Does Cal really change the line-up?

[Cawood86_rivals]

If so, who do you think starts? Ulis, Briscoe, Murray are givens.

I will say Willis starts in place of Lee. Unfortunately, I think that will be the only change.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I hope he starts Humphries, just so the people on here screaming that he needs to play more will shut up for a while.

Then again, if we win they will never shut up about how they were right and if we lose, they will just blame it on the guards (especially Briscoe).

Come on Cal, give the vocal minority what they want. Let's see what the Great Australian Hope can do.

 

[ulismyman]

He will not start humphries against arkansas...they are too quick

 

[brianpoe]

I don't see hump or Tai vs the razorbacks either.

I'm definitely not against them getting time as we go along.

 

[caneintally]

Ulis , Murray and Briscoe will always start. Willis deserves to start and the 5th player has to be Poy I guess. Anyone else beyond that starting is laughable except maybe Hawkins if he was healthy. People wanting to see Humphries or Tai crack me up as they aren't ready yet or Cal would play them, obviously.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I would start Ulis, Murray, Briscoe, Willis, and Lee. Sit Poythress on the bench and send the message that he doesn't play unless he plays like a man every game. Le has to start for lack of a better option inside. At least he almost always gets the opening tip.

 

[dorkmeister]

I think he needs to go back to Skal. The kid has a lot of upside and just needs to get more time. Get him in against a bad Ark team and let him get some confidence. He is our future if he is around next season so we might as well get everything we can out of him. The kid was the #2 player in the country for a reason

 

[WildMoon]

Did he say he will change the starting line up or make changes in rotation?

Technically speaking, he's been making a lot of changes already in terms of rotation this whole season to see if he can find the right rotation.

I think he thought he had good rotation with Poy/Lee/Skal/Willis for inside, but i believe he's backing out of that now due to major inconsistency from Poy/Lee and consistently underperforming Skal.

I'm going to guess that his new rotation is something like this
Ulis/Murray - Hawkins/Briscoe
Briscoe - Willis
Willis/Poythress - Lee/Humphries/Skal/Wynyard (I don't know if he'll use Wynyard or Humphries)

 

[kybassfan]

I expect no changes, unless Cal takes one game to make a point.

What the armchair coaches deserve is for Cal to take a poll and let the masses coach the game against Kansas. He, Poy and Lee can watch over pizza and beer. After the 50 pt beating, they can get back to the business of playing ball.

 

[moe#8]

I hope he starts Humphries, just so the people on here screaming that he needs to play more will shut up for a while.

Then again, if we win they will never shut up about how they were right and if we lose, they will just blame it on the guards (especially Briscoe).

Come on Cal, give the vocal minority what they want. Let's see what the Great Australian Hope can do.

what exactly is your problem with Humphries getting on the floor ?? At this point I would be looking in the stands for players because we sure don't have any players on the team.

 

[TheDude73]

I think he needs to go back to Skal. The kid has a lot of upside and just needs to get more time. Get him in against a bad Ark team and let him get some confidence. He is our future if he is around next season so we might as well get everything we can out of him. The kid was the #2 player in the country for a reason

Not sure what glasses you're wearing, but I've seen no "upside" at all with Skal. Analysts marking him as #2 preseason isn't enough to change what I've seen (or not seen).

 

[moe#8]

I expect no changes, unless Cal takes one game to make a point.

What the armchair coaches deserve is for Cal to take a poll and let the masses coach the game against Kansas. He, Poy and Lee can watch over pizza and beer. After the 50 pt beating, they can get back to the business of playing ball.

I think Cal can take care of that oncoming beat down on his own. don't you ??

 

[bucsrule8872]

what exactly is your problem with Humphries getting on the floor ?? At this point I would be looking in the stands for players because we sure don't have any players on the team.

I don't have a problem with Humphries.

Like I said, I wish Cal would play him just to shut everyone up about him not playing.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

what exactly is your problem with Humphries getting on the floor ?? At this point I would be looking in the stands for players because we sure don't have any players on the team.

Really?

 

[moe#8]

Really?

yeah really, name me those good " big men" you seem to think we have.

 

[docholiday51]

I don't see hump or Tai vs the razorbacks either.

