Seth Davis - UK is post draft deadline #1

[Clownforpres]

Behind a paywall (although it's so damn cheap it's worth it even if you only follow one sport or team) but here's the writeup.

1. Kentucky​

Last time: 2

When I did my way-too-early top 25 two months ago, I listed freshman forward Shaedon Sharpe among the anticipated departures for Kentucky (he went into the NBA Draft as expected), and last season’s national player of the year, 6-9 senior center Oscar Tshiebwe, was projected to return (as he did). Ditto for 6-9 senior forward Jacob Toppin, who withdrew from the draft to further fortify Kentucky’s veteran frontcourt. John Calipari has since added Antonio Reeves, a 6-6 junior guard who averaged 20.1 ponts per game last season at Illinois State, to go along with two freshman McDonald’s All-Americans, 6–4 guard Cason Wallace and 6-6 wing Chris Livingston. And that painful first-round loss to Saint Peter’s is going to serve as a powerful motivator.

 

[UKWoodford]

Behind a paywall (although it's so damn cheap it's worth it even if you only follow one sport or team) but here's the writeup.

1. Kentucky​

Last time: 2

When I did my way-too-early top 25 two months ago, I listed freshman forward Shaedon Sharpe among the anticipated departures for Kentucky (he went into the NBA Draft as expected), and last season’s national player of the year, 6-9 senior center Oscar Tshiebwe, was projected to return (as he did). Ditto for 6-9 senior forward Jacob Toppin, who withdrew from the draft to further fortify Kentucky’s veteran frontcourt. John Calipari has since added Antonio Reeves, a 6-6 junior guard who averaged 20.1 ponts per game last season at Illinois State, to go along with two freshman McDonald’s All-Americans, 6–4 guard Cason Wallace and 6-6 wing Chris Livingston. And that painful first-round loss to Saint Peter’s is going to serve as a powerful motivator.

It's gonna be another fun year, just like last year despite 2 or 3 games. Some are never happy about anything so all you can do is point and laugh at them and enjoy the season. With the guys coming back, I don't expect to see "slip ups." Anybody that can't get excited about the current squad is a rival fan (several here) or can't be taken seriously and just likes to argue/play devil's advocate.

 

[TheDude73]

I've posted the solution to get around The Athletic's "paywall" recently, but will do it again in case people missed it.

Click the link provided above, then click the article (the link above just takes you to the Athletic UK news page).

DON'T SCROLL!!!

On your keyboard, press CTRL-A, then CTRL-C (selects all on page, then copies to clipboard).

Open blank word document.

Press CTRL-V (paste).

Enjoy the article!

 

[Clownforpres]

I've posted the solution to get around The Athletic's "paywall" recently, but will do it again in case people missed it.

Click the link provided above, then click the article (the link above just takes you to the Athletic main page).

DON'T SCROLL!!!

On your keyboard, press CTRL-A, then CTRL-C (selects all on page, then copies to clipboard).

Open blank word document.

Press CTRL-V (paste).

Enjoy the article!

It's worth 75 cents a month to me to avoid that

 

[TheDude73]

It's worth 75 cents a month to me to avoid that

Took me all of 8 seconds to do it.

 

[BigKari]

It's worth 75 cents a month to me to avoid that

Ok ok we get it, you’re rich…

 

[Clownforpres]

Took me all of 8 seconds to do it.

So if I multiply that by the hundreds of articles I read every year, that adds up.

Not knocking your solution for one off situations, was just pointing out that for me it's worth a few pennies a day.

 

[SpamburgerHamburger_rivals101482]

So if I multiply that by the hundreds of articles I read every year, that adds up.

Not knocking your solution for one off situations, was just pointing out that for me it's worth a few pennies a day.

I'll pay the few buck a year. I get that much out of it.

 

[ganner918_rivals60369]

I understand why people are negative but I think we have a really good roster for this season. Yes, the concern is outside shooting. But we're looking at starting 3 seniors who have spent 2-3 years in the program including the returning NPOY, we bring in two highly rated freshmen, and we add a couple veteran pieces. Looks like the kind of team people have been wanting - veterans with a couple high talent freshmen.

