Starting Lineup Conundrum

[jameslee32]

Starters
Grady- Senior/Grad Transfer
Fredrick- Junior
A11en- Redshirt Soph
Brooks- Junior
Oscar- Junior

6th Man
Toppin- Junior

Bench
Ware- Soph
Collins- Freshman
Hopkins- Freshman

I can remember way back to the OAD era at Kentucky.
All I can see right now is a college veteran movement.
It's going to be hard to keep both Allen and Toppin out of the starting lineup at this point.
Is this the upperclassman dream scenario in the transfer portal era so far??

 

[STL_Cat]

I like the idea of Grady, Allen, and Fredrick on the floor together. Only problem is I don't really see a PG on the floor there.

 

[LEDGENDARY]

Lol, Allen and Fredrick won't start. Mintz starts at the 2 and Grady will start at the 3. Whichever pg we get starts at the 1.

 

[jameslee32]

Right now this is the conundrum. We may lose Mintz who's not a PG. Jackson is as good as gone also I would say at this point.

 

[Padsfs07]

I have Brooks starting at the 4 as well, but I wouldn't be surprised if Collins starts over him there. Calipari may even start Brooks at the 3 over Fredrick/Allen/Grady, but bring them in rather quickly after the game starts.

 

[UKhoopCat]

Looking more likely that TyTy will be our point guard next year.

We'll find out a week from Saturday.

 

[jameslee32]

I guess the point is sure we don't have a PG right now. But look at the options at other positions. Several older players the BBN has been coveting for years now.

 

[jgraf1]

lead guard is the hole that needs to be filled

right now the roster breaks down like this

guards/wings:
grady
allen
frederick

forwards:
toppin
collins
hopkins

bigs:
tshiebwe
ware

brooks could be added to forwards and mintz to guards/wings

need a point or 2. as we saw, mintz can play point but i'd rather he be the backup point.

 

[Drcats2025]

Let’s not put the cart before the horse on Brooks just yet.

 

[G-PIP]

Looking more likely that TyTy will be our point guard next year.

We'll find out a week from Saturday.

With Hickman decommitting, I would be beyond thrilled to see UK pick up Washington. I mean as far as fans can see from the outside, UK is in pure desperation mode at the PG position right now. So, it seems ungrateful and spoiled to say "yeah, but..." Nevertheless, here I go.... yeah, but I would still hope UK's starting PG comes from the transfer portal - perhaps a guy not yet in the portal who withdraws from the draft.

 

[jameslee32]

I can see a veteran PG wanting to be a part of this. Look at all the others who've taken that road basically since Reid Travis. It's not perfect but I would like to think a veteran group can jell as a team as good or better than an all freshman lineup that doesn't even understand the game yet in many, many instances.

 

[BassProCat]

I can see a veteran PG wanting to be a part of this. Look at all the others who've taken that road basically since Reid Travis. It's not perfect but I would like to think a veteran group can jell as a team as good or better than an all freshman lineup that doesn't even understand the game yet in many, many instances.

Hopefully that veteran PG is Jose Alvarado.

 

[davekersey]

I don't think the coaching staff is in desperation about a point guard but I do think the fan base is

 

[kywildcat1021979]

I can see Collins in that starting lineup with Oscar and Grady as for the other 2 I have no clue.

 

[Yardeth]

I don’t want the coaching staff to ever get desperate, but after going 9-16 I think their seats are Hot and if they don’t find a good lead guard we are going to be in trouble.

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

Imo Brooks is more than capable at the 3 or 4. Just a matter if he'll be off the bench or not.

Mintz wouldn't start over Grady imo.

We need a pg that will force the defense to react. Otherwise these shooters will be shooting contested shots, which isn't good. Mintz is a capable pg though if we can't get anyone else. He showed last season with a ball screen he can get downhill.

 

[jameslee32]

In the transfer portal era, it's a whole lot easier being Kentucky than Northern Kentucky.

 

[FinalF]

Starters

PG Carr or Alvarado (l believe we get one of the 2, I would be happy with either).

