Florida's Walker staying in school?

ARLINGTON, Texas -- A source close to Florida freshman Chris Walker said prior to the Gators' 63-53 loss to Connecticut in the Final Four semifinals was "absolutely'' planning to return for his sophomore season.

But those decisions can change quicker than a fast break basket.

ESPN's Dick Vitale had a message for Walker prior to Monday night's national championship game between UConn and Kentucky: "Don't do it.''

"He'll be sitting on the bench,'' Vitale predicted. "And I'll tell you what he ought to take a look at, you can play yourself out of the league after three years and be a nobody. The kid that went to Kentucky, Daniel Orton.''

Orton was a bench player for UK who left as a first-round pick and has never developed. Vitale argues Walker could be Orton if he takes the leap.

"Someone will take him in the first round and he'll sit the bench and that's sad,'' Vitale predicted. "He's not ready.''

Vitale said Florida's loss to the Huskies came down to guard play.

"Connecticut's guards totally dominated (Scottie) Wilbekin and (Michael) Frazier, they couldn't get a shot,'' Vitale said. "They suffocated them. After being up 16-4, it was 59-37 the rest of the way. That was all created, even though (Shabazz) Napier didn't score, he was a facilitator, distributor and (DeAndre) Daniels was sensation, they had no answer for Daniels.''

Vitale felt Patric Young (19 points) did all that he could but after figuring the Gators would win realized they were in trouble after watching how much UF struggled in the backcourt. That, he said, turned out to be the ballgame.

"I thought Young gave them everything he could inside but the perimeter players did not play to their level. I picked Florida, I thought Florida would win the game. (Wilbekin) looked like he was really struggling (with cramps),'' Vitale said. "I think (Florida tried to pound inside) but you've got to get some perimeter. I thought Frazier, he couldn't get free for a shot. I thought they matched up on him so well, they couldn't set screens for him and he couldn't get free for a shot and I thought that was a big part of the game.''

As for Walker's future, Vitale and former Georgetown coach John Thompson don't like the idea of him leaving after playing in just 87 minutes of college basketball, counting just two in the Final Four. But they realize money is so hard for an athlete of a struggling family to turn down in the end.

"Stroke of the pen,'' predicted Thompson, "he's on easy street. But that money disappears easily.''