I'm definitely not against them getting time as we go along.

In a previous thread I asked sort of the same question as this thread ,he has until Thursday to try some different things, but Arkansas is such a quirky match-up that Hump and Wynyard don't get a fair shake in this one. Cal's options are limited,the Hogs are a better version of Auburn to a degree.They will be hard pressed to hit 12 3's(I hope)

Ulis with a near triple double,Murray with 20 and Willis with 12 boards and Poythress with 3 blocks and we still lose,doesn't do a lot for the ole confidence factor going into Bud Walton

 

[moe#8]

I don't have a problem with Humphries.

Like I said, I wish Cal would play him just to shut everyone up about him not playing.

I am so disappointed at the moment I would love to see cal play Humphries and Wynard at the same time to just see what that kind of size could or couldn't do

 

[brianpoe]

I am so disappointed at the moment I would love to see cal play Humphries and Wynard at the same time to just see what that kind of size could or couldn't do

That would be interesting.

 

[UK90]

I think he needs to go back to Skal. The kid has a lot of upside and just needs to get more time. Get him in against a bad Ark team and let him get some confidence. He is our future if he is around next season so we might as well get everything we can out of him. The kid was the #2 player in the country for a reason

Might that possibly be the same reason Josh Selby was the country's No. 1 ranked player, or BJ Mullens the No. 1 ranked player, or Kwame Brown the No. 1 overall pick, or Darko picked ahead of Carmelo and D-Wade, etc.?

Be careful making assumptions because of what some high school scouts once thought. Sometimes the scouts simply get it way wrong.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I hope he starts Humphries, just so the people on here screaming that he needs to play more will shut up for a while.

Then again, if we win they will never shut up about how they were right and if we lose, they will just blame it on the guards (especially Briscoe).

Come on Cal, give the vocal minority what they want. Let's see what the Great Australian Hope can do.

<---- biggest supporter of Hump getting more minutes, and I've never said any of those things, nor patted myself on the back when I am right. I've yet to see anyone else go that far either..

Some didn't want Willis, and he was forced into the role, and now he's become a decent reserve player who is still getting better EVERY game. All because he got in-game experience, despite some bad mistakes.

1. We need a front court if we want to make a legit, non-fluke, tournament run.
2. We already have a thin front court (in size and depth), to go with a half-season recruiting bust and a player who just mails it in half the time.

So why would you not get Hump SOMEWHAT acclimated? Give him 5-8 minutes a game to start (He's averaged 1 min the past 7 games). He'll make mistakes, he might even cost us a win (I highly doubt that happens, but apparently giving bench players minutes means death to some of you.).. but at the very least he'll sop up fouls that keep getting Poy and Skal in trouble.

If he's truly, TRULY terrible after a month of that MPG, then he's definitely not ready, and I'm more than fine pulling him.

 

[JohnnyGreen1975]

Honestly, I don't care who he changes in the starting lineup (with the exception of Ulis of course). But, whomever he subs in for, I expect the new start to be an energy guy. Willis has shown that he can be that at time. But, I haven't seen a ton of energy from Hump at all.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Hump does look a bit out of shape. But he has given more than Skal or Poy has, in the very limited time.

Mistakes =/= lake of effort. If anything he looked more lost at times than not having effort. Completely forgivable.

You also have to factor that some of these highly touted recruits just assume they'll get their time. Poy and Skal are a little spoiled in that regards. Willis relished the chance to play and fought for it. I see Hump doing the same.

 

[G-PIP]

For curiosity sake, I would love to see Wynard in a game. I also think Humphries is going to be a player eventually. But relying on 17 yr. olds for anything other than basically taking up floor space for a few minutes seems pretty unrealistic. Skal is a better option to rotate with Poythress/Lee. I like the way Calipari is using Skal in limited minutes to teach and bring him along. I think it gives UK its best shot to be competitive by March.

 

[Xception]

I don't care who he starts , who plays the most time is what matters and that is dependent on how well individuals are performing . People get way too hung up on who they want to succeed , predetermined by varying factors . I want to see Skal develop , we need him to evolve in order to make a March impact . Given this teams needs , his development is more important to our success than any other factor .

 

[JC CATS]

I expect no changes, unless Cal takes one game to make a point.

