The problem is not Cal

[anon1751545683]

After much thought I would say the problem might not be Cal. The problem is Kentucky is relying on transfers who aren’t very good. We have been spoiled for years with five star recruits and Cal is getting back to that with next years class. For example Wheeler was a 4 star, Fredrick a 3 star, Reeves and Toppin were not rated. We have to stop pretending these players can actually perform well. They are all living up to their rankings.

I agree and disagree. The players are not very good. Only one first round pick on the roster. But Cal brought them all here. Even Stevie Wonder could see that Wheeler was not a UK level player. But Cal couldn't/wouldn't/didn't see it.

Stevie could also see that Toppin couldn't guard his shadow. Cal couldn't/wouldn't/didn't see it.

This is all on Cal.

 

[UKortho]

No …just no
Calipari recruited and signed these players
Nearly all, if not all, have regressed in skills. Confidence that was there just a few months ago is gone
There are no offensive sets
The only defense is man to man..flatly refuses to use zone
Not one of them is being used properly..several playing out of position
Too much time is allotted to certain players
Line ups and substitution patterns are at best, wonky
Shall I go on?

It’s the coach..plan and simple

Who is getting too many minutes and who, on the bench, is a difference maker? Livingston isn’t great. Adjusting the minutes of Toppin, Collins, Wheeler, Ware, Frederick, Reeves, Ugonna, and even Thiero wouldn’t have impacted any of our losses. Heck, when I type these names I think what in the heck was Cal doing offering these guys.
I might be in the minority, but these are not UK level players (from a historical perspective). Our coach is horrible, but our players (except O and Wallace) are not elite.

The problem is those are the players Cal could get at the time. They are not improving , some our regressing. Oscar isn’t playing any D, Toppin thinks he is better than he is, Wheeler hasn’t seen a shot he doesn’t like, and I could go on.

We have a coach that mailed it in and players that lack fight.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

My problem is if we are going to play Ware now for 30 minutes a game we will be lucky to go .500 in the SEC play this year. I have nothing against Ware and he is a player to come in and give Oscar a break or if he is foul trouble but I don't see him as a 30 minute player for this team. I still don't understand why we don't go with Wallace as the PG, Reeves, Oscar, Thiero, Livingston. I am not for sure right now to play at the 4 right now but that has been hurting UK last 2-3 years. I just feel like when Wallace plays the PG he is better distributing the ball to all team members. When Wheeler is playing PG at least 90% of the time he is forcing the ball into Oscar and they now are double-triple team Oscar and if he gets it back out we are not knocking down the open shots. This has been discussed lately on here how many wide open shots we are missing this year. I still like Wallace playing the point just like in the Florida A&M game and yes A&M isn't the top competition but Wallace scored 27 and dished out 9 assists. He just ran the floor and the team better when Wallace was playing the PG vs. Wheeler at PG.

Absolutely and I can’t believe he played Wheeler 38 minutes last night, I think it was. We can play effective pick and roll with Wallace at the point. We can’t play pick and roll with Wheeler simply because he’s very limited. Not to mention, he’s worse than Hagans at finishing at the rim.

 

[UKortho]

It's not talent or coaching, it's both. I do think the talent on this team was overrated and hyped up. I think everyone bought into the hype after the Bahamas and automatically assumed some of the returning players were better than they are, specifically Toppins and Collins. Reeves and CJ have not looked good against real competition. Wheeler still has huge holes in his game. Livingston is a good but not great freshman. Oscar and Wallace are really the only standouts.

That said, the coaching has not been good. Cal still doesn't seem to know what to with the lineup and it seems like it causes this team to start slow against every single quality opponent. You can't win games when you're spending the entire first half climbing out of a double digit deficit. We'll see if Cal and the staff can figure out how to crack this nut, but so far it's not looking encouraging.

This is what I believe as well. Poor coaching + mediocre players = what we have now.

