Jack Givens was on Tom Leach this morning....

[nicky]

And said Zoom Diallo will be the difference maker......said he's a true leader whereas Oweh kind of shied away from that role

Also said Braydon Hawthorne was dominant at times in practice last year so look for him to be a big part of any success next season

 

[Beatle Bum]

Hawthorne speaks confidently that he will someday be in the League. He must get that confidence from his play in practice, in part. That said, his practice performances thus far this year don’t get a lot of hype. It’s early.

 

[PastorofMuppets82]

Despite UK Athletics still listing Hawthorne at 6'8" 195 (same as last year), there are multiple reports out there, including video from BigBlueDylan on X that say/show Hawthorne has grown another inch or more and is more 6'9" and change this year. Add to that his recorded nearly 40" vertical in agility testing at the beginning of summer and his 7'3" wingspan his NBA prospects are high on those numbers alone. The bigger question is, can he put it all together in a late bloomer body as he continues to grow. Looks and sounds like an athletic freak with tons of potential but is all knees and elbows because he can't put on weight because he keeps growing.

My best guess, Hawthorne has moments of greatness and moments of "what the heck was that" possibly on the same play. Very high ceiling but probably not quite the stud he will be one day. Hopefully a good "ceiling comparison for season growth wise would be Nate Ament. Obviously Nate is much better, and came in much better, but they are similar in size and form. Nate struggled early, didn't shoot it well, and struggled with physicality. He ended up being a stud down the stretch. I think his floor is Kam last year. Random struggles early with confidence and shooting, trouble adjusting to the speed of the game against good opponents, flashes of Kevin Durant against the cupcakes.

I don't think our season depends on Hawthorne being great. But if he is, he's the one guy (not in our starting 5) that could make us legit if he's hitting on all cylinders.

 

[KyWilson239]

Despite UK Athletics still listing Hawthorne at 6'8" 195 (same as last year), there are multiple reports out there, including video from BigBlueDylan on X that say/show Hawthorne has grown another inch or more and is more 6'9" and change this year. Add to that his recorded nearly 40" vertical in agility testing at the beginning of summer and his 7'3" wingspan his NBA prospects are high on those numbers alone. The bigger question is, can he put it all together in a late bloomer body as he continues to grow. Looks and sounds like an athletic freak with tons of potential but is all knees and elbows because he can't put on weight because he keeps growing.

My best guess, Hawthorne has moments of greatness and moments of "what the heck was that" possibly on the same play. Very high ceiling but probably not quite the stud he will be one day. Hopefully a good "ceiling comparison for season growth wise would be Nate Ament. Obviously Nate is much better, and came in much better, but they are similar in size and form. Nate struggled early, didn't shoot it well, and struggled with physicality. He ended up being a stud down the stretch. I think his floor is Kam last year. Random struggles early with confidence and shooting, trouble adjusting to the speed of the game against good opponents, flashes of Kevin Durant against the cupcakes.

I don't think our season depends on Hawthorne being great. But if he is, he's the one guy (not in our starting 5) that could make us legit if he's hitting on all cylinders.

I agree that our season doesn't depend on him, but he can absolutely raise the floor/ceiling of the team. I expect his best basketball is played in the 27-28 season though.

 

[Catlogic1552]

I thought one of the geniuses(Pilgrim or such); said Hawthorne was still struggling a bit to “ fit in” to the system.

 

[PastorofMuppets82]

I thought one of the geniuses(Pilgrim or such); said Hawthorne was still struggling a bit to “ fit in” to the system.

Can't 100% speak to what they meant, but I believe that stems from Hawthorne's role not being defined.

He's obviously not a PG

Is he a SG? At 6'8"-6'9" (though he did play a little SG in high school before his growth spurt). Is he good enough to backup Wilkens over say Kam Williams? And aren't they planning on using Noah as a SG this year as well?

Is he a SF? Seems like a better fit, but what kind of minutes is he going to get behind Milan?

Is he a PF? Is he going to beat out McBride (unlikely) and N'Daiye for minutes at the 4?

He's obviously not a C

Even in his own interview recently he said he would play everything from the 2-4, so I think a big wrinkle in his development will be his role and his inability to focus on it. Especially in a read based system like Pope runs. He has to learn three positions worth of sets, looks, and actions on both sides of the floor. And I believe that is where he is struggling and looks lost. You saw multiple guys struggle last year having to play out of position with the rotation of injuries. Hawthorne is probably going through the same thing.

