1. “Q: They moved you over to shooting guard at Arizona?

   Bayless: I started the year mostly playing point and then the team had a lot of injuries. So I got moved over to the two guard.”

   Wait…..what? It was Wise’s improvement at the point that moved Bayless over….or was I watching another team?

   Thursday is the big day. Bayless finds out where he’ll fall and Jenning’s SAT score comes in.

   Let’s hope both prove to be beneficial to Arizona.

   Bayless represents Arizona in what little time he spent here, and if all works out, continue the CATS reputation as “Point Guard U”.

   Hopefully Jennings passes, makes the right decision to come here, learns and prepares himself for the next level under Olson. If he’s a consumate team player, he’ll make Hill and Budinger’s stats look out of this world. With the talent Jennings brings, Wise will have stiff competition in practice that over the long haul will make him an outstanding PG. Jennings could, if he wanted to, bolster the NBA potential of these guys. The UA’s reputation of delivering solid players to the NBA would continue, along with our ability to bring in big name recruits.

   
   — CHRIS    06/25/2008 09:27 PM    #

2. I’ve been predicting that Bayless would not go in the top five. I based that partly on how he performed against Mayo. Also, I think that Wise beat him out at the point position, but maybe it is just that when Wise and Bayless were both on the floor it was Bayless’s reliable scoring that shifted him to the 2 position. I think that Wise had a better 3 pt shooting average, more assists and more steals than Bayless. Wise has been underrated in my opinion and he may beat out Jennings at the point. If Jennings hot dogs too much at the college level, he may have a turnover problem. Look for Lute to create a two point guard offense that’ll give Budinger and Hill a lot of easy open shots with few double teams. Horne may begin to shine in such an offense.

   
   — Edwin    06/25/2008 10:56 PM    #

3. I feel bad for JB; not a very good salesman.

   
   — confused, maybe not    06/26/2008 05:40 PM    #

4. Glad to see Bayless was picked by the pacers.

   
   — confused, maybe not    06/26/2008 05:41 PM    #

5. Wow, you could read disappointment all over Jerryd’s face when he was finally selected. Never could quite answer the question of his being able to play the point guard position. I’m not sure that is where he will end up playing either. But, his skill level and competitive fire will keep him right up there with the best. Go Jerryd, I’ll be pulling for you.

   An aside? I think Chase made a very wise decision in staying here at the UA.

   
   — Al M    06/26/2008 05:52 PM    #

6. I can’t help but think where Bayless would have been picked if he would have stayed another year. I wonder how much more money he could have made being a #5 pick next year instead of a #11.

   Thanks for seventh place Jerryd, enjoy your winters in Indiana. Was never really a fan of his after he backed out of his UA commitment briefly.

   
   — Button Salmon    06/26/2008 05:53 PM    #

7. BAYLESS TO BLAZERS!!

   The Oregonian is reporting that Jerryd Bayless is going to Portland from Indiana via trade, no details yet. I’m loving it.

   
   — Portland Catfan    06/26/2008 06:10 PM    #

8. Looks like it may be Bayless and Ike Diogu !!!!! for Brandon Rush and Jarrett Jack.

   
   — Portland Catfan    06/26/2008 06:18 PM    #

9. Wow, Bayless getting traded with one of the few tempe normal players in the league. At least he will be paired up with Channing Frye, wonder if they will talk more of their UA days or St. Mary’s (high school)?

   
   — Button Salmon    06/26/2008 06:43 PM    #

10. Lute was right.

    Imagine that?

    Good luck JB. Wish you stayed, maybe thats a shared feeling now. Probably not.

    
    — chi_cat    06/26/2008 07:47 PM    #

11. Bruce, is Arizona still actively recruiting Gaddy for ’09 and Stoglin for ’11?

    And how close are the Cats, realLy, on Carlino?

    Better than 60-40 chance there?

    BEAR DOWN, CARDINAL AND NAVY!!!!!

