Of course it is only through 2 games, but we have a PG averaging 10.5 assists, a center averaging 20 rebs and 2.5 blocks, a guard averaging 2 steals, and a team 3pt % of 46.3. Not too shabby. Let's go.
This is crazy
- Thread starter TomTraubertsBlues
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I hate to be one of those fans, but the Duke game really seems like an aberration. There’s no question that our weakness plays to their strength (bad interior defense vs strong interior scoring), but I still think if the game were played again, Cal would just run Mintz over TyTy and we’d win.
The 11 apg and 20 rpg is unheard of.
I'm not sure those guys can keep those stats up, but if they did and Tyty was able to get going, this team could be really good.
Honestly, Tyty isn’t the only one, Collins, Hopkins and believe it or not, Ware, hold the keys to a deep run.
Collins and Ware progressing, is a huge key, but Tyty has the ability to be an unstoppable guard once the snowball starts rolling down the hill.
Hopkins has the body, he just needs to find his role and accept it.
But Oscar… .damn, that guy is a machine.
Honestly, Tyty isn’t the only one, Collins, Hopkins and believe it or not, Ware, hold the keys to a deep run.
Collins and Ware progressing, is a huge key, but Tyty has the ability to be an unstoppable guard once the snowball starts rolling down the hill.
Hopkins has the body, he just needs to find his role and accept it.
But Oscar… .damn, that guy is a machine.
I liked the way Mintz shot the ball Friday, but I’m not convinced he’s a guy who makes winning plays in a tight game vs. a quality opponent.
Being the best player on a 9-16 team doesn’t instill confidence.
Not saying TyTy didn’t struggle against Duke. Just doubtful more Mintz would have changed the outcome.
Askew has 0 assist in 2 games with Texas
With Sharpe coming in a few weeks, TyTy better step it up and Mintz better become more consistent, otherwise both are going to be sitting behind Sharpe, Wheeler and Grady.
Could be one of the all time greats
Can't say we didn't try to show Chris Beard that this would happen. Why he thought Devin Askew was ready after what Askew did at UK last year, is beyond comprehension.
What gives me the most hope for a deep run is those guys you mentioned can develop at a more normal pace. They don’t have to carry the team from day one.
Oscar is ridiculous. Not really sure I’ve ever seen a rebounder like him at UK. What a luxury, especially since we’re deep at guard. But the best part about this team is Wheelers ability to push tempo, which is something that feels like we haven’t had since Fox. I’m just excited that we’ll actually be entertaining to watch instead of a chore. If we can get wheeler under control more and Washington going look out.
Only one I can think of is Vanderbilt. He had a nose for the ball. He didn't get enough minutes and was hurt a lot, but if he was a starter and played a whole season, I think he could have averaged double figures in rebounding.
When Sharpe gets here the **** will hit the fan. Kid will score at will. This team will be unbeatable. We will play even faster. I could see him scoring 16 a game. He will be the missing go to guy. His defense is awesome. Sharpe will be playing over 20 minutes a game. His poop won’t stink. Can’t wait to see what car he will be driving. Chick magnet. Team player. High % shooter. 5 rebounds a game and 4 assist. Better than any guard we had in a loooong time.
There’s a lot that could have been done better in that game. Being ready for the physical play of Keels and Wheeler playing under control would have made a big difference.
We aren’t as bad as we looked in stretches in the Duke game, and we probably aren’t as good as the RM game made us feel. But we are good, and become great. Just have to have some of these guys develop and settle into roles; and we need to have Cal pay attention.
Two words: zone defense. That, in itself, beats duke the other night.
Yes and the schedule will allow them to gain confidence.
Fingers crossed that our key guys stay healthy. The injury bug has been nothing short of annoying almost every year.
You do realize that D-1 competition is WAY tougher than HS right? No way will he score at will. How many examples do we need of this not happening?
Nah, he would trust Ty Ty. That was deja vu from the twins v Wisky as far as Cal goes.
I'm not worried about Ty Ty as i believe he will improve a lot over the next few games. Ware will be ok as a backup for Oscar. I would not count on Hopkins for a whole lot for this year as he will be behind Brooks & Collins. I think Hopkins will be good coming off the bench around Feb. /March.
Well Mintz would have won us about 3 games last year in clutch time had we not snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory so much.
Agreed. I know a lot of people want a murderer’s row, and I do think we could schedule 1 or 2 more OOC marquee games but this stretch is going to help guys like Collins get used to the speed and physicality of D1. And build confidence.
Collins has enormous potential from blocking/altering shots, lobs at the rim when Wheeler/ Ty penetrates, and rebounding (needs significant strength training here). Just his improvement alone would make this team a final 8/ final 4 team. Add Sharpe and Duke would not want to play us again.
I mean, I know we have a much older team this year but most of them has still never played together and Cal still needs to figure out first hand how to play them. So these first few games are still going to be somewhat of an experiment. This team still has a ton of room to get better. But I think with more experience, that progress may be seen a lot quicker.
I hope that is true....of all teams UK could lose to, that is one that makes me want to vomit
What do we do with Brooks? I feel that what he is currently trying to do in games in a net negative. He needs to stay off the three point line unless there is nobody within 15ft of him. And even then he only shoots it if noone else is open. Secondly there is no reason he is not locking people up on defense. I watched him stand and watch someone shoot a three this last game and my wife heard me yell at him to stop being so lazy. Lastly he needs to learn to rebound. Oscar will get lots of attention as the season goes on and it will allow someone else to get some very easy rebounds. That person should be Brooks because he doesn't need to be doing anything away from the basket.
Washington will get better and better as the season goes.
Once we get to March and he has 30 games under his belt, he will be a player to be reckoned with.
He has the highest ceiling on the team, or maybe tied with Collins.
I honestly think if someone emerges at the 4, this team could be a Final Four team. Right now, that is our weak spot. Brooks is not consistent enough, Toppin can’t get healthy, and neither Collins nor Hopkins are quite ready yet. The 1,2,3, and 5 spots are solid, though.
Once we get to March and he has 30 games under his belt, he will be a player to be reckoned with.
He has the highest ceiling on the team, or maybe tied with Collins.
I honestly think if someone emerges at the 4, this team could be a Final Four team. Right now, that is our weak spot. Brooks is not consistent enough, Toppin can’t get healthy, and neither Collins nor Hopkins are quite ready yet. The 1,2,3, and 5 spots are solid, though.
Between the 4 candidates, I'm hopeful that we'll be able to mix and match the group as their play and match-ups dictate to come up w/ serviceable numbers from that 4 spot.
I'm almost at the point where I hate seeing KB on the floor. He's the weakest link of the group of players who are vying for clock at the 4 spot. I hate it for him (since he's the elder of the group), but he's basically the same player who showed up on campus 3 yrs. ago, and after being given first shot at the job (nod to his seniority), it's only fair to play the best choice: Toppin if healthy, Collins if not. And I'd get Hopkins more minutes there as well, because he's got higher upside than Keion.
Brooks needs to be a backup for Toppin. If Cal wants to win, he’s going to need to make that change and put his loyalty to the side.
IDK, that's why I literally said "I'm not sure if they can keep those stats up… ". Maybe Oscar can do that, but I'll remind you, we play in the SEC and it's going to be really hard to nab 20 rbg while he's sitting on the bench in foul trouble.
Toppin was supposed to have an MRI on his shoulder Saturday but I haven't heard anything about the results.We really need his defense so I hope they didn't find any damage.