From Calipari on Wheeler

[LineSkiCat14]

It's a "minor" procedure, that in all likelihood could have been done at any time. But in reality who knows what it actually is. I had wrist surgery back in the fall and easily could have been out there that night. They aren't even giving opiates for most minor surgeries any longer.

But who really knows. Maybe he will be totally fine.

But if I have any sort of surgery, I'm probably not doing anything at night.

Wheeler was totally fine cheering on the bench 2 weeks ago.. do we really think he's snubbing the Senior Night on purpose? Why? That really doesn't make much sense.

 

[TriCountyCAT]

I’m guilty as anyone that called for his placement on the bench. His family and even wheeler himself has access to social media and the internet. One of my good friends played for UK and he heard all kinds of negative messages , felt the pressure that was unfairly put on him and it was before social media. I’m sure it’s worse now.

 

[CalipariCapo]

This is so obviously Wheeler being asshurt about losing his role and Cal trying to protect him so he will have a better shot at playing somewhere decent next year. It’s never what it appears to be with Cal.

Exactly. The people that can’t see through the gimmicks are the same people that watch the news and take it at face value lol. Wheeler decided to give up his position on this team and doesn’t feel the need to play a limited role. This is all a way to cover for Savhir. How quickly people forget the whole Jarred Vanderbilt and Sharpe fiascos just to make a few lol.

 

[CatPatrick13]

Based on Dillingham being in the g-league affiliate and liking it, plus having success. His track record suggests school isn't something he is very concerned with and he has shifted course multiple times during his recruitment.

Wheeler having the procedure and not participating in sr night, plus not having a high likelihood of going pro anywhere and the NIL money he makes here certainly suggest there is at least a reasonable probability he could return.

So. Purely speculation.

 

[Wildcats1st]

Well, let's see, last time he walked onto the Rupp Arena floor, he got booed. Maybe he doesn't want to risk it. Can you imagine being the first player in UK history to be booed on Senior Night? Embarrassing doesn't even begin to describe that. It was embarrassing enough to be booed just going to the scorer's table in his last game. That's what he will remember about Kentucky, unfortunately.

The good news for some of our fans, they won't have to fake like they appreciate him when he was to be introduced for senior night.

I consider myself one of wheelers most vocal critics and I wouldn’t boo him at sr night. I wouldn’t go nuts with applause but I would be respectful and I’m sure others like me would as well. You know booing when wheeler is going to the scorers table isn’t necessarily booing wheeler. It’s booing the decision to put him back in. Further the fact wheeler has had trouble with the scrutiny, didn’t change his game and hasn’t played since is a testimony to the problems he’s had at uk. He wasn’t the guy and I doubt he wanted to be the 10 min a game role player many fans thought he would be. 80% of the game is between the ears. I wish wheeler the best wherever he ends up but I am glad he won’t be playing for UK most likely any longer. Like cal said “I can’t hide you at UK”.

 

[STL_Cat]

But who really knows. Maybe he will be totally fine.

But if I have any sort of surgery, I'm probably not doing anything at night.

Wheeler was totally fine cheering on the bench 2 weeks ago.. do we really think he's snubbing the Senior Night on purpose? Why? That really doesn't make much sense.

You're right about one thing ... it's bizarre and doesn't make much sense.

 

[ukgold]

Minor this late into the season equals its over. I ok with that

 

[Rockfly78]

So, purely speculation?

He did say there was a procedure. I’m not one to believe everything Cal says but he would not have straight up lied about a medical procedure that didn’t happen. That’s a lie that would have been uncovered 100 percent.

Any opinion is pure speculation at this point. I do believe he hurt his ankle to some degree. He was visibly limping on multiple occasions. I have my notions about what’s going on with him but again, I dare to speculate. It’s none of my damn business

 

[Wildcats1st]

It's a "minor" procedure, that in all likelihood could have been done at any time. But in reality who knows what it actually is. I had wrist surgery back in the fall and easily could have been out there that night. They aren't even giving opiates for most minor surgeries any longer.