    
    — Carlos    06/26/2008 11:47 PM    #

12. “Top Arizona basketball recruit fails to qualify:

    Prized University of Arizona basketball recruit Brandon Jennings did not receive a high enough score on his standardized test to enroll at UA, so will instead play professionally in Europe next season, a source told the Tribune.”

    Rest of the story click here

    
    — chi_cat    06/27/2008 07:48 AM    #

13. The East Valley Tribune of Mesa, Az got a scoop? What a newspaper-knows more than personally interested parties themselves. Maybe Jennings should check with them to get the full info on European Pro Ball too.
    And what a great trade for Bayliss; I dont know much about the Pacers these days, but do know that Greg Oden and Brandon Roy are waiting at Portland. Any sour-grapes about JB leaving early should be given up; it was pretty much a forgone conclusion that he was one and done.

    
    — Larry    06/27/2008 09:29 AM    #

14. Portland could wind up disappointed if they think that Bayless is a Lute developed point guard. Wise beat him out at the point and is a better three point shooter to boot! A year or two under Lute and Wise could wind up in the NBA. I think that Wise may be quicker than Bayless and he may be as quick as Terry. What’s not to like about Wise? We’ll have to see if Jennings can beat Wise out at the point, it’s not a lock for Jennings.

    
    — Edwin    06/27/2008 09:51 AM    #

15. Jennings won’t be here…the guy is an idiot.

    You get 200 points for spelling your name right on the SAT, I bet he didn’t even get that. Probably spelled Jennings with a G.

    
    — Nick    06/27/2008 09:56 AM    #

16. Edwin, be assured the Portland brain trust did not assume Bayless is or must become a pure point guard. I think Bayless was their target all along.

    When they pair him with Brandon Roy, they will essentially be playing twin combo guards, both of whom can create their own shots late in the shot clock, spot up and shoot, drive and dish, finish at the rim, and get to the line a lot. That may even be more effective in concert with Oden and LaMarcus Aldridge posting or picking than a single classical point guard would be.

    I do think Bayless is a great kid, as are the other Blazers (bunch of Channing Frye types). Jerryd is tough-minded and coachable, and he should be a terrific pro talent for many years to come. The Blazers are going to absolutely love him, and they will never regret what it took to nab him. (Kevin Pritchard has had 3 amazing draft-day performances in a row!!)

    
    — Portland Catfan    06/27/2008 01:44 PM    #

17. Who is Carlino?

    
    — AdmanS    06/27/2008 03:18 PM    #

18. To Portland Catfan; On the money; Bayless always seemed to show great character and determination. The Western Conference of the NBA better take heed of your Trail Blazers.

    
    — Larry    06/27/2008 04:26 PM    #

19. and by the way, Wise is very nice, but he didn’t ‘beat out’ Bayless at the PG (or Bayless would have went to the bench). When you have 2 great players, you play them both… and Wise, at 5’7” or less, certainly wasn’t going to be the one sliding up to the SG slot.

    
    — ItsMrHarris2u    06/27/2008 08:36 PM    #

20. I looked it up – for Division I NCAA athletes, you only need a minimum GPA of 2.00 and a SAT score of 1010, which is over 500 points below average. Jennings must choke when it comes to taking tests, or he’s not the sharpest tool in the shed.

    
    — Dave    06/28/2008 11:16 AM    #

21. Regarding future Arizona Wildcat star albeit for only one season, I’ll play the positive card notion. Jennings probably suffers from a great degree of T-E-S-T
    A-N-X-I-E-T-Y.

    
    — voice of stress    06/28/2008 12:06 PM    #

22. I saw what happened when Wise went to the bench. Bayless was a great, great scorer. But at the point, Wise was/is much better.

    
    — CHRIS    06/28/2008 07:27 PM    #

23. If I were Bayless I’d listen long and hard to Channing.

    Channing stayed 4 years at UA, made the most of his time playing for the Cats and following Coach O’s tutelege, found his way in the NBA on two rosters already and didn’t complain when NY traded him to Portland.

    Frye just sucked it up and moved on to what looks like if not bigger than most certainly better things in the Rose City.

