At least it gives Cal a ready made excuse when he flames out as usual.
Roster
- Thread starter Mike-D
- Start date
They will tell us outsiders they've addressed this with a new S&C Coach-which I do think will be a help overall. That shouldn't be diminished at all.
I told the board when CJ Fredrick was being discussed as a transfer option that injuries have to be taken into account and only thing that should give some hope is that he's had surgery to correct both of his injuries, where at Iowa he'd "rest" and then try to play through them.
Wheeler's injuries were embellished unless you count lifting food to his mouth when he gained 10 lbs. Good lord that's damn near impossible as a CBB player in peak years of physical conditioning. Only way most players gain weight as hoopers is if they drink liquor (not saying he's wrong for that, but speaking to the calories being gained as an active athlete) or just don't condition and eat junk and try to play. It happens but speaks to the fact you aren't running in season as much as you were prior to-hence the infamous Big Bertha Treadmill that Cal/Payne would direct players to in order to improve their conditioning.
The obsession with the back end of the roster is very odd.
Even if Cal added a guy, two or three do you truly think it would be anyone who would contribute at all?
Look at the past 5 National Champs...
All had an 8-9 man rotation tops. Players 10 and beyond played sparingly. UNC in '17 had a full 10 that played, but that is the last one.
Have to stay healthy but the reality is that is true nearly every year for every team. Your 11th guy isn't going to replace a starter with same capabilities.
CJ averaged 7 points.I find it hard to believe Cal can't find a guy to add to the roster with that production.Nobody is talking about adding a star.
So it would make you feel better to have as insurance or what?
I'm not trying to be a smartass...just asking for real. I would like to see another shooter too, but if not I get it. Just seems like everyone wants all the scholarships taken just to be taken.
I guess the golden standard isn't what it used to be.Cal can't even fill out a roster now.
Reality is you have 200 minutes per game. We have 3 guys that will probably get 90 of those minutes. Another 3 guys that will get 75 minutes and 2 more that will get somewhere in the neighborhood of 15-20mpg....maybe one of CJ or Collins steals some minutes...maybe Ware makes a huge leap or Thiero is a total surprise...
The question always has to be asked: If you are bringing someone in who are they going to play instead of?
Wouldn't mind a high level project or something every year or two but those have rarely worked out at UK- Nazr/Jorts are probably the only scholarship examples I can think of.
30 mpg
Wheeler
Wallace
Oscar
25mpg
Toppin
Livingston
Reeves
15-20mpg
Collins
CJ
Will play sparingly...
Ware
Thiero
The question always has to be asked: If you are bringing someone in who are they going to play instead of?
Wouldn't mind a high level project or something every year or two but those have rarely worked out at UK- Nazr/Jorts are probably the only scholarship examples I can think of.
30 mpg
Wheeler
Wallace
Oscar
25mpg
Toppin
Livingston
Reeves
15-20mpg
Collins
CJ
Will play sparingly...
Ware
Thiero
We need another depth piece or two. Injuries are always a concern and cutting it razor thin numbers wise has bitten us far too often.
Wheeler doesn't need over 30 minutes a game.
I know they are different things & that’s why I listed each of them. But, each would have the dates included. I’m saying that the ppl at UK saw these dates before he was admitted, so, they would’ve known his age & date of graduation, which would determine his draft eligibility. If the story about his camp back dating his graduation has been verified, I haven’t seen it. I know it’s been speculated. But, I haven’t seen anything official. I doubt we’ll ever get the full truth.
Yep.That was a big part of the problem last season.But Cal never learns.
Note that I did say, “Give or take a few minutes here or there.”
Reeves and Livingston might split 20/20 or Reeves might get some of Fredrick’s SG minutes, etc.
With Fredrick’s injury history, there will probably be a lot of games where Reeves gets close to 30 minutes a game.
Even if one of our main, projected rotational pieces hadn’t been hurt every year he’s been in college, it would still be wise to plan for the worst case scenario & unforeseen injuries. But, as you said, when injuries have been a problem in recent years, it really is mind boggling that we wouldn’t plan against that & instead enter yet another season short handed with no backup plan.
