So at what point

[Ron Paul]

Do we stop bashing Vander Blue and start worrying that he'll leave early for the NBA?  I vote soon.

[onepost]

Not NEARLY a consistent enough shooter. Not worried.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Do we stop bashing Vander Blue and start worrying that he'll leave early for the NBA?  I vote soon.

Is this supposed to be in teal?  He isn't on ANYONE's draft board in the universe right now.  If he leaves, he'll enjoy the NBDL and would be an incredibly stupid decision.

[MerrittsMustache]

I can't wait for this board to explode when he declares after the season. Doing so would actually be a wise move on his part to get some advice from NBA personnel people then come back for his senior year with a better idea of what he needs to work on.

[martyconlonontherun]

Is this supposed to be in teal?  He isn't on ANYONE's draft board in the universe right now.  If he leaves, he'll enjoy the NBDL and would be an incredibly stupid decision.

I agree he has no chance as of now at the NBA, but why do people think it would be a stupid decision? He could make solid money in Europe where they pay for his rent, meals, cars, etc. I think fans get selfish sometimes putting their own interest in front of players. (not saying you, but in general)

[AirPunches]

He needs 4 years and I think he has a shot at first team all big east this year and definitely next year. Although, he really wants to leave early from what ive heard. I just hope he makes the right call and stays all four years. I think he will stay and I'm not at all worried about him leaving.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Declaring is one thing....signing with an agent is another.  I have no doubt he'll explore it, but he is not going to be drafted this Summer so it's nothing more than getting info.  He needs another year and then maybe he has a shot, but he'll have to improve in many areas.  One more year would set him up better for overseas play as well.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Do we stop bashing Vander Blue and start worrying that he'll leave early for the NBA?  I vote soon.

Well I never bashed him but good question. If he keeps playing like he has since the UWGB loss (17 ppg, high 2P%) and we make the 2nd weekend of the tourney again with some showcase performances from him, I could see him shooting onto draft boards. He has a lot of things going for him, mainly age, athleticism, and demonstrated improvement. I think what ultimately holds him back this year is a lack of a consistent 3 point shot, but if all the aforementioned happens and he stays, we will benefit greatly next year, as he will be a superstar as a senior like McNeal was.

[Lennys Tap]

On the subject of the NBA, do you agree with TC that Jordan Hulls makes it? Seems highly unlikely, but some say Crean has connections.

[bilsu]

I can't wait for this board to explode when he declares after the season. Doing so would actually be a wise move on his part to get some advice from NBA personnel people then come back for his senior year with a better idea of what he needs to work on.

They changed the rule on that. You have to withdraw your name much sooner to remain eligible, which greatly limits the opportunity to test the waters.

[Ron Paul]

Hulls is not nearly athletic enough to make the league.  If Hulls makes the league, TC didn't spend enough time at the Rec Center watching my squadron play with middling success in the intramural leagues, a few similar players on our squad.

[Silkk the Shaka]

On the subject of the NBA, do you agree with TC that Jordan Hulls makes it? Seems highly unlikely, but some say Crean has connections.

No chance in hell. Undersized, can only shoot threes, can't create for others, gets absolutely abused on defense, and is all but neutralized by any quick/athletic defender. And yes I know this post was in jest, just wanted to point out exactly how ridiculous that statement was.

[MUWarrior11]

Is this supposed to be in teal?  He isn't on ANYONE's draft board in the universe right now.  If he leaves, he'll enjoy the NBDL and would be an incredibly stupid decision.

whose draft board was jimmy on during his junior year?
What about zar? Djo? Crowder? Matthews wasn't even drafter but made a career. Draft boards aren't the end all be all

Do I think Vander will leave? No, I think he has to develop more. But it's a very very very weak draft class for next year and its about how good of a player he is NOW, not 2,4,6 or 12 months ago

[g0lden3agle]

whose draft board was jimmy on during his junior year?
What about zar? Djo? Crowder? Matthews wasn't even drafter but made a career. Draft boards aren't the end all be all

Do I think Vander will leave? No, I think he has to develop more. But it's a very very very weak draft class for next year and its about how good of a player he is NOW, not 2,4,6 or 12 months ago

Aren't you just proving chicos' point with all your examples? Those guys weren't on any boards during their junior year, improved enough during their senior year to get drafted. Which is exactly what chicos was saying: blue needs another year to stand a chance

[brewcity77]

I think Blue would probably get drafted in the second round if he left right now. Let's not forget he's only 20 years old, so in terms of age looks more like a college sophomore with the resume of a junior. He has the requisite size and athletic ability and he's showing he will respond to coaching. The improvement of his jump shot this year is amazing.

