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Jamal Murray reclassifying to 2015 & announcing college on ESPNU

You Debbie Downers ever wonder why Murray is announcing 2 days before the NBA draft? This kid is marketing himself to the NBA and Cal is guiding him through the process. It all adds up from the reclassification to the 4 day visit to UK. No one knew he was on an official visit until he was already on campus. That's how unassuming the young man was. If he were choosing Oregon like you doomsdayers have accepted in your minds, it wouldn't be on ESPNU.
It's not.
 
More often than not, when big recruits announce on ESPNU, it's good news for UK. Would be cool if that's the case again, but ah, I dunno, and I'm not that worried about it either way. If he goes to UK, cool. If not, oh well.
It's understandable why Canadian recruiting services pick Murray to Oregon. Oregon's coach recruits Canada very well, and he's been on Murray for 3 years or so now.
That said, consider these things:
- Oregon has zero scholarships available right now,and Murray has already announced his reclass, which makes me think that he didn't pick Oregon.
- Murray said he's going to do what's best for him long-term, said he wants to be the top pick in the draft
- Being announced on ESPNU, which is usually good for us.
- Doesn't make much sense to reclass for Oregon. He wasn't considering reclassing before UK came into the picture.


Yes, he was considering reclassifying before we got involved. He has been considering it for some time now.
 
he apparently only tweeted it to people he trusted since his profile is private and the public can't read it. He probably didn't think someone would run with it to a news outlet (pretty dumb to think that, but whatever). I'd say, if this turns out to be true, Murray has already told the Oregon coaches he plans on coming there and the currently players know about it. That's the only way I can rationalize him tweeting that.
I heard he has over 500 followers that is not that private, I guess he expected them to all keep quiet.
 
Since when was Oregon considered the concensus frntrunner?


Who would pick O
Assuming this is all true of course, it's his decision and despite my disappointment I don't hold it against him. But I do find if funny that he and his father has been making so many statements lately like "we'll do what's best in the long term" and "I want to be the #1 pick in the draft."

You're choosing between a team that has produced (a probable) 3 top picks in the last 6 years and a team that's never produced a top 5 pick ever. Sooooo......hmmmm.....

It's simple really. You want to be the nation's top lawyer, you go to Harvard or Yale. Top engineer, go to M.I.T. or Cal Berkeley. You want to be the top draft pick, you go to Kentucky, Duke etc. Why the hell would you go to Oregon or Mississippi State or Cal? It's bizarre but it is what it is.
Assuming this is all true of course, it's his decision and despite my disappointment I don't hold it against him. But I do find if funny that he and his father has been making so many statements lately like "we'll do what's best in the long term" and "I want to be the #1 pick in the draft."

You're choosing between a team that has produced (a probable) 3 top picks in the last 6 years and a team that's never produced a top 5 pick ever. Sooooo......hmmmm.....

It's simple really. You want to be the nation's top lawyer, you go to Harvard or Yale. Top engineer, go to M.I.T. or Cal Berkeley. You want to be the top draft pick, you go to Kentucky, Duke etc. Why the hell would you go to Oregon or Mississippi State or Cal? It's bizarre but it is what it is.


Great post! Murray & his father should read this it might turn there head light on.
 
If it were anyone other than UK, would we even get consideration from maybe THE top PG even though we already have 2 great ones? No way.

He'll probably choose Oregon it appears. And if we're honest, it makes sense due to the crowded PG roster here; and that Oregon has been on him practically since he was in diapers.
 
I hope we get this kid, but it's not looking too great now. You never know though but like others my hope isn't so high now.

This has been an weird year for recruiting. A lot of recruits seem they want to be the man on their teams. But then say how they want to do what's best for their future. I just have a hard time seeing how going to places like Miss St, LSU, Cal, Oregon, etc will create a better future than UK. Look at how many former players have said that coming to UK helped prepare them for the pros. Not just playing wise, but getting use to being in the spotlight of the media frenzy.
 
I just wonder why there is no reax from Murray or his camp over this tweet. Surely they have heard/seen it at this point. Kid definitively wants to be in the spotlight for this announcement or he wouldn't be doing an ESPNU special. Why tell anyone your intentions a week out if you know they can't keep it quiet?
 
I believe he is going to be a cat why all the hype if is going to be a duck.I will be watching him choose Kentucky
Could happen.. Even players know how crazy UK fans are about basketball and the recruiting process.. Really can't get mad at Murray though because he's just staying loyal to the school that recruited him first.
 
My optimism was always couched in some uncertainties. I based my prediction on this:

1. Four day visit in Lexington
2. Decision to reclassify became set in concrete soon after the visit to UK
3. Cal's tweets about "the process", which was parroting Mr. Murray's wording
4. Cal's statements about "positionless"
5. The staff's optimism concerning adding one, or two, more players. They remained optimistic, and for all I know, maybe still do
6. Mr. Murray's statement as to the "best long term decision"
7. The crowded Oregon backcourt, which of course also the case at UK
8. The decision to take no more visits even though Michigan might have been flirted with
9. Logic. If the NBA is foremost in the kid's mind, you know the rest. UK is the minor league.

