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It's going to be really interesting to watch if Dixon, following his well-publicized troubles at Missouri two years ago and departure from the basketball team after sitting out this past year, is able to become eligible to play in this, his senior season. It's by no means guaranteed that he is either a) able to graduate and become eligible as a graduate transfer or b) receive a hardship waiver from the NCAA.
One thing that isn't in doubt is Dixon's prodigious talent and ability to help a team win. That's why, baggage-aside, I was extremely interested in bringing him to Baylor. Very few teams can match a Baylor starting 5 with Dixon in it, and you would have had to consider Baylor a formidable threat to end Kansas' run.
Alas, it was not to be, as Dixon reportedly chose Josh Pastner's Memphis Tigers this morning, putting an end to the speculation about his eventual destination. Like I said, this isn't the end of the transfer process for him at all, far from it. But it does seem to close the door on Baylor's interest, leaving us looking elsewhere for a place to use our last scholarship for 2014. It's also possible that we pocket it (something you wouldn't have to worry about with Dixon, since if he plays, it will be as a senior) and move forward with the team we have. I don't know.
Without any inside knowledge, I'm willing to bet that one of three things happened here. The first is that Baylor's coaches came to the conclusion that Dixon wasn't worth the trouble, probably unlikely since he's a great player. The second is that they decided not to pursue him because he won't be eligible. The third is that he just chose Memphis, following (unintentionally, I'm sure) in the footsteps of former Baylor signee Dominic Woodson to the land of the Pastnerites. I don't know.
Without Dixon, I'm a bit concerned and excited at the same time. I'm concerned that we don't have a player on the roster who has played any meaningful time at point guard in the Big 12. I'm excited that it means Allerik Freeman and personal favorite Ishmail Wainright might see more time. So I'm conflicted on wanting Dixon because of his talent, not wanting him because of his past, and not wanting him because I like the potential of the guys we have.
Oh, well. Doesn't matter now. Dixon is a Tiger, again.