Nick Richards

UKhoopCat

All-Conference
Feb 19, 2003
3,180
3,937
0
I love the fact that after last season...Nick came in Coach Cal's office and told him, "I'm not ready and I'm coming back."
 
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wardlow

All-Conference
Aug 21, 2018
838
2,072
0
I’m glad to see a Nick thread that isn’t full of statements like “he is what he is” and “we all know what Nick is going to provide” and “nick will never amount to anything”.

I wanted Nick to come back for his senior year, but if he keeps this up I’ll not sure that will happen. He has gotten better every year and I’m sure there will be some more stumbles and bad games, but anyone who can’t see his improved is not looking.
 

STL_Cat

Heisman
Dec 4, 2011
65,005
57,935
98
I’m glad to see a Nick thread that isn’t full of statements like “he is what he is” and “we all know what Nick is going to provide” and “nick will never amount to anything”.

I wanted Nick to come back for his senior year, but if he keeps this up I’ll not sure that will happen. He has gotten better every year and I’m sure there will be some more stumbles and bad games, but anyone who can’t see his improved is not looking.

No reason to even start speculation on what he will or won’t do at the end of the year. Just keep improving and let the chips fall where they may.

As simple as it sounds, I’ve been most pleasantly surprised by his ability to actually catch passes this year.
 
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WallMash

All-Conference
Oct 30, 2009
4,532
2,819
103
I have been a big critic of Richards in the past, but I have to admit he's playing improved basketball (even if he occasionally reverts and throws an easy outlet pass into the seats.) He's arguably our 2nd or 3rd most important player to stay healthy.
 

JwUKFan11

Heisman
Nov 11, 2011
7,491
15,482
113
Hes trying to build confidence, and get consistent while learning the game at the same time.

Could be alot of pressure for anyone not confident in their abilities.

I'm impressed with how he has come along no matter who the opponent is. He has strung together some good games. Doing things now that he has never been able or comfortable doing.

That will go along way towards being able to play at a higher level vs. Better opponents.
Like I said I’ll believe it when I see it. I don’t believe he is a high D1 center.
 

502 Wildcat

Heisman
Sep 11, 2007
22,310
24,112
113
Competition is definitely a factor at this point until he proves otherwise, but here’s the thing: we played cupcakes last year too - he didn’t put up these types of numbers.

It’s very clear to anyone with functioning eyes that he has made major improvements to his game and is playing with confidence and grit.

Gonna be huge for our team, as we continue to develop cohesion and chemistry.
 

Dablueman

All-American
Feb 5, 2003
16,981
5,703
0
Competition is definitely a factor at this point until he proves otherwise, but here’s the thing: we played cupcakes last year too - he didn’t put up these types of numbers.

It’s very clear to anyone with functioning eyes that he has made major improvements to his game and is playing with confidence and grit.

Gonna be huge for our team, as we continue to develop cohesion and chemistry.
Dude blocked 6 shots vs NC last year. He can do it vs any competition. Staying out of foul trouble is all he needs to do and he will be fine
 

Dablueman

All-American
Feb 5, 2003
16,981
5,703
0
Like I said I’ll believe it when I see it. I don’t believe he is a high D1 center.
We go through this every year though right. I remember last year he had like a monster double double early against one of the horrible teams we played. Then we play a team ranked in the top 150 and the guy can’t remember who he’s guarding. But with that being said if we can get even half of what he’s giving us now consistently we’ll be scary, I just have many doubts.
Nope he has never ever played five games like this and been consistent not one time thru either his first two seasons.
 

Mike-D

Heisman
Jul 14, 2001
50,251
75,013
113
Nick is much improved. He’s still not going to be a guy you want to rely on in the tournament. An example of this was when we were down 5 to Evansville, and we ran the ball through him in the post. We got nothing out of it. He’s vital to the teams success, but he’s never going to be someone I rely on down the stretch to win me a basketball game.
 
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lsb34m3

Sophomore
Feb 19, 2012
114
130
0
His slow evolution is apparent. Actually his game is starting to remind be of Bill Cartwright.
 

