The importance of Reid Travis imminent commitment

[DreDay247]

I understand the buzz surrounding a player like this isn't as exciting to many as say a high schooler committing. But we are essentially adding next years best player to the team. This is every bit as big as getting a #1 recruit in HS as the only player in this years class I'd MAYBE willing to take over him would be Barrett. Maybe not as far as exposure and branding, but as far as quality of the player for one season to help us win games there's not a recruit I'm taking over him. It's every bit as good as adding a #1-3 recruit, only thing is he's been there done that and brings invaluable experience that an incoming top recruit doesn't bring. Without Travis we are a top 3 team. With him. We are head and shoulders best team in the country IMO.

For those who I've seen, which is a few, that think Duke actually has a slightly better team than us. May I ask why? For one theyre going to struggle big time due to terrible d and no shooting. Also. Our recruiting classes are neck and neck to where it's a push as far as who has the better recruiting class. 2 equal classes coming in. Add Travis to the mix as far as incoming players go. And our newcomers are easily the best influx of talent in the country with no close second. It's every bit the same as if we added the #1 or #2 recruit in the country to our class. So if the recruiting classes are equal and our incoming players are clearly better altogether when you include Travis then that must mean duke's returning players are better than ours for those who think they're better. So Bolden>PJ, Richards, Baker, Green. Apparently that's the logic people are using to say Duke is better because nothing else would make sense. Clearly nonsense.;;

I don't really care that people say that, but I legit don't understand it. How is it people say Duke has a slightly better team. Yet our incoming talent is better than Duke's, our recruiting classes are equal, and our returning players are a million times better ontop of the fact when you include Travis we are also a million times more experience. Better incoming talent? Check!
More experience? Check! Way better returning players! Check! Only teams that stand a chance against us next season are Nevada and maybe KU, but that's it. Duke isn't on the same tier as these three teams next season.

I know grad transfers aren't very KY like and they don't create the same buzz recruits do. But the thing is it's much better because of the experience and the fact the guy averaged 20 and 9 in a major conference last season. How many incoming freshman do you think will average 20 and 9 next season? Good chance not a single one. We need to be every bit as ecstatic about this as if we had added Barrett or any other #1 prospect to our class, also id way rather have Travis for his 5th year senior season than Williamson for his freshman season if we are picking players for that one season. Put that in perspective, this is a bigger pickup for us than picking up zion would've been for us. And honestly, he could end up being better for us than Barrett for Duke.

 

[Pewee Cat]

Or the opponents can say. Average players coming back, good freshman & a grad transfer who is experienced but not a NBA pick.
I'm of the opinion they will be better than last years team, hopefully a lot better.

 

[musrat59]

It is always nice when you can have a good senior on your team because they have been thru the wars.

 

[Primedfor9]

I guess Duke has what some consider to have slightly more high end talent with three top 5 players, and four top 10 along with the Baker kid that reclassified who will give their depth a boost. But I agree, If we land Travis we'll have the more impressive roster. Travis would be a huge get, we'd be getting one of the best players in the country. The only other frontcourt player in the country returning who is on the same level is Ethan Happ.

 

[KA4Prez_rivals78700]

Duke has a Kentucky-type team next year. The top talent, but will struggle all year to find their groove and the deficiencies will be their undoing. Also, Cal has shown he can cover the holes a lot better on teams like that than K can.

 

[bigc45157]

Duke has a Kentucky-type team next year. The top talent, but will struggle all year to find their groove and the deficiencies will be their undoing. Also, Cal has shown he can cover the holes a lot better on teams like that than K can.

And I think we have a Duke - ish team with the potential of our perimeter team. Hopefully we defend better than their teams typically do, though.

 

[Cardsstink]

Too much credit for Duke. They will be worse this coming year than last year. Hands down.

 

[kyjeff1]

I guess Duke has what some consider to have slightly more high end talent with three top 5 players, and four top 10 along with the Baker kid that reclassified who will give their depth a boost. But I agree, If we land Travis we'll have the more impressive roster. Travis would be a huge get, we'd be getting one of the best players in the country. The only other frontcourt player in the country returning who is on the same level is Ethan Happ.

I think there are other returning frontcourt players out there that are in Travis' league, if not better. Dean Wade comes to mind right away without much thought.

