15-16 Team on offense

[Cawood86]

I truly think this year's coming team will be much better offensively than last year's team. A 3-guard line-up with Poythress and Skal down low will flourish IMO. Alex will be at his natural position. Skal will be able have more one on one chances because of the ability of UK's 3 guards to shoot and penetrate.

Defense won't be as dominant, but UK may never have a defense like last year's.

 

[Blue Decade]

The Towns WCS Harrison twins team of 2014-15 was the best defensive team I have ever seen in college basketball, which is saying something. Their depth made them even better defensively. But they struggled to score points at times, especially when Booker did not have a hot hand. Our 2015-16 team will not be as deep, but will be a much better offensive team. If our 2015-16 team learns to play great defense, then I like their chances for another FF, and maybe more than that. Player ratings are what they are. People can believe them or not. But in Labissiere, Briscoe, and Murray, I believe we have 3 out of the 7 best freshmen in the country. Plus great teachers in Calipari and Payne. If Poythress is 100% physically, this will be a brutal team to defend against. When people actually see Murray play, they will be impressed with his ability to put the basketball on the floor and blow by any defender to the rim. Ulis, Briscoe, and Murray will penetrate to the lane against everyone. That's why we will score points in bunches and control tempo.

 

[MWes11]

Do you envision more of a DDMO offense or a PR offense? Maybe a combination of both. Seems like this team is much more flexible on the offense end with 3 great guards who have the ability to score from anywhere on the court and make plays for others.

 

[CELTICAT]

Aaron Harrison was a sub 30% outside shooter last season and sub 40% overall. Andrew wasn't much better. WCS wasn't much of an offensive threat either, often going long stretches without a shot attempt. If you replace 60% of the starting lineup with guys that can score, the offense is going to look a lot better.

 

[Blue Decade]

Do you envision more of a DDMO offense or a PR offense? Maybe a combination of both. Seems like this team is much more flexible on the offense end with 3 great guards who have the ability to score from anywhere on the court and make plays for others.

Good question. I believe Calipari uses the DDMO discussion to sell players on playing in his system. But in reality, Calipari has adapted his offense to available personnel every year he has been in Lexington, which is critical because of the very high level of talent he has had. His 2015-16 team will use more DDMO principles than most of his Kentucky teams have used. Briscoe and Murray are devastating when driving by defenders and finishing at the rim. Matthews will be another slasher who can finish at the rim. Ulis also very strong with penetration skills although he may have to dish most of the time. Labissiere, Poythress, and Lee will get a lot of offensive rebounds next year.

 

[dckala2]

Lasting impression of last years squad was where's the offense? Notre dame and Wisconsin had shooters.

Briscoe and Murray are going to put the ball in the basket. Skal will extend the offense. This years team is made to peak in March.

Having ullis run the offense gives me so much confidence. He's not foul prone either.

 

[MWes11]

Good question. I believe Calipari uses the DDMO discussion to sell players on playing in his system. But in reality, Calipari has adapted his offense to available personnel every year he has been in Lexington, which is critical because of the very high level of talent he has had. His 2015-16 team will use more DDMO principles than most of his Kentucky teams have used. Briscoe and Murray are devastating when driving by defenders and finishing at the rim. Matthews will be another slasher who can finish at the rim. Ulis also very strong with penetration skills although he may have to dish most of the time. Labissiere, Poythress, and Lee will get a lot of offensive rebounds next year.

Agree and great assessment. I also think the PR could be devastating with any of the guards and Skal. Skal is deadly from the mid range and rolling to the rim. If he pops on the pick and the lane is open for one of our guards to penetrate off of the pick, the defense will have to collapse leaving Briscoe or Murray open on the wings or the opportunity for the lob to Poy or Lee down low. So many options. Getting giddy already.

 

[Cawood86]

Murray, Ulis, and Briscoe will UK's so much more flexibility. Poythress will be free to roam down low and Skal as well. Bring in Mulder, Lee and Matthews and UK can can continue the same

 

[Blue Decade]

Agree and great assessment. I also think the PR could be devastating with any of the guards and Skal. Skal is deadly from the mid range and rolling to the rim. If he pops on the pick and the lane is open for one of our guards to penetrate off of the pick, the defense will have to collapse leaving Briscoe or Murray open on the wings or the opportunity for the lob to Poy or Lee down low. So many options. Getting giddy already.

With Murray, Briscoe, and Ulis on the floor, you won't see Labissiere shooting a lot of midrange shots. It isn't a question of whether Labissiere can shoot. He can. After missing in the FF with KAT and WCS this year, Calipari will straight go for the jugular with this team. It is only a question of what offensive principles will give us our best chance to beat the best teams on our schedule. That isn't PR, and it isn't Labissiere shooting 15 foot jump shots either. Get ready to see Calipari spread the floor and put the ball in the hands of Briscoe, Murray, and Ulis to break down their defenders and penetrate into the lane. When other teams zone us, you will see good spacing and a lot of entry passes. Labissiere and Poythress will score on the low block, or pass back out to our shooters on the perimeter. This team will score in bunches and control game tempo. There are really only a couple of important variables. Can we keep our key players healthy? Can our new freshmen learn to play great man to man defense? Can Labissiere stay out of foul trouble against the best teams on our schedule? If the answer is yes, we go back to the FF.

