Adam Zagoria tweeted out something very interesting today.  The 6′ 10″ Columbian Tony Trocha is set to start his college career in the spring semester.  Adam quoted Trocha’s mentors saying : “He is planning to enter college in the Spring semester. Kentucky, UCLA, Florida, Texas A&M and Rice all say they have scholarships for him for the second semester.” If that is the case and UK really has a scholarship on the table, it would make for a really big lineup for UK.  The triple towers of Noel, Cauley-Stein and Trocha.

     Multiple sources are reporting that Dez Wells is in Lexington visiting UK as I type.  Wells is a Xavier transfer who is looking to continue his college career beyond Xavier.  Why did is he leaving Xavier?  He was expelled.

Wells was charged(but later cleared) of sexual assault.  That led to his dismissal at Xavier.  The justice department actually made a statement that Wells should be admitted back in school , however the board denied his appeal.   Even though Wells was cleared of the sexual assualt charges, school officials still felt it necessary to uphold their first decision to remove Dez from the university.

Now, Wells is looking for a new home and a possible landing spot is Kentucky.  My question is, does Kentucky want him?

Rod Strickland

Ok, it is not as bad as you think. The Kentucky Wildcats did indeed commit and self report a NCAA violation last season.  The Courier Journal reported their findings today of their own investigation of the violation.  Let me be clear, UK is not in trouble.  The punishment went to Rod Strickland and was minor if anything.  Honestly, I think it is ridiculous that UK had to report this in the first place.

Men’s basketball – Level II Secondary
Rod Strickland, assistant to the head coach, “on one occasion … answered a student-athlete’s question concerning game film.” The violation came to light after the Lexington Herald-Leader reported that a player said he watched film with Strickland, who is not permitted to instruct players. In compliance officer Sandy Bell’s report, the athlete said he came to meet with head coach John Calipari, but he was busy with a visitor, so he stopped by Strickland’s office. Strickland was breaking down film, which he is allowed to do, and the player asked him a question about something on the film. Strickland answered and offered some advice on how to better handle a certain play. Strickland was issued a “letter of admonishment” and was prohibited from attending practice for two days. UK compliance agreed to address the related NCAA bylaw in the March compliance meeting with coaches and to educate student-athletes and staff members on the rule

Jake Allen
6 ‘ 8″
North Laurel Jaguars
London, KY

The 2012 KBA High School High Exposure camp took place earlier this month.  One player that stood out was Laurel County’s Jake Allen.  In attendance to watch Jake and others was Scout.com ‘s very own, Evan Daniels.  Jake did not disappoint.  Of all the competition , Jake led the way in rebounds per game with 7.6.  He also showcased his offensive game by averaging just over 14 points per game.   The following is an excerpt from KY Hoops Exposed :

The big man from North Laurel was very impressive from the start.  When you stand 6’8”, people have high expectations, and Jake Allen did not dissapoint.  Jake finished the camp with averages of 14.4 PPG and a camp-leading 7.6 RPG.  There was a tendency from Jake to float around the perimeter (he did connect on 4 of 8 3 point field goals), but when Jake went inside he was unstoppable.  He showed a great touch around the rim and great footwork to make an array of moves.  Jake will be a big part of North Laurel’s plans to repeat as 13th Region Champions.  Other Top Rebounders: Rashawn Jackson (7.2 RPG) - West Jessamine, Jr     Austin Rush (6.6 RPG) – North Laurel, Sr