Was Collins hurt?

UKWildcats1987

Heisman
Sep 9, 2021
20,145
35,555
113
I agree totally and if the latter would’ve happened at LSU we actually beat a ranked team on their court! That’s the whole point about Cal’s playing time for the guys is so damn puzzling! He needs to play to win because games from Nov-Feb matter they help with the March- April run!

When tyty went out that screwed uk. Cal had to play some people he didn't want to
 

gojvc

All-American
Feb 5, 2005
28,744
7,273
0
You are probably right about the additional time. Unfortunately, some other team will use his lack of playing time to encourage him to transfer. So, time isn't in UK's favor. Another coach will tell him that Cal will recruit over you and you will become another Allen, Mintz, etc.
Yeah, I’m afraid of that.
 
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Blue63Madison

All-American
May 21, 2002
35,727
6,826
0
Cal’s playing time for players puzzles me. In a game against a ranked LSU game on the road you see Collins, Allen , and Hopkins for almost double digit minutes. In a game at home against a 5-9 Georgia team you don’t hardly see Collins, Allen , or Hopkins at all!
Do you really need this explained to you?
 
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westerncat

Heisman
Feb 19, 2012
15,923
20,891
0
I just don’t see Collins making any kind of an impact this season. 15 years ago he’s a guy who rides the pine until he matures and gets stronger and contributes as a sophomore and beyond. That kid looks like a baby giraffe out there right now.
I agree. Unless we have a blow out game sometime this year he may play some but he and Hopkins both are not ready.
 
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bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
I don’t know for sure, but I think Collins and his family planned for him to stay more than one season. He is relatively new to the game. He just started lifting. He knows he needs more time to get ready physically for the NBA. This may be the rare occasion when a player is patient in his development.
 

sk73

All-Conference
Feb 16, 2013
3,212
3,276
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I think Cal is a great coach, but I have always thought that he under uses his bench when the game is out of reach. He could have played the entire bench in this one. As far as Collins not playing it could come down to a message being sent to him. Possibly practice harder to get playing time. That is the only reason I can see for giving Ware much more playing time than Collins.
 

STL_Cat

Heisman
Dec 4, 2011
65,191
58,369
98
The guy here who called Collins a “cross between Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant” … now that was an all-timer.
 

Runnin'Ramel

Heisman
Jan 19, 2005
35,666
13,527
113
Collins need to develop into that pogo stick guy who helped Texas Tech make the national championship game a few years ago (when they should have won it all against Virginia); transfer from St. John's.
 

WallMash

All-Conference
Oct 30, 2009
4,562
2,894
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Collins has a long, long way to go, His basketball IQ and instincts aren't great, his footwork is awkward, hands aren't great. And he gets pushed around. He can jump out of the gym but if we are counting on him next year in a big way, I'm worried.
 

katwest

Heisman
Feb 16, 2003
39,975
13,972
113
Maybe the freshman can't play rule should be reinstated and you can't go pro until after your sophomore year. That way they can get adjusted to school and basketball and be more prepared without thinking they have to move on without playing much right away, They would be a whole lot more ready to play than they are now, but the transfer rule would mess that up because they all think they are ready.
 
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JAC71

All-American
Jun 28, 2015
5,040
9,503
113
KSR must have a Rupp Rafters member writing for them now or they are scouring through the negative threads looking for click bait.
Today’s topic is about Collins lack of playing time and Calipari is doing him wrong by not playing him.

That place is becoming the Courier Journal in my opinion.
 
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JAC71

All-American
Jun 28, 2015
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As someone previously posted, why did Cal play him on the road at LSU if he isn't ready to play?
We lost so it was a life lesson for Calipari. Do not play a freshman who started playing organized ball at sixteen and is physically not anywhere near ready to play.
 
Jul 9, 2004
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KSR must have a Rupp Rafters member writing for them now or they are scouring through the negative threads looking for click bait.
Today’s topic is about Collins lack of playing time and Calipari is doing him wrong by not playing him.

