Derek Willis

[UK90]

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.

No, you don't get it. I do not dislike Willis. In fact, I do like him. I But I do wish he'd be treated the same here as other similarly-situated UK players. AND I'll admit I've grown sick and tired of this group of posters (which seems to have been aptly nicknamed the "Bullitt County mafia") who seem entirely willing to disregard actual facts, evidence and rationality whenever talking about Willis.

And, frankly, it also chaps my *** when that crowd starts tossing around phrases like "team player", "unselfish", "heart", "not all about himself", etc. to try to distinguish players like Willis from other UK players. There are some real loaded (and arguably racist) undertones when fans throw those phrases around about only certain demographic "types" of players, especially when there's really no objective criteria or basis to back those words.

Tell me, who exactly are all these selfish "non-team" UK players you're distinguishing Willis from?

 

[Poetax]

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.

You can bash him and blame him all you want but last year after he got back, his injury lingered with him a lot longer then anyone knew. And I love Cal but using a quick hook on Gabriel and Willis has seem to lower their confidence on the floor on what they need to do.

 

[Poetax]

No, you DON'T get it. I do not dislike Willis. In fact, I do like him. I But I do wish he'd be treated the same here as other similarly-situated UK players. AND I'll admit I've grown sick and tired of this group of posters (which seems to have been aptly nicknamed the "Bullitt County mafia") who seem entirely willing to disregard actual facts, evidence and rationality whenever talking about Willis.

And, frankly, it also chaps my *** when that crowd starts tossing around phrases like "team player", "unselfish", "heart", "not all about himself", etc." to distinguish players like Willis from other UK players--especially when it's not really backed by what's happening on the court. Their are some real loaded (and arguably racist) undertones when fans throw those phrases around about only certain demographic "types" of players, especially when there's really no objective criteria to back those words.

Tell me, who exactly are all these selfish "non-team" UK players you're distinguishing Willis from?

Racist, are you going to play that card until you die?

 

[ManitouDan_anon]

No, you DON'T get it. I do not dislike Willis. In fact, I do like him. I But I do wish he'd be treated the same here as other similarly-situated UK players. AND I'll admit I've grown sick and tired of this group of posters (which seems to have been aptly nicknamed the "Bullitt County mafia") who seem entirely willing to disregard actual facts, evidence and rationality whenever talking about Willis.

And, frankly, it also chaps my *** when that crowd starts tossing around phrases like "team player", "unselfish", "heart", "not all about himself", etc." to distinguish players like Willis from other UK players--especially when it's not really backed by what's happening on the court. Their are some real loaded (and arguably racist) undertones when fans throw those phrases around about only certain demographic "types" of players, especially when there's really no objective criteria to back those words.

Tell me, who exactly are all these selfish "non-team" UK players you're distinguishing Willis from?

Fox is my Fav' player but he looked to me like he was out to get his in the UL game.

 

[uk78_rivals88018]

Thought Fox was great, it was Monk who was off his game and didn't do his drive and pull-up which seems unstoppable. I agree with Cal, he needs to seek the contact because he is almost unstoppable with his athletic leaping ability.

 

[Poetax]

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.

Fans don't realize that with the speed we have in Fox and Monk, you live with whether they hit or miss just because it's a great weapon when it works. Does it affect the others playing, sure, but you can't harness those two and slow them down. Fox does need to realize if he going for jumpers at that speed, he needs to set his feet before shooting which is tough to do at that speed.

 

[Poetax]

Thought Fox was great, it was Monk who was off his game and didn't do his drive and pull-up which seems unstoppable. I agree with Cal, he needs to seek the contact because he is almost unstoppable with his athletic leaping ability.

His early fouls didn't help him either, he seem to feel he had to make up the time that he was on the bench. Patience he will learn.

 

[Poetax]

He looked scared to death against UL. Missed 4 wide open three's. Those were killers.