    I wonder, though, about Jerryd’s ability to admit his shortcomings, challenges, wrongdoings, because when asked how he’ll do making the transition not only to the NBA from college but also to playing the point, he seems to shrug and say, Getting 35 year olds to do what I ask is going to be tough — the only thing I’ll have to get used to.

    Wrong.

    Good luck, Mr. NBA.

    
    — Carlos    06/28/2008 08:29 PM    #

24. SAT scores are indicators of intelligence when one does well, but they do not indicate a lack of intelligence when one does poorly. Students who are prepared for such tests obviously tend to do better than those who are not prepared. For example, students who have attended private schools most of their lives tend to do better on standarized tests than those who did not; private schools teach how to take such tests from the get go to ensure their students get into the best schools. When one looks at economic class when evaluating scores, it’s not a coincidence those from upper middle to upper class famalies do better than those from economically difficult circumstances. In addition, many minority groups, but not all, do not score as high on these tests as white students, which raises other questions about educational opportunities in many minority communities. Many elite colleges are doing away with the SAT requirement as a result of studies showing that many students with poor scores do quite well in school. Still, those that are keeping it often use it as a bar (although, this may soon change); anyone below a certain score will not be evaluated. This makes some sense at a school like Yale that receives (probably) around 20,000 applications a year for a very limited number of spaces. However, such schools also make allowances for students who do not do well, but have shown they are quite bright. The NCAA is way behind in the role it assigns to the SAT and/or ACT. Jennings should not be barred from Zona as a result of his test score. Just my two cents.

    
    — confused, maybe not    06/29/2008 11:49 AM    #

25. I’m kind of hoping that Jennings doesn’t come here. The Cats already have a good nucleus of Buddinger, Wise, and their Center (for some reason the name escapes me). Sure, Jennings would be one heck of a talent, but I’ve got a bad feeling about the guy. It kind of sounds like OJ Mayo all over again and he brought to SC a ton of problems. The UA doesn’t need that and can win without him. Would they be better with him? Absolutely. But at what price? The last thing that the UA program needs right now is some type of scandal that involves street agents,etc. The whole situation has to make you wonder how crooked NCAA Basketball has become.

    
    — Robert    06/30/2008 10:58 AM    #

26. His name is Jordan Hill Robert; and he would be better off at one of the forward spots if we just had a real center. That is the great hope for Withey. Without Jennings and Nic at point who backs HIM up? Persnnel problems galore for Lute as it is, having given a release to Negedu. He might have made life tough underneath for the beasts that reside there. It also would have made things easier for Hill and Horne. Both of them have foul issues in trying to guard the big men. I think the knowledgeable fans see this and keep hoping that a transfer or European guy can be aquired in the next 2 months. The new Associate hd coach has a history in this area;maybe the lack on info on his current travels is a good omen?
    We will be required to give Lute slack; looks like one of his most difficult seasons. In addition looking for recruits for 2009-10 will be another huge task it seems.

    
    — Larry    06/30/2008 04:13 PM    #

27. Larry,

    Jennings is now saying that even if he passes the SAT, it’s not a lock that he will play college ball. Dude, this guy is a complete headcase and the program would be better off without him. Players like this are a cancer and are bad for team chemistry. Bottom line, it is clear from his comments that he doesn’t give a damn about the college game, doesn’t care about winning, and only cares about getting paid.

    
    — Robert    06/30/2008 09:28 PM    #

28. All you say is true Robert, including the tattoo that Hansen pointed out in Sundays Star. It is true however, that if he comes and if behaves like so many of these spoiled stars these days Lute has a spot on the bench availableand no hot-shot wants to sit there. He is a remarkable player, needing to learn to grow up. Olsen has done that before.

