Let's Play a Little What If...

     Hello everybody, I'm Craig Weaver.  I know you don't know me, but I've known several of the Kentucky Sports Radio guys since college and since they have been so kind as to allow me to interject my thoughts here I thought I would take this opportunity to pick everyone's brains about something that has been bothering me lately.      Let me start by saying that I love me some Jai Lucas.  Since the first time I heard him interviewed on one of the old podcasts I thought the kid was a class act all the way.  I liked him so much I once posted on the Oklahoma State board that I would be a fan of his regardless of his college choice.  For the most part I still feel that way, but since the name "Florida" came out of his mouth a couple of weeks I began to feel almost betrayed.  This brings me to the big What If?  What if, after his Florida visit this weekend and his talks with Patterson, Jai decides he wants to be part of that package deal that we have all talked about but the delivery destination is Gainesville and not Lexington?  I'm not saying I have any information as to whether this will happen or not, but the thought is unsettling to me.      I know  a lot has changed with Tubby's departure and the hiring of Billy G, but wasn't this the same guy who told us UK, Okla., Okla. St., and Maryland would be the only real contenders?  I understand the Gators and Billy Donovan are the talk of the town right now, but I find it shocking that Lucas would suddenly give them a free pass at his services.  With or without Tubby Smith, Kentucky has left a scholarship open for Lucas for what seems like two years.  He and Patterson have been given the royal treatment from the Big Blue Nation, meanwhile names like Marshall Moses, J.J. Hickson, Darnell Gant, and Steffphon Pettigrew have really been pushed aside until Jai and Beans make their respective decisions.     So I ask all of you...what if Lucas picks Florida?  Can you in good faith support that as a decision, or would you feel betrayed like I would?  As I said before I love Jai Lucas as a player and person and think he would be an instant favorite here, but something about considering Florida really bothers me.  I know Donovan has "recruited him since he was a sophomore" and Green has entered the draft, but I for one think UK is still the best destination for Lucas.  I'm not trying to fool anyone by passing off Tubby leaving as a major factor in this, but I simply can't understand what wouldn't be better about Kentucky.      I guess if Jai headed to Florida I would still think he was a great kid, but I can't help but think that choosing Florida would be completely contradictory to his approach throughout the entire recruiting process.  I hope for all of our sakes that Jai isn't wearing any kind of orange next year, but if he was what would you think of that choice?  Is Florida a choice you could respect from the young man we have dedicated so much attention to?  I guess I just have trouble with the thought of our rivals taking away another recruit in the 12th hour.  I'll hang up now and listen to your responses.