Charles Matthews Transferring?

Dakota25

All-Conference
Nov 24, 2014
2,460
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That's not good. I'm going to see how bolden and Briscoe pan out but I'm not expecting them on the roster. Not sure about graduate transfer possibilities but we need a guard.
 

Orange Soda King

All-Conference
Jan 3, 2014
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Also, Calipari always gives his UK players no restrictions when transferring, right? Did he ever restrict in his Memphis/UMass days? I've never heard of him doing it, but haven't checked. Idk why coaches are even given that option to do so, though...
 

MWes11

Heisman
Apr 22, 2012
12,025
10,106
0
“The hardest thing as a coach is to lose a player that you really want to coach,” Calipari said. “In Charles’ case, I believe he is going to be a productive college player who has the ability to play at the next level. I know Charles’ best basketball is ahead of him, and while I’m a saddened to see him go, I support his decision and will help in any way I can.

“It hasn’t happened very often in my career, but transferring is a part of our game. It doesn’t change who we are as a program. We will support every kid in whatever way we can to make sure they can pursue their dreams, because ultimately that’s all I want for these young men.”

Matthews said the decision to leave was difficult, but Kentucky will always hold a special place in his heart.

“I want to thank the coaches, my teammates and the Big Blue Nation for all of their support this season,” Matthews said. “I gained great experience during my freshman year at Kentucky. This was a difficult decision for me, but at the end of the day I felt like it was in my best interest to explore other options. I appreciate the support Coach Cal has given me in making this decision and the commitment the coaching staff made to me for this past season and beyond. Kentucky will always hold a special place in my heart.”
 

MPLGGBB

Sophomore
Feb 13, 2016
111
133
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Mulder signed with UK BEFORE Murray decided to play here. With no Murray, Mulder and Matthews would have played more.
 

Untouchables22

All-Conference
Mar 5, 2013
2,359
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"Anybody gets hurt and we are in REAL trouble" To be fair, that's sort of the case with every season.
For sure....I'm talking about a minor injury like a high ankle sprain or wrist sprain that keeps you out 2-4 weeks. With only three guards one goes down and suddenly Mulder is playing 25 minutes trying to Guard SG's which he isn't particularly good at.
 

Joneslab

All-Conference
Sep 22, 2005
4,219
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Two of Cal's three best teams have played a rotation of roughly six.

Depth is something fans talk about a lot but if you look at actual championship-caliber college teams, it's sort of an overblown concept that fans tend to unnecessarily worry about.
 

RoyKent

Heisman
Feb 3, 2015
22,999
33,216
66
Two of Cal's three best teams have played a rotation of roughly six.

Depth is something fans talk about a lot but if you look at actual championship-caliber college teams, it's sort of an overblown concept that fans tend to unnecessarily worry about.

I don't think Charles was that critical for this coming year's team but he could have been huge on the 2017/2018 team.
 

UKrazycat2_rivals

All-American
Apr 13, 2009
7,550
9,127
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Best of luck to Charles. Hopefully he gets on a team where he can start and improve his game enough to go to the league if he so desires.
 

Joneslab

All-Conference
Sep 22, 2005
4,219
1,478
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Charles is listed as a forward

Small forward. In today's college basketball if you play the 3 then you're in essence a third guard.

I was in a clinic once and heard Cal say that in his system the difference in the 2 and 3 is negligible. They were running a lot of dribble-drive then, and the only difference seemed to be where the guy started on the court in the set.
 
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May 12, 2014
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We have four guards next year IF Briscoe doesn't return. We aren't THAT thin.

Fox
Monk
Hawkins
Mulder

Maybe Briscoe, too, which would help.

I realize we aren't 4 deep with McD's All American guards, but a senior Hawkins plus Mulder and Maybe Briscoe is fine depth for 2 positions. I'm more interested in the SF position if Briscoe leaves. If Wenyen can't handle it right away, we're paper thin on the wing.
 

KyFord

Senior
Sep 21, 2006
863
624
0
I would agree if the kid could knock down a shot or handle the ball, but with him just being a 6'6 athlete I would call him a forward.

Regardless Dom is our backup at the guard spot and hopefully Briscoe returns as well.

Willis and Gabriel will get all of the minutes at the 3 spot so I don't think Matthews would have played much anyway.
 

Kentucky31

Junior
Apr 22, 2016
387
263
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Kentucky just let a talented player transfer with no restrictions. Pitino would be drooling over Matthews if he was recruiting him. Cal is very classy when he has a player transfer, but Pitino has one every semester because they weren't L1C4. Lol...

Best of luck Matthews!
 

Mikey Likes It

All-Conference
Sep 9, 2007
11,247
3,776
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Good luck to Charles. I really thought he had potential especially on the defensive end of the court. We never got to see much of his offensive ability, he always seemed nervous on O. Perhaps thats because Cal didn't want him to have that role. Would have been great to have a player with his talent back but I can understand him wanting to have more playing time.
 

It'saDoneDeal

All-Conference
Jul 24, 2007
19,281
4,483
113
Briscoe is coming back, chill people.