    
    — Larry    06/30/2008 09:52 PM    #

29. Larry,

    The ironic thing is that he is the exact type of player that Stern and the NBA does not want – remarkable player or not. Look at the NBA Finals this year. I am not a Celtics fan, but Pierce, Allen, and KG were all business. They put a premium on winning. They are all studs, but each sacrificed a bit of their game in order to achieve a common goal. Do you think a guy like Jennings is going to do that? It’s all about auditioning for the talent scouts. The UA doesn’t need that, and this type of cancer has been around for sometime. I will never forget a few years back when Andre Iguodola (spelling?) was talking on his cell in the tunnel on the way out the tunnel before a game. If I could have reached through my television screen, I would have ripped that phone out of his hand and stomped all over it. Right then, I knew that Lute was slipping. In my opinion, guys like Iggy, and then later Williams, are the type of guys that are just killing college basketball. Collin Cowherd had a good comment the other day when he said that to College Basketball Players, these programs are nothing more than airports. That is, it’s nothing more than a layover to the NBA. It’s time that the UofA stop recruiting this type of player, no matter how good they are. It’s a waste of a scholarship and it kills team cohesion. Besides, I think you can win without these guys. Last time I checked, basketball was still a team sport. The Euros have proved, at least in international competition, that a well drilled, well disciplined team will beat a team USA filled with so-called All Stars with questionable all around games.

    
    — Robert    06/30/2008 11:36 PM    #

30. I agree with Robert.I think we are better off without Jennings. I do not care how good he is. He is in it for himself and that will carry over to the team and his play .We need positive examples for the program especially now, not selfish distractors.

    
    — Big Cat    07/01/2008 07:08 AM    #

31. U guys are absoLUTEly right! And we shd recruit all 4 or 5 yr athletes; and strive for the NIT from the WAC.

    
    — Larry    07/01/2008 11:36 AM    #

32. I’m cutting Jennings more slack. I understand his frustration with the NCAA and his attitude: “I don’t need you, even if I do pass.” Unfortunately, Zona is caught in the middle of this.

    Jennings has also shown an ability to elevate the games of those around him. In the McDonald’s game he was all business and what most impressed scouts and others was his distribution of the ball to other scorers. He could have taken a thousand shots, but chose to assist others. I for one think it would be great having him here next year and hope he is able to attend. The program will benefit having him play next year. But I agree with Robert that it would be a disaster if Lute only recruited one and done players. But he hasn’t, the team is filled with other types of players; wise, hill, horne, cb, fendi (who ought to have had more playing time last year to develop), and others.

    
    — confused, maybe not    07/01/2008 12:53 PM    #

33. However, if he passes the test and does not come, that would be messed up. He made a committment to a scholarship that could and would have been offered to someone else, but would most likely be unused if he goes to Europe.

    
    — confused, maybe not    07/01/2008 01:44 PM    #

34. Is Bruce on vacation? I notice Patrick Finley is writing up the hoops news this week. I hope there has not been a permanent change.

    I’ll join those rooting for Jennings, I guess. I can’t blame him for being down on both the NCAA and the NBA. He would easily have been a lottery pick right out of high school, and it appears that his family is in some financial need, and also that he is not academically inclined (to say the least). Who can really blame him for taking all that personally? I don’t recall him having said a disparaging word about UA or Lute; did I miss something there?

    I do agree with those wanting to reduce the emphasis on recruiting one-and-done prospects, but I side with those who would like to see a balanced strategy; i.e., get blue chippers that can be expected to add value even if they only last a year. I think it’s good for the program to feature high-profile talents. At the same time, avoiding the improprieties of the O.J. Mayo types is vital, so the staff has to be willing to walk away from talent when character issues appear.

    So bottom line for me is to root hard for Jennings to qualify and to choose UA. On balance, I think that would be a winning outcome.

    
    — Portland Catfan    07/01/2008 04:44 PM    #

35. Mike Moser:

    Here’s a link to a local feature on Mike Moser (from the Oregonian). I think you’ll find it encouraging.

    http://www.oregonlive.com/nba/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/121349490281990.xml&coll=7&thispage=1

    
    — Portland Catfan    07/01/2008 05:04 PM    #

36. Moser sounds great…stick around folks…Lute isn’t done yet. Abdul Gaddy and Avery Bradley are both on all of our wish lists.

