Current Starting Lineup

[GreenCheckRex0807]

Purely for the sake of discussion. Hoping the “it doesn’t matter, we are gonna suck anyway” crowd doesn’t get offended. Right now, I’d guess the following (assuming MM is back):

1 - Zoom
2 - Wilkins
3 - Kam
4 - McBride
5 - Malachi

If Milan does end up here, I think you slot him in at 4, and move McBride to the bench, not Kam.

A very interesting lineup to me with Milan:

1 - Wilkins
2 - Kam
3 - Milan
4 - McBride
5 - Ndiaye

Regardless of how good you think the team is gonna be, this conversation is always a fun one to have imo.

Now, everyone behave and let’s have a civil discussion about KBB.

 

[Anon267536]

I mean we got a OKC thing going on where you could have Zoom at PG with one lineup and have Wilkins at PG with a completely different lineup and they both would be good

 

[RedwoodHigh]

Zoom - Morton - Lil Mo
Wilkins - Kam
Hawthorne - Kam - Noah
N’dYe - McBride -
MM - The Beast - Potter

 

[GreenCheckRex0807]

Zoom - Morton - Lil Mo
Wilkins - Kam
Hawthorne - Kam - Noah
N’dYe - McBride -
MM - The Beast - Potter

Assuming “The Beast” means Walker Horn has found another year of eligibility somewhere?

 

[Jonathan40330]

Assuming “The Beast” means Walker Horn has found another year of eligibility somewhere?

Kepnang would be my assumption.

 

[Dr.LutherSan]

Zoom - Morton - Lil Mo
Wilkins - Kam
Hawthorne - Kam - Noah
N’dYe - McBride -
MM - The Beast - Potter

I think this, but Kam for Hawthorne. I feel like Kam can make a pretty decent jump from his sophomore to junior season. They also need three-point shooting and so far he is the only one that is reliable.

 

[UK BasketballFan]

On offense Kam is a one trick pony, a spot up shooter. Very rarely does he ever dribble the ball and I can’t see him playing the 2 guard position. Against P4 teams he averaged 1 RB and .5 assists, nothing more than a role player.

 

[RationalKentuckyFan]

When I look at these possible lineups I cannot rationally view the team as a contender for our ninth national title. Can someone refute this and explain which of these lineups is a NCAA championship lineup?

 

[The Ganner]

When I look at these possible lineups I cannot rationally view the team as a contender for our ninth national title. Can someone refute this and explain which of these lineups is a NCAA championship lineup?

Not sure who you're addressing this to, there's no one who thinks these lineups are a title contender.

 

[RationalKentuckyFan]

Not sure who you're addressing this to, there's no one who thinks these lineups are a title contender.

Then what does any of it matter and why should anyone care about Kentucky basketball this year? Have standards at Kentucky dropped so far that people are willing to invest time and energy into a mediocre product? This is not a professional team where you care about development of young talent. With any luck the coach and all these players won't be here the following year.

 

[wccat]

Purely for the sake of discussion. Hoping the “it doesn’t matter, we are gonna suck anyway” crowd doesn’t get offended. Right now, I’d guess the following (assuming MM is back):

1 - Zoom
2 - Wilkins
3 - Kam
4 - McBride
5 - Malachi

If Milan does end up here, I think you slot him in at 4, and move McBride to the bench, not Kam.

A very interesting lineup to me with Milan:

1 - Wilkins
2 - Kam
3 - Milan
4 - McBride
5 - Ndiaye

Regardless of how good you think the team is gonna be, this conversation is always a fun one to have imo.

Now, everyone behave and let’s have a civil discussion about KBB.

With the lineup below, what are everyone's opinions about 3-point shooting (outside of Milan) and rebounding? I think we have the creative guards, better ball handlers.

1 - Zoom
2 - Wilkins
3 - Kam
4 - Milan
5 - Malachi

 

[Padsfs07]

Purely for the sake of discussion. Hoping the “it doesn’t matter, we are gonna suck anyway” crowd doesn’t get offended.

Haha - 10 posts in!

Then what does any of it matter and why should anyone care about Kentucky basketball this year? Have standards at Kentucky dropped so far that people are willing to invest time and energy into a mediocre product?

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Then what does any of it matter and why should anyone care about Kentucky basketball this year? Have standards at Kentucky dropped so far that people are willing to invest time and energy into a mediocre product? This is not a professional team where you care about development of young talent. With any luck the coach and all these players won't be here the following year.

Its just mindless entertainment. None of it really matters but for whatever reason we are all programmed to make a passionate hobby larger than life. Im guilty of it. I am apathetic so will just watch and move on after each game, win or lose. I know we aren't winning anything that matters. Sadly, nothing I can do about that as im not the AD.

