Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
Now that Mark Lyons has decided on Arizona and it looks like the Cats’ chances for Anthony Bennett are slim, it’s time to turn our attention to another target, Julius Mays, a former teammate of Ryan Harrow at NC State.
Mays, a junior guard from Wright State, is graduating this spring and will be eligible to play immediately as a transfer if he enrolls in a graduate program (like Lyons). Mays played his first two years at N.C. State where he averaged 4.7 points in 17 minutes per game over 2 seasons. The Indiana native transferred to Wright State for more playing time and to be closer to home. In one year at Wright State, Mays averaged 14.1 points per game. For Kentucky, he’d be a reliable shooter who could come off the bench, playing behind Ryan Harrow and Archie Goodwin (he averaged 83.2% from the free-throw line and 42% from behind the arc last season).
According to Jeff Goodman, Mays is considering Purdue, Michigan State, Kentucky, Cincinnati, and possibly Michigan as destinations for his senior season. All of these schools provide a bigger stage for Mays, yet are also all relatively close to his family in Indiana. Unlike most guys who play at three different schools, there are no apparent problems off the court for Mays and he would be a great add for Kentucky to give the Cats an experienced player off the bench who can shoot.
The highlight of Mays’ season at Wright State was a performance of 24 points and 7 rebounds in a 1-point loss to Butler. After the game, Butler coach Brad Stephens had this to say about Mays: “24 and 7 – it seemed like he made every play at the end….He’s definitely on my short list for (Horizon League) Player of the Year. He’s good. He’s real good.” If Mays is okay with taking on a smaller role at UK, he would give Calipari a reliable option off the bench and perhaps the added exposure at UK could enhance his professional opportunities as well. In addition to Mays, Mislav Brzoja is another UK target who would give the Cats depth at the guard position.
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May 6th, 2012 at 5:06 pm
What we really need is depth. I feel like we will have strong starting 5 and nothing after that.
By the way, Jeff Van Gundy knows nothing about the Big Blue Nation. He just said, he doesnt believe Jorts is a real nickname, he said Josh made it up and no one calls him that.
May 6th, 2012 at 5:08 pm
I knew Lyons wasn’t coming to Kentucky after leaving Lexington without committing.
May 6th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Here’s what we need….
–to wait on Cal & just trust his judgement.
May 6th, 2012 at 5:14 pm
3- agreed
May 6th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
i don’t think harrow and mays played together, harrow was only there for the 10-11 season and then left and sat out a year at uk … mays sat out the 10-11 season (i’m assuming sitting out at wright st), last played in the 09-10 season for nc state before harrow got there
May 6th, 2012 at 5:16 pm
IN CAL WE TRUST!! GO CATS!!
May 6th, 2012 at 5:38 pm
1- Yeah, I heard that from him too. I yelled at my TV screen. KSR got the shaft. Would love to have heard “KSR” during a NBA game.
May 6th, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Hood will need to step up and play like a 4 star player. If he can be a capable backup we will be OK.
May 6th, 2012 at 5:47 pm
I still think Hazell will be the better player plus he will be around longer.
May 6th, 2012 at 6:13 pm
bout time for gogaytors to come on here and tell us he hates to burst our bubble, but he’s already a gaytor.
May 6th, 2012 at 6:17 pm
8 I seriously doubt Hood is ever stepping up. I’ll take Mays, we need a shooter bad IMO.
May 6th, 2012 at 6:54 pm
It says something when a coach allows you to be on his team.
Evidently, CAL sees value in Hood.
Hood – heal first.
Then, make it happen.
May 6th, 2012 at 7:46 pm
If we’re going to just pick up a body, I’d rather have a guy who can stick around. This guy would be great if he can make a contribution THIS YEAR, but he’s only got one year. If he’s not going to see the floor, I’d rather have Mislav who can develop for four years.
Over the long haul, you’ll start to see a method to Cal’s madness. He can keep bringing in more players than will start and some of the four/five star guys are going to stay longer than you think, just because of numbers. We all know Noel is one and done, but the others in this class? Are we sure?
May 6th, 2012 at 7:53 pm
Cal you need to get on your hands and knees and beg Mays and Jefferson to come to UK. Since you won the national championship, you have been touring the state with the trophy, going to the White House, and attending derby parties and the KY Derby while Muhammed, Oriakhi, and Lyons have told you “no.”
May 6th, 2012 at 7:56 pm
We really need a perimeter shooter. Even if Hood comes back full force, I didn’t think he was much of a perimeter shooter anyway??
May 6th, 2012 at 8:34 pm
I think Hood may surprise many.
May 6th, 2012 at 9:43 pm
if bennett goes elsewhere why do you think cal should pull the trigger on mays? he’s a guard and bennett a pf. what’s one have to do with the other?
May 7th, 2012 at 12:21 am
Why is KSR editing comments? Geez, that makes you guys look bad.
May 7th, 2012 at 11:54 am
what do you think about amile jefferson??