What’s going to happen with Liggins?
December 16th, 2009 | 
Author: By LARRY VAUGHT
Kentucky is going to win its 2,000th game Monday and will run its record to 13-0 with a win over Long Beach State Wednesday. And yes, the Cats will blister Austin Peay Saturday.
But there’s something else I want to see over the next three games — what happens with DeAndre Liggins.
Kentucky’s mystery man finally got to play against Indiana last week, but it was only the final 40 seconds. Still, that should have made it obvious Liggins’ non-activity was not academic-related since final exams were this week and if Liggins was ineligible, he would not have changed that status until he finished his exams.
So what’s going on?
I wish I knew. Calipari said he wouldn’t throw any “player under the bus” by discussing personnel issues. Yet rumors ran rampant during UK’s first nine games when Liggins, who certainly had a tumultuous freshman season under Billy Gillispie, didn’t get to play.
Those who have been to practice say Liggins has participated like any other team member recently. He’s also seemed more animated in pregame warm-ups lately — except when he was left home when UK played UConn in New York.
I still go back to my preseason interview with him in September when he seemed to have matured and was looking so forward to showing UK fans they did not see the real DeAndre Liggins last year. Instead, he’s sat and rumors have swirled.
That’s why the next three games should define his UK career. If he doesn’t play more than 40 seconds in any of these games, his best move would be to transfer and look for another school. If he does play more and shows he can perhaps help defensively and give John Wall and Eric Bledsoe a few minutes of needed rest, then he could turn into another valuable piece in what could be a championship season.
Either way, it’s make or break time for Liggins and Calipari. It’s time to either let him play, have him transfer or at least tell us what is going on.
Posted in UK Basketball
Larry,
as usual, you said it best,”its time” one way or the other.
Larry,
I don’t know if you are intending for it to happen, but a couple of the recent blogs you are writing have been somewhat slanted against Calipari I think. From the article about how he doesn’t allow his assistants to talk to the media, you made the slight at him about letting the national media have more access than local guys. Then this article you end with it’s time to play, transfer, or tell us what’s going on. While I do think Calipari has some small things about him I wouldn’t prefer, these small things you keep writing about have no purpose other than to make people feel like he is trying to hide something. He gives national media members access and look what happens, UK is everywhere, Wall gets talked about on ESPN on days UK isn’t even playing. While it may not be perfect, that’s the way of the world. I know during previous coaching staffs you have had some local access to the coaches, but if UK is to get its name back into the mainstream, this is how it is going to happen. I just don’t see the point of these small things you make bigs deals of, or why you feel it’s important for Cal to share everything with us.
Right on Larry, its time. This Liggins situation has gone on to long.Now if it had been 3 or 4 maybe 5 games I can understand keeping it all in house. IMO letting all the rumors run wild is throwing him under the bus. On the other hand coach knows best. This could be his way of letting the guys know hes got their back. It’s hard to see the big picture. Does this help his rep with future recruits, effect team chemistry. One word “Trust”. In Cal we trust…
Yes, it’s time! And IMO, as I’ve stated before, more like passed time. Liggins is too good a talent to be going to waste. If Cal doesn’t want to deal with him and his baggage(?) then he should send him on his way; if he’s going to keep him, he should give him a fair chance. This punishing by sitting has gone long enough already. I love what Cal has done for our program but he’s not always right.
I have wondered why he didn’t red shirt him if he wasn’t going to play him this year.He might be extremely valuable next year if Wall leaves. Could he still red shirt?
Doug
While I would LIKE to know what the situation is/was with Liggins, I don’t NEED to know.
Not knowing will not temper the enjoyment I have watching this team play.
Not knowing will not make the games any less exciting.
Not knowing will not change my opinion of Cal as a coach.
Not knowing will not make it harder to live my life.
The fact that Liggins played 40 seconds, against Indiana, tells me the ONLY thing I absolutely NEEDED to know. That is: Whatever he did was BAD, but was NOT a threat to the program or any of our victories. If it was, he would still be on the bench and we probably would know about it by now.
