Reeves

[JonathanW_rivals]

Just a guess at 9 man rotation to start... won't be like this in Bahamas and could obviously change with Thiero/UKO in mix for minutes and CJ getting back up to speed.

I could eventually see those 5mpg from Ware going away and they go to UKO. Maybe a couple minutes shaved off Wheeler/Wallace/Reeves and given to CJ for more even distribution and to save legs.

Feel like there will be an emphasis on getting everyone at 25mpg as max. Oscar may be the only outlier or if UKO/Ware show out he is saved with legs too and goes to 25mpg.

As much as I like Thiero's future he is probably the odd man out due to depth at guard spot/slasher spot, barring any injuries .

PG- Wheeler- 28, Wallace- 12
SG- Wallace- 16, CJ- 15, Reeves-9
SF/3G- Reeves- 16, Livingston- 18, Toppin- 6
S4- Toppin- 19, Collins- 16, Livingston- 5
C- Oscar- 30, Collins- 5, Ware- 5

Total Minutes per game
Oscar- 30
Wheeler/Wallace- 28
Toppin/Reeves- 25
Livingston- 23
Collins- 21
CJ- 15
Ware- 5

Don't think you are far off. Except you got 0min for 2 guys. Even if not play much, especially close games, at a minimum 5 minutes to them combined (for blow outs). Also I don't see Livingston playing any 4.

Oscar 30, Ware 5, UKO 3
Toppin 25, Collins 17
Reeves 24, Livingston 17
Wallace 29, Fredrick 18
Wheeler 28, Theiro 4
+/-2 for most

 

[kyjeff1]

Don't think you are far off. Except you got 0min for 2 guys. Even if not play much, especially close games, at a minimum 5 minutes to them combined (for blow outs). Also I don't see Livingston playing any 4.

Oscar 30, Ware 5, UKO 3
Toppin 25, Collins 17
Reeves 24, Livingston 17
Wallace 29, Fredrick 18
Wheeler 28, Theiro 4
+/-2 for most

Am I reading that right, you have zero minutes for Wallace at the 1, but only 32 for Wheeler and Thiero combined?
I doubt Thiero plays this year tbh. Just too many guys, but either way, Wallace is going to get a lot of clock at the 1.

 

[TheWyldKat_rivals45219]

Exactly what I was thinking! How many times have the Cats been shredded by a guy his size with his type of game? I love that he is a pure scorer, not just a shooter. And I’d have to think he can defend pretty well due to said size and speed.

Nice first step taking man off the dribble. That was impressive

 

[HagginHall1999]

Don't think you are far off. Except you got 0min for 2 guys. Even if not play much, especially close games, at a minimum 5 minutes to them combined (for blow outs). Also I don't see Livingston playing any 4.

Oscar 30, Ware 5, UKO 3
Toppin 25, Collins 17
Reeves 24, Livingston 17
Wallace 29, Fredrick 18
Wheeler 28, Theiro 4
+/-2 for most

Thiero and UKO are tbd and mentioned that in post. That said in 34 games total last season we had three scholarship guys get DNP's as follows:

Ware/Hopkins- 6
Collins- 7
Allen- 15

The bottom line is that Ware and UKO are almost undoubtedly not playing at same time with Oscar. As a returning NPOY year I doubt he is giving up much time....perhaps though if they are trying to keep him healthy and fresh they split 10-12 mins of breather time and have Collins/Toppin only split 4 spot, though I disagree regarding Livingston at 4, I think we will see it with foul trouble and/or small ball.

Thiero is versatile but is behind (stated during fundraiser practice in reports) and he is way down depth chart behind a Burger Boy and 3 guards with years of experience. Don't see him getting a ton of action unless he shows out majorly over next month or two.

So yeah, maybe guys get a minute or two here or there but there will be at least one guy who is more like Allen last year.

You also have to consider the time they may get or not get. Combined, in the 102 games Ware/Hopkins/Allen/Collins played last year they played 3 minutes or less in 40 of those games. So each of their MPG are significantly skewed from games early in season when they got a lot of run.

 

[JonathanW_rivals]

Even guys at bottom of deep depth chart, due to blow out games get in 1-2mpg.
Looking at Theiro, think how much Hawkins played as a FR just because he could defend. UKO offers rim protection which Cal Loves!

And I obviously have Wallace for 8-12mpg at the point. I don’t know the little bit Theiro plays that Cal will trust him at the point. I just didn’t want to list guys more than once.