 

[Cawood86]

Do you envision more of a DDMO offense or a PR offense? Maybe a combination of both. Seems like this team is much more flexible on the offense end with 3 great guards who have the ability to score from anywhere on the court and make plays for others.

I think the offense this year will be more open and spread out at times, aka the DDMO. Ulis, Briscoe, Murray, Matthews, Mulder and Hawkins even, are equipped for this. Very anxious to see how Cal runs it.

 

[UK_Johnny24]

Our offense is going to be f'ing brutal for opponents to defend. Our offense will be dominate. Like the opposite of last year really. Great offense, decent defense. But yes we'll be a much better offensive team than we were last year. Nobodies gonna stop Ulis, Briscoe, and Murray. All 3 can handle, pass, shoot, get into the lane, and create their own shot. Murray will be one of the best guards in the nation. He'll be a big time scorer and probably score 15 a game, and over 40% from 3. Then Poy and Skal will be the best frontcourt in the country IMO. Poy will absolutely thrive playing the 4 all the time. There's 2 words to describe it son, and those two words are.........ITS ON!!!!!!

 

[kyjeff1]

I don't care what style of O Cal decides to use and you guys might disagree with me but the 3 ball needs to be a large part of it. We couldn't shoot worth a crap last year and defenses just crowded the paint which created so many problems for our offense. I hate saying this but I marveled at Duke's offense. They spread every defense out because all their guards and forwards could shoot. Can you imagine what KAT would have done in the paint if we were able to spread the floor?
Nobody would have been within 10 points of UK if they had Duke's offense coupled with the defense we had last season.
Bottom line is the 3 ball needs to be a big part of the offense.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

I don't care what style of O Cal decides to use and you guys might disagree with me but the 3 ball needs to be a large part of it. We couldn't shoot worth a crap last year and defenses just crowded the paint which created so many problems for our offense. I hate saying this but I marveled at Duke's offense. They spread every defense out because all their guards and forwards could shoot. Can you imagine what KAT would have done in the paint if we were able to spread the floor?
Nobody would have been within 10 points of UK if they had Duke's offense coupled with the defense we had last season.
Bottom line is the 3 ball needs to be a big part of the offense.

UK was not nearly as bad shooting the ball as you make it out to be. They were streaky, but not terrible. You had two guys shoot over 40% from three, and another shoot like 36%. Not Duke level, but not chop liver. Not shooting the 3 well is sure as hell not why UK lost to Wisconsin.

 

[W2R]

All I know is all,those teams that has packed it in and played zone against U.S. has to come up,with a different game plan next season .. Shorter shot clock to boot. This might be one of the most fun offensive teams in the Cal era

 

[Big Cat fan]

The main thing is for all the guys to drive to the basket, make the easy plays and make the free throws once they are at the line, if they do that this will be fun. If not then we will have a bad time watching.

 

[MrHotDice]

I truly think this year's coming team will be much better offensively than last year's team. A 3-guard line-up with Poythress and Skal down low will flourish IMO. Alex will be at his natural position. Skal will be able have more one on one chances because of the ability of UK's 3 guards to shoot and penetrate.

Defense won't be as dominant, but UK may never have a defense like last year's.

We will be a great defensive team if they press, press, and press. With the new shot clock in place pressing makes a lot of sense IMHO.

 

[K-Town Kat]

Our interior defense won't be as good, but I can see this team being a terrific perimeter defensive team. Ulis is a pest on the ball, Murray and Mulder have the size and athleticism to be great defenders, Matthews can be Liggins/MKG-esque defending, and Briscoe is a big, physical guard with a 6'9" wingspan. Throw in Hawkins who can be a tenacious defender and I believe this team can be better defending the perimeter than last year.

 

[davekersey]

Should be an excellent shooting team: from three: Ulis 42%, Mulder 46%, Murray 43%, Briscoe 37%, Matthews 35%, Labissiere 40%. The three Ms, Mulder, Murray, and Matthews, as well as Briscoe, are slasher/driver/disher types that should flourish. Mulder is a freak athlete and maybe the best on the team, along with Poythress. Because of that cast, we should see the dribble drive again.

 

[W2R]

Dave I love what you bring to the table. You are one of the most respected posters around. I don't see Skal shooting 3s. Just like with AD and KAT. I believe Cal and coach Payne will work on his post up game. I don't think he will be given the green light to shoot that many threes. Especially with a guard oriented offense next season. I do believe this teams offense will look more like Cals last few Memphis teams with dribble drive

 

[Dakota25]

I think UK will be improved on offense. With the elite guards UK will be great in transition and have a lot of speed and athleticism. Also there are plenty of good shooters in Ulis, Mulder, Murray, and Briscoe. Poythress in his natural position will be a threat down low. I'm sure labissiere will be impressive as well.
Defensively UK will be alright with our strong athleticism. However I don't think there will be a defense better than 2014-2015 UK.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I will be shocked if we aren't top 5 in offensive efficiency by the end of the year.

I think we can be top 10 in defensive efficiency as well.

 

[WildMoon]

why is so many down on our defense already?

If Skal can become defensive blocker similar to Davis/Noels/WCS/KAT than we will be excellent defensive team.

We'll have extremely athletic team and if they put their mind to it, it'll be scary sight.