Joe Crawford

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee freshman guard Chris Lofton again showed why he's become the best 3-point shooter in the Southeastern Conference here Tuesday. However, Kentucky freshman Joe Crawford also proved he can shoot, too. Lofton, the former Mason County standout who was Kentucky's 2004 Mr. Basketball, was 5-for-9 from 3-point range and scored 17 points for the Volunteers in their 84-62 loss to Kentucky. "It was fun playing against Kentucky. I just wish the outcome could have been different," Lofton said.

LEXINGTON - Joe Crawford couldn't wait to start his college basketball career at Kentucky. He was one of three McDonald's All-Americans in UK's highly-touted freshman class last year. He knew the Wildcats could be a national championship contender. He also thought his defensive prowess and scoring ability would make it easy for him to become an instant impact player. But while point guard Rajon Rondo and center Randolph Morris became fixtures in the starting lineup as freshmen, Crawford watched more than he played.

LEXINGTON - While most of the attention on Kentucky's woes this season has been blamed on the lack of leadership due to Chuck Hayes' graduation and the lack of a low-post presence because of Randolph Morris' ineligibility, little has been mentioned about UK's struggle to replace Kelenna Azubuike. Azubuike was last year's leading scorer, a solid rebounder and a dependable defender. But he left Kentucky after his junior season to try his luck in the NBA draft. Many thought sophomore Joe Crawford, a high-profile recruit, would compensate for Azubuike's departure and provide the same numbers Azubuike did. However, Crawford has missed three games because of knee and hip injuries and is averaging just 6.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 19.5 minutes per game going into Saturday's game against No. 4 Louisville Cardinals.

As the deadline approaches for players to pull their name out of the NBA draft if they want to retain their collegiate eligibility, Kentucky center Randolph Morris again finds himself at the center of more rumors. Some sources now are saying Morris realizes coming back to Kentucky for his sophomore year is far more realistic than staying in the draft in hopes of being a first-round choice. Those same sources indicate that more than one NBA scout and/or executive has felt Morris has been "lazy" in workouts and has acted like he's destined to be a first-round draft choice.

LEXINGTON - As far as Chuck Hayes is concerned, there's no reason to doubt Joe Crawford's word that he plans to spend his college career at Kentucky. "He could change his mind, but I could change my mind about what I am going to wear, too," Hayes said Tuesday. "He gave us his word and I believe him. " Crawford, a freshman, rejoined the Kentucky basketball team Monday one week after he quit the team. Kentucky coach Tubby Smith met with his players Saturday night when they returned from their win at Georgia to discuss Crawford's possible return, then met with Crawford and his parents Sunday.

LEXINGTON - While they have missed Joe Crawford, Kentucky's remaining players have not had a chance to know any more about why he left or if he will return than anyone else. "I don't hear anything until I talk to you guys," Kentucky senior Chuck Hayes said Friday when he was asked about Crawford's status. "I don't find the scoop out until I talk to you all. I really don't want to hear the scoop and all the drama that is going on. " Hayes said he still had not talked to Crawford.

LEXINGTON -- Chuck Hayes still remembers the times during his freshman season at Kentucky when he contemplated leaving because he was unsure about his role on the team. That's why he wishes freshman Joe Crawford had talked to him before he packed his bags and headed home with his parents just 12 games into his freshman season at Kentucky. "I'm disappointed to a certain extent," said Hayes, one of two Kentucky seniors. "I don't know if it was a decision he made, or his family made it. I got the news from my coach and didn't ask any more about it. "I wish he had talked to me. He used to ask me questions about what time to be at practice.

ATLANTA -- Joe Crawford left Kentucky once, but he says he won't do it again. "I am committed to Kentucky and staying here," said the freshman guard after Friday's 76-62 win over Tennessee in the Southeastern Conference Tournament. Crawford talked about his one-week absence from Kentucky in early January for the first time after the Cats' victory. Crawford, like UK's other freshmen, has been off limits to the media this season. "No, I don't regret what happened," said Crawford.

LEXINGTON - Joe Crawford, one of the jewels of Kentucky's highly-touted freshman recruiting class, apparently will transfer because of his role during the Wildcats' first 12 games. Kentucky coach Tubby Smith confirmed rumors that Crawford was contemplating a transfer during his weekly radio show Monday night. Smith had met with Crawford and his parents earlier in the day after Crawford, a guard from Detroit, played just three minutes in Sunday's loss to No. 2 Kansas. "At this juncture, it is still up in the air," said Smith about Crawford's transfer.

LEXINGTON - One week after leaving the Kentucky basketball program, freshman Joe Crawford not only returned to the Wildcats but also said he wants to finish his career at Kentucky. "I'm glad to be back and I'm ready to give this my all," Crawford said in a statement released by UK Monday. "I'm thankful that coach (Tubby) Smith has given me a second chance, even though he didn't have to. That shows me that he's glad that I'm a part of this team. "The hardest thing about last week was being away from my teammates because of our bond.