We relied on a 7-man rotation last year. 3 are back, with Toppin moving up in the rotation (many of us wanted to see him get more clock vs Brooks last year, now we get to see it). Grady and Mintz out, Reeves and Fredrick in. Tyty out, Cason in. Brooks out, Livingston in. 5 guys (vs 4 last year) who can play in the guard/wing spots (plus Thiero who I wouldn't expect much out of), 4 bigs plus Livingston could play at the 4 too. Have to stay healthy - we have little room to lose guys - and as always when you're relying on freshmen they have to come in and produce.

Not every freshman has produced, but if Cason is something like pre-injury Tyty, Maxey, Monk, Murray, and if Livingston is something like Keldon, Knox, Young (naming guys rated similarly to the incoming guys) we can be really damn good.

 

[Lukasz0brzut]

He knows how to get the clicks.
Nothing suggest we should be #1

 

[FtWorthCat]

He knows how to get the clicks.
Nothing suggest we should be #1

Who you got? Gonzaga, Arkansas, UNC?

 

[Lukasz0brzut]

Who you got? Gonzaga, Arkansas, UNC?

No clue. No. Just yesterday Gonzaga added another player. Really haven’t looked into rosters


I know what UK has tho and it doesn’t represent a preseason #1

 

[FtWorthCat]

Gary Parrish has UK at #4.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-b...ter-commitment-from-socon-player-of-the-year/

 

[Clownforpres]

Who you got? Gonzaga, Arkansas, UNC?

Davis' top 10

UK
UNC
Zags
Houston
Duke
UCLA
KU
Texas
Arkansas
Creighton

 

[Clownforpres]

No clue. No. Just yesterday Gonzaga added another player. Really haven’t looked into rosters


I know what UK has tho and it doesn’t represent a preseason #1

I don't know that I would have UK at #1, but your two statements are in conflict. If you haven't looked at any other rosters, how would you know how UK's roster stacks up against them?

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Still not sold on being top5.. but something I AM really excited for is that we should be strong to start the season, where as so many times we are the opposite. I think Wheeler and Oscar will be good enough to get us through the early goings, with hopefully just a single loss, or even none.

It'll be nice not to lose to teams, that we know we can beat, but fell short because we just "aren't there yet". That's something I don't see happening often in the first 10-15 games.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Once again, I will say this: we have a good roster. Play the right pieces in the right places and we could be a great team. But as long as Wheeler is playing 30 minutes or more a game, we are limited. Not a knock on him as a person, he is a great kid, but I teach at a HS full of great kids, but none of them belong as the starting PG at UK, so don’t give me this crap about hating Wheeler or bad mouthing him. Saying a player isn’t good enough to start at UK (IMHO) is not hating someone. I was not UK starting material when I was in college, but I didn’t hate myself. Anyways, Wheeler is not the answer at PG, IMHO. Feel free to disagree. I hope I am wrong and he brings us #9, but it’s not going to happen.

Now the solution could already be on the roster, because I think Wallace is the answer at PG. Cal does his best work with an elite level guard with elite size. At 6’4 and being a 5-star top 10 recruit, Wallace gives us that. Then put some shooters on the wing. We have Fredrick and Reeves. Play them together. That opens up the halfcourt offense and gives Tshiebwe room to work inside. With Wallace, Fredrick, and Reeves on the floor, then Cal can play Toppin or Collins at the 4 without having to worry too much about spacing, since he would have three shooters on the floor. Bring Wheeler off the bench as a change of pace.

Now we all know that Cal isn’t benching Wheeler and Fredrick and Reeves aren’t going to be on the floor much together, so I am skeptical about how good we can be. We are too easy to defend with Wheeler out there, especially if we don’t have elite shooters out there most of the time.

 

[Yardeth]

I just want to finish #1 at the end of the year, not putting much into preseason rankings.

 

[akaukswoosh]

He knows how to get the clicks.
Nothing suggest we should be #1

If UNCheat adds Pete Nance, they will be the consensus #1. My fingers are crossed they won't get him.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

Im telling you guys UK is stacked. Getting the NPOTY back hasnt happened for anyone since Tyler Hansborough returned after winning it 15 yrs ago.

Rare.

 

[Lukasz0brzut]

I don't know that I would have UK at #1, but your two statements are in conflict. If you haven't looked at any other rosters, how would you know how UK's roster stacks up against them?

