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SKJ

kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
51,282
72,058
113
I was only able to watch a few minutes of last night's game, I listened to the rest.
In the little bit of game that I was able to watch I saw SKJ turn the ball over and foul on both ends of the court. He appeared to be nervous and lost.
I also haven't seen any comments about him on the board last night and so far today.
What is everyone's take on him from last night's game?
I was expecting him to go off after his lackluster 2016/17 season.
 
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WildMoon

Heisman
Apr 7, 2009
78,693
11,120
0
Much improved since last year.

Forced a lot (probably improve as he get more playing time). Didn't just rely on jump shot. Rebounded better. He is pretty nimble for his size.

No idea how well he could do this year.
 
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cawoodsct

cawoodsct

Heisman
Apr 27, 2006
39,925
28,053
102
Thought his offensive rebounding was good. Doubt he will be going off but can help when Richards is out. I have very high expectations for Richards. He’s already listening and learning that one post move he needs. In 4.5 months from now no telling how good he can be.
 
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kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
51,282
72,058
113
Wildcat-in-STL said:
SKJ was just over rated out of high school. He's your typical slightly above average big man. He'll have to play this year but he's not even as good as Marcus Lee as a sophomore.

We'd be better off having PJ being our backup C. IMO
Click to expand...
I agree, he's going to have to play.
He just doesn't seem relaxed out there, like he's thinking too much.
Maybe it will click for him at some point this year. He's definitely a talented player.
I just hope he's not just a practice hero, sometimes what certain players do in practice doesn't translate over to games.
 
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J

Joneslab

All-Conference
Sep 22, 2005
4,219
1,478
0
Really hard player to get a feel for.

Don't think he's comfortable with his back to the basket. Seems to want to play facing up, and he does have great shooting touch for a guy his size.

Not sure how he fits in with this team. Richards is obviously going to be in some foul trouble so there are minutes to have. (He was running the 4 at some points.)
 
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kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
51,282
72,058
113
cawoodsct said:
Thought his offensive rebounding was good. Doubt he will be going off but can help when Richards is out. I have very high expectations for Richards. He’s already listening and learning that one post move he needs. In 4.5 months from now no telling how good he can be.
Click to expand...
We will eventually get to see how well he rebounds against a legit team with size.
Rebounding against a D3 opponent with no size and rebounding against KU in a couple of weeks are two different things.
I was hoping to see him go off. He will have a lot of chances to show what he can do though.
 
L

LexCatnOhio

Junior
Mar 27, 2009
732
259
36
He looked a little shaky. However I did see a lot of effort on his part. He got some tough boards and he got up and down the floor well. Made a couple nice moves in the post and a nice block as well.
 
kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
51,282
72,058
113
Cat Ballou said:
Sacha just needs some game time experience bad. He'll get it this year and will be much improved by the end of the season. With the weak big man class in high school, he's going to be very important for us next year.
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Well, I'm pulling hard for him. He is a guy that could add a different dynamic to this team and could be the difference between a sweet 16 team and a team that is a legit threat to get to the final four.
Plus, I want to see him thrive as an individual, last year had to be frustrating for him.
 
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K

KY Long Rifle_rivals381398

All-Conference
Apr 11, 2009
1,471
1,309
0
He did some really good things last night, and he did some not so good things. I hope he can get on the court this year, because he seems like a likeable guy that tries hard. But, if Cal doesn't see what he wants in SKJ he will not play regardless of what Richards does.
 
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K_TIME

K_TIME

Heisman
Jan 2, 2003
18,399
25,710
113
Wildcat-in-STL said:
SKJ was just over rated out of high school. He's your typical slightly above average big man. He'll have to play this year but he's not even as good as Marcus Lee as a sophomore.

We'd be better off having PJ being our backup C. IMO
Click to expand...
Agree here...SKJ isn't nearly as skilled as he was billed out of HS, isnn't overly athletic for a 6'9 kid and doesn't have a very good motor...so he is sort of average in terms of collegiate bigs.

Another notion that comes to me is we could really use Humphries in a role this year (same as Marcus Lee last year). We really need to find a way to keep the solid but not spectacular at UK to facilitate with the newcomers each year. And SKJ is a guy that we need for his 3rd/4th year as well.
 
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A

akaukswoosh

Hall of Famer
Jan 14, 2006
81,516
125,187
93
Cat Ballou said:
Sacha just needs some game time experience bad. He'll get it this year and will be much improved by the end of the season. With the weak big man class in high school, he's going to be very important for us next year.
Click to expand...
Agree. (Like the energy he was displaying on defense last night too).
 
C

Cawood86_rivals

Heisman
Feb 20, 2005
36,711
64,715
0
I agree that I think it clicks for him sometime this year. His body looks ready. I just think it's all mental for him right now. UK will need him because there will be nights that foul trouble will happen.
 
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Stenchymouse

Stenchymouse

All-American
Jul 31, 2005
12,798
6,693
113
I do think that he'll be better when he gets more game experience,

He's definitely more skilled than many of the bigs that we'll be playing against.

10 minutes a game!

A good solid 10 a game is all we need from him!!

