Kyle Tucker Tweet

[kyjeff1]

Maxey, Richards, and Hagans are gone, IMHO.

Quickley should come back if Cal will give him a shot at PG. If Cal wants him to play on the wing again, there is no reason to return. His stock only rises if he plays PG.

Montgomery needs to come back and continue to work hard to get stronger.

If both return, we are in excellent shape for a title run.

Starters

G Quickley
G Clarke
G Boston
F Brooks
F Montgomery

Bench

G Askew
G Allen
G Juzang
F Fletcher
F Ware
F Jackson

Talent, experience, and depth. That team would check all the boxes.

Man, I love that starting lineup. But I bet Cal brings in another guy or two for the front court. Possibly a grad transfer. He puts a lot of stock in having big, long dudes in the post.

But IQ, Boston and Clarke in the back court would terrorize college-basketball next year.

 

[BBallin23]

Why is Richards projected so low? I would expect him to go mid first round. Some mocks have him listed towards the end of the second. What am I missing here?

He’s a big who doesn’t shoot threes. NBA bigs today have to be good 3 point shooters.

 

[catswin]

The Quickley religious factor is way over blown. There is no way they are thinking that a degree is more important than a multi-million dollar guaranteed contract. IQ isn’t busting his *** for the fun of it. He is as determined to be a pro as any college player.

 

[BBallin23]

Maxey, Richards, and Hagans are gone, IMHO.

Quickley should come back if Cal will give him a shot at PG. If Cal wants him to play on the wing again, there is no reason to return. His stock only rises if he plays PG.

Montgomery needs to come back and continue to work hard to get stronger.

If both return, we are in excellent shape for a title run.

Starters

G Quickley
G Clarke
G Boston
F Brooks
F Montgomery

Bench

G Askew
G Allen
G Juzang
F Fletcher
F Ware
F Jackson

Talent, experience, and depth. That team would check all the boxes.

I would still add a grad transfer big who’s bulky and 7 feet. Don’t have enought height or bulk in the post.

 

[kyjeff1]

He’s a big who doesn’t shoot threes. NBA bigs today have to be good 3 point shooters.

Yeah, but NR has shown the ability to step out and hit 15 footers, so he has a very good shooting ability, which means he can certainly develop a 3 point shot.

The NBA drafts on potential, well, NR has plenty of potential. I have no idea why his projected draft spot is so low, but I can guarantee an NBA team could turn him into a legit outside threat.

 

[kyjeff1]

The Quickley religious factor is way over blown. There is no way they are thinking that a degree is more important than a multi-million dollar guaranteed contract. IQ isn’t busting his *** for the fun of it. He is as determined to be a pro as any college player.

Where are you seeing a multi million dollar guaranteed contract?????

Lets be clear, IQ is not a lottery pick, he's not even a first round pick, heck, he's shown in the mid to late 2nd round. There are no guarantees when you get picked that low.

 

[jrpross_rivals]

Yeah, but NR has shown the ability to step out and hit 15 footers, so he has a very good shooting ability, which means he can certainly develop a 3 point shot.

The NBA drafts on potential, well, NR has plenty of potential. I have no idea why his projected draft spot is so low, but I can guarantee an NBA team could turn him into a legit outside threat.

As thrilled as I’ve been with Richards this year, I did notice that his production was much more limited against solid competition. Maybe it was just me but it seemed like when the other team had a solid big guy he ended up with more of a 12 and 6 kind of game.

Mind you, I’m not a scout, but perhaps that’s part of the reason. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[catswin]

Where are you seeing a multi million dollar guaranteed contract?????

Lets be clear, IQ is not a lottery pick, he's not even a first round pick, heck, he's shown in the mid to late 2nd round. There are no guarantees when you get picked that low.

Do you follow NBA at all? Guys like Hamidou and Vanderbilt and Wenyen all have guaranteed contracts that are multi million dollar deals. None were drafted in first round.

 

[kyjeff1]

As thrilled as I’ve been with Richards this year, I did notice that his production was much more limited against solid competition. Maybe it was just me but it seemed like when the other team had a solid big guy he ended up with more of a 12 and 6 kind of game.

Mind you, I’m not a scout, but perhaps that’s part of the reason. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Yeah, that could be, but I have to believe the NBA could turn him into a nice weapon. He is a 7 footer with really good athleticism, he's long and he has good footwork.

But I'm not an NBA scout either, I have no clue why he isn't higher in the predictions.

Heck, it's been proven that UK guys translate better to the NBA than most, that alone should move him into the first round.

 

[kyjeff1]

Do you follow NBA at all? Guys like Hamidou and Vanderbilt and Wenyen all have guaranteed contracts that are multi million dollar deals. None were drafted in first round.

You don't see the difference between IQ and those three dudes?

You have no clue what you're looking at. All three of those guys have elite athletesism. Two of them have length to go with that athleticism.

IQ is 6'3" with average (at best) athletesism. There are literally hundreds of guys in the GL and overseas with better measurables and better game, but you keep believing that every 2nd rounder is going to get a guaranteed contract.

 

[catswin]

You don't see the difference between IQ and those three dudes?

You have no clue what you're looking at. All three of those guys have elite athletesism. Two of them have length to go with that athleticism.

IQ is 6'3" with average (at best) athletesism. There are literally hundreds of guys in the GL and overseas with better measurables and better game, but you keep believing that every 2nd rounder is going to get a guaranteed contract.

Obviously you must not have watched UK the last 5 years. The three guys that are all multi millionaires that I listed had and still have almost ZERO offensive game. IQ is not a 6 foot OK scoring guard. He is a 6-3 20 year old scoring machine.

 

[ubtrapper_rivals103836]

Providing we have a season next Fall, I would love to see IQ and EJ back for sure.

We are going to need experience and meaningful experience. Guys that have played as much as those two. If so, it's going to be a fun one!

 

[kyjeff1]

Obviously you must not have watched UK the last 5 years. The three guys that are all multi millionaires that I listed had and still have almost ZERO offensive game. IQ is not a 6 foot OK scoring guard. He is a 6-3 20 year old scoring machine.

You put the words "guaranteed millions" in the same sentence as the words "second round pick", sorry, but the 2 don't mix. There are no guarantees with regards to the second round.

For every Wenyon Gabriel/Hami Diallo/Jared Vanderbilt, there are hundreds of guys, not much different that IQ, that never make it. Those guys have to go overseas to make okay money.

You just can't win this discussion man, there is no guarantee of NBA millions when you are a second round pick.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

He’s a big who doesn’t shoot threes. NBA bigs today have to be good 3 point shooters.

Richards has the touch and form to develop that shot though. He’s really good from the line as well and they take that into development for shooting. He already developed a good 15-17 foot shot this year.

 

[dnabbott25]

Man, that's crazy. I just don't see how anyone takes Ash in the first or 2nd round. I can't imagine that is accurate, but, we shall see.

Heck, the way things are going, there might not even be a draft. UK is the one program that would benefit the most in that scenario.

Here's the thing most people on this board don't get....The NBA is different. It's a league that takes a couple of dominant players and surrounds them with "specialty" players. Specialty meaning rebounder or 3 point shooter, rim protector, etc.

This is why you see guys that are dominant players in college become average NBA guys.

Example: Tyler Hansbrough/UNC
Accomplishments:

High School: back to back state champ, gatorade player of the year, McDonalds All American

College: North Carolina
Only player in ACC history to win All ACC team 4 years in a row.
Named 1st team All American 4 years in a row. (Think about that for a minute)

Named Naismith National Player of the year
National Champion
This dude broke a 51 year old record for free throw % at UNC. Dude once hit 17 straight free throws in a game vs Clemson

He literally could score, play D, hit his free throws, won every award at every level imaginable.

He was 6'-9" 250 lbs and was known for being very tough, durable, was a standout character guy.

SO the point is, with these accolades why on earth would he need another year of college?? He didn't, but the NBA is a different man.

BUT, when it came time for the NBA:
Picked by the Pacers 13th overall. (why would anyone with these stats be so low as 13th?)

Only played 7 seasons in the NBA, and has since been in the G-League and China.

