Williams definitely staying, Clark definitely gone

by Mike Rutherford on Apr 7, 2008 7:18 PM EDT in News Comment 6 comments

Rick Pitino appeared on The Terry Meiners Show this afternoon and broke the news that Terrence Williams would definitely be returning for his senior season, and that there was "zero" chance of Earl Clark playing another game in a Louisville uniform.

"T-Will's very sensible," Pitino said. "He listens. If he was a first round draft choice, he would have been gone yesterday. He's like a son to me. He needs to stay for his senior year. He's a great athlete, he will be a pro, he will graduate. He's one of the few people in the younger generation that does listen to older, wiser people."

Pitino added that Williams and fellow senior-to-be Andre McGee will be named co-captains for the 2008-2009 season at a press conference sometime next week.

Pitino said that Clark's decision to forgo his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility was made against the advice of his head coach. He said he believed that Clark would be selected somewhere between 18-30 inn this year's NBA Draft, but that he could have been a top seven or eight pick in 2009.

"It's sort of like your son or your daughter when you don't approve of the person their going to marry," Pitino said. "You see all the blemishes and all the possible future problems. They don't see it. They get married, and you hope it turns out to be a good marriage."

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Zero Chance

That makes me feel exfoliated. I kept holding out hope. Now there's nothing left but bare trees.

I heard though, that this is still America, still a capitalist society (although with all the government bail outs I am starting to have my doubts) and I understand that when you grow up rough and you have a chance to grab the brass ring, that you might look at things differently than some of us.

I still say the NCAAs peaked in the 80's. Not so much cause we dominated, but because except for (Magic, Michael, and others who went early) a few, you could count on the team you liked to have somewhat the same personnel the next year.

Botton line. I will miss Clark. I'll miss him a lot.

by Roz on Apr 7, 2008 7:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

good news, bad news

considering we all knew E5 was a huge flight risk none of us should be shocked that he is leaving. But the fact that TWill is sticking around is HUGE. He's a guy who believes in the program and has a great reason to stick around.

The bottom line in this day and age is that the better a job you do of recruiting, the more likely your team is to face considerable turnover. So which do you want? Kids that stick around but may not be at the talent level to win the big one, or kids with such great ability that they are pro-bait before they ever figure out where the Dining Hall is?

Obviously you want something in between. UNC was stacked with talent in 2005. They won the tourney and the team was promptly gutted. But I know for a fact that fans are perfectly happy losing their premier players to the NBA considering the trade-off. It may not seem like the perfect situation for the fans, or the stability of the program, but it is the reality.

The upside to all of this is that a system with tremendous turnover adds value to teams that recruit well. I think we are one of those teams. And every year that we lose players to the pros serves as an example to incoming classes that when they play at UofL they have a chance to realize their ultimate dreams of monetary success.

It may not lend itself to stability, but it can certainly score us some 'chips. I know I'd like another.

by ericdedwar on Apr 7, 2008 8:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

E5

I'm not sure if this is a good decision or not for this young man. Money and fame are powerful, and hubris always seems to set in with these kids playing Division I basketball these days.

I do know this. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired of worrying (not redundant) about whether a recruit is coming to UofL, or if a kid who is already playing for us is staying, etc. These days, this phenomenon seems to be the game within the game, and I've decided not to labor over their decisions as a fan.

Good luck E5, and thank you for your contribution.

Mike - your insight and your acumen would be of interest to us all on this subject.

by BR on Apr 7, 2008 8:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think he's making a mistake

And it's disappointing.

by Mike Rutherford on Apr 7, 2008 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

there are just going to take the easy money and run

can't blame a lower middle class family for chosing this

but think it's very short-sighted

hope it works out

got a few memorable dunks out of him

and some 5 TO games

by frankpos on Apr 7, 2008 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like E5 and Pitino

had a major falling out over the decision and was made without his knowledge. He probably feels a bit foolish by saying after the UNC game on the radio that he would be back.

I don't think the coach should have to give the blessing of moving on. If E5 didn't want to be there, it is probably better off in the long run for the team to have people there that want to be there as much as Coach P and the fans want him to stay.

I am not so much angry as I am sad about him leaving since he is a good player that could have been great.

by xjjeep90 on Apr 7, 2008 9:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs