Being reported elsewhere...

[LineSkiCat14]

They have to all rotate between two spots that will get them each roughly 30 mpg.

That's what I would really like to see.

 

[HagginHall1999]

Tucker is poo pooing this. Just heard it on Leach Report. Saying it isn't true....and calling out message board post . Darn...

 

[NociHTTP]

Offensively, we'll have upgrades pretty much everywhere. Wagner is a better scorer than Wallace. Dillingham and Sheppard are obviously upgrades over Fredrick. I don't even factor the quitter Wheeler into any of this.

Thiero will be better. Reeves will be better. Edwards might be the best scoring wing forward we've had since James Young, and possibly even better. Bradshaw gives us more multidimensionally than Toppin on the offensive end. Toppin was way too erratic.

I'd still like Kentucky to go out and add a stretch-four to back up Bradshaw and also give us another look so we can sit Oscar more and let Bradshaw play some 5.

James Young (Averages)
2pt% 47
3pt% 35
Ft% 71
14 points
5 rebounds
2 assists
2 turnovers
1 steal

Hope we don't meet UCONN.

 

[Drcats2025]

Not OPs fault, but thread title needs to be changed to delete

 

[GoToTexas]

I still think we have entirely too many big men, especially with Oscar and/or Dickinson. That makes at least 5 (Oscar, Bradshaw, Collins, ugo, ware) bigs that Cal will feel like he has to play and there just won’t be minutes to go around. Talk me off the ledge, my ears are open. I just don’t see it being much different.

 

[kyjeff1]

Im very happy to hear this.. But how does Ugo factor into this? How about Bradshaw? You're not going to be able to please all 3 of them, someone is getting only 12mpg. It seems like Ugo decided to come back thinking Oscar was gone.

Really hope Cal see's what he has here, 3 potentially elite bigs for various reasons, and finds a way to get a good rotation of all 3. As opposed to, riding Oscar for 35 mpg, and then not having Ugo ready come march.

Yeah, but we say this every year, then by the 3rd game, we realize half our guys are lost, or well behind schedule, or were over rated.

It won't surprise me if Wagner and Edwards are the only truly legit freshmen and the others just simply have potential.

Last summer, we all thought the 4 and the 2 spots were so deep that guys were going to be sitting that would start at almost any other school.

Well, for some reason, Cal thought Wheeler was UK caliber, when he failed, Wallace had to move to the 1. Toppin was a ghost with an attitude, Collins was scared of his own shadow, Adou was forgotten about, Ugo is a project, Lance was (is) still undeveloped, CJ was fragile and forgot how to shoot, Livingston turned out to be a project and Cal was still the 2021 version of himself.

So, we went from saying "we are stacked 3 deep at every position" to "we have Oscar, Wallace and Reeves, nobody else is very good".

That’s just last year, but it’s pretty typical the 2nd half of Cal's tenure.

 

[numberonedad]

Reeves dropping 37 at Arkansas is all I needed to see to know he would be valuable on next years team. Need shooting next year and Reeves would provide that.

One good game means absolutely nothing

 

[Woodsmoke]

Reeves is a non factor. He can't defend, he can't pass, he can't handle the ball. We have enough of that for 3 seasons. It's time for him to move on. Unless he's happy being a cigar guy?

Oscar coming back, if true, is huge.

Reeves can do all three of the above and in case you lived in a freakin’ cave, he also dropped 37 on Arkansas in Bud Walton Arena. He lit Auburn up at home. He was effectively our best shooter and you’re saying he’s a non factor?

 

[kyjeff1]

We don’t need a stretch 4. It’s a gimmick. Meaningless with the roster assembled. A stretch 4 in Cals system is a liability. There is no room for a player like that. We are going to rotate 4 guys at center.? Guys like toppin, brooks, Derek Willis jumps out. They were all weak. Struggled to defend the 4. Willis was the only one who could stretch the floor but his defense was lousy and his motor was weak for a 4. we have a team full of guards we will have plenty of scoring and outside threats. Play Oscar and Bradshaw together. This isn’t brain surgery. Cal gets in trouble when he tries to force a piece. This team doesn’t need a stretch 4. We have edwards in a 4 guard lineup if needed.

In todays game, you better have shooting at every spot you can on the floor.

Heck, your center better be able to step away from the paint and shoot it at a high percentage too.

