What’s going on with Liggins?
November 9th, 2009 | 
Author: By LARRY VAUGHT
What’s going on with DeAndre Liggins? Why isn’t he playing? Will he ever play?
Those are frequent questions since new Kentucky coach John Calipari did not play him in either exhibition game and Liggins obviously knew he was not going to play in either game.
Still, it’s a bit perplexing. In September, Calipari raved about Liggins’ attitude and play. He noted that playing in former coach Billy Gillispie’s system handcuffed Liggins and took away the things he does best.
At Kentucky’s Media Day, Liggins remained optimistic that this was going to be a new year for him.
“I am very anxious to show what I can do. We are going to be very good. It’s how we communicate with each other and how we are there for each other in tough times that will determine just how good we are,” he said. “The game will be when we really know how good we can be. I think we will kind of struggle at the beginning, but coach will make sure we get better every day.
Former Kentucky coach Joe Hall thought Liggins was UK’s most improved player when Calipari invited him to watch practice.
However, at the SEC Media Days in late October, Calipari said little when asked about Liggins after announcing that Darius Miller suddenly was the team’s No. 3 point guard behind freshmen John Wall and Eric Bledsoe.
Now no one is officially saying why Liggins isn’t playing. Is it academics? Is it practice habits? Is it an off-court issue?
“I am going to talk about the guys I am playing. You will understand as you get to know me I will not throw kids under the bus. I don’t want to do anything to hurt a young person. Let’s just talk about the kids that are playing,” Calipari said after UK’s second exhibition game.
Sounds good, but by not giving some indication about what is going on with Liggins only leads to more speculation.
I keep being told it’s not academics or an issue between Liggins and Calipari. I also keep being told the matter will resolve itself.
Liggins’ teammates have obviously been told to avoid the subject of his playing status because they will offer no comments, either.
So the only answer to what is going on with Liggins is that Calipari isn’t talking, Liggins isn’t talking, UK players aren’t talking and that has made this an impossible question to accurately answer.
Posted in UK Basketball
27 Responses to “What’s going on with Liggins?”
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[...] Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger is getting a lot of DeAndre Liggins questions. [...]
This whole situation is bizarre. Cal is pretty open about things, so that makes it even more of a mystery. If it isn’t academics or a conflict with Cal, then is it medical? You can’t really “throw someone under the bus” over a medical issue, so that doesn’t seem to be it. But if it is a health issue, then I understand the reason we are being kept in the dark. If it is something else, this is a long time for it to remain a secret, with all the exposure this team gets. It has been over a week. There are national security issues that don’t remain secret for that long. Hopefully this will be resolved soon. Like Joe B., I thought Liggins was showing great improvement over last year. I know everyone was down on him after the Blue/White game, but I was there and I took something different from his performance. I saw a kid who was making a lot of mistakes and fouling a lot, but it was because he was putting in TOO much effort. He was flying around and probably trying TOO hard, instead of going with the flow. But he did have several good defensive stops and made a few decent plays. I even commented to my brother that Liggins was giving great effort, just not under control. If he can harness the effort, without the mistakes, he will be very valuable to this team.
Great article Larry, but the mystery lingers on.
It’s a disciplinary action, carried over from events that took place last year. Cal’s right, it’ nobody’s business, and he’ll play when his time is served.
The fact Liggins knew he was not going to play leads me to believe it’s an off the court issue and Liggins is serving his punishment. It’s not inconceivable it’s an issue that occured before Cal got here
Jason if you are right — and you could be — then somebody should at least say something to indicate that. Don’t have to go into specifics, but someone should clarify what is going on, especially since Cal talked so highly about him in September and now suddenly he can’t get off the bench. I think fans deserve to at least know if he is suspended, etc.
I agree Larry, as long as Liggins’ privacy is respected. But apparently Cal is of the mindset that if it isn’t Bball related he is not going to comment. I can see and respect both views, yours, and what I perceive to be his.
[...] Newton has been filling in nicely for Hartline.4. In basketball news, some Cat fans are wondering if DeAndre Liggins will get much playing time under John Calipari. He didn’t get into either of UK’s two exhibition [...]