But that said, I still think he should wait a year. I think he'd have a decent shot of getting into the first round (though admittedly 2014 looks like a better draft than 2013) and getting a guaranteed contract. I think he'll explore but ultimately come back.

[Goose]

I am fairly certain that he tries playing at next level after this season. He has great upside, athletic and young. I would not bet against him. Possibly he knows his future plans and was told he needed to showcsase skills more. Plenty of pro guys have career years when playing for new contract.

[GGGG]

On the subject of the NBA, do you agree with TC that Jordan Hulls makes it? Seems highly unlikely, but some say Crean has connections.

Connections to whom?  He has no chance of getting drafted.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Connections to whom?  He has no chance of getting drafted.

Tony Larussa, the Harbaugh Bros, Mike Maddux, Young Weezy.

[GGGG]

Vander isn't ready for the NBA.  He isn't consistent enough from the outside, and cannot play the point...even though his size projects to that position.  He doesn't have the "NBA body" like Wes does.

[MU82]

Whether or not Vander should leave is one issue. He of course is nowhere near NBA ready and might not ever be. He absolutely needs to play more at the college level.

Whether or not he believes he should leave is an entirely different issue. Lots and lots of guys leave even though they shouldn't; seems there are two or three such instances every year. Sometimes, players get very bad advice from those who have no clue.

Having said all that, I wouldn't blame Vander for at least exploring his options -- especially if he has several more games like yesterday's.

[GGGG]

Yeah, I don't think it would be a bad idea for spending his summer in some NBA draft camps...just to see how it pans out.  (Can they still do that without declaring?)

[ChicosBailBonds]

I think Blue would probably get drafted in the second round if he left right now. Let's not forget he's only 20 years old, so in terms of age looks more like a college sophomore with the resume of a junior. He has the requisite size and athletic ability and he's showing he will respond to coaching. The improvement of his jump shot this year is amazing.

But that said, I still think he should wait a year. I think he'd have a decent shot of getting into the first round (though admittedly 2014 looks like a better draft than 2013) and getting a guaranteed contract. I think he'll explore but ultimately come back.

I don't see it.  Most draft gurus barely have him in the top 50 for juniors...that doesn't count the seniors or the Euros. 

[ChicosBailBonds]

On the subject of the NBA, do you agree with TC that Jordan Hulls makes it? Seems highly unlikely, but some say Crean has connections.

I don't see it, then again Diener didn't seem like a NBA player either.  Who would have thought a 3 star kid like Victor Olapido would be an absolute stud right now.  He's had some success identifying guards that ended up going to the association that weren't even top 100 kids or didn't fit the pro prototype (Diener).   Seeing Hulls in the NBA would be a shock to me.  Maybe he was trying to motivate the kid to push harder.

[Goose]

I actually believe going early would make sense for him. The NBA very much like having an extra year, since he is young, to develop him. Love him or hate him the kid will get paid to play basketball for ten years after college, either NBA or overseas. Again, I would be shocked to see him at MU next year.

[ChicosBailBonds]

whose draft board was jimmy on during his junior year?
What about zar? Djo? Crowder? Matthews wasn't even drafter but made a career. Draft boards aren't the end all be all

Do I think Vander will leave? No, I think he has to develop more. But it's a very very very weak draft class for next year and its about how good of a player he is NOW, not 2,4,6 or 12 months ago

I think you are missing the point....Jimmy wasn't going to be drafted his JUNIOR year.  Neither was Zar in his JUNIOR year.  Neither was DJO in his JUNIOR year.  Neither was Wes in his JUNIOR year.

That was the topic...JUNIOR year leaving for the NBA.  I said nothing about his inability to be drafted after his SENIOR year.  The question was whether he would go to the NBA after this year, his JUNIOR year.  He isn't ready now...in his JUNIOR year.