 

[blackcat714]

This team was in most people’s top 5 and everyone’s top 10. So, I don’t really think the lack of talent is the issue. Plenty of teams win big with a bunch of non 5 stars. My goodness, how many 5 stars does Cal need?!

The problem is there is zero movement on offense and Cal refuses to change it. Our offense absolutely SUCKS! Another problem is we are never prepared for our opponents. Never change defenses, run OOB plays for easy buckets. I could go on.

Dont forget can not make free throws

 

[true-blue1]

This team was in most people’s top 5 and everyone’s top 10. So, I don’t really think the lack of talent is the issue. Plenty of teams win big with a bunch of non 5 stars. My goodness, how many 5 stars does Cal need?!

The problem is there is zero movement on offense and Cal refuses to change it. Our offense absolutely SUCKS! Another problem is we are never prepared for our opponents. Never change defenses, run OOB plays for easy buckets. I could go on.

This!

 

[NavyCat88]

The problem is the HC is a $9 million per year bum.

 

[Ky_Bred_Cat]

This isn't rocket science. If Toppin and Collins were what we all thought they were then we're not having this conversation.

Having said that, this is STILL Cal's fault. He alone is responsible for the performance of this team. Cal alone!

 

[DreadLox]

After much thought I would say the problem might not be Cal. The problem is Kentucky is relying on transfers who aren’t very good. We have been spoiled for years with five star recruits and Cal is getting back to that with next years class. For example Wheeler was a 4 star, Fredrick a 3 star, Reeves and Toppin were not rated. We have to stop pretending these players can actually perform well. They are all living up to their rankings.

I posted something similar a couple of weeks ago. Except for a couple of (obvious) players, the current guys aren't physically prepossessing athletes. They get pushed around. A lot. They're pushed around under the boards. Their cuts are stymied. They get picked easily. and their own picks are blown up easily. Calipari's system demands players who can impose their will -- his Memphis team that made the title game could have been taken from the football field. I've disagreed with the accepted "wisdom" that his offense is antiquated. Given the right kind of players, it's fine. But it absolutely demands a certain kind of athlete.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Dont forget can not make free throws

Yeah, absolutely. That’s a HUGE issue as well. Literally NOBODY can consistently make their FTs. Maybe Fredrick but he doesn’t get to the line enough to make a difference.

 

[Bkocats]

I posted something similar a couple of weeks ago. Except for a couple of (obvious) players, the current guys aren't physically prepossessing athletes. They get pushed around. A lot. They're pushed around under the boards. Their cuts are stymied. They get picked easily. and their own picks are blown up easily. Calipari's system demands players who can impose their will -- his Memphis team that made the title game could have been taken from the football field. I've disagreed with the accepted "wisdom" that his offense is antiquated. Given the right kind of players, it's fine. But it absolutely demands a certain kind of athlete.

And a certain kind of coach who can teach them to do so
Or teach them an alternative style of play
You know..adapt!

 

[dave5164]

Wheeler does remind me of PG Hagans and Cal had some trouble at the end of season when we play at Florida in Hagan's last game and came out with a big Win in the Florida road game. If you remember the OT Loss vs. Auburn in the Elite 8 game and Hagans had 8 turnovers that day. Yes, we missed some big FT's, missed open shots, but those 8 turnovers were killers in the OT loss vs. Auburn in the Elite 8 game. Wheeler at PG is 90% throwing it inside to Oscar and is Double and Triple teamed or going wild to the basket for a turnover. Wallace at PG seems to get the whole team involved and it just looks better vs. Wheeler at PG. My biggest question is who will play the 4 will it be Toppin, Ware, Collins, etc. I would like to see a starting lineup with Wallace PG, Reeves, Oscar, Livingston, and maybe try Thiero or even get Toppin playing better. I just don't see Ware playing 30 minutes a game and Wheeler playing 32-35 minutes a game. The offense just doesn't look good at all and last night UK was out of this game in the first 4 minutes of the game and then to be down by 22 points is unacceptable. We still have Arkansas, Bama, Auburn, UT, UF, LSU, and others to play in the SEC. We better get this turned around quick and get the best starting 5 and 8-man rotation or we will be lucky to go .500 in the SEC this year.