What the armchair coaches deserve is for Cal to take a poll and let the masses coach the game against Kansas. He, Poy and Lee can watch over pizza and beer. After the 50 pt beating, they can get back to the business of playing ball.

Some games I think Poy and Lee were watching and would have been more productive if they had a beer Cal has to light a fire under those guys somehow. Maybe the bench is a good motivator

 

[kybassfan]

Some games I think Poy and Lee were watching and would have been more productive if they had a beer Cal has to light a fire under those guys somehow. Maybe the bench is a good motivator

That stuff works in high school. Not so much at this level. Heck, both players are used to coming off the bench anyway. To them, its going to be the same old same old. I think the only thing you accomplish is introducing confusion to a situation which is pretty darn confusing already.

I really expect coach is going to start twiddling with the offense and find a way to pound the ball inside and getting the big guys involved. Willis just brings another guy to jack up threes. We need bigs putting it up in the paint. While this is what is needed, the results could get worse before they get better. Even took Towns a bit to start making them go down early last season.

 

[kybassfan]

I think Cal can take care of that oncoming beat down on his own. don't you ??

Sure. No problem.

I was just wanting him to enjoy the flaming failure of the "coach by committee" crap that is going on here.

 

[shutzhund]

My question is what does Skal bring to the table that Humphies and Wynard don't and vice versa. I honestly don't know.

 

[Goingfor9]

Here's my starting 5 and justification
Poythress at the 5
Skal at the 4
Willis at the 3
Murray
Ulis

Poythress plays the best of the 3 with his back to the basket and is our most physical player. I would play poy or lee for spurts to manage fouls. They both have tendency to Foul and we must have one of those guys on the floor in end game scenarios. Skal needs to be given more feedom to roam from the basket and maybe open up his game by developing an outside game. Willis has the speed to keep up with most swing players. He is athletic canget to the rack and HITS shots. Having him deal with the 3 will help his defensive stats. First two off the bench is Briscoe lee and HAWKINS.

 

[3rex]

Sure. No problem.

I was just wanting him to enjoy the flaming failure of the "coach by committee" crap that is going on here.

You do understand this is a message board, right?

 

[bleedinblueinknox]

I think, to an extent, we are compromising the progress of the team for Poythress and Lee's potential future. We all care about these kids, but at some point, they have to care too. Eventually, you have to be willing to give the minutes to the players that play the hardest. Great potential without great effort bears the same fruit as no potential. There's no doubt that if both Lee and Poy play to their potential, they are very good. But, there is no excuse for two upperclassmen to show inconsistent effort to the point of it being obvious to everybody on the team. The worst part is these are the very two guys that should be leading by example for the sake of the young guys. #GBB

 

[donkat]

I think, to an extent, we are compromising the progress of the team for Poythress and Lee's potential future. We all care about these kids, but at some point, they have to care too. Eventually, you have to be willing to give the minutes to the players that play the hardest. Great potential without great effort bears the same fruit as no potential. There's no doubt that if both Lee and Poy play to their potential, they are very good. But, there is no excuse for two upperclassmen to show inconsistent effort to the point of it being obvious to everybody on the team. The worst part is these are the very two guys that should be leading by example for the sake of the young guys. #GBB

Really well said.

 

[jaknfo90]

I think he needs to go back to Skal. The kid has a lot of upside and just needs to get more time. Get him in against a bad Ark team and let him get some confidence. He is our future if he is around next season so we might as well get everything we can out of him. The kid was the #2 player in the country for a reason

He was number 2 because those that evaluate prep talent make mistakes sometimes and it appears, from his lack of performance, notice I didn't say talent because it might be there, that is the case here. Sit his *** on the bench, put him in on occasion and see what he does. If it is same old same old then park it there for cleanup minutes. Cal used a power-ball ticket to illustrate to the players their potential the other day. But, if you don't buy the ticket, just like you don't buy into what it takes to be elite, then you're left with nothing but potential; just like a rock sitting on the edge of a cliff, potential energy. Playing for UK is a privilege not a right, I don't care how good your supposed to be.

 

[AGEE11]

I don't think it's who starts as much as the minutes everyone plays. Our guards looked a bit tired Saturday. Or at least slower than Auburns.

