Kyle Tucker- "Increasingly Likely that Oscar Returns"

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
48,239
88,652
113
10,000%.

The other half of the abysmal PNR defense we had all year was our guards' inability to fight through screens or be in the correct position before the screen even arrived.

The guards died on every single screen they saw.

I don't see Wagner and Edwards doing that (Reeves and Rob probably will).

But if they want to put Oscar in a PNR, that typically means whoever Bradshaw is guarding will be in the dunker spot or short corner- AKA Bradshaw will be down there in the paint instead of Toppin.

Quite a different look for a guard trying to rack it.
Most of that is coaching IMO, we switch way to much and only go under screens. That’s why we get burned on 3’s late in the clock all the time too.
 

DaDirtyLeb69

Heisman
Jan 4, 2022
46,401
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113
Toppin's defense gets crapped on a lot by Kentucky fans and he actually had to do a lot because the team was really bad overall defensively. He's seen as a plus defender by NBA teams. Now at that level it's all about what you do individually and in help/scramble mode. Lateral quickness, etc..

Brooks was a college level maxed player period. He played too much at Kentucky too. Which is why fans don't trust Calipari with deep roster.

The Head Coach mentioned seeing two 7'0 guys playing together quite a bit (I am not excited about that either--having watched how awful the duo of Dickinson and Reed was for Michigan when trying that last year was painful) so it has to be Bradshaw and Ugonna. They are operating like Oscar is gone and he's told the program that he was gone for some time.

Kentucky is operating like he's gone and recruiting to replace his spot on the roster.
Heard any names besides Dickinson for Oscar replacement. I like Ugos potential but if the staff is operating like Oscar is gone then I hope they go somebody solid who they known will produce
 
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RalphDaltonFan

Heisman
Apr 3, 2002
60,344
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Most of that is coaching IMO, we switch way to much and only go under screens. That’s why we get burned on 3’s late in the clock all the time too.
Many is leaving hand down and space. But then again if you have a rim protector, you are taught to close tight/force them to drive-and often they don't because they have zero rim protection. The amount of easy layups/dunks teams get is what keeps them in-but some of those Kansas State shots were just guys making shots--Newell and that ugly guy Missoud. But the layups at rim...dunks//backdoor plays....just killers and your 5 man controls what he sees in front him.

Oscar and Wheeler defending the pick and roll was the worst duo Kentucky could put on the court and far too long it was both of them starting. Guard would get himself hung up on screen, big would get too close and was beaten by guards at rim or easy lobs. Then to see Oscar throwing his hands in disgust was a joke. But end of day that is on Calipari. He had others he could use and hold the players accountable.
 

RalphDaltonFan

Heisman
Apr 3, 2002
60,344
41,874
113
Heard any names besides Dickinson for Oscar replacement. I like Ugos potential but if the staff is operating like Oscar is gone then I hope they go somebody solid who they known will produce
Just the same as you have heard. Onyenso's treated like he's Tai Wynyard around here and that's kind of odd. He's going to be a very good player and shot blocking wise, he'd be among best in country. For a team where the ball is going to be shot by a lot of guys....that's not a bad fit. But I think they are looking for a stretch 4 and a wing. in addition IF they keep Ugonna. Remember Collins is likely gone to a school closer to home so you have to replace him too.
 

DaDirtyLeb69

Heisman
Jan 4, 2022
46,401
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Just the same as you have heard. Onyenso's treated like he's Tai Wynyard around here and that's kind of odd. He's going to be a very good player and shot blocking wise, he'd be among best in country. For a team where the ball is going to be shot by a lot of guys....that's not a bad fit. But I think they are looking for a stretch 4 and a wing. in addition IF they keep Ugonna. Remember Collins is likely gone to a school closer to home so you have to replace him too.
I like ugo, I just don’t agree with the group I saw expecting a double double out of him, for him ifblock shots, rebound and maybe hit a couple pick and pop jumpers from time to time and he is solid. To me they just go all in on knecht and find a four to replace Collins with maybe another shooter for fredrick and go with Oscar coming back if he does and ride with that
 
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Jont0805

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Mar 25, 2019
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Really odd timing of this whole thing. Didn’t he just announce a few days ago? In those few days he got enough feedback that he couldn’t have got before he made the decision to declare?

This coming from the same person who another poster pointed out that wheeler was going To play.

I am skeptic of all information Cal leaks out to tucker, could be something to calm the fans as we are doing nothing in the portal.

This way they can come out and say well we thought we had Oscar coming back but something changed at the last minute, but he likes his guys.
 

DaDirtyLeb69

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Also doesn’t everybody find it kinda of weird that Livingston hasn’t announced yet. If he is so set on the draft why not just start the process and get the announcement over yet
 

kybassfan

Heisman
Jul 1, 2005
20,032
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Do we actually have so called fans that don’t want an a 2 time all American rebounding monster to return? Really?

