Mason Williams is a STAR

[kyjeff1]

respect has nothing to do with it. the numbers are what the numbers are. being willfully ignorant to them will only go so far. but it will all end the same 5 months from now

Respect has a lot do do with it when you make the same excuses for them that you refuse to make for us.

You’re all over this board making wet blanket comments and you're doing it after an impressive win.

Keep on being a couch hero.

 

[TFCat11]

All about who is getting the most and most crucial minutes. Mason and Alex will get those imo unless zoom gets better. Who starts isn’t a big deal

Then Diallo shouldn’t have a problem coming off the bench

 

[TFCat11]

Mason Williams is what happens when you take the best parts of Reed Sheppard’s and Rob Dillingham’s game’s, and combine them into one player!

I can’t stop gushing over how pleasantly surprised I am at his talent! I said Pope would never coach a 5* freshman, but I was wrong! I’ll say it again, I’m taking MW over Rippey or Smith Jr., and I wouldn’t think twice about it!

Dude is a future PRO!

 

[ScWildcat3]

all but one team is going to lose 12, 13, 14 games....interesting

You just said it will end 5 months from now. Then realized it was a dumb statement now moving goal posts.

 

[ScWildcat3]

Then Diallo shouldn’t have a problem coming off the bench

I don’t think he will if that’s what he’s asked to do.

 

[philstat]

Zero assists last night…

 

[Bernie4blue]

I don’t think he will if that’s what he’s asked to do.

He can learn from the bench while watching Mason. Mason learned from his Dad I guess or from natural instinct, so we all have to learn these things somewhere. So many guys can lean on superior athleticism, until finally they are around other superior athletes and they finally have to level up their game.

 

[irishcat1965]

One of the best freshman guards in the nation this season. Will be a top 10 overall PG next season. JMO. Stud!

My brother with the avatar win.

 

[ScWildcat3]

He can learn from the bench while watching Mason. Mason learned from his Dad I guess or from natural instinct, so we all have to learn these things somewhere. So many guys can lean on superior athleticism, until finally they are around other superior athletes and they finally have to level up their game.

He just needs to shoot open shots he keeps passing up and stop trying to get to the rim. I also expect more things ran as season goes on to utilize his down hill ability like Aberdeen did last year.

 

[Lameguy]

Zero assists last night…

So that’s what you took away from William’s play.

 

[Wildcat_in_DC]

Respect has a lot do do with it when you make the same excuses for them that you refuse to make for us.

You’re all over this board making wet blanket comments and you're doing it after an impressive win.

Keep on being a couch hero.

for 2 straight years the pumpers make excuses for pope and his team when they are injured. but when tech is missing one of the best players in the country no excuse is taken into cosnideration.

for weeks now the pumpers tell is exhibition games dont matter. now its an "impressive win".

this team has major red flags. its fairly obvious.

 

[Wildcat_in_DC]

You just said it will end 5 months from now. Then realized it was a dumb statement now moving goal posts.

yeah....5 months from now when the season is over. how is that moving the goal post? or is that just your token response now to everything regardless of topic because gaslighting is your only comeback.

 

[kyjeff1]

for 2 straight years the pumpers make excuses for pope and his team when they are injured. but when tech is missing one of the best players in the country no excuse is taken into cosnideration.

for weeks now the pumpers tell is exhibition games dont matter. now its an "impressive win".

this team has major red flags. its fairly obvious.

Another couch hero post.

Team has red flags . No, you WANT the team to have red flags. That's what's happening here.

 

[HipTer]

Why do you think his only job is to feed bigs? This isn’t that type of offense. He just has to play within the concept of the offense, just like Butler did and also like Williams is doing now.

I agree that the way Butler played the Point is the way UK needs Diallo to play the position. But, of course, the two players' physical abilities are different, so how they do the job will be a little different. Butler was a quicker bouncier athlete, and significantly better individual defender. Diallo is bigger and longer.

