Love Cason Wallace but...

oldsports_

Heisman
Dec 18, 2010
22,832
38,976
113
Dude your a moderator...and stating he's 0-6 from 3pt line with short/non athletic PG to run at him is not crazy talk. The dude has been a poor shooting PG for 3 years...he killed us down the stretch last year...Why can't you debate a topic that is not being tastlessly done?
7-9 tonight. He was horrible, just horrible
 

K_TIME

Heisman
Jan 2, 2003
18,406
25,730
113
He's the fastest guy on the floor, in EVERY game. Athleticism isn't just about size and leaping. Don't pull out "you're a moderator" on me, as though it should cause me to suddenly rethink my opinion about Wheeler, which is backed up with 2 straight years of facts.
You're stating you're tired of arguing over some opinion that Wheeler has major deficiencies....and we have better options that Wheeler will be taking off the floor to force him 30+mpg again.

- Wheeler is a bad shooter...for a guard that is a problem
- Wheeler is a very good assist man for sure....but he also can big a big TO player that hurts his playmaking skills.
- Wheeler was way outplayed by St Pete guards...and he was run off the floor by Tennessee guards twice late in year..

Watching Wheeler make layups vs. overmatched teams and racking up assists isn't eye opening at all to me from what I saw last year. I just see way more potential in Wallace and Reeves in the backcourt vs. Wheeler back there is all I see.
 

revcort

Heisman
Feb 20, 2003
32,522
30,904
113
7-9 tonight. He was horrible, just horrible
I think they're blind. They only quote his 3pt stats to make their case. They ignore the other shots he made and his overall game. "He's short and he isn't a great 3pt shooter." That's the whole case. He scores in other ways. He makes the offense click. He gets other guys involved. His assist rate is the best of any point guard in UK HISTORY other than Tyler Ulis. These guys want to bench him for his senior season because his freshman backup is taller. You can't make this stuff up.
 

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,322
61,764
113
You know.. the PG doens't HAVE to be a 3pt threat, so long as other guys can be. II think we all would like Wheeler to be better from deep.. but so long as his wings can shoot AND stay healthy, it shouldn't be a big problem. Wheeler still brings speed and a great AtTO ratio. That still matters.

I wouldn't worry too much about Wheeler.. i mean, he's not Ben Simmons bad lol.
 

Crums Bald Spot

Heisman
Aug 22, 2001
9,879
13,829
113
The offense is so much better with Wheeler running point. I know some can't stand the guy, but I'll take him on my team every day.

Wallace is gonna be very good, also. I love his size, his strength, his ability to finish above the rim, and the fact that you can't hurry him up. His game reminds me a bit of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He will carry a guy on his hip and still finish.
Cason is a helluva combo guard. Will be able to give Wheeler a blow and even take over if he's having an off game but Wheeler makes us purr.
 

K_TIME

Heisman
Jan 2, 2003
18,406
25,730
113
7-9 tonight. He was horrible, just horrible
What 5 of them were break away layups vs. a overmatched team....Wheeler isn't a scrub but he's shown zilch change from end of last year...which he was exposed quite a few times down the stretch,. WHy some want to repeat this is head scratcher to me.
 
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DaDirtyLeb69

Heisman
Jan 4, 2022
44,569
71,159
113
My god. What a sack of white ****. Rex likes leaders that support opiate addiction and thieves, I suppose.
He just doesn’t think before he tweets anything and then wonders why he receives backlash, he is what happens when you take politics to seriously
 

revcort

Heisman
Feb 20, 2003
32,522
30,904
113
You're stating you're tired of arguing over some opinion that Wheeler has major deficiencies....and we have better options that Wheeler will be taking off the floor to force him 30+mpg again.

- Wheeler is a bad shooter...for a guard that is a problem
- Wheeler is a very good assist man for sure....but he also can big a big TO player that hurts his playmaking skills.
- Wheeler was way outplayed by St Pete guards...and he was run off the floor by Tennessee guards twice late in year..