 

[docholiday51]

Just a guess at 9 man rotation to start... won't be like this in Bahamas and could obviously change with Thiero/UKO in mix for minutes and CJ getting back up to speed.

I could eventually see those 5mpg from Ware going away and they go to UKO. Maybe a couple minutes shaved off Wheeler/Wallace/Reeves and given to CJ for more even distribution and to save legs.

Feel like there will be an emphasis on getting everyone at 25mpg as max. Oscar may be the only outlier or if UKO/Ware show out he is saved with legs too and goes to 25mpg.

As much as I like Thiero's future he is probably the odd man out due to depth at guard spot/slasher spot, barring any injuries .

PG- Wheeler- 28, Wallace- 12
SG- Wallace- 16, CJ- 15, Reeves-9
SF/3G- Reeves- 16, Livingston- 18, Toppin- 6
S4- Toppin- 19, Collins- 16, Livingston- 5
C- Oscar- 30, Collins- 5, Ware- 5

Total Minutes per game
Oscar- 30
Wheeler/Wallace- 28
Toppin/Reeves- 25
Livingston- 23
Collins- 21
CJ- 15
Ware- 5

Makes sense, might get some kind of mini platoon look in the Bahamas(Cal messing with fans a bit) Health/injuries in the regular season will be a big factor no doubt. I can see a line-up of Livingston ,Reeves, Oscar, Wallace and Wheeler at times(maybe Collins for Oscar with that group for a short time. Reeves and Fredrick with any other 3 would be fun for a change of pace.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

Ultimately our starting five will be:

Wallace-6’4
Reeves-6’6
Livingston-6’6
Toppin-6’10
Oscar-6’9

That is a huge lineup!

These Five will get us to Houston.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

I just think our top possible issue now is not defense or rebounding but shooting/scoring. Don't know about Wallace in that category but I do know that Reeves is a pro offensively and Fredrick is one of the very best shooters in the country. Can't see them not on the floor a lot.

 

[SPECT imaging]

Wallace is going to get a lot of clock at the 1.

Three reasons why this is inevitable. First, shooting is one of Wallace's strengths while being Wheeler's weakness. Second, Wallace has defensive length while Wheeler is small. Third, Reeves and Livingston will push for playing time, meaning Wallace will slide over to 1 at times to make room for them. All three reasons relate to matchups. Last year, Wheeler was wildly inconsistent from one game to another. Wheeler is a weapon against teams vulnerable to his speed, but a liability against teams that know how to exploit his shooting problems. All about the matchup. Cal loves Wheeler, but I do not think he is blind to this. He will love Wallace too.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Minutes will be basically as usual for Cal, with everyone playing early against cupcakes, then the rotation being shortened for the SEC season. By March, Cal will be playing 7-8 guys most of the minutes.

Estimated rotation/minutes in the NCAA tourney:

1 Wheeler(30)/Wallace(10)
2 Wallace(20)/Fredrick(20)
3 Livingston(20)/Reeves(20)
4 Toppin(25)/Collins(15)
5 Tshiebwe(30)/Ware(10)

Tshiebwe- 30
Wallace- 30
Wheeler- 30
Toppin- 25
Livingston- 20
Reeves- 20
Fredrick- 20
Collins- 15
Ware- 10

 

[WildcatNC]

An experienced 3 level scorer with size, physical and mental maturity. Can defend multiple positions.

Kids a need for any elite team.

 

[docholiday51]

UK has had success with grad transfers. I fully expect Reeves to continue that trend.
Will he (because of the positions he can play) bring more to the table for this team?
Will he be more productive? What former player will he most remind us of?

 

[Kybluedude]

Ultimately our starting five will be:

Wallace-6’4
Reeves-6’6
Livingston-6’6
Toppin-6’10
Oscar-6’9

That is a huge lineup!

These Five will get us to Houston.

Size alone doesn’t win games. Not much passing ability in this group.

 

[ColonelCat_rivals376764]

“I’m your huckleberry”

My favorite movie and line.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Size alone doesn’t win games. Not much passing ability in this group.

Size isn’t everything, but having it sure does help your cause, especially if it is talented size.

 

[trey g 4 UK]

Four spots are pretty much set, IMHO. Wheeler, Wallace, Toppin, and Tshiebwe start. The fifth starting spot is up for grabs. Livingston, Fredrick, and Reeves are fighting for that other starter spot.

I’m penciling Livingston in right now. His athleticism is elite. That’s important to Cal.

