Early Look - next year's roster

[Fresh Start]

I'm just imagining the perimeter defense with Fox, Monk, and Gabriel. Whew

 

[JeffGoodmansVestigialTwin]

Gabriel has never played SF, but I think I read where Calipari is going to play him at SF like he did that one kid last year (from Indiana?). Think you'll see Willis or Matthews start there next year or Calipari go with a three guard line-up in the beginning of the season.

Gabriel plays small forward in High School his team mate (who is a Kansas fan) comes and posts on here from time to time.

 

[BigKari]

I don't want Lee to transfer and he won't want to either, but if he graduates this year, it might not be a terrible idea for him to go to another program for his final year. I dont see Lee playing over Bolden and Bam. I've always assumed Skal to go pro, I'm almost certain he will, but the frontcourt would still be so crowded and Lee would see the writing on the wall.

 

[BigKari]

Don't be surprised to see one of Tai of Hump transfer.

I would be extremely surprised. Has Humphries even turned 18 yet? He has alot of time to develop, he's more than 2 years younger than Labissiere.

 

[Blue Decade]

Poythress will not be back and I think we've got a decent shot at adding Bolden from all the noise going on about that in the rumor mill.

We might have a decent shot with Bolden but I don't see a scholarship being available for him. Lee and Briscoe are not going to get drafted. I don't see how Labissiere gets drafted either. But even if Labissiere has a chance to get drafted, he would be much better off coming back to Calipari and Payne for 1 more year. If 2 out of those 3 come back, there won't be a scholarship for Bolden unless 1 of the 2 Kentuckians on our roster pays his own way next year.

 

[Teachable Moe]

100%. I'm guessing we get Bolden to start at center.

60% of the time it works every time.

 

[Blue Decade]

Don't be surprised to see one of Tai of Hump transfer.

Where are you coming up with this nonsense? Wynyard just got here, and is redshirting now. He said he came to Kentucky because he wants to play for the best team. He isn't going anywhere. Humphries has no reason to leave. He is not eligible to be, and never intended to be, OAD. He always intended to hang around a couple of years. His playing time will increase next year, and he will be a member of an almost certain FF team that could easily win the national championship.

 

[Blue Decade]

100%. I'm guessing we get Bolden to start at center.

I'm guessing Bolden would want a scholarship. We don't have any scholarships left. If Lee or Labissiere comes back, which is almost certain, there won't be room on the roster for Bolden. And even if Calipari somehow gets him in, Bolden would have to compete against Labissiere, Humphries, Wynyard, Adebayo. Bolden is a nice prospect, but not a dominant prospect who can immediately walk in and beat out our other bigs. Hell, Adebayo is about the same size, and more skilled and higher ranked than Bolden.

 

[CarolinaCatsFan]

I'm guessing Bolden would want a scholarship. We don't have any scholarships left. If Lee or Labissiere comes back, which is almost certain, there won't be room on the roster for Bolden. And even if Calipari somehow gets him in, Bolden would have to compete against Labissiere, Humphries, Wynyard, Adebayo. Bolden is a nice prospect, but not a dominant prospect who can immediately walk in and beat out our other bigs. Hell, Adebayo is about the same size, and more skilled and higher ranked than Bolden.

Bam isn't a true Center. He doesn't play back to the basket. Bolden will most likely be here -- and Skal will go -- every single draft board has him as a 1st rounder -- despite what's happened -- AND he'd get buried in next years draft. He's gone.

 

[brianpoe]

We might have a decent shot with Bolden but I don't see a scholarship being available for him. Lee and Briscoe are not going to get drafted. I don't see how Labissiere gets drafted either. But even if Labissiere has a chance to get drafted, he would be much better off coming back to Calipari and Payne for 1 more year. If 2 out of those 3 come back, there won't be a scholarship for Bolden unless 1 of the 2 Kentuckians on our roster pays his own way next year.