It's the off season, so I'm not as tuned in as I am during the season, but I'm sure there are others.

Travis is awesome, but we do have to pump the brakes a little bit, the PAC12 was ridiculously weak last year and he feasted on it.

However, he did show his worth against Ayton.

 

[kyjeff1]

I understand the buzz surrounding a player like this isn't as exciting to many as say a high schooler committing. But we are essentially adding next years best player to the team. This is every bit as big as getting a #1 recruit in HS as the only player in this years class I'd MAYBE willing to take over him would be Barrett. Maybe not as far as exposure and branding, but as far as quality of the player for one season to help us win games there's not a recruit I'm taking over him. It's every bit as good as adding a #1-3 recruit, only thing is he's been there done that and brings invaluable experience that an incoming top recruit doesn't bring. Without Travis we are a top 3 team. With him. We are head and shoulders best team in the country IMO.

For those who I've seen, which is a few, that think Duke actually has a slightly better team than us. May I ask why? For one theyre going to struggle big time due to terrible d and no shooting. Also. Our recruiting classes are neck and neck to where it's a push as far as who has the better recruiting class. 2 equal classes coming in. Add Travis to the mix as far as incoming players go. And our newcomers are easily the best influx of talent in the country with no close second. It's every bit the same as if we added the #1 or #2 recruit in the country to our class. So if the recruiting classes are equal and our incoming players are clearly better altogether when you include Travis then that must mean duke's returning players are better than ours for those who think they're better. So Bolden>PJ, Richards, Baker, Green. Apparently that's the logic people are using to say Duke is better because nothing else would make sense. Clearly nonsense.;;

I don't really care that people say that, but I legit don't understand it. How is it people say Duke has a slightly better team. Yet our incoming talent is better than Duke's, our recruiting classes are equal, and our returning players are a million times better ontop of the fact when you include Travis we are also a million times more experience. Better incoming talent? Check!
More experience? Check! Way better returning players! Check! Only teams that stand a chance against us next season are Nevada and maybe KU, but that's it. Duke isn't on the same tier as these three teams next season.

I know grad transfers aren't very KY like and they don't create the same buzz recruits do. But the thing is it's much better because of the experience and the fact the guy averaged 20 and 9 in a major conference last season. How many incoming freshman do you think will average 20 and 9 next season? Good chance not a single one. We need to be every bit as ecstatic about this as if we had added Barrett or any other #1 prospect to our class, also id way rather have Travis for his 5th year senior season than Williamson for his freshman season if we are picking players for that one season. Put that in perspective, this is a bigger pickup for us than picking up zion would've been for us. And honestly, he could end up being better for us than Barrett for Duke.

Dude, breathe. LOL.

 

[DerekMcPwn]

Too much credit for Duke. They will be worse this coming year than last year. Hands down.

I don’t want to talk too much smack because Barrett already torched a Cal-coached team with Quickley and Washington, but I tend to agree with you.

Wendell Carter > Bolden/DeLaurier
Marvin Bagley > Zion Williamson
Trevon Duval > Tre Jones

The wild card is Reddish/Barrett vs. Gary Trent/Grayson Allen. While Reddish and Barrett are probably the better players, and definitely better pro prospects, Allen and Trent are the better shooters. So Duke is looking at worse point guard play, worse shooting, worse rebounding, worse blocking, and worse post scoring all in exchange for better slashing and better mismatching. That’s a terrible trade of attributes.

 

[Cardsstink]

I don’t want to talk too much smack because Barrett already torched a Cal-coached team with Quickley and Washington, but I tend to agree with you.

Wendell Carter > Bolden/DeLaurier
Marvin Bagley > Zion Williamson
Trevon Duval > Tre Jones

The wild card is Reddish/Barrett vs. Gary Trent/Grayson Allen. While Reddish and Barrett are probably the better players, and definitely better pro prospects, Allen and Trent are the better shooters. So Duke is looking at worse point guard play, worse shooting, worse rebounding, worse blocking, and worse post scoring all in exchange for better slashing and better mismatching. That’s a terrible trade of attributes.

Agree, and I see a spoiled bunch coached by a spoiled brat. I bet they have major chemistry problems and lack of effort when things get tough. I see us setting the tone for their season with a clear beat down.