 

[Vek96]

I thought one of the geniuses(Pilgrim or such); said Hawthorne was still struggling a bit to “ fit in” to the system.

“Struggling to fit in system” is code for not looking so
good, so far. Same as he’s “raw”.

 

[Wildcat_in_DC]

not buying stock on hawthrone.

 

[Bungalow Bill]

I predict Hawthorne will be one of the biggest upside surprises in college bb this season. Watching the video of him with the press last week his arms were much bigger so he's been in the weight room. He's got a great stroke, athletic and very long. Recipe for good things.

 

[Beatle Bum]

Good thing is we don’t have to buy it. We can wait and see.

 

[MidseasonTweak]

Diallo is going to end up very good for us

 

[Beatle Bum]

Diallo is going to end up very good for us

As a leader, seems like a Butler. That is a good thing.

 

[UKCowboys]

I think this team will be pretty damn food if they can stay healty. Starting 5 of Zoom, Wilkins, Momcilovic, McBride and Moreno will be able to hang with anyone in the country

 

[UKBB4Ever]

No matter how good these guys are they aren’t good enough to overcome not getting coached.

They might score? But they will not guard. They will not rebound and they will get too tired to play a full game.

They will not be prepared for any opponent.

The only UK coach in my lifetime booed off the floor by UK fans.

The worst 2 year SEC record of any UK coach in the history of the SEC.

Turning the opportunity down to play and team bond on a summer trip is just the actions of clueless coaching staff.

Rudderless ship.

 

[Jeff Hoyt]

No matter how good these guys are they aren’t good enough to overcome not getting coached.

They might score? But they will not guard. They will not rebound and they will get too tired to play a full game.

They will not be prepared for any opponent.

The only UK coach in my lifetime booed off the floor by UK fans.

The worst 2 year SEC record of any UK coach in the history of the SEC.

Turning the opportunity down to play and team bond on a summer trip is just the actions of clueless coaching staff.

Rudderless ship.

What do you do for a living?

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

What do you do for a living?

He’s not an inspirational speaker for sure.

UKBBNever is a miserable soul.

 

[theKybluedude]

No matter how good these guys are they aren’t good enough to overcome not getting coached.

They might score? But they will not guard. They will not rebound and they will get too tired to play a full game.

They will not be prepared for any opponent.

The only UK coach in my lifetime booed off the floor by UK fans.

The worst 2 year SEC record of any UK coach in the history of the SEC.

Turning the opportunity down to play and team bond on a summer trip is just the actions of clueless coaching staff.

Rudderless ship.

Maybe take a sabbatical on UK bball until the next coach?
However that could be years.
Could you find another coach and team that makes you happy?
You seem so miserable. Hope it’s better for you in your real life.

 

[DelkBowl]

Damn food!!!!

 

[Vek96]

I predict Hawthorne will be one of the biggest upside surprises in college bb this season. Watching the video of him with the press last week his arms were much bigger so he's been in the weight room. He's got a great stroke, athletic and very long. Recipe for good things.

I like the optimism. We’ll see.

 

[Wildcat_in_DC]

I predict Hawthorne will be one of the biggest upside surprises in college bb this season. Watching the video of him with the press last week his arms were much bigger so he's been in the weight room. He's got a great stroke, athletic and very long. Recipe for good things.

meh.....every time pope talks about him its really his "potential" he focuses on. if the kid was performing at a high level in practice worthy of being in the core rotation i think he would talk about its more current/concrete terms. 2 weeks into practice and no one has really heard about his impact. and this is with kam out and getting every opportunity.

 

[Beatle Bum]

meh.....every time pope talks about him its really his "potential" he focuses on. if the kid was performing at a high level in practice worthy of being in the core rotation i think he would talk about its more current/concrete terms. 2 weeks into practice and no one has really heard about his impact. and this is with kam out and getting every opportunity.

It was said today he has had a good two weeks.

 

[Wildcat_in_DC]

It was said today he has had a good two weeks.

by who?

 

[Beatle Bum]

by who?

It was either Noah or Milan. One of those interviews.

 

[megablue]

As a leader, seems like a Butler. That is a good thing.

Yes ... good comparison ... Butleresque !!

 

[Wildcat_in_DC]

It was either Noah or Milan. One of those interviews.

lol.....those dont count.

 

[Beatle Bum]

lol.....those dont count.

Oh, well give us a list of those who have reactions that do count so we will all know.

