Luke Kennard Class of 2015: Decides 3/24 (7:45 EDT)

[Dukehky]

Luke Kennard is announcing his college decision tomorrow afternoon. We are his only official visit... Looks good for getting this kid. We could use some good news.

[mbwalker]

Kennard took an official visit to Duke, but he unofficially visited Ohio State and Kentucky multiple times. He's also visited Louisville unofficially.

[Dukehky]

Kennard took an official visit to Duke, but he unofficially visited Ohio State and Kentucky multiple times. He's also visited Louisville unofficially.

Like I said, Duke was his only official visit. It's between Duke and UK, and I would be very surprised if it wasn't Duke.

Also, somebody on the 247 Crystal Ball picked Turner to Duke. First time that's happened.

[BlueDevilBrowns]

Also, somebody on the 247 Crystal Ball picked Turner to Duke. First time that's happened.

Are you sure that was a pick for Duke? Perhaps it was a smudge on the Ball? It's predictive powers have been known to be "cloudy" at best.

Anyways, hopefully good news from Kennard tomorrow. We could use it.

[Ky-Dukie]

Any idea of what time ? Will there be any live coverage anywhere ?

[Dukehky]

Any idea of what time ? Will there be any live coverage anywhere ?

7:45pm Eastern. Don't think it will be covered, just be on the internet and you'll figure it out quickly enough.

[CarmenWallaceWade]

In case anyone is in to a recruiting analyst's prediction, here is one from Evan Daniels (Scout) earlier this evening.

Evan Daniels ‏@EvanDaniels · 3h
"My prediction for Luke Kennard is Duke."

[roywhite]

A few quick impressions after watching some video and reading about Luke:

Excellent shooter -- really good range; does not have the classic JJ or Andre jump shot; more of a one-handed push from in front of his face, so he probably needs some space to be effective; he is a Lefty
Has put up big numbers in high school, averaging in the 40-pt range in Ohio high school competition
Can also score on drives and gets to the line where he shoots well
Listed at 6'5" and seems to be close to that -- slender, not exceptionally fast, but a very coordinated athlete (he's been an excellent high school Quarterback)
Seems to see the floor well, locates teammates and passes well
Reminds me of....Lee Melchionni somewhat in size and Lefty; Jon Scheyer some in poise and awareness

Reports are that he had an excellent visit to Duke (saw the game in Cameron vs UNC)

We could use some good news and his commitment would be just that IMO.

[FerryFor50]

A few quick impressions after watching some video and reading about Luke:

Excellent shooter -- really good range; does not have the classic JJ or Andre jump shot; more of a one-handed push from in front of his face, so he probably needs some space to be effective; he is a Lefty
Has put up big numbers in high school, averaging in the 40-pt range in Ohio high school competition
Can also score on drives and gets to the line where he shoots well
Listed at 6'5" and seems to be close to that -- slender, not exceptionally fast, but a very coordinated athlete (he's been an excellent high school Quarterback)
Seems to see the floor well, locates teammates and passes well
Reminds me of....Lee Melchionni somewhat in size and Lefty; Jon Scheyer some in poise and awareness

Reports are that he had an excellent visit to Duke (saw the game in Cameron vs UNC)

We could use some good news and his commitment would be just that IMO.

Hopefully he's more Scheyer than Paulus.

[Dukehky]

A few quick impressions after watching some video and reading about Luke:

Excellent shooter -- really good range; does not have the classic JJ or Andre jump shot; more of a one-handed push from in front of his face, so he probably needs some space to be effective; he is a Lefty
Has put up big numbers in high school, averaging in the 40-pt range in Ohio high school competition
Can also score on drives and gets to the line where he shoots well
Listed at 6'5" and seems to be close to that -- slender, not exceptionally fast, but a very coordinated athlete (he's been an excellent high school Quarterback)
Seems to see the floor well, locates teammates and passes well
Reminds me of....Lee Melchionni somewhat in size and Lefty; Jon Scheyer some in poise and awareness

Reports are that he had an excellent visit to Duke (saw the game in Cameron vs UNC)

We could use some good news and his commitment would be just that IMO.

