Will Cal Go After Another Big Grad Transfer?

[bballcat4]

I think Cal goes after another big man in the Grad Transfer pool over the next month.

First, I hate to to see Ugo & Bradshaw get hurt and I wish them well. But big men with feet/ankle problems can be long-term.

Cal knows this team has a chance to be really good, and I don't think he risks being short a big man. (Just my guess.)

Who/what type of player does he attempt to bring in? Here are a couple arm-chair guesses.

1) Dante from Oregon will be mentioned alot because of connections to Martin. Very good post player on both ends of court ... but limited range.
2) Cyril - reclassifying. Probably a younger version of Dante. Will be a force in the paint on both ends, but limited range.
3) Un-named big from some small, mid-tier program. This type of player will probably be limited offensively in the post, but be able to provide some size defensively. (Canada shows we need this.) This type of player will probably be more skilled on the perimeter.

My complete guess is that Cal will get Cyril to reclassify, plus bring in another big (similar to Mitchell's skill set) that can guard the post and spread the floor.

I don't think Cal wants to go into this year without a true post player to at least defend and rebound.

 

[AGEE11]

I think he has to now or get a reclass from Cyril.

I don't see Ugonna playing here. His handlers will probably hold him out now to prevent further injury

 

[HerrosHeroes]

He wont have to as Bradshaw will be ready opening day. You are talking about 4 + months of healing/rehab.

Ugonna will be ready by Jan. at the latest maybe Dec.

 

[Wildcats1st]

He wont have to as Bradshaw will be ready opening day. You are talking about 4 + months of healing/rehab.

Ugonna will be ready by Jan. at the latest maybe Dec.

Where are the fouls coming from? Bradshaw will be a fouling machine. Mitchell interior defense in college isn’t gonna cut it. The answer is a hard yes. Cal has to find someone even if it’s just a big body to defend and rebound.

 

[Wildcats1st]

I think he has to now or get a reclass from Cyril.

I don't see Ugonna playing here. His handlers will probably hold him out now to prevent further injury

I say show ugo the door. The guy was an off-season distraction and deterrent to being in another big. The guy played games said he’s staying then entered the portal now we are screwed bc cal let these guys Bradshaw and ugo pull the stuff we’ve been watching every season. And if ugo isn’t ready until Jan he will have little impact. The guy will take 2-3 months to play his way to game shape. Bigs take a lot of work. It’s not plug and play with a guy like ugo

 

[NociHTTP]

I say show ugo the door. The guy was an off-season distraction and deterrent to being in another big. The guy played games said he’s staying then entered the portal now we are screwed bc cal let these guys Bradshaw and ugo pull the stuff we’ve been watching every season. And if ugo isn’t ready until Jan he will have little impact. The guy will take 2-3 months to play his way to game shape. Bigs take a lot of work. It’s not plug and play with a guy like ugo

I'm with ya. You get injured it's on YOU to get back to playing and solidifying a spot. Get some healthy bigs in here and let the others earn their way back.

 

[Blueworld_3.0]

I would guess the staff will put the word out (not publicly) that UK is interested in adding a big and a few names might "magically" appear in the portal.
The only other option is a reclassify by Cyril.
Personally, I would prefer a transfer with some experience and a more mature body (older) to deal with the meat-grinder that the SEC is going to be in '23-'24.

 

[Sparkaces]

I would guess the staff will put the word out (not publicly) that UK is interested in adding a big and a few names might "magically" appear in the portal.
The only other option is a reclassify by Cyril.
Personally, I would prefer a transfer with some experience and a more mature body (older) to deal with the meat-grinder that the SEC is going to be in '23-'24.

According to Pilgrim the earlier Cyril could come in would be January, he was one course to finish that he can't finish in the Summer.

Although Bagley decided he was gonna resclassify and did a years worth of work in a week LOL!

 

[DaDirtyLeb69]

He wont have to as Bradshaw will be ready opening day. You are talking about 4 + months of healing/rehab.

