% is likely a gross over estimate even on the board. If I had to bet, I'd say the greatest percentage of fans would say don't know or don't care with regard to Diallo.

It's one of those things that amounts to very little down side, potentially big upside.

The one thing I can say with 100% certainty. We will not have to play against Diallo in the tourney.
 
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Bungalow Bill

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I truly believe he may never play a sec for UK. This was a way for him to protect his status while convincing scouts he's working on his game under great tutelage. Unfortunate for us, but he'll count as a draftee under Cal. Hope this doesn't happen but it seems highly probable.
Doesn't seem highly probable to me. Nobody know's anything. We just all have an opinion.
 
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kybassfan

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I truly believe he may never play a sec for UK. This was a way for him to protect his status while convincing scouts he's working on his game under great tutelage. Unfortunate for us, but he'll count as a draftee under Cal. Hope this doesn't happen but it seems highly probable.

So what?
 

Aike

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Mar 17, 2002
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Nothing has changed since he got here. In fact, what he's saying is exactly what many of us said when he signed.

He's probably going to be back, because this draft is deep with guards and he has work to do.

He will almost certainly test the waters, because there is no risk in doing so.

If he blows up and is guaranteed first round, he probably leaves. If he does, he does. Can honestly say I will be happy for him if that's the case.

Of course I'd like to see him play in a UK uniform next year (and believe he will).

I guess the only thing that would irritate me would be if he stayed in the draft and wasn't picked in the first round. Still his prerogative, but that would be a little strange.
 
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morgousky

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Nothing has changed since he got here. In fact, what he's saying is exactly what many of us said when he signed.

He's probably going to be back, because this draft is deep with guards and he has work to do.

He will almost certainly test the waters, because there is no risk in doing so.

If he blows up and is guaranteed first round, he probably leaves. If he does, he does. Can honestly say I will be happy for him if that's the case.

Of course I'd like to see him play in a UK uniform next year (and believe he will).

I guess the only thing that would irritate me would be if he stayed in the draft and wasn't picked in the first round. Still his prerogative, but that would be a little strange.

I agree with this assessment, and also think he's doing exactly what he said he'd do when he signed.

I'll disagree on the part about not caring if he leaves without playing for UK. We aren't an NBA franchise baby sitter. Imo allowing guys to come in early and basically gain whatever small advantage they can by selecting UK and Cal, only to bolt in the end with contributing nothing really, I just won't do. Others might, but I'm willing to bet UK fans won't take it well if recruiting takes a hit because of the commitment, he doesn't contribute, and bolts. It also becomes a slippery slope and exactly how many times is it ok for UK to pimp itself to NBA guys to sit and roll? I think it's a fair argument.

Not to mention if we also have a short run in the tournament this year. Lot's of self inflicted wounds if it all fell that way.

I don't think he'll leave. But I really don't like the idea of the possibilities.
 

BlueRunner11

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He's defintely going to try and go imo. If it wasn't the case, then why is he not playing or planning to play at all THIS season?

Think about it, If he was planning a return next season, nothing he could do this month and half would hurt his draft status for a 2018 draft. It would literally have no effect because he'd still have a the whole 2017-2018 season for evaluation which is what he's going to have anyway if he's actually planning on returning.
 

morgousky

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He's defintely going to try and go imo. If it wasn't the case, then why is he not playing or planning to play at all THIS season?

Think about it, If he was planning a return next season, nothing he could do this month and half would hurt his draft status for a 2018 draft. It would literally have no effect because he'd still have a the whole 2017-2018 season for evaluation which is what he's going to have anyway if he's actually planning on returning.

What scares me is I have a small feeling if he was going to play he'd have gone to Uconn. He could have come straight in and started day one. Kentucky helps in the drafting process. GM's have admitted it and we've seen "the Kentucky Effect" happen for some players. If you were going to sit out and roll, UK would probably be the best place to attach your name to.

We'll see. So far it's all the same it was.
 
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BlueRunner11

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What scares me is I have a small feeling if he was going to play he'd have gone to Uconn. He could have come straight in and started day one. Kentucky helps in the drafting process. GM's have admitted it and we've seen "the Kentucky Effect" happen for some players. If you were going to sit out and roll, UK would probably be the best place to attach your name to.

We'll see. So far it's all the same it was.

Wait and see approach with this one I suppose. Kid is on scholarship, he needs to play imo. He's cleared, there's no injury or any other legitimate reason he can't be.

I'll feel better about it all when I hear one of these two following statements or something similar....

I'm just looking forward to getting out there and helping my team."

"I'm just looking forward to getting better and ready for next season."
 
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caneintally

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Oct 1, 2002
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LOL at anyone who thinks Diallo won't be here next season. A. he is not playing this season that much is clear and B. there is zero way Cal would bring him here unless he was playing next season as our season completely hinges on him next year.There are no other sg out there . We will bring in another one thru grad transfer obviously as you need more then 1 but Diallo gives next season a great tourney chance even though we will lose some games but without Diallo well then we are royally screwed and neither Diallo or Cal would do that. He aint going to improve his stock being here and not playing and he is not playing this season so this is such an non topic .
 
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BlueRunner11

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LOL at anyone who thinks Diallo won't be here next season. A. he is not playing this season that much is clear and B. there is zero way Cal would bring him here unless he was playing next season as our season completely hinges on him next year.

Hope you're right. No reason to LOL at anyone right now, not enough evidence either way at this point.
 
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May 27, 2007
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I have no idea what this kid is going to end up doing but I don't see how anyone can gain any information either way through that quote.