Watching Wheeler make layups vs. overmatched teams and racking up assists isn't eye opening at all to me from what I saw last year. I just see way more potential in Wallace and Reeves in the backcourt vs. Wheeler back there is all I see.
Wheeler gets in trouble when the supporting cast isn't making plays and he feels the pressure to make something happen. In that St Peter's game, TyTy was 2-10, Grady was 1-9, and Brooks was 2-7. Wheeler was actually 4-8 in the game and the 2nd leading scorer with 11. He did have 6 turnovers but he also had 6 assists. If those guys would have made some shots, he'd have many more assists. To blame Wheeler for that loss is just wrong. The 3 players I just mentioned are much more culpable for that loss.
 

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,322
61,764
113
What 5 of them were break away layups vs. a overmatched team....Wheeler isn't a scrub but he's shown zilch change from end of last year...which he was exposed quite a few times down the stretch,. WHy some want to repeat this is head scratcher to me.

Ehh, I think a lot of it was that we had no other healthy guards from January and on. Ty was injured twice, Grady we now know could barely move after games, CJ never played..

I think Wheeler is a guard that NEEDS other shooters and guard play. But he seems to have that this year. I think he will do more than servicable job with the talent we now have. But.. maybe Cason is who emerges down the stretch. I think that's very possible.
 
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oldsports_

Heisman
Dec 18, 2010
22,832
38,976
113
Wheeler gets in trouble when the supporting cast isn't making plays and he feels the pressure to make something happen. In that St Peter's game, TyTy was 2-10, Grady was 1-9, and Brooks was 2-7. Wheeler was actually 4-8 in the game and the 2nd leading scorer with 11. He did have 6 turnovers but he also had 6 assists. If those guys would have made some shots, he'd have many more assists. To blame Wheeler for that loss is just wrong. The 3 players I just mentioned are much more culpable for that loss.
I just laugh at them. Brooks, Grady and Washington never showed up against St Peters, but hey , blame Wheeler 🙄
 

DreadLox

All-Conference
Mar 30, 2022
4,627
3,891
0
Yep, I agree with you. TyTy was a good guard. When he was making those mid-range shots early in the season, he was tough to stop. But, he never was as good a point guard as he was off the ball. Wallace is already better at point, in my opinion. In time he will be elite.
Said of the Ky. player who holds the record for most assists in a game.
 

revcort

Heisman
Feb 20, 2003
32,522
30,904
113
Said of the Ky. player who holds the record for most assists in a game.
That's true. He holds the record. Can't take it from him. If he could have remained healthy, the end of that season might have been different.
 

tls

Heisman
Nov 7, 2007
7,871
14,468
81
Let's try to imagine basketball vs. legit teams....which is hard but at least with Wheeler we have a full season of tape on him.

- Wheeler is 0-6 from 3pt land in 3 exhibition games. And they've been mostly pure bricks. So the feelings he's going to improve that shot after 3 years is just not likely to materialze
- Teams are just going to go under every ball screen, sag way off and clog up the place....just ike they did down the stretch last year.
- Wheeler solid ball defender....but he's woefully short. Teams will just shoot over him and he's not that quick to compensate.
- Look no further than St Pete game...Wheeler was a mess down the stretch and the St Pete guards just scored on him at will in spaced out floor last March.

1. Wallace will play 30ish minutes...no argument. It's a matter of if 20 of those will be at PG.
2. Reeves is going to force his way to 28+ minutes at the SG or SF. He's clearly going to beat out Frederick for a starting backcourt spot.
3. So if you play Wheeler 30ish minutes (as you suggest)....you're basically going to only give Frederick and Livingston 15 minute between them. That's not enough to justify Wheeler's deficiency to me.