Could be an appendectomy. You don’t wait on something like that. I’m not saying it is but there are urgent minor procedures that can’t wait.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

You're right about one thing ... it's bizarre and doesn't make much sense.

Ok lol. But no one here is right on really anything else. It's all speculation.

Wheeler was visually seen, by several, to be in a walking boot. Is this all some conspiracy now?

I'm sure Wheeler doesn't REALLY care for Senior night and he's only been here for two seasons, and they've been tumultuous at times as we all know. Did he full on quit and schedule a "minor" surgery on the same day as senior night so he wouldn't have to attend? I think that's reaching, big time, with the facts that we have.

 

[STL_Cat]

Could be an appendectomy. You don’t wait on something like that. I’m not saying it is but there are urgent minor procedures that can’t wait.

Could be, and who knows ... but the wording used here does not say emergency appendectomy to me. But again that's just the common ambiguity we have gotten used to here.

 

[STL_Cat]

Ok lol. But no one here is right on really anything else. It's all speculation.

Wheeler was visually seen, by several, to be in a walking boot. Is this all some conspiracy now?

I'm sure Wheeler doesn't REALLY care for Senior night and he's only been here for two seasons, and they've been tumultuous at times as we all know. Did he full on quit and schedule a "minor" surgery on the same day as senior night so he wouldn't have to attend? I think that's reaching, big time, with the facts that we have.

Fair enough. I think you're reaching a little bit as well. Even the ankle injury was bizarre the way it was covered. No one saw it happen and they barely talked about it. Now a minor procedure on the day of Senior Night and he's not able to attend. It's not hard reading the tea leaves here, imo

 

[CrimsonCats_rivals]

I’ve never been the biggest fan of his game, but I’ve defended him as recently as this week on the insinuations that he’s faking or at least exaggerating an injury because he’s unhappy. All that to say that even I find the timing of this very odd, especially after Cal was just talking up earlier this week how it was killing him not to be out there. Now suddenly he’s “out for a bit” after a procedure on something unrelated. So was this minor procedure unplanned, or did Cal just neglect to mention it in his previous update?

We’ll probably never know the whole truth, but the one thing for certain is that having yearly mystery injuries with conflicting updates from Cal is getting very tiresome at this point.

 

[Alt-Mod]

So. Purely speculation.

Which part was speculation?

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Fair enough. I think you're reaching a little bit as well. Even the ankle injury was bizarre the way it was covered. No one saw it happen and they barely talked about it. Now a minor procedure on the day of Senior Night and he's not able to attend. It's not hard reading the tea leaves here, imo

I really have little information, just like anyone else. Im not saying he DIDN'T do what some of you think, I'm just not ready to go there yet. And THAT is where people are reaching.

My guess is that Wheeler HAS started to move on to his next phase of life, and he's not going to put UK first when it comes to that preparation and things like medical procedures.

I guess we can call that "quitting".. I don't know. It's probably somewhere in between. He's not healthy, his chance to see the court because of the injuries was dwindling. He's doing what is needed to play elsewhere after this season.

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

Cal lying again. So annoying. Either tell the truth or say nothing at all.
Minor procedure probably means he got a filling for a tooth.

 

[Cats192]

But who really knows. Maybe he will be totally fine.

But if I have any sort of surgery, I'm probably not doing anything at night.

Wheeler was totally fine cheering on the bench 2 weeks ago.. do we really think he's snubbing the Senior Night on purpose? Why? That really doesn't make much sense.

Again,

Words matter. Whether intentional or subliminal--Procedure does not equal surgery.

For what it's worth, I'm a physician. I work as a hospitalist--general internal medicine that admits patients to the hospital and consult surgeons from every specialty.

Having your ears cleaned out can be a procedure. Having a cyst removed can be a procedure. Ingrown toenail--that would be a procedure.

He could have had a knee scope or a shoulder scope. But to be fair, I would think most guys WOULD go sit on the bench after having something like that done--at least for senior night. He doesn't have to. I'm not upset with the kid in any way.

