Disagree as Adebayo is better than any center or PF we had on our roster last year and on Duke's roster this year coming up!! Humphries will be much improved as will be Willis--and SK-J will be a factor!!
Looks like we will have same problem as last year....
- Thread starter UKgreatinmyveins
- Start date
Don't disagree OP. But will have the perfect lineup to spread he floor, drive and kick or dish and have the bigs clean up at the rim. Also be nice group to pressure a little with and create a little tempo and transition baskets so that we don't have to set up so much in the half court.
I know..3 Five star guards and 3 Five Star front liners...plus a Sr. Bullitt Co. Bomber...
Sucks balls doesnt it....
Sucks balls doesnt it....
Yeah - good points.
- Bam for Skal is about a fair trade,
- Malik Monk + a senior version of Willis who averaged something like a double double through much of conference play are not much on the wing,
and
- Wenyen Gabriel/SKJ/Soph Humphries are just awful backups for 3/4/5.
Dead on.
You and Zaytoven are gonna look like oracles in March.
Wings dont normally play with their backs to the basket, thus the name wing....
Unless Bam has seriously improved his post game and Hump has made great strides, then we will be lacking a true post player.
I think both have the ability to become solid.
Bam is a beast in the open floor and room to move thus my hopes for Bolden.
With Bam alone in the middle and Willis in the corner he will have a tall task of owning the boards by himself, with some help from Briscoe.
If Bam is the 5 please do not compare him to Randle - huge difference in PF with a big bodied Center like Julius had and playing the 5 on an island.
Bam's game would be much better showcased if Hump can man the block.
That does not mean that is the best lineup for UK overall.
I'm way too excited about the news of Briscoe deciding to return for another run at Kentucky to worry about our lack of frontcourt players. It seems to me we're going to do pretty well in the frontcourt. Adding Bam to our roster instantly stopped our potential team from having rebounding problems. That kid is going to be a beast on the boards and just by adding him alone will be a huge improvement from last year's bunch who couldn't grab a board if the ball landed in their hands. I'm not even kidding about that. Last year if the ball would have landed in Skal's or Poythress's hands, they would have fumbled the ball away out of bounds. Once the ball is anywhere near Bam's mits, you might as well count it as a defensive rebound. Most Kentucky fans are forgetting how well Humps could rebound the ball when he actually got playing time. You know you're dealing with a tough bunch when fans are willing to just write off a kid like Hump's potential after just one year of college basketball, being his freshman year mind you, when the kid wasn't even considered an elite prospect. He didn't come in as highly rated as Skal and flopped. Give the kid a chance and i bet you after this next season, you will be a believer in our frontcourt teachers we have here at Kentucky. We are not dealing with a Skal/ Poythress and Lee frontcourt this next season. No offense to those kids, but you couldn't ask a softer bunch of kids to play in the post as those 3. I guarantee our next frontcourt won't be as soft as our last frontcourt. I wouldn't say we're loaded in the frontcourt, but more times than not, it's better to just be really good in the frontcourt than actually loaded. When you are loaded in the frontcourt, you run into problems with playing time. We know who will get the minutes this coming year. I even think a kid like SJK will be a lot better than many wanna give credit to. It's problably true the kid is another yea away from being his best, but when you are talking about beating Poy/Lee and Skal's frontcourt production, you are not exactly asking him to set the world on fire. We will be fine.
Holy sh*t.
Antoine Walker
Nazr Mohammad
Jamal Magloire
Even Walter McCarty.
do some of you just have zero clue about what you're talking about.
Must be under 20.
The front court will be the strength of UK. Hopefully, the backcourt will be able to hit some long balls. This could be the achilles heel of next season, but I hope not. Murray and Ulis kept defenses honest with their three point shooting. If Willis and Briscoe work on their outside shooting over the summer and get it in the 35% and over range, UK will be set.
We didn't have a problem on the wing. The issue was a complete lack of any interior play. That won't be a problem this year.
