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UK/U6 Box score and game thoughts

Mike-McD

Mike-McD

Junior
Aug 3, 2022
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i
Game Stats
UK-9535/68.51512/25.48013/16.81311263719981321
MINPTSFGM-AFG%3PM-A3P%FTM-AFT%OREBDREBREBASTSTLBLKTOPF
A. Reeves, G303010/16.6254/5.8006/7.85710122012
T. Mitchell, F30187/13.5384/7.5710/0.0002101212323
J. Edwards, G24136/10.6001/3.3330/0.00034712024
R. Dillingham, G21125/9.5560/2.0002/3.66711221112
R. Sheppard, G27113/6.5002/3.6673/4.750044112021
A. Thiero, G1372/4.5001/2.5002/21.00013400111
A. Bradshaw, F2121/2.5000/0.0000/0.00031400114
D. Wagner, G1821/6.1670/2.0000/0.00001110012
U. Onyenso, F800/1.0000/0.0000/0.00002200200
J. Burks, G300/0.0000/0.0000/0.00000010002
B. Canada, F100/0.0000/0.0000/0.00000000000
K. Watkins, G100/1.0000/1.0000/0.00000000000
J. Hart, G100/0.0000/0.0000/0.00000000010
G. Darbyshire, G100/0.0000/0.0000/0.00000000000
W. Horn, G100/0.0000/0.0000/0.00000000000

First, the bad:

We didn't play that well tonight. Well enough, but we've been better. Still, only 12 turnovers with 9 steals is pretty efficient.

Wagner just isn't the guy. He can't shoot a jumper and he still misses all his layups from the left side. We're over 25% through the season and I see no real growth on his part. Flame away all you want but I see no rational reason for him to be starting at this point. It's like we're stagnant until Shep and Rob come into the game, and it's like a breath of fresh air.

Now the good:

Dilly is ridiculous. My wife who doesn't even really care for basketball remarked about his agility and athleticism. He can jump out of the gym and he appears to be striking fear in whoever's guarding him. He has the ability to drive a dagger into the opponent's chest at any moment.

Sheppard is just THE most important player on this team. He's the glue, the general, the calming influence, the starter. Yes he makes mistakes - he's a freshman. But he makes this team work.

Mitchell was great tonight. His post moves are getting better and he had as many blocks as Ugo and Aaron combined.

Thiero is starting to hit his threes. That makes us SUPER dangerous.

Edwards looked a little better today. He even pulled back on a breakaway and fired an assist to Reeves.

Reed and Rob still have a lot of growing to do, and they're already excellent players. We have potential to make a run. I'm trying not to get my hopes up just yet, but we are fun to watch.
 
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Mike-McD said:
i
Game Stats
UK-9535/68.51512/25.48013/16.81311263719981321
MINPTSFGM-AFG%3PM-A3P%FTM-AFT%OREBDREBREBASTSTLBLKTOPF
A. Reeves, G303010/16.6254/5.8006/7.85710122012
T. Mitchell, F30187/13.5384/7.5710/0.0002101212323
J. Edwards, G24136/10.6001/3.3330/0.00034712024
R. Dillingham, G21125/9.5560/2.0002/3.66711221112
R. Sheppard, G27113/6.5002/3.6673/4.750044112021
A. Thiero, G1372/4.5001/2.5002/21.00013400111
A. Bradshaw, F2121/2.5000/0.0000/0.00031400114
D. Wagner, G1821/6.1670/2.0000/0.00001110012
U. Onyenso, F800/1.0000/0.0000/0.00002200200
J. Burks, G300/0.0000/0.0000/0.00000010002
B. Canada, F100/0.0000/0.0000/0.00000000000
K. Watkins, G100/1.0000/1.0000/0.00000000000
J. Hart, G100/0.0000/0.0000/0.00000000010
G. Darbyshire, G100/0.0000/0.0000/0.00000000000
W. Horn, G100/0.0000/0.0000/0.00000000000

First, the bad:

We didn't play that well tonight. Well enough, but we've been better. Still, only 12 turnovers with 9 steals is pretty efficient.