I'm guessing whatever it was, it was very minor and he wasn't put to sleep--at least that's what I think of when I hear procedure vs surgery.

Now maybe there's some word shenanigans by Calipari. Maybe he had an actual surgery--but Cal thinks if he says surgery, the media will really press on this--and he doesn't want to deal with all of that. And I think most people are more bothered by Cal's lack of transparency.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

 

[Cats192]

An important point, I think a lot of people are missing.

People have spent the season calling for Wheeler to play fewer minutes--or no minutes at all. Now with all of the recent events, people are speculating that Wheeler may have "quit" on the team. People are suddenly swearing the kid off and saying "I'll never forgive him."

Who cares if he quit? You didn't want him playing. He's been out and we've gone from the bubble to a 6 or 7 seed. We're better off with him not playing.

Would it be nice to have him as the backup PG for 10-12 minutes a game? Yes. But Cal won't use him that way. If Wheeler is playing, Cal will fall in love with what he sees those first 3 minutes and play him 20 minutes per game.

 

[SparksCat]

Well, let's see, last time he walked onto the Rupp Arena floor, he got booed. Maybe he doesn't want to risk it. Can you imagine being the first player in UK history to be booed on Senior Night? Embarrassing doesn't even begin to describe that. It was embarrassing enough to be booed just going to the scorer's table in his last game. That's what he will remember about Kentucky, unfortunately.

The good news for some of our fans, they won't have to fake like they appreciate him when he was to be introduced for senior night.

Moderator. Really??? You honestly, I mean honestly, think our fans, some or all, would boo one of our players on Senior Night.

Give me a break.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Again,

Words matter. Whether intentional or subliminal--Procedure does not equal surgery.

For what it's worth, I'm a physician. I work as a hospitalist--general internal medicine that admits patients to the hospital and consult surgeons from every specialty.

Having your ears cleaned out can be a procedure. Having a cyst removed can be a procedure. Ingrown toenail--that would be a procedure.

He could have had a knee scope or a shoulder scope. But to be fair, I would think most guys WOULD go sit on the bench after having something like that done--at least for senior night. He doesn't have to. I'm not upset with the kid in any way.

I'm guessing whatever it was, it was very minor and he wasn't put to sleep--at least that's what I think of when I hear procedure vs surgery.

Now maybe there's some word shenanigans by Calipari. Maybe he had an actual surgery--but Cal thinks if he says surgery, the media will really press on this--and he doesn't want to deal with all of that. And I think most people are more bothered by Cal's lack of transparency.

Sure. But then it could be anything from a wart removal to a "minor" procedure that causes extreme discomfort. I don't think it's wild to think that Wheeler is figuring to "not do anything" the day of this procedure.

I don't love Cal's vaguness with injuries. I think he can shed more light when needed, but I also know this is far more common in sports than people want to admit, because it doesn't fit the narrative. If you're a fan of NFL or the NBA, you know about unknown injuries at times.. and you sure as **** know about this stuff dealing with fantasy sports. Cal is far from the only coach in any sport that keeps things "vague".

IDK.. Wheeler was in a walking boot two weeks ago. We know he's hurt. Fans said he quit a month ago, and they were wrong: he came back, played, cheered.. and all those fans kind of just brushed it aside.

I don't see any reason to think this is anything other than related to said injury, UNTIL we hear something different.

 

[revcort]

One other thought- if he returns to play this season, he won't have to deal with a booing Rupp crowd. That might be a more pleasant way to go out.

Of course, this may have nothing whatsoever with being booed. It might be exactly what has been said- a minor procedure that will keep him away on senior night but may not prevent him from playing down the road.

I just can't help but think Wheeler is avoiding the Rupp Arena crowd after his treatment. I'm sure some would say, if this is truly the case, they were booing Cal and not Wheeler, but I'm telling you folks, to Wheeler there is ZERO difference. Missing senior night should make that crystal clear. UK fans may not hate him personally but that is how it feels to Wheeler.