Briscoe is a little short for the 3, and Gabriel probably a little big.. but they can both fill that spot in a pinch.. both can guard the 3, 2 and 4 (the last two, respectively).. And we don't need a natural scorer in the 3 spot, especially when all 4 other positions can and will score. Not to mention we still have Willis who can move over.
Still, pretty bummed about Matthews leaving.. he could have been a nice player at the SF for the next few years.
Still, pretty bummed about Matthews leaving.. he could have been a nice player at the SF for the next few years.
Yep, this team will be exactly like last year's, except different in every way.
He might cause issues on Defense but Wenyens game on offense won't cause problems because he doesn't have the handles to drive past a wing nor the jumper to keep defenses honest
QUOTE="TheBigBlueSpectacle, post: 4626651, member: 34178"]Gabriel would create nightmares for wings and we added serious beef down low. We lost some shooting but gained a ton of strength and athleticism. Lots of length that can step out, a returning Humphries who was VERY young last year, and a freak in Bam
I think this team.... Success aside, actually looks quite a bit different on paper compared to last year. Just IMO[/QUOTE]
QUOTE="TheBigBlueSpectacle, post: 4626651, member: 34178"]Gabriel would create nightmares for wings and we added serious beef down low. We lost some shooting but gained a ton of strength and athleticism. Lots of length that can step out, a returning Humphries who was VERY young last year, and a freak in Bam
I think this team.... Success aside, actually looks quite a bit different on paper compared to last year. Just IMO[/QUOTE]
No, Skal was a terrible player and he was consistent, except not the consistent that you want (consistently frustrating)
QUOTE="Joneslab, post: 4626855, member: 4048"]Not sure the lack of a true wing is an issue because of how Briscoe can guard that position.
The frontcourt remains to be seen. I tend to think that you need, more than anything, consistency in the college game. Can't have guys who will come to play one night and then disappear the next.
Last year it wasn't that Poythress and Skal were terrible players, it's that you never knew what you were going to get from them. Poythress would follow 22 and 10 games with a whole lot of nothingness.
I think Bam will be the consistent anchor down low. If you don't buy UK's frontcourt you probably don't buy Bam, but I think he'll be an AA candidate by the time it's said and done. I also like Willis (a lot) as a stretch. Depth is going to be the issue, but Wenyen Gabriel has colossal upside and I think SKJ and Humphries will both contribute.
Nothing like last year IMO. Still think Kentucky is clearly the second most talented team behind Duke.[/QUOTE]
QUOTE="Joneslab, post: 4626855, member: 4048"]Not sure the lack of a true wing is an issue because of how Briscoe can guard that position.
The frontcourt remains to be seen. I tend to think that you need, more than anything, consistency in the college game. Can't have guys who will come to play one night and then disappear the next.
Last year it wasn't that Poythress and Skal were terrible players, it's that you never knew what you were going to get from them. Poythress would follow 22 and 10 games with a whole lot of nothingness.
I think Bam will be the consistent anchor down low. If you don't buy UK's frontcourt you probably don't buy Bam, but I think he'll be an AA candidate by the time it's said and done. I also like Willis (a lot) as a stretch. Depth is going to be the issue, but Wenyen Gabriel has colossal upside and I think SKJ and Humphries will both contribute.