Where are you coming up with this nonsense? Wynyard just got here, and is redshirting now. He said he came to Kentucky because he wants to play for the best team. He isn't going anywhere. Humphries has no reason to leave. He is not eligible to be, and never intended to be, OAD. He always intended to hang around a couple of years. His playing time will increase next year, and he will be a member of an almost certain FF team that could easily win the national championship.

I'm guessing Bolden would want a scholarship. We don't have any scholarships left. If Lee or Labissiere comes back, which is almost certain, there won't be room on the roster for Bolden. And even if Calipari somehow gets him in, Bolden would have to compete against Labissiere, Humphries, Wynyard, Adebayo. Bolden is a nice prospect, but not a dominant prospect who can immediately walk in and beat out our other bigs. Hell, Adebayo is about the same size, and more skilled and higher ranked than Bolden.

Saying these kids are definitely coming back or definitely wont be drafted at this point in time is futile and you should know this by now.

Alex and Murray are gone for sure and if Skal gets a first round opportunity he better take it.

If we sign Bolden, one of Ulis, Briscoe, or Lee can still return.

 

[_NewWorldOrder_]

Where are you coming up with this nonsense? Wynyard just got here, and is redshirting now. He said he came to Kentucky because he wants to play for the best team. He isn't going anywhere. Humphries has no reason to leave. He is not eligible to be, and never intended to be, OAD. He always intended to hang around a couple of years. His playing time will increase next year, and he will be a member of an almost certain FF team that could easily win the national championship.

Dude. Neither one of those kids are gonna see the court next season. Bam, Bolden, SKJ, Gabriel, Willis. Our starters will probably be Bam and Bolden with Gabriel and SKJ as the main bigs off the bench. Willis will probably have mostly play at the 3. Or even if we didn't get Bolden. Then that would mean Skal and/or Lee returning. Then the next year. We'll get 2-3 more PF/C's coming in like Ayton and probably SKJ returning. They're going to continue to be recruited over. I'd bet one eventually leaves.

 

[_NewWorldOrder_]

Ulis (Jr), Fox, Monk > Ulis (S), Briscoe, Murray...

No doubt

 

[Icecoldbrewdoggy]

We've got some great players coming in next year, but boy is there not much upperclassman leadership at all unless Ulis is here.

 

[kyjeff1]

This is brought up every year but has zero consequence.

The older a kid is the less value is perceived. (One of Skal's personal issues if he decides to stay.)

Being a hero at a college that will have a new group of heroes every year versus the chance of a millionaire in the NBA is not a difficult choice.

Yes but Ulis is in a tougher spot than Skal. Ulis isn't a 6' 10" phenom. He's 5' 9" and won't be able to contain NBA guards. If he jumps after his sophomore year and doesn't make it he could be screwed and end up living in the NBDL or overseas. If he returns he at least has the satisfaction of being a hero in college with the same shot at the NBA that he had after his sophomore year.

 

[Orange Soda King]

Is Lee gone - do you think?

I'm not sure he is...

 

[Stonewall12]

Bam isn't a true Center. He doesn't play back to the basket. Bolden will most likely be here -- and Skal will go -- every single draft board has him as a 1st rounder -- despite what's happened -- AND he'd get buried in next years draft. He's gone.

Well he is a PF but he absolutely plays with his back to the basket

 

[kyjeff1]

We've got some great players coming in next year, but boy is there not much upperclassman leadership at all unless Ulis is here.

Exactly. If the right veterans don't return there will be a lot of air taken out of our sails.

 

[poppycat]

Exactly. If the right veterans don't return there will be a lot of air taken out of our sails.

Dom and Willis for sure. Mathews also......3 good players with experience in the system.
Hump, TW, and Mulder who have extended practice time in system.
Ulis would be the icing (& the cake)...........
Give me those 7 and add 6 recruits....if another returned,I rather have Briscoe for 8.

 

[Nubb16]

I'm not a Willis slurper but if he continues to improve I can see a lineup wth him at the four and bam at the five if we don't get bolden. I could also see us playing Matthews at the three and Gabriel at the four as well. I'm pretty excited for next years team but we need a guy who is a back to the basket scorer. Maybe we can turn Bam into that, he has the physical tools.

