In a pinch I think Collins can play some 5, though he will struggle with bigger and stronger centers at the defensive end.
Where's the drop-off?
- Thread starter revcort
- Start date
You are always concerned. Let's see. You are concerned about Cal. You are concerned about Cal. You are concerned about Cal. Got it.
I thought I might need to clarify my original post. I think the thing that struck me most about those exhibition games was that the team was making runs and playing defense well regardless of who was on the floor. I would look up and see the team extending a lead or going on a run and I look over on the bench and see guys I considered to be significant players not on the floor. Actually, as I was rewatching some of the games, the commentators mentioned this same thing. This emphasizes the team's depth of talent. Usually, there is a significant drop off when particular players are in the game and others are on the bench, but this group was continuing to push the lead and perform well.
I get what you’re saying, we do have good depth of talent to rotate in and out of games. I think we’ll see a definitive drop off with Oscar on the bench, though.
Yeah. I like that option, especially if Livingston can handle the three and slide Toppin to the four. As long as you’re running it would be a tough lineup. But if they clog the lane and slow it to half court, which you know they will, it can get tricky for us. Kingsley probably takes care of a lot of this concern but we will see.
Yep, that is what I was attempting to say but I'm not sure it was very clear. Text is such a poor communication medium. Haha!
And you're probably right about the dropoff with Oscar. It's hard to find someone who brings what he brings to a game. I thought Lance Ware looked pretty good in the first game of the exhibitions but he seemed to lose confidence when he was missing some shots. I think Livingston could provide some of the rebounding when Oscar goes out. He's built kind of like Oscar and also has a nose for rebounds, he's just not as tall or as strong, but who is? Oscar is the guy who will likely be playing the most minutes on the team.
Every team will see a drop-off when their best player is out of the game so agree it will apply to UK/a player of Oscar's caliber. I agree with you that Livingston is a grown man already and can help when Oscar is out. I do not see Oscar getting into foul trouble much, as he did not last year.
I think that Oyenso being on the team is a bug deal. He is a legit defensive juggernaut, the best in all HS ball. Gonna be hard to keep him off the floor behind Oscar. Hot take, this is the most talented team since 2015.
Starters should be:
PG: Wheeler
SG: Wallace
SF: Reeves
PF: Toppin
C: Oscar
PG: Wheeler
SG: Wallace
SF: Reeves
PF: Toppin
C: Oscar
Whose numbers are those? Not Wheeler's.
He had 207 assists and 91 turnovers and shot 30.8% from 3 last season. There is no reason to believe those numbers won't improve across the board this year.
I know the standard but as it turns out benching Oscar for the early fouls last year was a mistake, even if it was a rare one and that is the normal thing to do. Osar doesn't foul that much normally. But hindsight is beautiful.
I really like this roster of players and hope it's utilized to the fullest.
Seems to me when Oscars out you just adjust the tempo and style of offense to an even more aggressive full court transition, kick out type offense (and defense) to take advantage of our athletes and shooters.
Obviously when Oscar is in you can be comfortable slowing it down a bit and utilize his post up abilities and take advantage of his offensive rebounding skills.
So yeah I think if UK can adjust offensively and defensively to the personel on the court during the flow of the game and not try to do the square peg round hole thing I can't see a big drop off on either end of the court.
Seems to me when Oscars out you just adjust the tempo and style of offense to an even more aggressive full court transition, kick out type offense (and defense) to take advantage of our athletes and shooters.
Obviously when Oscar is in you can be comfortable slowing it down a bit and utilize his post up abilities and take advantage of his offensive rebounding skills.
So yeah I think if UK can adjust offensively and defensively to the personel on the court during the flow of the game and not try to do the square peg round hole thing I can't see a big drop off on either end of the court.
I think this is a team that will see the drop off after Oscar, Wheeler, Collins and Wallace. I'm hoping Reeves and Toppin will be good role players. high hopes for Livingston in January but the other two I don't expect much from them but a bonus if they step up. We are led by Oscar and Wheeler and if you don't agree you not paying attention.
I don't see Toppin as a role player this year. I thin he is going to be one of the main players for UK this year.