Appreciation For Posters Who Saw Willis' Potential Early

[downthehatch]

Some of the posters here have been telling us that Willis had potential two years ago. I wasn't one of them. I never argued it on the board, just hoped that you were right and I was wrong. And it's turning out that you have been right all along.

Good work!

 

[ulismyman]

Well like i said with Lee...you cant do anything sitting over on that bench...you have to play these guys and let them play thru mistakes...but Mulder going thru it right now..get him in the gsme. We are up by 30 last night...play him

 

[Kybluedude]

Thank you! Saw him in HS and knew he had versatile tallent. Very unselfish player. Glad he is gaining fans. Many in here wrote harsh comments about a nice kid. Good to see him get a chance.

 

[c1doc]

Just like Jorts... Who wouldn't have got to play if Enes had been freed...

 

[JWat_]

Not that I disagree whatsoever, but this thread should probably wait until Tuesday night.

 

[GonzoCat90]

Was there anyone who said a four-star couldn't give us double digit scoring against Cinderella teams as a junior?

The only argument "against" Willis was that he was on the bench because there were better players ahead of him and he wasn't as focused and dedicated as he had to be to play at this level. All of that was true.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Not that I disagree whatsoever, but this thread should probably wait until Tuesday night.

Very interested to see how Willis and Lee do against a team like Duke.

I think everyone knew Willis had potential, but he was lazy and lacked self-motivation for whatever reason...and when he did play he didn't show much. This year...he has done VERY WELL.

 

[hoodro]

Was there anyone who said a four-star couldn't give us double digit scoring against Cinderella teams as a junior?

The only argument "against" Willis was that he was on the bench because there were better players ahead of him and he wasn't as focused and dedicated as he had to be to play at this level. All of that was true.

Yeah, I don't ever remember any trashing Willis' talent. Just pointing out that the talent ahead of him was better.

 

[Kybluedude]

Really? He has been brutalized by some.

 

[WhiteCityCat1]

He has always reminded me of Scot Padgett, who helped us get to the promise land . He battles for the board, great passing big man the can knock down the open three. He can be the X factor in number nine.

 

[Blue63Madison]

The more extreme negativity was almost always in response to extreme claims from the other side of the debate -- and usually centered around playing time. The bottom line is, Willis didn't deserve any more playing time his first two years. He was playing behind much better players. With him looking more confident now and no studs in front of him at the 3-4 spots, it's Willis' time to shine. He'll have to do it against much better competition though, and he'll have to play both ends of the floor. I'm curious as to where he fits in the rotation. Cal is starting three guards and Willis isn't a 3. It'll be interesting to see where on the floor his minutes come from when we play stronger teams.

 

[kybassfan]

Really? He has been brutalized by some.

I've not seen that at all. There is a cultural degeneracy among some which interpret anything other than complete agreement with a posters comment as brutalization. For example, the big problem with playing Willis has been that you have to sit an NBA first rounder on the bench. Now in the eyes of some I just brutalized Willis.

When the rotation gets cut to 7 or 8, he could get parked again. It's clear he's come a long way. I'm not sure Cal will put him on the floor with the Duke game on the line.

 

[caneintally]

Well like i said with Lee...you cant do anything sitting over on that bench...you have to play these guys and let them play thru mistakes...but Mulder going thru it right now..get him in the gsme. We are up by 30 last night...play him

you can only play so many guys. Mulder just will have to wait for an injury or foul trouble or step up and out play Ulis , Matthews , Briscoe or Murray in practice . Willis wasn't ready before this year and Cal knew it . Willis always had pro potential but he needed to work on D and confidence.

Also to kybassfan , even when the rotation gets to 8 Willis will play . it will be the starters and Poythress, Matthews and Willis off the bench .Humphries and Hawkins will be the odd men out although I think we will always play 9 some .

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

Was there anyone who said a four-star couldn't give us double digit scoring against Cinderella teams as a junior?

The only argument "against" Willis was that he was on the bench because there were better players ahead of him and he wasn't as focused and dedicated as he had to be to play at this level. All of that was true.

I'd disagree with some of your comments. Was he didicated 100% no he wasn't, was others on the team dedicated 100%? No they weren't as well.
Willis just didn't have a shot at the court as a Fresh or Soph because of Cal's choosing. If you recall last season when he got in he looked green but was all over the court doing good things and hitting buckets. Cal lets star freshmen play their their mistakes and he should as he is trying to get them out and recruit others and let them see he gives them leeway and a long leash. Cal has a very short leash with others.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

Willis will will us to wins.

 

[caneintally]

I'd disagree with some of your comments. Was he didicated 100% no he wasn't, was others on the team dedicated 100%? No they weren't as well.
Willis just didn't have a shot at the court as a Fresh or Soph because of Cal's choosing. If you recall last season when he got in he looked green but was all over the court doing good things and hitting buckets. Cal lets star freshmen play their their mistakes and he should as he is trying to get them out and recruit others and let them see he gives them leeway and a long leash. Cal has a very short leash with others.

LOL no he didn't get a chance because he hadn't earned it and there was better guys ahead of him. Some of yall with the agendas crack me up.

 

[rolaid]

The main guy who killed him everyday on here was Ricky Rossi...remember that poster?

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

I'll admit that I didn't see him getting more minutes than he did last season. I knew he could shoot, but there were areas he had to improve upon, and I guess he has.

 

[Cats192]

People were posting Willis could come in and hit a few 3's, now acting like they told everyone he'd come in and be LeBron. Shut up. You didn't CALL anything. Hell, I don't think Cal thought he'd play this good.

But as Gonzo said...it aint like we've played anyone.