Really? Melchionni? Dude was a walk-on who got to be serviceable. Kennard is a big-time recruit. I think getting he and Jeter early, which by all accounts, it looks like is going to happen, would be a very good thing, because they are multi-year players. I actually like the strategy of locking up long-term guys early and trying to fill in with super talented one and done players. We can't just say, oh, hey Jabari, you're probably going pro after one year, why don't you go play at UK?

Gotta go after the best players, but having classes full of really good players helps the program more.

[El_Diablo]

Really? Melchionni? Dude was a walk-on who got to be serviceable. Kennard is a big-time recruit. I think getting he and Jeter early, which by all accounts, it looks like is going to happen, would be a very good thing, because they are multi-year players. I actually like the strategy of locking up long-term guys early and trying to fill in with super talented one and done players. We can't just say, oh, hey Jabari, you're probably going pro after one year, why don't you go play at UK?

Gotta go after the best players, but having classes full of really good players helps the program more.

Melchionni was not a walk-on.

[FerryFor50]

Melchionni was not a walk-on.

Correct. He actually gave up his scholly because his family could afford it and it allowed K to give another player the scholly, if I recall.

[unexpected]

Correct. He actually gave up his scholly because his family could afford it and it allowed K to give another player the scholly, if I recall.

Melchionni was a walk-on his frosh year, but had a scholly his remaining years. The dude embodied everything that is good about Duke.

[Newton_14]

Really? Melchionni? Dude was a walk-on who got to be serviceable. Kennard is a big-time recruit. I think getting he and Jeter early, which by all accounts, it looks like is going to happen, would be a very good thing, because they are multi-year players. I actually like the strategy of locking up long-term guys early and trying to fill in with super talented one and done players. We can't just say, oh, hey Jabari, you're probably going pro after one year, why don't you go play at UK?

Gotta go after the best players, but having classes full of really good players helps the program more.
Melchionni was not a walkon. He was a recruited player. The NCAA had that stupid rule in place at that time whereby they year Lee came in there was a max limit on number of scholly's a school could offer. Duke was only able to offer 5 that year and we brought in 6. Lee agreed to pay his own way his freshman season, but he was absolutely a recruited player. He played on scholarship his final 3 seasons and developed into a solid player.

[dukelifer]

Hopefully he's more Scheyer than Paulus.

I see a Scheyer-Singler mashup. Strong driver- good shooter and decent court awareness - but can he defend

[CDu]

Melchionni was a walk-on his frosh year, but had a scholly his remaining years. The dude embodied everything that is good about Duke.

No, he was not a walk-on. A walk-on is not a recruited player. He was recruited. He was not on scholarship as a freshman, but that does not mean he was a walk-on.

That being said, he was a borderline top-100 recruit, whereas Kennard is top-20. So arguing about walk-on or not is kind of silly. The two do not appear comparable in talent.

[roywhite]

Really? Melchionni? Dude was a walk-on who got to be serviceable. Kennard is a big-time recruit. I think getting he and Jeter early, which by all accounts, it looks like is going to happen, would be a very good thing, because they are multi-year players. I actually like the strategy of locking up long-term guys early and trying to fill in with super talented one and done players. We can't just say, oh, hey Jabari, you're probably going pro after one year, why don't you go play at UK?

Gotta go after the best players, but having classes full of really good players helps the program more.


Melchionni was a walk-on his frosh year, but had a scholly his remaining years. The dude embodied everything that is good about Duke.


Melchionni was not a walkon. He was a recruited player. The NCAA had that stupid rule in place at that time whereby they year Lee came in there was a max limit on number of scholly's a school could offer. Duke was only able to offer 5 that year and we brought in 6. Lee agreed to pay his own way his freshman season, but he was absolutely a recruited player. He played on scholarship his final 3 seasons and developed into a solid player.

Well, the O.P. distorted my point about Luke Kennard and Melchionni, in that I said he reminded me of Lee in terms of his size and being a lefty.

And for some reason, the O.P. felt the need to trash Melchionni at the same time, beginning with the characterization of him being a walk-on.