Honestly Willis plays with a more stoic face then anyone on the team, no smile (accept maybe after a great dunk) no anger, never appears to get upset.

 

[Thompkins4uk]

No, you DON'T get it. I do not dislike Willis. In fact, I do like him. I But I do wish he'd be treated the same here as other similarly-situated UK players. AND I'll admit I've grown sick and tired of this group of posters (which seems to have been aptly nicknamed the "Bullitt County mafia") who seem entirely willing to disregard actual facts, evidence and rationality whenever talking about Willis.

And, frankly, it also chaps my *** when that crowd starts tossing around phrases like "team player", "unselfish", "heart", "not all about himself", etc. to try to distinguish players like Willis from other UK players. Their are some real loaded (and arguably racist) undertones when fans throw those phrases around about only certain demographic "types" of players, especially when there's really no objective criteria or basis to back those words.

Tell me, who exactly are all these selfish "non-team" UK players you're distinguishing Willis from?

Wow! So if a fan says that Willis is "unselfish" or a "team player", they are being racist? That's the problem with our country, everybody gets their little feelings hurt by the smallest of things and in this case...for absolutely nothing at all. You are seriously grasping at straws. I can't remember the last time Willis took a bad shot. And yes he feeds the post, watch the games! And yes, I think Fox and Briscoe shoot 3's and 18 footers way too quickly and way too often when you look at their percentages! If that makes me racist then I guess I'm racist.

 

[Elliott Tim]

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.

A good observation. Could very well be true.

 

[docholiday51]

Willis has had a good run at UK,we have gotten good mileage out of him,the truth is he may or may not have been the best player on his high school team.He committed before Cal got here ,and to his credit Cal stuck with him,he might not have been offered otherwise

 

[Thompkins4uk]

Willis has had a good run at UK,we have gotten good mileage out of him,the truth is he may or may not have been the best player on his high school team.He committed before Cal got here ,and to his credit Cal stuck with him,he might not have been offered otherwise

Willis committed in 2009?

 

[docholiday51]

Willis committed in 2009?

I think he committed his Jr year I could be wrong but don't think so

 

[UK90]

.He committed before Cal got here ,and to his credit Cal stuck with him,he might not have been offered otherwise

Umm ...what?? Dude, you've got your timeline SERIOUSLY messed up, and seem to be confusing Willis with Jon Hood.

 

[UK90]

I think he committed his Jr year I could be wrong but don't think so

Willis' HS "Jr year" was in 2012, Do you really think that was "before Cal got here"?

I seriously wonder about the level of intoxicants some of y'all consume.

 

[WildMoon]

he passed up shots last year...

Not scoring in big games was same last year...

 

[c0d0r123]

I think folks are beginning to see how far reaching the Tyler Ulis effect really was with last years team. Everyone's game elevates when they play with a warrior like that. Obviously i'm not DWill but I would imagine he's finding it uncomfortable taking on that "warrior leader" role that Ulis held last year.

My reasoning? Does anyone remember..what was it, the Mizzou game or Tennessee game last year where he ripped down a defensive rebound and took it coast to coast for a balls out dunk? That's confidence spurned by leadership. He's just not playing the same this year.

Now yall got me watching Ulis highlight videos from last year. GD I miss that kid. Played beautiful basketball.

 

[docholiday51]

Willis' HS "Jr year" was in 2012, Do you really think that was "before Cal got here"?

I seriously wonder about the level of intoxicants some of y'all consume.

He did commit in Jan 2012 the rest of the post is pretty accurate and hell it's 5 o'clock somewhere:cheers2:

 

[Poetax]

Willis has had a good run at UK,we have gotten good mileage out of him,the truth is he may or may not have been the best player on his high school team.He committed before Cal got here ,and to his credit Cal stuck with him,he might not have been offered otherwise

I think it was Hood not Willis.