That place is becoming the Courier Journal in my opinion.

When you don't have anything insightful to say this is what you get.

Oscar had 29 points and 17 boards
Brooks had 14 points 2 boards 1 block 1 assist
Toppin didn't shoot the ball well, but he defended and at this point even if he doesn't shoot it well he does a lot of other energy things to help that Collins can't quite do yet.

Just a clown story from KSR.
 
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bigblue1971

All-American
Dec 20, 2014
2,579
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If you're gonna play Oscar 37 minutes and Ware the other 3 where does Collins fit in at the 5? Play him at the 4, he couldn't be any worse on defense than Brooks and Toppin is too inconsistent. The roster is terribly unbalanced. 5 bigs and 6 guards including Fredrick and Allen and no true SF except for Hopkins who is not very good right now. Cal will throw him in a couple minutes next game to try to keep him but I would be afraid he'll bolt after the season for the draft or another program if he doesn't start getting more minutes.
 

JC CATS

Heisman
Jun 18, 2009
23,517
12,221
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If you're gonna play Oscar 37 minutes and Ware the other 3 where does Collins fit in at the 5? Play him at the 4, he couldn't be any worse on defense than Brooks and Toppin is too inconsistent. The roster is terribly unbalanced. 5 bigs and 6 guards including Fredrick and Allen and no true SF except for Hopkins who is not very good right now. Cal will throw him in a couple minutes next game to try to keep him but I would be afraid he'll bolt after the season for the draft or another program if he doesn't start getting more minutes.
I won the lottery and had to pay taxes!
 
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Play some D

Junior
Nov 14, 2008
1,183
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If you're gonna play Oscar 37 minutes and Ware the other 3 where does Collins fit in at the 5? Play him at the 4, he couldn't be any worse on defense than Brooks and Toppin is too inconsistent. The roster is terribly unbalanced. 5 bigs and 6 guards including Fredrick and Allen and no true SF except for Hopkins who is not very good right now. Cal will throw him in a couple minutes next game to try to keep him but I would be afraid he'll bolt after the season for the draft or another program if he doesn't start getting more minutes.
That's it. He's not a 5. He shouldn't be backing up Oscar. I would think Collins would be playing the 4.
 

DudahUK

Heisman
Jul 23, 2020
7,886
12,338
113
Agreed. Has a lot of tools to become an elite player. But he lacks size, polish, and needs acclimation to the college level. If we don’t get a high quality transfer he could have a big breakout sophomore season in the latter half. Otherwise I like him as a starter his junior year and high first round pick.
He won’t be a junior here.
 

bnewt

Heisman
May 29, 2001
8,853
11,022
113
I mean to be fair, Dontaie Allen played...

And Bryce Hopkins had 3 mistakes in like a 1-minute stretch. Can't imagine Collins can't get a single minute...
Does every time he gets in along with getting beat on defense
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
46,773
85,467
113
I just don’t see Collins making any kind of an impact this season. 15 years ago he’s a guy who rides the pine until he matures and gets stronger and contributes as a sophomore and beyond. That kid looks like a baby giraffe out there right now.
That’s why he doesn’t play, If there is one thing that makes Cal mad it’s being weak and getting pushed around. That’s why he doesn’t play.
 

bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
I think Collins has a pretty big year for us next season, if he sticks around. That is going to be a team with elite athleticism and Collins will fit perfectly with them as a defender and rim runner.
 

Shaudylo

Heisman
Apr 2, 2011
11,513
25,901
112
Fans complaining about a 5 Star freshman not playing enough .

Times have changed
 
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Play some D

Junior
Nov 14, 2008
1,183
342
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Fans complaining about a 5 Star freshman not playing enough .

