There are probably 10 guys in next year's class who would go lottery if they were eligible this year.

I might be wrong, never say never. I just don't think he has a chance at lottery. I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't top 25.

Late 1st early 2nd. No shot at lottery.

Compared to some of the big men who have went lottery in years past, Dont see how itd be such a stretch

Hb31187;1435685 wrote:Compared to some of the big men who have went lottery in years past, Dont see how itd be such a stretch

Payne is 22 right now. He will be 23 1/2 by time he is signed on an NBA team. In-terms of potential alone, the age thing really hurts him.

Count me the number of players in the last 5 years who have been drafted in the lottery at age 23 or older?

0 in 2008
Tyler Hansbrough in 2009
0 in 2010
0 in 2011
0 in 2012

1. With nothing at all related to Payne, the statistical odds alone make it a long shot.

2. The 2014 NBA Draft is projected to be one of the best ever.

3. I see at least 4 centers who will be ranked higher than him, if they go pro (Willie Cauley-Stein, Joel Embiid, A.J. Hammons, Kaleb Tarczewski) and there's possibly a few more foreign guys who could cloud up that mix. That doesn't count at least 20 guys who play the other 4 positions who will be fighting for lottery picks.

Like Laley said, I think Payne returning is more of a admission that he will never be a great draft pick. The time to leave was now, going back was strictly personal and to enjoy college/take a shot at a title.

Hb31187;1435685 wrote:Compared to some of the big men who have went lottery in years past, Dont see how itd be such a stretch

That looking at it the wrong way and actually proves our point.

Guys who have been taken and flamed out were drafted on potential. Payne doesnt have it. We know what he is. He will make it in the NBA, imo, because he is big and can shoot. But teams in the lottery wont be looking for that, they will be looking for the next big man All-Star. Payne wont be that.

So while he will be a better player entering than some, that is exactly why he wont be taken high.

Yeah, and if you're playing in the NCAA in your Senior year, you're pretty much a bum when we're talking NBA potential.

Big news. Eli Carter visited Florida this weekend. Prior to the weekend, he stated he was down to UF and Maryland, and scheduled 2 visits, His Maryland visit is this weekend, but today he cancelled that visit after visiting Florida. He also announced he is attempting to get a hardship waiver due to the situation that went down at Rutgers.

Not only does it look like he's a Florida lock, but he may be eligible next year. That is HUGE for a team many already have in the top 5-10, but who lose 2 starting guards from this year. If he's eligible right away, the Gators are right in that elite, top 3-5 conversation.

Both Damontre Harris and Dorian Finney-Smith will be major impact transfers who were already All-Conference performers are their previous schools (Harris at South Carolina and Finney-Smith at Virginia Tech).

Laley23;1435794 wrote:That looking at it the wrong way and actually proves our point.

Guys who have been taken and flamed out were drafted on potential. Payne doesnt have it. We know what he is. He will make it in the NBA, imo, because he is big and can shoot. But teams in the lottery wont be looking for that, they will be looking for the next big man All-Star. Payne wont be that.

So while he will be a better player entering than some, that is exactly why he wont be taken high.

I guess. Hes the exact same build/length and hops of Noel....with a jumper. But people are salivating over Noel for some reason, even after a blown out knee lol(and hes younger , i know lol)

I don't disagree with you in theory. It's one of those "it is what it is" type things. Noel is 18. Payne is 22. There's certainly some ego involved with those thinking once they get Noel under their wings, he'll certainly develop more than Payne is now. Then again, that's why scouting "potential" is so subjective and the ones making the call on that usually have a lot more responsibility (and far higher pay grades) than we do on this forum.

I actually felt Payne should've left after his Sophomore season...he could've done well against that draft class...

LOL.

"@markbaden Former UNC/current UCLA 5th yr Sr. Travis Wear likely to transfer. Inquired with Duke but didn't fit their needs."

Didn't the Wear twins want to go to UCLA because they were from the west coast and wanted to be near home?

Azubuike24;1437665 wrote:LOL.