Ugonna will be ready by Jan. at the latest maybe Dec.

They have to get a big for these next 2-3 months of practices

 

[bookerfan66]

No choice but to try now.Big men and foot injuries often last longer than expected.

 

[DaDirtyLeb69]

I say show ugo the door. The guy was an off-season distraction and deterrent to being in another big. The guy played games said he’s staying then entered the portal now we are screwed bc cal let these guys Bradshaw and ugo pull the stuff we’ve been watching every season. And if ugo isn’t ready until Jan he will have little impact. The guy will take 2-3 months to play his way to game shape. Bigs take a lot of work. It’s not plug and play with a guy like ugo

This wasn’t ugo, it was his handlers, ugo seems like a good kid who is not in control of his situation

 

[Fitch44]

I have a feeling a big that has not been mentioned will enter the portal soon.
There have been hints of that the last month.

 

[Wildcats1st]

This wasn’t ugo, it was his handlers, ugo seems like a good kid who is not in control of his situation

They’re one and the same to me. Ugo will do whatever his handlers say.

 

[DaDirtyLeb69]

I have a feeling a big that has not been mentioned will enter the portal soon.
There have been hints of that the last month.

Any names or do you just think another wave hits in august with the portal

 

[HagginHall1999]

I think he has to now or get a reclass from Cyril.

I don't see Ugonna playing here. His handlers will probably hold him out now to prevent further injury

If he doesn't play he isn't getting drafted. This isn't Shaedon Sharpe. Guy is a fringe first round prospect and that is generous right now.

 

[bballcat4]

They’re one and the same to me. Ugo will do whatever his handlers say.

I think you’re blaming Ugo for things that he didn’t do. I think handlers wanted to leverage UK for more $ and Ugo stood up to them. (That sounds easy to most of us, but not for a teenager who’s had someone make decisions for him.) I want Ugo to be part of the team. His only chance to play at the next level is to produce in college, so I’m not worried about him sitting longer than necessary.

However, I do want someone who can guard the post. This team appears to have plenty shooters. If Cyril cannot reclassify (January will be too late to build chemistry) then I think Cal needs to look at options.

I don’t question Ugo or Bradshaw’s desire to play this year. Both need to show something in college to improve their draft stock. However, I don’t trust feet injuries with big men! They tend to get repeated.

Good news is both players have all summer to heal. Bad news is that Cal can’t wait beyond 3rd-4th week in Aug to make a decision.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I just can’t see Cal going into a season without a legit post player.

Onyenso and Bradshaw are both coming off surgery. They will both be behind on development.

And Bradshaw isn’t really a 5 man, anyway. Not in the traditional sense. He wants to face up and play out on the perimeter and is small frame-wise. Not sure how well he will play banging inside in the SEC.

And if Cyril isn’t coming in until late December or January, I am not sure he can help us.

Cal would not have mentioned grad transfers in August if he didn’t have a good idea that this could happen.

And he mentioned that before the injury to Onyenso, so the likelihood of a grad transfer is even higher now, I would think.

I could be wrong, and I probably am, but all this points to Dante coming here.

Think about it, Cal hires Chuck Martin from Oregon as an assistant. Rumors start to swirl that Dante might come with him. Then Cal mentions in his presser that he might add a grad transfer big man in August, because there will be some guys who won’t be eligible to transfer until August. Dante has completed four years of college already. He should be pretty close to graduating. Also, Cal recruited Dante in HS.

Like I said, I’m guessing and am probably way off, but adding Dante makes sense. The connection to Martin. The comments by Cal. There’s a lot of smoke out there, almost too much not to have some fire.

 

[docholiday51]

I just can’t see Cal going into a season without a legit post player.

Onyenso and Bradshaw are both coming off surgery. They will both be behind on development.

And Bradshaw isn’t really a 5 man, anyway. Not in the traditional sense. He wants to face up and play out on the perimeter and is small frame-wise. Not sure how well he will play banging inside in the SEC.

And if Cyril isn’t coming in until late December or January, I am not sure he can help us.