I agree with you too Larry but the problem may be the nature of the issue. However at the least a statement that Liggins is serving a disciplinary suspension for a violation of team rules would be helpful. Then at least everyone knows and can hopefully move on
[...] Last week, Steve Spurrier was in no mood to hear about another potential year-end collapse. But it looks like he’s in the middle of one.2. Ron Morris of The State tells Cock fans not to hold their breath believing that Carolina will [...]
Just knowing it is not basketball related would be cool, but sure we will find out soon
I hope it works out for the young man. I think he has the talent needed for this system. I hope he has the mentality. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. GO BLUE OR STAY HOME
Larry, Could it be that he will redshirt this year? Since no time in eithe exhibition he does Qualify, Isn’t that correct?
Larry, just speculation here but maybe Jim is right on this one. Could Cal be considering a redshirt for Liggins to help his game and regain his confidence? Or is Cal making him serve his time for the few incidents that occurred last season? Something strange is at bay here, but my thoughts are leaning towards a redshirt because Liggins might benefit most from it? Thoughts?
LARRY: You know my feelings on this issue, I hope it is not a rift, but You have to go by past events with LIGGINS, with past rifts, refusing to go into the game etc…Jim, you are right on,We need his size and skills,But if it means a strain on the team chemistry than send a messege of- all for one and one for all, No “I’ in team..Hope that is not the case, But I think we heard more than we should have last season with the early season problems, Keep It in the Locker room. Not saying this is the case…But..If it walks like a duck!! That said ..GO LIGGINS!! GO BIG BLUE!!!
If it is for a redshirt, I think Cal would tell us and not consider that throwing him under the bus as he stated. I really don’t think it is a team chemistry issue, either, based on watching players react during warmups with Liggins and during the game Just has me puzzled. Hopefully the mystery ends soon
Your Right Larry, so far so good..GO CATS GO!!!
I agree with Larry. If it’s a disciplinary reason then I think it should be stated. Cal saying, “I won’t throw a kid under the bus” indicates to me that Liggins has done something in the past couple of weeks that has gotten him into trouble and Cal is being careful about the precedent he sets at UK in regards to dealing with this kind of issue with a player. Liggins is still on the bench so he’s obviously still on the team. I wish the reason was known, but maybe it’s something that really isn’t any of our business. I will give Coach the benefit of the doubt.
Crazy spin – what if Cal is close to picking up someone like B.K. and Cal knows incoming possibilities as such are “crunching the numbers” for their position.
If Wall is presumed to leave (he is), then the order would be Bledsoe, Miller, and Liggins for next year at the 1.
Am I nuts in thinking a saturation of PG’s is a recruiting issue right now?
Maybe not such a crazy spin.
I don’t think it is a numbers game. I have heard some things today that might explain what is going on and why Cal won’t talk about it. I think if he just said it was disciplinary, that would take care of it. Apparently Liggins will be back in uniform and it is not a basketball-related issue
I agree with you, Daniel.
Enough said… Coach, LIGGINS & players must be all in agreement with what’s going on, or it would have leaked.
Time will heal…
Valid point on coach and team unity on this point because if they all weren’t in agreement, word would be out there
Larry,
While the situation is perplexing the lack of an answer leads to more speculation that actually could be more harmful than the truth.
My biggest fear is eligibility. If there is an issue with Liggins’ being able to play last year we could possibly be a year away from reaching 2,000 wins and UNC is already the winningest team in history.
That is the nuclear bomb version and my personal worst case scenario for the Program. That is why I want to know. If it is academics or legal issues while bad I could accept that.
The loss of wins based on his eligibility (which is pure negative speculation on my part at this time) is what concerns me the most.
If it was about eligibility, I think it would have been leaked already because you won’t be dealing with just UK, but the NCAA.
Keep hearing lot of speculation, but nothing solid. HOwever, I keep being told it will work out and that Cal and Liggins are fine
Larry, do you know if Liggins will play on Friday?
I love your blog! Keep up the good work.
Coach isn’t forcing anyone to gossip or speculate. People do that kind of thing of their own accord. And they alone are responsible for their behavior. It is no justification to say that your predilection for gossip was foreseeable. You have a choice. Exercise it wisely.
We don’t know what’s going on with Liggins. So let’s move forward.
KEEP IT IN THE LOCKERROOM!!! GO BIG BLUE!!!!!