Nick Richards, Who Predicted This?

[revcort]

I know some will say they saw it coming, but come on! Did anyone really expect him to be this good? I mean, we all said we saw the potential there, sure, but it has always been so spotty and inconsistent. He's had a couple games that weren't great this season but he's been consistent all season and is still improving. He's been dominant in multiple games and he's had several games in a row here where he's been an absolute game changer.

If it weren't for his foul trouble tonight, Georgia likely wouldn't have had a halftime lead. He was dominant in that 2nd half.

We've all been his critics at different times, so we must give him credit for the way he's been playing.

 

[WildMoon]

I always been supportive of him.

In terms of season average that's he is doing now. Yeah, I did expect it from him.

I was off a year so..

 

[Kyfan37]

I know some will say they saw it coming, but come on! Did anyone really expect him to be this good? I mean, we all said we saw the potential there, sure, but it has always been so spotty and inconsistent. He's had a couple games that weren't great this season but he's been consistent all season and is still improving. He's been dominant in multiple games and he's had several games in a row here where he's been an absolute game changer.

If it weren't for his foul trouble tonight, Georgia likely wouldn't have had a halftime lead. He was dominant in that 2nd half.

We've all been his critics at different times, so we must give him credit for the way he's been playing.

All the losses were when he's either played bad or in foul trouble. Just goes to show just how important he is to this team. We need him to be in every game for us to advance in the tournament.

 

[Montana81]

I was holding out hope that he would come back as a senior and be the best big man in the country but I think he’s playing his way into the first round this year.

 

[derG-punkt-]

I did! Been saying it for almost 2 years now. He just needed the chance to play extended minutes to show it consistently. Dude is nowhere near as foul prone as people claimed last year either. Since he is still newer to basketball, he tends to take a few extra minutes early each game to find his rhythm. And because of that he will pick up an early foul, sometimes two. But as he get into the game more, he doesn't foul and actually plays well even when he does end up with 3 or 4. Any idiot with sight should have been able to see what he was capable of early on. Anyone who didn't just does not know the game very well.

 

[JASUN74]

I know some will say they saw it coming, but come on! Did anyone really expect him to be this good? I mean, we all said we saw the potential there, sure, but it has always been so spotty and inconsistent. He's had a couple games that weren't great this season but he's been consistent all season and is still improving. He's been dominant in multiple games and he's had several games in a row here where he's been an absolute game changer.

If it weren't for his foul trouble tonight, Georgia likely wouldn't have had a halftime lead. He was dominant in that 2nd half.

We've all been his critics at different times, so we must give him credit for the way he's been playing.

I’ve been 100% on board with Nick the whole time. Of course I’ve been disappointed some, but I’ve never given up on him. I’ve got a a ton of posts here the last few years saying “just wait” and wanting everyone to just give him time to do what he’s doing.

Anyway, yeah I know very few has, but I have and will continue. Love Nick and have saw this coming and more. He’s just starting to gain confidence in himself and is getting better and better and I still see great things from him. Thanks.

 

[jcmc225]

Ive always been one. My friends have grilled me for it the past 2 years.

 

[revcort]

You nailed it, eh dergpunk? Ha! When Richards was getting 2 fouls in the first 5 minutes of every game and finishing with 2 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 fouls, you said he was a stud in training! Haha!

Well, as I say, we all saw his potential. He's a legit 7-footer with a 7-5 wingspan and he also has a great vertical leap and athleticism. So yeah, we all thought that if he could ever put it together, he could be a beast. We thought after that Bahamas tour in August of 2018 that he had turned a corner. But then the season started and he faltered. Some likely expected the same thing this season. Some may have expected a good game followed by a bad one, and on and on. But he's been consistently good.

Regardless of anyone's predictions, I think all UK fans are glad he's beginning to meet his potential.

 

[revcort]

I’ve been 100% on board with Nick the whole time. Of course I’ve been disappointed some, but I’ve never given up on him. I’ve got a a ton of posts here the last few years saying “just wait” and wanting everyone to just give him time to do what he’s doing.

Anyway, yeah I know very few has, but I have and will continue. Love Nick and have saw this coming and more. He’s just starting to gain confidence in himself and is getting better and better and I still see great things from him. Thanks.