So what's the point in this post? The NBA is different, man. That's why if you look at an NBA roster (do it, google a few) you'll not even recognize the names of 1/4 of the rosters. And some guys you'll even laugh at and say how on earth is that guy in the league. It's simple. The contract values in the NBA is so big that they use a formula to take a few stars (lebron, steph, A.D.) and surround them by role players. The big name guys get the big money and the role players get the scraps.

Because the NBA doesn't take the best players, they take position of need first, followed by specialty players. They have a formula that they follow where each team has 2-3 alpha players followed by 2-3 support role guys followed by a bunch of "Specialty/role Players", These are guys that are really really good at 1 thing. Maybe its shooting 3's or a lockdown defender, or a rebounder, or rim protector. These type of guys will have a home in the league for over a decade v.s. guys like Tyler Hansbrough who won everything imaginable. That's why I say guys like Haggans (defender) will get drafted, and not only that but he will be on n NBA roster longer than many superstar 5 star players we sign at UK.

Example: Skal Labissiere
Dude was a 5 star recruit out of high school, a 1 and done at UK (with almost 0 stats) and is currently in his 6th season in the NBA for the Atlanta Hawks. His stats show almost nothing, but his is a 7' man who operates and is happy doing so as a practice player who helps your team on the practice squad. You can put him in and he plays defense and protects the rim while he's in. He only shoots 5 shots a game but hits 3.9% of them. He stays out of trouble and you can pay him the league minimum.

So I say again, guys that are specialty players are valuable to the NBA. This is why you have the big name guys like LeBron, Steph and then you have the career role players like Skal and Kyle Korver. Korver would be dead last in most NBA workout categories but he would be 1st in one category = 3 point shooting. He shoots it its going in, Thats why he's been in the NBA for a decade.

And this is why I say guys like Haggans are "Value Added" to the NBA. Haggans can lock down a point guard. Period. And he will be drafted, and he will be in the league 5 years after a top recruit we sign 5 years from now. Its just the way it is fellas.

 

[STL_Cat]

Hagans can gamble, disrupt passing lanes, and get a lot of steals that way.

I’ve not seen the evidence that he can “lock down” an NBA point guard. (I know, he did it one game early in his freshman season).

 

[wildcatdon]

Few gets 1-3 big centers every year and usually they are very good. And usually not 5 stars. Cal needs to expand the recruiting parameters and the base he pulls from.

 

[dnabbott25]

Hagans can gamble, disrupt passing lanes, and get a lot of steals that way.

I’ve not seen the evidence that he can “lock down” an NBA point guard. (I know, he did it one game early in his freshman season).

The "tape" is out on him. Teams game plan for him and thats why. But he can and has definitely demonstrated that he can lock down. He actually did that for about 8 games his freshman year, which, by the way, was really his high school senior year because he re-classified. With time that skill will only multiply. In the NBA he won't be asked to score 20 a game or lead a team at the point. He will be used to make the team's guards better in practice, and he will be put in during situations where he can focus on eliminating the production of 1 player during a game/playoff game. And if he doesn't have to do all the other stuff, and he is fresh, he can do that. That is why he and players like Skal will be in the league for a long time.

Guys like Anthony Davis and Lebron carry the load, guys like Skal and Haggans have a spot on the team for a decade and do what they do best when asked. Thats the NBA.

 

[Wildcats1st]

If Quickley comes back he should be the starting 2G not the point. Stop building a team based on what it does for someone's draft prospects. Playing PG in the NBA is very different than playing PG in college. So even if we tried to do that IQ would still have major questions about moving to the point in the NBA. Besides you are best served by highlighting the things you do well and let the NBA worry about the question marks, rather than highlighting the things you struggle at. Bring IQ and make him the teams best scorer. Put a team including a PG around him that features him. I bet IQ scores over 20 per game and will be back to back best player in the SEC. Plus the team will look better an that will make him far more appealing to the NBA than if he were to produce meager numbers in a different role.

I still remember us making this same mistake with Tony Delk in the 90's. TD was a very poor PG and the team struggled. Move TD back to his best position and we win a title, TD was an All American and the NBA drafted him much higher than they would have if we left him at point.

