Benefit Practice 8/2/22
- Thread starter jimisize1
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MORE ATHLETICISM, LENGTH AT 2, 3, 4:
As former UK All-American Jack "Goose" Givens pointed out during a sideline interview, this group of Wildcats appear to have one big advantage over last year's squad. The athleticism, bounce, and length at the 2, 3, and 4 spots should give Calipari a lot more options on both ends of the floor. The UK boss noted that the Cats aren't very far along on the defensive end of the floor in preseason workouts, but you can definitely see the raw physical skills to be a disruptive team.
As former UK All-American Jack "Goose" Givens pointed out during a sideline interview, this group of Wildcats appear to have one big advantage over last year's squad. The athleticism, bounce, and length at the 2, 3, and 4 spots should give Calipari a lot more options on both ends of the floor. The UK boss noted that the Cats aren't very far along on the defensive end of the floor in preseason workouts, but you can definitely see the raw physical skills to be a disruptive team.
I did notice that whoever is No 14, made 2 3's in a very short time. Who is #14?
Fredrick is a good defender, not sure where you got that he wasn't.
Yeah where is slugger cat or whatever his name is. He says calipari former players don't help uk or Kentucky.
This is why when people say now players just care about themselves and they don't care about UK or the state of Kentucky, I just have to laugh. It couldn't be further from the truth with the majority of these guys.
Cal is good at recruiting great basketball players but has also recruited a lot of just great people as well.
Cal is good at recruiting great basketball players but has also recruited a lot of just great people as well.
Wallace has to be in starting lineup. That kid is a stud out there. Love his game.
Toppin not wearing that HUGE LEGBRACE!!!! anymore either. Guess we can all breathe easy now, especially kwilt. I know he was super concerned.
Loved reading the jeff drummond take-aways. Last year we had POTY but our starting 4 was small, our best shot blocker was inexperienced and didn't get off bench (Collins) and we started three guards that (some blame on injuries) did not get it done at the end of season and all three were not known as beat their man off the dribble wizards. This season (and drummond article) makes it sound like we have a pick and roll wizard/ beat man off dribble guy (Reeves) a sure shot 3 (Fredrick), a bigger better 4 (Toppin) plus two MKG freshman clones, plus POTY and shot blocking depth behind him. . I'm excited. I just want Wheeler to average 4 shots a game and 10 assists, and he damn well better.
The way we're dissecting this unfocused 10 minutes of play we're like a castaway looking for water. It'll be great to see the Bahama games.
Livingston’s build reminds me of Charles Hurt. Hope he plays with his tenacity.
Thanks for that. Sounds like that is probably more footage than was shown on the broadcast.
I can definitely understand folks getting upset about them showing their own tv personalities instead of the scrimmage. The only thing I cared about from the broadcast is seeing the team and hearing how much was raised for flood relief. This is the first time fans have seen this year's team, so you gotta know your audience. Show the team. Put your talking heads down in the corner (or even on a split screen) and show the team on the main screen. This way, you keep your audience and you get your message out at the same time. That seems like a no brainer to me.
Was in Rupp for the scrimmage last night. There was a lot more structure and defense than a BBM scrimmage, but it was still pretty loose so it's difficult to know how what I saw will translate to real games. Nevertheless, here are my takeaways:
* The Jacob Toppin hype is real. We've all seen the glimpses of his potential (and most agree he should've been playing more than Keion), but he looks ready to fulfill that promise now and lead this team. If he can play with the same level of confidence and freedom when the real games start, he is poised for a huge year. Looked very smooth in every facet ... great athlete, tremendous length, vocal leader, blocks shots, nice stroke on the 3, puts the ball on the floor well, can score over people, 3 level scorer now.
* Anotonio Reeves looked better than I expected. He doesn't shoot as well as CJ (who does though?), but he can get in the paint anytime he wants and appears to be a very good finisher at the rim. Add that his combination of quickness and length allows him to get a 3 off almost anytime he wants, and he will be valuable in late shot clock situations. He will be hard to keep off the floor.
* We all knew CJ might be the best shooter in the country, but I didn't know he had such a high, quick release and could shoot off the bounce so effectively. As good as Grady was last year (until the last 5 games when the injuries he had been playing through caught up with him apparently), he had trouble getting open looks sometimes. CJ doesn't appear to need much of an opening to get his shot off, and when he does it's either going in or just rattling out and giving Oscar a chance for the rebound. It's also easy to see why his turnover rate has been so low ... plays under control and makes good decisions. And although defense wasn't the focus, I thought he might have played the best defense I saw last night. One possession stands out where he completely blew up the set the offense was trying to run by denying the exchange back to the guard on the wing 30 ft from the basket.
* For better or worse, Savhir looked largely the same. His body does not appear to have changed significantly, nor his jumper. He may start, but I don't foresee him playing nearly as many minutes as last year. Cason Wallace looked really solid running the point and I expect him to get a lot of his minutes there. Do like the change of pace that Wheeler and Wallace offer ... quick and frenetic to a big strong PG that is more of a threat from distance.