JwUKFan11

Heisman
Nov 11, 2011
7,491
15,482
113
thats the spirit. with such amazing fan support, why would kids ever want to leave the program
Everything isn’t rainbows and glitter. I hope the guy has turned a corner but I’m realistic in that I don’t think he has just based on what I’ve seen of him playing against the competition.
 

anon1763419335

All-American
Feb 10, 2006
23,231
5,077
113
Everything isn’t rainbows and glitter. I hope the guy has turned a corner but I’m realistic in that I don’t think he has just based on what I’ve seen of him playing against the competition.

richards has gotten more crap from uk fans this season than sestina. think about that for a second.

if you are really being "realistic"....
 
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Wildcats1st

Heisman
Sep 16, 2017
18,949
28,911
0
One other thought we won’t know what Richards really is for us until we play a few games against teams with a big man who can bang with nick. I think he can step up to the occasion but last night that team didn’t have size. The other issue with nick is will whoever is at the 4 carry their water to keep nick out of foul trouble
 

CrazyCat74

All-Conference
Nov 7, 2018
1,413
2,442
0
I would like to see Richard's guard with a little better hand positioning. He tends to keep them below his waste a little to much.

If he can get his hand or hands up around shoulder level I think he would find himself blocking more shots instead of being a split second late so much.

Besides that I'm ecstatic with the way he has played and showing some enthusiasm as well.

He may be our best shooter inside the arc.
 

JwUKFan11

Heisman
Nov 11, 2011
7,491
15,482
113
richards has gotten more crap from uk fans this season than sestina. think about that for a second.

if you are really being "realistic"....
Richards was recruited as a 5 star prospect that has considered entering the NBA draft. Now compare the 2.
 

mash_24

Heisman
Sep 26, 2011
9,348
27,398
108
Happy for Nick. Seems like a damn good kid. Like that he's showing a little fire too this year. Team needs a leader in a bad way.
 

kybassfan

Heisman
Jul 1, 2005
20,032
16,368
113
What’s this? ZayCLODbeetlebreath makes a token positive post about Richards as cover so he can bash him to bits later?
 
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ScrewDuke1

Hall of Famer
Jul 29, 2016
41,589
155,854
113
He’s playing against horrible teams. Time will tell
I mean hes played horrible against horrible teams quite a few times. Also he played pretty well against Michigan State and they are probably a final 4 team. Hes showing improvement. Just hope he keeps it up.
 
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warrior-cat

Hall of Famer
Oct 22, 2004
191,704
156,466
113
I know you can say it’s the competition he’s playing but his play this year so far has been very, very good. I hope I’m not speaking too soon but he seems like he might have finally turned the corner. He’s exceeded my expectations so far.

I hope he keeps playing this great. Been awhile since we’ve had a legit center play as good as he has. I’m proud of Nick. He’s a great kid and deserves this.
We played that kind of competition the last two years as well and he did not do as well so, I don't think it is just the level of competition.
 

warrior-cat

Hall of Famer
Oct 22, 2004
191,704
156,466
113
As I recall he did his job. Someone else was going off in that game.
Yes, smart coaches and team members ride the hot hand and that was Maxey vs Michigan St.. Nick played solid in that game plugging the middle coming off of an ankle injury. Also, he only played about half of the game (25 minutes foul trouble).
 
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UK90

Heisman
Dec 30, 2007
31,460
27,814
0
Like I said I’ll believe it when I see it. I don’t believe he is a high D1 center.

If Nick is not a "a high D1 center", then how many such guys do you think there actually are in college basketball this year?

If you're talking "true" centers around Nick's size, then the list of centers better than him is small indeed. Wiseman ..and probably Blackshear, Azubuike, Carey and ...umm, can you guys help me out here?
 
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JwUKFan11

Heisman
Nov 11, 2011
7,491
15,482
113
No, of course it hasn’t. This board has a number of basketball dimwits that think if you ain’t scoring you ain’t ****
Keep believing in Nick. He’s proven he’s a liability. You can keep hoping he is more than what he actually is.
 

STL_Cat

Heisman
Dec 4, 2011
65,005
57,935
98
Keep believing in Nick. He’s proven he’s a liability. You can keep hoping he is more than what he actually is.

See, coming into the season I had very little confidence in Nick to be anything beyond a serviceable backup (which is fine). Staying all in on Nick as a “liability” at this point I think is a little uncalled for.
 

JwUKFan11

Heisman
Nov 11, 2011
7,491
15,482
113
See, coming into the season I had very little confidence in Nick to be anything beyond a serviceable backup (which is fine). Staying all in on Nick as a “liability” at this point I think is a little uncalled for.
Don’t worry you’ll be proven correct soon enough. The real season will eventually start.