Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Does Babs and/or AJ stay or go?

Nevada fans are definitely looking forward to Wolf Pack basketball in 2010-2011 what with some much needed cavalry being added in order to provide the depth too often absent this past season.

What's known is that Brandon Fields, Ray Kraemer and Joey Shaw are departing with frosh-to-be Jordan Burris coming in and Malik Story plus Jerry Evans and Olek Czyz already present. Freshman Devonte Elliott will also be added if his academic situation can finally be sorted out.

The great unknowns are the eventual statuses of junior-to-be Luke Babbitt and senior-to-be Armon Johnson.

Will they turn pro or return? If a decision or decisions have been made then the pair and their families are probably the only ones who know at this point.

So what can be typed on this subject that hasn't already appeared?

What's known is that there is a possible NBA lockout looming, which may influence the decisions. The draft is considered weak although that the standard line issued every year.

What's unknown is do either place value on continuing the the college experience and, if so, how much?

Here is what we'll offer regarding what should be the crux of the determinations:

Every college player needs to get better. Present skills need honing, additional ones must be developed, weaknesses curtailed and a peak physical condition obtained.

Therefore, what's the best individual avenue for Babbitt and Johnson to take? Does another collegiate season offer the challenge that will result in individual betterment and hopefully a better draft position? Does turning pro -- all the way from NBA affiliation to participating in the developmental league to playing abroad -- make this more feasible?

Hamlet (Willy Shakes) said it best long ago: "Aye, there's the rub."

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