The best move to pull Wheeler back to 20 mpg and Wallace the other 20mpg at PG. And Reeves 30ish minutes at the SG/SF. And work in Livingston/Frederick at the SF for 25 mpg to get size and shooting on the floor. We made the same mistake last year IMO by not playing TyTY more are PG and getting more minutes for Toppin/Hopkins.
Ty was not nearly effective at the point as he was at the 2
 
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DaDirtyLeb69

Heisman
Jan 4, 2022
44,569
71,159
113
Dude gets off on calling people in Kentucky racists.
He is on one right about Herschel walker, saying how stupid he is. He does what a lot of politicians do and that’s take the opinions of a couple of outliers in group and use is to generalize a whole group of people which is ********. Kentucky has its problems but I’m glad I’m from here
 
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Bowfreak.

All-Conference
Mar 26, 2009
1,756
2,832
66
We need both Wheeler and Wallace. I’m actually more worried about Wheeler over penetrating than I am his jumper. This team should have enough scoring to offset Wheeler’s poor shooting.

As far as Rex, I really can’t think of a bigger loser. He is a miserable person who seems lost.
 

FinalF

Senior
Apr 28, 2020
306
480
57
None of what you said changes the statement I made. For this team to PEAK that has to get better. Did John Wall lead UK to a championship? A final four even? No because defenses could pack it in. If we had shooters at the 2 3 and 4 I would agree with you. This team will struggle from 3 and that’s hard to overcome in today’s game.
 
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DaDirtyLeb69

Heisman
Jan 4, 2022
44,569
71,159
113
I'm tired of arguing about this. Wheeler will start and will get the majority of minutes at point this season. Wallace will also start, at the 2, and he will switch to point when Wheeler needs a breather. I hope both players have great seasons.

See my 10 other posts for actual facts about Wheeler. I'm done arguing. The bias against Wheeler from some of you is not connected to facts, just opinions and personal preferences.
If wheeler can play like today or close to it consistently then it’s all good, he needs to cut down on the bad turnovers. Like last year giving Wallace some run at point for a change of pace can’t be bad, but wheeler is a solid option especially if Kentucky can push the pace and play up and down, and him not having to force anything in the half court
 
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revcort

Heisman
Feb 20, 2003
32,522
30,904
113
If wheeler can play like today or close to it consistently then it’s all good, he need to cut down on the bad turnovers. Like last year giving Wallace some run at point for a change of pace can’t be bad, but wheeler is a solid option especially if Kentucky can push the pace and play up and down, and him not have to force anything in the half court
Yes, I definitely want to see Wallace get significant minutes at point, and I believe he will. Wheeler played very well today. Finished with 17 points on 7-9 shooting and 3-3 from the line, had 6 assists and 1 turnover.

Wallace had an excellent game as well. He had 15 points, 5 steals, and 4 assists. He made three 3-pointers. Can't be upset with that!

For the 3 games combined, Wheeler has 20 assists and 4 turnovers. He has averaged 12.3 points on 60% shooting.

Wallace also has averaged 12.3 points per game this week and is shooting 45.5% from 3pt range. He has had 9 assists against 3 turnovers, which is an excellent (3:1) ratio. It's just not as good as Wheeler's, which is 20:4 or 5:1, which is insane!

The best news is that these guys can play together and play to their strengths.
 

StormCruzzer

Senior
Dec 3, 2016
482
623
0
Wheeler is great until he shoots jumpers. He needs to take the Wayne Turner approach and NEVER shoot outside of the paint.
I noticed on one of his free throws today that his off hand stays extremely high on the ball as opposed to on the side.. Was a bit surprised that as a 6th year senior and someone who hasn't is known to not be the best shooter hasn't been told to try to adjust his form a bit. Or maybe that IS his adjusted form bc the other wasn't working well
 

StormCruzzer

Senior
Dec 3, 2016
482
623
0
Yes, I definitely want to see Wallace get significant minutes at point, and I believe he will. Wheeler played very well today. Finished with 17 points on 7-9 shooting and 3-3 from the line, had 6 assists and 1 turnover.

Wallace had an excellent game as well. He had 15 points, 5 steals, and 4 assists. He made three 3-pointers. Can't be upset with that!

