Michael Sophomore-Gilchrist

In regards to MKG's pronouncement that he intends to graduate from the University of Kentucky: I'm not exactly holding my breath.

Fact is, I believe "The Kidd" will be long gone by the time the draft rolls around this summer.

He's going to be projected top half of the first round-- and in that situation, I would advise anybody to take the money. That goes for Anthony Davis, Doron Lamb, The Kidd, or for that matter....one of my own kids.

You just about have to.

College is important. No question about that. Educating oneself is always a smart choice. It's one that I'm glad my parents encouraged, nay forced, me to undertake.

Book learnin': I'm a big believer.

But for a young man like MKG, a Wildcat that I am quite fond of, there's no mistaking that he has NBA-ready talent, and that his game should not have much trouble translating to the next level. He is not a finished product, and I would agree with the critics that point out the minor holes in his game. But they aren't gaping holes. Nothing that he can't work on while making some serious coin.

I figure that scouts and GMs would like to see Michael improve his outside shooting. And he could probably be a better ball-handler overall, although he's very tough in traffic... and hella strong getting to the rim. He's made his share of freshman turnovers and probably doesn't "bring it" as consistently on the offensive end as the NBA would like. (All things that I'm sure Coach Cal has him working on daily.)

But that doesn't change the fact that he's a sure-fire first rounder on just about everyone's board. It's an old cliche, but Michael's future career is professional basketball, not accounting or forestry. (I'm real big in the forestry set. What up y'all?)

Listen, I would love to see him back in the blue for a run at the 2013 championship. That goes for Teague, Wiltjer, every single one of those guys. Gillie's awesome and he can play on my team any old time he wants. But I'm not going to hold him to those post-game comments indicating that he would be a three or four-year player. I simply chalk that up to youthful exuberance.

I would absolutely love to be wrong about this. And as the man from Ashland pointed out...who really thought Terrence Jones would be back for another season? Stranger things have happened. But my gut tells me that MKG will be a "one and done"... so let's just hope that the "one" ends with something special... something that both he, and all of Big Blue Nation, will always cherish.

photo: Kentucky.com