* Oscar is Oscar, but he looked like he has refined his post play a little bit ... very smooth jump hook with the left hand, put the ball on the floor and attacked the basket a few times. Still not sure I want him shooting a lot of 3's, but he made one and had a couple more that he barely missed on.
* Collins and Livingston might be the pieces that could make this team special. Collins is oozing with talent and athleticism. Still skinny, but did appear to be a little stronger. Can really shoot and, of course, incredible length and bounciness. He showed a little bit of that potential in the pre-season last year, but just wasn't ready to carry that over to the real games consistently. Can he make it translate this year? Just needs to play with the confidence and freedom that Toppin has found. Livingston makes us so versatile. He looked a little tentative at times, but he does not look like a freshman. I see that body with that skillset in that #24 jersey and it reminds me a bit of a freshman Jamal Mashburn. Hopefully Cal will use his bench more effectively this year and he can bring Livingston along and have him become a steady contributor who is ready to step up if needed to in March (like Ron Mercer in '96).
Can't wait to see how they look in the Bahamas!
* The Jacob Toppin hype is real. We've all seen the glimpses of his potential (and most agree he should've been playing more than Keion), but he looks ready to fulfill that promise now and lead this team. If he can play with the same level of confidence and freedom when the real games start, he is poised for a huge year. Looked very smooth in every facet ... great athlete, tremendous length, vocal leader, blocks shots, nice stroke on the 3, puts the ball on the floor well, can score over people, 3 level scorer now.
* Anotonio Reeves looked better than I expected. He doesn't shoot as well as CJ (who does though?), but he can get in the paint anytime he wants and appears to be a very good finisher at the rim. Add that his combination of quickness and length allows him to get a 3 off almost anytime he wants, and he will be valuable in late shot clock situations. He will be hard to keep off the floor.
* We all knew CJ might be the best shooter in the country, but I didn't know he had such a high, quick release and could shoot off the bounce so effectively. As good as Grady was last year (until the last 5 games when the injuries he had been playing through caught up with him apparently), he had trouble getting open looks sometimes. CJ doesn't appear to need much of an opening to get his shot off, and when he does it's either going in or just rattling out and giving Oscar a chance for the rebound. It's also easy to see why his turnover rate has been so low ... plays under control and makes good decisions. And although defense wasn't the focus, I thought he might have played the best defense I saw last night. One possession stands out where he completely blew up the set the offense was trying to run by denying the exchange back to the guard on the wing 30 ft from the basket.
* For better or worse, Savhir looked largely the same. His body does not appear to have changed significantly, nor his jumper. He may start, but I don't foresee him playing nearly as many minutes as last year. Cason Wallace looked really solid running the point and I expect him to get a lot of his minutes there. Do like the change of pace that Wheeler and Wallace offer ... quick and frenetic to a big strong PG that is more of a threat from distance.
* Oscar is Oscar, but he looked like he has refined his post play a little bit ... very smooth jump hook with the left hand, put the ball on the floor and attacked the basket a few times. Still not sure I want him shooting a lot of 3's, but he made one and had a couple more that he barely missed on.
* Collins and Livingston might be the pieces that could make this team special. Collins is oozing with talent and athleticism. Still skinny, but did appear to be a little stronger. Can really shoot and, of course, incredible length and bounciness. He showed a little bit of that potential in the pre-season last year, but just wasn't ready to carry that over to the real games consistently. Can he make it translate this year? Just needs to play with the confidence and freedom that Toppin has found. Livingston makes us so versatile. He looked a little tentative at times, but he does not look like a freshman. I see that body with that skillset in that #24 jersey and it reminds me a bit of a freshman Jamal Mashburn. Hopefully Cal will use his bench more effectively this year and he can bring Livingston along and have him become a steady contributor who is ready to step up if needed to in March (like Ron Mercer in '96).
Can't wait to see how they look in the Bahamas!
Ok, making sure I've got these newcomers straight...
#12 is Antonio Reeves
#22 is Cason Wallace
#24 is Chris Livingston
#3 is Adou Thiero
Have I mixed them up?
Also, is there a team photo anywhere yet? I noticed that UK Athletics doesn't have any team photos up yet. I'm getting pumped for the season. Looking forward to Bahamas games.
#12 is Antonio Reeves
#22 is Cason Wallace
#24 is Chris Livingston
#3 is Adou Thiero
Have I mixed them up?
Also, is there a team photo anywhere yet? I noticed that UK Athletics doesn't have any team photos up yet. I'm getting pumped for the season. Looking forward to Bahamas games.
You've got them straight.Ok, making sure I've got these newcomers straight...
#12 is Antonio Reeves
#22 is Cason Wallace
#24 is Chris Livingston
#3 is Adou Thiero
Have I mixed them up?
Also, is there a team photo anywhere yet? I noticed that UK Athletics doesn't have any team photos up yet. I'm getting pumped for the season. Looking forward to Bahamas games.
Good, we should have utilized the PNR way more last year for Oscar and TyTy especially late when TyTy couldn’t break anyone down. I want to see a lot of that.