Cal would not have mentioned grad transfers in August if he didn’t have a good idea that this could happen.

And he mentioned that before the injury to Onyenso, so the likelihood of a grad transfer is even higher now, I would think.

I could be wrong, and I probably am, but all this points to Dante coming here.

Think about it, Cal hires Chuck Martin from Oregon as an assistant. Rumors start to swirl that Dante might come with him. Then Cal mentions in his presser that he might add a grad transfer big man in August, because there will be some guys who won’t be eligible to transfer until August. Dante has completed four years of college already. He should be pretty close to graduating. Also, Cal recruited Dante in HS.

Like I said, I’m guessing and am probably way off, but adding Dante makes sense. The connection to Martin. The comments by Cal. There’s a lot of smoke out there, almost too much not to have some fire.

Hope you are right, if not Dante then somebody else. Cal does a lot of talking without saying much, maybe this is the exception that proves the rule

 

[Swan Song]

I think he has to now or get a reclass from Cyril.

I don't see Ugonna playing here. His handlers will probably hold him out now to prevent further injury

I'll probably get killed for this but that's a conversation I saw from a national guy, yesterday. Ugo's injury is probably going to need surgery and he may not be back. Bradshaw is what you can hope for. I'm not saying that as my scoop or anything it's something I read.

 

[kywildcats8]

They have to get a big for these next 2-3 months of practices

I agree because he needs to learn our in-bounds plays

 

[ORCAT]

I'll probably get killed for this but that's a conversation I saw from a national guy, yesterday. Ugo's injury is probably going to need surgery and he may not be back. Bradshaw is what you can hope for. I'm not saying that as my scoop or anything it's something I read.

I think Cal said today that he will be out two months.

 

[Wildcats1st]

I think you’re blaming Ugo for things that he didn’t do. I think handlers wanted to leverage UK for more $ and Ugo stood up to them. (That sounds easy to most of us, but not for a teenager who’s had someone make decisions for him.) I want Ugo to be part of the team. His only chance to play at the next level is to produce in college, so I’m not worried about him sitting longer than necessary.

However, I do want someone who can guard the post. This team appears to have plenty shooters. If Cyril cannot reclassify (January will be too late to build chemistry) then I think Cal needs to look at options.

I don’t question Ugo or Bradshaw’s desire to play this year. Both need to show something in college to improve their draft stock. However, I don’t trust feet injuries with big men! They tend to get repeated.

Good news is both players have all summer to heal. Bad news is that Cal can’t wait beyond 3rd-4th week in Aug to make a decision.

It doesn’t matter who makes the calls when you take a player you take their handlers parents whatever. In the end if it hurts UK I don’t care if it’s the handlers shaedon sharpe for instance he used UK as his own personal training facility and to improve draft stock. I don’t care if it was his fami or the handler at the end of the day it was the adult shaedon sharpe.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

I would but I'm not calipari.

 

[maysvilleky]

I think he has to now or get a reclass from Cyril.

I don't see Ugonna playing here. His handlers will probably hold him out now to prevent further injury

Nope. This gives him an out if things don’t go well. Even if Ugo and Bradshaw get back, they miss a ton of practice.

Cal will go with what he has.

 

[NociHTTP]

This wasn’t ugo, it was his handlers, ugo seems like a good kid who is not in control of his situation

Excuses, excuses. They're adults. They'll do whatever they think is best for them, not what's best for UK. Cal is in support of whatever they do.

 

[DaDirtyLeb69]

I agree because he needs to learn our in-bounds plays

I laughed I’ll admit it. But in all seriousness they need a big because these next 3 months tre Mitchell and adou can’t be the only bigs

 

[sk73]

I say show ugo the door. The guy was an off-season distraction and deterrent to being in another big. The guy played games said he’s staying then entered the portal now we are screwed bc cal let these guys Bradshaw and ugo pull the stuff we’ve been watching every season. And if ugo isn’t ready until Jan he will have little impact. The guy will take 2-3 months to play his way to game shape. Bigs take a lot of work. It’s not plug and play with a guy like ugo

Yeah, we need to show everyone and especially, future recruits, what we will do when a player gets hurt. UK will, in your words, show him the door. Great plan.

