Kennedy/Huggins Trade?

[michigancat]

Props to catfan28 for digging this up.  Did academics really have anything to do with releasing Kenny Williams?

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=katz_andy#20060428

Huggins and Kennedy working together


Kenny Williams signed with Kansas State in the fall under former coach Jim Wooldridge. But once Bob Huggins took over last month, he agreed to release Williams. Where did he end up? At Ole Miss, where he'll play under former Huggins assistant and Cincinnati interim coach Andy Kennedy.

Kennedy said Huggins called him about the 6-8 Williams (St Petersburg, JC/Fla.) and asked if he could use a player like him. Kennedy, who is rebuilding the Rebels, said sure.

"How is that for a twist?'' Kennedy said.

No word on whether there is a player to be named later in this trade, but Kennedy will take the gift. His plan is to sign one or two more players in the class of 2006. He is also hoping to have a player or two sit out.

He will have a shot at Devan Downey, the former Bearcat point guard, who is visiting Ole Miss this weekend. Downey is also looking at South Carolina and Florida. Downey is from South Carolina.

Kent should have redshirted last year.  He might be a capable role player if he puts on a lot of weight.

[fatty fat fat]

Huggins does? Sound like AK.

[michigancat]

Reading/hard->me

[chum1]

Why aren't we hearing more about a Downey to KSU scenario?  I was actually hoping that the K Williams deal was Huggins throwing Kennedy a bone because he intended to go hard after Downey.

[michigancat]

Why aren't we hearing more about a Downey to KSU scenario? I was actually hoping that the K Williams deal was Huggins throwing Kennedy a bone because he intended to go hard after Downey.

Hmm.  I like that theory.  Downey + Colon =

[swish1]

perhaps huggins isnt going after downey because he wants to land mayo who happens to play the same position as downey.

[michigancat]

I don't think Downey could prevent Mayo from coming and vice-versa.

[swish1]

true but if mayo is here we dont particularly need downey.

[michigancat]

Downey would be nice to have around for two years after Mayo leaves.

[swish1]

thats true but i think we currently have more pressing issues than a guy who would  be a backup in 2 years.

[michigancat]

thats true but i think we currently have more pressing issues than a guy who would be a backup in 2 years.

Downey wouldn't be a backup in two years, but I agree Colon should be priority #1 with 2006 recruiting.

Downey #2
Hannah #3

[ksu_FAN]

Also in Katz's blog he mentions that the 2 in 4 rule for "exempt" tournaments has been done away with by the NC2A which opens the door for a WSU - KSU match-up in Vegas.

[swish1]

did he say it was finally approved by the committee or did he just say the council or whatever had nixed the rule and the committee still has to accept it?  ive never seen anything about it being finalized but if it has thats cool and will benefit kstate b/c with huggins as our coach im sure a lot of those types of tournaments will want kstate which gives national publicity to the school.

[swish1]

thats true but i think we currently have more pressing issues than a guy who would be a backup in 2 years.

Downey wouldn't be a backup in two years, but I agree Colon should be priority #1 with 2006 recruiting.

Downey #2
Hannah #3

who would he start in place of?  i think the starting lineup in 2 years, hopefully, would be something like mayo, young, walker, beasely, and either pope or bennet.

[michigancat]

SL in 07-08:

Pope Fr
Walker FR
Beasley FR
Mayo FR
Bennett/Colon SO

08-09
Reed SO
Releford FR
Downey JR
Bennett/Colon JR
?

[swish1]

that looks pretty good but the problem we still have and i know that supposedly he can pull it off is the lack of having 2 scholarships to get both colon and/or downey/hannah.

[jarrr]

true but if mayo is here we dont particularly need downey.

I would much rather have Downey than Mayo. Mayo will onlt be here for 1 year. Downey will be here 3+ the redshirt year. Mayo could be a headcase, and Downey is anything but a headcase. He is a team first guy that is very competative. Give me Downey anyday of the week over Mayo.

[michigancat]

true but if mayo is here we dont particularly need downey.

I would much rather have Downey than Mayo. Mayo will onlt be here for 1 year. Downey will be here 3+ the redshirt year. Mayo could be a headcase, and Downey is anything but a headcase. He is a team first guy that is very competative. Give me Downey anyday of the week over Mayo.

Sorry, but that was a horrible 9th post.

[fatty fat fat]

Apparently Mayo was denied OakHill admission.

[jarrr]

true but if mayo is here we dont particularly need downey.

I would much rather have Downey than Mayo. Mayo will onlt be here for 1 year. Downey will be here 3+ the redshirt year. Mayo could be a headcase, and Downey is anything but a headcase. He is a team first guy that is very competative. Give me Downey anyday of the week over Mayo.

Sorry, but that was a horrible 9th post.

I got to watch Downey first hand this year, and have also seen Mayo first hand. Yes Mayo is an amazing player. But he is also a headcase and will only be here for a year. Downey will be here for all 3 years because his size will keep him from being an NBA lotto. Believe me, Downey is real good.

[michigancat]

Mayo for a year >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Downey for 3

[swish1]

i think the publicity of getting mayo benefits kstate in a lot more ways than just the 1 year of play he would bring with him.

[ksu_FAN]

On the end of the 2 in 4 rule; yes it is official.

Per the NCAA website:

In other action Thursday, the Division I Board of Directors:

Adopted measures to designate the second Friday in November as the start to the basketball season; allow teams to compete in a multi-team event (such as the Maui Invitational or Great Alaska Shootout) each year, rather than twice in a four-year period; and establish a 29-game season for teams that do not play in multi-team events. Participation in a qualifying event will limit the team to 27 regular-season games, plus a maximum of four additional games at those events, for a total of 31 games. Season-ending conference tournaments will not count toward the total.

[michigancat]

FAN pm's

[tmac_wildcat]

For me, it would be a toss up, Mayo is obviously an amazing player, but like jarr said, I watched downey consistently throughout the season and he is going to be a great player.  He remind me a lot of steve logan.  I would take Downey over mayo also because of his great skill and team play.  He will be a HUGE asset to any team he goes to.  But if Mayo means getting Walker, Beasley, and Pope to come along too then I'd have to take Mayo because chances are, not a couple of those players will stick around for at least 2 years and might have the capability to make a run like Carmelo and syracuse.  And like rusty said, it would bring a lot of attention to the basketball program which will show that top players will go to Manhattan to play basketball.   In the end, It would be a win\win if either of them came.  But I don' tknow if I see Downey transfering even farther from home.  I see him at Ole miss before I see him at KSU.l