 

[uk78_rivals88018]

He is a proven good player and of course experienced which always has been the Kentucky challenge the past few years. The most important part is not whether he is the greatest in the college game now, but the need our team would have if he doesn't come on board.

PJ was able to post on the baseline and not get double teamed especially when Gabriel showed or SKJ was rebounding. Plus, there were players that PJ could pass to or cut to the basket, or grab an offensive rebound. Without Travis, we would have two unproven players that we would hope might progress with Johnson and Montgomery. But, we would have had to pray to whomever you believe in that Richards has progressed to be really good. I would have hated to base our wholel season on that!

Now, if Travis does commit, Cal can have 3 big front court players, or a physical team if he plays PJ, Travis, Johnson, and Montgomery together if desired. He now has front court depth, better defense, etc. Cal has in the beginning of the season two front court experienced players where the fans and commentators may not have to keep saying wait until the end of the year.

 

[Primedfor9]

I think there are other returning frontcourt players out there that are in Travis' league, if not better. Dean Wade comes to mind right away without much thought.

It's the off season, so I'm not as tuned in as I am during the season, but I'm sure there are others.

Travis is awesome, but we do have to pump the brakes a little bit, the PAC12 was ridiculously weak last year and he feasted on it.

However, he did show his worth against Ayton.

Wade isn't that great of a rebounder, I'd take Travis over him without any hesitation.

 

[JonathanW_rivals]

Duke has a Kentucky-type team next year. The top talent, but will struggle all year to find their groove and the deficiencies will be their undoing. Also, Cal has shown he can cover the holes a lot better on teams like that than K can.

While I agree that Duke has more of a Kentucky-type team next year, there is one big flaw to that Duke team. Their 3 "best" players are the same (almost).6'5-6'6 2G-SF tweeners who want the ball in their hands and to score a lot. Zion has the bulk to play PF, but his game is much like the other 2.

 

[JonathanW_rivals]

He is a proven good player and of course experienced which always has been the Kentucky challenge the past few years. The most important part is not whether he is the greatest in the college game now, but the need our team would have if he doesn't come on board.

PJ was able to post on the baseline and not get double teamed especially when Gabriel showed or SKJ was rebounding. Plus, there were players that PJ could pass to or cut to the basket, or grab an offensive rebound. Without Travis, we would have two unproven players that we would hope might progress with Johnson and Montgomery. But, we would have had to pray to whomever you believe in that Richards has progressed to be really good. I would have hated to base our wholel season on that!

Now, if Travis does commit, Cal can have 3 big front court players, or a physical team if he plays PJ, Travis, Johnson, and Montgomery together if desired. He now has front court depth, better defense, etc. Cal has in the beginning of the season two front court experienced players where the fans and commentators may not have to keep saying wait until the end of the year.

Richards will play more minutes than Montgomery. And he will at times look like our best player next year.

 

[DerekMcPwn]

Richards will play more minutes than Montgomery. And he will at times look like our best player next year.

There’s a hot take. I prefer the snowball’s chances in hell.

 

[DreDay247]

Richards will play more minutes than Montgomery. And he will at times look like our best player next year.

Richards will be the 4th man in our 4 man rotation between the 4/5 spots, and will end up averaging less than 20 mpg, id say 10-15(max) mpg considering how head and shoulders above the other 3 are.

 

[DerekMcPwn]

Richards will be the 4th man in our 4 man rotation between the 4/5 spots, and will end up averaging less than 20 mpg, id say 10-15(max) mpg considering how head and shoulders above the other 3 are.

Agreed. We only have 80 post minutes to dole out, and (assuming we get Travis) four guys sharing them. Richards is easily the least skilled of the four. The math really prohibits him seeing more than 10 minutes per game unless he undergoes a total transformation.

 

[Elliott Tim]

Too much credit for Duke. They will be worse this coming year than last year. Hands down.

Amount of posts on RR is amazng. They could shut down Devil's Den and never miss a beat.

 

[DreDay247]

Agreed. We only have 80 post minutes to dole out, and (assuming we get Travis) four guys sharing them. Richards is easily the least skilled of the four. The math really prohibits him seeing more than 10 minutes per game unless he undergoes a total transformation.