But, the relationships Murray had with the staff and some players at Oregon always bothered me. And, frankly, I think Briscoe didn't want him stealing his thunder and didn't help recruit him, but that is my take and may be way off base.
 
My optimism was always couched in some uncertainties. I based my prediction on this:

1. Four day visit in Lexington
2. Decision to reclassify became set in concrete soon after the visit to UK
3. Cal's tweets about "the process", which was parroting Mr. Murray's wording
4. Cal's statements about "positionless"
5. The staff's optimism concerning adding one, or two, more players. They remained optimistic, and for all I know, maybe still do
6. Mr. Murray's statement as to the "best long term decision"
7. The crowded Oregon backcourt, which of course also the case at UK
8. The decision to take no more visits even though Michigan might have been flirted with
9. Logic. If the NBA is foremost in the kid's mind, you know the rest. UK is the minor league.

But, the relationships Murray had with the staff and some players at Oregon always bothered me. And, frankly, I think Briscoe didn't want him stealing his thunder and didn't help recruit him, but that is my take and may be way off base.
So @davekersey , what's your prediction at this very moment? OU or UK?
 
My optimism was always couched in some uncertainties. I based my prediction on this:

1. Four day visit in Lexington
2. Decision to reclassify became set in concrete soon after the visit to UK
3. Cal's tweets about "the process", which was parroting Mr. Murray's wording
4. Cal's statements about "positionless"
5. The staff's optimism concerning adding one, or two, more players. They remained optimistic, and for all I know, maybe still do
6. Mr. Murray's statement as to the "best long term decision"
7. The crowded Oregon backcourt, which of course also the case at UK
8. The decision to take no more visits even though Michigan might have been flirted with
9. Logic. If the NBA is foremost in the kid's mind, you know the rest. UK is the minor league.

But, the relationships Murray had with the staff and some players at Oregon always bothered me. And, frankly, I think Briscoe didn't want him stealing his thunder and didn't help recruit him, but that is my take and may be way off base.

Interesting thought about Briscoe. 1-9 certainly give you confidence he would choose UK. Appreciate your thoughts.
 
He's headed to Oregon. No doubt about it. From all of the scuttlebutt and the fact that there is almost no confidence from anyone in Lexington as well as the mysterious tweet by the Oregon player that was quickly removed (I think), saying prematurely that Murray had committed to Oregon, you have to think that all signs are pointing to the Ducks.

You have to remember that, not only does he have a couple of close ties to Oregon, he is also wanting to play PG at the next level and at UK he'd have to share ball handling duties with Ulis and Briscoe and would see most of his PT at the 2 or 3 spots, most likely being the 3rd option at the 1 spot. At Oregon, he'd play the 1 and would be the primary ball handler. Although I think he'd flourish in a three guard system at UK and would still be a 1st rounder next year playing reduced minutes, he must think that his chances are better playing at Oregon, which is dead wrong, because at Oregon he could be a potential 1st rounder next season, but at UK he would be a DEFINITE 1st rounder next season. Plus he'd get to play on TV every game and for a hall of fame coach and be part of the greatest tradition in college basketball, or he can play for Dana Altman (who will probably never be in the hall of fame) in the Pac 12, play on TV sporadically and maybe make the NCAA-T.

Really hope I'm wrong here. Seriously, all bias aside, even if I didn't grow up a UK fan, I think the smart choice is clear here.
 
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In fairness, Dave was giving his opinion. I don't see a need in bashing a quality poster.

I agree. I don't think he knows any more than anyone else, and is just stating his guess.

I also think Dave had some "sources" at one time, but I'm not sure that is the case anymore.
 
Per KSR, he is announcing on TSN (a Canadian Sports network) not ESPNU. Now I believe he is picking Oregon.
 
My optimism was always couched in some uncertainties. I based my prediction on this:

1. Four day visit in Lexington
2. Decision to reclassify became set in concrete soon after the visit to UK
3. Cal's tweets about "the process", which was parroting Mr. Murray's wording
4. Cal's statements about "positionless"
5. The staff's optimism concerning adding one, or two, more players. They remained optimistic, and for all I know, maybe still do
6. Mr. Murray's statement as to the "best long term decision"
7. The crowded Oregon backcourt, which of course also the case at UK
8. The decision to take no more visits even though Michigan might have been flirted with
9. Logic. If the NBA is foremost in the kid's mind, you know the rest. UK is the minor league.

But, the relationships Murray had with the staff and some players at Oregon always bothered me. And, frankly, I think Briscoe didn't want him stealing his thunder and didn't help recruit him, but that is my take and may be way off base.


Dave,
I still put some stock that he is following Dominique Hawkins and Dakari Johnson on his twitter account. I don't see him following any Oregon players that I can find? Maybe wishful thinking ?
 
Oh no! We're not getting Murray? Pssshhhh, and..... After this past year, you really can't count on squat.. You can bet on this though.. We strike out next year and those rumors we hear will be coming true. Cleveland's gonna take another shot at him and probably a couple other teams.. He's not going to be here forever guys.
 
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