Tai Wynyard

shiloh741

Redshirt
Apr 12, 2016
72
28
0
I'm curious to know what people think of him and if he will get playing time this season.I know he won't if we get Bolden or Allen but we might need him if we miss both.The highlights make him look decent but of course you never know.
 

bookerfan66

Heisman
Feb 26, 2015
9,414
20,139
0
It really has been tough to know much about him.I think Matt Jones said he was behind Humphries when he got here so he might take time.I don't see him playing much next year.
 

.S&C.

All-American
Jul 8, 2014
45,292
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Why did Cal give Stacey Poole a scholarship?

I dunno. You should ask him.

Coaches give rides to players all the time that never end up playing.

Spear how long is it going to take you.

He's the best recruit to never play a minute here, and will be a HUUUUGE part of this team. Briscoe is a top 5 player in the nation, when he shoots good. We don't need a top 3 ranked Center. SKJ is the second coming of Durant. Fox can shoot extremely good, except when he can't.

Everything is top 5.........

everything
 
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CUT-NETS

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May 6, 2009
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Why did Cal give Stacey Poole a scholarship?

To a lesser extent...Jon Hood? Can you remember one meaningful play Jon Hood had at UK or anything he ever really did that didn't involve garbage time? I can't.

I dunno. You should ask him.

Coaches give rides to players all the time that never end up playing.

My hope is that he gave him a scholarship to have a good player that will stay for a few years and make for some continuity on this team. Must have some good players that are experienced to go along with superstar freshmen.
 

Jmeeks54thebest

All-American
Apr 18, 2009
6,867
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Cal saw something in him, and I he think he will be a good player for us. He was a 4 star player in his class, has good size, and has and will continue to practice against eventual professional players.

Don't forget that technically, this will be his freshman season since he redshirted last season. He has 4 years of development of he needs it. I don't think he gets much this year but I do think he'll get time next year (not much) and then be one of the first off the bench his junior year if not starting. If he's here for his senior I think he could start.

WCS was a 4 star. Harrelson was a 3 if memory serves. Most of us now see it's naive to assume every freshman will be a star, but let's not assume some freshmen will never get there either. Remember, Cal recruited him and Cal/KP are coaching him, not to mention the talent there to mentor him. By all accounts the work ethic is there so I'm excited to watch his development.
 

CUT-NETS

Senior
May 6, 2009
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Spear how long is it going to take you.

He's the best recruit to never play a minute here, and will be a HUUUUGE part of this team. Briscoe is a top 5 player in the nation, when he shoots good. We don't need a top 3 ranked Center. SKJ is the second coming of Durant. Fox can shoot extremely good, except when he can't.

Everything is top 5.........

everything


Now this is funny
 

CUT-NETS

Senior
May 6, 2009
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Sure, and I agree.

He can stick around a while and never play much at the same time. Happens everywhere.

Absolutely. He may be here and not play, but my hope is that Cal's reasoning behind taking him has to do with creating continuity on the team more so then just "missing" on a recruit.
 
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BBallin23

All-American
Sep 1, 2009
16,274
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I hope Wynyard is the one that transfers. I don't hear good things about his game and he did nothing in the hoop summit.
 

CUT-NETS

Senior
May 6, 2009
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Side note: whatever happened to Cal taking an Asian player? Seemed like he had an idea years ago to take an Asian player with the thought that it would globalize the UK brand. I actually thought it was a great idea. Cal has certainly had some diversity on the team but yet to have seen an Asian player.
 

anon1763419335

All-American
Feb 10, 2006
23,231
5,077
113
surprised he decided to come here. his intentions were not to be a one and done. and those players dont want to come here.
 
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Elliott Tim

All-American
Dec 10, 2005
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He was prolly shipface drunk.

 

turkeywildturkey

All-Conference
Oct 23, 2003
2,647
2,202
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I don't think Tai Wynyard ever plays a meaningful minute for UK.

Considering virtually no one has seen him play in person, that's quite an assessment. I'm going to disagree with you though. I think he'll play meaningful minutes before he's done here.
 
Dec 23, 2015
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Why did Cal give Stacey Poole a scholarship?

To a lesser extent...Jon Hood? Can you remember one meaningful play Jon Hood had at UK or anything he ever really did that didn't involve garbage time? I can't.

