I like this lineup

[Untouchables40]

We definitely need more players. Cal can say we're fine all he wants but unless he decides to pull a Roy Williams, do you expect him to say otherwise? You have to have depth. And even though he says he wont be handcuffed almost every year, it ends up being the same thing over and over. Even though, a 6-7 man rotation has worked before, why bank on that working every year? Why not plan for a roster where if you have for 2-3 guys in foul trouble it wont hurt you that much. With the way the SEC refs blow the whistle thats very likely to happen a lot of games. That was my thing with this year's team. If Nick, EJ, and Sestina got in foul trouble, it left only Brooks to guard their bigs and get rebounds

 

[bucsrule8872]

I'm 95% sure Cal is putting Clarke at PG on day 1. I think Clarke and Boston are going to be 2 of the best freshmen we have ever had under Cal, and think both of them, Clarke especially, will be elite from the very 1st day.

Its just a shame that we don't have another sure thing on the roster. Had IQ and EJ come back we would probably be title favorites. Without them we are going to need a combination of Brooks taking a massive jump forward and some of the other freshmen to way over perform their ranking, similar to an SGA/Bledsoe type.

I could see Cal putting Clarke at PG. Still think Askew starts, but could play off the ball on offense with his shooting. Askew is a good on-ball defender so he could defend the PG spot and play off the ball on offense. That’s how I see it likely playing out. I remember Cal doing that with Tyreke Evans and Anderson (I think that was his name) in 09 at Memphis.

 

[bucsrule8872]

We definitely need more players. Cal can say we're fine all he wants but unless he decides to pull a Roy Williams, do you expect him to say otherwise? You have to have depth. And even though he says he wont be handcuffed almost every year, it ends up being the same thing over and over. Even though, a 6-7 man rotation has worked before, why bank on that working every year? Why not plan for a roster where if you have for 2-3 guys in foul trouble it wont hurt you that much. With the way the SEC refs blow the whistle thats very likely to happen a lot of games. That was my thing with this year's team. If Nick, EJ, and Sestina got in foul trouble, it left only Brooks to guard their bigs and get rebounds

Cal will add two more guys if all 5 stay in the draft. He will add another guard and another big at least. Might add another player as well.

Not sure who and how much they will give us, but he will have 10-11 guys on scholarship for the season.

Hoping he gets Haarms and then finds a veteran GT to run the show or at least backup the PG spot.

 

[weatherbird]

We definitely need more players. Cal can say we're fine all he wants but unless he decides to pull a Roy Williams, do you expect him to say otherwise? You have to have depth. And even though he says he wont be handcuffed almost every year, it ends up being the same thing over and over. Even though, a 6-7 man rotation has worked before, why bank on that working every year? Why not plan for a roster where if you have for 2-3 guys in foul trouble it wont hurt you that much. With the way the SEC refs blow the whistle thats very likely to happen a lot of games. That was my thing with this year's team. If Nick, EJ, and Sestina got in foul trouble, it left only Brooks to guard their bigs and get rebounds

There aren't going to be very many teams that will go more than 2 deep in their frontcourt. If you have 3 interior players in foul trouble, you are going to have other issues. 3 guys at the 4-5 is pretty common, 3 guys to play the wings is pretty common, and a couple PGs are pretty common. That's roughly 8 rotational players. Most Cal years 3-4 players are going to average 30+ minutes, leaving at most 80 minutes. This is the reason most transfer, they have no desire to sit on the bench and wait for 3-4 guys in front of them to get in foul trouble.

 

[Uk2k4]

Over/under 9 losses next year? As it sits right now with brooks the only returner I’ll go over.

 

[JAC71]

Haven't any of you re-watched all the Championship games being broadcast? Everyone one of them including our 2012 year, boiled down to offensive rebounding, second chances, defensive stops, etc. Even the 1998 Duke win ended when an offensive rebound was tipped out for a 3 for us. We have to have a talented physical big man or close games won't go out way. It has been true for every other team as well.

I still remember Magloire contesting a shot I believe against Stanford. A shot blocker and rebounder makes a world of difference

 

[Untouchables40]

I understand players will transfer but only 3 players total for the 4-5 can be like playing with fire. If one gets hurt and then one gets in fould trouble, your're left with basically one big guy and usually a skinny 6'6" or 6'7" who usually get pushed around and can't box out.

As I've said before, it seems like since other schools started recruiting one and done players, Cal's strategy is not really recruiting a full lineup (one of each position) but basically taking what he can get. He will target some players that fit the teams needs but a lot of times doesn't end up land them and just ends up adding more guards (which we usually already have plenty). It just feels like lately we are just settling on the roster we have and just hoping it turns out like 2011 or 2014.

 

[LowCountryCat]

Positionless basketball but every lineup must include a true center.

Shotblockers are rare and valuable.

 

[Cowboys&Wildcats]

OP that lineup isn't a Final 4 lineup at all. A pg with turnovers and guys that can't shoot

Bench not giving us what a UK team should. We gotta get 2 of our starters back

Clarke, Boston, and Askew can’t shoot?

 

[Sparkaces]

I love how people are already declaring how good Askew is gonna be, the reality is nobody knows, he could be Brandon Knight, he could be Harrow. The bottom line is Cal and the staff will get somebody if they think they need another PG. The only year he got caught short handed was when the starting 5 left after 2012 and Harrow basically collapsed under the pressure.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I love how people are already declaring how good Askew is gonna be, the reality is nobody knows, he could be Brandon Knight, he could be Harrow. The bottom line is Cal and the staff will get somebody if they think they need another PG. The only year he got caught short handed was when the starting 5 left after 2012 and Harrow basically collapsed under the pressure.

I can’t be comfortable about Askew as our primary PG. I don’t think he will be Harrow bad, but I really doubt he is Knight good.

I really hope he is our backup PG, instead of having to run the show from Day One.

 

[Sparkaces]

I can’t be comfortable about Askew as our primary PG. I don’t think he will be Harrow bad, but I really doubt he is Knight good.

I really hope he is our backup PG, instead of having to run the show from Day One.

I just really don’t want another PG that can’t shoot and I’m afraid they may go after Hardy, partially for need and partially for the brother. If we are gonna get one I’d get the Harvard kid.