Anything beyond that will be a bonus!!
 
B

bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
Game experience is going to help.

Still he is probably better suited to play a stretch 4 rather than the 5 in Cal's system, but there is a logjam at the 4 and minutes to be had at the 5.

I think he will be fine by the end of the season.

He will have some major growing pains, though.
 
S

SkydogWildcat

Redshirt
Jan 15, 2017
22
12
0
On the offensive side: He just seems to be more comfortable facing up to the basket- catching and shooting from 8-12 feet range. Most of the time when he gets the ball with back to the basket- then dribbles, spins and tries to create his own offense- it just doesn't end up working.

On the other hand, he seems to have a nice stroke on his jumper. If he can just either catch and shoot, get offensive rebounds dunks and put backs or if not open, just pass the ball quickly, I think things would fall into place for him.
 
F

FrankUnderwood

Heisman
May 26, 2017
15,912
27,971
0
K_TIME said:
Agree here...SKJ isn't nearly as skilled as he was billed out of HS, isnn't overly athletic for a 6'9 kid and doesn't have a very good motor...so he is sort of average in terms of collegiate bigs.

Another notion that comes to me is we could really use Humphries in a role this year (same as Marcus Lee last year). We really need to find a way to keep the solid but not spectacular at UK to facilitate with the newcomers each year. And SKJ is a guy that we need for his 3rd/4th year as well.
Click to expand...


Great post
 
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B

buckkiller

All-Conference
Nov 6, 2003
131,233
2,466
0
Who is a player that can give us valuable back up miutes? SKJ or TAI? Alot of people whip on Tai on here but I think he is one of our best rebounders. He knows how to block out using his body. I don't think we have seen the best of Tai IMO. He coming along lil slower but liked him more then Isaac last year. What do I know though.
 
B

buckkiller

All-Conference
Nov 6, 2003
131,233
2,466
0
K_TIME said:
Agree here...SKJ isn't nearly as skilled as he was billed out of HS, isnn't overly athletic for a 6'9 kid and doesn't have a very good motor...so he is sort of average in terms of collegiate bigs.

Another notion that comes to me is we could really use Humphries in a role this year (same as Marcus Lee last year). We really need to find a way to keep the solid but not spectacular at UK to facilitate with the newcomers each year. And SKJ is a guy that we need for his 3rd/4th year as well.
Click to expand...

Stupid move by Humphries leaving IMO. It woukd be nice him starting and Richards coming off bench or even vise versa. I love Richards potential its off the charts. Way ahead of WCS at this point in career. Kid has back to basket game and is springy. I was thinking Richards woukd be weakness but he is a valuable weapon going forward.
 
C

Catzman

Heisman
Apr 29, 2002
17,428
14,443
113
K_TIME said:
Agree here...SKJ isn't nearly as skilled as he was billed out of HS, isnn't overly athletic for a 6'9 kid and doesn't have a very good motor...so he is sort of average in terms of collegiate bigs.

Another notion that comes to me is we could really use Humphries in a role this year (same as Marcus Lee last year). We really need to find a way to keep the solid but not spectacular at UK to facilitate with the newcomers each year. And SKJ is a guy that we need for his 3rd/4th year as well.
Click to expand...

Not overly athletic? If anything id say his athleticism is what keeps his hopes alive. At 6'10 and long arms he runs and moves incredibly well and gets off the floor with the best of them.

His problem is hes not a dominant, feed him in the post big man like KAT and Cousins but hes not skilled enough to be a Davis. Hes not freakishly good at one or 2 things to offset that (Noel rebounding/shot blocking). Hes never going to be a back to basket player sans a hook shot on a shorter player here and there. Hes a pure face up player and that's how he should play.

When he was in the game he rebounded well, was active, ran the floor well and got called for at least 1 bogus charge call on a great post move in the first half. Hes no world beater, but lets not act like hes a an average kid. Hes incredibly tall, incredibly long, very athletic and mobile for his size with incredible jump shooting touch. Cal needs to figure out how best to use SKJs strengths to help us win rather than forcing him to be a post player like a Skal 2.0.
 
MegaBlue05

MegaBlue05

Heisman
Mar 8, 2014
11,061
22,414
66
I thought he showed positive flashes but still looked a little lost. I think he'll contribute this year in a reserve role, but don't expect him to appear on 2018 draft boards.
 
K_TIME

K_TIME

Heisman
Jan 2, 2003
18,399
25,710
113
Catzman said:
Not overly athletic? If anything id say his athleticism is what keeps his hopes alive. At 6'10 and long arms he runs and moves incredibly well and gets off the floor with the best of them..
Click to expand...
I guess it depends on your comparisons if SKJ is athletic or not..

Top tier athletes for a big man..
Davis and Noel. Both were crazy quick with their feet, could switch out on guards and stick with them, quick jumping ability. Great lob/tip dunkers.

Next tier athletes for a big man...
WCS (I could see him in top tier as well) and Marcus Lee. Both were tremendous athletes, shot blockers. Great lob/tip dunkers. I never saw Marcus as really good moving his feet laterally at times when he got caught on pick and rolls.