Nothing like last year IMO. Still think Kentucky is clearly the second most talented team behind Duke.[/QUOTE]
Many might not want to admit this but UK can win it this year like UL won it a couple seasons ago. Neither had a Duncan or Shaq in the post but have a athletic high motor tough big (Harrell/Bam). A tough pg who gets in you on defense and makes things hard for you (UL pg/Fox). A scoring sg who is athletic and should be able to score a bunch of points in a flurry as well as having the potential to play elite defense (Russ/Monk) a couple of role players who have length, skill, and or high motors (Wenyen, Briscoe) who can defend and have the ability to drop 15 on a given night or nightly if need be (Briscoe). And a team as a whole who has the potential to be not only elite on defense but the best in the nation
Monk and Fox are much more athletic than Ulis and Murray. They will not shoot as well but will create problems for opposing defenses with their quickness and length. Gabriel is far more skilled than Lee and he has a big motor. Bam is a freak athletically and has a mean streak. Skal nor Poy brought the energy he will. Willis and Brisco return. I expect Btisco to be much better on offense. Nobody on last year's team was close to me the combination of length and skill that Jones brings other than Skal who had not truly played in two years. Humpthries and Mulder should be much more ready to play at the level needed next year. If Mulder, Brisco and have a normal progression and don't fall into the Lee trap they could contribute. Hawkins will be Hawkins and contribute when called on. Would have loved you to have seen Matthews back next year. Backcourt will struggle to be as good as last year but should be much better in the front court. Energy on defense and the boards will be the difference.
Damn FF, you want me to proofread and edit these posts of yours before you post?
Agree with all of your points but after Btisco it was a challenge....
Who Bam? He outplayed guys his size in AAU,Camps,All Star game practices. He used his speed and motor on top of his athletic ability to our play them. Didn't do a lot of back to the basket work because he likes to face up but did score with his back to the basket at times. Main reason he faces up more is due to being double teammed.
I watched Bam several times. The main reason he didn't post up more was poor coaching.
It was unbelievable that he was not the primary option each time down the floor.
If Bam is the 5 he will not get away with playing face up and bullying his way to the basket. He needs to learn a drop step, head fake, mini hook, and fade way over the summer.
I think shooting will be a bigger problem, last year the main problem was rebounding and that should be much better
Hopefully Fox and Monk will be closer to Ulis and Murray than the Harrisons when it comes to outside shots. If that happens we should be top 5 easy. If not we will struggle to score.
Hopefully Fox and Monk will be closer to Ulis and Murray than the Harrisons when it comes to outside shots. If that happens we should be top 5 easy. If not we will struggle to score.
Fox can hit shots, Monk can hit even more. That said both can be very, very streaky.
Of course I wish Briscoe was streaky...
KSR has a good article on what problem UK may have next year
https://kentucky.forums.rivals.com/...-have-same-problem-as-last-year.194085/page-2
https://kentucky.forums.rivals.com/...-have-same-problem-as-last-year.194085/page-2
He didn't always bully his way to the basket but yes he will need to work on his post game more. His face up game is advanced for a big though (I always watched many of his games and almost all of his AAU games) Dennis Smith was perfect for him as far as getting him the ball in scoring position. Also Bam has perfected the quick spin with his back to the basket before the double comes and a very nice step through. Not really worried about if he will be able to score on the college level, I worry about that as much as I'd worry about Ulis getting a assist
Until Skal was a bust, nobody said this last off-season. It all depends...
Who will inspire their teammates with their play to keep up.
Lee, Skal, Poy or Bam.
Bam
He has work to do. But the kid seems to have the attitude and the body to make it happen.
I'm excited to watch him grow with KPs guidance.
Indeed he does have work to do, the great thing is he has a high motor so he can still be very effective while he learns. I expect 14pts 10reb easily if he stays out of foul trouble. Should get half of his points beating other bigs down the floor and offensive put backs
Folks who think they know next year's team are crazy. Its a complete makeover. Who knows how good we will be or can be?
This may be the most retarded thread I've seen. I mean......Come on man!!!!!! Let me break it down for ya bro. Last year we had an amazing backcourt with Ulis (my man) (LMAO) and Murray and Briscoe. They were as good as anybody in the nation. With that said. Our frontcourt was piss poor and Skal and Poy both played like scared little pansy's. They were week and neither one had that alpha male, killer instinct. Therefore we weren't a complete team.