2. Grady.
3. Allen.
4. Collins. I think he has a Jackson like impact next year. But there could be a surprise here like Bagley or Gurrier. If that’s the case I could see Ware’s minutes fade as the year goes on.
5. Oscar.

Rotation
CJ
Toppin
Ware
Tyty

This is contingent on Mintz and Brooks leaving but the way our luck has been with retention I don’t think anyone can fault me for leaving them out.

 

[kywildcat1021979]

In the transfer portal era, it's a whole lot easier being Kentucky than Northern Kentucky.

This is so true!

 

[BlueLegends]

I just don’t see Allen starting. Not trying to harsh or skeptical on Allen, I just don’t see Cal ever having that kind of confidence in Allen.

And I could easily be wrong, or am wrong, but I don’t see Allen as a starter on any team with national championship aspirations, but I thought that about Juzang too and lookie what he did.

 

[dave5164]

With Cal reaching out to transfer Forwards in Syracuse Quincy Guerrier and ASU Marcus Bagley it looks like maybe Brooks is transferring? It just seems like if Brooks is 100% returning would Cal be reaching out to these two transfer forwards?

 

[MWes11]

There is absolutely zero doubt in my mind we will get a very good PG on next year's roster. Too much smoke with the Hickman decommitment. He has to know that either Carr, Tyty, Hardy, or Mintz will be on the roster next year, and maybe more than just one of them. He doesn't just decommit for no reason if he knew he would be running the show next year.

 

[Anon1723990757]

I don't think the coaching staff is in desperation about a point guard but I do think the fan base is

I won't be surprised if Washington picks ky. I've heard it's down to ky and Arizona. To be honest Alvarado is my pick over anyone I've seen. Mature. Shoots the lights out. Proven. I'll take him and Mintz back. Mintz really come on toward the end of the year. I'm hearing Jackson may come back. I wonder if that's not what he really wants

 

[Cats192]

I think there's a decent chance Fredrick starts. He's an elite shooter, and we need to work to get him open looks.

PG: ?
SG: Frederick
SF: Grady
PF: Brooks
C: Oscar

If Mintz comes back, he could start at PG, he could push Frederick to the bench, lots of options.

 

[Doc4UK!]

Hopefully that veteran PG is Jose Alvarado.

I totally agree Four years of starting experience trumps any first year PG in Cal’s system

 

[Doc4UK!]

I think there's a decent chance Fredrick starts. He's an elite shooter, and we need to work to get him open looks.

PG: ?
SG: Frederick
SF: Grady
PF: Brooks
C: Oscar

If Mintz comes back, he could start at PG, he could push Frederick to the bench, lots of options.

Mintz is not as good as Frederick. The latter was a starter and often scored double digits for a top five team. Mintz is a nice player but Frederick and Grady are better options

 

[bigblue1971]

I think we get Washington and Alvarado.

Washington
Alvarado
Grady
Collins
Tshiebwe

 

[BigBlueFan19]

I think we get Washington and Alvarado.

Washington
Alvarado
Grady
Collins
Tshiebwe

I don’t like the idea of a 6’0 shooting guard but that’s just me.

 

[JonathanW_rivals]

Our starting PG is not on the team yet, and we don't know who it will be.
Also I don't really care about who starts, what really matters is the minutes. And even that is difficult to estimate not knowing how many or who will be added. But assuming we add a PG, and one more guard (Mintz or transfer), and one other player

I want to see:
PG (TBA) getting 30
Grady 25-30
UNK Guard 25-30
Fredrick 18-25
Allen 15-23
Brooks 20-25
Toppin 20-25
Oscar 25-30
Collins 18-25
UNK player 15-25
But that's too many minutes, and probably too many players playing significant minutes UNLESS we do go PLATOON again, which could be a good idea depending on the final roster.

 

[phyrekat]

Starters
Grady- Senior/Grad Transfer
Fredrick- Junior
A11en- Redshirt Soph
Brooks- Junior
Oscar- Junior

6th Man
Toppin- Junior

Bench
Ware- Soph
Collins- Freshman
Hopkins- Freshman

I can remember way back to the OAD era at Kentucky.
All I can see right now is a college veteran movement.
It's going to be hard to keep both Allen and Toppin out of the starting lineup at this point.
Is this the upperclassman dream scenario in the transfer portal era so far??