I totally agree that Nick's biggest issue has always been in his own head. That lack of confidence plagued him for his first 2 seasons. He showed flashes of great potential even as a freshman, but he would always hang his head when he didn't make a play or missed a shot. Once his head wasn't in the game, it would snowball on him. I agree. I'm really proud of his progress in this regard. I can see that one bad play doesn't deflate him anymore. That's a big step.

 

[CatfanMike47]

Cal will point to other bigs in this cycle and say that can be you!

 

[JASUN74]

I totally agree that Nick's biggest issue has always been in his own head. That lack of confidence plagued him for his first 2 seasons. He showed flashes of great potential even as a freshman, but he would always hang his head when he didn't make a play or missed a shot. Once his head wasn't in the game, it would snowball on him. I agree. I'm really proud of his progress in this regard. I can see that one bad play doesn't deflate him anymore. That's a big step.

That was the only thing holding him back I believe. Who knows, it may be being in love has changed him. Lol. It’s been known to be magical!! I wouldn’t know anything about that though. Haha I agree with and I’m so proud of Nick, he’s a great young man and now it seems he’s going to be unbelievably rich young man. Lol.

 

[CatfanMike47]

That was the only thing holding him back I believe. Who knows, it may be being in love has changed him. Lol. It’s been known to be magical!! I wouldn’t know anything about that though. Haha I agree with and I’m so proud of Nick, he’s a great young man and now it seems he’s going to be unbelievably rich young man. Lol.

His gf likes to talk smack that she is the better player and has the hardware to back it up on Twitter

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

I should have seen it coming. Cal almost always gets his bigs to play like is. It takes some time for them to get there.

 

[anon_013cn8yrfncx2]

Never made any predictions, but in every Nick thread the last two years, I have said he is making normal progress for a kid who’s only been playing basketball for a few years.

If he can be convinced to stay for his senior year he will make even greater progress.

My suspicion is that Cal will encourage him to leave, especially if he signs the big he wants.

To me, it’s certainly questionable if any big left out there can be as productive next year as a frosh that Nick can be as a senior. Time will tell.

 

[YouKay]

I always thought Nick had the potential to have a WCS-type breakout junior season. Willie made a pretty huge leap from his second to third year too. Think I have been pretty consistent with this point. Bigs take longer to develop and Nick didn't play basketball until he was well into his teens.

 

[University-6]

Who predicted it? John Calipari and Kenny Payne that's who. It's sort of like Big Nick has had three years to play with the best of the best and to be coached by the best of the best.

You know who else saw this coming...Nick Richards did. He never pouted when he didn't get the staring roll for two year. Instead he buckled down, got to work and transformed himself into the confident MAN you see today.

Nick Richards is the poster child for this formula. Good attitude+hard work=success,

COME SEE ABOUT IT!

 

[bbnkat02]

I’m so glad on of my favorite played is no longer KILLING me. I yelled it at the TV for 2 years. I’ve now started it with EJ hoping the same treatment will work. Lol.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

I know some will say they saw it coming, but come on! Did anyone really expect him to be this good? I mean, we all said we saw the potential there, sure, but it has always been so spotty and inconsistent. He's had a couple games that weren't great this season but he's been consistent all season and is still improving. He's been dominant in multiple games and he's had several games in a row here where he's been an absolute game changer.

If it weren't for his foul trouble tonight, Georgia likely wouldn't have had a halftime lead. He was dominant in that 2nd half.

We've all been his critics at different times, so we must give him credit for the way he's been playing.

I love Nick but I was totally worried about him with our thin frontcourt this year. I thought EJ would take a PJ like jump this year so It's kind of backward so far. Really proud of Nick and I have always said he's only played BB since he was 14 and it might take some time.

 

[TurnipDaBeet]

Not me

Team Nichards :sunglasses:

 

[JASUN74]

His gf likes to talk smack that she is the better player and has the hardware to back it up on Twitter

I’m happy as I can be for him. She seems like a wonderful girl. If we win the title this year we’ll have to all chip in and get her a ring. Better yet, let Cal get her one, I’ve heard he could Probably afford it. Hehe.