I respect that but there’s no substitute for Experience to go along with the skill that Reeves has. It’s a MUST I think to keep this kid on the floor every minute he’s able to play!

 

[K_TIME]

1. I think the lineup sets up better to start Reeves at the SF as he's the better shooter
2. Do you really want to play alot of minutes with Wheeler, Livingston on the floor together...and then CJ and Reeves are both better shooters. Makes sense to me to play Livingston off the bench where his raw athleticism can pair nicely with shooters in Frederick and Collins at the 4.

 

[bucsrule8872]

1. I think the lineup sets up better to start Reeves at the SF as he's the better shooter
2. Do you really want to play alot of minutes with Wheeler, Livingston on the floor together...and then CJ and Reeves are both better shooters. Makes sense to me to play Livingston off the bench where his raw athleticism can pair nicely with shooters in Frederick and Collins at the 4.

But remember who the head coach is. Cal will play the guy that defends his butt off and rebounds. That’s likely Livingston, based on what little we have seen so far and practice reports. And he’s a top 15 recruit. Cal usually gives them more rope, so to speak.

If Cal was an offensive minded coach like Fran McCaffrey, Reeves would, without question, be on the floor all the time. Fredrick as well. But this is Cal we are talking about. He’s all about defending and controlling the boards. That’s why I believe that Wallace and Livingston are paired at the 2 and 3. Cal isn’t going to try to outshoot anybody, he wants to lock you down, force you to take difficult shots, and only give you one shot by crashing the boards.

You’ve got to remember coaching philosophy when discussing who will play. It doesn’t matter who you think should play, it’s who Cal thinks should play.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I respect that but there’s no substitute for Experience to go along with the skill that Reeves has. It’s a MUST I think to keep this kid on the floor every minute he’s able to play!

If Reeves is a solid defender, then he will likely get a lot of clock. But usually with Cal it boils down to defense. If Livingston outplays him defensively, then Livingston probably plays more.

 

[KYFOSSIL]

This is a very good discussion. Just remeber there are more minutes for the non starters than you think with foul trouble and the ever present threat of injuries.

 

[bucsrule8872]

There’s about 60 minutes available at the 2 and 3 for Livingston, Reeves, and Fredrick to split (Wallace plays the other 20 minutes, most likely).

I think it’s going to be a game by game decision which one plays most. Sometimes one of them will play 30 and the other two will play 15 a piece. It’s probably going to be a “hot hand” situation. Whoever is playing better that particular game will play.

And it will depend on what we need. If we need a shooter, Fredrick is first option. If we need someone to provide some scoring, it is probably Reeves. If we need to stop a really good wing scorer, it’s probably Livingston. We need to get on the boards, it’s probably Livingston. If we need to go small, might go with Fredrick. If we need to go big, we might play Wallace at the 1, Reeves at the 2, and Livingston at the 3 for long stints of time.

Lots of combos. Lots of versatility. It’s good to have all these weapons. Hope we can stay healthy.

 

[kyjeff1]

1. I think the lineup sets up better to start Reeves at the SF as he's the better shooter
2. Do you really want to play alot of minutes with Wheeler, Livingston on the floor together...and then CJ and Reeves are both better shooters. Makes sense to me to play Livingston off the bench where his raw athleticism can pair nicely with shooters in Frederick and Collins at the 4.

If Fredrick and Collins are better defenders than Wheeler and/or Livingston, they will get the playing time.
Cal values defense way more than outside shooting.

Edit: I see @bucsrule8872 already posted a similar response to this. Just wanted to note that so you don't think I was piling on.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

There’s about 60 minutes available at the 2 and 3 for Livingston, Reeves, and Fredrick to split (Wallace plays the other 20 minutes, most likely). I think it’s going to be a game by game decision which one plays most. Sometimes one of them will play 30 and the other two will play 15 a piece. It’s probably going to be a “hot hand” situation. Whoever is playing better that particular game will play. And it will depend on what we need. If we need a shooter, Fredrick is first option. If we need someone to provide some scoring, it is probably Reeves. If we need to stop a really good wing scorer, it’s probably Livingston. We need to get on the boards, it’s probably Livingston. If we need to go small, might go with Fredrick. If we need to go big, we might play Wallace at the 1, Reeves at the 2, and Livingston at the 3 for long stints of time. Lots of combos. Lots of versatility. It’s good to have all these weapons. Hope we can stay healthy.

Where’s our bullet point breakdown bro?