I would say it is most likely you see Reeves and CJ play 40+ combined minutes with lionshare going to Reeves.
Both could play 2-3 and even spot at 1.
If you just look at those 3 spots:
PG: Wheeler (30), Wallace (10)
SG: Wallace (20), CJ/Reeves (20)
3G/SF: Livingston (20-25), CJ/Reeves (15-20)
Wheeler getting over 30 minutes again would be a joke but playing 4 on 5 sounds like Cal.
Save your ridiculous hyperbole. I asked a legitimate question. We return 6 players, are adding 2 Freshman, and a grad transfer. 9 dudes, and 1 of em hasn't played in 2 years.
Wheeler looks even fatter then he did when Cal complained about it at the end of the season but some want him to play over 30 minutes a game again,lol.
Who is the 10th? I've counted 9. Did we give a scholarship to a walk-on? In my best Shane Battier voice: "Wow, that's great."
There you are bringing u unbelievable insight, you better pray for no injuries and Wheeler turns into Tyler Ulis big man
That’s essentially how I see it. You are splitting hairs a bit with Reeves’ and Fredrick’s minutes.
The season was good by Arkansas and Tennessee standards. It was forgettable by Kentucky standards.
****, I forgot about him. That makes me feel a little better anyway body wise. Don't even see him listed on rivals as a commitment yet, if you go to our 22 class page. But he was a 3 star kid that got a 4 star rating because he signed with UK.
Thiero - project
Fredrick - can't be counted on because of his injury history
Ware - undeveloped project
Collins - undeveloped project
40% of this roster can't be counted on. Even if half of those four end up playing most of the season and contributing, you've left yourself no room for injuries or foul trouble.
I'm guessing Cal adds Dillingham on the 24th, and that the kid reclasses. Adding him would change a lot. Solves the guard depth issue and makes Fredrick a luxury you don't have to depend on.
Fredrick - can't be counted on because of his injury history
Ware - undeveloped project
Collins - undeveloped project
40% of this roster can't be counted on. Even if half of those four end up playing most of the season and contributing, you've left yourself no room for injuries or foul trouble.
I'm guessing Cal adds Dillingham on the 24th, and that the kid reclasses. Adding him would change a lot. Solves the guard depth issue and makes Fredrick a luxury you don't have to depend on.
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I think we are short a scorer if we want to be elite. But don't question it, because you can't. Bow down. .
And where does the Dillingham reclass come from?
Well that would certainly be a big add and a big surprise.
You listed 4 of 10. You sure that’s 60% that can’t be counted on?
Who I'm relying in next year.
-Oscar
-Toppin
-Wallace
-Wheeler (and this is not in the half-court)
Then you have the unknowns that could end up being really good.
-Livingston
-Reeves
-Frederick (I know he's good, but will he be healthy? Will we get him open?)
And then we have the rest.
-Collins
-Ware
-Thiero
Collins and Thiero probably have a lot of upside. Ware is what he is. But these are projects.
I meant 40%. Thanks for the reminder. You're the best, man.You listed 4 of 10. You sure that’s 60% that can’t be counted on?
If you just look at averages we are returning 44% of scoring from last year.
I think it is safe to assume:
Toppin can give as much as Brooks and hopefully more (4ppg bump)
Wallace can give as much or more than TyTy (13ppg)
Reeves can give as more than Grady (11ppg) * Key Note * Reeves shot 100 more free throws than Grady last year
Big questions in my view:
1. What is Chris Livingston? Is he a 10-12 ppg guy or more in the 6pg range?
2. Can CJ score as much as Mintz?
3. Is Collins going to make a big jump?
I think this team will be MUCH better defensively. I also think it will shoot more free throws. Wallace and Reeves are contact guys that can drive the ball.
I am not overly concerned about scoring tbh...maybe I will be wrong.
Livingston's been telling folks he's playing the 2 and 3 positions.
Cal must be telling him he's a guard like he did when he recruit Wenyan Gabriel.
We need more good news. This is as demoralized the program has been since the end of the Tubby years.