 

[jedcat]

Great point. We need enough talent to overcome Cal’s lack of coaching. We can’t possibly expect to beat Mizzou with fewer than seven 5*s.

This reminds me of what a lot of people say: that Cal needs elite players for his system to work. Really? Wouldn't anyone do better with elite talent? One of the marks of a good coach is your coaching actually benefiting the team. Cal used to have it (though some would argue with that), but it's gone now. He is regularly out-coached.

 

[kyhoward]

Agree with ruppcat

That 1992 group was a great "TEAM" led by a great coach in Pitino.

The 1998 group was also a great "TEAM". No superstars, each played for the name on the front of their jersey and the result was a championship in Tubby's first year at UK. That truly was an amazing and unexpected year! Ironically, these teams had less talent than the present team. Would anyone at the beginning of season been willing to trade our roster for Purdue's roster? Not a chance!

Also, must include the 2015 team, where very talented individual players sacrificed playing time for a chance to win it all.

CCC assembles talent instead of fundamentally sound basketball players. If he is a 5*, Cow wants him. It is all about the measurables rather than mundane talents such as dribbling, passing, shooting, rebounding, and team play. I think the most important day for him is Pro Day!

It all comes down to coaching.

 

[RACdad]

After much thought I would say the problem might not be Cal. The problem is Kentucky is relying on transfers who aren’t very good. We have been spoiled for years with five star recruits and Cal is getting back to that with next years class. For example Wheeler was a 4 star, Fredrick a 3 star, Reeves and Toppin were not rated. We have to stop pretending these players can actually perform well. They are all living up to their rankings.

I guess the Easter bunny brings in those transfers?

 

[ScottGreene22]

This team was in most people’s top 5 and everyone’s top 10. So, I don’t really think the lack of talent is the issue. Plenty of teams win big with a bunch of non 5 stars. My goodness, how many 5 stars does Cal need?!

The problem is there is zero movement on offense and Cal refuses to change it. Our offense absolutely SUCKS! Another problem is we are never prepared for our opponents. Never change defenses, run OOB plays for easy buckets. I could go on.

He needs all of them and I’m still not sure he wins he just doesn’t care about the program or the fans

 

[fatguy87]

Cal chose the players.

There isn’t much coaching up of the players, regardless of their innate ability. That’s the key issue at hand

 

[rick64]

Ya know…..I’m getting a bit tired of watching Cal’s flustercuck of an offense too like many fans in BBN. But players have to be able to make open shots too. We’ve not seen a lot of that this season. Some will argue the wrong players are taking those shots or they’re taking the wrong shots in general. Probably some truth in that as well. FT shooting continues to be a problem too. If you’re blowing teams out and you miss a few FTs that’s not a huge deal. But when you’re in a close game or trying to get back into the game, my goodness FTs are crucial. How many front ends of a 1 and 1 have we seen players miss this season??!! 66% FTA won’t get it done.

 

[MbergCat]

This team was in most people’s top 5 and everyone’s top 10. So, I don’t really think the lack of talent is the issue. Plenty of teams win big with a bunch of non 5 stars. My goodness, how many 5 stars does Cal need?!

The problem is there is zero movement on offense and Cal refuses to change it. Our offense absolutely SUCKS! Another problem is we are never prepared for our opponents. Never change defenses, run OOB plays for easy buckets. I could go on.

None of those things are Cal's fault. Duh.

