Leading scorers for next year

[JonathanW_rivals]

Richards at 20 mpg is almost as crazy as Richards as 4th leading scorer at 8.5.

If Richards is seeing 20 mpg. How is Reid seeing 28.8, PJ 30, and EH seeing 20 and averaging same point totals as Richards with way more offensive skill? Not only is that 99 mpg between players that'll play all there time at the 4/5 spots (80 minutes), it's absolutely ridiculous thinking Richards sees 20 minutes and 8 ppg and Montgomery playing 20 and also seeing 8 ppg with his far superior offensive ability. Bottom line though, we are absolutely screwed if Richards sees 20 mpg and is our 4th leading scorer. Richards shouldn't see more than 10 mpg, I think he sees 5-7 mpg and really only plays in foul trouble situations as this will be a developmental year for the king of missing wide open dunks.

I know Richards had some big issues to improve. Primarily his knowing when to rotate on defense, AND being strong/tough enough to hold-on to the ball (simple grip strength, get him in some rock climbing class). His per 30min stats as a FR were comparable to WCS.
He knows his shooting range, and shoots the ball well from it, (60+) from 2, 70+% from the line. His rebounding, despite the drops, was good. And is shot blocking was decent, and will only get better once he gets the rotating down (that is the best time to block a shot, coming from the side as a help defender).

How does Richards get 20 mpg?
There are 80 mpg at the 4 & 5, and 80 mpg at the 1 & 2. The other 40 (at the 3) are the minutes that could go in either direction (to a big or a small). We really don't have any SF next year. Well Johnson is close enough that we can call him one, but no one else. So if Johnson plays 20 at the 3, that leave the other 20 for a non-3 player. I think it will have to be either Herro (at 6'5) or EJ or PJ.
4 & 5: Richards 20, Travis 29, PJ 20, EJ 11
3: Johnson 21, PJ 10, EJ 9
1 & 2: Hagans 25, Green 25, Quickley 13, Herro 13, Baker 2, Brad/walkons (combined) 2

Now Herro could play 5-8 min at the 3, in which case Richards or EJ would likely lose minutes. Admittedly, my 20min estimate for Richards could be high. But I think it is closer than what many of you think (that he will be down with Baker getting 5 or so). Honestly I'd say Richards mpg range is probably 12-22.

I think many of you often over value the unknown, aka FR. EJ wasn't rated much higher/better than Gabriel, lower than Poythress.

 

[CatfanMike47]

I know Richards had some big issues to improve. Primarily his knowing when to rotate on defense, AND being strong/tough enough to hold-on to the ball (simple grip strength, get him in some rock climbing class). His per 30min stats as a FR were comparable to WCS.
He knows his shooting range, and shoots the ball well from it, (60+) from 2, 70+% from the line. His rebounding, despite the drops, was good. And is shot blocking was decent, and will only get better once he gets the rotating down (that is the best time to block a shot, coming from the side as a help defender).

How does Richards get 20 mpg?
There are 80 mpg at the 4 & 5, and 80 mpg at the 1 & 2. The other 40 (at the 3) are the minutes that could go in either direction (to a big or a small). We really don't have any SF next year. Well Johnson is close enough that we can call him one, but no one else. So if Johnson plays 20 at the 3, that leave the other 20 for a non-3 player. I think it will have to be either Herro (at 6'5) or EJ or PJ.
4 & 5: Richards 20, Travis 29, PJ 20, EJ 11
3: Johnson 21, PJ 10, EJ 9
1 & 2: Hagans 25, Green 25, Quickley 13, Herro 13, Baker 2, Brad/walkons (combined) 2

Now Herro could play 5-8 min at the 3, in which case Richards or EJ would likely lose minutes. Admittedly, my 20min estimate for Richards could be high. But I think it is closer than what many of you think (that he will be down with Baker getting 5 or so). Honestly I'd say Richards mpg range is probably 12-22.

I think many of you often over value the unknown, aka FR. EJ wasn't rated much higher/better than Gabriel, lower than Poythress.

EJ was ranked higher than those you mentioned he was ranked top ten!

 

[3kidsandme]

EJ was ranked higher than those you mentioned he was ranked top ten!

Poythress was #8 I believe. Either way Montgomery will catch lobs and 3 pointers. I think Montgomery will shoot quite a few 3s this year.

 

[CatfanMike47]

Poythress was #8 I believe. Either way Montgomery will catch lobs and 3 pointers. I think Montgomery will shoot quite a few 3s this year.

He’ll drive to it too! Great handler for his height

 

[Poetax]

UK worse team defensively was probably the Noel team. I am pretty sure we've had good defenses the last two years without much shot blocking.

Without him(Noel), for sure.

 

[Hoskins91_rivals]

This is best shot we have since 2015. We need another championship, it’s been a long time.

5 years?

 

[Hoskins91_rivals]

They both know how to score. Knox rarely D’ed up. We will see if Herro can/will. But that doesn’t mean he won’t play if he doesn’t. I think Cal has changed his tune some as evidenced by all these shooters on the team. He’s seen what Nova has been able to do with capable shooters all over the place and less emphasis on D. Part of what makes a great coach is the ability to adapt. Hopefully Cal is because the game has changed.

They weren’t just shooters, they were guys who were athletic and could defend multiple positions. If he can’t defend, he’s not gonna play, and he shouldn’t.

 

[Cindog28]

Baker- 2

My goodness. :scream: You estimate he will play 5 minutes a game this coming season in numerous threads. Baker was an under-rated West Coast kid, but over-performed and hurt his knee. Kentucky basketball scholarships do not go to just anyone. He has been free from injury for months. Numerous players have said he's the best shooter on the team and the ball doesn't even hit the rim (outside the net) when he shoots.

Why keep busting his head though? I'll be humble and admit "IF" I'm wrong and he's a back-up, but Baker has "IT" and he's going to make it. I LOVE his game.

(No personal offense.)