    
    — darren    07/02/2008 07:52 AM    #

37. Great recruit whose stock will surely rise this year. Thanks PCatfan for the article. Gaddy now has reason to come to Zona. He will be walking into a strong program. I don’t blame him for blinking; the program didn’t “appear” to be directed. But many of us knew and know otherwise. KO did his best, and Lute mishandled his leave, but Olson has never lacked direction. Hopefully, with the divorce behind him, the program will have his undivided attention. When recently visiting Tucson, I saw Lute at an event and chatted him up for about a minute. He looked great.

    
    — confused, maybe not    07/02/2008 11:29 AM    #

38. Hasn’t anybody learned a lesson yet? Why all this gushing for Gaddy when he is another Jennings, one and gone.

    I guess you just want to take a huge dump on Wise and dispose of him and his loyalty to the program.

    
    — JK    07/02/2008 03:26 PM    #

39. I am really having a hard time getting warm fuzzies about this Gaddy. The one and done really breaks up team chemistry. Even Bibby stayed two years. Look, I will not fault a player for taking the cash if they can get it, but I do question programs that are loading up with these players. I think Bayless was a decent guy, went to class, etc., but for every Bayless, there is an OJ Mayo who has really brought shame upon SC. I am really afraid that Jennings could be another OJ Mayo. He would be a good player and create a lot of buzz, but at the end of the day leave the UA in a bad position with allegations of NCAA rules violations. For crying out loud, he already has a lawyer speaking on his behalf and he hasn’t even played one game!

    
    — Robert    07/02/2008 04:27 PM    #

40. One and done is not automatically a bad thing, certainly not in every case. A freshman star does not always disrupt team chemistry, especially when there is a mix of experience on board. Examples of freshman impact include Mike Bibby (regardless of whether he came back for a second helping), Derrick Rose, Kevin Love, Carmelo Anthony, Pervis Ellison.

    Nic Wise was highly effective in the same backcourt with Bayless. He could be with Jennings and he could be with Gaddy, in my opinion.

    Let’s keep hoping that both Jennings and Gaddy come to UA, for however long, and the coaches will take care of blending their talents with Wise, Budinger, Hill, Horne, Withey, Fogg, et al.

    
    — Portland Catfan    07/02/2008 06:00 PM    #

41. I don’t think Gaddy will be one and done. As of now, he is considered excellent, but not a Jennings. But even if he is, I agree with Portland Catfan.

    
    — confused, maybe not    07/02/2008 06:30 PM    #

42. Seems I agree with PortlandCatFan most of the time also; thx much for the great reference to the Oregonian and story on Moser and Gaddy, etc. What a deal if he can have an influence on that coming together. I remember reading something not quite 2 years ago after Bayless had decommitted about Nic Wise and he being pals and Nic suggesting he recommit to UA. Coincidence?

    
    — Larry    07/02/2008 10:01 PM    #

43. Not only does The Man still have it, he takes it away, just like stealing candy from, well, a baby…

    Get Pennell, score Carlino — right out from under Herbert’s nose.

    Pick up Moser, see Gaddy follow…right into the arms of a wide open, waiting McKale crowd, one filled to capacity, noisy as all get-up.

    Don’t ever underestimate the power of Tennessee: Addition by Subtraction.

    Pastner, gone to Memphis; O’Neill, gone to Memphis; Negedu, gone to the Volunteers.

    In return, the UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA gets Pennell, Dunlap, Geary, which is to say Carlino, Smith, Moser, Gaddy.

    I like the Cats’ odds once again.

    BEAR DOWN, RED AND BLUE!!!!!

    
    — Carlos    07/02/2008 11:02 PM    #

44. Good, basic math Carlos! I like it.

    
    — Larry    07/03/2008 10:20 AM    #

45. Good Article…..I thought Doug hated AZ
    There has been a lot of talk about Brandon Jennings threatening to play in Europe rather than the University of Arizona next season. But Jennings’ assumption that he be the first American high schooler to skip college to play professionally in Europe before entering the NBA draft is naïve at best.