 

[dc513]

Rankings are way overrated. There are lots of players who have outperformed or underperformed their ranking. The extreme examples would be Whitney and Curry.
Wheeler was an all-SEC performer that has not improved one bit in 2 years. All he had to do to improve and be a good PG was learn to not shoot it like a middle school girl. Nope, saw no need to.
Fredrick started for a top 20 team. So he has performed at the higher level in the past.
Reeves is scoring 12/gm making 41% of his 3’s. We would be happy with that if others were doing their part.
I’ll give you Toppin, you just went 1 for 4.

Ranking were based on talent and what 90% of D1 coaches could do with it. But yes, taking in the assessment Cal would be coaching they were ranked too high.

 

[On-On-UK_rivals45415]

Some coaches study their opponents and devise ways to exploit their weaknesses.
That's how the 3 stars beat the burger boys.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Ya know…..I’m getting a bit tired of watching Cal’s flustercuck of an offense too like many fans in BBN. But players have to be able to make open shots too. We’ve not seen a lot of that this season. Some will argue the wrong players are taking those shots or they’re taking the wrong shots in general. Probably some truth in that as well. FT shooting continues to be a problem too. If you’re blowing teams out and you miss a few FTs that’s not a huge deal. But when you’re in a close game or trying to get back into the game, my goodness FTs are crucial. How many front ends of a 1 and 1 have we seen players miss this season??!! 66% FTA won’t get it done.

Agreed. Seems like Reeves shot a dozen 3s last game and made 0. I know it wasn’t that many, but damn if it didn’t feel like it.

 

[Tf2217]

Coaches job is to recruit and fill the roster with transfers. We haven’t had hardly any luck with transfers.
(Sans Oscar). Grady was okay. But really have ended up with a bunch of mids that probably couldn’t have played at KY the first 6-7 years or so.
Those teams were athletically gifted enough to win anyways.
Cal almost screwed the 2012 team up
And he did screw the 2015 team up.
I could’ve coached the 2015 team like my god.

 

[Tf2217]

Some coaches study their opponents and devise ways to exploit their weaknesses.
That's how the 3 stars beat the burger boys.

Too bad ours isn’t one.

 

[thebluestripes]

Cal is the problem. Put these same players under a coach that hasnt lost it and you'd see a big difference.

 

[Mike-D]

After much thought I would say the problem might not be Cal. The problem is Kentucky is relying on transfers who aren’t very good. We have been spoiled for years with five star recruits and Cal is getting back to that with next years class. For example Wheeler was a 4 star, Fredrick a 3 star, Reeves and Toppin were not rated. We have to stop pretending these players can actually perform well. They are all living up to their rankings.

You have to be a UofL troll to have a take this dumb. We have the defending NPOTY and a lottery pick in our starting line-up. We have thes SEC leader in assists 2 or 3 years running in our PG. We have 5 star dudes. We have CJ Frederick that shot 47% from 3 in a major conference. We have Reeves that scored 20 ppg last year, but also did well against power 5 competition. How much ******* talent do you need to beat Missouri? You're either stupid or so spoiled, that you think you need a roster full of NBA dudes to field a successful college team.

 

[Mike-D]

You know who it is.

Did he get banned again? Dude is a troll account.

 

[Runnin'Ramel]

Cal is a problem for sure. But he has constructed this roster around role player transfers from Rhode Island, Iowa, Georgia, Illinois State, even Oscar was a West Va transfer who panned out more than we could have imagined. Collins is a complete bust who was clearly ranked on hype/potential and not actual developed talent, and Livingston is probably a 3-4 year player. Ware is not good enough to start at Rutgers or Seton Hall. It's a damn mess outside of Wallace and Oscar.

 

[UKNothinButNet]

It feels like there is a portion of people who only started watching UK basketball when Cal came in.

Yea, family members no doubt.

 

[TortElvisII]

Did he get banned again? Dude is a troll account.

I think after UCLA he deleted account. Someone did. Maybe banned.

 

[Mike-D]

I think after UCLA he deleted account. Someone did. Maybe banned.

I guess we are thinking about 2 different people, I think. Trolls for days.

