Willis last night

wobycat

All-Conference
Sep 1, 2003
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I know some saw him look weak last night on d. I think he underestimated the player he was guarding. That dude can ball. If you noticed, Derek did not come at him with a good defensive stance. I still think he can contribute in spots.
 

Jkwo_rivals113955

All-American
Apr 6, 2007
28,225
7,410
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He'll be in the rotation - he's too good now to be left out.

He's a decent defender now, but he's not at "completely shut down Duke's five star guards" level yet, which Briscoe and Ulis are, as they showed last night by taking those kids completely out of the game.
 

UKCatsFan10

Junior
May 17, 2010
1,681
303
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He will be fine, but there are going to be times when he just can't match up. One possession in the second half Allen went by him like he was stuck in concrete.
 

stuway

All-American
Mar 29, 2007
4,543
5,913
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Sorry to say but up against premeire athletes, it appears Willis will still struggle. I hope he proves me wrong, but thats my thoughts early on. He has improved a ton, but has more work to do.
 

JWat_

Junior
Aug 24, 2015
190
216
0
Willis will likely continue to play some, and will contribute in conference when the matchups are ideal.

Last night, there was nobody for him to guard. Ingram would have destroyed him, and he's not quick enough to keep any of Duke's guards out of the lane.
 
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UKWildcats#8

All-American
Jun 25, 2011
30,327
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Willis will likely continue to play some, and will contribute in conference when the matchups are ideal.

Last night, there was nobody for him to guard. Ingram would have destroyed him, and he's not quick enough to keep any of Duke's guards out of the lane.

Yup. He is kinda like Wiltjer in that he won't do as well/play much against more athletic teams with good talent.
 

FtWorthCat

All-Conference
Aug 21, 2001
6,721
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Willis will likely continue to play some, and will contribute in conference when the matchups are ideal.

Last night, there was nobody for him to guard. Ingram would have destroyed him, and he's not quick enough to keep any of Duke's guards out of the lane.

That's pretty much the way I saw it as well. Plus he isn't strong enough to match up with the big guys.
 

Kybluedude

Heisman
Nov 19, 2005
9,398
12,075
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Sure he will. On a 6 5 mvp of the Championship game and did fine. Our team is balanced and with options. Look at Skal last night. Bad matchup for him and it showed early. Not his night either but he got help.
 
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anon1763419335

All-American
Feb 10, 2006
23,231
5,077
113
first time with the big lights on. he looked gun shy out there. needs more time to get comfortable. next few games should help him get more PT under his belt.
 

Joneslab

All-Conference
Sep 22, 2005
4,219
1,478
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I think he did fine when he was in. Poythress and Briscoe were just playing too well to take out.

Unfortunately he didn't. He struggled mightily to contain anyone. Got beat literally every time he was in there.

Tough game. A lot of nerves. I think he could still help the team, but it's becoming apparent that unless there's an injury or foul trouble, the first six are going to basically make this thing go.
 

*dezyDECO*

All-Conference
Nov 9, 2014
7,658
2,469
62
The matchups were not in his favor. The way it was being called, especially early, Willis' night would've been nothing but touch-fouls with the dookies walking to the line for an and-1.
 

sefus12

Heisman
Dec 22, 2007
7,091
18,895
103
Man.... Willis has gone from MVP to after-thought in the course of three days.
 

Federal Cat

Senior
Apr 27, 2012
1,277
488
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I didn't get to watch the game yet I was at work last night, not every game Willis will be faced with the quickness and athleticism of last nights game so hopefully he can contribute some meaningful minutes this year[thumb2]
 
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anon_013cn8yrfncx2

Guest
In high-level games, Willis will be on a short least imo. If he's contributing he'll get some minutes but if not he'll be right back on the bench. If he had hit his open 3 last nite maybe he plays a little more .. but he missed it and then let his man get a bucket. He will have more opportunities going forward. The pressure will be on him to perform right out of the box. He will contribute.
 
Apr 11, 2009
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A little OT, but I noticed he has a roman numeral tattoo. The best I can tell it stands for 7 15 63. Anybody know the significance behind that? I'll hang up and listen.
 

Cat Ballou

All-Conference
Mar 23, 2007
5,234
4,502
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Willis just didn't fit into what Cal wanted to do on the offense end (drive, not shoot threes) and grab rebounds.

I don't think he did that bad on the defensive end.