 

[poppycat]

I'm not a Willis slurper but if he continues to improve I can see a lineup wth him at the four and bam at the five if we don't get bolden. I could also see us playing Matthews at the three and Gabriel at the four as well. I'm pretty excited for next years team but we need a guy who is a back to the basket scorer. Maybe we can turn Bam into that, he has the physical tools.

Four man rotation of SJones, Bam, Gabriel and Willis for the 4 & 5 should be a big improvement over this year.
Guards: Dom, Matthews, Ulis, Fox, & Monk sounds good for a 3 G line up. (May keep Briscoe, but have doubts)

 

[Hoskins91_rivals]

Yes but Ulis is in a tougher spot than Skal. Ulis isn't a 6' 10" phenom. He's 5' 9" and won't be able to contain NBA guards. If he jumps after his sophomore year and doesn't make it he could be screwed and end up living in the NBDL or overseas. If he returns he at least has the satisfaction of being a hero in college with the same shot at the NBA that he had after his sophomore year.

This year is probably his best shot to jump. You admit that he won't be any better off next year, so you're trading getting paid to play another year of college that won't really benefit your career in any meaningful way.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Cal has already said he is still actively recruiting a big man. On his radio show, he said he wants to add another big man.

If he didn't have room, he would not be recruiting another player?

I am pretty sure Cal knows who is leaving and who is not already.

This is why I think Lee is leaving. Would we need another big if he was coming back?

 

[Kentucky15]

Ulis isn't going anywhere. I can't believe most people think he is. Gonna be a good Shock to most of you.

 

[Kentucky15]

This year is probably his best shot to jump. You admit that he won't be any better off next year, so you're trading getting paid to play another year of college that won't really benefit your career in any meaningful way.

People claiming it's his best year to jump make no sense. He plays terrific again and next year is just as good if not better because he will probably have a better starting stock to work with.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Ulis isn't going anywhere. I can't believe most people think he is. Gonna be a good Shock to most of you.

Hope you are right.

But I think he is gone, based on comments made by our coach.

 

[poppycat]

Active recruiting Bolden just in case or because he knows he needs him ........that's why some wait until April to commit :weary:

 

[jrpross_rivals]

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Tyler-Ulis-70116/

Currently projected as pick 47 as of right now. Being 5'9" is going to be a huge problem in the NBA especially on defense. He would be wise to stay 2 more years.

I still don't understand this line of reasoning. Yes, he's 5'9" and it hurts his stock, putting him projected mid second round. Staying 2 years will do nothing about that. The kid's goal was always to play in the NBA. So best case scenario if he stays 2 years is.......he's still 5'9" and he's projected mid second round.

 

[Hoskins91_rivals]

People claiming it's his best year to jump make no sense. He plays terrific again and next year is just as good if not better because he will probably have a better starting stock to work with.

The best he's ever going to be is a borderline 1st rounder. With how weak the draft is, his stock is probably never going to be higher than it will be this year. The things that limit how high he can go aren't ever going to change.

 

[jrpross_rivals]

This is brought up every year but has zero consequence.

The older a kid is the less value is perceived. (One of Skal's personal issues if he decides to stay.)

Being a hero at a college that will have a new group of heroes every year versus the chance of a millionaire in the NBA is not a difficult choice.

Thank you. I don't get how people haven't seen the pattern. Kids want to come to Kentucky because they know it will maximize their chance of playing in the NBA. Tyler is no different.

Doron Lamb's situation was pretty similar. He went mid second round, but if he had stayed he would have probably gone down as one of the best shooters in Kentucky history. But that wasn't his goal. People look at these kids and say "well he won't go in the first round, he should stay all four years."

Sorry guys. It just doesn't work that way anymore.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Also, keep in mind that the draft is weak this year and will be very strong next year, so the whole "improve your stock" argument kind of flies out the window with that.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Is Lee gone - do you think?

Hardly a sure thing right now. He's a late 2nd round pick at this point, at best.