Wagner just isn't the guy. He can't shoot a jumper and he still misses all his layups from the left side. We're over 25% through the season and I see no real growth on his part. Flame away all you want but I see no rational reason for him to be starting at this point. It's like we're stagnant until Shep and Rob come into the game, and it's like a breath of fresh air.

Now the good:

Dilly is ridiculous. My wife who doesn't even really care for basketball remarked about his agility and athleticism. He can jump out of the gym and he appears to be striking fear in whoever's guarding him. He has the ability to drive a dagger into the opponent's chest at any moment.

Sheppard is just THE most important player on this team. He's the glue, the general, the calming influence, the starter. Yes he makes mistakes - he's a freshman. But he makes this team work.

Mitchell was great tonight. His post moves are getting better and he had as many blocks as Ugo and Aaron combined.

Thiero is starting to hit his threes. That makes us SUPER dangerous.

Edwards looked a little better today. He even pulled back on a breakaway and fired an assist to Reeves.

Reed and Rob still have a lot of growing to do, and they're already excellent players. We have potential to make a run. I'm trying not to get my hopes up just yet, but we are fun to watch.

Pat Adams can eat a bag of dicks.
Click to expand...
Mitchell is the most important player on the team. Without him and the season would have been sunk from the jump. I wish he was getting more accolades than he is. Dude is a mentor, is well rounded, and has more talent than expected. He’s the one holding anchor so that the rest of the kids can go through their ups and downs.
 
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I hate to say it, but I made a comment to my son tonight similar to what you said about Wagner. I want him to do well but we start slowly almost every game, and he and Edwards are the reason. I know Cal wants to get those guys going, but it's been the same nearly every game. We start slowly offensively. We usually end up behind by at least 6-8 points. Wagner and Edwards go to the bench. We go on a run.

Makes for great bench numbers but it can also be a serious problem in some of these SEC road games. I can understand why Cal would want to keep them coming off the bench, because it's working. But we all know- Sheppard and Dillingham are the real starters.

I'm not against the other guys. We need them, too. I want them to play well enough to change my mind. If they do come along, this team becomes even more dangerous. 👍
 
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IL Wildcat said:
I hate to say it, but I made a comment to my son tonight similar to what you said about Wagner. I want him to do well but we start slowly almost every game, and he and Edwards are the reason. I know Cal wants to get those guys going, but it's been the same nearly every game. We start slowly offensively. We usually end up behind by at least 6-8 points. Wagner and Edwards go to the bench. We go on a run.

Makes for great bench numbers but it can also be a serious problem in some of these SEC road games. I can understand why Cal would want to keep them coming off the bench, because it's working. But we all know- Sheppard and Dillingham are the real starters.

I'm not against the other guys. We need them, too. I want them to play well enough to change my mind. If they do come along, this team becomes even more dangerous. 👍
Click to expand...
Wagner was awesome against Carolina, were up 2 against UNC when Wagner went out. 2nd half we went on a 10-5 run to begin the 2nd half then Wagner, Edwards went out. We didn't do so well when Reed started against UNCW.
 
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Mike-McD said:
i
Game Stats
UK-9535/68.51512/25.48013/16.81311263719981321
MINPTSFGM-AFG%3PM-A3P%FTM-AFT%OREBDREBREBASTSTLBLKTOPF
A. Reeves, G303010/16.6254/5.8006/7.85710122012
T. Mitchell, F30187/13.5384/7.5710/0.0002101212323
J. Edwards, G24136/10.6001/3.3330/0.00034712024
R. Dillingham, G21125/9.5560/2.0002/3.66711221112
R. Sheppard, G27113/6.5002/3.6673/4.750044112021
A. Thiero, G1372/4.5001/2.5002/21.00013400111
A. Bradshaw, F2121/2.5000/0.0000/0.00031400114
D. Wagner, G1821/6.1670/2.0000/0.00001110012
U. Onyenso, F800/1.0000/0.0000/0.00002200200
J. Burks, G300/0.0000/0.0000/0.00000010002
B. Canada, F100/0.0000/0.0000/0.00000000000
K. Watkins, G100/1.0000/1.0000/0.00000000000
J. Hart, G100/0.0000/0.0000/0.00000000010
G. Darbyshire, G100/0.0000/0.0000/0.00000000000
W. Horn, G100/0.0000/0.0000/0.00000000000

First, the bad:

We didn't play that well tonight. Well enough, but we've been better. Still, only 12 turnovers with 9 steals is pretty efficient.

