Seth Davis - UK is post draft deadline #1

[DudahUK]

12ft

Is that it? Thank you very much.

 

[UK_fan_41102]

Is that it? Thank you very much.

No problem.

 

[DudahUK]

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.

Well that’s a better excuse than “cause I just know” so, thank you very much for that. I hope you are right. Can you tell me what all bit recruits you have seen in the past? Not saying y’all recruited them but that they were there so you got to watch?

 

[DudahUK]

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.

It’s called crying wolf. We’ve been fooled too many times.

 

[DoubleZeroMostel]

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.

Wow, I think you pretty much nailed it. Free throw line nailed.

 

[StubbornPenny]

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!

12ft.io into your web browser could be helpful too. Great solution!

 

[bbnkat02]

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.

I’m excited man. But I’m trying to taper it too. Tired of getting hurt by years end. I let myself love last years squad and a Cal hurt my heart again.

If “daddy” can’t bring home the bacon this year (or get really close) p, I’m ready for divorce papers.

I wish we could add one more shooter. If we did I’d be like a kid on a sugar rush.

 

[bbnkat02]

Shell of his former self. That’s what happens when you sell your soul.

 

[bbnkat02]

Davis' top 10

UK
UNC
Zags
Houston
Duke
UCLA
KU
Texas
Arkansas
Creighton

Lol. Texas. Could be. Could also be a massive disappointment. Hell. So could we. So could UCLA. Same for Duke.

Heck half that list has massive ?s beside them.

 

[UKWoodford]

I’m excited man. But I’m trying to taper it too. Tired of getting hurt by years end. I let myself love last years squad and a Cal hurt my heart again.

If “daddy” can’t bring home the bacon this year (or get really close) p, I’m ready for divorce papers.

I wish we could add one more shooter. If we did I’d be like a kid on a sugar rush.

Pretty much there with you. I couldn’t imagine hoping we’d stink like some. We are cutting it close next year but I’m going to enjoy having Oscar one more time and hope he gets the support he deserves to make a run.

 

[Nicholascat]

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?

We didn't lose to St. Peter's because they were a better team. We lost because it's a one and tournament and upsets happen, the tournament is almost a crapshoot. Seth is right when he says that should be a motivator this year, that we don't over look anyone. The best team rarely wins it all. We win that game 9 out of 10 times, maybe more than that. I'm not a Cal slurper, I got bashed when I said Baker and Mulder and a few others should play more and criticized Cal for not not properly developing his bench a few years ago. I just think our fans are a bit unrealistic at times.

 

[Jamal Mercer]

Oscar is the NPOY…..and he’s amazing.

BUT, he is not a guy that can put the team on his back and lead you to a national championship. We still don’t have that guy. I said the same thing last year, that we were missing a stud to take over big games (Davis, Fox, etc…). Last year I kept hoping TyTy was that guy, he wasn’t.

This year I’m crossing my fingers that it’s Wallace. If he’s not, the ceiling is probably sweet 16, maybe elite 8.

 

[saxonburgcat]

Well that’s a better excuse than “cause I just know” so, thank you very much for that. I hope you are right. Can you tell me what all bit recruits you have seen in the past? Not saying y’all recruited them but that they were there so you got to watch?

We went to a number of all star games but those didn't really show me a whole lot to be honest. I saw the MacDonalds game in Pittsburgh and went to a few other all star games there as well. I actually got Huggins, Nolan Richardson, and Perry Clark's autographs at one all star game. I saw Kobe at the McD game.

In real games, I saw Terrell Pryor who was darn good but played football at OSU. A few other names I recall are VJ King (went to UL) and John Teske. Another personal favorite for a number of reasons was Gavin Skelly. Those were players who went to play D1. I thought for a while my friend would get Skelly. I think he was a 2 star if memory serves me right.

 

[DudahUK]

We went to a number of all star games but those didn't really show me a whole lot to be honest. I saw the MacDonalds game in Pittsburgh and went to a few other all star games there as well. I actually got Huggins, Nolan Richardson, and Perry Clark's autographs at one all star game. I saw Kobe at the McD game.

In real games, I saw Terrell Pryor who was darn good but played football at OSU. A few other names I recall are VJ King (went to UL) and John Teske. Another personal favorite for a number of reasons was Gavin Skelly. Those were players who went to play D1. I thought for a while my friend would get Skelly. I think he was a 2 star if memory serves me right.