Liggins may make a full return or he may not. Either way: RELAX AND ENJOY WHAT WE HAVE. I hope it will NEVER be better than this. By that, I mean I hope we never have to suffer the horrible times we went through the last several years, that MAKE this year so extra special. I hope EVERY year is something to be excited about and proud of, like this year is and like it always used to be. This season is passing quickly. Even if we go all the way through the SEC and NCAA tournaments and win titles, we are 1/4 of the way through our games. It won’t be long before it is over. I intend to focus on what is happening on the court. Any player issues or recruiting problems can wait until the final buzzer of the final game. There are TOO MANY players I will never see in a Kentucky uniform again, to not pay attention to what THEY are doing, instead of what one other player is doing.
GO BIG BLUE!!!!
I agree with Jim.
[...] Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger on DeAndre Liggins: “But there’s something else I want to see over the next three games — what happens with DeAndre Liggins.” [...]
Larry – I don’t know what to think about the Liggins saga. He was let out of the doghouse for 40 secs against Indiana. At least Liggins agreed to go in. If that was a Calipari test, then he passed. Given that finals are this week here at UK and he didn’t make the trip to NY, he could have been told to work on his grades during that trip. Since we really don’t know what’s going on, lets do what Jim says and enjoy the ride, no matter if Liggins plays or not.
Jim is right on. Liggins can sit all season if Cal thinks it is necessary. He owes none of us any explanation at all. Cal only owes Liggins an explanation.
Not often I disagree with Mr. Vaught, but in this case I think you are asking too much.
Liggins is lucky to be playing at all this year. Trust me, if any of you were the coach, you would probably have set him out this long too. I would have probably kicked him off the team for what he did. It’s not my place or business to share what Liggins did, but for those of you that know, I’m sure you agree with me.
Good comments here. And Da Cats you obviously have info I do not. It is just that the whole thing is so perplexing.
And no matter who the UK coach is, part of my job as a columnist is to offer my opinion. If Calipari wants to make national media a priority and not worry about media fairness, that’s fine. But don’t expect me to say, “Thanks coach,” and just move on. I have a job to do too and my guess is that the local media provides a whole lot more day to day info to the UK fan base than the national guys do.
My whole point with Liggins is that it is time to put this issue to rest. Play him, say he’s never going to play or let him transfer. Just my opinion based on what I know — which isn’t much. For those who disagree, that’s fine and I understand. However, I will never understand a coach not treating all media members the same. Just too old to change my stance on that
Decisions on how to handle players and what info to disclose should be regulated by Cal. That is why he makes the big bucks. I think it shows Cal actually cares for the guys keeping matters closed from discussion. If accessibility is the only thing people have to complain about then we UK is doing very well.
Having said that, I don’t feel sorry for Liggins whatsoever. He has had ever opportunity to prove himself and has made poor choices. Fortunately, for him Cal has allowed him time to grow up and learn from mistakes but now is time to sink or swim.
jimcats can you define fair? How many practices have you attended or do you have any idea what Liggins did to warrant riding the pine?
Jim said it best from my opinion.
Larry, I understand “that inquiring minds need to know”.
Coach, I understand your decision to keep quiet.
Go Big Blue! (with or without LIGGINS)
I like the way coach cal has handle this,the media doesn”t need to know everything that goes on in the program.GO CATS!!!
“Da cats” says he did something horrible, and I have no idea if that’s true. But I consider it the job of coaches to teach these kids something, and keeping the kid on the team and disciplining him while protecting him from the media shows character. It’s how I would want my son treated. Tubby gave a lot of second chances, some worked out well, others didn’t. But I always respected the man for sticking by the kids.
Larry, I have no idea what you mean about treating all the media members the same, but I’m not sure how that applies to the Liggins situation.
Chris, I was referring to granting interviews, not anything to do with Liggins, about fairness with the media. I am with you on coaches teaching kids. Brooks has done that. Tubby did that. Hopefully Cal is doing that and seems to be. I just wish his playing status could be defined so we will all know what is going on. Do not need details of why he didn’t play, just when or if he will play.
Larry – at one time… somebody had theorized that Liggins was cooperating with the NCAA without the blessing of Sandy. Has this angle pretty much been laid to rest? I hope so.
Whatever he did can’t be to hard to find out, Tucker Max posted what it was on ksr’s site and Matt pulled it. So if he could fnd out a media guy shoud be able to do the same.
Good Grief! Liggins again….GIVE IT UP!
Trust that the university staff is doing the right thing for THEIR student athlete. Privacy must be the right choice, otherwise, there would be discussions of “Was the punishment just?” Would you want your child subject to that sort of scrutiny?
