Kemba Walker leaving for the NBA

[Skatastrophy]

http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-men/hc-kemba-walker-plans-20110411,0,1145235.story

Thank god we don't have to see him again next year!  Just Lamb will be more than a handfull.

[Marqus Howard]

We beat Uconn this year, with Kemba; I'm not worried.

[mikem91288]

Does Jimmy Calhoun Follow him into the sunset Pete Carroll style? Leaving a program on probation behind? 

[brewcity77]

Honestly, I think they'll be even better next year, even without Kemba. They are a really, really young team, and Lamb is ready to take over as the go-to star.

As far as Calhoun...I do think now is the time for him to take off. If he goes now, he gets out before any potential fallout hits his legacy. While the bulk of the basketball world will know, it won't be as bad for him if he leaves before it all comes down.

And for Kemba, this is a really smart move. He was probably already going to be a lottery pick based on his play over the past month, but with guys like Sullinger, Jones, and Barnes staying in school, he looks like a virtual lock for the top-10.

[oldwarrior81]

there still is a strong possibility of a NBA work stoppage next season.  

I guess if a player feels he's ready, then he's ready.  But could a stoppage cause some draftees to head overseas?

[bilsu]

Uconn does not get more than a slap on the wrist. maybe a lost of a scholarship.

[Stuckin1977]

Calhoun managed to win a championship despite all the controversy, and this isn't his first allegation/punishment.  I'm sure he'll be just fine staying at UConn.

[Pakuni]

Honestly, I think they'll be even better next year, even without Kemba. They are a really, really young team, and Lamb is ready to take over as the go-to star.

Even better than the national champions? Are they moving to the NBA?
I jest.

But I'm not so sure there won't be a drop-off. Lamb and Co. all benefited greatly from Walker's presence as the go-to guy, and as the guy opponents schemed to stop. Whether he can succeed as the man remains to be seen.
Plenty of people thought Syracuse wouldn't suffer much when Carmelo left, because they still had Warrick, McNamara, Edelin and Pace returning from the national champions. And while still were a good team the next year, they definitely weren't as good, much less better (23 wins vs. 30 with Carmelo).

[RawdogDX]

there still is a strong possibility of a NBA work stoppage next season.  

I guess if a player feels he's ready, then he's ready.  But could a stoppage cause some draftees to head overseas?

Most NBA players live pay check to paycheck, they will put up a good show but they can't hold out forever.   Worst case scenario, they miss half a season. 
The stopage might delay his first team check, but there will be signing bonuses from sponsorship deals to see him through the first few months. 

[brewcity77]

Even better than the national champions? Are they moving to the NBA?
I jest.

But I'm not so sure there won't be a drop-off. Lamb and Co. all benefited greatly from Walker's presence as the go-to guy, and as the guy opponents schemed to stop. Whether he can succeed as the man remains to be seen.
Plenty of people thought Syracuse wouldn't suffer much when Carmelo left, because they still had Warrick, McNamara, Edelin and Pace returning from the national champions. And while still were a good team the next year, they definitely weren't as good, much less better (23 wins vs. 30 with Carmelo).

Will they have another 11-0 finish to the season? I doubt it, and I'm not even predicting a national title, but Oriakhi, Giffey, Coombs-McDaniel, and Olander is a really solid frontcourt, while Lamb is joined by Napier and Boatwright, possibly even Trevor Lacey. And while Roscoe Smith is pretty much locked in for one Leon Lett moment every 4-5 games, he's still a good player.

Losing Kemba is huge, and you're right, they could have a huge letdown because of how his game made the rest of the team better, but I think the bigger loss for them could be if Calhoun leaves. If he sticks around, I think they challenge for the Big East title, and probably finish in the top 4 of the league. But we've seen how they've been in recent years when he hasn't been there...not sure if any other coach will get as much out of the Huskies as he usually does.

But even without Kemba, they should be very good, and while they may not win 32 games, it could easily be argued that if they go 25-6 in the regular season, along with at least modest tourney showings (Big East semis, Sweet 16) that it was an overall more successful season, though obviously without the GIANT cherry on top that they finished with this year.