Due to the timing of this, I wonder if it's in response to coach Boals being alerted that Jason Preston will remain in the draft.
I believe your Spidey senses are spot on.
I hope my senses are off on this one, Leon. As an Ohio U. guy, obviously I would want Preston to return for his senior season--especially since we have a team that looks like it really can do some damage on the national scene. But as someone who was involved in many drafts from both the college and NBA sides as a sports writer, past history dictates he should come back and look to improve his drafting position from second round to top 20 in the first round, even looking to get into the lottery-team spots.
Now there have been kids who stayed in school too long. One I remember vividly is point guard Mark Price, who would have been a top 5 pick if he had left Georgia Tech following his junior season in 1984-85. Price stayed, the team didn't do as well as expected, and he dropped to the second round, selected by Dallas at pick No. 25, then traded to the Cavs while the draft continued. Price went on to have an all-star NBA career. So it worked out. But he lost a lot of dollars up front by his choice to return to school.
I see Jason as being in the opposite situation as he has nothing to lose and all to gain by returning to Athens. In his situation, Preston potentially could cost himself a long-term GUARANTEED contract right out of the gate if he comes out too soon. Ponder this: I wonder where Ja Morant would have gotten drafted if he had come out of Murray State after averaging 13 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds his junior season? What a difference a year made!