Who Starts Going Forward?

[hoodro]

give me a break, we were really rolling with Willis and some of you want to not start HIM? Skal wasn't even present on defense, how many dunks did the Florida big man have? He didn't look much stronger than ever. Remember, everyone said it didn't matter how much you score if your man gets twice that many. Or does that not apply to Skal?

There's no possible way you can put all of those dunks on Skal. He only played 15 minutes. Lee and Humphries are just as responsible, if not more.

Also, I get what you're saying about it doesn't matter how much you score if your man gets twice as many, but again, it wasn't only Skal giving up those points, and at least Skal did score.

On top of Lee and Humphries giving up some of those points, both failed to score as many points as Skal combined, and both only out rebounded him by three rebounds combined, in twice the minutes.

 

[dave5164]

If you look at Poythress scoring stats for the season he had some outstanding games and double/doubles in some games and then in some games he would lay a goose egg! If you do look at the games that he scores 16 to 25 points and double digit in rebounds is when Ulis gets him involved in the game right away. In the Bama games and especially the 1st Bama game Poythress was involved early and scored our first 6-8 points. It seems in the games that Poythress has his Double/Doubles that is when Ulis gets involved right away early in the game. Ulis is the best in getting all the players involved in the game like last night with 5 players scoring double digits. If we keep Poythress, Briscoe, and Skal playing like they did last night with Ulis and Murray and now with Willis almost ready to come back we will have 7-8 players that are playing outstanding ball and that means a run in the NCAA Tourney.

 

[Hoskins91_rivals]

That is assuming he continues to do well in practice like he supposedly did before Tuesday.

 

[Graves51]

There's no possible way you can put all of those dunks on Skal. He only played 15 minutes. Lee and Humphries are just as responsible, if not more.

Also, I get what you're saying about it doesn't matter how much you score if your man gets twice as many, but again, it wasn't only Skal giving up those points, and at least Skal did score.

On top of Lee and Humphries giving up some of those points, both failed to score as many points as Skal combined, and both only out rebounded him by three rebounds combined, in twice the minutes.

He played terrible defense and he gave up more than he scored' according to many posters that is the reason why you sit on the bench. You are right about Lee and Humphries, but at least they show a little toughness in Lees case and a lot more in Humphries. Its not about scoring when you give up more, ask Cal.

 

[Graves51]

T

For as much as Skal has been weak, you can't blame it on Skal a lot of that was from help defense leaving him open. Skal actually fought for rebounds yesterday, and played damn good defense, something he hasn't done all season. If he plays like he did yesterday for the rest of the season then I'm hella content with that.

You call that "damn good defense"? I didn't see that at all.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Ulis
Murray
Briscoe
Labissiere
Poythress

Get Poy going early, feed him the ball early and often. Make Labissiere happy and let him start, keep him engaged. Bring Willis off the bench after 2-3 minutes for whichever player is not getting the job done. Willis still plays most of the minutes at the 4.

I personally like the combination of Willis and Labissiere on offense, with Skal hitting the mid-range jumper. That should open up the lane for the guards to get into the paint. That's not a strong defensive combo though.

Hopefully, Cal figures out the best combos to use and when to use them. It's nice to know that when we get Willis back we will have lots of options on the front line.

 

[Graves51]

Ulis
Murray
Briscoe
Labissiere
Poythress

Get Poy going early, feed him the ball early and often. Make Labissiere happy and let him start, keep him engaged. Bring Willis off the bench after 2-3 minutes for whichever player is not getting the job done. Willis still plays most of the minutes at the 4.

I personally like the combination of Willis and Labissiere on offense, with Skal hitting the mid-range jumper. That should open up the lane for the guards to get into the paint. That's not a strong defensive combo though.

Hopefully, Cal figures out the best combos to use and when to use them. It's nice to know that when we get Willis back we will have lots of options on the front line.

yes, after the roll Willis had led us on in the SEC before he got hurt and the way he was playing lets not start him and put Skal in the starting lineup. You must be kidding right?

 

[Drcatfan]

Look back at our season, and I believe our best stretch was when Ulis, Murray, Briscoe, Willis, and Poythress were starting. I go with that until Skal proves he can consistently outplay Poythress.

 

[hoodro]

He played terrible defense and he gave up more than he scored' according to many posters that is the reason why you sit on the bench. You are right about Lee and Humphries, but at least they show a little toughness in Lees case and a lot more in Humphries. Its not about scoring when you give up more, ask Cal.

I agree he gave up more than he scored. In that case, so did Lee and Humphries. Again, to call Skal out, and to try and blame all of UF's big man's dunks on him like you did is ridiculous.