I met a guy the other day. Swore he was a Cats fan. Thought Oscar should go. Wore orange. Go figure.
 
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kybassfan

Heisman
Jul 1, 2005
20,032
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113
If he is not wanting to come back to college and is as in on the nba as some say then why delay the process
What “some”? Surely you don’t mean this board. Nothing compels him to decide. Without profound financial incentives, why bother? This is the age of NIL. Make your best deal..
 

ukgold

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Jan 17, 2016
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If Livingston leaves, still think we need one more guy who can play the 4 (to backup Bradshaw who I assume plays the 4 in this scenario).

So a 3/4 shooter would solve both.
Isn't Edwards a 4 and supposed to be a damned good one at that.
 

DaDirtyLeb69

Heisman
Jan 4, 2022
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What “some”? Surely you don’t mean this board. Nothing compels him to decide. Without profound financial incentives, why bother? This is the age of NIL. Make your best deal..
Sure, but from everything the media and insiders are saying he is set on the NBA and if he does come back he will transfer, I just find it odd he has drug the process in this long
 

BBallin23

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Sep 1, 2009
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Toppin's defense gets crapped on a lot by Kentucky fans and he actually had to do a lot because the team was really bad overall defensively. He's seen as a plus defender by NBA teams. Now at that level it's all about what you do individually and in help/scramble mode. Lateral quickness, etc..

Brooks was a college level maxed player period. He played too much at Kentucky too. Which is why fans don't trust Calipari with deep roster.

The Head Coach mentioned seeing two 7'0 guys playing together quite a bit (I am not excited about that either--having watched how awful the duo of Dickinson and Reed was for Michigan when trying that last year was painful) so it has to be Bradshaw and Ugonna. They are operating like Oscar is gone and he's told the program that he was gone for some time.

Kentucky is operating like he's gone and recruiting to replace his spot on the roster.
They’re saying Oscar likely to return now. I’d rotate Bradshaw, Ugonna and Oscar and only use Ware spot minutes.
 

RalphDaltonFan

Heisman
Apr 3, 2002
60,344
41,874
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I like ugo, I just don’t agree with the group I saw expecting a double double out of him, for him ifblock shots, rebound and maybe hit a couple pick and pop jumpers from time to time and he is solid. To me they just all in on knecht and find a four to replace Collins with maybe another shooter for fredrick and go with Oscar coming back if he does and ride with that
Not expecting double double right away but if he can protect rim and be among the leaders in shot blocking..that's usually a formula to winning basketball at Kentucky. He's got great hands and those type of guys can finish around rim and he had a nice FT stroke too. So there's potential. Kentucky just went away from playing him. I'd have not. He'd have gotten all of Lance Ware's minutes but I don't make decisions, so it is what it is.

Agree with Knecht--like what I've seen and he'd be a great guy to land.

Agree with getting a 4--prefer stretch 4 type

If reeves returns as expected, he'd be replacement for Fredrick.

I highly doubt Oscar returns. Just everything that's been said, it would be a shocker to me if he came back.
 

Untouchables22

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Mar 5, 2013
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I don't see Oscar getting blamed for the team's failures. I see people discussing his weaknesses. He's a terrible defensive player. It's okay to say that. One of the reasons he's a great rebounder is that he's a bad defensive player. So if he didn't rebound like he does and he can't defend, he'd never play.

Can't speak for others, but I don't trust Calipari if Oscar returns to do what's best for the team and not Oscar.
If Oscar comes back it HAS to be on certain terms….he is a matchup dependent player. He has to understand there are going to be certain games where we go defense first and he has to be on the bench and be okay with it. If he returns to college it’s solely about one thing money and making the most he can for his family. So the team needs to cynically also be about one thing winning.
 
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RalphDaltonFan

Heisman
Apr 3, 2002
60,344
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113
If Oscar comes back it HAS to be on certain terms….he is a matchup dependent player. He has to understand there are going to be certain games where we go defense first and he has to be on the bench and be okay with it. If he returns to college it’s solely about one thing money and making the most he can for his family. So the team needs to cynically also be about one thing winning.
That's not going to fly with the team or him. He'd leave if that was presented to him.
 

DaDirtyLeb69

Heisman
Jan 4, 2022
46,401
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Not expecting double double right away but if he can protect rim and be among the leaders in shot blocking..that's usually a formula to winning basketball at Kentucky. He's got great hands and those type of guys can finish around rim and he had a nice FT stroke too. So there's potential. Kentucky just went away from playing him. I'd have not. He'd have gotten all of Lance Ware's minutes but I don't make decisions, so it is what it is.

Agree with Knecht--like what I've seen and he'd be a great guy to land.

