Leo Lyons has me a bit confused. In Steve Walentik's Lyons article from yesterday, he has two slightly conflicting quotes. First, there's this:
"Right now, I’m coming back to school, and I’m not really thinking about it," he said. "That’s what’s on my mind right now, coming back to school."
Then Walentik immediately moves to this:
That does not mean that Lyons has completely abandoned the idea of at least testing the draft process, a subject of speculation since the final three weeks of the regular season when he averaged 18.6 points and 12.2 rebounds in a five-game stretch.
The NBA allows underclassmen who make themselves eligible for the draft to return to school provided they have not signed with an agent and pull out 10 days before the draft, which will be held June 26. In the meantime, they get a chance to workout for NBA teams to get a feel for what scouts think of them and what aspects of their games need improvement.
"Just the rule that you can as a junior, I don’t see why not," Lyons said. "You might as well take the chance. You get a chance to work with some good players."
So is he saying he wants to test the waters, declare, and involve himself in the workouts, but he just expects to be back after that? I guess? Actually, I can't decide if it's Lyons who has me confused or Walentik. Either way, declare or not, Lyons says that he'd need to be told he's a first rounder to not come back to Mizzou next year...and since that's not going to happen, he'll be back next year. Which is good, I guess. For both Mizzou and Leo.
Assuming Lyons does come back, how much will Mizzou catch up to the rest of the conference simply by not losing any underclassmen? It's yet to be determined for sure. Brandon Rush is gone for sure, as is Michael Beasley. Darrell Arthur and Bill Walker have declared but haven't signed with an agent (though I'd bet they'll both stay gone). Blake Griffin is returning to school. Really, the other two big names on the ? list are Mario Chalmers and DJ Augustin. And since they were possibly the two biggest difference-makers in the conference this past season, those are two pretty big question marks.
Pretty funny Thursday practice report from Dave Matter today...everybody's a comedian, including Colin Brown, Gary Pinkel, and Matter himself. Oh, and it appears that starters will be playing the entire first half of tomorrow's B&G Game, which is good for TV but I'm sure will make Mizzou fans like me nervous. Nobody better get hurt late in the second quarter! (Big Head has a lovely B&G Game primer for you.)
And seriously, what is it with college football that makes lawmakers lose their minds?
It's The Chamber!! You'll like the Sheldon Richardson blurb, among others. If Mailbag Time is Peanut Butter Jelly Time, what's Chamber Time?
The Missourian checks in on La'Roderick Thomas and his progress in switch from DB to WR. And they also give Titus Wonsey the lead in the "walk-ons with the most articles written about them" race this spring. Guess that's what happens when you're 5'5, 195.
Finally...Nick Adcock, Kansas Relays Decathlon champion.