He's basically doing what most thought He would
 

Aike

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I agree with this assessment, and also think he's doing exactly what he said he'd do when he signed.

I'll disagree on the part about not caring if he leaves without playing for UK. We aren't an NBA franchise baby sitter. Imo allowing guys to come in early and basically gain whatever small advantage they can by selecting UK and Cal, only to bolt in the end with contributing nothing really, I just won't do. Others might, but I'm willing to bet UK fans won't take it well if recruiting takes a hit because of the commitment, he doesn't contribute, and bolts. It also becomes a slippery slope and exactly how many times is it ok for UK to pimp itself to NBA guys to sit and roll? I think it's a fair argument.

Not to mention if we also have a short run in the tournament this year. Lot's of self inflicted wounds if it all fell that way.

I don't think he'll leave. But I really don't like the idea of the possibilities.

We just draw the line in different places.

I wouldn't like it if a player left to go pro before the season ended, like the guy from Florida did a few years ago. But if someone keeps their nose clean and maintains academic standards, I won't begrudge them leaving at semester break.

The expectation should be that anyone occupying a scholarship here will be available to put in time on the court. But if something drastically changes, you roll with it.

Diallo all the sudden being a first round lock would be a drastic change.
 

LeonThe Camel

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I wonder if he would be revered like Kanter who never played a second for U.K. either.
I do not think so. With kanter he was not allowed to play because he was a professional overseas. Diallo would be making a choice not to play.
If he blows up in the pros, everyone will say what might have been.
If he fails in the pros, those same will talk about how he needed more time or he was not that good to begin.
 

LeonThe Camel

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How do you know Cal wasn't just using the open scholarship to help the kid out? Or help someone else out? It could keep us in good graces with other recruiting connections.
The prime reason is Cal would have to explain this to the athletic department. How do you justify paying for a kid's college, room and board, extras necessary just to help him in the draft.
There are other students that could use the financial help to change their family dynamics.
If Diallo were to spurn the team, he should have simply gone to another prep school that works on fundamentals to improve a player.
 

kb22stang

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Non story. Either he plays for us, or he doesn't. But he is not taking anything from anyone so there's no reason to begrudge him, no matter what his decision is.
 

KA4Prez_rivals78700

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The prime reason is Cal would have to explain this to the athletic department. How do you justify paying for a kid's college, room and board, extras necessary just to help him in the draft.
There are other students that could use the financial help to change their family dynamics.
If Diallo were to spurn the team, he should have simply gone to another prep school that works on fundamentals to improve a player.

He doesn't have to justify any of it. What if he was allowing Diallo to do this so that he can stay in good graces for another recruiting connection? Whatever Cal's motive, he's doing it for the betterment of Kentucky basketball. It's not like Diallo is a friend's kid who doesn't even belong on a court. He's a legitimate D1 scholarship player. In my eyes, this is no different than taking a coach or a parent of a recruit to get that recruit, or taking a package deal of recruits because you really want one of them. It happens in the sport, motives aside from what we all think should be pure.
 

KA4Prez_rivals78700

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There are people in this thread who actually get upset that a guy could be given a scholarship to help his NBA stock. Like, this really gets under people's skin because they probably think this scholarship should be given to an unknown 2-star western Kentucky all-star.
 

catsfanbgky

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IMO he will be here next year. He is not on any draft radar, and not playing is not going to increase his stock. He will be the same as he is now (no draft position). He had some issues of struggling at his last school and his own coach said he was not giving max effort, so he is not in a position of strength of being able to increase draft stock by sitting. Now, if he would have wanted to play this year, then I would be nervous as that is the only way he can increase his stock. Come in play a few games, light it up, play hard, keep his nose clean and get on the NBA scouts radar of drafting on potential. He knew he had things to work on and a image to repair, so he signed with us, will sit and improve in practice, come out next year and make a name for himself.

I may be wrong, but that is the way I see it.
 

kyups01

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I would do a self imposed 2 month ban if we could ban the annoying "farrr Cal" and mainly "he gone" stuff. Rick Barnes jokes are funnier at this point.
 

kyups01

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If Cal brought this kid in just to get him into this years draft...or if this kid enters the draft and doesnt play here next season....then I will in fact say that it may be time for a new coach because that would be complete garbage.
 

MWes11

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Apr 22, 2012
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Diallo on practice... "Nobody's really that difficult for me to guard, honestly. They're all good player and I'm a good defender."
 
A

anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y

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It wasn't exactly what he said. Kyle Tucker took liberty with his words:
 

al.ksr

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I wonder if he would be revered like Kanter who never played a second for U.K. either.

If UK wins the championship and players say "Diallo really pushed me in practice and made me a better player" I say... maybe.
 

Kizzy

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I said a time ago, rumor was he would declare for NBA, without sitting foot on Rupp, but i was told here I didnt know what i was talking about

There is nothing here that is proof of what you claim. But I'm not saying he won't. Only he knows. I always thought if he played this year, he was gone, if not, he stays. But who knows but him? Nobody.
 

Chuckinden

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There are people in this thread who actually get upset that a guy could be given a scholarship to help his NBA stock. Like, this really gets under people's skin because they probably think this scholarship should be given to an unknown 2-star western Kentucky all-star.

If it's just to improve his stock in the draft on the university's dime, damned straight I would be upset about it.
 
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May 27, 2007
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Even if he did go, I'm not sure why some think we didn't receive any benefit from it. If he's a good defender, having our guys go against him in practice can only be a good thing even if the impact is small.
 
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