Why is everyone so worried that...

[Uconn93]

Because he is a 6 foot point guard who is not very athletic. Is he gonna grow? Is he gonna be come more athletic? Like I said he's most likely a second rounder whether he comes out this year or next.

Because his skills improve with another year, and, more importantly, because he becomes much more visible on a team that would be potentially ranked in the top ten and which makes a run in the post-season. Without a post-season this year, Uconn and Shabazz are completely under the radar. Shabazz is currently averaging 17pts 5 assists/game. He also has a tendency to drift in the first half. If we got to the semis or the finals of the BET next season and to the sweet 16 or elite 8 with shabazz leading the way, playing complete games and averaging 25 pts and 7 assists, how could his stock not go up? It's the difference between being a second round pick or not being selected this season and being a first round pick next season.

 

[ctchamps]

First off I'm hoping SN's injury isn't serious. That trumps everything.

About SN's play, there are three possibilities next year. He can improve his stats, stay the same or plays worse. No one knows. There are three possibilities about the competition for his position next season - less players at his position better than him, same number of players or more players. No one knows this for certain either.

We can argue whether SN can get selected in the first round. I'm not going to get in that argument. I'm hoping with all my heart there is a team interested in him to want to select him in the first round, that JC and KO hear about it and encourage the kid to go pro. Kid owes me nothing. He played his heart out this season. He was the difference between an abysmal season and one in which many of us could feel satisfaction. And for that I want to see him rewarded. There is no guarantee next season will be NC #4. Just think of George ducking Mason! happens. Meanwhile if a kid who grew up under very difficult circumstances can earn some serious dollars to help his family, I'm all for that.

So debate all we want, we should hope this kid hears that the NBA is interested in him this season. That is the unselfish perspective. If there isn't a team then things will work out in the way most prefer. Show the kid gratitude for what he's done.

 

[Burnsbros23]

2

Because his skills improve with another year, and, more importantly, because he becomes much more visible on a team that would be potentially ranked in the top ten and which makes a run in the post-season. Without a post-season this year, Uconn and Shabazz are completely under the radar. Shabazz is currently averaging 17pts 5 assists/game. He also has a tendency to drift in the first half. If we got to the semis or the finals of the BET next season and to the sweet 16 or elite 8 with shabazz leading the way, playing complete games and averaging 25 pts and 7 assists, how could his stock not go up? It's the difference between being a second round pick or not being selected this season and being a first round pick next season.

He is not under the radar to NBA folks I am sure they are well aware of how he played this year.

 

[CL82]

I think a lot of us are missing the point.

The decision making doesn't go like: "If 1st round pick, I declare. If not 1st round pick, I come back."

The decision making goes like: "In which draft am I going to go higher?"

The argument for leaving is that the draft is weak, he may have reached his ceiling, and if he comes back a year older and isn't much better, his stock will plummet like it did for Sullinger and Terence Jones (remember that the NBA still drafts largely on potential).

The argument for coming back is that there's a chance he could be even better and will certainly gain more exposure next year than this year, when we've been banished to the Twilight Zone.

Of course, the X factor is the loyalty Bazz has to this program and to KO. That might sway him towards returning even if the dollar signs say he should leave.

...or maybe his trust in Jim Calhoun. He'll ask, Calhoun will answer and Bazz will do what's best for him. I think that he's staying. I also think that Bazz could have a huge tournament next year, and that could help his draft standing.