Is it possible that Derek is the same player he was last year, but this team simply plays too fast for him? He looks like all he wants to do is pass the ball once he gets it and stay out of the way.
Derek Willis
- Thread starter EvilMD
- Start date
He does seem to be passing up shots and hesitating (thinking too much) on shots he does take.He seems to run the court o.k.but he is struggling to find his role on this team.
He may not be in love anymore. Willis was flying high on a load of lovey dovey last year. Derek was taking and making shots for his little woman!
Somebody better give my boy some good loving so he gets mojo back!!
He may have broke up with his lady and got drunk in the off season!! Fyuuuuuuk! Nobody wants to make shots with a broken heart. Nobody.
Somebody better give my boy some good loving so he gets mojo back!!
He may have broke up with his lady and got drunk in the off season!! Fyuuuuuuk! Nobody wants to make shots with a broken heart. Nobody.
The difference between this year and last is there isn't a Murray and Ulis commanding 99% of the perimeter defense. Willis is a spot up shooter who doesn't shoot unless he is open. With only Monk making defenses honest they are not all cheating off Willis allowing him open shots.
Yep. One name describes a huge difference-maker for Willis last year: TYLER ULIS.
And not just because of drawing defenses away as you discussed, but also because Ulis was just masterful at getting the ball to Willis at all the right times and spots. Playing with Ulis was the best thing that happened to Willis' UK career.
Unfortunately, he doesn't have Ulis setting him up and feeding him this year, and it shows.
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So, what was his excuse against Indiana with Ulis and Murray?
I have always hoped he would become much more than he is. He is doing well with rebounding and making good passes, probably better entry passes than anyone else not named Fox. But, against top level teams his offense disappears or seems unreliable and his defense even against less than stellar teams is problematic.
Cal's challenge is Willis is an experienced Senior on a team that otherwise have Freshman to play his position. No one is showing much better overall production to take the position away.
I have always hoped he would become much more than he is. He is doing well with rebounding and making good passes, probably better entry passes than anyone else not named Fox. But, against top level teams his offense disappears or seems unreliable and his defense even against less than stellar teams is problematic.
Cal's challenge is Willis is an experienced Senior on a team that otherwise have Freshman to play his position. No one is showing much better overall production to take the position away.
I think Monk and Fox are playing way too fast at times. Whether that is hurting Willis, it's hard to tell. Murray played way too fast early on last year and was a mess. He made great strides after the first of the year and I expect the same from Monk and Fox. Once those two play fast but under control, we will move to another level.
He looked scared to death against UL. Missed 4 wide open three's. Those were killers.
He needs more shots. Give him 10 shots a game and he will make 5-6 of them and then we are a different team. Briscoe and Fox needs to stop shooting anything but a layup or a running 5 footer and pass it to Willis or Monk.
I agree with the poster above who said it feels like Willis is rushing his shot somewhat. But maybe that's just a perception thing on my part. Also, I sometimes think it would be good if he drove to the basket occasionally, but if that's correct I'm sure Calipari will push that issue. So, basically I don't have any real issue with Willis' offense. However....
I would like to see a little more hyperactivity and sense of urgency to Willis' game (maybe Cal should require that he drink a couple of Mt. Dews before tip-off) and commitment to playing smarter defense (using positioning, angles, and other techniques, depending on whether the opponent is stronger or quicker, that I don't really understand - but Cal and his staff do).
I would like to see a little more hyperactivity and sense of urgency to Willis' game (maybe Cal should require that he drink a couple of Mt. Dews before tip-off) and commitment to playing smarter defense (using positioning, angles, and other techniques, depending on whether the opponent is stronger or quicker, that I don't really understand - but Cal and his staff do).
If we need Willis to hit 60% of his shots on double his normal volume then we are toast.
You probably have the best mindset on this; and the one I should adopt too. But, I just keep thinking that there is more there that Willis can give based on his skill set and athleticism. Oh well. . . hope springs eternal.
You realize Willis is only shooting 34 percent on threes this year, right? So I'm not sure what makes you so sure "he will make 5-6 of them."
I'm of the opinion that a player should first start making a good percentage of shots before he "needs more shots." Apparently you see it differently.
Yeah and he shot 44% from 3 last year. It's kind of hard to get into rhythm when Fox is missing 18 footers with 20 seconds left in the shot clock. Willis is the best shooter on the team, he needs more shots.
No you are right. He is definitely rushing his shot. I stated before he acts like its a ticking time bomb and can't get rid of it quick enough. Whether that be a pass or shot attempt. Derek just needs to get set and take his time. Anybody with his length can afford a split sec longer bc they probably won't get their shot blocked or altered. Stay calm and balanced and knock that shiz down.
Willis is a senior nearing halfway through his senior year. At this point he is what he is.
I think he has Cal in his head.
People are not going to like it, but Cal threw players under the bus again by saying there were at least 15 times during the Louisville game were the players were not disciplined, doing what they wanted rather than what he told them to do which was drive the ball and quit taking challenged outside jumpers.
Cal may be telling the team to feed the ball, so when he is open, he is thinking before acting.