I know the majority of rosters but not the complete. What do we have. A roster with 1 game NCAA tournament amongst them all?

I need to know no more of each teams than I do.

 

[DudahUK]

I've posted the solution to get around The Athletic's "paywall" recently, but will do it again in case people missed it.

Click the link provided above, then click the article (the link above just takes you to the Athletic UK news page).

DON'T SCROLL!!!

On your keyboard, press CTRL-A, then CTRL-C (selects all on page, then copies to clipboard).

Open blank word document.

Press CTRL-V (paste).

Enjoy the article!

Well damn. Mr. Hacker over here. Someone else gave me a link to get around all paywall sites. I should have saved it.

 

[Ky_Bred_Cat]

I like the roster. I have concerns about how it will be coached.

 

[Catfan2226]

I like the roster. I have concerns about how it will be coached.

I agree,will he coach to a players strength or make them into something they arent.If we want to run,will he take the air out of the ball..will he continue to coach scared in late game situations or will he at last let loose the hounds of hell and have no mercy on anyone...final scores be damned.
Lastly,let's hope the injury bug leaves us the hell alone this season.

 

[saxonburgcat]

I understand why people are negative but I think we have a really good roster for this season. Yes, the concern is outside shooting. But we're looking at starting 3 seniors who have spent 2-3 years in the program including the returning NPOY, we bring in two highly rated freshmen, and we add a couple veteran pieces. Looks like the kind of team people have been wanting - veterans with a couple high talent freshmen.

We relied on a 7-man rotation last year. 3 are back, with Toppin moving up in the rotation (many of us wanted to see him get more clock vs Brooks last year, now we get to see it). Grady and Mintz out, Reeves and Fredrick in. Tyty out, Cason in. Brooks out, Livingston in. 5 guys (vs 4 last year) who can play in the guard/wing spots (plus Thiero who I wouldn't expect much out of), 4 bigs plus Livingston could play at the 4 too. Have to stay healthy - we have little room to lose guys - and as always when you're relying on freshmen they have to come in and produce.

Not every freshman has produced, but if Cason is something like pre-injury Tyty, Maxey, Monk, Murray, and if Livingston is something like Keldon, Knox, Young (naming guys rated similarly to the incoming guys) we can be really damn good.

Theiro is a darn good player. He has speed, agility and can create his own shot. How much PT he gets may depend on who is playing in front of him but we got a steal by signing him. And, for the record, I rarely get this excited about a recruit who isn't top 20. I can see Theiro as a matchup nightmare for some of the teams we play. He can blow by a lot of defenders.

 

[jessieshorts8]

Theiro is a darn good player. He has speed, agility and can create his own shot. How much PT he gets may depend on who is playing in front of him but we got a steal by signing him. And, for the record, I rarely get this excited about a recruit who isn't top 20. I can see Theiro as a matchup nightmare for some of the teams we play. He can blow by a lot of defenders.

I did that a lot with Tubby players.Always thinking we got a steal.

 

[saxonburgcat]

I did that a lot with Tubby players.Always thinking we got a steal.

In fairness to Tubby, we did in several cases, especially early on. Some of his later recruits were not UK caliber but I do recall some on this board getting excited about Mike Williams and even Jared Carter.

 

[CB3UK]

Love the hype but I'm in wait and see mode. To be fair I do expect us to have another good regular season. But we've got win the SEC and SECT. I do agree about St Pete loss, I'm damn near ready to put down a HerrosHeroes guarantee we make the Elite or better. We'll see what we look like in the Bahamas.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

I think we will be really good but I don’t buy that we are number 1 good. A lot to prove for this roster. Losing to St. Peter’s and that consists all the returnees doesn’t build a ton of hope. I know Oscar will be a monster but what kind of help will he receive?

 

[Kerwinwaltonsafro]

He knows how to get the clicks.
Nothing suggest we should be #1

Seth Davis refuses to ever give UNC credit. He'd put no one at #1 before he'd put UNC there.

I still remember the 2005 NCAA tournament on CBS. He picked against UNC 5 times. First when the bracket was announced he said UNC would lose in the sweet sixteen to Florida (Florida would end up losing before that.) Then prior to each game in the 2nd and 3rd weekend he picked against UNC. He said Nova would beat us, he said Wisconsin would beat us, he said UNC wouldn't be able to run with Michigan State, and he said Illinois would beat us.