 

[Artlaibesghost]

Let's see Hawthorne play in a game. I quit counting on practice stars when Josh Carrier played. In truth he is a complete mystery until he hits a game floor

 

[Beatle Bum]

I have a feeling Goose is telling the truth about Hawthorne. I am not saying he bursts on like a star out of the gate but I think we will see what people have been talking about and will watch the kid develop into something fun and helpful to this team.

 

[Aike]

What do you do for a living?

I happen to know he’s a highly successful guy. Probably won’t toot his own horn.

And I can’t disagree with anything he’s saying strictly from what we’ve observed with Pope’s coaching to date.

However, I choose to be more optimistic. Just because that’s my choice, and I’d rather go into the season with a glimmer of hope than to start punting in July.

 

[UKreturntogreatness]

As much as some of the put-downs on Pope's coaching skills he still is a much better game coach than Cal. I don't know any other recruiter like Cal who had the best players and would lose like he did and does. So, if this group of Kentucky players truly are very talented I expect a great season.

 

[yoshukai]

As much as some of the put-downs on Pope's coaching skills he still is a much better game coach than Cal. I don't know any other recruiter like Cal who had the best players and would lose like he did and does. So, if this group of Kentucky players truly are very talented I expect a great season.

That’s like being the world’s tallest midget though. Its also easier to recruit when your goal is to put people in the nba as opposed to building a winning team.

 

[MdWIldcat55]

I happen to know he’s a highly successful guy. Probably won’t toot his own horn.

I'm going to guess he's a Recruiter for a Suicide Hotline -- his job is to assure adequate traffic to keep government funding.

 

[Wildcat_in_DC]

As much as some of the put-downs on Pope's coaching skills he still is a much better game coach than Cal. I don't know any other recruiter like Cal who had the best players and would lose like he did and does. So, if this group of Kentucky players truly are very talented I expect a great season.

i dont know about that....past 2 years we have seen gameplans to start games that defy any logic. like going under screens or double the post, slow starts offensively is the norm.

koby brea had a stretch in year 1 where he was making like 70% of his threes.....that covers up a lot of coaching. if duke, gonzaga and tenn dont shoot ice cold from 3 in year 1.....i dont think we are talking up pope's "game coaching"

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Let's see Hawthorne play in a game. I quit counting on practice stars when Josh Carrier played. In truth he is a complete mystery until he hits a game floor

Yeah the Carrier’s of the world soured me on practice reports. The Matt Pilgrim is the best player in practice award.

 

[rivercatinfl]

No matter how good these guys are they aren’t good enough to overcome not getting coached.

They might score? But they will not guard. They will not rebound and they will get too tired to play a full game.

They will not be prepared for any opponent.

The only UK coach in my lifetime booed off the floor by UK fans.

The worst 2 year SEC record of any UK coach in the history of the SEC.

Turning the opportunity down to play and team bond on a summer trip is just the actions of clueless coaching staff.

Rudderless ship.

I’m really glad to see some positive attitudes for a change on the forum. Why not be optimistic?
This team has some proven talent and some guys anxious to prove themselves. It’s July. Let’s let this take shape and then we can read all about how Pope continues to suck after we lose a game or 2.
Personally, I think this team will be pretty good.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

i dont know about that....past 2 years we have seen gameplans to start games that defy any logic. like going under screens or double the post, slow starts offensively is the norm.

koby brea had a stretch in year 1 where he was making like 70% of his threes.....that covers up a lot of coaching. if duke, gonzaga and tenn dont shoot ice cold from 3 in year 1.....i dont think we are talking up pope's "game coaching"

Pope gets down double digits against the majority of power 4 or 5 opponents. That isnt good coaching at all.

He also has the benefit of experienced talent. Cal had mostly raw freshmen talent (by his choice to be fair). Never understood why people thought we should have won a lot more with raw talent. Freshmen are unreliable n close gamed n march and it cost cal.

 

[rivercatinfl]

Pope gets down double digits against the majority of power 4 or 5 opponents. That isnt good coaching at all.

He also has the benefit of experienced talent. Cal had mostly raw freshmen talent (by his choice to be fair). Never understood why people thought we should have won a lot more with raw talent. Freshmen are unreliable n close gamed n march and it cost cal.

Why do you think that is?
We only did that last year for the most part. That’s a guess but I think year 1 we played most teams close.
What’s the issue with falling behind early? I agree thats not fun to watch.