If your 4 AND 5 are sub par shooters, you will labor to score 70ppg against good teams.

On top of that, none of the freshmen we have coming in are good outside shooters.

We are looking at another year of defenses sagging off and clogging the paint.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Tucker is poo pooing this. Just heard it on Leach Report. Saying it isn't true....and calling out message board post . Darn...

Who, Tucker? Lmao

 

[senonesy]

One good game means absolutely nothing

Here is a refresher for you, since you think he had just one good game.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/4592686/antonio-reeves

 

[Woodsmoke]

One good game means absolutely nothing

In 21 wins, Reeves shot 48 percent from the field and 47 percent from 3-point range, and he averaged 15.8 points. Did you even watch any games?

 

[Wildcats1st]

In todays game, you better have shooting at every spot you can on the floor.

Heck, your center better be able to step away from the paint and shoot it at a high percentage too.

If your 4 AND 5 are sub par shooters, you will labor to score 70ppg against good teams.

On top of that, none of the freshmen we have coming in are good outside shooters.

We are looking at another year of defenses sagging off and clogging the paint.

I know people say it. It sounds good but it’s just not true. Especially for Cals teams. He’s tried to jam in those stretch 4 types and he can’t scout the position. Even if cal had stud shooters in the front court cal will make them play back to the basket and will yank them if they face up taking 3s and jumpers. AD the best player we’ve had with cal didn’t even get a green light. Towns no green light. These are guys who can knock down shots. I promise you if cal gave OT the green light he would be decent from 3. I mean he knocks down those shots from the top of the key. We know bradshaw can shoot it. No I want legit big. Cals makes them play like bigs and we don’t have the minutes for a “stretch 4”.

 

[Wildcats1st]

Who, Tucker? Lmao

Carlson. Seriously they probably want to announce it so squash the rumor thinking everyone will be surprised. Cal is such a sly dog

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Carlson. Seriously they probably want to announce it so squash the rumor thinking everyone will be surprised. Cal is such a sly dog

Exactly. I just see no way he goes to the draft. He isn’t gonna be drafted. He knows this.

 

[Wildcats1st]

Yeah, but we say this every year, then by the 3rd game, we realize half our guys are lost, or well behind schedule, or were over rated.

It won't surprise me if Wagner and Edwards are the only truly legit freshmen and the others just simply have potential.

Last summer, we all thought the 4 and the 2 spots were so deep that guys were going to be sitting that would start at almost any other school.

Well, for some reason, Cal thought Wheeler was UK caliber, when he failed, Wallace had to move to the 1. Toppin was a ghost with an attitude, Collins was scared of his own shadow, Adou was forgotten about, Ugo is a project, Lance was (is) still undeveloped, CJ was fragile and forgot how to shoot, Livingston turned out to be a project and Cal was still the 2021 version of himself.

So, we went from saying "we are stacked 3 deep at every position" to "we have Oscar, Wallace and Reeves, nobody else is very good".

That’s just last year, but it’s pretty typical the 2nd half of Cal's tenure.

Or one gets injured. Like has happened to the backcourt the last two years

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Yeah, but we say this every year, then by the 3rd game, we realize half our guys are lost, or well behind schedule, or were over rated.

It won't surprise me if Wagner and Edwards are the only truly legit freshmen and the others just simply have potential.

Last summer, we all thought the 4 and the 2 spots were so deep that guys were going to be sitting that would start at almost any other school.

Well, for some reason, Cal thought Wheeler was UK caliber, when he failed, Wallace had to move to the 1. Toppin was a ghost with an attitude, Collins was scared of his own shadow, Adou was forgotten about, Ugo is a project, Lance was (is) still undeveloped, CJ was fragile and forgot how to shoot, Livingston turned out to be a project and Cal was still the 2021 version of himself.

So, we went from saying "we are stacked 3 deep at every position" to "we have Oscar, Wallace and Reeves, nobody else is very good".

That’s just last year, but it’s pretty typical the 2nd half of Cal's tenure.

