Man He's Boiling Tonight!

TankedCat

Heisman
Nov 8, 2006
22,792
21,500
0
Whitney and Juzang are almost non factors at this point, and if you're not going to use all your scholarships, you can't afford to have any recruiting "misses".

I think that some good multi year players like Derek Willis and Dominique Hawkins to fill out the ENTIRE allotment of scholarships would make a huge difference on this team.
it appears we have no shortage of multi-year players now.
 
Jun 11, 2012
15,340
16,153
113
Help is on the way with our recruits next year - PROVIDED we land a really talented big like Brown, Bancheros or someone else who is just as good. As Cal has said time and again, 'A team with no inside presence is a bogus team'.


Yeah, just wait until next year!
 

chhawaten64

Sophomore
Jan 7, 2017
249
110
38
we lost last nights game at foul line wasn't lack of talent when one goes to line all night long it makes it so much harder to win
 

TankedCat

Heisman
Nov 8, 2006
22,792
21,500
0
When it comes to criticizing coaches, Matt is Monty Pythons Black Knight

"adjust a little" = "merely a flesh wound"

The reality is if Cal doesn't get the right pieces from day 1, then the team will develop and improve throughout the season, but when the tournament comes they are still an incomplete puzzle that can't overcome what is necessary to win 6 (or 4) straight games.

I'm not confident enough to get on here and talk about the exact things that need to be done, but then again I don't have to. I"m not a highly paid coach in real life and I don't play one on TV. But even a casual fan can see that the repeating cycle we are in is not a approach that will deliver the expected results in the tournament.

Its a lottery ticket approach to winning a championship and lately it seems the odds are about the same.
 
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RACdad

Heisman
Mar 8, 2005
10,054
10,131
113
This group of players has not gelled together. I believe it can happen if....
1. Nick and EJ pull their weight. We have got to have those guys compete better down low.
2. Play inside out. Probably not gonna happen because this is not what Cal wants to do.
3. I believe Sestina is the key to this team. He's no superstar but he can be the glue to hold this team together.
4. Last but not least is hit some damn shots!! No secret here. We have to be at least avg in this area
 

TankedCat

Heisman
Nov 8, 2006
22,792
21,500
0
We often find ourselves in this position with a role player that has a breakout game.

If we rely on Sestina to be the difference maker in the game, then we are a fragile team.That isn't dogging the kid, I love him as a player even before yesterday, a vocal veteran player is exactly what a bunch of freshmen need-but he was brought into fill a gap
 

Stenchymouse

All-American
Jul 31, 2005
12,803
6,705
113
it appears we have no shortage of multi-year players now.
They won't stick around...

My point was more about filling out the roster...

When you try to go with 10 players, you can't afford to "miss" on any recruits.

A few of our freshmen just aren't ready to compete at a super high level.
 
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shutzhund

All-Conference
Nov 19, 2005
29,202
2,619
0
Help is on the way with our recruits next year - PROVIDED we land a really talented big like Brown, Bancheros or someone else who is just as good. As Cal has said time and again, 'A team with no inside presence is a bogus team'.

Well for right now he seems dedicated to proving that little gem.
 
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ScrooDook92

All-Conference
Jun 26, 2019
1,772
1,231
0
Help is on the way with our recruits next year - PROVIDED we land a really talented big like Brown, Bancheros or someone else who is just as good. As Cal has said time and again, 'A team with no inside presence is a bogus team'.
Once again, with the rather predictable circle weave offense Cal teaches, next year's guys will do what this (and all the years past) year's guys do: pass it round on the perimeter until either (a) the ball handler can find a way to dribble through the zone or (b) throw up a prayer with 5 seconds left while the big guys fight for positioning at the free throw line or behind the backboard.
 

ScrooDook92

All-Conference
Jun 26, 2019
1,772
1,231
0
Whitney and Juzang are almost non factors at this point, and if you're not going to use all your scholarships, you can't afford to have any recruiting "misses".

I think that some good multi year players like Derek Willis and Dominique Hawkins to fill out the ENTIRE allotment of scholarships would make a huge difference on this team.
I noticed at least twice in the game that Juzang would hind behind another player when doing something stupid. Think Cal noticed?
 
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bassworship

Heisman
Nov 7, 2018
11,600
37,226
98
This is Cal's most experienced team since 2015. I had hoped more experience would offset lesser talent but that's not been the case. Cal needs elite talent to win.

So does experience without talent mean much? The last 3 classes by scouts have been considered some of the least talented outside the top 5 or so players that's come out of high school in years. Yes we are returning players that still aren't that talented or skilled. Our biggest failure the last 3-4 years have been the inability to land at least 1 difference maker big.
 

KopiKat

All-Conference
Nov 2, 2006
14,018
4,757
0
Matt Jones is talented.

He can see the future..
Not uncommon among such progeny. You can pick up more than just a random hint of old Carpathian people in Matt Jones. And besides, Calipari isn't exactly the sort that doesn't go about giving strong hints. Such as when he flatly tells you that new freshman will always be more important than the winningest program in the history of men's division 1, or when he comes back 20 lbs. heavier after finally winning that long sought after national title. Heck, anybody can be a gypsy.
 
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Elliott Tim

All-American
Dec 10, 2005
10,122
6,290
0
Nailed it.
 

seccats04

Heisman
Dec 6, 2004
14,537
23,461
113
So does experience without talent mean much? The last 3 classes by scouts have been considered some of the least talented outside the top 5 or so players that's come out of high school in years. Yes we are returning players that still aren't that talented or skilled. Our biggest failure the last 3-4 years have been the inability to land at least 1 difference maker big.
It's almost like Cal spends more time on the freshmen rather than developing returning players. I guess that's why so many of these marginal players like Baker, Quade, Wiltjer, Marcus Lee, etc transfer. They know he's trying to recruit over them and they won't get developed.
 

KopiKat

All-Conference
Nov 2, 2006
14,018
4,757
0
It's almost like Cal spends more time on the freshmen rather than developing returning players. I guess that's why so many of these marginal players like Baker, Quade, Wiltjer, Marcus Lee, etc transfer. They know he's trying to recruit over them and they won't get developed.
There is no 'almost' . . . that is John Calipari 101. Advanced programs are self-studies. Except for those "special needs" students he never is willing to give up on until some odd point after their performance has improved well enough for him to be unsatisfied (e.g. Briscoe, coming soon to a theater near Richards).

The main thing about Calipari is he has needs of his own, and he depends hugely on player ability to satisfy those needs. Unfortunately, it is becoming more and more difficult for UK fans to resist accepting that JC's needs intersect with his coaching skills, which do not appear to be as elite as the talent he is frequently able to collect.

I agree Anthony Davis is the best player ever at UK. Calipari won a title with him. I also agree that 1996 is our best team ever. We lost 2 games that year, both to teams that also made the final four, one of which was led by the next best player ever recruited by Coach Cal, Marcus Camby. These are once or twice in a lifetime players. He goes through a lot to get to them.