Attack me all you want folks. If you've not attacked belittled the guy or booed him, you have no reason to feel bad about it. The only reason I feel bad about it is purely FOR Wheeler. I hate the way our fans have talked about him and treated him. He deserves better. And again, if you haven't participated, I'm not referring to you.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

One other thought- if he returns to play this season, he won't have to deal with a booing Rupp crowd. That might be a more pleasant way to go out.

Of course, this may have nothing whatsoever with being booed. It might be exactly what has been said- a minor procedure that will keep him away on senior night but may not prevent him from playing down the road.

I just can't help but think Wheeler is avoiding the Rupp Arena crowd after his treatment. I'm sure some would say, if this is truly the case, they were booing Cal and not Wheeler, but I'm telling you folks, to Wheeler there is ZERO difference. Missing senior night should make that crystal clear. UK fans may not hate him personally but that is how it feels to Wheeler.

Attack me all you want folks. If you've not attacked belittled the guy or booed him, you have no reason to feel bad about it. The only reason I feel bad about it is purely FOR Wheeler. I hate the way our fans have talked about him and treated him. He deserves better. And again, if you haven't participated, I'm not referring to you.

If he returns to play this season, a SECOND time, then those who said he quit and ran with all this conspiracy stuff, should give themselves a little timeout. They conveniently avoided the comeuppance when he came back, that shouldn't be excused again. Have to own it.

 

[STL_Cat]

One other thought- if he returns to play this season, he won't have to deal with a booing Rupp crowd. That might be a more pleasant way to go out.

Of course, this may have nothing whatsoever with being booed. It might be exactly what has been said- a minor procedure that will keep him away on senior night but may not prevent him from playing down the road.

I just can't help but think Wheeler is avoiding the Rupp Arena crowd after his treatment. I'm sure some would say, if this is truly the case, they were booing Cal and not Wheeler, but I'm telling you folks, to Wheeler there is ZERO difference. Missing senior night should make that crystal clear. UK fans may not hate him personally but that is how it feels to Wheeler.

Attack me all you want folks. If you've not attacked belittled the guy or booed him, you have no reason to feel bad about it. The only reason I feel bad about it is purely FOR Wheeler. I hate the way our fans have talked about him and treated him. He deserves better. And again, if you haven't participated, I'm not referring to you.

I've never once booed him, so even though you are not "referring to me", I think you're going waaaay overboard on his "mistreatment" by our fans.

 

[anon1751545683]

I hate he had to get hurt before Cal could see the team was better without Wheeler.

I wanted him to get no minutes but by coaches decision.

He would not be boo’ed tonight though.

 

[revcort]

Moderator. Really??? You honestly, I mean honestly, think our fans, some or all, would boo one of our players on Senior Night.

Give me a break.

I really don't think they would. I think they would respectfully applaud, some would be hypocrites, but they would applaud. But what do you think Wheeler feels about it? It's pretty obvious to me, missing senior night. He was mortified being booed last time he entered the game. I bet he's never been booed by the home fans in his life. It was a new experience for him.

 

[Cats192]

Sure. But then it could be anything from a wart removal to a "minor" procedure that causes extreme discomfort. I don't think it's wild to think that Wheeler is figuring to "not do anything" the day of this procedure.

I don't love Cal's vaguness with injuries. I think he can shed more light when needed, but I also know this is far more common in sports than people want to admit, because it doesn't fit the narrative. If you're a fan of NFL or the NBA, you know about unknown injuries at times.. and you sure as **** know about this stuff dealing with fantasy sports. Cal is far from the only coach in any sport that keeps things "vague".

IDK.. Wheeler was in a walking boot two weeks ago. We know he's hurt. Fans said he quit a month ago, and they were wrong: he came back, played, cheered.. and all those fans kind of just brushed it aside.

I don't see any reason to think this is anything other than related to said injury, UNTIL we hear something different.

I guess to be clear, what are we arguing?

I don't think he made anything up. I think there was a procedure. I think the procedure was probably very minor. I think it was scheduled for today for a reason. Whether it was known it was going to cause discomfort--or simply to be used as a cover to skip senior day.