Wagner just isn't the guy. He can't shoot a jumper and he still misses all his layups from the left side. We're over 25% through the season and I see no real growth on his part. Flame away all you want but I see no rational reason for him to be starting at this point. It's like we're stagnant until Shep and Rob come into the game, and it's like a breath of fresh air.

Now the good:

Dilly is ridiculous. My wife who doesn't even really care for basketball remarked about his agility and athleticism. He can jump out of the gym and he appears to be striking fear in whoever's guarding him. He has the ability to drive a dagger into the opponent's chest at any moment.

Sheppard is just THE most important player on this team. He's the glue, the general, the calming influence, the starter. Yes he makes mistakes - he's a freshman. But he makes this team work.

Mitchell was great tonight. His post moves are getting better and he had as many blocks as Ugo and Aaron combined.

Thiero is starting to hit his threes. That makes us SUPER dangerous.

Edwards looked a little better today. He even pulled back on a breakaway and fired an assist to Reeves.

Reed and Rob still have a lot of growing to do, and they're already excellent players. We have potential to make a run. I'm trying not to get my hopes up just yet, but we are fun to watch.

Pat Adams can eat a bag of dicks.
Click to expand...
I agree with you. They are all important, but Sheppard and Dillingham should absolutely be the starting guards. Shep is the one who makes this team go and when he's in the game, good things happen.
 
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Agree with most here except DJ. Just tried too much tonight and got into foul trouble. The UNC Wagner is who he is. Just need that to be more consistent. on a side note, isn’t it awesome that this thread has mentioned like four or five players that someone says is the most important player on the team ? Great problem to have.
 
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IL Wildcat said:
I hate to say it, but I made a comment to my son tonight similar to what you said about Wagner. I want him to do well but we start slowly almost every game, and he and Edwards are the reason. I know Cal wants to get those guys going, but it's been the same nearly every game. We start slowly offensively. We usually end up behind by at least 6-8 points. Wagner and Edwards go to the bench. We go on a run.

Makes for great bench numbers but it can also be a serious problem in some of these SEC road games. I can understand why Cal would want to keep them coming off the bench, because it's working. But we all know- Sheppard and Dillingham are the real starters.

I'm not against the other guys. We need them, too. I want them to play well enough to change my mind. If they do come along, this team becomes even more dangerous. 👍
Click to expand...
They are not joined at the hip. I’d like to see Dilly start in Edwards place and see what happens. I think that would be a better combination.
 
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After watching the game, many feel our defense needs work. Maybe so, but some of the shots the Hatfield kid hit were tough shots and he probably won't have many 8-8 games. Take away 2 or 3 of those shots and it is a 25 plus win.
Some are making a big deal out of UL only losing by 19, even saying they won the 2nd half. Take away a couple of those shots and the whole narrative changes about how they have improved.
UK had two players sit most of the 1st half in would trouble. I did not see the 16 shot difference in foul shots UL enjoyed.
Yet, with two players sitting many minutes due to foul issues, they're big hitting shots like a game of horse at times, winning by 19, I say F**K UL.
 
