Another Special Announcement's Wednesday Morning Wakeup

The University of Kentucky basketball program will have yet another special announcement today in a press conference called for 2:30 pm. All signs point to Tyler Ulis announcing his departure, just as Jamal Murray did in his special announcement last week. If that's the case, we couldn't be happier for Ulis as he takes the next step in reaching his dream. We also couldn't be sadder that we'll never see him in a Kentucky uniform again, but what's best for him is what matters most. That doesn't mean I won't cry today.   Skal Labissiere will remain in the NBA draft. He had this to say about the decision and his time in Lexington:

I want to thank my family, coaches, and teammates for everything. And most importantly I want to thank God for allowing me to wear that jersey and play for the best college program in the country. This past year I had the chance to make new friends and build relationships that I will forever cherish and for that I am very grateful. I want to also thank the fans for their continued support throughout the season. It was an honor experiencing the best fan base in college basketball. Although my time in Lexington was very brief I know that I will forever have a home here. THANK YOU. #BBN #GOCATS #OnToTheNextChapter #NBA

Very smart move by Labissiere, despite the many, many fans tweeting otherwise. This is the right play for him and you have no clue what you're talking about if you think it's a bad move. The kid is a projected top-20/potential lottery pick, he has to go. If he were to come back and not get better, that money is gone. Practice gets underway at the Nike Hoop Summit today. We'll be on the lookout for stuff regarding De'Aaron Fox and Wenyen Gabriel, as well as Marques Bolden. Former Wildcats to play for $2 million in The Basketball Tournament. Mark Krebs is putting together a team of UK alums for The Basketball Tournament and fans should get really excited about the potential of the "Bluegrass Boys" entering the tournament field. For those who don't know, it is a single-elimination basketball tournament for a $2 million grand prize. Anyone is eligible to play, so long as they do not have a guaranteed deal in the NBA. That leaves plenty of options for Krebs and his team, with Marques Teague and Ramel Bradley already committed to the backcourt. Potential additions include Darius Miller, Josh Harrellson, Doron Lamb, DeAndre Liggins, Ramon Harris, Eloy Vargas, Daniel Orton, Nazr Mohammed (assuming he's done in the NBA after this year) and many others. However, teams are selected by fan vote, so they need your help in gaining entry into the field. Leave a vote on The Basketball Tournament website to get them in. Urban Meyer responded to Landon Young's "treated me like crap" comments. Meyer said:

“I did read it. We had a lot of respect for him as a player. A lot. I was very disappointed in our staff that we didn’t offer him earlier. About treating him bad, we don’t do that on purpose. If that’s his feelings. I went back and talked to our staff about it, because I don’t want that to be out there.” “But when you have one out of 650 that say someone is treated bad, you know? We didn’t offer him earlier, but we did want to offer him. Afterward, he really grew on me. He’s a great player and I think we missed on him early on, and I was very upset with our coaching staff, the recruiter and that area and the position coach. That’s the way we do our business here. We do address that. I don’t want that out there.”

Nice response by the Ohio State head coach. He didn't completely deny it, but coming out and calling Young a liar would only make things worse. So this will do. Andy Buh had a nice message on his way out. https://twitter.com/UMDCoachBuh/status/717396558501822464 In case you missed it, Buh is going to Maryland to become the Terps' defensive coordinator. Mark Stoops said he will not fill Buh's vacancy until after spring ball. Mac Jones is done taking visits. Jones, who is currently on an unofficial visit in Lexington, told KSR he is done taking visits and will remain committed to the Wildcats. He is the 15th-ranked pro-style quarterback, according to Rivals.com. Jeff Brassow's daughter needs your vote. Isabella Brassow, daughter of former UK great Jeff Brassow, is in an online contest for Atlanta Kids Fashion Week and I think Big Blue Nation should lend her a hand in the competition. Simply click here to vote for Isabella to become the face of the fashion week and, hopefully, it will be enough to give her the edge. The competition ends Sunday, so get to it. As for Jeff, he tells me he is living in Atlanta with his wife Kelly, a former Air Force pilot; and two children, Isabella and Dylan. He said he loves Atlanta "even though Bulldog fans can be a bit much." Now watch his famous tip-in at about the 7:25 mark below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Sn70ds0H7Q One of my favorite UK memories as a child. Losing confidence by the day in Marques Bolden coming to Kentucky, not that I had any to begin with. We continue to hear bad things on the Bolden front and Matt Jones has now joined me in believing Bolden is currently a Duke lean. At this point the word is his mother is pro-Duke, and with Bolden liking both schools, Mama may have her way in the end. However, if Bolden can convince his mother to get on board with Kentucky, he will go to Kentucky. So I guess it's still not over until it's over -- just not looking great at the moment. I leave for New Orleans tonight. Please send any recommendations or suggestions or warnings to my Twitter device. Also, if you're one of my SnapChat followers, I apologize in advance. Might get a little NSFW. Bachelor party staying on Bourbon Street? What could go wrong? Lots of Tyler Ulis stuff coming throughout the day...