 

[DaDirtyLeb69]

Excuses, excuses. They're adults. They'll do whatever they think is best for them, not what's best for UK. Cal is in support of whatever they do.

Ugo isn’t from here, so I’m giving him a pass, he doesn’t understand the busienss side fully yet,

 

[bnewt]

I'm with ya. You get injured it's on YOU to get back to playing and solidifying a spot. Get some healthy bigs in here and let the others earn their way back.

Can't, he promised their handlers they would start and play major minutes

 

[Catlogic15]

Grab another serviceable Mitchell if available and call it a day.

 

[revcort]

I think it will depend entirely on how confident Calipari is in getting Ugo and Bradshaw back. If he's not certain they'll be back, he's got to bring someone in as an insurance policy. If that is the case, I wouldn't be surprised to see a grad transfer option suddenly pop up on the board.

 

[BBBLazing]

Can't, he promised their handlers they would start and play major minutes

Why does everyone stick to this "promised playing time" theme when all of the ex players, including Shai this weekend, say the exact opposite?

 

[GLR5555]

I think he has to now or get a reclass from Cyril.

I don't see Ugonna playing here. His handlers will probably hold him out now to prevent further injury

For what? He's not an NBA player. Crazy.

 

[bballcat4]

It doesn’t matter who makes the calls when you take a player you take their handlers parents whatever. In the end if it hurts UK I don’t care if it’s the handlers shaedon sharpe for instance he used UK as his own personal training facility and to improve draft stock. I don’t care if it was his fami or the handler at the end of the day it was the adult shaedon sharpe.

I think Ugo did just the opposite of SS!!! I think Ugo said, "I'm playing at UK." Whereas SS just did what his handlers told him to do.

Coaches don't kick kids to curb because they get injured. Cal gets knocked for alot of things (some of it deserved), but he always takes care of his players. This is one big reason players want to play for him.

However, coaches also have to do what is best for the team. First, let's hope both big guys are back playing ball in Nov. But, foot injures have a way of lingering or of reoccurring. Because of this, I suspect Cal will go out and find some type of insurance policy. Yes, it will probably cause one of our current players to fall out of the rotation. Unfortunatley, that's the down-side with injuries. I'm guessing the first player back from injury is in the rotation alongside a future player that is not currently on the roster.

 

[TheExhaustedOne]

What’s the deal with Jesse Edwards at WVU? People assumed he’d leave after Huggins got fired but there’s been nothing said. That’s the guy I’d like to get if possible.

 

[DaDirtyLeb69]

What’s the deal with Jesse Edwards at WVU? People assumed he’d leave after Huggins got fired but there’s been nothing said. That’s the guy I’d like to get if possible.

He announced he is staying at WVA during the Mitchell to Kentucky stuff

 

[anon1751545683]

I don’t think Cal adds anyone. Nor should he. Bradshaw and Onyenso will both be ready for the season opener.

We have everything we need with spare parts galore.

The CHC can cry and whine now.

They will go into hiding once the big blue is rolling.

 

[Yardeth]

I have a feeling a big that has not been mentioned will enter the portal soon.
There have been hints of that the last month.

I agree, Cal has been talking about August and Grad transfers, I have the feeling someone might have contacted UK about a possible transfer. I think with both bigs out, get them here as soon as possible but they might be finishing school work to graduate to transfer.

 

[SkyPrince1]

Why does everyone stick to this "promised playing time" theme when all of the ex players, including Shai this weekend, say the exact opposite?

Because they don't know what the hell they're talking about

 

[BBNinSC_rivals62411]

I think Cal said today that he will be out two months.

And it’s 4 months to the start of the season. This seems too much like the sky is falling. These are young, healthy athletes with the best health care available. I’m an old man and can break my foot today and be healed by November