[tommy]

Really? Melchionni? Dude was a walk-on who got to be serviceable. Kennard is a big-time recruit. I think getting he and Jeter early, which by all accounts, it looks like is going to happen, would be a very good thing, because they are multi-year players. I actually like the strategy of locking up long-term guys early and trying to fill in with super talented one and done players. We can't just say, oh, hey Jabari, you're probably going pro after one year, why don't you go play at UK?

Gotta go after the best players, but having classes full of really good players helps the program more.

I can tell you with certainty that, from the perspective of Chase and his family, the Jeter visit went very, very well, and that Duke is in solid shape there. They also spent a good bit of time with the Kennards, who were there the same weekend, and that was very positive as well. But at least at this point, the plan for Jeter is still not to make a decision/announcement until later in April or perhaps May.

[Dukehky]

Well, the O.P. distorted my point about Luke Kennard and Melchionni, in that I said he reminded me of Lee in terms of his size and being a lefty.

And for some reason, the O.P. felt the need to trash Melchionni at the same time, beginning with the characterization of him being a walk-on.

Apologies for the post distortion. Certainly didn't mean to trash Lee, from what I remembered, I thought he was recruited to be a walk-on and subsequently earned a scholarship. Became serviceable was a kinda mean way of saying he worked hard and became a valuable piece to two very strong teams in 05-06.

That being said, I still don't think there is much substance to saying that players remind you of other players because they're approximately the same height, left-handed, and white. I thought the Scheyer comparisons were fairly accurate based their games, Luke may be a little more athletic, and they both have semi-unorthodox releases on their shots, while being knock down shooters and pretty strong ball handlers.

Sorry for derailing the thread. Here's to hoping we get some good news regarding Luke Kennard tomorrow.

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

No player ever loved Duke more than Lee. I remember his intro on his senior night. He walked to the center of the court, got down and kissed the D.
Love, Ima

[J4Kop99]

His shot is very similar to a certain, current UNC pg

[UrinalCake]

The timing of this announcement is really odd. Who announces DURING the ncaa tournament? Unless he's going to a school that unexpectedly isn't playing anymore. (Excuse me while I go barf...)

[SoCalDukeFan]

he has made up his mind and wants people to stop telling him which school to attend.

SoCal

[CajunDevil]

His game on the high school level reminds me of Manu Ginobli or Sarunas Marciulionis. Excellent handles, vision and very nice lefty stroke. I'm not saying he's going to reach their heights as a basketball player but his game looks similar. He would be a great pickup for K.

[Troublemaker]

The timing of this announcement is really odd. Who announces DURING the ncaa tournament? Unless he's going to a school that unexpectedly isn't playing anymore. (Excuse me while I go barf...)

Watch out for Ohio St, too. They're also out of the tournament -- albeit probably not as unexpectedly as Duke being out.

That said, I think it's Duke and certainly hope it's Duke. He'd be a great addition to the program.

[Lord Ash]

From everything I've seen I have a good feeling about this one... but in the recruiting game, who knows?

[GGLC]

How's his defense?

[flyingdutchdevil]

How's his defense?

I too thought of this when I saw how interested he is in Duke. The one aspect of recruits that I have absolutely taken for granted has been defense. Because they are coming to Duke, I assume that recruits will be good in D from day 1. We weren't a good defensive team in 2012, but we did have Mason, Miles, and Kelly up front. That allowed us to recover from penetration.

I didn't understand atrocious "Duke defense" until this year, where we were more porous than Swiss cheese and had about as good post D as David Lee/Amare Stoudemire on a bad day.

[COYS]

I too thought of this when I saw how interested he is in Duke. The one aspect of recruits that I have absolutely taken for granted has been defense. Because they are coming to Duke, I assume that recruits will be good in D from day 1. We weren't a good defensive team in 2012, but we did have Mason, Miles, and Kelly up front. That allowed us to recover from penetration.

I didn't understand atrocious "Duke defense" until this year, where we were more porous than Swiss cheese and had about as good post D as David Lee/Amare Stoudemire on a bad day.

