Blue/White thoughts just for giggles

[Cawood86_rivals]

Hagans, Maxey, and Quickley will be starters imo.

Quickley looked so much more comfortable. Hagans will steal your lunch money, and Maxey is a playmaker.

Sestina is a starter. Rebounds and stretches the floor. Deep threat

Richards starts for purely an inside presence.

EJ looks no different unfortunately

Brooks is kind of flying under the radar but he is gonna get a lot of minutes imo

Khalil will be great for lobs and defense, offense is way behind

Juzang seems to be pressing a little shooting but looked good driving it

 

[HerrosHeroes]

Good Analysis Cawood.
I would add that Juzang seems to have the most upside as I doubt he goes 0-4 from three often.

Really need Nick to put some stick em on those catchers mitts of his.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Wouldn’t it be sweet if we could combine Whitney and Juzang into one player with Juzang’s offensive skills and Whitney’s defensive skills? LOL!

 

[anon1763419335]

Hagans, Maxey, and Quickley will be starters imo.

Quickley looked so much more comfortable. Hagans will steal your lunch money, and Maxey is a playmaker.

Sestina is a starter. Rebounds and stretches the floor. Deep threat

Richards starts for purely an inside presence.

EJ looks no different unfortunately

Brooks is kind of flying under the radar but he is gonna get a lot of minutes imo

Khalil will be great for lobs and defense, offense is way behind

Juzang seems to be pressing a little shooting but looked good driving it

false. 7 guys had more rebounds than sestina. richards 11, brooks 11, whitney 8, ej 8, quickley 7, juzang 6, maxey 5.

in fact the only guy he out rebounded was hagans. and people want to go ahead and pencil him as a starter. LOL

 

[Ky_Bred_Cat]

"Ole Poop Says..."

The expected - guard play overall will be elite

Somewhat surprising and positive - Nick Richards is marginally better year over year, which is a good thing. Brooks is a sleeper with NBA skills and only needs a little more time to find his way.

Disappointing and troublesome - EJ is not significantly improved. Does not appear to have dominant skills, instincts or abilities. We were counting on PJ like improvement from him.

 

[why_not_kentucky]

EJ is a 4 year guy

 

[Cats192]

I thought EJ looked a little bit better.

Last year, he constantly look like a deer in headlights. He doesn’t look like that now. He understands his role, and does things with a purpose.

That said, he didn’t look good on offense. Rather than being a big man that can hit the jumpshot, he wants to be a jump shooter that can also play as a big man.

When he lost Nick on that back door alley oop, all I could do was roll my eyes. That shows a lack of growth to me, and worries me that he isn’t going to take a massive step forward this year.

On the flipside, I thought Nick looked really good and I’m optimistic about his prospects.

 

[Cats192]

EJ is a 4 year guy

I agree with you 100%. I’m just not sure that he is willing to stay for four years. I suspect he’ll be gone after this year regardless.

And I guess to be fair as I’ve said for other players, it’s hard to really judge based off of a scrimmage. But I was really hoping he would show me that he’s a different player tonight. And I haven’t seen that.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

EJ is a 4 year guy

Yeah but that water will be good and tested, possibly so much so that it will eventually lead to testing the atlantic waters if you catch my drift?

 

[Cats192]

Yeah but that water will be good and tested, possibly so much so that it will eventually lead to testing the atlantic waters if you catch my drift?

Lol this 100%

 

[STL_Cat]

People thought because they took post workout pictures with a pump that EJ has transformed himself into the Incredible Hulk. His game and body don’t look much different. We’ll see though in a game that’s more conducive to his game in structure. These scrimmages are guards and wings games.

 

[SpamburgerHamburger_rivals101482]

EJ is a 4 year guy

Yeah, because the Blue/White game has historically been the measure of a guy's season. Can't judge by one scrimmage. Same guy in December, you could be right.

 

[STL_Cat]

Love our guards and wings. We’re a dominant 5 away from being a great team.

 

[Cats192]

Yeah, because the Blue/White game has historically been the measure of a guy's season. Can't judge by one scrimmage. Same guy in December, you could be right.

That’s a totally fair point. Everyone spoke so highly of his potential even last year, I think people were hoping to see a very big night from him.

 

[STL_Cat]

The buzz about Quickley’s improvement was accurate. Looks like a lock starter. The Nick haters can’t be happy tonight either.

I thought EJ looked a little bit better.

Last year, he constantly look like a deer in headlights. He doesn’t look like that now. He understands his role, and does things with a purpose.

That said, he didn’t look good on offense. Rather than being a big man that can hit the jumpshot, he wants to be a jump shooter that can also play as a big man.

When he lost Nick on that back door alley oop, all I could do was roll my eyes. That shows a lack of growth to me, and worries me that he isn’t going to take a massive step forward this year.

On the flipside, I thought Nick looked really good and I’m optimistic about his prospects.

Nick still can’t catch passes cleanly. It drives me insane.

 

[Cats192]

Nick still can’t catch passes cleanly. It drives me insane.

It’s 9,000,000 x better than it was 2 years ago.

 

[STL_Cat]

It’s 9,000,000 x better than it was 2 years ago.