For the 3 games combined, Wheeler has 20 assists and 4 turnovers. He has averaged 12.3 points on 60% shooting.

Wallace also has averaged 12.3 points per game this week and is shooting 45.5% from 3pt range. He has had 9 assists against 3 turnovers, which is an excellent (3:1) ratio. It's just not as good as Wheeler's, which is 20:4 or 5:1, which is insane!

The best news is that these guys can play together and play to their strengths.
Wheeler excels in the open floor where he can get out and run! Can play with the best of them. Half court offence where he has to change directions on a dime is an area where his handling cant keep up with his quickness. Will be interesting to see if that improves as the season goes along
 

Kingslayer07

Heisman
Jan 23, 2020
8,592
10,499
113
No, that's the one fact. He's not a 3pt shooter and they have to sag because they have zero chance of staying in front of him. He doesn't have to be a great 3pt shooter, though he did improve down the stretch last season in that regard. He has led the league in assists for 2 straight seasons, and he's the leader in assists for any player in any major conference for the same time period. The thought that you would sit the SEC's 2-time leading assist man for his senior season is about the most asinine thought anyone could have, and it's just because you people don't like him.
Thank you!!!! Man some people are dense on here..there is a hell of a lot more to his game then 3pt shooting. Many UK pgs have excelled without being good 3pt shooters.
 

Kingslayer07

Heisman
Jan 23, 2020
8,592
10,499
113
What 5 of them were break away layups vs. a overmatched team....Wheeler isn't a scrub but he's shown zilch change from end of last year...which he was exposed quite a few times down the stretch,. WHy some want to repeat this is head scratcher to me.
"Overmatched team" then disregard ANYTHING that ANYBODY on the team has done the last 3 games then if that's really your take. Put down the shovel, you've dug yourself a pretty deep hole already.
 

Jazzycat

All-Conference
May 23, 2002
16,088
4,684
113
I think St Peter‘s guards were too quick for Grady and Washington - lack of adequate preparation really hurt the team in the NCAA last year….
 

UK’98UK’00

All-Conference
Mar 29, 2014
3,160
1,380
86
I think they're blind. They only quote his 3pt stats to make their case. They ignore the other shots he made and his overall game. "He's short and he isn't a great 3pt shooter." That's the whole case. He scores in other ways. He makes the offense click. He gets other guys involved. His assist rate is the best of any point guard in UK HISTORY other than Tyler Ulis. These guys want to bench him for his senior season because his freshman backup is taller. You can't make this stuff u
What 5 of them were break away layups vs. a overmatched team....Wheeler isn't a scrub but he's shown zilch change from end of last year...which he was exposed quite a few times down the stretch,. WHy some want to repeat this is head scratcher to me
Cason is a helluva combo guard. Will be able to give Wheeler a blow and even take over if he's having an off game but Wheeler makes us purr.
…maybe even having the pg reins at the end of games with antonio or cj at the 2?
 

KYFOSSIL

Heisman
Jan 13, 2005
8,232
11,241
62
What 5 of them were break away layups vs. a overmatched team....Wheeler isn't a scrub but he's shown zilch change from end of last year...which he was exposed quite a few times down the stretch,. WHy some want to repeat this is head scratcher to me.
Because he has a much different team around him.
 

Ash Williams

Heisman
Aug 3, 2022
8,412
26,731
113
Do what?

- Wheeler pushes it better for sure.....but again we're playing way undermanned team. So in open court, he's going to look fine.
- Get to college game with a grind in out half court and watch Wheeler bricking it up and teams sagging off him....then tell me what you want.
- Has Wheeler hit a 3pt shot in the 3 games so far? I've seen him hit the one pull up today....but the rest has been layup lines.

Crunch time lineup
PG - Wallace
SG - Reeves
SF - Livingston or Frederick
PG - Toppin
C - Oscar

I don't think it's even close that is the idea line up down the stretch
Question is, is Cal willing to take his heart and put Wallace at the point in grindy games.
 