It has been interesting over the past few seasons to see that "athleticism" and defense have not correlated with Duke teams very much. Kyle and Jon, while lacking the lateral quickness of guys like Rasheed or Austin, were truly excellent defenders (along with Nolan, who, I don't actually believe, is any quicker than Rasheed). Meanwhile, this year's team was arguably the quickest team in recent history on an individual level played by far the worst defense. I'm not trying to call out our guys for not working hard enough to learn the defensive schemes or anything like that, because a lot of factors play into why this year's team did not defend well. However, it will be interesting to see what the defensive instincts of our newcomers are like both next year and if/when Luke steps onto campus. For whatever reason, outside of Tyler who is perhaps the most athletically challenged guard Duke has had recently, this year's team just did not have great instincts despite having a wealth of athletic talent.

[moonpie23]

is there a "press conference" or Skype? any idea about the time?

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

I too thought of this when I saw how interested he is in Duke. The one aspect of recruits that I have absolutely taken for granted has been defense. Because they are coming to Duke, I assume that recruits will be good in D from day 1. We weren't a good defensive team in 2012, but we did have Mason, Miles, and Kelly up front. That allowed us to recover from penetration.

I didn't understand atrocious "Duke defense" until this year, where we were more porous than Swiss cheese and had about as good post D as David Lee/Amare Stoudemire on a bad day.

Well, to be fair, it doesn't make for great YouTube videos. "JAHLIL OKAFOR GETS IN SICK POSITION ON D - MUST WATCH!!!" doesn't exactly drive the clicks.

Can defense be measured in cinder blocks?

[flyingdutchdevil]

It has been interesting over the past few seasons to see that "athleticism" and defense have not correlated with Duke teams very much. Kyle and Jon, while lacking the lateral quickness of guys like Rasheed or Austin, were truly excellent defenders (along with Nolan, who, I don't actually believe, is any quicker than Rasheed). Meanwhile, this year's team was arguably the quickest team in recent history on an individual level played by far the worst defense. I'm not trying to call out our guys for not working hard enough to learn the defensive schemes or anything like that, because a lot of factors play into why this year's team did not defend well. However, it will be interesting to see what the defensive instincts of our newcomers are like both next year and if/when Luke steps onto campus. For whatever reason, outside of Tyler who is perhaps the most athletically challenged guard Duke has had recently, this year's team just did not have great instincts despite having a wealth of athletic talent.

So true. I thought we were going to be a juggernaut on the perimeter with our insane athleticism and speed. But defense is so much more than that. I look at JJ Redick, who I think is one of the most underrated Duke defenders. Sure, he wasn't a stopper or defensive specialist like Dockery or Battier, but he always kept his man in check. I especially remember his coverage of Rashad McCants on the last play of the @Duke game 2005. That D was a thing of beauty!

Defense is about 4 primary variables: athleticism, desire, instinct, and knowledge. Our players clearly had the first. They clearly didn't have the last (especially in the beginning of the year). With regards to desire and instinct, it's pretty hard to judge those qualities. Players like Kyle, Jon, and Nolan had a ton of desire, a ton of knowledge, great instinct, and mediocre athleticism (Nolan was above average for college). In the NBA, you absolutely need all 4 to be an elite defender. In college, I think you can get away with 2-3.

Lastly, in the reversed words of Doug Gottlieb, this team was "alarming athletic". Too bad that doesn't mean squat when it comes to defense.

[CDu]

It has been interesting over the past few seasons to see that "athleticism" and defense have not correlated with Duke teams very much. Kyle and Jon, while lacking the lateral quickness of guys like Rasheed or Austin, were truly excellent defenders (along with Nolan, who, I don't actually believe, is any quicker than Rasheed). Meanwhile, this year's team was arguably the quickest team in recent history on an individual level played by far the worst defense. I'm not trying to call out our guys for not working hard enough to learn the defensive schemes or anything like that, because a lot of factors play into why this year's team did not defend well. However, it will be interesting to see what the defensive instincts of our newcomers are like both next year and if/when Luke steps onto campus. For whatever reason, outside of Tyler who is perhaps the most athletically challenged guard Duke has had recently, this year's team just did not have great instincts despite having a wealth of athletic talent.

Actually, I don't think we were very quick at all this year. I think we were a fast team, but not a quick team. Sulaimon, Cook, Parker, and Hood could get from end to end with just about anybody, but they weren't terribly quick laterally.