I don’t see it. He catches lobs, but every time someone fires a bullet at him he bobbles it and it hits the floor. Every time.

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

false. 7 guys had more rebounds than sestina. richards 11, brooks 11, whitney 8, ej 8, quickley 7, juzang 6, maxey 5.

in fact the only guy he out rebounded was hagans. and people want to go ahead and pencil him as a starter. LOL

So who starts ahead of Sestina? There were games last year that Nick and EJ would 2-3 rebounds between the two of them.

If you don't think Sestina looked better than any other big UK has then you watched a different game than I did.

EJ looked the same to me as did Nick. Now it's early and I'm hoping they emerge but I didn't see it tonight. EJ needs to be much more aggressive on both ends. Just too passive.

 

[anon1763419335]

So who starts ahead of Sestina? There were games last year that Nick and EJ would 2-3 rebounds between the two of them.

If you don't think Sestina looked better than any other big UK has then you watched a different game than I did.

EJ looked the same to me as did Nick. Now it's early and I'm hoping they emerge but I didn't see it tonight. EJ needs to be much more aggressive on both ends. Just too passive.

brooks obviously.

 

[Ky_Bred_Cat]

This team is deficient inside. Guard play will mask that much of the year but unless our two bigs turn into something they don't appear to be this team could fall short once again.

 

[Cats192]

I don’t see it. He catches lobs, but every time someone fires a bullet at him he bobbles it and it hits the floor. Every time.

For sure. But there was a time he couldn’t even catch the lobs.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

Hagans, Maxey, and Quickley will be starters imo.

Quickley looked so much more comfortable. Hagans will steal your lunch money, and Maxey is a playmaker.

Sestina is a starter. Rebounds and stretches the floor. Deep threat

Richards starts for purely an inside presence.

EJ looks no different unfortunately

Brooks is kind of flying under the radar but he is gonna get a lot of minutes imo

Khalil will be great for lobs and defense, offense is way behind

Juzang seems to be pressing a little shooting but looked good driving it

Sadly I agree. I had hoped EJ would come out and dominate like a PJ. I keep saying it's just a scrimmage, but it does worry me. I liked what I saw from Maxey, Sestina, Ashton, Quickly, Nick and Brooks some. I was disappointed by EJ, Juzang and Whitney. I just hope Whitney can knock down shots. He looked bad from the line and 3. I know he's a freak athlete and I just hope it transfers over to being a dominant player. Juzang it might have just been an off night, but EJ has been here before and worried me the most. We need him to be PJ like and not meek out there. I see a whole lot of time for Sestina this year.

 

[jrpross_rivals]

false. 7 guys had more rebounds than sestina. richards 11, brooks 11, whitney 8, ej 8, quickley 7, juzang 6, maxey 5.

in fact the only guy he out rebounded was hagans. and people want to go ahead and pencil him as a starter. LOL

Do people realize that when they have a difference of opinion on something and they respond “False” to express that difference of opinion, it makes them look like a self-righteous @$$hole?

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

Do people realize that when they have a difference of opinion on something and they respond “False” to express that difference of opinion, it makes them look like a self-righteous @$$hole?

Same dude tried to tell me to admit I didn't watch the game because I was high on Sestina and not so much on EJ. Said EJ switched teams and it didn't show in the boxscore which might be true, but that isn't what worried me. It was that EJ looks to have about the same confidence as last year and that's a big concern because I am expecting big things from him this year. I said I forgot EJ was out there sometimes and it seems like he's the minority, not me.

https://kentucky.forums.rivals.com/threads/best-lineup-will-be.305684/

I don't see how they keep Sestina off the floor.

 

[anon_013cn8yrfncx2]

false. 7 guys had more rebounds than sestina. richards 11, brooks 11, whitney 8, ej 8, quickley 7, juzang 6, maxey 5.

in fact the only guy he out rebounded was hagans. and people want to go ahead and pencil him as a starter. LOL

Yeah we know he's white.

 

[anon_013cn8yrfncx2]

First look so who can say. I suggested last year that I suspected that EJ is plateaued and I saw nothing tonite to make me think otherwise.

Whitney is a ? as well. Bricks from the line not a good look. Maybe like some previous recruits who are more athletes than basketball players.

Like what I saw from everyone else and again just the first look and likely not definitive.

 

[Attaboy-blue]

Guys, this is a scrimmage we ar talking about. We haven't even played a exhibition and you're already writing him off. When we played Duke last year PJ didn't do sh*t. Calm down. I swear some of you need a xanax or something. Cal even said during the broadcast that this highlights the GUARDS not the big men.

 

[JC CATS]

Is it just me or did Richards look much improved, looks like he may contribute...

 

[ConRay9]

I think most here are overreacting to EJ’s play tonight. I’ve been skeptical he’d take some massive jump this year, but the blue-white game was dominated by the guards tonight. They didn’t really look to go inside very often—when they occasionally did, it seemed to be with Richards.

EJ’s hopefull growth this season has been comparable to PJ’s last season. That growth comparison is fine, but EJ and PJ are completely different players. I think too many fans are mucking that comparison up a bit and expecting EJ to be a traditional big. He’s just not.

