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Bigger improvement: Richards or PJ?

jrpross_rivals

jrpross_rivals

Heisman
Feb 21, 2008
17,565
36,120
113
PJ’s freshman to sophomore transformation was night and day. But I think Nick’s improvement has been even bigger. PJ ended up a 3rd team AA but he at least looked decent as a freshman. Nick, on the other hand, was nearly a total non-factor for his first 2 years. He’s now putting up over 14 points, 8 rebounds & 2.5 blocks a game, potentially looking at all SEC honors.

What say you? Who improved more?
 
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Cowtown Cat

Cowtown Cat

Heisman
Aug 23, 2015
24,320
55,370
100
Nick. PJ improved dramatically too, don’t get me wrong. Speaking of, is there any player in the country, outside of maybe Azubuike, that can matchup with Nick come tourney time? Would have to think they’re very few and far between if so.

IF we can keep Nick on the floor and we can limit turnovers we should have a legit shot at this thing. He’s a matchup nightmare. We have three very good guards, obviously. I know Maxey didn’t play very well tonight (I think he forced a lot because he was playing back in his home state - JMO). Doesn’t change the fact we probably have the best trio of guards in the country.
 
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MegaBlue05

MegaBlue05

Heisman
Mar 8, 2014
11,145
22,648
66
Nick.

PJ sharpened his already solid skills, improved his long range jumper, and became a consistent player that we saw glimpses of as a freshman.

Freshman and sophomore Nick used to be a complete liability and many, myself included, questioned his playing time. Now, he’s playing as well as any big man in the country and is doing it consistently, averaging 17 and 9 since the Louisville game. Kudos to the staff for helping develop Nick. More kudos to Nick for putting in the work.
 
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R

Rideordiewildcat

Heisman
Jan 30, 2018
16,155
24,636
0
PJ was pretty dam good as a Freshman and our go-to guy so I have to say, Nick. PJ went from good to great. Nick went from WTF to great. A lot of people had given up on Nick. I knew he hadn't played BB that long. I think he started when he was 14. But even I had started to think it might not happen. He is dominating. On the road, against top teams, it doesn't matter anymore. He is the most consistent player we have. I think he is the SEC player of the year.
 
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A

arenk

Senior
Jan 3, 2003
2,108
927
0
ukballers23 said:
PJ was/is better but bigger improvement? 100% Nick
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His FT shooting in the NCAAT was atrocious both years and but for it, we probably make the FF both years. He had what 5 TO's in last year's loss at Auburn too? I know Hagans played poorly as well, but to not improve dramatically after going something like 9 for 21 vs KS is hard to explain when he shot around 40% from 3-P range. I'll take Nick every day of the week.
 
P

Paulyv94

Senior
Jan 21, 2020
660
884
63
Cowtown Cat said:
Nick. PJ improved dramatically too, don’t get me wrong. Speaking of, is there any player in the country, outside of maybe Azubuike, that can matchup with Nick come tourney time? Would have to think they’re very few and far between if so.

IF we can keep Nick on the floor and we can limit turnovers we should have a legit shot at this thing. He’s a matchup nightmare. We have three very good guards, obviously. I know Maxey didn’t play very well tonight (I think he forced a lot because he was playing back in his home state - JMO). Doesn’t change the fact we probably have the best trio of guards in the country.
Click to expand...

Idk man, this team just FEELS Special. I mean, I am not sure who can stop Nick when the light is on. Dude is playing like a lottery pick in my mind, not sure what the NBA Scouts are thinking. Most improvement of a player I have ever seen.

Look at our losses. Ohio state we lost by like six. We played horrible in this game

Evansville: Team totally overlooked them, somehow. Plus we couldn't make a three at the beginning of the year.

Utah: Refs SCREWED us on the overturned blocking call. Maxey should have hit two free throws to tie it up.

SC: Poor officiating and even poorer defense by the cats.

All in all, we have been in every game so far this season. Theres not a team I look at and go "Damn I don't think we can beat them". Not one.

I'm smelling a FF from this team!
 