Aside from that point, though, I agree with the premise. Defense isn't all about athleticism. Battier wasn't nearly the athlete that Maggette was, but he was a FAR superior defender. On an only partially Duke-related comparison, Kirk Hinrich was nowhere near as athletic as Jason Williams, but he was a FAR better defender. Athleticism makes defense easier, but good athleticism doesn't necessarily mean good defender.

As you've noted, Singler and Scheyer became terrific defenders while at Duke despite not being terribly quick or explosive leapers (or even very good leapers). And I can't think of two players more similar in style and athleticism than Smith and Sulaimon, yet Smith was a terrific defender and Sulaimon is a mediocre defender.

[gumbomoop]

Defense is about 4 primary variables: athleticism, desire, instinct, and knowledge.

This is important, and merits a thread of its own. In fact, it - What is Defense About? - probably should be a long-long-running thread, page after page, every season.

I'm sure Krzyzewski would add, and perhaps begin with, "communication." I guess communication links to desire. And to knowledge, in the sense that if a young player doesn't understand its importance, he/she can be informed of its importance, over and over. Unfortunately, that which is taught is not necessarily that which is learned, as teachers are wont to lament.

Can instinct be taught/learned? Cultivated? Is relentlessness - the emotional skill I most value in sports - an instinctual thing?

[flyingdutchdevil]

This is important, and merits a thread of its own. In fact, it - What is Defense About? - probably should be a long-long-running thread, page after page, every season.

I'm sure Krzyzewski would add, and perhaps begin with, "communication." I guess communication links to desire. And to knowledge, in the sense that if a young player doesn't understand its importance, he/she can be informed of its importance, over and over. Unfortunately, that which is taught is not necessarily that which is learned, as teachers are wont to lament.

Can instinct be taught/learned? Cultivated? Is relentlessness - the emotional skill I most value in sports - an instinctual thing?

Yeah, communication is a big one. That should probably be the fifth variable, although, as you said, communication has elements of knowledge and desire.

Instinct is interesting. I'm not sure if it can be learned. It's more of a variable that gets better with age, which is why I think experience is so important (experience affects knowledge as well).

One thing to note, however, is the importance of having a baseline of athleticism. Paulus was experienced, he had the desire, he had the knowledge, and he had some instinct, but his athleticism was in the bottom 5% of his peers. As a result, his defense just wasn't up to par for Duke standards, especially as an upperclassmen. Paulus natural athleticism, coupled with countless injuries, just made him a subpar defender.

[Native]

From what I'm hearing and have heard, I'll be shocked if he doesn't pick Duke.

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

Yeah, communication is a big one. That should probably be the fifth variable, although, as you said, communication has elements of knowledge and desire.

Instinct is interesting. I'm not sure if it can be learned. It's more of a variable that gets better with age, which is why I think experience is so important (experience affects knowledge as well).

One thing to note, however, is the importance of having a baseline of athleticism. Paulus was experienced, he had the desire, he had the knowledge, and he had some instinct, but his athleticism was in the bottom 5% of his peers. As a result, his defense just wasn't up to par for Duke standards, especially as an upperclassmen. Paulus natural athleticism, coupled with countless injuries, just made him a subpar defender.

At least twice in the Mercer game I saw our guards get whalloped on a screen that no one called out. Completely inexcusable lack of communication is the only way to explain that.

[CarmenWallaceWade]

How's his defense?

Average, according to an insider scouting report.

[WojoAlum]

Watch out for Ohio St, too. They're also out of the tournament -- albeit probably not as unexpectedly as Duke being out.

That said, I think it's Duke and certainly hope it's Duke. He'd be a great addition to the program.

I have my money on Ohio State.

[JPtheGame]

All of the late steam is on Duke here.
http://247sports.com/PlayerInstitution/Luke-Kennard-at-Franklin-34491/Predictions?OrderBy=UpdatedOn&View=Main&Items=10&Page=5

Ineresting that several big names have switched to Duke and 3 of the last 6 votes for Duke are coming from folks associated with UK (catspause and kentucky sports radio).