Some sports guys hold grudges. Seth Davis the dookie is definitely someone I'll never take seriously.

 

[Bigblueskidmark]

Ugh we are mediocre, I see a 22-10 type season and an early flame out in the tourney. I wish we were good though, but nah.

 

[Myron Gaines]

I've posted the solution to get around The Athletic's "paywall" recently, but will do it again in case people missed it.

Click the link provided above, then click the article (the link above just takes you to the Athletic UK news page).

DON'T SCROLL!!!

On your keyboard, press CTRL-A, then CTRL-C (selects all on page, then copies to clipboard).

Open blank word document.

Press CTRL-V (paste).

Enjoy the article!

Or just use web archive and save 10 steps

 

[Dr.LutherSan]

Took me all of 8 seconds to do it.

 

[Crawfords Corner]

I wont do any of that above and just wait for one of you all to post it here. TIA.

 

[DudahUK]

Theiro is a darn good player. He has speed, agility and can create his own shot. How much PT he gets may depend on who is playing in front of him but we got a steal by signing him. And, for the record, I rarely get this excited about a recruit who isn't top 20. I can see Theiro as a matchup nightmare for some of the teams we play. He can blow by a lot of defenders.

And what experience do you have with this? Not being a smart *** at all but you are proclaiming that he will be a success when in cases like his, at UK under Cal, it’s a huge failure.

 

[saxonburgcat]

And what experience do you have with this? Not being a smart *** at all but you are proclaiming that he will be a success when in cases like his, at UK under Cal, it’s a huge failure.

I won't get into the Cal debate but my experience is that my best friend is a D2 recruiter and I have taken many trips with him to scout players, including those who are top D1 prospects. Often we were there to see a kid who played for the same team and sometimes we were there just to watch a top prospect play.

I realize that my perspective isn't that important but I am sold enough on this kid to go out on a limb. If I am wrong, just remind me of that in a few months. I will eat my crow unlike so many on this board who disappear after making their bold proclamations.

 

[bigsmoothie]

I think we will be really good but I don’t buy that we are number 1 good. A lot to prove for this roster. Losing to St. Peter’s and that consists all the returnees doesn’t build a ton of hope. I know Oscar will be a monster but what kind of help will he receive?

Who is your top 5?

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

Once again, I will say this: we have a good roster. Play the right pieces in the right places and we could be a great team. But as long as Wheeler is playing 30 minutes or more a game, we are limited. Not a knock on him as a person, he is a great kid, but I teach at a HS full of great kids, but none of them belong as the starting PG at UK, so don’t give me this crap about hating Wheeler or bad mouthing him. Saying a player isn’t good enough to start at UK (IMHO) is not hating someone. I was not UK starting material when I was in college, but I didn’t hate myself. Anyways, Wheeler is not the answer at PG, IMHO. Feel free to disagree. I hope I am wrong and he brings us #9, but it’s not going to happen.

Now the solution could already be on the roster, because I think Wallace is the answer at PG. Cal does his best work with an elite level guard with elite size. At 6’4 and being a 5-star top 10 recruit, Wallace gives us that. Then put some shooters on the wing. We have Fredrick and Reeves. Play them together. That opens up the halfcourt offense and gives Tshiebwe room to work inside. With Wallace, Fredrick, and Reeves on the floor, then Cal can play Toppin or Collins at the 4 without having to worry too much about spacing, since he would have three shooters on the floor. Bring Wheeler off the bench as a change of pace.

Now we all know that Cal isn’t benching Wheeler and Fredrick and Reeves aren’t going to be on the floor much together, so I am skeptical about how good we can be. We are too easy to defend with Wheeler out there, especially if we don’t have elite shooters out there most of the time.

Agree, if Wheeler is the main PG, don't see UK being a title team.

 

[UK_fan_41102]

Well damn. Mr. Hacker over here. Someone else gave me a link to get around all paywall sites. I should have saved it.

12ft

 

[billCgmx]

I'm old enough to remember a time when some posters would go ballistic if one of the talking heads had the nerve to not rank UK as the #1 preseason team in the country nearly every season.