I dunno. You should ask him.

Coaches give rides to players all the time that never end up playing.

Jon freaking Hood. Man I actually thought when we got him that he'd be a really solid contributor for us in his Sophomore-Senior years. LOL. When I was in high school I played against him and the kid was the best player I had ever went up against. Well. Him or Jacob Jenkins, but man I thought Hood would be that lights out shooter off the bench for us. How wrong I was LOL.
 
Dec 23, 2015
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I don't know, but its my opinion that he'll end up transferring or being the 13th man his whole UK career. I mean he's gonna keep being recruited over. With Bam and Bolden starting at the 4-5, and Lee and SKJ being the main 4-5 backups Tai is screwed. Then you add on top of that, that we also have Hump who looks like he can be a solid contributor. He wont be playing anything but mop up minutes this year. Then look at 17. His RSoph. year. SKJ and Hump will be back to go along with at LEAST 2 5star bigs so.......Yeah. Its just gonna keep happening. I've said this for a minute now, but I expect him to transfer whether its this year or next. At first everybody said that was crazy and he wasn't going anywhere, but now most everybody agrees.
 

UK90

Heisman
Dec 30, 2007
31,460
27,814
0
I'm curious to know what people think of him and if he will get playing time this season..

Why do you think we'd able to knowledgeably answer this question when we haven't yet seen him play? The kid is still a total question mark. Never stepped on the floor this year. Hell, you might as well be asking people what they think of me as a player.

Wait awhile until we've seen him in action, then you can re-ask your question.
 
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ukhemingway

All-Conference
Dec 21, 2005
2,996
2,504
113
Yes, Calipari knows nothing about players when he offers scholarships. Some of you think that you know more about basketball than Coach Cal. He offers players that he thinks can play in the NBA, Tai will play and play plenty. He was a HS senior last year for the love of god. 17 years old!
 

coolioo1

Senior
Aug 16, 2011
1,155
849
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Side note: whatever happened to Cal taking an Asian player? Seemed like he had an idea years ago to take an Asian player with the thought that it would globalize the UK brand. I actually thought it was a great idea. Cal has certainly had some diversity on the team but yet to have seen an Asian player.

Yao Ming used up his eligibility...
 

Wall2Boogie

Heisman
Jan 28, 2010
26,239
21,732
0
Spear how long is it going to take you.

He's the best recruit to never play a minute here, and will be a HUUUUGE part of this team. Briscoe is a top 5 player in the nation, when he shoots good. We don't need a top 3 ranked Center. SKJ is the second coming of Durant. Fox can shoot extremely good, except when he can't.

Everything is top 5.........

everything
I think you may of forgot, we had Matt pilgrim he is a legend around these parts. The nba probably begs him to play ever year since he's a cash cow but he doesn't want to give any one team an unfair advantage. Those were the days, I can still remember his mix tape and how bad we punished teams with him on the court. What I would give for another Matt pilgrim
 
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caneintally

Heisman
Oct 1, 2002
27,455
17,056
0
He will be a very good player and a starter IMO by his redshirt junior season . He won't play next season as he will just have too much talent in front of him as our front court , especially if we add Bolden is DEEP. Bam , Gabriel , Willis , Humphries , SKJ all have to play a play a decent amount . Lee will get his minutes as well so that makes Tai odd man out . He and Mulder I doubt even leave the bench except for blow outs. Think we play 10 alot like last year and it looks like this . ( I think we add Bolden so I will use him in this )

Starters
Fox
Briscoe
Monk
Bam
Bolden

Bench who plays alot
Willis
Gabriel
SKJ
Hawkins

Bench who plays some
Lee
Matthews
 

revcort

Heisman
Feb 20, 2003
32,522
30,904
113
I don't think Tai Wynyard ever plays a meaningful minute for UK.
You're entitled to your opinion of course, but on what information do you base this? The 2015 Nike Elite US vs World all star game? What else? Videos of the 3 on 3 tournament he played in last summer? What else? The fact that he never played a minute this last season after arriving at Christmas?

Bottom line: you can say what you want, but none of us has enough information to make even an educated guess. It would be like me saying, for the opposite point of view, that I expect him to start next season or be a major contributor. I have as much basis for saying he'll be a major contributor as you do for saying he'll never play a meaningful minute for UK. It's a baseless opinion.