Yeah I'm certainly not thrilled with the way our roster has been managed, and I'm not confident next year is going to be better. I just hope Cal realizes he has an elite rebounding big, and a could-be elite shot blocker.. and he needs to utilize both, if for nothing else, than to keep both fresh, AND both ready to go. Can't play one 35mpg and the other one gets 5.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I know people say it. It sounds good but it’s just not true. Especially for Cals teams. He’s tried to jam in those stretch 4 types and he can’t scout the position. Even if cal had stud shooters in the front court cal will make them play back to the basket and will yank them if they face up taking 3s and jumpers. AD the best player we’ve had with cal didn’t even get a green light. Towns no green light. These are guys who can knock down shots. I promise you if cal gave OT the green light he would be decent from 3. I mean he knocks down those shots from the top of the key. We know bradshaw can shoot it. No I want legit big. Cals makes them play like bigs and we don’t have the minutes for a “stretch 4”.

I get what you are saying, but he has played stretch 4’s at times.

He let PPat play on the perimeter in 2010.

He played Willis at the 4 in 2017.

P.J. Washington was allowed to step out and play the role some in 2019.

Sestina played as a stretch 4 in 2020.

I think finding a stretch 4 reserve role player would be a good addition for this team. A guy that can come in and knock down a three when you need one.

Or maybe play Thiero in that role. He’s 6’7 and can shoot it. Put him in at the 4 and try to get some mismatches going.

 

[numberonedad]

In 21 wins, Reeves shot 48 percent from the field and 47 percent from 3-point range, and he averaged 15.8 points. Did you even watch any games?

He was the worst defender on the team besides Oscar. He has no handle and can't pass . Did you watch any games?

 

[Wildcats1st]

I get what you are saying, but he has played stretch 4’s at times.

He let PPat play on the perimeter in 2010.

He played Willis at the 4 in 2017.

P.J. Washington was allowed to step out and play the role some in 2019.

Sestina played as a stretch 4 in 2020.

I think finding a stretch 4 reserve role player would be a good addition for this team. A guy that can come in and knock down a three when you need one.

Or maybe play Thiero in that role. He’s 6’7 and can shoot it. Put him in at the 4 and try to get some mismatches going.

None of those were successful campaigns. Those were some serious underachieving teams. Willis was our weak link in 2017. Sestina was a nice role player. Ppat could get out there but remember cal didn’t recruit him and the guys similar like brooks he couldn’t develop. I also think if OT and Bradshaw really worked on their outside game in the summer either of them could be as good from distance as any name you mentioned.

 

[westerncat]

I think many of you are overlooking Sheppard as a shooter.

 

[DaDirtyLeb69]

Tucker just said this isn’t true, Oscar isn’t making a decision until a while from now that’s why Kentucky is in a bad spot

 

[DaDirtyLeb69]

He was the worst defender on the team besides Oscar. He has no handle and can't pass . Did you watch any games?

So you don’t want reeves back?

 

[Wildcats1st]

Tucker just said this isn’t true, Oscar isn’t making a decision until a while from now that’s why Kentucky is in a bad spot

Cal is terrified of Oscar transferring. There isn’t much decision for Oscar unless cal pushes him out.

 

[DaDirtyLeb69]

Reeves is a non factor. He can't defend, he can't pass, he can't handle the ball. We have enough of that for 3 seasons. It's time for him to move on. Unless he's happy being a cigar guy?

Oscar coming back, if true, is huge.

The guy who hit damn near a 100 3s and was Kentuckys leading scorer is a non-factor?

 

[Wildcats1st]

Tucker just said this isn’t true, Oscar isn’t making a decision until a while from now that’s why Kentucky is in a bad spot

Yet last week tucker was driving the Oscar return train. Tucker just wants to break the story so he’s gonna shoot this down. His ego is smashed everytime peon on a message board upstages him.

 

[bucsrule8872]

None of those were successful campaigns. Those were some serious underachieving teams. Willis was our weak link in 2017. Sestina was a nice role player. Ppat could get out there but remember cal didn’t recruit him and the guys similar like brooks he couldn’t develop. I also think if OT and Bradshaw really worked on their outside game in the summer either of them could be as good from distance as any name you mentioned.

Agreed.

And isn’t that the role Bradshaw is suppose to play for this team?

I also think Tshiebwe can make a PPat type move from 5 to 4, but I fear him going out there and chucking 3’s to prove he can do it to the NBA.

My role for Tshiebwe would be to let the guards do their thing and clean the glass. He can get plenty of points and rebounds that way. I would run the PnR and PnP with him from time to time, but ultimately, I would put the ball in the hands of our guards and tell Tshiebwe to clean up their misses.