FanofUK

All-Conference
Feb 7, 2006
904
1,546
0
Let's try to imagine basketball vs. legit teams....which is hard but at least with Wheeler we have a full season of tape on him.

- Wheeler is 0-6 from 3pt land in 3 exhibition games. And they've been mostly pure bricks. So the feelings he's going to improve that shot after 3 years is just not likely to materialze
- Teams are just going to go under every ball screen, sag way off and clog up the place....just ike they did down the stretch last year.
- Wheeler solid ball defender....but he's woefully short. Teams will just shoot over him and he's not that quick to compensate.
- Look no further than St Pete game...Wheeler was a mess down the stretch and the St Pete guards just scored on him at will in spaced out floor last March.

1. Wallace will play 30ish minutes...no argument. It's a matter of if 20 of those will be at PG.
2. Reeves is going to force his way to 28+ minutes at the SG or SF. He's clearly going to beat out Frederick for a starting backcourt spot.
3. So if you play Wheeler 30ish minutes (as you suggest)....you're basically going to only give Frederick and Livingston 15 minute between them. That's not enough to justify Wheeler's deficiency to me.

The best move to pull Wheeler back to 20 mpg and Wallace the other 20mpg at PG. And Reeves 30ish minutes at the SG/SF. And work in Livingston/Frederick at the SF for 25 mpg to get size and shooting on the floor. We made the same mistake last year IMO by not playing TyTY more are PG and getting more minutes for Toppin/Hopkins.
This is a quality post, my concern is that Cal loves a fast point that can get to the paint and also willing to feed the paint and Wheeler is both. Wallace will need to prove he can do both before Cal will even consider, otherwise we just need to pray Wheeler starts shooting it well or an early exit it will be again.
 
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kybassfan

Heisman
Jul 1, 2005
20,032
16,368
113
Experience at point is an essential factor. People get way too wrapped up in shooting percentages. The team production is vastly more important, not individual production.

Further, these games tell us absolutely nothing about team play. They are learning very little basketball save some on court experience together. This is fool’s gold. We don’t find out anything till the season starts.
 

kybassfan

Heisman
Jul 1, 2005
20,032
16,368
113
I think they're blind. They only quote his 3pt stats to make their case. They ignore the other shots he made and his overall game. "He's short and he isn't a great 3pt shooter." That's the whole case. He scores in other ways. He makes the offense click. He gets other guys involved. His assist rate is the best of any point guard in UK HISTORY other than Tyler Ulis. These guys want to bench him for his senior season because his freshman backup is taller. You can't make this stuff up.
Only thing I’d add to your argument is that it will be nice to have 2 capable PGs. Players do get hurt. It’s true! They do.
 
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sa_hunt

All-Conference
Sep 2, 2009
3,042
2,822
0
Do what?

- Wheeler pushes it better for sure.....but again we're playing way undermanned team. So in open court, he's going to look fine.
- Get to college game with a grind in out half court and watch Wheeler bricking it up and teams sagging off him....then tell me what you want.
- Has Wheeler hit a 3pt shot in the 3 games so far? I've seen him hit the one pull up today....but the rest has been layup lines.

Crunch time lineup
PG - Wallace
SG - Reeves
SF - Livingston or Frederick
PG - Toppin
C - Oscar

I don't think it's even close that is the idea line up down the stretch
I like it but I also like going big, with Toppin at the 3 and Collins at the 4.
 

WallMash

All-Conference
Oct 30, 2009
4,556
2,882
103
Comparisons last nite
Wheeler: 17 points, 7 for 9 shooting, O for 2 on threes, 6 assist, one turnover, one steal
Wallace: 15 points, 6 for 9 shooting, 3 for 4 on threes, 4 assists, 2 turnovers, 5 STEALS!

Takeaways, if our backcourt goes 13 for 18 in other games this year, we good.

I highlighted wallaces steals because I believe he has a special superpower there.
 
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