Early this evening, reports started to pour in that Eloy Vargas is currently on Kentucky’s campus visiting. First it was Evan Daniels, via Twitter, then Dustin Rumbaugh of Kentucky Sports Radio, then Jeff Goodman.

Vargas is not your typical campus visitor: he just finished his freshman year at Florida. He was the 33rd ranked player in the country in the class of 2008 and was a part of the Gators top 5 recruiting class. He’s a big man (6-10) with a bit of a slight frame (220) and a face up game. Despite his high ranking, he only played in 9 games all of last season due to an offseason ankle surgery, among other factors.

He has a bit of a reputation as a soft big man (sounds like a Gator, doesn’t he) but would seem to be a pretty logical fit in the dribble drive as a 4 man with his ability to put it on the deck.

This is also interesting because Vargas status with the Gators is uncertain to say the least. Just yesterday, Billy Donovan indicated that Vargas could be academically ineligible this season. 

In all honesty, I have no idea what to make of this. It’s well publicized that John Calipari has one open scholarship that has looked like it could be filled by a number of different options: Xavier Henry, Matt Pilgrim, Elliot Williams, and most recently, Mark Krebs. I had expected Calipari to give Krebs a ride provisionally for this season and potentially have him return to walkon status next year.

Apparently Cal is still looking to fill the spot with a top level talent. If Vargas does indeed have academic issues, he would have a year at a new school, potentially UK, to get things in order while he sits out due to transfer. We will obviously monitor this situation and update you at the conclusion of the visit.

Also, one quick note about a player I mentioned in passing earlier. According to Gary Parrish, Josh Pastner and the Memphis Tigers have received some much deserved good news at the conclusion of a rough week for the program.

Duke transfer Elliot Williams has been granted a waiver by the NCAA to play next season due his mother’s battle with cancer, in a strangely logical decision by college sports ruling body. Good for Memphis and good for Williams and this should help Memphis to field yet another strong team next season.