Times have changed
I haven't changed one bit. I just can't stand playing favortism. Brooks and Toppin had 4 points and 1 rebound the 1st half combined. Both of em got pushed around. When he does get in, Cal has him playing center. What a joke.
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
46,773
85,467
113
I still think he needs to play a little more. He should get some time at the 4 at least. It’s not like our 4’s (Toppin and Brooks) are scoring 29 and pulling 17 boards.
I’d love to see him get some time every game, I just think Cal doesn’t trust him at all yet.
 

bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
I’d love to see him get some time every game, I just think Cal doesn’t trust him at all yet.
He can’t trust him when we are up 20 with under 5 to go against the worst team in the league? That sounds like the perfect time to play him.
 

Dablueman

All-American
Feb 5, 2003
16,981
5,703
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I don’t know for sure, but I think Collins and his family planned for him to stay more than one season. He is relatively new to the game. He just started lifting. He knows he needs more time to get ready physically for the NBA. This may be the rare occasion when a player is patient in his development.
Cason Wallace is also his cousin so it makes sense not to be in a hurry
 

Dablueman

All-American
Feb 5, 2003
16,981
5,703
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Recent history says at least one transfers.
Except recent history didn't have NIL. It makes alot of financial sense now to have a little patience at UK. If one goes I figure it would probably be Hopkins tho. I don't get that kinda vibe from him tho. We do however have a better version of him coming in next season in Livingston. Collins I don't really see going anywhere. Unless cal brings in a couple of really good bigs from the transfer market he has the potential for alot of playing time next year. With his cousin Cason Wallace as a play maker coming in next season too
 

Gromcat_rivals

Heisman
Jun 28, 2021
10,292
27,496
0
Collins should be getting all of Ware's minutes on principle. He's a better player right now and has a higher ceiling. For whatever reason, he's lost in the shuffle at the 4.

Practically, it doesn't matter that much for the season. Collins playing the 5-10 minutes that Oscar can't won't likely be significantly different result wise than Ware getting the time due to how scant the playing time is.

Ive said this repeatedly during games. Collins should be getting all of Ware’s minutes.
 

502 Wildcat

Heisman
Sep 11, 2007
22,310
24,115
113
Collins has the tools to become a superstar here, but the kid is just so behind physically. That is a huge huge factor in the SEC...notoriously one of the most physical leagues out there, and this season, arguably the most talented.

Remember, this past summer was the first time Daimion has ever lifted a weight before. He had "zero" weight training before arriving at UK. Nada. Zilch.

Nick Richards came in with a treasure trove of potential. And like Daimion, didn't have a ton of basketball experience (both Nick and Daimion started playing ball in the 8th/9th grade I believe). It took Nick 3 years to adapt physically and start being a force. It's hard for bigs and takes time. There aren't many big dudes out there like Cousins, KAT, etc that can contribute immediately.

Daimion's ceiling is limitless, and he does bring athleticism to our frontline that is non-existent otherwise. But to be honest, it's hard to argue against Lance Ware right now. Lance is no Oscar or Cousins in the paint with respect to strength, but he's clearly harder to bully around than Daimion is at this point, and Lance isn't afraid of contact. Needs to work on his FT's but he's been outstanding in his current role for us.
 
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revcort

Heisman
Feb 20, 2003
32,522
30,904
113
Wait...so now we are upset Cal isn't playing the 5* recruit and future 1st rounder?
It's gotta be something, dontcha know? One way or another, Cal is wrong and too stupid to know better without us educating him.

But seriously, Collins has to get stronger before he can be effective in league games. Ware can't make shots but he is strong defensively and won't get pushed around. I'm sure that's what Cal was thinking.
 

Sparky285

All-Conference
May 10, 2021
1,135
2,155
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I mean to be fair, Dontaie Allen played...

And Bryce Hopkins had 3 mistakes in like a 1-minute stretch. Can't imagine Collins can't get a single minute...
I just don’t think Hopkins can be in the game at all, or at the very least he can’t have the ball in his hands on the offensive end, he panics, and immediately gets stripped or throws it away to the other team.

Collins has some of the same tendencies, but he can catch lobs, and can swat shots on defense.