Yea when I did a minute breakdown in one thread I had PJ and Travis at 25 each, EJ at 22 and Richards at 8-10 and take EJ down to 20 if Richards gets 10 but I think EJ is too good and too versatile to not play slightly more than half the game.

 

[Macys Socks]

Agree, and I see a spoiled bunch coached by a spoiled rat. I bet they have major chemistry problems and lack of effort when things get tough. I see us setting the tone for their season with a clear beat down.

FIFY

 

[kydmb99_rivals103809]

Richards will play more minutes than Montgomery. And he will at times look like our best player next year.

Thought this was smooth or UMM first time I read it

 

[Ky_Bred_Cat]

If we land Travis, we will have one of the best frontcourt-backcourt combinations of the Cal era. Our guard lineup is easily the deepest and could be, as a group, the best Cal's had. With PJ and Travis controlling the paint and a potentially good to very good supporting cast behind them, this will be a very good squad.

Next year Duke will throttle some teams and lose head scratchers to others. They will be really good some of the time and surprisingly disjointed at others. By their standards, it will be an unusually up-and-down year for them.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I'm not sure I'd go as far as saying he's worth a top1-3 recruit.. but I would say he's worth a top10. He's conditioned, and he'll come in with confidence and a good deal of talent, right from the get-go. By year's end, a guy like RJ could, and probably should, edge him out as a more valuable asset in March.

But Reid will do a great deal in making sure we don't drop any early games.. the types that keep us from getting a 1 or 2 seed.

 

[STEVECAT]

Reid is a brick wall. Imagine him setting a screen for Hagans up top . The dude is immovable

 

[JonathanW_rivals]

You guys are hating way too much on Richards. Statistically, he was pretty good last year. I KNOW there were problems with his play that don't show up statistically! But IMO many of those are easily corrected in the weight room and with some grip strength work. His per-30-min averages were 10.4 pts, 9.0 reb, and 1.8 blks. He made 61% of his shots, and 71% of his FTs. The biggest thing that needs improvement is his ability to recognize where he needs to be on the defensive end when there are switches or if someone gets past their guy (w/ rotations). You have to believe he will be ahead of the FR in that area.

Also there will be more than 80 mpg divided among PJ, Travis, Richards, & EJ. Johnson and the guards will get a decent number of the SF minutes, but NOT all 40 of them.
You know Cal sold Travis on being able to play on the perimeter some. And that is what PJ wants to do too, because he now knows that NBA teams find him too undersized to be a PF. So both of those guys will be given the opportunity to play some SF (as long as they make some shots).
My projections on minutes:
30 Washington
28 Travis
22 Richards
18 Montgomery

 

[JC CATS]

I think you underestimate the fan base. I think BBN is clamoring for Reid Travis. Yes we only get him one year, but we only get a lot of players one year. He is big, strong, can take the ball outside, he is experienced, just what we need! I think he is the missing piece to a FF and hopefully a title

 

[Drcats2025]

Richards will play more minutes than Montgomery. And he will at times look like our best player next year.

LOLOL. I like Richards, but this statement is asinine at best.

 

[Panthur]

Whether we get Travis is another question. But if we do get Travis I’ll start talking 40-0 and I don’t give an ish who doesn’t like it.

 

[Cats192]

Wee see it year after year. The freshmen come in and struggle. Getting a senior/5th year player that just had nearly 20/10 is insane

 

[Ky_Bred_Cat]

Travis' decision to make is clear: Either he goes to Nova, who need him much more than we do and will count on him heavily for production, or he goes to UK, and becomes an integral part of a much better team with the chance to be a part of something special. He'll also get the exposure and promotion to the NBA that he wants and needs - a leg up, if you will, that only Cal can provide.

He may end up deciding to go to Nova but I bet them fellers up in Philly are puckered up tight right now.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Amount of posts on RR is amazng. They could shut down Devil's Den and never miss a beat.