 

[UK90]

He did commit in Jan 2012 the rest of the post is pretty accurate

Are you on drugs"? The "rest of the post" claimed he committed to UK "before Cal arrived" , which was frighteningly far from "pretty accurate." I mean, you do know what year Cal arrived, and what year it is today, right?

Fwiw, Willis originally committed to Purdue, and came here after a de-commit. Maybe that's part of what's confusing you, I don't know, but thanks for the laugh.

 

[docholiday51]

I think it was Hood not Willis.

Time frame yes,but there was some question because he committed his Jr year and then slid in the rankings badly over the next year.He has had a good run at UK,but has been over matched at times. I think he gives us what is there to give.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Racist, are you going to play that card until you die?

I see his point.

I don't call it racism. I call it "white boy from Kentucky on scholarship syndrome." I saw it with Chris Harrison. I saw it with Josh Carrier. I saw it with Jon Hood. I've seen it with Willis. (For some reason I didn't see it with Darius Miller and I haven't seen it with Hawkins.)

Certain people seem to live vicariously through the white kid from Kentucky who isn't a walk-on. The prior Cats I mentioned had vocal minorities - usually people from somewhere close to the player's hometown - demanding larger roles for each of those guys. Derek is easily the most talented of that bunch.

I get it. People subconsciously tend to embrace those from their "tribe" because it gives the everyman hope to see one of his own succeed at a high level.

 

[Thompkins4uk]

I see his point.

I don't call it racism. I call it "white boy from Kentucky on scholarship syndrome." I saw it with Chris Harrison. I saw it with Josh Carrier. I saw it with Jon Hood. I've seen it with Willis. (For some reason I didn't see it with Darius Miller and I haven't seen it with Hawkins.)

Certain people seem to live vicariously through the white kid from Kentucky who isn't a walk-on. The prior Cats I mentioned had vocal minorities - usually people from somewhere close to the player's hometown - demanding larger roles for each of those guys. Derek is easily the most talented of that bunch.

I get it. People subconsciously tend to embrace those from their "tribe" because it gives the everyman hope to see one of his own succeed at a high level.

I didn't like Hood (he couldn't shoot). I love shooters. I like Willis and Monk. I loved Murray, Booker, Delk, both Millers, Rex, Kaz, Fitch, Sparks, Meeks, Ford...anybody who could fill it up! Maybe white guys from Kentucky can identify with white players from Kentucky but that's not racism. We are men, stop getting so offended over little things. Grow a pair, men are made for this shat!

 

[Jmeeks54thebest]

Willis reminds me of Darius Miller in his junior year up to the middle of his senior year. In this time period Miller was clearly talented but was hesitant and didn't trust himself.

Hopefully Willis pulls himself up before March, because we need him to be our Miller.

 

[MegaBlue05]

I didn't like Hood (he couldn't shoot). I love shooters. I like Willis and Monk. I loved Murray, Booker, Delk, both Millers, Rex, Kaz, Fitch, Sparks, Meeks, Ford...anybody who could fill it up! Maybe white guys from Kentucky can identify with white players from Kentucky but that's not racism. We are men, stop getting so offended over little things. Grow a pair, men are made for this shat!

Uhhh, I'm not offended by anything.

I was just clarifying what I thought another poster meant by his racism comment. Save your silly machismo for someone else.

 

[Thompkins4uk]

Uhhh, I'm not offended by anything.

I was just clarifying what I thought another poster meant by his racism comment. Save your silly machismo for someone else.

Ok, sissy boy!

 

[Poetax]

I see his point.

I don't call it racism. I call it "white boy from Kentucky on scholarship syndrome." I saw it with Chris Harrison. I saw it with Josh Carrier. I saw it with Jon Hood. I've seen it with Willis. (For some reason I didn't see it with Darius Miller and I haven't seen it with Hawkins.)

Certain people seem to live vicariously through the white kid from Kentucky who isn't a walk-on. The prior Cats I mentioned had vocal minorities - usually people from somewhere close to the player's hometown - demanding larger roles for each of those guys. Derek is easily the most talented of that bunch.