When I watch Diallo and think about examples of other recent players whose game would seem to fit him best I think of Bruce Thorton at Ohio State. Not the high usage of Thorton, but the physical style. Diallo doesn’t have the speed to easily get by or stay in front of Guards. Like Thorton, Diallo is also a below the rim player, but both have strength and length (Thorton’s wingspan and Diallo’s height). So, I think on offense Diallo needs to take short straight-line drives to score or dish, and open 3s (which I think he’s very capable of making a la’ Butler). And on defense he/Pope needs to figure out a way to use his physical attributes to cause problems for smaller quicker Guards.

 

[UKCowboys]

Pope isn’t going to bench Diallo or Wilkins to start Williams considering what those two are making in nil.

He doesn't need to bench Wilkins. As to Zoom, I would bench him. He is getting paid either way, production should dictate playing time

 

[UKCowboys]

That would make Zoom the backup guard off the bench and who knows how Zoom would respond to that demotion. To that point, Zoom already looks jaded by not being in at the end of halves. Kid hasn't had good body language so far and that's a big worry when you've only got three guys to roll with.

Who cares how Zoom responds?
Zoom was given first crack at starting, despite, by all accounts, Williams outplaying him all summer. Zoom has been outplayed. There is a simple way to get that PT back.. play like you're capable of

 

[UKCowboys]

Be patient with Zoom, he’s going to be very good. I trust Mo and Pope to develop him. He had some big games against really good defenses last year and after watching Aberdeen develop last year, I believe Zoom will follow the same path.

I think you are right. If Zoom is demoted, its up to him how he takes it, but he needs to see it as a challenge and an opportunity to work hard and prove people wrong

 

[UKCowboys]

Nobody pumped up Zoom to be "a 14 loss Aberdeen". WTF?

Also, in case you didn't realize this, this is a team game, but for some reason, you think the 14 losses are on Aberdeen???

This might be one of the dumbest posts I've ever seen you make.

Did Aberdeen improve last year, or not? That's what was said, but you had to do what you miserables do every day on here, twist things to fit your agenda.

Aberdeen was *** in November and December. He turned an easy win over uNC into a loss by failing at hero ball, then, couldn’t even get the ball over half court against Saint Johns, but by January, he was doing a great job running the offense.

But way to be a stick in the mud. Good job.

I would love to have DA back on this team

 

[UKCowboys]

Out of the two of us, you are the one that looks like the loser. All you just did, was act like a complete downer. You have no idea what's going to happen this year, none.

Way to go out on a limb and predict UK won't win the SEC, or the national title. Well damn, only 1 team gets to do those things. How generous of you.

And for the record, again, I have said a million tines, Pope ain’t the guy, but I hope he is and he has this year to prove it. This is a good team, no excuses, get it done. That doesn't mean he has to win the SEC, the SECT, or the NT, but he needs to be a serious threat to do those three things. Too much money is involved now.

One of the many differences between you and me is, I'm hoping Pope wins every game he coaches, you're hoping he loses and that’s pretty sad. You wanted us to lose last night, that is very obvious.

I don't care how much hate I catch for this opinion, but anyone who roots for the Cats to lose(and there was a lot of that going on last night) just so they can bash Pope isn't really a fan of the team

 

[ScWildcat3]

yeah....5 months from now when the season is over. how is that moving the goal post? or is that just your token response now to everything regardless of topic because gaslighting is your only comeback.

You immediately changed it to losses when I said only 1 team wins at the end of the season so that’s a bold statement. I don’t expect you to comprehend

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

He’s the anti-Jasper. Last year’s freshman guard was super high rated, but turned out a dismal disappointment. This year’s freshman guard was low rated, but looks like he’ll be a very happy surprise.

It’s nice when things even out.

I have always like Pro players kids for the most part. They get good coaching and even the ones who aren’t highly rated turn out well often times. Look at Pippen‘s son. He wasn’t highly regarded out of high school and turned into a great player at Vandy.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Remember when 95% of posters here laughed and made fun of Pope for signing him?! Then, some of us told said posters Williams was MUCH better and vastly underrated?! THREE STAR?! Lmfao they missed the boat on that one! His HS team beat the best team in the country, and he played a vital role.

