Defensive potential

[catsfan1983_rivals389816]

With Nick Richards coming back, we have a true rim protector in the paint. Montgomery showed some flashes of being a potentially great shot blocker. Hagans was an absolute dawg on defense...a 7 steal game is almost unheard of!
Whitney, Brooks and Juzang all have close to 7 foot wingspans. I know Coach Cal loves to see great defensive effort and this team can be almost impossible to score on, if they put forth the effort on the defensive end and the players know they'll be on the bench. With Hagans putting relentless pressure on the opposing team's ball handler, we should force a ton of turnovers. I loved Herro on offense, but he was such a liability on defense. I don't see this with this year's roster.

 

[SemperFiCat]

Things I sometimes worry about with Cal's teams; TF shooting & 3PT shooting. Something I don't worry about with Cal's teams; Def. Cal always gets these kids to play really good Def. He NEVER gets the credit he deserves for taking 1 and done HS scorers and getting them to play individual and team Def.

 

[1991greywildcat]

Hopefully Hagens understands how to take angles and things better, to just stay with his guy instead of going for the steal.. Having a good rim protecter would help alot in that regard, especially when they get beat off the dribble by gaurds like Harper did to them last season

 

[1991greywildcat]

With Nick Richards coming back, we have a true rim protector in the paint. Montgomery showed some flashes of being a potentially great shot blocker. Hagans was an absolute dawg on defense...a 7 steal game is almost unheard of!
Whitney, Brooks and Juzang all have close to 7 foot wingspans. I know Coach Cal loves to see great defensive effort and this team can be almost impossible to score on, if they put forth the effort on the defensive end and the players know they'll be on the bench. With Hagans putting relentless pressure on the opposing team's ball handler, we should force a ton of turnovers. I loved Herro on offense, but he was such a liability on defense. I don't see this with this year's roster.

Juzang is big, but he will need work defensively..

 

[E Cat]

Yes, think can be really good on defense. Hard to say till we see them (last year Herro better than expected, Johnson worse). As said, Cal will mold them into a solid defensive team and lots of good parts to fit his switching man style.

I’ve been worried about the offense, especially past two seasons. Not much motion or quick ball movement for good looks, it seems.

 

[TFCat11]

UK will have the #1 Defensive team in CBB next season, no question.

 

[kybassfan]

The season always comes down to defense. At some point during the tournament a bad shooting night will happen, I don’t care how many shooters you have. If we become stellar on defense, we will be in the hunt. If not, then we will be an inconsistent team no matter how well we shoot.

Offense is mostly fan candy. Defense is where the college game is played.

 

[Mad Max]

With Nick Richards coming back, we have a true rim protector in the paint. Montgomery showed some flashes of being a potentially great shot blocker. Hagans was an absolute dawg on defense...a 7 steal game is almost unheard of!
Whitney, Brooks and Juzang all have close to 7 foot wingspans. I know Coach Cal loves to see great defensive effort and this team can be almost impossible to score on, if they put forth the effort on the defensive end and the players know they'll be on the bench. With Hagans putting relentless pressure on the opposing team's ball handler, we should force a ton of turnovers. I loved Herro on offense, but he was such a liability on defense. I don't see this with this year's roster.

Herro was NOT a liability on defense...

 

[OnUK]

Wingspan is overrated.

 

[catsfan1983_rivals389816]

Did you not watch the Elite 8 versus Auburn...Harper was killing Herro...he couldn't guard him. Herro was a liability in certain situations on defense.

Herro was NOT a liability on defense...

 

[catsfan1983_rivals389816]

I tried finding Juzang's measurements. I'm not 100%, but I seen one site had his wingspan at 7 feet?!

Juzang is big, but he will need work defensively..

 

[catsfan1983_rivals389816]

This team is gonna have 3 sophomores, 1 junior and a graduate transfer, possibly two if Blackshear commits. It will not be 4 or 5 true freshman out on the floor. Coach Cal with a team of veterans...we could be scary good! I can't wait!

 

[Ukbrassowtipin]

Doesnt matter with our fans...ppl will only obsess with 3 point shooting. Doesnt matter if we keep trans from scoring, dont give any second chance points and the opponents only score 45...ppl will be upset if we dont hit 10 3's a game

 

[AllBall]

Having rim protectors and wingspan length are great attributes for a stiffiling defense but I'd be happy with more lateral quickness. Too many times UK has struggled to keep guys in front of them and prevent straight line drives to the rim.

 

[1991greywildcat]

I tried finding Juzang's measurements. I'm not 100%, but I seen one site had his wingspan at 7 feet?!

Don't know about 7 foot, Anthony Davis's is not that long.. He might go about 6'8 or 6'9, he is probably about 6'6 or 6'7 in real height..

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

Nick Richards is unfortunately not an elite shot blocker. He has the skill set and ability, but lacks discipline and consistency. These are coachable, and I'm pulling for him to improve. The coaches need to drill this into him all summer long.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

Don't know about 7 foot, Anthony Davis's is not that long.. He might go about 6'8 or 6'9, he is probably about 6'6 or 6'7 in real height..

AD says hello.

 

[DelkBowl]

Hagans struggles with quick guards down the stretch.

 

[1991greywildcat]

AD says hello.

Yeah, i was bad off on that one. He has close to a 7'7 wingspan, just unreal how long he is..