My thought is that Calipari knew what was coming in for 2016-17 and he also knew he'd have some more time to work with Humphries and Wynyard. I'm sure he plans to get then some playing time this next season, but they won't be needed to do much for the team to be really good. But they will be needed for the following year. That is the most reasonable expectation, in my opinion. No need for the gloom and doom opinion of "never playing a meaningful minute."
 

ToniTonyToneDelkDelkDelk

All-Conference
Feb 20, 2007
2,360
2,123
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How are we sure he's not better than Bolden?

He came in mid year under aged and didn't play. Big deal. That's tough to do.

But if we've learned anything, it's let's wait until a player suits up for the team and hits the court.

Most of this board though Bolden > Allen up until a few weeks ago.
 

revcort

Heisman
Feb 20, 2003
32,522
30,904
113
1. reports from those that HAVE seen him play.
2. my opinion of him in the limited time I've seen him competing.

Lots of people replying to me for some reason. I'm far from the only person that holds this thought.
People are replying because of your extreme opinion. There may be some who say Wynyard won't play much next year based on what they've seen so far, but to say "never a meaningful minute" requires more than a practice report. It requires clairvoyance. Players improve. At the very least, he's got some raw materials, right? He's 6-10 260 and has some athleticism. He can walk and chew gum, right?

Here's a thought, for comparison: who thought Derek Willis would become a starter in 2015-16 back when he came to Lexington in 2013-14 with such a great class? I'd say the same things were being said about Willis back then that you just said about Wynyard. In fact, I remember seeing that very thing on this board.

I'm not busting your chops man, just saying it's premature for anyone to make that statement about Wynyard.
 

SDcatfan13

All-Conference
Sep 26, 2003
50,302
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Spear how long is it going to take you.

He's the best recruit to never play a minute here, and will be a HUUUUGE part of this team. Briscoe is a top 5 player in the nation, when he shoots good. We don't need a top 3 ranked Center. SKJ is the second coming of Durant. Fox can shoot extremely good, except when he can't.

Everything is top 5.........

everything
I don't see many people saying that on this board. However, people who declare that someone will never contribute after being there for a whole semester are just as annoying as blind optimists. You'd think you would learn something from Derek Willis.
 

revcort

Heisman
Feb 20, 2003
32,522
30,904
113
it's my opinion. You can't put a timetable on an opinion. If I end up being wrong, then I end up being wrong.

To simply answer the OP's question then... I don't think Tai Wynyard ever plays a meaningful minute NEXT SEASON.
Limiting it to next season is more reasonable, yes, especially considering all the talent UK has coming in at the 4 and 5 positions. That may say more about the talent of those recruits than it says about Wynyard. For example: Josh Harrellson didn't play a meaningful minute in 2009-10 but he started at center in 2010-11.
 
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.S&C.

All-American
Jul 8, 2014
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I don't see many people saying that on this board. However, people who declare that someone will never contribute after being there for a whole semester are just as annoying as blind optimists. You'd think you learn something from Derek Willis.

You are getting dangerously close to my ignore button. I have 1 simple rule for my button.

Don't pick me out over and over to have disagreements. I make 1,000 opinions a week on here, theres common ground somewhere. You and one or two others seem to want to only respond when you feel like debating. It gets old. Try and respond to me on one of my many positive post sometime.If not, let me know, and I'll ignore you now.

To answer the question, no, I don't have to learn anything about Willis because I was one of the ones promoting him during the season when lots of posters didn't want to hear it. We were "fanboi's" Were you?

In a more broadly defined sense, no, we don't have a system designed to wait around for a player to contribute in his 3rd or 4th year. They will be recruited over, unless we have a shortage at their position by the time they come around. We do not recruit players for that purpose. Willis finally got playing time because Skal was terrible, and we needed some scoring(Brickso). thats it.

I am one who wishes we did, but in reality, unless things are slightly changing, we don't.

I have no idea if he will pan or not.

For the record, it was a sarcastic post mocking our pumpers.....Caneintally etc.
 

.S&C.

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Jul 8, 2014
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you're correct.