I'm not saying the kid made anything up to quit, or quit for that matter. But some shenanigans have taken place to keep him away from senior day. The timing of the procedure is to coincidental--and when it's this coincidental--it aint a coincidence.

 

[Wildcats1st]

One other thought- if he returns to play this season, he won't have to deal with a booing Rupp crowd. That might be a more pleasant way to go out.

Of course, this may have nothing whatsoever with being booed. It might be exactly what has been said- a minor procedure that will keep him away on senior night but may not prevent him from playing down the road.

I just can't help but think Wheeler is avoiding the Rupp Arena crowd after his treatment. I'm sure some would say, if this is truly the case, they were booing Cal and not Wheeler, but I'm telling you folks, to Wheeler there is ZERO difference. Missing senior night should make that crystal clear. UK fans may not hate him personally but that is how it feels to Wheeler.

Attack me all you want folks. If you've not attacked belittled the guy or booed him, you have no reason to feel bad about it. The only reason I feel bad about it is purely FOR Wheeler. I hate the way our fans have talked about him and treated him. He deserves better. And again, if you haven't participated, I'm not referring to you.

Half of Nashville crowds for the secT will be UK fans. After that no way cal inserts him into an ncaaT game having not played in weeks and his last play costing us.

And the other part “to wheeler” that’s the problem wheeler is about wheeler. Or he would toughen up and move past it and accept spot minutes.

 

[WeWant9]

One other thought- if he returns to play this season, he won't have to deal with a booing Rupp crowd. That might be a more pleasant way to go out.

Of course, this may have nothing whatsoever with being booed. It might be exactly what has been said- a minor procedure that will keep him away on senior night but may not prevent him from playing down the road.

I just can't help but think Wheeler is avoiding the Rupp Arena crowd after his treatment. I'm sure some would say, if this is truly the case, they were booing Cal and not Wheeler, but I'm telling you folks, to Wheeler there is ZERO difference. Missing senior night should make that crystal clear. UK fans may not hate him personally but that is how it feels to Wheeler.

Attack me all you want folks. If you've not attacked belittled the guy or booed him, you have no reason to feel bad about it. The only reason I feel bad about it is purely FOR Wheeler. I hate the way our fans have talked about him and treated him. He deserves better. And again, if you haven't participated, I'm not referring to you.

When was Wheeler booed? KU game? I would think that would’ve popped up everywhere as a story, but I have honestly never seen it. Not saying it isn’t true, but this board is the only place I constantly see it stated he was booed. Theres got to be some video of it out there, right?

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I guess to be clear, what are we arguing?

I don't think he made anything up. I think there was a procedure. I think the procedure was probably very minor. I think it was scheduled for today for a reason. Whether it was known it was going to cause discomfort--or simply to be used as a cover to skip senior day.

I'm not saying the kid made anything up to quit, or quit for that matter. But some shenanigans have taken place to keep him away from senior day. The timing of the procedure is to coincidental--and when it's this coincidental--it aint a coincidence.

I'm arguing that we don't know anything you said after line 1. We don't know if it was scheduled on purpose.. but I'm willing to accept that it was a possibility.

He played 2-3 weeks ago after the first injury.. why would he skip senior day?

 

[ORCAT]

Odd that he can't even participate in the ceremonies. But they may just be saving him from the boos that might come from our "fans" that have run him off.

I don't look for him to play again here or return next year. It's a shame.

I truly doubt there would be any booing on Senior Night.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

For those of you saying you feel bad for Wheeler due to fan treatment….it’s never been about Wheeler, it’s all been about Cal and his idiocy when I comes to line ups and playing the guys who should be playing. Equally, if that in turn makes Wheeler feel bad, or makes him sad, or gets him upset to the point where he has to avoid a home crowd……kid needs to toughen up or just hang up the sneakers regardless. It’s the real world out there, not marshmallow land.

 

[STL_Cat]

When was Wheeler booed? KU game? I would think that would’ve popped up everywhere as a story, but I have honestly never seen it. Not saying it isn’t true, but this board is the only place I constantly see it stated he was booed. Theres got to be some video of it out there, right?