I remember.

They definitely under rated him a ton. It just shows that athletic limitations play into rankings, not actually the ability to play the game. He preformed well against highly rated players every time they played though. That shows he belonged.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

He just needs to shoot open shots he keeps passing up and stop trying to get to the rim. I also expect more things ran as season goes on to utilize his down hill ability like Aberdeen did last year.

This! He needs to take the 3 when it’s there. Passed up on several last night. Tried to force the drive and got into trouble. Bang a 3, loosen the defense, THEN drive it!

 

[Cowtown Cat]

They definitely under rated him a ton. It just shows that athletic limitations play into rankings, not actually the ability to play the game. He preformed well against highly rated players every time they played though. That shows he belonged.

I wouldn’t say he’s not athletic. I mean he’s not super athletic, but he’s definitely athletic enough IMO. He gets off the floor well and, man, does he move well on the court.

 

[DelkBowl]

If he was a star he would be NBA bound next year. Not. Hyperbole is rampant these days. He’s the best we have but come on. Yes he should start and play a big role from what we have seen so far.

 

[megablue]

What is unclear to me is why Williams has not clearly been the point guard, versus the off-guard, when he's in the game ... either with Diallo or Wilkins. I don't get that ... perhaps Pope wants Diallo and Wilkins to get used to handling the ball and perhaps he will utilize Williams at the point when the games matter.

 

[ScWildcat3]

What is unclear to me is why Williams has not clearly been the point guard, versus the off-guard, when he's in the game ... either with Diallo or Wilkins. I don't get that ... perhaps Pope wants Diallo and Wilkins to get used to handling the ball and perhaps he will utilize Williams at the point when the games matter.

Probably a combination of that and he doesn’t want all that pressure on him this early. He is a very good shooter as well so easier to get catch and shoot 3’s off the ball. Wilkins off the PnR is very good especially if floor is spaced with Milan Mason and Ousmane or someone. We don’t necessarily always run pg sets either. A lot of zoom stuff into whoever gets the ball to the next screen.

 

[FLBBNFAN]

And you know this how? When did Pope do what you're claiming?

Good chance on him taking Zoom's spot by Christmas imo . I think Wilkins will keep improving and has lots of upside. Hopefully Zoom will get it going. Just a guess but he's pressing and thinking to much versus just letting the flow of the game come to him.

 

[ScWildcat3]

Good chance on him taking Zoom's spot by Christmas imo . I think Wilkins will keep improving and has lots of upside. Hopefully Zoom will get it going. Just a guess but he's pressing and thinking to much versus just letting the flow of the game come to him.

That’s a good thing to use the last exhibition and first 2 games for. Tell him to shoot the open shots or sit.

 

[FLBBNFAN]

I would like to see Alex Wilkins at point and Williams at two. User Zoom for breathers, defense, and special situations. That would give us the distribution we need and let the offense be an offense, rather than a grind with Momcilovic pinging highlights occasionally even though we haven't really given defenses any reason to let him see daylight.

We definitely need to get Momcilovic more touches and shots.

 

[Anon722800]

If he was a star he would be NBA bound next year. Not. Hyperbole is rampant these days. He’s the best we have but come on. Yes he should start and play a big role from what we have seen so far.

Don't you know it's either all or nothing with some of these clowns? Either he's a star or he blows

 

[FLBBNFAN]

He is and will be a star going forward. So poised and knows the game extremely well. I love him off the bench though for now. Let’s him settle into the game and see how it’s being played. Zoom I think will be fine once he finds his role. He’s still searching for it and that’s fine. Got 3 more games to find it before Kansas. Biggest thing I’ve seen is zoom is reluctant to shoot right now. He passed up multiple good 3’s to drive. Have to just shoot it. Mason got on him once for it I know. Those 3 can be a great trio and if Morton comes back our defense gets better as it will with Kam too

Kam will definitely make a difference when he gets back. Have to love his enthusiasm because he is always cheering the team on. Some guys would just sit there while hurt and sulk or not care.