 

[wildcatsboston1984_rivals]

I'd go with Ulis, Murray, Briscoe, Willis, and whoever is practicing the best between Poy, Skal, Lee, and Humphries

 

[docholiday51]

We have had a few days between games going into Saturday,I would think whoever has had the best practices(of the front court players) would get the start. LSU is a team that Skal should be able to play well against,they get up and down the court and play an open floor transition game. I think here is a chance for him to put two good games back to back(something he hasn't had all that much of this season)

 

[bucsrule8872]

yes, after the roll Willis had led us on in the SEC before he got hurt and the way he was playing lets not start him and put Skal in the starting lineup. You must be kidding right?

I hear you. I don't know if it's the answer. I would rather start Willis, but if Skal plays better as a starter and Poythress plays better if you get him involved early in the game, then it might be worth trying. We need Skal and Poythress engaged in the game and if those early minutes make a difference, then give it a shot. Willis has been productive as a starter, but he has also been productive off the bench. Not sure starting really affects Willis. In other words, if it helps Skal and doesn't hurt Willis, why not start Skal and bring Willis off the bench?

Ultimately, I think Willis and Poy start, though. That has been our most effective lineup this season.

 

[Graves51]

I agree he gave up more than he scored. In that case, so did Lee and Humphries. Again, to call Skal out, and to try and blame all of UF's big man's dunks on him like you did is ridiculous.

and I think not starting a healthy Willis is ridiculous

 

[DwayneMeighan]

He played terrible defense and he gave up more than he scored' according to many posters that is the reason why you sit on the bench. You are right about Lee and Humphries, but at least they show a little toughness in Lees case and a lot more in Humphries. Its not about scoring when you give up more, ask Cal.

Skal had a plus/minus of +13 against Florida, highest on the team.

He also gave up the least amount of points to Florida's big man among the three UK bigs (Him, Lee and Humphries), yet he scored and rebounded the most out of the three as well.

I understand it was only one game, and Skal still didn't play great, but against Florida, he was by far the most productive (offensively and defensively) out of the three UK bigs.

 

[Graves51]

Skal had a plus/minus of +13 against Florida, highest on the team.

He also gave up the least amount of points to Florida's big man among the three UK bigs (Him, Lee and Humphries), yet he scored and rebounded the most out of the three as well.

I understand it was only one game, and Skal still didn't play great, but against Florida, he was by far the most productive (offensively and defensively) out of the three UK bigs.

 

[Graves51]

If to say he gave up the least to Floridas big man out of the three of our big men makes you feel better that's fine. I didn't see any good post defense period.

 

[hoodro]

and I think not starting a healthy Willis is ridiculous

When did I ever say that? That's right, I never did. I also agree that it's ridiculous to not start Willis. The conversation you and I were having had absolutely nothing to do with Willis starting, though.

You tried to act like every single one of the dunks that UF's big man got were all Skal's fault. I simply pointed out that that was ridiculous and there's no possible way you can try and blame all of those on Skal, because he wasn't even in the game half the time when the UF big man was getting those dunks. Try to keep up.

 

[ZenCatFan73]

I think Skal starts and Poy comes off the bench.

 

[DwayneMeighan]

If to say he gave up the least to Floridas big man out of the three of our big men makes you feel better that's fine. I didn't see any good post defense period.

No, it doesn't make me feel better it's just the facts. You're right, his post defense wasn't very good, but it was still just as good as Lee's and better than Humphries'.

I'm not saying it's was some great feat by Skal, but with the post defenciences that plague this team, being the best of the worst is all it takes.

 

[Graves51]

When did I ever say that? That's right, I never did. I also agree that it's ridiculous to not start Willis. The conversation you and I were having had absolutely nothing to do with Willis starting, though.

You tried to act like every single one of the dunks that UF's big man got were all Skal's fault. I simply pointed out that that was ridiculous and there's no possible way you can try and blame all of those on Skal, because he wasn't even in the game half the time when the UF big man was getting those dunks. Try to keep up.

you know, I didn't say you said it but it was mentioned several times in this thread. And I never said that all the dunks were on Skal, you keep up. Enough points were scored on him to lead almost anyone to believe he didn't play defense very well. I guess people can see what they want.

 

[bucsrule8872]

My prediction (FWIW):

Labissiere and Poy start this weekend. Willis plays limited minutes, if at all.

For the first game of the SEC tourney, Skal and Poy start and Willis comes off the bench, if ready. Then if Willis looks good, he starts the second game with Poy.