 

[gossie21]

He outscored Perry Ellis last year. I've always been intrigued by Willis. He looked great in the Bahamas last year, but I didn't think he had a chance to play over Lyles, Poy, Lee, Towns, or WCS at the 4 or 3. This is his chance to claim minutes. Hopefully he cab produce against Duke.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

LOL no he didn't get a chance because he hadn't earned it and there was better guys ahead of him. Some of yall with the agendas crack me up.

And he shot poorly when he played. The whole "he was hitting shots all over" nonsense is disproven when one looks at his stats over 2 years here...not good stats.

And yes, plain and simple, he was not better than Lyles, Booker, Poy, WCS, Lee, etc, that played at the 3 and 4 last year or the year before.

 

[Big Foot 275]

I've not seen that at all. There is a cultural degeneracy among some which interpret anything other than complete agreement with a posters comment as brutalization. For example, the big problem with playing Willis has been that you have to sit an NBA first rounder on the bench. Now in the eyes of some I just brutalized Willis.

When the rotation gets cut to 7 or 8, he could get parked again. It's clear he's come a long way. I'm not sure Cal will put him on the floor with the Duke game on the line.

Cal has been preparing for Duke ever since the season began and the players that he has been playing are the ones you will see on Tuesday night. If Willis plays solid defense and rebounds he will play 15 to 20 minutes against Duke. If Cal named the top 8 players on the team right now Willis would be in the group. You could even argue Willis is in the top 5 players since he just started him.

 

[Ugoff]

There was a time on this board where if you suggested that Willis had potential, a handful of posters insinuated that you were a racist or some kind of over the top homer for Kentucky natives. Sad really.

 

[Cats192]

There was a time on this board where if you suggested that Willis had potential, a handful of posters insinuated that you were a racist or some kind of over the top homer for Kentucky natives. Sad really.

I thought the "you want hiim to play because he's white" response was lame.

But, it wasn't simply because you said "Oh, I think Willis can play." Be an adult about it.

 

[bookerfan66]

You have to give the kid credit.You can tell he has worked very hard to earn playing time.He's going to be very important off the bench this season.

 

[Ugoff]

I thought the "you want hiim to play because he's white" response was lame.

But, it wasn't simply because you said "Oh, I think Willis can play." Be an adult about it.

Bullshit That's exaclty what it was.

 

[Cats192]

Bullshit That's exaclty what it was.

I think there was some degree of question why there was a consistent debate about Willis, and no one else.

 

[Ugoff]

I think there was some degree of question why there was a consistent debate about Willis, and no one else.

There was debate regarding Hawkins too. What kind of post would elicit the response you descibed? Do you think people said "I want Willis to play because he's pale"?

 

[Cats192]

Stop and read

You weren't the only one posting. There was a thread after almost every game about Willis.

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

Some of the posters here have been telling us that Willis had potential two years ago. I wasn't one of them. I never argued it on the board, just hoped that you were right and I was wrong. And it's turning out that you have been right all along.

Good work!

Really? After 2 games? I think it's a bit early for this thread. Not saying it won't happen but maybe we should wait until we get through 20 games before saying this.

 

[Deli owl]

Very nice post. I will say that I have been on the Willis train for two years. BTW this is very odd since I tend to believe the kids from KY aren't as good as from larger cities. I kind of view Rex C. as the last great from KY although D. Russell could be if he gets it going. jmo so please feel free not to throw D. Anderson and others on the list. it's just my thoughts.

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

I'll admit that I didn't see him getting more minutes than he did last season. I knew he could shoot, but there were areas he had to improve upon, and I guess he has.

I think he has always had talent and the potential to do what he has done these past 2 games. The problem was his work ethic. He seems to have finally "gotten it" this off season and looks to have put in some major work. How many times have we heard Derek himself say that he didn't work hard enough? Let's just hope it continues and we can revisit this thread in a couple months. He can be a HUGE asset to this team if he can rebound and hit 3's consistently.

 

[Ugoff]

Stop and read

You weren't the only one posting. There was a thread after almost every game about Willis.

Gotcha. I know what you're saying.

 

[WildMoon]

 

[UKrazycat2]

Not that I disagree whatsoever, but this thread should probably wait until Tuesday night.

Good point. Wonder how many will pile on him if he doesn't have a good game. Or will he be supported like maybe Murray or Ulis or Skal when things just aren't clicking.

 

[kybassfan]

Cal has been preparing for Duke ever since the season began and the players that he has been playing are the ones you will see on Tuesday night. If Willis plays solid defense and rebounds he will play 15 to 20 minutes against Duke. If Cal named the top 8 players on the team right now Willis would be in the group. You could even argue Willis is in the top 5 players since he just started him.

First, he won't pick an 8 man rotation now. You are correct he would be in the top 5, if we don't count Skal, Ulis, Murray, Briscoe, Poythress, Lee and Matthews. Also Humphries and Mulder will have something to say about the top 8.

Now before I get trashed for bashing Willis, I'm not saying he won't do well. I am saying 2 games against mediocre competition that is getting shredded by Skal doesn't establish Willis as a go to player in March. Let's see where he is end of December, then we can better speculate where he will fall late season.

We can agree, so far so good.

 

[ulismyman]

He brings a ton to the table...but poythress gets the benefit and Willis the doubt...very sad

 

[AnarchoNeoLuddite]

Whiteboy from Kentucky is all most folks saw

 

[Mojocat]

I thought the "you want hiim to play because he's white" response was lame.

But, it wasn't simply because you said "Oh, I think Willis can play." Be an adult about it.

It is lame - but unfortunately there's some of that out there. But that kind of thing isn't restricted to uk. I went to uofl's game against Samford (a friend gave me his tickets, took my son who'd not been to Yum), and I can tell you when David Levich entered or left the game, the crowd perked up noticeably, and the applause for him was different.....

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

Whiteboy from Kentucky is all most folks saw

SMH, what a sad post.