Why not give Wynyard and Humphries 7-10 minutes a game? They can't be wosre than than Skal, Lee, and Poythress. Two legit big men who can bang? Give them a shot. Maybe not against Arkansas due to the speed, but they need to play more.

Also, we stall-balled way to early. Need to stay on the gas. But again, our guards looked a bit tired.

 

[AGEE11]

He was number 2 because those that evaluate prep talent make mistakes sometimes and it appears, from his lack of performance, notice I didn't say talent because it might be there, that is the case here. Sit his *** on the bench, put him in on occasion and see what he does. If it is same old same old then park it there for cleanup minutes. Cal used a power-ball ticket to illustrate to the players their potential the other day. But, if you don't buy the ticket, just like you don't buy into what it takes to be elite, then you're left with nothing but potential; just like a rock sitting on the edge of a cliff, potential energy.

Or play him as a face to the basket 4 with Lee, Wynyard, or Humphries as the 5. His potential is all based on his jump shot and speed for his size. He has not, is not, nor will ever be a back to the basket center. Yet he is asked to play that way most of the time.

 

[jaknfo90]

Or play him as a face to the basket 4 with Lee, Wynyard, or Humphries as the 5. His potential is all based on his jump shot and speed for his size. He has not, is not, nor will ever be a back to the basket center. Yet he is asked to play that way most of the time.

...could be, something needs to change with the way Cal uses him or he needs to get it going somehow. Whatever is going on isn't working, I think we can all agree on that. I hope for his, and the team's, sake that the people really dogging the kid have to eat their words.

 

[bleedinblueinknox]

I agree that Skal might benefit from playing facing the basket. I know it seems like a distant memory, but early on Skal looked smooth on the offensive end. And part of that was spinning into the lane for a turnaround or hook. Granted, it was against lesser competition. I don't know what has caused him to regress, but I have faith in him eventually being able to consistently do what he was doing early on. Hopefully, it's sooner than later. #GBB

 

[Hoskins91_rivals]

My question is what does Skal bring to the table that Humphies and Wynard don't and vice versa. I honestly don't know.

That's the thing, Cal doesn't care that you don't know. He doesn't have to prove the guys he's playing are better than the guys that aren't. He should be able to see that just watching them play each other. If you don't trust him to make simple decisions like that he shouldn't be the coach.

 

[Hoskins91_rivals]

<---- biggest supporter of Hump getting more minutes, and I've never said any of those things, nor patted myself on the back when I am right. I've yet to see anyone else go that far either..

Some didn't want Willis, and he was forced into the role, and now he's become a decent reserve player who is still getting better EVERY game. All because he got in-game experience, despite some bad mistakes.

1. We need a front court if we want to make a legit, non-fluke, tournament run.
2. We already have a thin front court (in size and depth), to go with a half-season recruiting bust and a player who just mails it in half the time.

So why would you not get Hump SOMEWHAT acclimated? Give him 5-8 minutes a game to start (He's averaged 1 min the past 7 games). He'll make mistakes, he might even cost us a win (I highly doubt that happens, but apparently giving bench players minutes means death to some of you.).. but at the very least he'll sop up fouls that keep getting Poy and Skal in trouble.

If he's truly, TRULY terrible after a month of that MPG, then he's definitely not ready, and I'm more than fine pulling him.

A little early to claim a turnaround with Willis. He's been playing more recently, but Saturday was the first time he's actually done anything with it. It's mostly been due to the incompetence of our other guys. Cal clearly doesn't believe Hump can contribute, so if you saw him start playing a lot, it probably means he's given up on the season.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Maybe, and yes, he's certainly got a ways to go. But that's some great improvement over 3 weeks, all the while knowing you're going to be yanked for any big mistake.

My take with Hump is simple, if Willis can do it, to ours and Cal's surprise, why can't Hump? He is like 17 and a freshman, so the learning curve is admittedly steep. But we have no options now. What harm can it do, at this point, to give him 5 mpg, and let him EARN 8 mpg? We aren't going to lose because of that, certainly not SOLELY because of that. If he can't figure anything out in 3-4 weeks with that time, then keep him there or even put him back on the bench as he may not be ready his freshman year.