Really wanted Matthews to be that 4 year Darius Miller type who grows each year into ultimately becoming a big part of our success. Sucks. Can't blame bim though. I'd rather go somewhere and play than be the 7th-8th guy off the bench who routinely gets a quick hook.
 
Dec 12, 2007
68,157
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We have four guards next year IF Briscoe doesn't return. We aren't THAT thin.

Fox
Monk
Hawkins
Mulder

Maybe Briscoe, too, which would help.

I realize we aren't 4 deep with McD's All American guards, but a senior Hawkins plus Mulder and Maybe Briscoe is fine depth for 2 positions. I'm more interested in the SF position if Briscoe leaves. If Wenyen can't handle it right away, we're paper thin on the wing.

Duke won it all in 2010 with 3 guards, so 4 should be enough but you gotta hope there are no injuries.
 

revcort

Heisman
Feb 20, 2003
32,522
30,904
113
I think we all loved Matthews' athleticism from day. His defense improved as the year progressed, but the thing that he needed to improve, his shooting, never got much better. If he were a better ball handler, he could score on drives, but if he's wanting to be a scorer instead of an energy guy, he probably made the right decision. If Briscoe comes back (I still think he's coming back), and with Fox and Monk coming in, and with a senior Hawkins back, and with Willis coming back, the minutes at the 3-spot (which is where Matthews has to play at UK) are limited. Add in the fact that Cal is thinking of Wenyen Gabriel playing the 3 some and now you're looking at Matthews not even seeing the floor unless it's mop-up duty. On a less talented team and with some improved ability to slash, Matthews could start at the 3 and be given a green light to shoot. No matter where he goes, though, if he wants to make it to the NBA, he's got to improve his shooting. It's similar to Briscoe's dilemma. He has other elite skills but he's got to be able to make shots.
 

Bungalow Bill

All-Conference
Apr 8, 2007
2,023
3,770
113
I like Charles but I like all of our guys. I hope this move works out for him but I think he should have stayed. He's got some tools and with development could have become a good contributor for us.
 

Catlogic15

All-Conference
May 19, 2003
3,388
3,840
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I'll miss Charles. High energy guy around the boards. As another poster said, he'd be big for us in 17-18.
 

Bank Cat

All-American
Dec 8, 2011
3,736
5,692
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Definitely sad to see him go, but it sounded amicable. Also, it is going to give Dom more minutes for his senior year and I like him. Good things seem to happen when he's in.
 

MNantz

Heisman
Dec 20, 2001
9,086
11,921
98
I wish Charles nothing but the best as I would with anyone who has come to our program !!
 

westerncat

Heisman
Feb 19, 2012
15,923
20,891
0
I have always been a fan of Matthews so I hate to see him go but I understand if this is what he wants then I will support him. Hope nothing but the best for him.
 

chroix

Heisman
Jul 22, 2013
10,531
26,612
113
I wish him the best but never understand this type of transfer. He could be a critical piece for 2017 and won't be able to play until then as a transfer. If he wants to play more I don't understand how transferring accomplishes that. Thought the same thing about Wiltjer. Hit the gym and earn your PT.
 

JimBR_rivals319758

All-Conference
May 28, 2003
3,204
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Kentucky just let a talented player transfer with no restrictions. Pitino would be drooling over Matthews if he was recruiting him. Cal is very classy when he has a player transfer, but Pitino has one every semester because they weren't L1C4. Lol...

Best of luck Matthews!
I agree with your Pitino drooling comment, I hope he doesn't go to the cards.
 

NCukcat62

All-Conference
Jul 22, 2007
8,893
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Matthews is doing what's best him. Good but he's still a self centered little millennial.
 

KYCAT78

All-American
May 24, 2006
7,858
6,073
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Matthews sees a chance to play after sitting out a year versus staying at UK and probably getting limited playing time in 17-18 because of the latest and greatest being brought in. Probably the best decision for Charles the same as it was for Kyle.
 

villefan76

All-Conference
Mar 16, 2008
9,939
3,820
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Wouldn't it make sense that he would go to Illinois since they were one of his finalist? Be close to home where his family can come to every game. Good luck to him wherever he may end up.
 

jameslee32

Heisman
Mar 26, 2009
33,664
22,359
83
Galloway, Pilgrim, AJ Stewart, Donald Williams, Darnell Dodson, Stacey Poole, Harrow, Wiltjer, Matthews and I honestly thought more would leave with all the talent Cal has amassed.
 

Jakarii

All-Conference
Jan 29, 2016
4,640
3,048
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As a athlete you don't want to sit and wait, you feel you can play and should be playing even if you have better talent ahead of you. It worked out perfectly for Wiltijer and tends to workout for almost everyone who transfers because they end up playing way more when they transfer to another school. No one wants to sit for two years and then just have two years of a lot of playing time


UOTE="chroix, post: 4581450, member: 31843"]I wish him the best but never understand this type of transfer. He could be a critical piece for 2017 and won't be able to play until then as a transfer. If he wants to play more I don't understand how transferring accomplishes that. Thought the same thing about Wiltjer. Hit the gym and earn your PT.[/QUOTE]
 
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