Agree with getting a 4--prefer stretch 4 type

If reeves returns as expected, he'd be replacement for Fredrick.

I highly doubt Oscar returns. Just everything that's been said, it would be a shocker to me if he came back.
Yea, I watched ugo In warmups a lot this year, he still has the baby deer look with his coordination, but that’s fine he is really going for his age. But in a couple of the drills he has pretty good timing for challenging shots and he can knockdown a free throw line jumper very well. I’m on board with reeves back I really like him,I just don’t want him to be our only shooter again, that’s why I say go get knecht or somebody of that mold. And on the shot blocking I’m really surprised cal didn’t reach out to Shedrick from Virginia, he seems like the type of player cal would really like
 
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kybassfan

Heisman
Jul 1, 2005
20,032
16,368
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Sure, but from everything the media and insiders are saying he is set on the NBA and if he does come back he will transfer, I just find it odd he has drug the process in this long
It makes perfect sense to me. It keeps your options open Makes you available for bids. Keeps your return option open. I see absolutely zero incentive for him to move at any pace other than his own.

As regards media and insiders, go get you one of those shaker 8 balls. It doesn’t get paid for hits.
 
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RalphDaltonFan

Heisman
Apr 3, 2002
60,344
41,874
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Yea, I watched ugo In warmups a lot this year, he still has the baby deer look with his coordination, but that’s fine he is really going for his age. But in a couple of the drills he has pretty good timing for challenging shots and he can knockdown a free throw line jumper very well. I’m on board with reeves back I really like him,I just don’t want him to be our only shooter again, that’s why I say go get knecht or somebody of that mold. And on the shot blocking I’m really surprised cal didn’t reach out to Shedrick from Virginia, he seems like the type of player cal would really like
Some of those situations are set before the guys leaves (Shedrick) so no need to reach out.

Guys list schools to avoid tampering but we all know how it goes despite maybe not knowing the details of where the players end up. Not hard to contact people indirectly so it's just created a complete mess regarding "rules" of the Portal.
 

DaDirtyLeb69

Heisman
Jan 4, 2022
46,401
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Some of those situations are set before the guys leaves (Shedrick) so no need to reach out.

Guys list schools to avoid tampering but we all know how it goes despite maybe not knowing the details of where the players end up. Not hard to contact people indirectly so it's just created a complete mess regarding "rules" of the Portal.
That’s how I am going to look at the portal now, when a big make enters, they know where they are going or where they want to go. Dickinson was Maryland/Georgetown, cryer was Houston or Kansas state, nembhard is Arizona or gonzaga, if the Holmes kid who I really like from Dayton enters, there’s a lot of smoke about duke with him, so if a good player enters I should probably just assume they have the 2-3 schools they are interested locked down
 

DaDirtyLeb69

Heisman
Jan 4, 2022
46,401
74,321
113
It makes perfect sense to me. It keeps your options open Makes you available for bids. Keeps your return option open. I see absolutely zero incentive for him to move at any pace other than his own.

As regards media and insiders, go get you one of those shaker 8 balls. It doesn’t get paid for hits.
I have one actually LOL, but yeah with Livingston Kentucky isn’t getting in a bidding war, and he doesn’t want to play the four which is his best chance in college to succeed
 
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Apr 13, 2002
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No inside info at all and pure guess but....could onyenso and Oscar be tied together via nil in a much different way. Aren't they both prevented from making nil money due to the dumb immigration thing? If so, UK used the Bahamas trip to get around it for presumably both of them.

Could the issue be UK's lack of current offshore game? Maybe if we got one scheduled, giving both guys the nil window they need, they will both be coming back. And if we don't...they will go somehow that will.

Just a thought
 

Cowtown Cat

Heisman
Aug 23, 2015
24,383
55,665
100
The one thing about Oscar is Cal can’t afford to allow him to transfer somewhere else and either 1.) kick our *** in a matchup or 2.) have a 1st team AA type season somewhere else. That would be an absolute killer on Cal by the fanbase/media and rightfully so.
 

Tapemaster8

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Feb 9, 2003
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I think so too, not to mention if the freshman are better at keeping guard and wings in front of them that would help. Cal has to figure out a way to guard pick and rolls better with him(teaching), or scheme to help him as much as he can. I know that’s a huge ask that a coach tries to coach 😂.
It’s called a zone defense! Don’t believe wenwill
See it though.
 

bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
Some people need to dial it down a bit on Onyenso.

I like his potential next season as a backup, but making him the starting 5 man?

This is a kid that couldn’t beat Ware out for the backup role.

Now in one off-season, he is going to become a starter?

Not saying it won’t happen, but let’s think about it a little bit and curb our expectations a bit.

He is a good reserve option, IMHO, but I am not that excited about him as a starter.

At the very least we need another 5 man (besides Ware) to split time with Onyenso.
 
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