That’s really cool.

 

[rabbitTown]

We do have a great roster... but is it good enough to overcome our less than average coaching?

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Oscar is the NPOY…..and he’s amazing.

BUT, he is not a guy that can put the team on his back and lead you to a national championship. We still don’t have that guy. I said the same thing last year, that we were missing a stud to take over big games (Davis, Fox, etc…). Last year I kept hoping TyTy was that guy, he wasn’t.

This year I’m crossing my fingers that it’s Wallace. If he’s not, the ceiling is probably sweet 16, maybe elite 8.

I think Oscar definitely can with the right kind of strategy. I mean anyone who puts up numbers like him should guarantee most wins. Even with average forward and guard play. Hopefully Wallace is elite enough to be that guy this time around and stays healthy. Sure looks like it so far.

 

[Padsfs07]

Lol. Texas. Could be. Could also be a massive disappointment. Hell. So could we. So could UCLA. Same for Duke.

Heck half that list has massive ?s beside them.

Texas should be really, really good. They got Carr, Allen, and Bishop back for their 2nd senior year, plus Dillon Mitchel and Tyrese Hunter from Iowa State at PG with Arterio Morris backing him up. They just really need some size or Dylan Disu to step up, but they are a lot better than last year.

I don't get the high ranking for UCLA. They lost Riley and Johnson, who both declined their 2nd senior season, while losing Bernard, Watson, and Juzang to the draft. I think Amari Bailey will be good and Campbell and Jazquez are back, but Bona will be their only frontcourt guy and they don't have much on the wings, other than Bailey, and no backup for Campbell at PG or Bona at C.

Kansas is getting the Nat'l Champ boost, but they lost 7 of their top 8 players. A lot of wishful thinking on their part to maintain that ranking.

 

[KentuckyFlyer]

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.

Two words !! John Calipari. If he has a corvette Ill bet money he's backed it through a closed garage door. He could destroy a steel ball in a sand box. The slowest most boring game on the earth is baseball, that was his calling, the man would stall ball baseball.

 

[TommyboyinTEX]

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.

Didn't Garza at Iowa do just this a couple yrs ago or did I dream that?

 

[Blue Wildcat]

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’m in agreement with you. I believe he is a steal. I coach AAU and our club is at all the big tournaments so we get to watch most everyone that is anyone play week in and out. He’s going to surprise a lot of folks and log considerable minutes for us next year. You highlighted his offense but he’s a lockdown defender.

 

[Dead Cat Bounce]

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.

I'm somewhat more optimistic about Wheeler. If Cal can put shooters on the court and keep the spacing wide, Wheeler can be a very good PG. He's got great speed and distributes the ball well. He's not a great outside shooter, though, and he's too small to finish in heavy traffic. It's absolutely imperative that we spread the floor as widely as possible. I don't necessarily see that at the 4 spot. It's gonna come down to the 2-3, IMHO.

P.S. That's why I'd love nothing more than for Cal to sign one more sharpshooter, if he exists, or to completely shake up the roster with a Dillingham reclass, but I'm increasingly skeptical about either of those things happening.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I'm somewhat more optimistic about Wheeler. If Cal can put shooters on the court and keep the spacing wide, Wheeler can be a very good PG. He's got great speed and distributes the ball well. He's not a great outside shooter, though, and he's too small to finish in heavy traffic. It's absolutely imperative that we spread the floor as widely as possible. I don't necessarily see that at the 4 spot. It's gonna come down to the 2-3, IMHO.

P.S. That's why I'd love nothing more than for Cal to sign one more sharpshooter, if he exists, or to completely shake up the roster with a Dillingham reclass, but I'm increasingly skeptical about either of those things happening.

Grandison is the perfect candidate to provide that extra shooter, because he is a stretch/small ball 4.

 

[Dead Cat Bounce]

Grandison is the perfect candidate to provide that extra shooter, because he is a stretch/small ball 4.

I’d love to see that happen, and maybe Brooks’s confirmed departure makes it more likely. But I agree with something you’ve pointed out in other threads: if Cal wants to lift this team to its fullest potential, it’s gonna take some creative substitution patterns. Not starters and bench players. Not platoons. But definitely cohesive squads with complimentary players in their respective lineups. If Cal will buy in and if the players will buy in, that sort of approach could propel this team further in the tournament than some of its individual weaknesses might suggest. (You got my hopes up now about JG.)