 

[The Space Happy Cat]

With the lineup below, what are everyone's opinions about 3-point shooting (outside of Milan) and rebounding? I think we have the creative guards, better ball handlers.

1 - Zoom
2 - Wilkins
3 - Kam
4 - Milan
5 - Malachi

With that lineup, love the playmaking from our guards, would have good spot up shooting and one post presence. A for sure 4 out, 1 in offense which is going to work way better for Pope. But yeah the worry is rebounding there. Seeing similar issues to Pope's first team when Carr went down specifically. It was Amari or bust on the glass. Looks the same for Malachi

 

[HipTer]

Purely for the sake of discussion. Hoping the “it doesn’t matter, we are gonna suck anyway” crowd doesn’t get offended. Right now, I’d guess the following (assuming MM is back):

1 - Zoom
2 - Wilkins
3 - Kam
4 - McBride
5 - Malachi

If Milan does end up here, I think you slot him in at 4, and move McBride to the bench, not Kam.

A very interesting lineup to me with Milan:

1 - Wilkins
2 - Kam
3 - Milan
4 - McBride
5 - Ndiaye

Regardless of how good you think the team is gonna be, this conversation is always a fun one to have imo.

Now, everyone behave and let’s have a civil discussion about KBB.

If we’re talking about what looks like the best bet based on what we know now, your guess as to the starting lineup is the smartest bet. But I think Hawthorne could surprise at the 3 or 4 spots.

At the 3, I doubt that there are going to be many better spot up shooters than K. Williams and he’s an elite FT shooter. But in most other aspects Hawthorne may already have an advantage. Now, we need to see that confirmed by Hawthorne’s play on the court but based on what you can see and reports that’s at least fair speculation.

At the 4, Hawthorne gives away girth but not length, and his wingspan is great. The question would be can he defend and rebound against bulkier PFs.

Basically, I suspect Hawthorne may become increasingly tough to keep off the floor, and start causing complaints that he should be starting before the end of Dec. Again, that’s just a gut feeling kind of thing on my part, not anything I would bet on. And even if that suspicion turns out to be correct I could still see his role being as a 6th man at the SF & PF positions rather than starting.

 

[GreenCheckRex0807]

With the lineup below, what are everyone's opinions about 3-point shooting (outside of Milan) and rebounding? I think we have the creative guards, better ball handlers.

1 - Zoom
2 - Wilkins
3 - Kam
4 - Milan
5 - Malachi

I think this lineup is pretty good on offense…maybe a little lacking on the defensive side

That lineup provides enough space imo for Zoom and Wilkins to get into the lane and do what they do.

Great simple offense pnr options with Milan and Malachi

My biggest hope as far as player development goes this season is with MM. It’s not Kam’s handle/playmaking, it’s not Hawthorne’s strength…just want Malachi to add something outside of 7 feet. It can be a mid range jumper or it can even be the little floater Isiah Hartenstein has perfected, if any of you watch the NBA.

 

[JonathanW2]

Depending on a couple decisions to be made soon, I'm thinking it will go (for the majority of the season, but maybe not Game #1):
Pos - Scenario 1 / Scenario 2 / Scenario 3 / Scenario 4
1 - Zoom / Zoom / Zoom / Zoom
2 - Wilkins / Wilkins / Wilkins / Wilkins
3 - Momcil. / Momcil. / Kam W / Kam W
4 - N'Diaye / N'Diaye / N'Diaye / N'Diaye
5 - Moreno / Kepnang / Moreno / Kepnang

That doesn't mean other guys might not play almost as much, especially if lose Moreno, I could see Kepnang/N'Diaye/Potter going 50/45/5 % at the 5 spot. If no Momcilovic, I could see Kam/Hawthorne/Noah going 50/45/5 or 50/30/20 % at the 3 spot, or even 40/40/20 with Kam also playing some at the 2.

 

[TheResistance]

When I look at these possible lineups I cannot rationally view the team as a contender for our ninth national title. Can someone refute this and explain which of these lineups is a NCAA championship lineup?

No one in their right mind could consider the Current lineup a contender. Will adding Mom change that, not in my opinion, but there are many unknowns. Will Hawthorne be good? Will we have enough shooting (I don't think so IMO), will Wilkins be a first-team ALL SEC type player? Its possible, just not seeing it before seeing them play.

 

[CELTICAT]

Then what does any of it matter and why should anyone care about Kentucky basketball this year? Have standards at Kentucky dropped so far that people are willing to invest time and energy into a mediocre product? This is not a professional team where you care about development of young talent. With any luck the coach and all these players won't be here the following year.

just speaking from personal experience, Kentucky basketball is a hard thing to walk away from. There have been plenty of teams where I knew it was gonna be a stinker season, and I still watched the games and then came here to commiserate with fans about it. I wish all of my proclivities were rational, but I can’t help being human and subject to emotions.

personally, I think we’re looking at a losing season if we don’t land Momcillovic and Moreno stays in the draft. We’ll beat the cupcakes but lose to every single team with a pulse.