    Jennings, who has yet to academically qualify for college because of his SAT score, is Scouts Inc.‘s No. 1-rated high school player in the country. He might be the best high school basketball prospect in the country, but he also has a far more well-rounded offensive game than Derrick Rose, this year’s No. 1 draft pick, right now.

    Jennings is the prototype of a franchise point guard. He has grown to 6-foot-2, filled out physically and developed a Damon Stoudamire-like pull-up jump shot. Jennings is a far better and more creative passer than Rose, and creates the type of thrilling “ahs” that are usually reserved for the “And-1 Mix Tape” crew. The flaw in Jennings’ game is his rapidly improving long-range jumper, which is still streaky.

    [+] EnlargeJoe Murphy/Getty Images

    There’s no doubt about Brandon Jennings’ high-flying ability. But would he benefit more by spending a year in Europe over a year at Arizona?

    But Jennings is not ready for the culture shock of playing overseas, for the challenge of playing grown men as opposed to over-matched high schoolers, for the huge drop in the NBA draft stock. Yet that might not be enough to deter him from skipping school. And in the long run, he might end up a lower-rated NBA prospect but a better player and more well-rounded, grounded person.

    Be careful what you ask for, Brandon. You just might get it.

    While Jennings can cry the NCAA a river and complain that the NBA and its players’ association have treated him unfairly, there is no cheating the FIBA litmus test that awaits.

    This year, I watched intently as Jennings interacted with his McDonald’s All-American teammates for a week in Milwaukee, and it did not seem as though Jennings had matured into a true leader that an NBA team could count on. So if Jennings chooses to pack his bags, passport and old Bobby Brown pictures for his new barber (check out that high fade from the McDonald’s game) and go overseas for a year, he might actually hurt his stock by playing a far different game.

    If Jennings thinks going overseas will be a year-long vacation in which he will dominate, play just twice a week and ready himself for an early call from David Stern at Madison Square Garden next June, the couple hundred grand in cash he will earn might need to make up for the revenue he’ll lose by dropping in the draft if he is not overly impressive in Europe. On the other hand, if Jennings succeeds in Europe, he could emerge as a perfect combination — the flair of the American game and the fundamental team game that is played outside our borders.

    Six facts going against Jennings:

    1. The most difficult position to make it as an American in European competition is playmaker, or point guard position, due to the number of quality “local” guards.

    2. European coaches despise inexperienced players.

    3. American players are expected to not only carry the team, but also to win and play quality defense, more so than their European counterparts.

    4. Playmakers in Europe shoot a very high percentage and do not over-handle the ball.

    5. While some Europeans contracts are guaranteed, many contracts are abruptly terminated at different points during the season due to poor play or performance.

    6. Some European coaches want their point guards to be at least 6-5, if not bigger.

    And those are just a few of the obstacles facing Jennings.

    He also has no real sense of what it takes to win at a high level, as he often bails out on guarding the ball by going for steals. When scored upon, he always comes back up court and tries to go one-on-one for a bucket. Great moxie over here, not embraced over there.

    I don’t blame Jennings. He is just a product of playing for one of the most talented AAU programs (SoCal All-Stars) and high school powerhouses (Oak Hill) in the country. While both win games, the emphasis isn’t on sets on offense or stops on defense.

    Whereas young players are coddled here and pushed to learn in a trial by fire sort of way, most youngsters in Europe sit and earn their minutes and do their work in practice and in friendly games.

    Jennings can claim he is going to Europe to get around the NBA’s “19-year-old rule” (a player has to be at least 19 years old and one year removed from high school to be eligible for the draft), and it is somewhat true, but remember that the only reason Jennings’ academics are in question is because he had to take the SAT a third time. His second SAT score was flagged for an excessive increase from his first SAT score.

    While there is no doubt that some team in Europe will take a chance on this high-profile youngster and give him a decent six-figure pay day, playing overseas is not like playing here. There are hooks on the walls for lockers on the road. Smoking is commonplace. Gyms are half-full. And soccer is football, and football is every boy’s dream.

