Closing Thoughts on This Season:
- Good season overall. I’d say the highlights were likability and some big leaps made by individual players. Probably Cal’s 7th best squad, but still one I thought had the pieces to make a run. Wouldn’t have surprised me one bit to see this team in the Final 4.
- As mentioned, the highlights were the individual improvements in Quickley and Richards. Not to be dramatic, but it was almost heartwarming seeing those two blossom. To a lesser extent, EJ improved throughout the year. Rarely was I dog cussing him toward the end of the season. We also saw late promise from Brooks and Juzang.
- Sestina was a nice addition. Very likable role player who could shoot and knew how to play.
- Maxey was a mixed bag- extraordinary at some big spots (Michigan State and Louisville) but inconsistent. All that said, I truly believe he was going to be big in March. Kid was made for that stage. Will go down as a good not great Calipari freshman- in the neighborhood of James Young and Keldon Johnson, below the elite but above guys like Knox. Certainly could have made a leap in the NCAA.
- Hagans was AA-esque the first month or so but took a dive. Would have liked to see if he could have redeemed himself.
- Team highlights include another victory over Louisville (ho hum), a terrific road record, improvement throughout the year and a likely decent 3-seed.
NEXT YEAR
- The late year play of EJ and Brooks showed promise. A starting frontcourt of Montgomery and Brooks is enticing- as both showed offensive potential and versatility on D. Montgomery specifically turned into an outstanding defender. He also showed improvement on offense- especially in the high post when facing up. He could be very good next year. Brooks is a solid intelligent ballplayer who one could easily see becoming a linchpin.
- Juzang really improved too- finding his shot and going from an awful defender to merely a poor one. His role is obvious- shooter off the bench next year with the potential to be an All-SEC type as a junior. Pretty good trajectory for a guy who reclassified.
- I think Quickley returns and if so becomes the face of this team and will receive preseason AA love. Cal will likely sell him on running a lot of point alongside three incoming backcourt players who all have some playmaking skills of their own.
- Boston and Clarke are the elite highend talents we’ve lacked since 2017. Both have star potential.
- Jackson, Fletcher, Ware and Askew are role players as freshmen. Ware and Askew are fairly polished whereas Jackson andFletcher are known more for their athleticism.
- Allen is a wildcard coming off redshirt.
- Simply put- with a return of IQ and EJ, this is an elite Kentucky squad who should battle Gonzaga for preseason #1. There would be experience, length, athleticism, high-end talent, offensive firepower and a defense that could switch at just about every position.
Without IQ, we need to add grad-transfer at PG.