Looks like the ball is in Liggin’s court….he will decide if the treatment is fair or not. His actions will determine if he will play or not. Time will tell. Patiences is virtue.
Rumors about NCAA cooperation continue to be just that — rumors — as far as I know. And what is posted on a message board and what is factual are not always one and the same. I don’t want to say what Liggins did unless I have a valid source to confirm it. I have heard a lot of different things — and obviously all cannot be true. I would just like to know when and if he can play. Reasons are not that important. Just tell me the status like most coaches do without going into details about what it is going on.
Didn’t Coach already say Liggins was going to be fine, that whatever it was, was going to work itself out? And that if Liggins did what he was expected to do in practice, he’d play? I’m a little unclear why this still isn’t enough “status” for Larry. Unless he wants Coach to say definitively whether Liggins should transfer. Can’t imagine Coach would answer that.
Much ado over very little, Larry. Stop picking at it.
One thing we can conclude from the Liggins issue is that Coach Cal runs a very tight ship and that’s a good thing. I suspect he made it very clear to everyone involved with the basketball program that the Liggins situation was not to be discussed. I agree with Larry that it would have been far better for Calipari to say Liggins was going to sit for a violation of team rules rather than say nothing and let all the rumors run wild. Maybe the next time this type situation comes up, he will handle it differently, but if he doesn’t it makes for good drama.
When this began, I suspect Calipari didn’t know how long he was going to sit Liggins, so all he could say was, he will play when I decide he will play.
We, as fans, benefit for Larry’s accessability, so for those of you that think he’s being pushy, I think you’re wrong. Keep up the good work, Larry.
Larry, whatever is happening with Liggins is most likely related to how Calipari sees him factor into the mix for 2010-2011. Unless I’ve missed something, Coach Cal hasn’t inked or even obtained a verbal from another point guard for next year. Assuming Bledsoe returns things are OK but to have the kind of 2 headed perimeter attack next year that UK has this year with he and Wall it would be nice to have a player like Liggins fit in. A redshirt year would have been great from a maturity perspective but maybe Liggins and Calipari have reached an understanding that includes playing some this year in preperation for next season. Time will tell but if it doesn’t work out for Liggins here we are obviously fine without him right now. But I sure would like to see him in a UK uniform and contributing at the level he is capable of next year. GO CATS!
I would like to see him back, too. I think he has a lot of potential. As the original article noted, I think these next three games will tell us a lot.
And I do push for accessibility so I can provide stories and insights for you. That’s my job
larry m, UK will land a top notch PG for next year, write it down.
Liggins role this year will be at the small forward not the point guard.
Larry, Cats are 10-0 giving fans the kinda basketball we longed for the past several years, dont sweat the small stuff(Liggins playing time)The fact that Cal has given more National interviews, if that is the case,probabaly has alot to do with establishing the Kentucky name with recruits again on Nationwide basis. Although I love reading local articles, esp. yours, its the national press that helps out the program the most this year. In the years to come I think it will even out once KY is established again. Its been so long since even our scores were listed on Espn any National press is good press IMO.
Your stance on Liggins and the next three games defining his career shows a great amount of small mindedness. It is obvious that this young man has been going through something that is of substantial importance to his life. Much more important I would say than what his contribution is on the court during games. I would have said contribution to his team. But there are so many ways a teammate contributes outside of game time, it would be trivial to name them.
DeAndre is a sophomore with a full ride to a great university and an opportunity to be under the tutelage of one of the best basketball minds in the business. Not to mention the human skills he will learn from being under Cal.
I know it is your job to ruffle feathers and make statements to cause comment. But to do so at risk of making yourself look green and small minded might be a mistake.
In a couple of years when Liggins steps out on the court for his senior night. I believe there will be many cheers for a young man we have watched grow. Maybe then you will realize how much more there is to being a part of this program and what it means to these kids to be part of this family.
Personally, I really like Cal’s approach. As Larry said, it IS perplexing cause we look on the bench at a 4 star player who obviously isn’t in academic trouble now because he’s played and think, why?! But to me Coach Cal is saying to DeAndre, “Look. I care about you (because I’m not selling you out) and you made a mistake that you’re going to have to face the consequences for. We’re in this together and want to see you succeed. You have the choice to grow up and be part of something special or run from your mistakes.” I think DeAndre will mature through all of this and become a better player and person because of it – and stay around as a Cat.