    [+] EnlargeKelly Kline

    Brandon Jennings is a well-rounded offensive star who needs to learn how to run a team.
    In Europe, Jennings would have to relearn how to run a team because he has not really played for a team in true competition in the two years since he moved from Los Angeles’ Dominguez High School to the loaded Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. Oak Hill had scores of Division I talent, and the Warriors were rarely tested, often rolling over lesser competition. While he might not know or respect some of the veterans in Europe, Lou Bullock (Real Madrid), Zoran Planinic (CSKA), Sarunas Jasikevicius (Panathinaikos) and Morris Finley (Montepaschi Siena) are skilled and experienced guards whose eyes will light up at the thought of a “SLAM” cover boy trying to learn the Euro game.

    The idea that every game matters and the win-or-be-cut mentality of FIBA hoops would truly test Jennings’ mettle. He has been a pampered superstar for a while now, and because of it, he is also reviled by fellow all-stars and opposing AAU coaches despite his immense talent. But in Italy, Spain, Greece or Russia, pouting gets you nowhere; wins get you paid.

    Overseas, Jennings would get real, full-time coaching and real critiques. He would be competing against players who are 25- to 35-years-old and do not care for some youngster coming in to take their salary. Teammates and opponents alike would attack Jennings in the two-a-day practices and the twice-a-week games.

    Jennings would be the better for the experience, but it will be far more difficult than he can ever imagine. It is not easy to change your diet, time zones, TV viewing (DVDs and X-Box take over), language and especially your game to fit completely new surroundings. And he would have to do it for a coach that might think he has talent but has not heard of him for the past three years like Arizona’s Lute Olson has.

    It’s not like Jennings was ever planning on going to Arizona to earn a four-year degree. He would have been using the school to get to the NBA as quickly as possible. He is not alone, though he might now become the poster boy for other high school players who want to avoid college basketball and play for pay at an earlier age.

    While Jennings might have found a loophole for Renardo Sidney and future young stars who want to educate themselves overseas before jumping into the NBA, Jennings might find out how hard it is to set the mold.
    Doug Gottlieb is a college basketball analyst for ESPN and host of “The Pulse” on ESPN Radio

    
    — Trev in Kc    07/03/2008 12:37 PM    #

46. Good riddance Brandon…he didn’t want to set foot on a college campus, and I’m glad he won’t because he took the attitude that people were forcing him to attend college. If he would rather take his abilities elsewhere, so be it. Props to him for taking the risk. He would’ve made UA better on the court, but who knows what would’ve happened in the locker room, in the classroom, if he would’ve been like OJ Mayo, etc etc. Lute Plainview Olson will have a thin roster to work with next year, but I like the team. Every guy on that roster WANTS to be a Wildcat and wear ARIZONA on their chests.

    
    — darren    07/08/2008 09:17 PM    #

47. We are going to SUCK; big time.

    
    — Nick    07/09/2008 05:58 AM    #

48. We will not suck! With Withey at center, Hill at PF, Budinger at SF, and Wise and Lavender at guard we will be competitive in the PAC-10 and make the tournament again. Even our bench will be better than people think. Jacobsen, Horne, Onubon , Johnson and Fogg will be a solid backup unit. The UA is on its way back and will play, solid, fun to watch, uptempo, team basketball. We will be better the year after next for NOT having Jennings.

    
    — Mike Tinghitella    07/09/2008 06:46 AM    #

49. I am not saying we are going to suck without Jennings…the guy is probably a basket case to deal with anyhow; a poison.

    But, look, Lute deserves this. He trashed this program by pulling that nonsense last year and now he will face the repurcussions…and end to his “elite” tourney run.

    This team is too shallow and too inexperienced to do anyhting this year. It’s gonna be ugly, but deservedly so.

    
    — Nick    07/09/2008 06:59 AM    #

50. Starting 5 is fine, provided that WIthey is ready to contribute right away and someone can step into the shooting guard role. I think that can happen….however, at this point, last year’s bench looks deep compared to this years one.