If anyone can find a way to, it's Cal

 

[Sparkaces]

PG: Unknown starter 25 Minutes/Unknown backup 15 minutes
SG: Grady 30 Min/Fredrick 10
SF: This is where it gets interesting: Allen 20 min, Fredrick 10 Min, Toppin 10 Min
PF: Toppin 10 Min/Collins 20 Min/Hopkins 10 Mins
C: Oscar 25 min/Collins 10/Ware 5

 

[G-PIP]

Our starting PG is not on the team yet, and we don't know who it will be.
Also I don't really care about who starts, what really matters is the minutes. And even that is difficult to estimate not knowing how many or who will be added. But assuming we add a PG, and one more guard (Mintz or transfer), and one other player

I want to see:
PG (TBA) getting 30
Grady 25-30
UNK Guard 25-30
Fredrick 18-25
Allen 15-23
Brooks 20-25
Toppin 20-25
Oscar 25-30
Collins 18-25
UNK player 15-25
But that's too many minutes, and probably too many players playing significant minutes UNLESS we do go PLATOON again, which could be a good idea depending on the final roster.

The Platoon was brilliant. It was a brilliant coaching move, and it produced brilliant results. I want it every year! But, I think you probably have to have a pretty unique and hard-to-come-by roster for it to really work well. I wouldn't be ready to put a label like that on UK's roster next season - yet, anyway.

 

[The_Catfather]

I think Tyty and Mintz would be our best, most realistic options to fill out the backcourt. Mintz isn't flashy, but he's solid as it gets, and you can write him down for 12-14 ppg, plus the ability to spell Washington at PG. The question is, what direction does Cal go to replace Mintz if necessary, assuming we get Washington? Another lead guard that can co-exist with Washington, or a combo guard from the portal? Once we add two more guards your rotation there is pretty much set and I don't think you add another unless it's purely for depth and the understanding there's not a lot of playing time available the first season.

Who knows about the frontcourt. There's still an inkling of hope Jackson returns. Assuming he doesn't, we're probably set there unless Brooks transfers. I like Brooks, and think he'd fare a lot better with a competent backcourt, but he's pretty easily replaceable if we're being honest.

Ideally, if Brooks stays, I'd like to fill out the roster with a multi-year big man that's OK with being an emergency minutes guy. It's going to get to the point where your primary guys need to play and you can't risk pissing them off and transferring out after the season. It's the nature of the beast these days.

 

[Ryan Lemonds Hair]

Our starting PG is not on the team yet, and we don't know who it will be.
Also I don't really care about who starts, what really matters is the minutes. And even that is difficult to estimate not knowing how many or who will be added. But assuming we add a PG, and one more guard (Mintz or transfer), and one other player

I want to see:
PG (TBA) getting 30
Grady 25-30
UNK Guard 25-30
Fredrick 18-25
Allen 15-23
Brooks 20-25
Toppin 20-25
Oscar 25-30
Collins 18-25
UNK player 15-25
But that's too many minutes, and probably too many players playing significant minutes UNLESS we do go PLATOON again, which could be a good idea depending on the final roster.

 

[ryanbruner]

Washington-Transfer/Recruit or Mintz
Frederick-Allen
Grady-Hopkins
Brooks-Toppin-Collins
Oscar-Collins-Ware

 

[G-PIP]

I just don’t see Allen starting. Not trying to harsh or skeptical on Allen, I just don’t see Cal ever having that kind of confidence in Allen.

And I could easily be wrong, or am wrong, but I don’t see Allen as a starter on any team with national championship aspirations, but I thought that about Juzang too and lookie what he did.

You certainly could be right about Allen. You get a lot of credibility with me for being one of those rarer and rarer people today who have the wisdom and confidence to acknowledge it's an opinion and you might be wrong. In fact, although I disagree with you, your opinion almost certainly has a better factual basis (i.e., what we've seen to date from Allen at the college level) than mine. Actually, my opinion is more of a hope, but it is based on what I think I've seen in Allen's game (including at the high school level).

