The big difference - defined roles

[caneintally]

It seems since the Seton Hall game what has caused us to play so well is that it seems like the roles are defined for the most part .

Travis - our go to beast down low . He can not be stopped once he gets as he will either score or be fouled. Can make foul shots and rebounds like a man on fire. Also can make the 3 if left open

PJ - our jack of all trades who is the perfect compliment to Travis . He will have games where he goes for 12/10/4 and he will have games where he goes for 28/10/3 . Can score anywhere on the court and his D has really improved

JOhnson - our best player , hell one of the 5 best players in college basketball and a top 5 pick. He can't be stopped going to the hole and he makes foul shots but he is shooting over 40% from 3 this season and well over 50% the last 3 games. If he plays well UK always has a chance to beat anyone

Herro - is the guy who Cal draws the most plays up for and they are varied. He can drive , he has a great mid range game and he is a elite 3 pt shooter though he hasn't shown it always yet. He will though. But what is surprising is how well he can defend.

Hagans - I have come over to him as our pg as his D make up for some of the mistakes he has as he is not the natural leader that Quick is but Hagans might be the best defensive guard I have ever seen at UK . He can not shoot 3's very well so he doesn't try which is fine as every one else can.

Bench -

Quick- His job is to come off the bench and steady the offense and provide a spark with his shooting and amazing passing vision. Also love how he can seems to always play hard whether up 20 or down 20 .

Baker - his job is come in and shoot when open. He also can guard as he showed last night so he will be looked to do that too.

Richards - He is good in 3-5 minute spurts when his energy is at its highest. A great 3rd big man .

EJ - the one player whose role hasn't been found yet. He is a top 10 talent in the land but because he is woeful on D he will need to work on that and then pick his spots on offense . I do think by Febuary he starts to break out and we might see him have a 20 /6 type game .

 

[Aike]

Pretty good post. I would add that we went to work on defense and started sharing the ball. Some of that is an extension of defined roles.

 

[caneintally]

Pretty good post. I would add that we went to work on defense and started sharing the ball. Some of that is an extension of defined roles.

Yes I agree totally . And as MD said losing green really helped solidify the roles. With Green in the mix there was a jumble of who needed to do what with our guards . Now we know Hagans leads ,Herro scores and Quickley does a little of both to simplify it and Baker is there to add whatever is needed while making shots.

 

[BoulderCat_rivals187983]

Addition by subtraction. We loose a guy to transfer, but it makes us better not because Green isn’t a good player who will help UW, but because it more clearly defines the roles of those we still have.

 

[Ky_Bred_Cat]

As much as he wanted to support Green, Cal couldn't afford to keep his minutes where they were. With Green no longer in the picture the roles for the 1's and 2's are most definitely better defined and the players are beginning to flourish. This is having a positive effect on the 3's, 4's and 5's as well. We're now a team to be reckoned with and we'll continue to get better.

 

[caneintally]

Addition by subtraction. We loose a guy to transfer, but it makes us better not because Green isn’t a good player who will help UW, but because it more clearly defines the roles of those we still have.

I think most of us believe losing Green was just that ( addition by subtraction) but it is nice to see it bear out like it has . As it worked out well for a nice kid in Green and for us.

 

[FFWhite]

Green complicated the rotation. He shortened it for Cal. Shortened bench makes it much easier to establish roles.

 

[o_herb50]

Addition by subtraction. Pure and simple are a better team without an undersized 2 guard trying to get minutes. I wish Quade well but the Cats are a better team without him in rotation.

 

[Fitch44]

This team is about to take off.
Herro will be more consistent on 3 and Baker will be a good 3pt threat.
This game was valuable on so many levels.
Beat a top 10 team on neutral court.
Controlled 3/4 of the game. Guys finding roles.
All becoming willing passers. Flying around on D.
Playing with a swagger.
Think we handle UL and have lots of momentum heading into SEC.