Is it amazing when one considers that the lifeblood of this message board is recruiting, and that Duke beat UK for our principle targets in the fall and midwinter

The Spring resurgence in promising. K wanted Montgomery and K would love to have Travis. If Cal adds both guys, it's 2-0 against K since Capel left. That kind of stuff matters, considering UK's entire on-the-court fortunes are based on recruiting.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Travis' decision to make is clear: Either he goes to Nova, who need him much more than we do and will count on him heavily for production, or he goes to UK, and becomes an integral part of a much better team with the chance to be a part of something special. He'll also get the exposure and promotion to the NBA that he wants and needs - a leg up, if you will, that only Cal can provide.

He may end up deciding to go to Nova but I bet them fellers up in Philly are puckered up tight right now.

Villanova next year is a slightly better version of what Stanford would offer Travis. That is to say, neither will compete for a title.

At UK, Travis competes for a title and plays for a coach who produces NBA big men on an epic level. It's a win-win. Nova won't get him.

 

[DelkBowl]

I'm on vacation. I'm not reading that.

 

[caneintally]

Too much credit for Duke. They will be worse this coming year than last year. Hands down.

This ! Not sure what people see in Duke . A team built of mostly SF and Bolden and a slightly over rated pg isnt one destined for greatness. Doesn't mean they wont win alot of games and come in 2-3rd place in their league and win the ACC T . But this Duke team won't even be better then the one we just saw.

 

[DerekMcPwn]

You guys are hating way too much on Richards. Statistically, he was pretty good last year. I KNOW there were problems with his play that don't show up statistically! But IMO many of those are easily corrected in the weight room and with some grip strength work. His per-30-min averages were 10.4 pts, 9.0 reb, and 1.8 blks. He made 61% of his shots, and 71% of his FTs. The biggest thing that needs improvement is his ability to recognize where he needs to be on the defensive end when there are switches or if someone gets past their guy (w/ rotations). You have to believe he will be ahead of the FR in that area.

Also there will be more than 80 mpg divided among PJ, Travis, Richards, & EJ. Johnson and the guards will get a decent number of the SF minutes, but NOT all 40 of them.
You know Cal sold Travis on being able to play on the perimeter some. And that is what PJ wants to do too, because he now knows that NBA teams find him too undersized to be a PF. So both of those guys will be given the opportunity to play some SF (as long as they make some shots).
My projections on minutes:
30 Washington
28 Travis
22 Richards
18 Montgomery

Lol. If that’s your projection for forward minutes, you must have three of our guards as permanent benchwarmers.

Cal didn’t recruit four hundred and ninety-seven guards so he could run a three-big lineup like last year. Our offense has always looked its best in a three-guard system. We were top 5 in adjusted offense running Fox, Monk, and Briscoe, and number 1 in the nation running Ulis, Murray, and Briscoe. Add to that Cal’s hints at a four-guard lineup with this team, and I can’t fathom why people are still talking about PJ and Travis playing SF. It will not happen. He may let PJ, Travis, and Montgomery drive the ball and shoot a few threes, but he’s not putting them on the floor together, not with that much shooting and guard talent languishing on the bench.

 

[armchairpg]

Or the opponents can say. Average players coming back, good freshman & a grad transfer who is experienced but not a NBA pick.
I'm of the opinion they will be better than last years team, hopefully a lot better.

They will be better and better earlier.

 

[drbubba]

Any Travis sightings in Lexington? Where's the web can on the door? Can anyone trace his plane?

 

[WonderBraa]

Lol. If that’s your projection for forward minutes, you must have three of our guards as permanent benchwarmers.

Cal didn’t recruit four hundred and ninety-seven guards so he could run a three-big lineup like last year. Our offense has always looked its best in a three-guard system. We were top 5 in adjusted offense running Fox, Monk, and Briscoe, and number 1 in the nation running Ulis, Murray, and Briscoe. Add to that Cal’s hints at a four-guard lineup with this team, and I can’t fathom why people are still talking about PJ and Travis playing SF. It will not happen. He may let PJ, Travis, and Montgomery drive the ball and shoot a few threes, but he’s not putting them on the floor together, not with that much shooting and guard talent languishing on the bench.

You have to wonder if narrowing down that 497 guards and focusing on maybe 100 would help his recruiting.

 

[westerncat]

Whether we get Travis is another question. But if we do get Travis I’ll start talking 40-0 and I don’t give an ish who doesn’t like it.

I hope you are joking because we may never see any team go 40-0.