In my opinion, Allen has the potential to be a high level college scorer (and even a player in the NBA). I believe he has a innate special gift for putting the basketball in the hole (a la Larry Bird and George Gervin), and the length and athleticism to make it work against better competition. I think he is made for "an old man game" (like the aforementioned Bird or Gervin or many others we could mention that were successful with it) that is deadly in regard to scoring from all over the floor, not just behind the 3 pt. line. In fact, I'm pretty confident about Allen's physical ability and God given gifts to do this. But, I'm not yet sure about his mental makeup to do it. To become that, a young man would have to have some high level self-confidence and vision about himself and what he's trying to do on the floor - and even then it might take more time to fully develop.

Still, I'm going with the guess that Allen is the starting SF next season, and by year's end we're seeing a college scoring machine developing before our eyes. I may be engaging in a crazy level of wishful thinking, but I think Allen has that potential, and I'm going to bet he can get there.

 

[bigblue1971]

Anyone who thinks Cal is gonna run 4 guards out there around Tshiebwe hasn't been watching UK basketball the last 10 years. There will be a combination of 3 guards out there most of the time but there will always be at least 2 bigs on the court and alot of the time Cal is gonna play Toppin, Brooks, or Hopkins at the 3. He loves big lineups. Alot of fans are caught up in the "today's game is all 5 starters have to be 6'5" and can shoot." You have to be able to rebound too. A SF can still be over 6'5" and a PF can still be over 6'7"!!

 

[akaukswoosh]

Lol, Allen and Fredrick won't start. Mintz starts at the 2 and Grady will start at the 3. Whichever pg we get starts at the 1.

Exactly. There is no conundrum. The only conundrum right now is we have no PGs.

 

[HagginHall1999]

You certainly could be right about Allen. You get a lot of credibility with me for being one of those rarer and rarer people today who have the wisdom and confidence to acknowledge it's an opinion and you might be wrong. In fact, although I disagree with you, your opinion almost certainly has a better factual basis (i.e., what we've seen to date from Allen at the college level) than mine. Actually, my opinion is more of a hope, but it is based on what I think I've seen in Allen's game (including at the high school level).

In my opinion, Allen has the potential to be a high level college scorer (and even a player in the NBA). I believe he has a innate special gift for putting the basketball in the hole (a la Larry Bird and George Gervin), and the length and athleticism to make it work against better competition. I think he is made for "an old man game" (like the aforementioned Bird or Gervin or many others we could mention that were successful with it) that is deadly in regard to scoring from all over the floor, not just behind the 3 pt. line. In fact, I'm pretty confident about Allen's physical ability and God given gifts to do this. But, I'm not yet sure about his mental makeup to do it. To become that, a young man would have to have some high level self-confidence and vision about himself and what he's trying to do on the floor - and even then it might take more time to fully develop.

Still, I'm going with the guess that Allen is the starting SF next season, and by year's end we're seeing a college scoring machine developing before our eyes. I may be engaging in a crazy level of wishful thinking, but I think Allen has that potential, and I'm going to bet he can get there.

I think this is a good take on Allen.

He is clearly a natural scorer. From what I've seen he needs to work on being engaged in the offense non stop. He is good at finding spots but not great at getting open.

I am expecting big things from him. If it clicks I think he is a kid who could average 20+ ppg in college eventually.

 

[cats#1again]

Exactly. There is no conundrum. The only conundrum right now is we have no PGs.

There's absolutely zero chance that A. Brooks keeps Collins off the floor and B Hopkins doesn't get significant playing time or start. Brooks has shown very little sign of improvement and at this point I associate him with more of an EJ Montgomery type progress.

Pg tyty
Sg grady
Sf Hopkins or Frederick. This will be the toss up starting spot.
Pf Collins
Oscar

Fredrick
Brooks
Allen
Toppin
Ware
Transfer pg

That's a great roster. Will almost certainly have to platoon again