This is an interesting discussion about the future PG play at Texas. I have a hard time imagining Rick Barnes guaranteeing playing time for any recruit, no matter the player's connections or family. If Lucas plays over Balbay/Mason/Ward, it'll be due to the fact that Lucas has earned it. Anything other than that, and the REAL problem would not be Lucas, but Barnes...and why a coach would put out on the floor anything less than his best squad. I'm of the thought that you can't ever have too many good players. Whether Jai Lucas is a good player or just a decent one at UT will be determined when he starts playing. If Lucas isn't good enough to get us to a Final Four, we need to recruit someone better. Therefore, while not jumping for joy at this news, I'm good with it. The implications of Lucas transferring here are that: 1) J'Covan Brown is no longer an option 2) Texas would probably not be going after Phil Pressey very hard in 2010 (can't imagine Barnes wants a backcourt with 2 PGs that small) If Texas is to compete for a national championship next year, the PG play has to improve dramatically. WHO contributes to that improved play is the question. I'm not excited about putting all my eggs in the Balbay basket. He may develop like some hope. I don't, however, think it's just an issue of his non-existent outside shot. He's not particularly impressed with any facet of his game, yet, with the exception of on-the-ball defense (which is terrific). But, what I've heard consistently regarding Balbay is that he's not likely to stay 4 years. He's currently a Sophomore. If Euro ball comes calling, I can imagine him leaving after next year, as a Junior. Without a PG signing this year, it'll mean that next year's team will have Mason, Balbay, Ward, and possibly Bradley as PG candidates. Mason will be a SR and Balbay a JR who would possibly be gone after that year, too. That does not bode well for 2010 - 2011 season without Lucas. If what SLX said regarding Texas PG recruiting focusing heavily on Kabongo for 2011, that would mean that guys like Pressey, Ray McCallum, Jelan Kendrick or whomever in 2010 are unlikely gets. I do not like the idea of the 2010-2011 season having such a shortage of PG play. It could possibly just be Ward and Bradley left by then. Of course, my opinion would change dramatically is Avery Bradley can be a stud PG, but I'm not excited about taking the best SG prospect UT has ever signed and turning him into a serviceable, adequate PG. Without Jai Lucas, this what the PG picture could look like for the next 3 years: 2009-2010: Mason, Balbay, Ward (possibly Bradley) 2010-2011: Ward, Bradley 2011-2012: Kabongo as a Freshman (if we get him) and Ward It just looks like we need someone to bridge the PG play from next year until 2011. I am already not great about 2010 if Balbay stays...if he goes, it would get ugly. Lucas is not my first choice, but I think the picture looks better with him in it than nobody.
I agree with denchen's and longhornmatt's posts. I wrote as much in the other Jai Lucas thread. Who would have thought there would be multiple Jai Lucas threads on hornfans? Good sign that UT hoops talk is picking up.
Lucas potentially won't have a lot of eligibility, depending on what the NCAA says, so I don't see that impacting the decision to pursue Pressey for example.
I wouldn't expect the NCAA to dock Lucas for an entire year over an exhibition game, but I also don't expect them to waive the year in residence. So I think it would be 2 1/2 seasons max, starting after finals next fall.
Now that we've established that our guards (other than Abrams) are a bunch of offensive scrubs, the ability to get Lucas here can't be appreciated enough.