We have two guys (Mulder and Monk) with better three point shooting percentages than Willis, around six guys with a better overall FG percentage, and three guys with a better free throw percentage--yet you can somehow affirmatively declare as fact that he's "the best shooter on the team"? Despite the fact he does not lead ANY shooting categories, and averages only one made three per game? Well, how nice that one can be awarded such titles without any actual evidence backing it up.
And, yes, he shot better last year--that was one season. I'm more concerned with this season--where he has plainly not shot well. He's had three seasons here where he shot poorly, and only one where he shot well, sorry but there is a limit to how much credit mileage one gets off one past season.
And, frankly, the "rhythm" excuse gets old. Willis began the season as a starter, and is averaging nearly 20 minutes per game, he's had more than ample opportunity to get in good shooting rhythms. And I wonder how the rhythm excuse-makers explain Mychal Mulder--NOBODY gets jerked around, rhythm-wise, more than Mulder, Cal barely even gives him a chance to break a sweat during his playing stints--yet Mulder still has the best outside shooting percentage on the entire team.
If anyone's shooting this year suggests they deserve "more shots", it's Mulder, not Willis.
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It's my opinion that Willis is the best shooter on the team. Your statistics are flawed. 6 guys have a better FG % than Willis because they shoot layups and dunks while Willis shoots primarily 3's. Monk and Mulder have shot better than Willis this year, I think Willis, Monk, and Mulder should be taking the majority of 3's and not Fox and Briscoe.
Also, Willis is shooting 34% from 3. That is below his average but it's still a good percentage. We all hope Green shoots 34% from 3 next season.
You also knocked Willis' FG percentage as a Freshman and Sophomore when he didn't even play much. That's silly.
Willis didn't play well last year until the middle of the season, I hope he catches fire again this season.
I like Mulder, but he is one dimensional. He's a shooter only. Willis is 6'9, can rebound (when focused), block shots, feed the post, and is a team player.
Hey, I've got an idea........Let's kick Willis around some before 2016 runs out..........
He's still a deer in headlights. He looked plain scared and jittery on the offensive end against Louisville. Could basically see his hands shaking when he let go of the few shots he did take.
Well at least you admit it your opinion so we can all agree that it's 100% wrong. Anyone who thinks Derek Willis is a better shooter than Malik monk has an agenda
This suggests you've never even actually watched Mulder--who's actually been a damn good rebounder for his size. In fact, his career per-40 rebounding averages are actually BETTER than Willis' (9.5 vs. 8.5). That's right, he's actually rebounded at a better per-minute rate than Willis during his career, despite being 5 or 6 inches shorter. Bet you didn't expect that, did you?
And Mulder also has far better career per-40 passing/assist numbers, and he is no worse defensively than Willis. And just how do you think Mulder is supposedly any less of a "team player" than Willis?
Sorry, but the ONLY significant thing Willis has over Mulder as a player is height--6'9" vs.6'4" matters--and I'll concede Willis should play more than Mulder solely for that reason--as this year's team has far more need at the PF spot than the guard spots. But this other junk you've come up with trying to distinguish the two is largely just made up nonsense.
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I normally don't dig as deep as some of you guys with regard to fundamentals but Willis and Mulder's defense is terrible. I love Mulder's shot and couldn't believe his lack of playing time.... until I saw his total lack of defense. Not saying he doesn't try but it's been really bad. I thought Willis was making strides last year but he's been really bad again this year too. I love those guys offense and we need it but they have to find a way to play defense. They can really shoot, hope things work out.
Add a pop tart(any flavor) and you might be on to something,it could help his defense(if he can't guard them he can puke on them and get them out of the game for a little while)
The problem here is that Willis has been over hyped by fanboi's and the Bullitt Co mafia to the point folks started believing it. Frankly he is playing about like I'd expect or even a bit better. He's a KY boy that got a big opportunity and he makes the best of it. Any gap you see in Willis play isn't due to lack of effort or some idiotic conspiracy on the part of the coaches. The gap is due to some of our self proclaimed basketball geniuses over selling what they wanted him to be.
He's got an opportunity we'd kill for. He'll do his best and that's the end of it.
He's got an opportunity we'd kill for. He'll do his best and that's the end of it.
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I like it. Adding a ton of sugar on top of all that caffeine has to be good, right?
Mulder plays garbage minutes, that's why his rebounding percentage and assist percentage is better than Willis'. Willis plays unselfish, he feeds the post, and he doesn't take bad shots. Look, I get it....you don't like Willis. I just appreciate a player who not all about himself and not trying to "get his" like other players we have.
There are a handful that cant stand DW , He can defend his guy pretty well but the very first time he gets caught on a switch with a G and gets toasted the vultures salivate . I'm NOT saying he is awesome or is having a great year , or deserves anything , just stating fact that without him stepping up our season is headed to a very disappointing end . Gabriel is actually worse at both rebounding and D and we have no other option since Cal has buried Mulder . Only other thing is play Bam at the 4 and Hump at the 5 . Would be nice if people actually pulled for our players instead of trashing them.