 

[TheBlueCat]

Not me. I threw in the towel on him at about this point last year. Excellent job by the staff.

 

[musrat59]

The guy gets some chitty fouls fouls called on him.

 

[Hutchkycat]

One key was the off season strength and conditioning training. He got much stronger and more agile which has given him confidence.

 

[Short-Dawg-69]

I know some will say they saw it coming, but come on! Did anyone really expect him to be this good? I mean, we all said we saw the potential there, sure, but it has always been so spotty and inconsistent. He's had a couple games that weren't great this season but he's been consistent all season and is still improving. He's been dominant in multiple games and he's had several games in a row here where he's been an absolute game changer.

If it weren't for his foul trouble tonight, Georgia likely wouldn't have had a halftime lead. He was dominant in that 2nd half.

We've all been his critics at different times, so we must give him credit for the way he's been playing.

I think Cal and the coaching staff new it would only take time with Nick as we all have kids in our home towns that are in middle school and high school that has been playing longer than Nick has.
Recruit & Develop.
Hopefully EJ comes around this year or next year as Nick has.

 

[Nubb16]

I never thought he could be a scorer at the level he is at. But saw lots of potential. But if you told me Nick might be our best player before the season started then I would have laughed my *** off at you.

 

[Orange Soda King]

He’s a junior, I figured if he stayed around for a bit at UK he’d put it together better and better.

 

[akaukswoosh]

We saw enough flashes earlier to believe he could grow into a decent player. He’s certainly better than decent and it’s fun to watch.

 

[MdWIldcat55]

Actually, I did. A few others. Search threads from the summer and early fall and you’ll see us called foolish sunshine pumpers and worse.

My line in many threads last summer and fall was this - if you made a highlight reel of Nick’s best plays as a freshman and sophomore you’d be looking at a first round pick. And if you have the athleticism and ability to do it some of the time, you can do it consistently if you get in shape and learn how not to foul. I was confident that would happen.

 

[akaukswoosh]

Actually, I did. A few others. Search threads from the summer and early fall and you’ll see us called foolish sunshine pumpers and worse.

My line in many threads last summer and fall was this - if you made a highlight reel of Nick’s best plays as a freshman and sophomore you’d be looking at a first round pick. And if you have the athleticism to do it some of the time, you can do it consistently if you get in shape and learn how not to foul. I was confident that would happen.

A big item Cal pointed out early in the season is that this season is the very first time Nick has been in excellent condition.

 

[WildMoon]

Actually, I did. A few others. Search threads from the summer and early fall and you’ll see us called foolish sunshine pumpers and worse.

My line in many threads last summer and fall was this - if you made a highlight reel of Nick’s best plays as a freshman and sophomore you’d be looking at a first round pick. And if you have the athleticism and ability to do it some of the time, you can do it consistently if you get in shape and learn how not to foul. I was confident that would happen.

There's few of us.

But in this thread there's a lot more than what I recall....

 

[blugrazz]

Well, we haven't had a big stay through their junior year in the past 10 years (sans WCS) to know what player development looks like. Let's hope the same can happen for EJ.

Players have to understand that it may take 1 year or 4 but if Cal sees something in you, he can get you there. He sure never lost hope in Nick like many of us had.

 

[OHcatfan]

I'll admit it; I am surprised at his play. Pleasantly surprised! Go Nick!!!

 

[Crankdatmustard_rivals66299]

7'0 235 and can run the court with ease. He didn't start playing basketball until 14. He has always had tremendous upside.

 

[kyjeff1]

I definitely didn't predict it, but I hoped he would be this guy. I really thought EJ would turn the corner this year, but if he sticks around another year, he would certainly make the same jump next year.

But I'm not surprised NR is doing this. Guys that stay and put in the work, end up playing up to their potential. Cal did this same thing with Willie Cauley Stein too. I'm not surprised, just very happy to see dudes stay at UK and grow. It helps UK and it helps the player.

Nick is going to go to the league after this year and guess what, it won't be a short stay, he's going to be there a long time, unlike a lot of guys that left too early.

I'm very proud of Nick, he stayed and obviously put in the work.

