Jared Sullinger and why you should answer early entry questions with 'no comment'

The news that made the rounds after Kentucky's enthralling, 62-60 win over Ohio State on Friday night was that Jared Sullinger, the Buckeye's talented freshman center, announced that he would be returning for his sophomore season.

From Matt Norlander over at CBS:

"I'm gonna be here, gonna be at Ohio State next year," Sullinger said when asked about his future. He further explained: "I don't like the look in peoples' eyes (right now) and I don't like the taste we have of losing. I don't appreciate losing. If I made a decision about (leaving) next year, it would be off a win, not a loss."

When asked if this was an emotional, in-the-moment decision, and if there were any possibility he would change his mind in the coming weeks, Sullinger said, "I'm a man of my word. That's period, point blank. I'm coming back."

Sullinger didn't tell his teammates about his choice prior to Friday's game against the Wildcats. According to the freshman, he mulled the scenario earlier in the day.

"I made this decision today, and I'm a man of my word," he said. "I don't go against my word. If I tell somebody I'm going to do something, I'm going to do it."

It bothers me that 18 year olds are asked these questions at such an emotional time, but I understand their need. The media has a job to do, and they are doing it.

But if I am a head coach, I train my players -- no, I require them -- to answer any and all early entry questions with "I haven't thought about it yet." I'm not saying that because I believe that the media or the general public should be misled.

I'm saying that because, far too often, they are misled.

What Jared Sullinger did by answering that line of questioning in such matter-of-fact manner is paint himself into a corner. If he eventually decides to leave, he looks like a hypocrite. He looks like a liar. He looks like someone who let the allure of money get the best of him.

If he decides to come back to school because he is a "man of his word", he, very likely, will be making that decision not because it is the best decision for him and for his future, but because it is what he said he would do.

And if a player ever said "I'm gone" after a season-ending NCAA Tournament loss, he'd get crushed by the fans.

No good can come out of answering the early entry question early.

That's why, if I was a coach, I would tell every single one of my players to answer the question with a simple "I haven't thought about it."

Sometimes, no comment is the best comment.