"@markbaden Former UNC/current UCLA 5th yr Sr. Travis Wear likely to transfer. Inquired with Duke but didn't fit their needs."

Didn't the Wear twins want to go to UCLA because they were from the west coast and wanted to be near home?

Yes. They were homesick.

Azubuike24;1437665 wrote:LOL.

"@markbaden Former UNC/current UCLA 5th yr Sr. Travis Wear likely to transfer. Inquired with Duke but didn't fit their needs."

Didn't the Wear twins want to go to UCLA because they were from the west coast and wanted to be near home?

That's the excuse their parents made for them, but I never understood why they left.

Larry Drew II's reason for leaving was obvious...Marshall was going to be the starter and play over him. The Wears, on the other hand, had no reason to leave.

Now that I think back a little, one of the Wears had an injury and was going to have to sit out for a while. The other brother didn't want to use up a year of eligibility, so transferring, and sitting out a year together allowed them to stay in the same class.

They would've received plenty of playing time at Carolina, especially once Zeller and Henson left, but the injury situation and wanting to return home made the difference. I never did completely buy into their reasoning, because obviously if Travis is inquiring about Duke, he doesn't mind The Triangle too much.

Trae Golden transferring from UT.

Huge blow for UT. Rumor is he will be ruled ineligible. Probably didn't go to class.

The Vols were probably a top 15-20 team, but now don't have a PG. That sucks.

Mike Moser to Oregon. Eligible right away.

Daymean Dotson, Dominic Artis and Johnathan Loyd all return to the Ducks backcourt.

Rumors that Tarik Black of Memphis may also choose Memphis.

Dana Altman might have a hell of a team again...

Azubuike24;1440064 wrote:Mike Moser to Oregon. Eligible right away.

Daymean Dotson, Dominic Artis and Johnathan Loyd all return to the Ducks backcourt.

Rumors that Tarik Black of Memphis may also choose Memphis.

Dana Altman might have a hell of a team again...

He'd be really making a big bold move there. Haha.

Oregon looking nice early on. I love Moser as a player and hope he can regain top form. He made the right decision by getting out of the mess that is UNLV under Dave Rice, because that team is going nowhere as long as he is running things.

Haha, meant Black to Oregon...

Evan Gordon transferring from ASU to IU.

Never thought IU could get someone this good this late. But this is great news. Also shows the family is still heavily invested in IU, which is great news since the youngest brother might end up the best (Eric says he is better than him at the same stage).

Wont cost the Hoosiers a scholly past this year, which is the best news. IU had one to give for a year.

I don't dislike UT like many UK fans, but their fans sure do cast a lot of stones given that they hated Calipari at Memphis, and that hate escalated once he went to Lexington. All the while, they've dealt with the Bruce Pearl scandal, and now this...

Trae Golden dismissed at Tennessee. Then this...

http://www.sportsanimal99.com/common/more.php?m=49&post_id=233

"The Sports Animal has learned that Jenny Wright, director of the office of student judicial affairs, has been terminated for failure to cooperate with a UT investigation into whether she had inappropriate relations with student-athletes. One of those athletes, we’re told by sources, is former UT basketball player Trae Golden."

Azubuike24;1442582 wrote:I don't dislike UT like many UK fans, but their fans sure do cast a lot of stones given that they hated Calipari at Memphis, and that hate escalated once he went to Lexington. All the while, they've dealt with the Bruce Pearl scandal, and now this...

Trae Golden dismissed at Tennessee. Then this...

http://www.sportsanimal99.com/common/more.php?m=49&post_id=233

"The Sports Animal has learned that Jenny Wright, director of the office of student judicial affairs, has been terminated for failure to cooperate with a UT investigation into whether she had inappropriate relations with student-athletes. One of those athletes, we’re told by sources, is former UT basketball player Trae Golden."

Lucky guy.

Midstate01;1442589 wrote:Lucky guy.

True dat

People having sex isnt really a big deal, imo. Sure its against the rules per the postions within the university of those involved, but I would hardly call it anything more then unfortunate.

It's not a big deal unless it becomes a much larger scandal involving other players and athletes.