Not to be the fly in the ointment but it could be that no Cal team can ever defend the puck n roll. I doubt it will work that well in real games.
I though I heard Frederick was an elite defender? Maybe I dreamed that up but I swear I heard that somewhere.
Do you think Collins will backup Toppin at the 4 and will Livingston play the 3 or will CJ start at the 3 ?
I’d like to see Fredrick in there for his shooting, but I think Livingston fits better what Cal likes to do as he is a long, athletic, defensive minded player.
Reeves was excellent in the PnR last year…94th percentile in PnR dribble and 90th percentile shooting off the dribble.
Thanks much, for excellent post. The thing that told me something I didn't kinda know was you were giving Fredrick positives for defense. If he can learn from herro and realize he gets more minutes if can guard his position, we keep a three point threat on the floor longer.
As it has been pointed out many times on this board CJ was a good defender at his other school .
Fredrick is a good defender, but Livingston has the potential to be a great defender. Livingston has elite level length and athleticism.
I would go with the better shooter, but this is Cal’s team, so…
PERIMETER SCORERS( those who make shots from 3) decide ncaaT title champs.
LAMB did it for UK in 2012---none since have done it in the title game. 2015 NEEDED that player--begok stuck with his harrisons, and they IMPLODED.
Without that 3P MAKER, the results will again fall short of a ncaaT final four.
FREDERICK is that player, will begok end his dependence on non shooters and go with the WINNER?
History says NO, when options are available.
rr
LAMB did it for UK in 2012---none since have done it in the title game. 2015 NEEDED that player--begok stuck with his harrisons, and they IMPLODED.
Without that 3P MAKER, the results will again fall short of a ncaaT final four.
FREDERICK is that player, will begok end his dependence on non shooters and go with the WINNER?
History says NO, when options are available.
rr
Ok, making sure I've got these newcomers straight...
#12 is Antonio Reeves
#22 is Cason Wallace
#24 is Chris Livingston
#3 is Adou Thiero
Have I mixed them up?
Also, is there a team photo anywhere yet? I noticed that UK Athletics doesn't have any team photos up yet. I'm getting pumped for the season. Looking forward to Bahamas games.
ILL gonna call off being ILL... ILL IS BACK!!!
Fredrick was probably the best defender on a team that is not known for defending. Iowa under McCaffrey isn’t known for their defense. I wouldn’t say elite, I wouldn’t say great, I would say good when it comes to Fredrick’s defense.
Collins and Toppin are actually very similar players ... Toppin is just further along in his development / maturity. But yes, I think Collins will primarily back up Toppin at the 4. However, against certain personnel I think it would be interesting to see Toppin and Collins on the floor together while Oscar is taking a break or in foul trouble. Collins is still not strong enough to play the 5 against a more rugged/physical opponent.
Not sure what Cal will do as far as starters at the 2 and the 3 ... could see Wallace splitting time at the 1 and the 2, CJ and Reeves splitting time at the 2 and the 3, and Livingston filling in at the 3 and at the 4 on occasion in a small ball lineup. I think we've got 6 starters (Wheeler, Wallace, CJ, Reeves, Toppin, and Oscar), another who might be the best 6th/7th man in the SEC (Livingston), a solid backup in Collins that has the potential to be special, and Ware who can fill in capably when needed at the 5.
Fingers crossed that Cal utilizes the depth this year and we can finally catch a break on injuries.
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In the small sample size I saw, his defense remimded me a lot of Herro's. There will be some guys he has some trouble staying in front of, but he gives great effort, anticipates and positions himself well, and gets in the passing lanes. Don't think he'll be a liability on that end.
Fredrick is gonna be far from elite on defense. Reeves has far more energy and athleticism. Fredrick can fill it up no doubt watching the shooting drills but he is probably the 7th 8th best player. Well behind Wallace and reeves.
if we roll with this lineup we will be very very hard to beat in march
Wallace (who seems like a natural pg who can shoot and get to the basket not to mention he had great vision)
Reeves (likely our next best option at guard. Solid player. Athletic can shoot. Plays mature.
Livingston (just a friggin beast nothing else to say. Has a decent shot from the corner could be a perimeter threat)
Toppin (this guy was trending late last season and he was awesome in the scrimmage. Going to be first team all sec imo.
Oscar(man Oscar started the fast break and brought the ball up a few times. He has expanded his game and his 3 pt shot is almost there. He definitely has the range.
then you have
Wheeler and Fredrick off the bench (wheeler still looks considerably heavy, he labors at times and the first minute Wallace blew by him. The coaches stopped the scrimmage and looked to tell Wallace to take it down a notch. Fredrick is a wildcard and will depend on his ability to defend well. He can shoot for sure)
We couldn’t guard a fence post at the end of the year so that should be an upgrade.
As Goose stated on the broadcast, UK will be much more athletic at the 2-4 this year, TYTY was a nice offensive player when healthy and Grady too, but I legit think every guys Cal brought in this year is an upgrade over them.
Let’s hope so! Both were top tier college guys. I do think Wallace is every bit as good and CJ will be ver comparable to Grady. I do think overall we should be improved.