 

[Crawfords Corner]

I want to see this team play at an accelerated pace. Our guard play defensively should force teams to go fast. If it's a halfcourt game this might not be as effective, but if you get other teams scrambling it should work. Surround them with a combination of 3 guards along with Brooks or Sestina, and probably Montgomery to start games. Whitney is probably going to lose minutes to start the season. Potential, but I think he's behind the others.

If our guys are making shots this tremendous pressure defense could be like a poor man's Golden State where you look up after 3 minutes and you've gone from 3 or 4 down to 15 points before you realize it. I don't think a halfcourt game benefits this team. Just don't know if offensively or defensively we have the guys to get it done. I think EJ is tremendously talented, but just needs more polish.

With all that said I'm probably completely wrong and this team will just suffocate people defensively and grind it out.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

I think most here are overreacting to EJ’s play tonight. I’ve been skeptical he’d take some massive jump this year, but the blue-white game was dominated by the guards tonight. They didn’t really look to go inside very often—when they occasionally did, it seemed to be with Richards.

EJ’s hopefull growth this season has been comparable to PJ’s last season. That growth comparison is fine, but EJ and PJ are completely different players. I think too many fans are mucking that comparison up a bit and expecting EJ to be a traditional big. He’s just not.

I think we all get it and aren't writing EJ off over a scrimmage, but when we see Nick score 20 and play above the rim and well, block EJ, etc. it is going to let some doubt creep in. I think a lot of us saw EJ leading this team and I just don't know if I see the confidence which is the big thing for me. It seems like he is ok with taking a backseat where is I thought he would be so hungry and scrappy this year. Again I to get it's just one scrimmage. I just hope we aren't having this discussion in Dec. As far as Nick goes I hope so badly he gets it this year, but he has fooled us in meaningless games before. (the Bahamas last year.)

 

[mpennin3_rivals40320]

Nick still can’t catch passes cleanly. It drives me insane.

Richards been doin that for years. Very first possession against Kansas State a couple years ago he was thrown a beautiful no look on the baseline for a sure fire slam. What did he do ? Bobbled it out of bounds. Sure hope his hands improve but not gonna hold my breath.

 

[nickhorvathsuxazz]

Love our guards and wings. We’re a dominant 5 away from being a great team.

So we're not gonna be a great team this year, because a dominant 5 isn't on the roster. However, the good news is we're a serviceable 5 away from being a really good team that will compete for a title, even if it won't be as the heavy, odds on favorite. I believe we'll squeeze serviceable out of what we've got, and will end the season as one of a handful of teams with a legitimate shot at cutting down nets in April.

 

[C5matt_rivals373900]

Yeah, because the Blue/White game has historically been the measure of a guy's season. Can't judge by one scrimmage. Same guy in December, you could be right.

agree—some of you above need to pump the brakes on your comments on EJ! Let’s wait a few games as imo I would feel a lot more comfortable starting EJ over Nick at Center—with Nate at PF!!

 

[FrankUnderwood]

false. 7 guys had more rebounds than sestina. richards 11, brooks 11, whitney 8, ej 8, quickley 7, juzang 6, maxey 5.

in fact the only guy he out rebounded was hagans. and people want to go ahead and pencil him as a starter. LOL

Is it funny though? Did you actually laugh out loud?

there are more reasons as to why he could be a very solid starter.

 

[FrankUnderwood]

Do people realize that when they have a difference of opinion on something and they respond “False” to express that difference of opinion, it makes them look like a self-righteous @$$hole?

I was thinking the same thing, luckily (based off his posting history) most know to take his oPiNioNs with a grain of salt.

 

[ManitouDan_anon]

Do people realize that when they have a difference of opinion on something and they respond “False” to express that difference of opinion, it makes them look like a self-righteous @$$hole?

Thats because the poster that did that is a self righteous @$$hole

 

[ManitouDan_anon]

I was busy last night , not surprised at any opinions or thoughts . Our guards are dang good . Loaded . We have Nick and EJ to worry about holding up there end of things and the reports are not good . I just dont think either one has a basketball mind , the game is just too fast for them . Maybe what I'm trying to say is poor basketball instincts . And that is super hard to overcome .

 

[KYFOSSIL]

Sadly I agree. I had hoped EJ would come out and dominate like a PJ. I keep saying it's just a scrimmage, but it does worry me. I liked what I saw from Maxey, Sestina, Ashton, Quickly, Nick and Brooks some. I was disappointed by EJ, Juzang and Whitney. I just hope Whitney can knock down shots. He looked bad from the line and 3. I know he's a freak athlete and I just hope it transfers over to being a dominant player. Juzang it might have just been an off night, but EJ has been here before and worried me the most. We need him to be PJ like and not meek out there. I see a whole lot of time for Sestina this year.

Yes Juzang as 0 for on 3s but he actually has a very good game.

 

[bigc45157]

People thought because they took post workout pictures with a pump that EJ has transformed himself into the Incredible Hulk. His game and body don’t look much different. We’ll see though in a game that’s more conducive to his game in structure. These scrimmages are guards and wings games.

his body definitely looks different. His game, not so much.