Looks like cat's in the bag, bag's in the river on this one.

Think he'll keep #10 when he gets to Duke?

[kAzE]

How's his defense?

According to one scouting report, defense is currently his main area of weakness, particularly on the ball. Other nits they pick include a lack of strength and a low shot release.

However, he is a solid athlete, so I think over the course of 3 to 4 years, he will likely learn to be a good defender. He has really excellent size for a 2 guard, and he allegedly has range out to 22 feet, with no trouble shooting over smaller defenders. That's a nice weapon on offense. I hope he picks Duke.

[-jk]

All of the late steam is on Duke here.
http://247sports.com/PlayerInstitution/Luke-Kennard-at-Franklin-34491/Predictions?OrderBy=UpdatedOn&View=Main&Items=10&Page=5

Ineresting that several big names have switched to Duke and 3 of the last 6 votes for Duke are coming from folks associated with UK (catspause and kentucky sports radio).

Looks like cat's in the bag, bag's in the river on this one.

Think he'll keep #10 when he gets to Duke?

Pretty sure #10 won't be on the table if he comes to Duke.

-jk

[OldPhiKap]

Pretty sure #10 won't be on the table if he comes to Duke.

-jk

But what if he also plays baseball?

[gwlaw99]

According to one scouting report, defense is currently his main area of weakness, particularly on the ball. Other nits they pick include a lack of strength and a low shot release.

However, he is a solid athlete, so I think over the course of 3 to 4 years, he will likely learn to be a good defender. He has really excellent size for a 2 guard, and he allegedly has range out to 22 feet, with no trouble shooting over smaller defenders. That's a nice weapon on offense. I hope he picks Duke.

Watched some videos and his release is low. Maybe halfway between Matt and Tyler. Smooth motion though.

[jv001]

Pretty sure #10 won't be on the table if he comes to Duke.

-jk

Mr. Groat's a gentleman, but I don't think he'll ok that move. Number 5 will probably be available. GoDuke!

[Chicken Little]

Didn't see it mentioned anywhere else that if it truly is down to us, Kentucky and Ohio State, can we pretty much rule out Kentucky, since they already have a 2015 commitment from SG Charles Matthews? I would think this might have made his decision for him if he was debating between Duke and UK. I guess we'll know in a few hours.

[Bluedog]

Didn't see it mentioned anywhere else that if it truly is down to us, Kentucky and Ohio State, can we pretty much rule out Kentucky, since they already have a 2015 commitment from SG Charles Matthews? I would think this might have made his decision for him if he was debating between Duke and UK. I guess we'll know in a few hours.

Not sure, but it's not like we're short on SG's either. We'll have Jones and Allen pretty much for sure, and possibly still Sheed. Also have an offer out to another SG in the class of 2015 in Malik Newman, as far as I know.

[mattman91]

Not sure, but it's not like we're short on SG's either. We'll have Jones and Allen pretty much for sure, and possibly still Sheed. Also have an offer out to another SG in the class of 2015 in Malik Newman, as far as I know.

I believe I read somewhere that he can also play some at the point. We're going to need that since we aren't promised Tyus for a second year. Not to mention, there are zero elite point guards in this class. Very important recruit IMO.

[mph]

I believe I read somewhere that he can also play some at the point. We're going to need that since we aren't promised Tyus for a second year. Not to mention, there are zero elite point guards in this class. Very important recruit IMO.

In his highlight videos he appears to have a solid handle and very good court vision.

[Edouble]

ESPN has him listed as the number 8 shooting guard and number 24 overall for the class; Scout.com has him listed as the number 3 shooting guard and number 10 (I think) overall for 2015.

Scout lists his strengths as 3-point range, ball handling, big time scorer, and his areas for improvement as strength, explosiveness, and (lol, not sure how he will improve this one) wingspan.

[Cameron]

Didn't see it mentioned anywhere else that if it truly is down to us, Kentucky and Ohio State, can we pretty much rule out Kentucky, since they already have a 2015 commitment from SG Charles Matthews? I would think this might have made his decision for him if he was debating between Duke and UK. I guess we'll know in a few hours.