 

[carolinacat]

I've always thought he could do it...just a late bloomer. Didn't play much basketball growing up. Takes a while to catch up to guys that had been playing AAU since 6th grade. Plus, getting the minutes has been a huge plus....Cal has always had a quick hook with him.

I said early in the season he was playing himself into a 1st round pick...and got roasted by a few board members.

 

[derG-punkt-]

You nailed it, eh dergpunk? Ha! When Richards was getting 2 fouls in the first 5 minutes of every game and finishing with 2 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 fouls, you said he was a stud in training! Haha!

Well, as I say, we all saw his potential. He's a legit 7-footer with a 7-5 wingspan and he also has a great vertical leap and athleticism. So yeah, we all thought that if he could ever put it together, he could be a beast. We thought after that Bahamas tour in August of 2018 that he had turned a corner. But then the season started and he faltered. Some likely expected the same thing this season. Some may have expected a good game followed by a bad one, and on and on. But he's been consistently good.

Regardless of anyone's predictions, I think all UK fans are glad he's beginning to meet his potential.

Did for a fact! Had an entire thread last year debunking the whole he fouls 7 times per 40 minute myth everyone was spewing. Not saying he never picks u dumb fouls, every player does, but he typically plays through early foul trouble very well once he gets into the flow of the game. If Nick had gotten more run last year, we would have been better for it.

If that many people saw the potential, we would not have so many people surprised he his performing up to it now. We also would not have had 2+ years of threads bashing the kid, saying we will suck and not make it far if we have to depend on him, people hoping he transfers, people having meltdowns because we didn't get KB, Dante or whoever else we were recruiting at the position to play over him.

Kid has been playing basketball for like 5 or 6 years now. A lot less than most everyone else at this level and he is already outperforming many of them. It takes time to develop. Again, if some of you morons would open your eyes and minds, this stuff wouldn't be that hard for you all to figure out yourselves.

 

[bigc45157]

You nailed it, eh dergpunk? Ha! When Richards was getting 2 fouls in the first 5 minutes of every game and finishing with 2 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 fouls, you said he was a stud in training! Haha!

Well, as I say, we all saw his potential. He's a legit 7-footer with a 7-5 wingspan and he also has a great vertical leap and athleticism. So yeah, we all thought that if he could ever put it together, he could be a beast. We thought after that Bahamas tour in August of 2018 that he had turned a corner. But then the season started and he faltered. Some likely expected the same thing this season. Some may have expected a good game followed by a bad one, and on and on. But he's been consistently good.

Regardless of anyone's predictions, I think all UK fans are glad he's beginning to meet his potential.

I’ll be honest and say I did not expect this coming into the season. I think more people, if they’re being truthful, were in the same mindset. Go back to the McDaniels, Blackshear, and Dante threads and look at the panic from BBN when we missed. Also, most of this board thought these numbers would come from EJ and not Nick.

 

[kyrx]

The guy gets some chitty fouls fouls called on him.

Exactly. At least one per game, two last night. Ridiculous fouls. Hell, he even got one last game for talking.

 

[Drcats2025]

After the potential he showed me early in his freshman year, I fully expected it. Fast forward to a sophomore year of near regression, if I’m being honest, I then gave up on Nick becoming what he is today. With that being said, I couldn’t be happier to have been wrong, and couldn’t be more proud of Richards.

 

[K_TIME]

1. Nick's hands are just way better now...how you improve on that I don't know. But his catches on the break (one from EJ and another bounce pass from Maxey) were great motor skills for a big to catch those balls on the move and then explode to the rim. Year's past those passes were fumbled and resulted in TO's.
2. His motor is way higher...which is fight (and Payne/Cal pretty much hammer the bigs to fight harder for balls). A few of those rebounds he just went for them in traffic (especially the last one in final minutes that he got fouled upon and went to the ground afterwards).
3. I really like the way Ashton looks for him as well. Ashton may end up being the best assist PG in Cal era. Ashton really sets Nick up nicely for a few of layups/dunks every game.

Defensively, Nick had it last year and I think he's just playing more minutes this year to showcase his length and quicks. BUt we've got ourselves a legitimate top tier big man and most never believed it could happen.