This year will be waaaaayyy different. Bam is a physical, freak of nature. He will probably average a double-double. Killeya Jones may be our most underrated recruit....like.....Ever. He's so smooth offensively. He is better than any frontcourt player we had last year. Gabriel will be a high energy guy who scores in transition, plays elite defense, blocks shots, and energizes the entire team. Willis whether he plays the 3 or 4 will be our lights out 3pt shooter and probably be a lot closer to a complete player in his SR year. His 3pt shooting will be a major key. Then Humphries is skilled man. I don't know how much he'll play, but you have to expect he will be MUCH improved in his 2nd season. I mean the kid was only 17 last year and showed some really nice flashes. He might be starting next to Bam, and IMO he'd be capable of 8pts, 7rbs, 2blks all day. To put it simply our frontcourt is not only very deep, but extremely loaded. It wont even be comparable to last years travesty. We will be an elite rebounding and shot blocking team.
As for the backcourt. It will be tough to beat last year, but Fox, Monk, and Briscoe will be one of the top backcourts in the nation as well. As for shooting I expect Fox to be a streaky 3pt shooter, but shoot around 34-35% by the end of the year. He's lightning fast and will be a beast ball handler and distributor. He has a nice mid range jumper, and will be able to get to the rim with ease for a layup or FT's. Monk will be one of the best all around players in the nation. He will be our leading scorer most likely, and he's a MUCH better shooter than some think. I feel he will be around the 40% mark from 3. Then Briscoe as a Sophomore will be a team leader. He'll be a stud on defense and we all know he can get to the rim at will. He should improve his free throw shooting and 3pt shooting enough to be respectable. I expect him to shoot in the mid-late 20's from 3. That would be a MAJOR improvement from last year.
To sum it up this years team will be NOTHING like last year's team. I think we will be a dominant team all year long, but maybe with an early loss, and I think we're the best team in the country. I don't see us losing more than 3-5 games.
This year will be waaaaayyy different. Bam is a physical, freak of nature. He will probably average a double-double. Killeya Jones may be our most underrated recruit....like.....Ever. He's so smooth offensively. He is better than any frontcourt player we had last year. Gabriel will be a high energy guy who scores in transition, plays elite defense, blocks shots, and energizes the entire team. Willis whether he plays the 3 or 4 will be our lights out 3pt shooter and probably be a lot closer to a complete player in his SR year. His 3pt shooting will be a major key. Then Humphries is skilled man. I don't know how much he'll play, but you have to expect he will be MUCH improved in his 2nd season. I mean the kid was only 17 last year and showed some really nice flashes. He might be starting next to Bam, and IMO he'd be capable of 8pts, 7rbs, 2blks all day. To put it simply our frontcourt is not only very deep, but extremely loaded. It wont even be comparable to last years travesty. We will be an elite rebounding and shot blocking team.
As for the backcourt. It will be tough to beat last year, but Fox, Monk, and Briscoe will be one of the top backcourts in the nation as well. As for shooting I expect Fox to be a streaky 3pt shooter, but shoot around 34-35% by the end of the year. He's lightning fast and will be a beast ball handler and distributor. He has a nice mid range jumper, and will be able to get to the rim with ease for a layup or FT's. Monk will be one of the best all around players in the nation. He will be our leading scorer most likely, and he's a MUCH better shooter than some think. I feel he will be around the 40% mark from 3. Then Briscoe as a Sophomore will be a team leader. He'll be a stud on defense and we all know he can get to the rim at will. He should improve his free throw shooting and 3pt shooting enough to be respectable. I expect him to shoot in the mid-late 20's from 3. That would be a MAJOR improvement from last year.
To sum it up this years team will be NOTHING like last year's team. I think we will be a dominant team all year long, but maybe with an early loss, and I think we're the best team in the country. I don't see us losing more than 3-5 games.
For the guys that are worried about our rebounding, i think you'll be surprised how well our 3 guards rebound next season. The athletic ability of our gaurds will help rebounding tremendously.
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