If there was one major concern I had about Coach Gillispie, it might be that he wants to win so badly this season that the recruiting for this season might make landing players in future seasons more difficult. Last week, Donald Williams committed to Kentucky and officially became the 13th and final scholarship player on the UK roster. While I have no problem with Williams (or any of the 2008 recruits, for that matter), I was worried that there would be a problem with having all 13 scholarships filled. With no seniors on the team, Coach Gillispie is either counting on a transfer or somebody going to the NBA to open up an additional scholarship for 2009. The 2009 class will already have Jon Hood, Matthew Pilgrim and GJ Vilarino, but everybody knows how badly Kentucky needs Daniel Orton, the ***** center from Oklahoma City. Counting on a transfer or a pro declaration is risky beyond belief. I think it’s definitely possible that Patrick Patterson will go to the NBA after this season, but what if his stress fracture severely limits his play, or what if he gets hurt again?

Well, it appears that there might be a solution to that problem. The story comes from Marc Maggard. I am neutral on Maggard. While I think he’s really been on the ball in tracking the decisions of this staff, I worry about how he can do what he does as an unofficial recruiting guru. Still, I like believing people when they post good news because it’s pretty easy to accept. Here is the blurb from Maggard regarding Donald Williams.

The most amazing part of this story is that Williams has already agreed that this will be a one year deal. Yes, that’s right. He is on scholarship for 2008, but will NOT be on scholarship in any subsequent years. Donald Williams passed up four year offers from Marquette and St. Johns for a one year deal to the University of Kentucky!

This does not mean that Williams will be transferring after one year. His intentions are to make as big an impact in 2008 as possible and remains as a key member of this squad as a non scholarship player.

Talk about a U-turn. On Friday, the rumor (posted by Matt Jones – echo my thoughts on Maggard, then add the fact that I don’t like him) was that Williams was going to redshirt, which would make his recruitment by Coach Gillispie incredibly stupid in my humble opinion. In fact, the thought of Williams being a redshirt violates every lick of common sense in the world. Why would you recruit a guy that can contribute this season, but then make him sit out this season and tie up a ride for a player like Orton for the next season? Now it turns out that Williams will play this season, which makes all kinds of sense. The best part about all of this (if true) is that he’ll be walking on his last three years. That might make him the best walk-on in college basketball since Christian Moody.

I’m Seth Stogsdill, and Tennessee embarrassed the SEC last night.

I didn’t want to write about basketball this week. It should be the last thing on my mind. It’s Louisville week. That should take precedence over everything in life besides food, water and breathing. I even promised you people that I wouldn’t have anything to say about basketball until after the Louisville game. Because of Billy Gillispie, I am now officially a liar.

The 13th scholarship for the 2008-09 roster has now been filled. The player’s name is Donald Williams. He is a *** recruit, but I believe that if the 2008 class rankings were allowed to have one more revision, he’d be in the **** range. Williams is from Temple Hills, Maryland, and if you believe recruiting analysts Bob Gibbons and Jerry Meyer, this kid is a classic example of a late bloomer. He’s between 6’4” and 6’7”, depending on which convenience store he’s leaving (This is not a true statement – it is a Ron White joke). Unlike every player on this roster of similar stature not named Jodie Meeks, Williams has a reputation as a scorer. Check out this blurb from ESPN.

Six-foot-6 Donald Williams, the 17-Under Select MVP, was one of the major surprise players this past weekend, leading his New Orleans Jazz team to the 17-Under Select championship. Williams finished in the top 10 in scoring and was No. 1 in made field goals with 55 in six games. He uses his extraordinary athleticism to slash to the rim and finish in traffic. Williams will need to improve his perimeter stroke to reach his full potential at the next level. However, he is a definite high-major college prospect with a bright future.

The recruiting just never stops. Look at the length this team will have on the perimeter. I’m splitting the difference on Williams and saying he’s 6’6”.

Ramon Harris – 6’6”
Jodie Meeks – 6’4”
DeAndre Liggins – 6’6”
Kevin Galloway – 6’6”
Darius Miller – 6’7”
Donald Williams – 6’6”

Throw in Patrick Patterson and Perry Stevenson inside and you’ve got yourself one of the longest Kentucky teams in recorded history. These guys should be able to cause the kind of havoc on defense that we haven’t seen at UK since 2003. This should just be a NASTY defensive squad at every single position. All of the guys in the 6’4”-6’7” range have special skills. Meeks and Williams can score. Liggins and Galloway are supposed to be great point guards. Harris is a defensive specialist. Miller is incredibly versatile and coachable.

Kentucky has had a pretty good history with late bloomers. There have been two UK players in recent memory that I think we can label as such. Both guys played in the NBA. Remember Gerald Fitch? How about Kelenna Azubuike? According to the recruiting services, Donald Williams originally had offers from Marquette and St. John’s, but that was before he played in the 17-Under Select tournament. After that, Kentucky and Oklahoma State became interested, and the good guys beat Travis Ford to the punch. I’m ready for both seasons to start. I can’t wait.

I’m Seth Stogsdill, and tomorrow’s column will be about football.