 

[DaDirtyLeb69]

 

[Runnin'Ramel]

Will Oscar be happy with a reduced role on offense? We can’t go to him the same way we did the last two years to be a contender. He’s going to have to score off putbacks and be fine with that.

I suspect $2M+ per year as a college student helps with his level of satisfaction, but who knows.

 

[Woodsmoke]

He was the worst defender on the team besides Oscar. He has no handle and can't pass . Did you watch any games?

Worst defender on the team besides Oscar??Oscar was SEC All Defensive Team 2022 (I even highlighted it for you). Again, did you even watch any games?

 

[DaDirtyLeb69]

Yet last week tucker was driving the Oscar return train. Tucker just wants to break the story so he’s gonna shoot this down. His ego is smashed everytime peon on a message board upstages him.

That wouldn’t surprise me at all. Oscar will likely take this decision until the deadline or close to it. I like Oscar he is one of my favorite players here, but Kentucky can’t wait. If Dickinson truly wants to come here then Kentucky has to give Oscar a deadline and if he hasn’t decided move on

 

[kyjeff1]

I know people say it. It sounds good but it’s just not true. Especially for Cals teams. He’s tried to jam in those stretch 4 types and he can’t scout the position. Even if cal had stud shooters in the front court cal will make them play back to the basket and will yank them if they face up taking 3s and jumpers. AD the best player we’ve had with cal didn’t even get a green light. Towns no green light. These are guys who can knock down shots. I promise you if cal gave OT the green light he would be decent from 3. I mean he knocks down those shots from the top of the key. We know bradshaw can shoot it. No I want legit big. Cals makes them play like bigs and we don’t have the minutes for a “stretch 4”.

Translation: Calipari is the problem and he always has been.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Yet last week tucker was driving the Oscar return train. Tucker just wants to break the story so he’s gonna shoot this down. His ego is smashed everytime peon on a message board upstages him.

THIS! Bingo.

 

[Untouchables22]

That wouldn’t surprise me at all. Oscar will likely take this decision until the deadline or close to it. I like Oscar he is one of my favorite players here, but Kentucky can’t wait. If Dickinson truly wants to come here then Kentucky has to give Oscar a deadline and if he hasn’t decided move on

You CANNOT be held hostage by any player. If Dickenson is willing to commit this week you take it. If Oscar wants to wait until the deadline to decide that is his right but UK can’t be caught with its pants down. You give Oscar a reasonable deadline and if he insists on using the NBA deadline which would screw the school over and allow all backup options to transfer elsewhere you move on.

 

[WeWant9]

That wouldn’t surprise me at all. Oscar will likely take this decision until the deadline or close to it. I like Oscar he is one of my favorite players here, but Kentucky can’t wait. If Dickinson truly wants to come here then Kentucky has to give Oscar a deadline and if he hasn’t decided move on

This is where players first hurts the program. Cal seems to sit on his hands while players test the waters. I don’t see Cal giving any timeline, it flies against his whole players first philosophy.

Personally, I don’t think Cal wants Oscar back next year, but he isn’t going to directly say it for fear of backlash. So, everyone is in this weird limbo.

 

[cats#1again]

Reeves is mid.

Yea ok

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Not OPs fault, but thread title needs to be changed to delete

The same Tucker that said Wheeler was absolutely going to come back and play last season?! Lulz

 

[MWes11]

He was the worst defender on the team besides Oscar. He has no handle and can't pass . Did you watch any games?

Lol. You are just digging yourself deeper, bud. Anyone with a brain should want Reeves back. He has excellent size for a 2, shoots it above average, can create for himself, and is more than serviceable defensively. In what world would we not want a veteran player who scored 14.4 per game back?

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Lol. You are just digging yourself deeper, bud. Anyone with a brain should want Reeves back. He has excellent size for a 2, shoots it above average, can create for himself, and is more than serviceable defensively. In what world would we not want a veteran player who scored 14.4 per game back?

We NEED shooters. The biggest need IMHO.

 

[JonathanW_rivals]

From a business perspective it never did make sense... he's not an NBA player. He could make peanuts in the G League or another couple million at Kentucky? Duh.

The more interesting question is why did CCC make Oscar's announcement for him when he has literally NEVER done that before?

IMO, Cal was ready to move-on from Oscar. So he did that to force Oscar's hand and stick to going for his NBA dream.
But it would be a PR nightmare for Oscar to publicly say I'm returning, and Cal to then say "not so fast, I didn't say you could".