 

[Lost In FL]

And who is responsible for the players who are being brought in here to play?

Nm. Hit wrong button. Sorry.

FTR, you are 100% correct

 

[School boy]

After much thought I would say the problem might not be Cal. The problem is Kentucky is relying on transfers who aren’t very good. We have been spoiled for years with five star recruits and Cal is getting back to that with next years class. For example Wheeler was a 4 star, Fredrick a 3 star, Reeves and Toppin were not rated. We have to stop pretending these players can actually perform well. They are all living up to their rankings.

He should have known CJ, Toppin, Reeves wasn't good. He was looking for shooters and this isn't the program for that. It's based on big shot blockers and talent that can run. Wheeler and Oscar are good. But once again Wheeler would be better at a coaching program. Cal doesn't have a good half court set. So we don't know how good he really is.

He's the one who got these bums, it's up to him how he coaches them and clearly he didn't good a good job.

Can't listen to fans who wants shooters because it gives an extra point. Or one skinny dude hitting 9 a night in the NBA.

 

[ArtLaibsGhost_rivals]

Simple question Lt. Who chose these transfers you speak of, who is responsible for them being here.

 

[Gromcat_rivals]

After much thought I would say the problem might not be Cal. The problem is Kentucky is relying on transfers who aren’t very good. We have been spoiled for years with five star recruits and Cal is getting back to that with next years class. For example Wheeler was a 4 star, Fredrick a 3 star, Reeves and Toppin were not rated. We have to stop pretending these players can actually perform well. They are all living up to their rankings.

Wrong. The problem are the men in charge.

1. Fire the President.
2. Fire Calipari
3. Write a letter to Vandy resending his daughters fake doctorate.
4. Fire Matt Jones
5. Fire anyone else responsible.

6. Rebuild.

7. Rest.

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

I posted something similar a couple of weeks ago. Except for a couple of (obvious) players, the current guys aren't physically prepossessing athletes. They get pushed around. A lot. They're pushed around under the boards. Their cuts are stymied. They get picked easily. and their own picks are blown up easily. Calipari's system demands players who can impose their will -- his Memphis team that made the title game could have been taken from the football field. I've disagreed with the accepted "wisdom" that his offense is antiquated. Given the right kind of players, it's fine. But it absolutely demands a certain kind of athlete.

Funny how coaches like Barnes can make players play physical regardless of star rating. Secondly, we are playing with multiple multi-year players. Why aren't they at least being developed physically or skill wise? If it was just 1 player that was our only issue, I might agree. But it's player after player, year after year. Sorry, but the only thing I see is gross mismanagement from the top down.

 

[Trinity45]

After much thought I would say the problem might not be Cal. The problem is Kentucky is relying on transfers who aren’t very good. We have been spoiled for years with five star recruits and Cal is getting back to that with next years class. For example Wheeler was a 4 star, Fredrick a 3 star, Reeves and Toppin were not rated. We have to stop pretending these players can actually perform well. They are all living up to their rankings.

Who recruited those transfers. Plus there is more than enough talent on this roster to make a really good team. Face, Cal's offense is none existent, we have little ball movement even less player movement. Way too much dribbling not enough passing, the lane is jammed yet our offense drives the lane into that mess time and time again.
e

 

[AllBall]

He's been here long enough where every player on the roster was brought here by Cal. So while one of the underlining issues may be relying on transfer portal players who weren't UK material, it's still falls at his feet.

 

[Ukbrassowtipin]

Frederick was like the best 3 point shooter in the country. Now he sucks. There's a reason for that.

 

[WalterTheHippo]

Wrong. The problem are the men in charge.

1. Fire the President.
2. Fire Calipari
3. Write a letter to Vandy resending his daughters fake doctorate.
4. Fire Matt Jones
5. Fire anyone else responsible.

6. Rebuild.

7. Rest.

Wait... Fire Matt Jones??

WTF does he have to do with this dumpster fire?