Commonwealth holding breath during "Enes Watch"

The Commonwealth of Kentucky has officially moved to 'Enes Watch' this week and no one is immune, not even those closest to the situation.

Will Enes Kanter win his appeal and have the NCAA's original decision of him being permanently ineligible to play college basketball overturned or see his amateur career end before it ever really began? Not even his teammates know what to think at this point.

"I think we have all been pretty anxious because he's a great player and would be a huge asset to the team," junior guard Darius Miller said. "We're all just waiting like everyone else. I don't have a clue when we're supposed to find out. Hopefully we'll find out today but we all just have our fingers crossed."

Reports began to surface Wednesday evening that Kentucky's appeal on Kanter's behalf took place earlier that day, a timeline that matched the school's release last week that it was expected to happen the first week of December. Speculation has run rampant that a decision from the appeals committee could come as soon as 24 hours after it concluded or drag out for several days.

There were no outward indications during Thursday's previously scheduled media opportunity to discuss this weekend's North Carolina that UK has heard anything on the appeal. Assistant coach John Robic filled in for coach John Calipari and said they are still in the dark.

"I don't know anything about the case or the hearing," Robic said. "It's really been out of our hands so I really can't answer that question. (I'm waiting) just like everyone else around here."

The 6-foot-11 freshman from Turkey was ruled permanently ineligible on Nov. 11 after the NCAA and UK agreed on facts stating Kanter and his family received $33,000 more than what was considered necessary expenses while playing for the Turkish club Fenerbahce. Although the process has been a tedious one, Kanter's teammates have repeatedly said he has held up well during the ordeal.

"He has (held up well) through the whole process," Miller said. "We haven't known a whole lot that's gone on with it, but we just try to be there for him and help support him."

Matt May is the basketball beat reporter for The Cats' Pause. If you have questions or comments about the Cats e-mail him here. You can also follow "@TCPMAY" on Twitter for live updates.

Matt May

CatsPause.com