 

[ScWildcat3]

Kam will definitely make a difference when he gets back. Have to love his enthusiasm because he is always cheering the team on. Some guys would just sit there while hurt and sulk or not care.

Agreed 100%. He showed me he loves being here and loves the team by coming back last year when he knew it would make recovery worse. I hope he gets back to form and shoots like he did his freshman year this year. He can be a difference maker with shooting and defense.

 

[FLBBNFAN]

That’s a fact. I got laughed at when I said he would be getting big minutes and was a huge steal. He just didn’t play big circuit basketball so his ranking was low. He dominated 5 star kids when he competed against them. Mo brought him along the right way.

Yeah plus everyone knew he was going to play for his dad so there was no recruitment hype. He can play and has a pro body not to mention his dad won a ring at pg so he has been taught well.

 

[Runt#1969]

Williams play has been a great development already. However, we need to pump the brakes here.

He's a true freshman, got a lot to learn and experience and go through before he will truly be a star if he can continue playing at this level.

But freshmen have good games, then some stinkers. I would expect him to make some mistakes and it'll hurt to see it when it happens. I also expect, with what he shown so far, he will be outstanding sometimes, and will really make a positive impact.

So let's keep things in perspective, stay level headed and just work on continuing to get better every day.

ohwaitaminute ... this is the Rafters. I know rational, level headed and proper perspective conversations are not what we do here.

Williams is going to be POY !
or
Williams sucks and will be benched for the remainder of the season.

There.

Mission accomplished !

Go Big Blue !

 

[FLBBNFAN]

I would love to have DA back on this team

Me too. He was asked to play out of position last year . It would of been nice to let him play his natural position this year. Golden didn't hesitate to being him back.

 

[DKersey]

I said on here before the season started that he was going to play more than what people think, talked about his dribbling ability after watching a few of his videos. I said there's no way his dad wouldn't have him ready to play at this level.

I was tooting his horn early on as well after watching his little high school beat prolific prep and the fact that he had the highest percentage of three-point shots during the hundred shots contest beating Milan by one point and Noah by 2. I'd also say that even now as a freshman he is better than Jalen Lowe and perhaps equal to Lamar Butler. He makes good decisions doesn't turn it over much and appears to know the game well

 

[kyjeff1]

If he was a star he would be NBA bound next year. Not. Hyperbole is rampant these days. He’s the best we have but come on. Yes he should start and play a big role from what we have seen so far.

LOL, so you can't be a star in college and not be an NBA caliber guy?
There are plenty of examples of guys that killed it in college and either didn't get to the NBA, or had a cup of coffee in the NBA.
Where is Walter Clayton Jr. Right now? Was he not a star in college? (GL)
Where is Oscar Tshiebwe right now? (GL). Was Oscar a star in college? Yup
Some guys don't have the size, length and/or athletesism to compete at the NBA level, but they can kill it in college.

 

[kyjeff1]

Williams play has been a great development already. However, we need to pump the brakes here.

He's a true freshman, got a lot to learn and experience and go through before he will truly be a star if he can continue playing at this level.

But freshmen have good games, then some stinkers. I would expect him to make some mistakes and it'll hurt to see it when it happens. I also expect, with what he shown so far, he will be outstanding sometimes, and will really make a positive impact.

So let's keep things in perspective, stay level headed and just work on continuing to get better every day.

ohwaitaminute ... this is the Rafters. I know rational, level headed and proper perspective conversations are not what we do here.

Williams is going to be POY !
or
Williams sucks and will be benched for the remainder of the season.

There.

Mission accomplished !

Go Big Blue !

I was just getting ready to say the same things. We should probably chill on the Williams hype. He’s going to start showing up on scouting reports soon and when that happens, he won't be able to sneak up on anyone.

 

[Smeegs]

If he was a star he would be NBA bound next year.

This is broken logic. There have been tons of great college players that were not in high NBA demand. Just as there have been lots of mediocre college players that were in high NBA demand. CBB proficiency and NBA draft stock are different things.