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F

fatguy87

All-American
Oct 8, 2004
13,764
9,093
0
Per minute production, it's easily PJ. Richards has always been productive while on the court. He just couldn't stay on due to fouls and other kinds of silliness that gave him the quick hook.

Overall production, it's Richards because, as stated previously, he couldn't stay on the court.
 
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HerrosHeroes

Heisman
Aug 16, 2018
27,234
38,040
0
MegaBlue05 said:
Nick.

PJ sharpened his already solid skills, improved his long range jumper, and became a consistent player that we saw glimpses of as a freshman.

Freshman and sophomore Nick used to be a complete liability and many, myself included, questioned his playing time. Now, he’s playing as well as any big man in the country and is doing it consistently, averaging 17 and 9 since the Louisville game. Kudos to the staff for helping develop Nick. More kudos to Nick for putting in the work.
Click to expand...
Closer to 17 and 10 since UL.
 
F

Fgpoe03

Senior
Jan 31, 2018
704
901
0
I hate to enlighten everyone in this thread but Nick has been playing us. He didn't want to go to the NBA until, his girlfriend graduated. Now she is about to finish and he turned it on. I just wish he understood, he could've played like this all three years. He could've just told the NBA to sit and spin, until he was ready.

Of course, I'm kidding I think it's Nick. Everyone gave the reasons already, we saw flashes of PJ. Nick I still had a little hope for (it was getting hard) I still thought we needed some frontcourt depth, even if he played well. I am amazed at his transformation, this season.

This team made me giddy last night, some of the transition plays I saw were amazing. Cal was coaching his tail off ( including the three at the end of the half, which we needed) and these guys are looking good. We are finally seeing what this team is capable of: passing, defense, shooting from about everywhere, speed, I mean we are in great shape. I have always thought this team could win it and we may have a couple in a row coming guys. We are just gonna get better but watching the speed in our transition game and knowing where their teammate will be, it's happening.

If I have to pick one negative thing, it's putting teams away. I think we will get better at it (there was some terrible calls at the end) but we need to finish them (Mortal Kombat voice). I hate watching those big leads disappear and I hope they focus on it. We have a nice rotation and we will be right there as a potential title contender.
 
Runt#1969

Runt#1969

All-American
Dec 13, 2010
21,427
9,209
113
It's an interesting contrast, because both have seemingly done it for their games in back to back seasons for UK, so it's only natural for BBN to compare the two. But Nick has made a slightly bigger leap, because it usually comes later for big guys (remember WCS?) and both NR and PJ have made the UK teams "their own."

I do think the players look toward Nick as a team leader, but they're all capable and have confidence in themselves, no matter the situation. They have a way to go yet, but this UK team is really coming on strong.

Go Big Blue!
 
LineSkiCat14

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,537
62,311
113
It just blowa my mind. Hes probaly saved us from about half a dozen losses now and none of us ever guessed hed become this much of a factor.

Enjoy him guy, cause he's for sure gone.. and i dont think we've had a big man this good since KAT.
 
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C

caneintally

Heisman
Oct 1, 2002
27,455
17,056
0
NIck and it ain't close . PJ was a great freshman . He just then became a top 5 player in his 2nd year . Nick wasn't a top 100 player his first 2 years . Now he is the best center in college . The best big is Obi Toppin but he is a PF .
 
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caneintally

Heisman
Oct 1, 2002
27,455
17,056
0
LineSkiCat14 said:
It just blowa my mind. Hes probaly saved us from about half a dozen losses now and none of us ever guessed hed become this much of a factor.

Enjoy him guy, cause he's for sure gone.. and i dont think we've had a big man this good since KAT.
Click to expand...
I would like to pat myself on the back as I said in the middle of his freshman season he would be a top 15 pick one day ( and got blasted and made fun on HOB for saying so ) . To be fair I thought that would be after his sophomore season but I knew he could do this as the raw tools he possessed were always staggering . His height with his speed , reach , shooting touch was always evident he just didn't know how to play the game and more importantly he wasn't confident .
 
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