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My fear is that UK gets into the NCAAT and we have to watch Edwards take too many shots, Wagner go 2-11 (0-5 3's), and UK doesn't rely on its best-performing players to win the game. I like Wagner, and he can get to the rim OFTEN (not anytime he wants like many here suggest) but I question whether he can lead a team to a title. His shot is broken, and his defense is not what I expected from such an alpha dog. March requires guards like the Auburn backcourt that torched UK in the Elite 8 game and the Kansas State PG who smoked UK last year in the Sweet 16. Can Wagner be that guy with his shooting deficiencies? Teague wasn't a great shooter, but he did enough (recall his clutch 3 against UL in the F4 and he was All-American level overall in the Final 4 that year), and was better on D, equal or better at getting to the rim, IMO - plus he had D-Lamb on the wing and AD to throw lobs to whenever he wanted.

We don't see enough / any lobs to Bradshaw. I expected that to be a big part of the offense but the injury might have negated that altogether.

When it comes to Edwards, I just don't see it. We all just need to agree he's NOT the next MKG, he's nowhere near what D. Miller was, and he's a lot closer to freshman Alex Poythress at this point. There's value, but not in the way we all expected or hoped to see as a key contributor for a title run.

Reed, Mitchell, and Reeves are the 3 this team needs to play well consistently to make a run. Dilly is icing on the cake - when he's hot, UK has the most talent on the floor. Cal should recognize it, but he is so loyal to Wagner that I just really hope DJ plays best when he's on the big stage (UNC game ... not Kansas, because that was a disaster, but it was so early on I am willing to give him a pass there).

The defense really needs to get better. UL got what they wanted much of the game - they're just awful. UK's interior defense is pretty bad and it's almost January.
 
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Runnin'Ramel said:
My fear is that UK gets into the NCAAT and we have to watch Edwards take too many shots, Wagner go 2-11 (0-5 3's), and UK doesn't rely on its best-performing players to win the game. I like Wagner, and he can get to the rim OFTEN (not anytime he wants like many here suggest) but I question whether he can lead a team to a title. His shot is broken, and his defense is not what I expected from such an alpha dog. March requires guards like the Auburn backcourt that torched UK in the Elite 8 game and the Kansas State PG who smoked UK last year in the Sweet 16. Can Wagner be that guy with his shooting deficiencies? Teague wasn't a great shooter, but he did enough (recall his clutch 3 against UL in the F4 and he was All-American level overall in the Final 4 that year), and was better on D, equal or better at getting to the rim, IMO - plus he had D-Lamb on the wing and AD to throw lobs to whenever he wanted.

We don't see enough / any lobs to Bradshaw. I expected that to be a big part of the offense but the injury might have negated that altogether.

When it comes to Edwards, I just don't see it. We all just need to agree he's NOT the next MKG, he's nowhere near what D. Miller was, and he's a lot closer to freshman Alex Poythress at this point. There's value, but not in the way we all expected or hoped to see as a key contributor for a title run.

Reed, Mitchell, and Reeves are the 3 this team needs to play well consistently to make a run. Dilly is icing on the cake - when he's hot, UK has the most talent on the floor. Cal should recognize it, but he is so loyal to Wagner that I just really hope DJ plays best when he's on the big stage (UNC game ... not Kansas, because that was a disaster, but it was so early on I am willing to give him a pass there).

The defense really needs to get better. UL got what they wanted much of the game - they're just awful. UK's interior defense is pretty bad and it's almost January.
Click to expand...
Yeah but all December we only play 1 game a week. That all changes to 2 games a week starting in Jan. This is when UKs D will find itself.
 
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SaltyCat25 said:
Are y’all talking about the same Wagner who was in foul trouble, logged 18 minutes, and never got into a rhythm? LOL, it’s one off game coming off the heels (no pun) of a fantastic game vs UNC.
Click to expand...
Does foul trouble happen to a player, or does he do something to cause it? I'll hang up and listen.
 
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I thought Edwards played pretty well, which is encouraging. Seems like the game is slowing down somewhat for him. He has decent all around skills albeit not great at anything. If he was the 50th rated prospect I suspect people would have a different opinion of his stats at this early juncture of his freshman season.

Wagner is a good player but he needs to be more consistent shooting from deep and finishing around the rim. Personally I think Dilly and Reed are better than him, but he still has considerable upside. Imagine how good we could be if he and Edwards (and Bradshaw) show the expected improvement down the stretch. We could be crazy good.
 