I really don't remember it either. IL_Wildcat acts like it was egregious.

 

[ganner918_rivals60369]

Exactly. The people that can’t see through the gimmicks are the same people that watch the news and take it at face value lol. Wheeler decided to give up his position on this team and doesn’t feel the need to play a limited role. This is all a way to cover for Savhir. How quickly people forget the whole Jarred Vanderbilt and Sharpe fiascos just to make a few lol.

Vanderbilt was legitimately hurt, had surgery after the season, and didn't play in an NBA game until February of his rookie year - almost a year after our season ended.

And I recall when people were blind if they couldn't see that Keion Brooks had secretly quit. And when Clarke had secretly quit. And when TyTy had secretly quit. Sharpe is the ONE example, and he didn't quit - he never started.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

I don’t remember which game it was, but I remember the crowd booing when SW was subbing in, but it was clearly directed at Cal for his decision. At least best I can remember.

 

[WeWant9]

I really don't remember it either. IL_Wildcat acts like it was egregious.

I tried to Google around and could really just find one tweet about it.

Either way I hope the guy is okay, but the situation with all of this is strange. Roll with who we got, and keep the momentum going into the tournaments.

 

[Cats192]

I'm arguing that we don't know anything you said after line 1. We don't know if it was scheduled on purpose.. but I'm willing to accept that it was a possibility.

He played 2-3 weeks ago after the first injury.. why would he skip senior day?

Let's back it up to your previous post.

You said you think he went into it knowing he probably wouldn't want to do anything that day after the procedure.
He scheduled it for a day with a big event.

If he knew he wouldn't feel up to doing anything--and scheduled it for a day when Senior day was scheduled--then he wanted to miss senior day.

You can't have it both ways. You're saying he was able to think about the procedure ahead of time and make decisions based on that thought. But then you're saying he couldn't have thought about the date of the procedure and make decisions based on that thought. Both can't be true.

To believe it, you're being asked to buy 1 of I believe 2 excuses

A. No one realized. Between all of the assistants, Cal, even Wheeler's family--someone would have surely pointed out this is senior night.

B. There was no flexibility in the schedule. As I said before, I can't buy this as a physician. If it's minor, it could have taken place any of the other 4 weekdays. The argument about "Well some surgeons only operate on certain days" that's fine and good--most surgeons operate more than 1 day a week.

 

[ukcat27]

this is just how I see things...when we lost to Arkansas and Georgia I saw him on the TV screen laughing it up with minimal time left in the game when it was apparent we were beat....that was it for me right there



...if I were coaching that would have been it.would have never played another second on my team...I have been done with him since. Does that make me judgemental...you are damn right it does...you guys can bash away at me....but I have no desire to see that kid even on the bench from this second forward

 

[WalterTheHippo]

Ok Coach... At least you have "seen him".

 

[WalterTheHippo]

Well... with all due respect hope he gets better.. BUT, in saying that... He is NOT THAT GOOD!!! You cannot just look at a stat line and say "Gee, look he has (X) assists, he must be great"... Or, the +/- stat is the biggest hunk of crap stat to base stuff on. You put me out there with Prime Bird, Jordan, Magic Johnson and Wilt Chamberlain against an average team would I have a better +/- YES... Am I a good basketball player.... NOT COMPARED TO THE AVERAGE PLAYER.
Thierro offers size and athleticism on defense... Something opposing teams NEVER had to concern themselves with vs. Sahvir.... Sahvir is a liability shooting the ball. HELL the defender plays OFF of him at 3 point line... Crowding other players down low... Cant do that with CJ, Thierro, Wallace, etc.
Took Cal about 1/2 season... welp, maybe 1 and 1/2 seasons to realize this, but finally he did.

I WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR TEAM~!!! This is what is best and it is obvious. Cal was too busy with the phrase "I don't want to take his heart"..... Well Coach, what about the kids heart you are taking that is a better player and can contribute better to the team by playing... instead you sit the better player, hence favoring the lesser.