Larry does a great job, and I think too many people are picking at him. Most of us want to know what Cal’s plans are for Liggins, but yes, not necessarily what he did.
Given he is such a young man and that we are one-third through the season, think how tough it is on Liggins to be on the bench. Yes, maybe he did something awful; assume he did.
Larry is right on in wanting access to Cal to find out about Liggins’ playing time. For everyone of you who could care less when Liggins gets more playing, there are likely many more (who care about Liggins!) who are anxious for his contributions – without regard to UK’s record this season.
No one wants the Cats to win more than I do, but there is so much more to life than just the team’s record. Remember, life is so much more about the journey (while we’re living!) than the destination.
Also, if Liggins were YOUR kid, you would have to wonder if there weren’t some other means of punishing him vs. riding the pine. Liggins riding the pine hurts him AND the team. Him sitting now means he will not have the confidence he needs later in the season – perhaps in March – when we NEED him at his best.
Plus, it’s quite the assumption to that every decision Cal makes is always in UK’s team’s best interest and each player’s best interest; people at the top of the food chain make mistakes, and Cal is living proof.
Get off Larry’s back and ride mine for a while!
Larry, You are an avid UK fan and a fan of Calipari’s and that is most obvious to anyone who reads your articles regularly.
In speaking about whether your articles are negative concerning Calipari, the point is being overlooked that the UK men’s basketball team is about the players. They aren’t being paid for putting it all on the floor and if they get hurt playing for us, if they are talented their capacity to make money in the NBA is over. This article is dead-on and you are absolutely right. Liggins is a prep player who could have gone to any major program but chose UK. We owe it to him to look out for his interests. Calipari isn’t hurt by this. Liggins is. Period.
Does anybody remember how Liggins played last year? Out of control and a turnover waiting to happen? He couldn’t start over Michael Porter. In the Blue/White game this year he had about 9 fouls and 0 points.
If you think he should get minutes at the small forward, who do you take time away from? I think if anybody should see some extra minutes there it should be Jon Hood, but I’m not going to question it or whine about it.
Certainly, Liggins shouldn’t be playing PG.
Personally, from what I’ve seen, I feel that Liggins should not be in the rotation. He apparently wasn’t doing something right off the court and that was the reason that kept him off the court during blowouts. But, I don’t think he should see the court unless the game has already been decided. Right now he is our Svoboda or Massiello.
Let Cal coach the team and play who he wants. He is 10-0 and seems to know who can play and who cannot. If Liggins starts showing something in practice and taking care of his other business, I’m sure he’ll see more minutes.
Until then, let’s sit back and enjoy the best season and best talent since the late 90’s.
BTW, Larry you are my favorite Kentucky Sports reporter, but you have to let this Liggins thing go.
Merry Christmas
Whoa, the tone of this thread surprises me. Larry isn’t hung up on the Liggins issue, he’s just saying that these next three “easy” games could determine Liggin’s future on the team. If he begins to get some minutes and contributes to the team effort, he will have a role. If he does not get to play, he most likely will transfer.
Also, Larry doesn’t want accessability to find out why Liggins wasn’t playing, he wants accessability so he can do his job of reporting on the Cats. Coach Calipari said before the season began that the local media would be allowed to attended a few practices during the year. That hasn’t happened yet, but there have been several national media types allowed in.
If you guys must know whats going on with Liggins read on IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO KNOW LOOK AWAY. He was smoking the chronic and failed a drug test. Thats why he was not playing and thats why coach Cal did not tell anyone what his reasons where for not playing him. I can’t believe you guys haven’t known this already, its old news. Anyways……. GO CATS!
Thanks for the support. The intent of the article was to point out that these three games should indicate what role, if any, LIggins will have this year. I can’t say Cal tampering with rotations, playing time, etc, when SEC play starts. If Liggins is now eligible to play and he doesn’t play more or make an impact these games, then I don’t think we will be seeing him much at all the rest of the year.
As for him not playing, my whole point has been just to let us know how long he was out. I accept when a coach says team violation, personal issue, etc. Just tell me how long so the speculation doesn’t grow, especially after several times in the summer and fall Cal spoke so highly of Liggins. I just wondered what happened to change those good feelings. Never intended for this to become such a good/bad thread. Bobby Knight, now that’s a different matter