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jgraf_1 said:
only concern for me is reeves. he will play well against mid majors like he did last night. need that when we play actual power 5 teams
Click to expand...
I'm not a Reeves fan but he has been playing very well. All season. He gets a lot of open looks because of the other guys on the floor. The defense just has to pick it's poison. They can't key on anyone like they could with Oscar the past two season and then spy on Reeves.

This is a very good team and Reeves is a part of it. Sheppard gets more open looks because of Reeves. They all get more looks when Bradshaw is out there because they have to pay attention to him.

This not like the Oscar team when no one made them pay for double and triple teaming Oscar. If you help off any of these guys it's a mistake. You just gotta hope they miss.
 
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Mike-McD said:
Game Stats

First, the bad:

We didn't play that well tonight. Well enough, but we've been better. Still, only 12 turnovers with 9 steals is pretty efficient.

Wagner just isn't the guy. He can't shoot a jumper and he still misses all his layups from the left side. We're over 25% through the season and I see no real growth on his part. Flame away all you want but I see no rational reason for him to be starting at this point. It's like we're stagnant until Shep and Rob come into the game, and it's like a breath of fresh air.
Click to expand...
You know he's been SEC freshman of the week twice. Including the week we beat UNC. We need his defense and with him the chemistry is better. Give him until Feb. Besides this was 1 game. I doubt he has a repeat like that one.
 
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I said early on this season that Dillingham should be our PG and Wagner should be the reserve and was told that our team could never reach its potential without Wagner as starter. Is that still true? Was it ever true?

Seems to me it’s based off of their rankings coming out of high school and those rankings mean jack squat now. It’s about results. And I can see about building on potential but how could anyone not think Dillingham has as much or more potential than Wagner at this point?
 
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BasketBallJunkie-UK said:
You know he's been SEC freshman of the week twice. Including the week we beat UNC. We need his defense and with him the chemistry is better. Give him until Feb. Besides this was 1 game. I doubt he has a repeat like that one.
Click to expand...
Look I'm not trying to start WWIII here, but Wagner has had several poor shooting nights, and his fancy lefty layups are atrocious. He makes up for it some with effort on defense but he's got some glaring holes in his game that should equal him coming off the bench with us comfortably in front so he can feel less pressure to figure things out. Even Cal said he has too much pressure to succeed. So take the pressure off, Cal. Maybe we won't get down to teams early anymore.
 
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Would love to get the Wagner UNC effort every game. Killer crossover, getting to the rim, jumpers, making 3s...clutch shots after they took the lead...fearless. They couldn't stop him and we would have lost without him. Hopefully we'll see more consistency.
 
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Mike-McD said:
Look I'm not trying to start WWIII here, but Wagner has had several poor shooting nights, and his fancy lefty layups are atrocious. He makes up for it some with effort on defense but he's got some glaring holes in his game that should equal him coming off the bench with us comfortably in front so he can feel less pressure to figure things out. Even Cal said he has too much pressure to succeed. So take the pressure off, Cal. Maybe we won't get down to teams early anymore.
Click to expand...
Dilly is not a point guard at this stage. Him and Cal both have been trying to figure each other out, and its working. We lost to UNC Wilmington and I think that was largely due to the absence of Wagner. Nobody could stop them from driving to the basket. DJ is our best on ball defender. I believe all the players are more than comfortable with him starting. Dilly and Reed off the bench is working. Its working and its not broken. DJ is not a consistent shooter, but his assists, the ability to take care of the ball and his defense more than make up for it when he's not making shots. We have plenty of dudes that can score. I care more about how the team responds to being punched 1st. So far really good. There's going to be plenty of nights where we throw the 1st punch.

DJ will figure it out. He's not hurting this team and helps out way more than just his shooting. Nobody is trying to start ww3 lol, just pointing out that DJ is not hurting this team and he needs to play and start. If he's playing badly overall, Reed will most likely get those minutes.
 
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