Tha Beet doesn't go on

It looks like you guys were right. All season, I predicted that Hasheem Thabeet would declare for the NBA Draft following the season. Yet, in a poll posted here at the beginning of the offseason, 22 of 33 voters said he would return. (Bowing)

That said, the longer the 7-foot-3 Thabeet prolonged his decision in the last few weeks, the more it felt likely he would be back in Storrs next season. And (this is just speculating), the decision may have come earlier if it weren't for students, players and the campus devoting the last few days to Spring Weekend festivities.

So what is Thabeet giving up by coming back to school. Millions of dollars, obviously, but according to UConn coaches and most published reports, Thabeet probably would have been a late lottery pick at best, meaning with another year of improvement, he could play himself into major money as a top-five or, as UConn associate coach George Blaney suggested Sunday night, even a top-three selection. And with A.J. Price expected to return next season along with the rest of the starting five, UConn seems destined for title contender status from here on out.

Thabeet is expected to meet with the media Monday at 1 p.m. Check back here after that for more reaction and insight into the biggest (non-)move for the Huskies this offseason.