    
    — darren    07/09/2008 07:25 AM    #

51. Oh Well those grapes were probably sour anyway. Does anyone really think we will be stronger than last year, conmpetetive in the Pac-10? The die is cast I’m afraid—UCLA keeps getting stronger and we are in a mess; remember when it was agreed that the recruiting class to enter UA in 2008 was ranked #1 in the country? Agree with Nick here; Lute brought it on and the hope now is that Dunlap can bail him out—sooner than later.

    
    — Larry    07/09/2008 09:56 AM    #

52. There are so many different issues going on here. The one that we need to talk about, though, is this: What type of background check is the UA doing on these recruits? Jennings, when it comes to academics, is about as dumb as a pile of rocks. Ultimately, I think that most of the time this sort of thing translates to mistakes and bad decisions on the court. The PG is the QB of the basketball team. He handles the ball more than any other player. If you can’t get squared away in the classroom, if you can’t get squared away on your SAT, in other words you can’t take care of your business off the court, then how in the hell do you expect to take care of your business on the court? Folks, this isn’t as big a loss as it appears. The biggest loss is the loss of a scholarship and that really is Lute’s fault. This guy should never have been offered a chance to play at the UA. We don’t need OJ Mayo’s.

    
    — Robert    07/09/2008 10:15 AM    #

53. Can someone tell me:

    Where is Bruce?

    Can Budinger be effective at the 2 spot?

    Is Withey, Hill, Horne, Budinger, Wise a feasible starting 5?

    Is it too late to sign warm JC bodies for 2008?

    
    — Portland Catfan    07/09/2008 04:52 PM    #

54. Portland-

    Methinks Fendi will play himself into the starting 5. He’s a senior with a lot to prove. maybe I’m grasping at straws here, but I’d like to think he can produce.

    so I say:

    Wise
    Budinger
    Horne
    Fendi
    Jordan

    with Withey, ZJ, Fogg, Lavender, and Jacobsen off the pine. Hopefully we can get a shooter and a slasher from the JC ranks or Europe. But that is asking for a TON.

    I’m also curious as to where Bruce is…anyone want to answer that one?

    
    — scott    07/09/2008 08:33 PM    #

55. I just went to Ryan Finley’s blog and asked about Bruce.

    
    — confused, maybe not    07/09/2008 11:02 PM    #

56. Ryan, just wrote to my personal e-mail. he’s fast.

    Bruce is on vacation and will be gone for another week. No need for us to worry.

    
    — confused, maybe not    07/09/2008 11:08 PM    #

57. Has anyone seen this ESPN article on what Lute said last Friday, regarding future recruiting of one-and-dones?

    Does anyone think he’s serious, or is he just letting off steam?

    Personally, I think this would be a great thing, but if he’s the only coach doing this, it wouldn’t be very effective in producing any change, and he may ultimately be only handicapping his own team…

    ——————————————

    [From the article]

    Lute Olson would like to see NBA rules governing young players’ entry into the draft rewritten.
    “It’s a situation now that if someone’s a ‘one-and-done,’ we’re not going to pursue them anymore, no way,” Olson told the Los Angeles Times on Thursday.

    Click here for rest of article.

    
    — Clocker    07/13/2008 03:01 PM    #

58. Bayless’ first game as a Blazer:

    Jerryd Bayless begins his NBA career with a summer league game in Vegas this afternoon (should be just underway). He’s going to get time at both guard positions as well as in “no-designated-point” situations (i.e., two combo guards in the same backcourt; e.g., Danny Ainge and Dennis Johnson in the Celtics mid-80’s lineup).

    This is just summer league and won’t say too much about anything, but it must be very exciting for JB and his family. I’m confident he will make most UA fans proud going forward. He has had only positive things to say up here in interviews about his situation in Tucson (and they always ask). So far, he is a great ambassador for UA.

    (I know there may be no remaining traffic here, but it did start out as a Bayless thread!)

    
    — Portland Catfan    07/14/2008 05:34 PM    #

59. Jennings seems like a punk. We don’t need that on our team!

    
    — GOCATS    07/20/2008 02:36 AM    #

: Smith commitment much needed
: Where in the world is Bruce Pascoe?