I get it. People subconsciously tend to embrace those from their "tribe" because it gives the everyman hope to see one of his own succeed at a high level.

Maybe with family and the town they are from and even the state, like Kentucky. But if you mean tribul like in race, you would be wrong with most UK fans. My wife is from Maysville, and Darius is still King there. He was worshipped by everyone there and Lexington. Honestly I'm disappointed that you feel this way because when the usual group does this after a loss, it's expected, look back at their posts and it will prove me right. And about Willis, unless you've been under a rock, more people bash this kid then any that I know and I can bet you it's probably 95% white fans doing it. Heck most scream for Gabriel to start but now that's he's not doing so hot they want Mulder so as you can see if you really want to, it's a vicious cycle no matter what color they are.

 

[UK90]

Grow a pair, men are made for this shat!

Funny thing is, you have no more clue what relevance this sort of nonsensical gibberish has to the actual points being made in this thread than anyone else. But you did know you were not smart enough to come up with an actual well-reasoned pertinent response, so you figured if you just threw out a few "grow a pair" "shat" "sissy boy" type clichéd dim-bulb catchphrases people might think you were talking all manly-like and give you a pass.

 

[Thompkins4uk]

Funny thing is, you have no more clue what relevance this sort of nonsensical gibberish has to the actual points being made in this thread than anyone else. But you did know you were not smart enough to come up with an actual well-reasoned pertinent response, so you figured if you just threw out a few "grow a pair" "shat" "sissy boy" type clichéd dim-bulb catchphrases people might think you were talking all manly-like and give you a pass.

All 3 of my "catchphrases" were somewhat in jest. For example, the poster had just said that nothing offends him...so I tried to offend him by calling him a "sissy boy" even though I don't know him personally. I put "shat" because I wasn't sure if I could actually cuss on this forum. I told the poster to "grow a pair" because he seemed a little Liberal for my taste, so that one was an insult. By the way, lighten up...it's a discussion, not an argument. We are all on the same team.

 

[JerseyCat84_rivals57050]

You mean erek?

 

[loublue22_rivals308424]

Willis reminds me of Darius Miller in his junior year up to the middle of his senior year. In this time period Miller was clearly talented but was hesitant and didn't trust himself.

Hopefully Willis pulls himself up before March, because we need him to be our Miller.

you're underselling Darius Miller

 

[EvilMD]

I'm a white man who lived in Mt. Washington recently for five years, and yes I'm pulling for Derek for both of those reasons, but I don't want him out there if he is not contributing. And this year his contributions are minimal. He looks lost out there, and I think it's because he's not comfortable with the breakneck pace set by Fox and Monk. What do you do about that? Nothing. You just hope he learns to get comfortable because we aren't going far in March with two inconsistent forwards in Briscoe and Willis.

As for the racism dog whistle stuff, I think Willis IS unselfish. He stayed at UK when he wasn't getting minutes. Others transferred. And more would transfer if it happened to them. I think Hawkins is also very unselfish.

 

[Thompkins4uk]

No, you don't get it. I do not dislike Willis. In fact, I do like him. I But I do wish he'd be treated the same here as other similarly-situated UK players. AND I'll admit I've grown sick and tired of this group of posters (which seems to have been aptly nicknamed the "Bullitt County mafia") who seem entirely willing to disregard actual facts, evidence and rationality whenever talking about Willis.

And, frankly, it also chaps my *** when that crowd starts tossing around phrases like "team player", "unselfish", "heart", "not all about himself", etc. to try to distinguish players like Willis from other UK players. There are some real loaded (and arguably racist) undertones when fans throw those phrases around about only certain demographic "types" of players, especially when there's really no objective criteria or basis to back those words.

Tell me, who exactly are all these selfish "non-team" UK players you're distinguishing Willis from?

Can I say that Wilis is "unselfish" for purposedly missing free throws so his teammate could get a triple double or is that racist?