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

Depending on a couple decisions to be made soon, I'm thinking it will go (for the majority of the season, but maybe not Game #1):
Pos - Scenario 1 / Scenario 2 / Scenario 3 / Scenario 4
1 - Zoom / Zoom / Zoom / Zoom
2 - Wilkins / Wilkins / Wilkins / Wilkins
3 - Momcil. / Momcil. / Kam W / Kam W
4 - N'Diaye / N'Diaye / N'Diaye / N'Diaye
5 - Moreno / Kepnang / Moreno / Kepnang

That doesn't mean other guys might not play almost as much, especially if lose Moreno, I could see Kepnang/N'Diaye/Potter going 50/45/5 % at the 5 spot. If no Momcilovic, I could see Kam/Hawthorne/Noah going 50/45/5 or 50/30/20 % at the 3 spot, or even 40/40/20 with Kam also playing some at the 2.

Even if we somehow get Momcilovic and hopefully MM comes back, Kam will start and play more than N’Dyiaye.

 

[RationalKentuckyFan]

just speaking from personal experience, Kentucky basketball is a hard thing to walk away from. There have been plenty of teams where I knew it was gonna be a stinker season, and I still watched the games and then came here to commiserate with fans about it. I wish all of my proclivities were rational, but I can’t help being human and subject to emotions.

personally, I think we’re looking at a losing season if we don’t land Momcillovic and Moreno stays in the draft. We’ll beat the cupcakes but lose to every single team with a pulse.

I guess I am just too rational. I can't see myself enjoying watching Kentucky lose to everyone with a pulse so I will be checking out next season and spend more time with my family and working on things around the house. I'm glad the fandom is big enough to include irrational people like you and many others and more rational individuals such as myself..I also hope Kentucky returns to greatness sometime in the next few years and they become fun to watch again.

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

just speaking from personal experience, Kentucky basketball is a hard thing to walk away from. There have been plenty of teams where I knew it was gonna be a stinker season, and I still watched the games and then came here to commiserate with fans about it. I wish all of my proclivities were rational, but I can’t help being human and subject to emotions.

personally, I think we’re looking at a losing season if we don’t land Momcillovic and Moreno stays in the draft. We’ll beat the cupcakes but lose to every single team with a pulse.

IMO, a very fair and reasonable take and from what I can tell, one you haven’t felt the need to pop into every other thread to make known.

I’ll continue to support the Cats. My doing so isn’t lowering my standards. How ridiculous is this sentiment? I don’t have high expectations for next year but I’ll be going to games and rooting for them like always.

What I won’t be doing as a “Wildcat fan” is celebrating and posting the laughing guy emoji every time something “bad” happens for UK.

 

[The Ganner]

I guess I am just too rational. I can't see myself enjoying watching Kentucky lose to everyone with a pulse so I will be checking out next season and spend more time with my family and working on things around the house. I'm glad the fandom is big enough to include irrational people like you and many others and more rational individuals such as myself..I also hope Kentucky returns to greatness sometime in the next few years and they become fun to watch again.

You do realize there's a pretty big range of possibilities between "title contender" and "lose to everyone with a pulse," right? I think with Moreno but without any added star level players we're no worse than last year. That won't be good enough and if this year goes like last year, Pope will get fired and we'll try again with a new coach. If we were to add Milan along with Moreno, we're a good deal better than last year and could be a top-4 in conference, second weekend team with a puncher's chance at a FF. You're describing yourself as a rational person with high standards, but I'd describe you as a fair weather fan. I watched and cheered us on (and went to games) in the godawful 06 to 09 stretch where we were worse than last year EVERY YEAR FOR FOUR YEARS. I've planted my butt in Commonwealth stadium during 2-10 seasons. And several times in both sports I've been looking forward to seeing a coach leave. Make or break year for Pope. He either surprises us and turns this around and overperforms expectations, or he leaves town after this season. Coaches will come and go, fans will be here through the good and the bad.

 

[Catphright23]

The haters will talk as if we got blown out by everyone last year, had no injuries etc. This year it appears we will have more depth at every position. Last year only had 9 players playing and 3 to 4 giving us virtually nothing jasper, bg, jelsvic and sometimes Noah. Also could helping pgs that’s my take.

 

[megablue]

With that lineup, love the playmaking from our guards, would have good spot up shooting and one post presence. A for sure 4 out, 1 in offense which is going to work way better for Pope. But yeah the worry is rebounding there. Seeing similar issues to Pope's first team when Carr went down specifically. It was Amari or bust on the glass. Looks the same for Malachi

I agree ... Rebounding and Defense would be the main worries. The scoring and floor spacing should be pretty good, no question.