Above average but not what I'd label elite to great athletes...
Bam, TJones, Cuz, PPat, Randle, Towns (KAT could be in tier above as well) Skal, etc... Still very good but not quite the elite of top two classifications above. Mostly solid shot blockers (not elite) but probably pretty average at switching out on floor and getting balls/blocks outside of their area.

Average athletes for a big man...
SKJ, Humphries, Willis

Below average....
Dakari, Jorts, Wynard

Then there is guys like Wiltjer...who there is no classification for him in terms of athleticism.

Granted UK doesn't recruit many average to below average athletes under Cal nowadays (we never seem to bring in guys like Sheray Thomas, etc.) but SKJ just isn't going to rate anywhere but average to below average compared to most bigs we bring in nowsdays IMO.
 
C

caneintally

Heisman
Oct 1, 2002
27,455
17,056
0
Joneslab said:
Really hard player to get a feel for.

Don't think he's comfortable with his back to the basket. Seems to want to play facing up, and he does have great shooting touch for a guy his size.

Not sure how he fits in with this team. Richards is obviously going to be in some foul trouble so there are minutes to have. (He was running the 4 at some points.)
Click to expand...
Great post. Like Skal he wants to shoot 15 footers and can do so really well. Hates having his back to the basket. I actually think Tai will be a better center for us this season and SKJ is a year away from doing much.
 
C

Catzman

Heisman
Apr 29, 2002
17,428
14,443
113
K_TIME said:
I guess it depends on your comparisons if SKJ is athletic or not..

Top tier athletes for a big man..
Davis and Noel. Both were crazy quick with their feet, could switch out on guards and stick with them, quick jumping ability. Great lob/tip dunkers.

Next tier athletes for a big man...
WCS (I could see him in top tier as well) and Marcus Lee. Both were tremendous athletes, shot blockers. Great lob/tip dunkers. I never saw Marcus as really good moving his feet laterally at times when he got caught on pick and rolls.

Above average but not what I'd label elite to great athletes...
Bam, TJones, Cuz, PPat, Randle, Towns (KAT could be in tier above as well) Skal, etc... Still very good but not quite the elite of top two classifications above. Mostly solid shot blockers (not elite) but probably pretty average at switching out on floor and getting balls/blocks outside of their area.

Average athletes for a big man...
SKJ, Humphries, Willis

Below average....
Dakari, Jorts, Wynard

Then there is guys like Wiltjer...who there is no classification for him in terms of athleticism.

Granted UK doesn't recruit many average to below average athletes under Cal nowadays (we never seem to bring in guys like Sheray Thomas, etc.) but SKJ just isn't going to rate anywhere but average to below average compared to most bigs we bring in nowsdays IMO.
Click to expand...

You only classify Bam as above average? Maybe im not as good at labeling athleticism as I thought, but Bam is twice the athlete PPat and Jones are, and SKJ did better than Bam in a lot of the categories measured in last year's UK combine outside of max very and 3/4 sprint. Bam is a ridiculous athlete, but I digress. SKJ has incredible mobility unlike many big men in the country. Its learning how to use it to not only our advantage, but his as well.
 
K_TIME

K_TIME

Heisman
Jan 2, 2003
18,399
25,710
113
Catzman said:
You only classify Bam as above average? Maybe im not as good at labeling athleticism as I thought, but Bam is twice the athlete PPat and Jones are, and SKJ did better than Bam in a lot of the categories measured in last year's UK combine outside of max very and 3/4 sprint. Bam is a ridiculous athlete, but I digress. SKJ has incredible mobility unlike many big men in the country. Its learning how to use it to not only our advantage, but his as well.
Click to expand...
- Bam was a pretty 'meh' shot blocker and rebounder for the most part and looked pretty awkward at times guarding pick and rolls which is why I didn't put him up there with WCS, Noel and Davis.

- If SKJ were so athletic...I'd have a hard time imagining him not playing ahead of Humphries and Tai last year. We'll see how this year rolls out but I get the feeling he'll be behind Wenyen, PJ, Richards and Vanderbilt (if he returns) as far as floor time at the 4 and 5 spots....if SKJ had incredible mobility...he'd crack that rotation in his 2nd year IMO.
 
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wldctky_rivals70430

All-Conference
Jan 20, 2002
7,844
1,082
0
WildMoon said:
Much improved since last year.

Forced a lot (probably improve as he get more playing time). Didn't just rely on jump shot. Rebounded better. He is pretty nimble for his size.

No idea how well he could do this year.
Click to expand...
I didn't see any improvement..as for rebounding better, Thomas More's biggest guy was 6'6"..he should be able to rebound against them
 
C

caneintally

Heisman
Oct 1, 2002
27,455
17,056
0
buckkiller said:
Who is a player that can give us valuable back up miutes? SKJ or TAI? Alot of people whip on Tai on here but I think he is one of our best rebounders. He knows how to block out using his body. I don't think we have seen the best of Tai IMO. He coming along lil slower but liked him more then Isaac last year. What do I know though.
Click to expand...
I agree 100%.
 
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