In regard to his decision, Luke was recently quoted as saying, "I think people will be surprised." That IMO would effectively eliminate Kentucky. Kennard grew up in a family of UK fans, so it wouldn't be much of a bombshell if he went to UK.

http://inagist.com/all/447840103650455552/

At almost 6-5, this kid has that Jon Scheyer combo guard flavor to his game, which might be a nice luxury to have after Tyus Jones departs. On top of it, he's got J.J. range. Kennard is a game-changing recruit.

[FerryFor50]

(lol, not sure how he will improve this one) wingspan.

He could always try this:


http://youtube.com/watch?v=tYs7qBsht_M

[conmanlhughes]

According to multiple sources from various online sites, i have gathered the information that a) kennard is saying people will probably be surprised b) that spurces claim he wont go far from home c) someone who knows his sister claims she says it isn't Duke and d) somebodies brother's uncle mothers cousin (twice removed) said it is defienetely not Mercer (too soon?) and ATI (Amish Technical Institute).

In all seriousness, i believe that there is a 60% chance he comes to Duke.

[Cameron]

Does anyone really think the kid is going to commit to Kentucky while the 'Cats are still playing the tournament? That would just be strange, especially since John Calipari probably isn't concerned with Luke Kennard right about now.

Maybe I am just oversimplifying things, but common sense says that Luke is going to put on the hat of a team who is longer playing. Sort of a, "Hey, Coach, don't feel bad, I am coming!" sort of thing." At least that's what I choose to believe.

[mr. synellinden]

Does anyone really think the kid is going to commit to Kentucky while the 'Cats are still playing the tournament? That would just be strange, especially since John Calipari probably isn't concerned with Luke Kennard right about now.

Maybe I am just oversimplifying things, but common sense says that Luke is going to put on the hat of a team who is longer playing. Sort of a, "Hey, Coach, don't feel bad, I am coming!" sort of thing." At least that's what I choose to believe.

The last 4 Crystal Ball picks - all within the last 90 minutes - are for Kentucky, including one switch from Duke (pick made yesterday) and one switch from Ohio St. That's not a good sign.

UPDATE: one for Duke a minute ago. Switch from Michigan.

[Dev11]

Does anyone really think the kid is going to commit to Kentucky while the 'Cats are still playing the tournament? That would just be strange, especially since John Calipari probably isn't concerned with Luke Kennard right about now.

Maybe I am just oversimplifying things, but common sense says that Luke is going to put on the hat of a team who is longer playing. Sort of a, "Hey, Coach, don't feel bad, I am coming!" sort of thing." At least that's what I choose to believe.

The flip side to your argument would be, wouldn't it look like poor form for the kid to turn down a school while they are preparing for the Sweet Sixteen and probably don't have time to make an 11th hour final pitch? It's not like Cal can react publicly to Kennard's decision until next fall at the earliest, anyway.

I'd like to think that the reason he's announcing today is because he just decided, and he wants to get it out of the way. Being the object of elite recruiting must get tiring at a point, and if Kennard is getting the full attention of Duke, Ohio State, and Kentucky, it has to feel like a giant weight.

[Cameron]

The flip side to your argument would be, wouldn't it look like poor form for the kid to turn down a school while they are preparing for the Sweet Sixteen and probably don't have time to make an 11th hour final pitch? It's not like Cal can react publicly to Kennard's decision until next fall at the earliest, anyway.

I'd like to think that the reason he's announcing today is because he just decided, and he wants to get it out of the way. Being the object of elite recruiting must get tiring at a point, and if Kennard is getting the full attention of Duke, Ohio State, and Kentucky, it has to feel like a giant weight.

That could be. I just don't see why Luke should feel required to give any of the other schools the chance at an 11th hour final pitch. It's his decision and he's made it.

[Cameron]

Listen to the announcement live.

I really need to find another hobby.

[Ky-Dukie]

Just found this link to listen live. http://www.cindaysports.com/

[Troublemaker]

Allegedly, the announcement can be heard here: http://radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/CINDAY

We'll see.

[MPandolfi]

Listen to the announcement live.

I really need to find another hobby.

My wife just said the same thing to me when I started streaming the announcement.