Quickley led us to victory at the point vs number 5 Houston last year. He came out of hs as a pg but was relegated to a two. The guy has what it takes quit making things up based on what’s popular talking point. Sheesh

 

[STL_Cat]

The "tape" is out on him. Teams game plan for him and thats why. But he can and has definitely demonstrated that he can lock down. He actually did that for about 8 games his freshman year, which, by the way, was really his high school senior year because he re-classified. With time that skill will only multiply. In the NBA he won't be asked to score 20 a game or lead a team at the point. He will be used to make the team's guards better in practice, and he will be put in during situations where he can focus on eliminating the production of 1 player during a game/playoff game. And if he doesn't have to do all the other stuff, and he is fresh, he can do that. That is why he and players like Skal will be in the league for a long time.

Guys like Anthony Davis and Lebron carry the load, guys like Skal and Haggans have a spot on the team for a decade and do what they do best when asked. Thats the NBA.

Please spell his name right, first of all. It’s Hagans.

And I’ll bet you a coke IF he gets drafted, it’s very late in the 2nd round.

 

[CatsPaws270]

Roster as of now with that tweet?

Point guard: 5 star McDAA Junior and reigning SEC POY Immanuel Quickley.

Shooting guard: BJ Boston....a top 5 player and elite NBA talent

Wing: Terrence Clarke....another top 5 talent and NBA lottery prospect

Forward: Sophomore and returning blue chipper Keion Brooks Jr.

Center/Forward: Former top 10 recruit, a junior returning starter, EJ Montgomery.

Bench:
Returning...Johnny Juzang who played some big minutes this year. Dontaie Allen who got to practice and be around the team for a year...may or may not play a big role but he's not a new face.

Recruits: Devin Askew who would start and dominate for 99% of the teams in the country as our backup point. Jackson, Fletcher, and Ware are all high level forwards who can add depth at the end of the bench.

That's preseason #1 right there

 

[LowCountryCat]

This concept of quickley coming back at point guard just so he can improve his draft status is a bunch of confirmation bias and tortured logic. He is gone and that is that. Stop daydreaming about what this team could be and start being realistic.

 

[loublue22_rivals308424]

stunning insight there

 

[CatsPaws270]

This concept of quickley coming back at point guard just so he can improve his draft status is a bunch of confirmation bias and tortured logic. He is gone and that is that. Stop daydreaming about what this team could be and start being realistic.

The concept of a player not coming back who isn't on any draft board is confirmation bias and tortured logic. Stop daydreaming and be realistic.

 

[CincinnatiWildcat]

The big thing about quickley coming back to me is he is always in the gym and would get Boston and Clarke in there with him and teach them how to put in the work. If Boston and Clarke put up as many shots as IQ does from the summer through the season combined with their natural basketball skill look out

 

[anon_013cn8yrfncx2]

Why is Richards projected so low? I would expect him to go mid first round. Some mocks have him listed towards the end of the second. What am I missing here?

Because he’s a 4 year player as far as development goes. Some team could obviously take a chance in the late first round but he’s a project right now for the league.

Should eventually be an NBA backup if the development continues. No reason to think it won’t.

 

[jmp94]

Crazy thing is that Clarke May be better than Boston.

I believe he is better than Boston.

 

[anon_dge1vx8o0wnm7]

NBA draft.net is the one to follow. Its the one that is actually "connected" to the league. Thats where I saw it. Here is the link....

https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/

Not to be that guy but nbadraft.net is usually one of the worst places to go for draft info.

 

[Col. Angus]

1. Quickley
2. Montgomery
3. Allen
4. Juzang
5. Brooks
6. Askew
7. Boston
8. Clarke
9. Fletcher
10. Ware
11. Jackson
12. grad transfer big

Looks pretty damn good to me.

Quickley, Boston, Clarke, Brooks, Montgomery would probably be the best starting lineup in the country.

 

[Wildcats1st]

He’s a big who doesn’t shoot threes. NBA bigs today have to be good 3 point shooters.

But nick is money from the line. I bet given the green light nick could be a 3 point threat

 

[Wildcats1st]

1. Quickley
2. Montgomery
3. Allen
4. Juzang
5. Brooks
6. Askew
7. Boston
8. Clarke
9. Fletcher
10. Ware
11. Jackson
12. grad transfer big

Looks pretty damn good to me.

Quickley, Boston, Clarke, Brooks, Montgomery would probably be the best starting lineup in the country.