He could return and start next to Bam in the frontline.

 

[kyjeff1]

I don't want Lee to transfer and he won't want to either, but if he graduates this year, it might not be a terrible idea for him to go to another program for his final year. I dont see Lee playing over Bolden and Bam. I've always assumed Skal to go pro, I'm almost certain he will, but the frontcourt would still be so crowded and Lee would see the writing on the wall.

It's up to Lee to earn the spot. It can be done because Willis just proved it but it's not like Lee has to play "over" Bolden or Bam, he just simply needs to play with them. Cal managed to find time for a 4 man frontcourt last year, I don't see a problem with Cal finding time for 3 guys.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Hardly a sure thing right now. He's a late 2nd round pick at this point, at best.

He could return and start next to Bam in the frontline.

And still be a 2nd round pick, at best.

And have a year's less wages in his pocket.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

So, based on this thread, the consensus is the following:

Lee, Briscoe, Skal, and Ulis are all definitely gone, unless any of them decide to stay.

Thanks guys!

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

And still be a 2nd round pick.

And have a year's less wages in his pocket.

Maybe he adds a baby jump hook or a consistentt 10 footer. It's rather premature to make a determination on his lack of progress 14 to 15 months from now.

Guys return all the time and improve their draft position, especially when their stock is late 2nd round or undrafted, as is the case with Lee.

 

[stoneycat_20]

We need a shooting SF (maybe VJ King ) and a banger C(Bolden)..

 

[bucsrule8872]

Maybe he adds a baby jump hook or a consistentt 10 footer. It's rather premature to make a determination on his lack of progress 14 to 15 months from now.

Guys return all the time and improve their draft position.

But have you seen the class coming in?

Hard to improve your stock when the draft pool gets twice as deep.

It's not a matter of individual improvement, it's a matter of the draft being a lot better next season. He could make a big improvement in his skills and still barely get drafted because of the talent coming in. The '16 class is projected to be one of the best all-time. That could make the '17 draft class one of the deepest all-time.

Lee might ought to go ahead and take his chances with a weak draft.

It's his choice, though. I support him either way.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Also, keep in mind that the draft is weak this year and will be very strong next year, so the whole "improve your stock" argument kind of flies out the window with that.

Once you get past the lottery in the 2017 draft class, it spirals into mediocrity rather quickly (which is not unusual for any draft). The depth in the two drafts is probably separated by 5 picks or so (if you don't believe, look at the post-lottery for both drafts and compare them). The '17 draft obviously has better talent within the top 10-12 picks, but beyond that point it's a push. 5 to 7 picks worth of difference is hardly an overwhelming reason to make a premature move on Lee's part; but like you said, it will ultimately come down to Lee's choice and I'm sure he will make an informed decision.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Once you get past the lottery in the 2017 draft class, it spirals into mediocrity rather quickly (which is not unusual for any draft). The depth in the two drafts is probably separated by 5 picks or so (if you don't believe, look at the post-lottery for both drafts and compare them). The '17 draft obviously has better talent within the top 10-12 picks, but beyond that point it's a push. 5 to 7 picks worth of difference is hardly an overwhelming reason to make a premature move on Lee's part.

And missing out on a pay check for a year to play for free and hoping to move up a few draft spots. Not sure that is a wise move either.

I won't blame him for leaving. I could see him staying, though. He seems to enjoy college life and the college game. And sometimes it's about more than just money.

I just hope he does what is best for him and will support him either way.

 

[DelkBowl]

I'm guessing Bolden would want a scholarship. We don't have any scholarships left. If Lee or Labissiere comes back, which is almost certain, there won't be room on the roster for Bolden. And even if Calipari somehow gets him in, Bolden would have to compete against Labissiere, Humphries, Wynyard, Adebayo. Bolden is a nice prospect, but not a dominant prospect who can immediately walk in and beat out our other bigs. Hell, Adebayo is about the same size, and more skilled and higher ranked than Bolden.

Zero chance Lee comes back to cheerlead from the bench. There's plenty room.