Personally, I would start Skal and Poy as long as we are winning and both are playing well. Bring Willis off the bench for instant offense. But I trust Cal, he is smarter than I am (when it comes to bball, I would school him in social studies, though- LOL!)

 

[Bkocats]

, Saturday, at least, Poy will and should start - it's his senior day
Also, because Willis hasn't played in a couple of weeks - he should come off the bench to see where he is
Understand - this is for the LSU game only:
Ulis
Murray
Briscoe
Poy
Skal

If Willis picks up where he left off - then he should get the start beginning with the SECT. Poy/Skal/Lee/Humphries can rotate in and out based on matchups and how they're playing. If Poy does play as he did the last tourney he was in, then he should get the start

 

[hoodro]

And I never said that all the dunks were on Skal

You tried to imply it. Backtrack all you want now.

Enough points were scored on him to lead almost anyone to believe he didn't play defense very well. I guess people can see what they want.

And like what has already been explained to you. You're right, Skal didn't play great defense, but Lee and Humphries both had just as many points scored on them, while not scoring and rebounding as well as Skal. Why is it you seem to want to give both of them a pass and only focus on Skal, when Skal pretty much out played them both combined?

 

[docholiday51]

, Saturday, at least, Poy will and should start - it's his senior day
Also, because Willis hasn't played in a couple of weeks - he should come off the bench to see where he is
Understand - this is for the LSU game only:
Ulis
Murray
Briscoe
Poy
Skal

If Willis picks up where he left off - then he should get the start beginning with the SECT. Poy/Skal/Lee/Humphries can rotate in and out based on matchups and how they're playing. If Poy does play as he did the last tourney he was in, then he should get the start

As to the LSU game this is almost certainly correct,senior day+match-ups+ the type of game that Skal should be suited to play it all fits.

If our front court could play as they did against UF and we add Willis to the mix then we really have options(or weapons if you ask Bruce Pearl)

 

[Bkocats]

As to the LSU game this is almost certainly correct,senior day+match-ups+ the type of game that Skal should be siuted to play it all fits.

If our front court could play as they did against UF and we add Willis to the mix then we really have options(or weapons if you ask Bruce Pearl)

I'm really hoping so - we only need them to be moderately good because our backcourt + Willis is so incredible

 

[kentucky_wildcat_#1]

I don't like Lee ever being in our starting lineup. I like the kid, but if we're talking about winning basketball games, our best shot is with him coming off the bench. With Willis back, our spacing should improve right away. I like Briscoe's overall game and i know he has to play major minutes, but i do wish we had a decent sf so we could start bringing Briscoe off the bench. I do believe he would bring a lot more to the table if he could be our backup point guard. With Briscoe starting and Willis being back, i think we need to start him at pf and let Skal start the game at center. If Briscoe could shoot the basketball or Willis could play the sf spot, our problems would be a lot easier to solve. I hate Poythress coming off the bench. I wish we could start the kid at pf since we all know he can't play center. I hope Skal's play lately keeps improving and he turns out to just be 50% as good as everyone had him coming in at. With Poythress coming off the bench it really doesn't matter too much while considering playing time. We all know Poythress has to play major minutes since he does bring something to the team with pure strength and muscle.

 

[cal=8]

Skal Started the last game and played as well or better than he has in any given game this year. Still, he only played 15 mins. I'd go with Poythress.. We need his physicality especially if Willis is also starting.

 

[Graves51]

You tried to imply it. Backtrack all you want now.



And like what has already been explained to you. You're right, Skal didn't play great defense, but Lee and Humphries both had just as many points scored on them, while not scoring and rebounding as well as Skal. Why is it you seem to want to give both of them a pass and only focus on Skal, when Skal pretty much out played them both combined?

not giving anyone a pass, why do you think I would imply anything? I will tell you what I think.

 

[sefus12]

It's funny how quickly some of you forget how well the Cats looked with Willis in the starting line-up. He's only missed three games, so the whole "let's ease him in so he can knock the rust off" argument doesn't hold much weight. If the guy can play, and by all indications he can, then he should start. His minutes may be a bit limited, but he definitely should start as the Cats are at their best with him on the floor.

 

[Graves51]

It's funny how quickly some of you forget how well the Cats looked with Willis in the starting line-up. He's only missed three games, so the whole "let's ease him in so he can knock the rust off" argument doesn't hold much weight. If the guy can play, and by all indications he can, then he should start. His minutes may be a bit limited, but he definitely should start as the Cats are at their best with him on the floor.

Thank you, by FAR the best they looked all year.