Cal would hate that team bc too many mouths to feed. I have a feeling cal will run iq out so he doesn’t have to worry about pleasing Clark Boston askew. It sucks but that’s cals system and why this program won’t win anymore titles with him at the helm. My hope is cal swallows his pride and creates a burning desire for another title. Upperclassmen bring title not freshman heavy teams. IQ and ej are a must for next season if we are to be serious title contenders

 

[hotelblue]

Cal would hate that team bc too many mouths to feed. I have a feeling cal will run iq out so he doesn’t have to worry about pleasing Clark Boston askew. It sucks but that’s cals system and why this program won’t win anymore titles with him at the helm. My hope is cal swallows his pride and creates a burning desire for another title. Upperclassmen bring title not freshman heavy teams. IQ and ej are a must for next season if we are to be serious title contenders

we’re contenders whether quickley comes back or not imo. and by serious contender you mean overwhelming favorite.

 

[Hoptowntiger78]

I definitely do not see Hagans getting drafted. I said nick had a chance not to get selected eithier.....I can no doubt be definitely wrong too lol.

Here is to the both of them! Good luck young cats!

 

[Wildcats1st]

we’re contenders whether quickley comes back or not imo. and by serious contender you mean overwhelming favorite.

Yeah I’m talking about a team that is a likely lock for a 1 seed vs a team trying to figure it out for December and nov ending up a 2 seed. 5 years since we were a number 1 seed.

 

[LowCountryCat]

The concept of a player not coming back who isn't on any draft board is confirmation bias and tortured logic. Stop daydreaming and be realistic.

Oh, you believe Quickley won't be drafted? That's delusional and wishful thinking. He's only the SEC POY. Those trying to 'analyze' why he should return are only able to nitpick his imagined weaknesses because he doesn't fit a square peg into some imaginary round hole and they use this to make themselves feel hopeful that he's going to return so they can fantasize about him rounding out a super 2015 type team next season. It's not going to happen.

 

[fisherscat]

You don't see the difference between IQ and those three dudes?

You have no clue what you're looking at. All three of those guys have elite athletesism. Two of them have length to go with that athleticism.

IQ is 6'3" with average (at best) athletesism. There are literally hundreds of guys in the GL and overseas with better measurables and better game, but you keep believing that every 2nd rounder is going to get a guaranteed contract.

Better comparisons would be Lamb, Harrow, Goodwin, even Ullis.

 

[fisherscat]

Oh, you believe Quickley won't be drafted? That's delusional and wishful thinking. He's only the SEC POY. Those trying to 'analyze' why he should return are only able to nitpick his imagined weaknesses because he doesn't fit a square peg into some imaginary round hole and they use this to make themselves feel hopeful that he's going to return so they can fantasize about him rounding out a super 2015 type team next season. It's not going to happen.

You have no idea. Reasonable posters have simply noted his lack of being drafted in the first round by reputable mock drafts.

Are you guaranteeing he will be a first round draft pick?

 

[bucsrule8872]

1. Quickley
2. Montgomery
3. Allen
4. Juzang
5. Brooks
6. Askew
7. Boston
8. Clarke
9. Fletcher
10. Ware
11. Jackson
12. grad transfer big

Looks pretty damn good to me.

Quickley, Boston, Clarke, Brooks, Montgomery would probably be the best starting lineup in the country.

Agree with this post except I doubt we add a grad transfer if Montgomery returns. Montgomery, Jackson, Ware, and Brooks give us a pretty deep rotation at the 4-5. Plus Fletcher can play the 4 in a small ball situation, if need be. Just not enough minutes for another big. And 11 scholarship guys is pretty typical for Cal.

 

[Col. Angus]

Agree with this post except I doubt we add a grad transfer if Montgomery returns. Montgomery, Jackson, Ware, and Brooks give us a pretty deep rotation at the 4-5. Plus Fletcher can play the 4 in a small ball situation, if need be. Just not enough minutes for another big. And 11 scholarship guys is pretty typical for Cal.

Cal is rumored to already have a grad transfer big locked in like Travis 2 years ago.

 

[bookerfan66]

Cal is rumored to already have a grad transfer big locked in like Travis 2 years ago.

Interesting.I wonder who it could be?