That had everything to do with Enes Kanter being ineligible to play. You know that. Regardless, you're right.

exactly. It's what I mean when I say they are returning "insurance" players, not meant to be a focal point of this team. The same with with Humphries.
 

UKCAT5FAN

All-Conference
May 9, 2010
5,254
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It really has been tough to know much about him.I think Matt Jones said he was behind Humphries when he got here so he might take time.I don't see him playing much next year.


Matt has said that he isn't sure if he can play here. He is that unsure about him. He said the fact that he didn't play last year, when we needed frontcourt players, says a lot about where he was skill wise.

Pretty telling comments, if you ask me. I'm not getting my hopes up for him to contribute much.
 

.S&C.

All-American
Jul 8, 2014
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Like anybody's afraid of S&C's ignore button. LOL.

Look, if you wanna ignore, then ignore. But the silly "watch out or I might ignore you..." type threats are about the single dumbest thing anyone does on these boards. Nobody but you cares about who you choose to ignore.

You don't have to be afraid. SDfan responds to me about once a week, to debate every single time. It gets old.

And I wasn't talking to you.
 

SDcatfan13

All-Conference
Sep 26, 2003
50,302
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You don't have to be afraid. SDfan responds to me about once a week, to debate every single time. It gets old.

And I wasn't talking to you.
I didn't mean to single you out in particular, and I apologize if you thought that. It's just a pet peeve of mine when people assume that a player can never contribute based upon so limited of information as it's very hard to predict the rate of development. I do believe Wynyard will have a limited role the next couple years, but I think if he sticks around he will be a force his last 2 years. I do believe any player who shows promise in practice should be given the opportunity for playing time in games, and I know Calipari had good things to say about Willis his first couple years. I was actually in favor of him getting minutes regardless of the development of Briscoe and Skal.
 
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.S&C.

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Jul 8, 2014
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I didn't mean to single you out in particular, it's just a pet peeve of mine when people assume that a player can never contribute based upon so limited of information as it's very hard to predict the rate of development. I do believe Wynyard will have a limited role the next couple years, but I think if he sticks around he will be a force his last 2 years. I do believe any player who shows promise in practice should be given the opportunity for playing time in games, and I know Calipari had good things to say about Willis his first couple years. I was actually in favor of him getting minutes regardless of the development of Briscoe and Skal.

I appreciate the response. Just seemed like your always responding negatively to me. For the record, my ignore button isn't scary, it's just consistent lol. I'll argue with anyone that isn't only trying to debate me.

I want Wynard to be a beast, and hope he's one of the players I've been wanting Cal to go after. A solid, (program player) that isn't here to eat up time and a scholarship. Humphries is here for insurance, not to be a focal point. Same with some others Cal has gone after. Willis and Dom weren't recruited to get 20 minutes a game. We just needed them last year because of early departures and missed recruits. Maybe Wynard can be the guy I've been hoping to see. A solid 3 to 4 year player that is part of the core, not insurance, not a practice dummy.

I don't think we are in disagreement really.
 

*dezyDECO*

All-Conference
Nov 9, 2014
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Matt has said that he isn't sure if he can play here. He is that unsure about him. He said the fact that he didn't play last year, when we needed frontcourt players, says a lot about where he was skill wise.

Pretty telling comments, if you ask me. I'm not getting my hopes up for him to contribute much.


Yeah, when MJ said that, it didn't sound too good.

Still, at the very least, I have to believe he'll develop in UK's system. He'll be playing against the best in practice, and would come in handy against some team with a banger (think UNCheat's Kennedy Meeks) down in the paint. Our skinny guys might end up in the 3rd row, but with experience Tai should be able to hold his own. And there's always the 5-more-fouls theory, if the refs love their whistles a little too much.

Meanwhile, I'll continue to hope we get a Jorts 2.0 out of him, when all is said and done.
 

CUT-NETS

Senior
May 6, 2009
5,782
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it's my opinion. You can't put a timetable on an opinion. If I end up being wrong, then I end up being wrong.

To simply answer the OP's question then... I don't think Tai Wynyard ever plays a meaningful minute NEXT SEASON.

Careful with an opinion contrary to the masses or one that may indicate a detriment to the team. Thats the real problem you know. You can have an opinion, it just can't indicate anything that makes UK/Cal look less than superior to any and all.