I'm writing this as I'm watching practice, but can't publish it until practice is over. I then have to do my radio show (make sure to tune in at 1450 WXVW in Louisville), drive back to Louisville and I'll write T.J.'s Takes from practice, which will basically just be the highlights of this post.
Getting Started
- No Humphries or Wynyard today. Humphries has knee soreness in his right knee. Wynyard suffered a fracture on the left side of his face from an inadvertent elbow during the televised practice.
- UK says both are day-to-day.
- No Kenny Payne at practice. He's out recruiting.
- They start practice by doing some rebounding drills. Guards were getting as much coaching and as many reps as the bigs.
- Bam Adebayo may be the most physically impressive player just based on looks, but Sacha Killeya-Jones isn't too far behind. It's crazy how much good muscle he has put on over the last year.
- Eventually move to a different rebounding drill where they catch the ball high off the glass, bring it down and get hit by two body bags before going back up to finish with a layup. Bam struggled here missing a few bunnies. Last part of that drill the player had to slam it home after catching it off the glass. All excelled at that part.
- They did Cal's famous "Perfection Drill" (not actually sure if he started it or not). You just have to run the length of the floor and make layups. No issues here.
- Eventually layups turned to jumpers. Some players had more success than others (I'll get to that) but, man, Brad Calipari doesn't miss too many shots.
- I was also impressed with Malik Monk's ability to hit outside shots.
- Just based on these drills I really would be surprised if three-point shooting cost UK games. I need to see some five-on-five action, and I will, but just too many guys with nice form knocking down shots. Won't be Cal's best three-point shooting team but if UNC could win as much as they did last year being historically bad, the Cats will be just fine.
- Continue to just run against zero defense. Doing some plays. So many options on these plays. Calipari really does a good job teaching. Going over every option. "If he does this, you do that. If he decides to do that, then you'll simply do this." It's complicated but simple at the same time. So much going on but someone is bound to end up open.
- Again, no defense, but Monk is just a freak. Casually throwing down some ridiculous dunks. I've seen his athletic ability for a few years now but still am impressed.
- Briscoe has been shooting well, especially from deep. But this is against zero defense. His shot looks the same as last year. Still has a bit of a hitch. Curious to see how it translates when there's a defender. My guess is when he has all the time in the world he can take his time and he's going to knockdown shots. When there's someone closing he rushes things and that may explain what happened last year.
- Wenyen has been missing a lot of shots, even with zero defense. Anywhere from threes to 7-footers.
- Mulder knocking down virtually every shot in practice. Looking confident.
Five-on-five
- Wenyen finally hits a shot and Calipari notices. "WENYEN!" he shouts in excitement.
- Fox shoots a contested three from the corner. Misses but it was close. Cal says he could have driven on Briscoe and he would have had Bam wide open once SKJ cheated over. Calipari is confident Fox can get around anyone.
- Just can't believe the length on this team. Not sure how it will translate on rebounding overall but there are plays where no one should get the hand on the ball but a player will tip it and keep the play alive.
- Speaking of rebounding, Bam is a monster. I genuinely believe if he's on UK's team last year they have a serious chance at the Final Four. He's exactly what the Cats were missing.
- Impressed with how much this team talks. It's a point of emphasis with every Calipari team, but this team is LOUD. Briscoe really leads the charge and they cheer on the bench players as much as the starters. It's kinda cool to see. A lot of smiling and high fives, too.
- As of today Briscoe is the best guard. Fox can't keep him out of the paint. Briscoe is too strong. He's the best finisher on the team and even craftier finishing than he was last year.
- Willis looks good. His shot always seems a little strange but he's catching and shooting very quickly. There will be shots that look like are going to be blocked directly back into his face but he gets them off and he's nailing them today. Another sign perimeter shooting won't be an issue.
- Seriously, if I were to point out five concerns with this team based on this five-on-five drill, shooting wouldn't make the list.
Next
- Quit five-on-five drills to do some more individual drills. Closing out on shooters then getting their balance back once the shooter puts it on the floor. Basically a "if you fall for a pump fake you need to get back" drill.
- Now doing four on three half court drills. Making the three defenders cover the floor and pick up the open man. Length makes this easy for the defense but they're also very quick.
- Working on screens and how to defend them. If a defender doesn't guard the curler on a screen "I'm taking his ass out and I don't care if he comes over mumbling something."
- Funny- Calipari says Wenyen played on the second worst high school team he's ever seen. He says Anthony Davis' team was the worst. Hints Wenyen doesn't trust anyone because he had to do everything on his high school team.
One-on-one drills
- Bigs going against bigs and guards against guards. The drill starts with the offensive player catching the ball at the perimeter. He has to pass back to the coach. Coach passes it back to him and then he goes one-on-one with the defender.
-Hawkins won with the guards. Bam won with the bigs.
- Was impressed with Willis in the drill Worked his ass off against stronger bigs when he was on defense. When he was on offense the defense was on skates. He hit shots and finished at the rim.
- I was mostly focused on the bigs but Briscoe looked solid when I was watching. Not sure how Hawkins ended up winning (you won based on how many times you scored or stopped someone).
- Gabriel struggled a bit in this drill. He's had a bit of an off day.
Four-on-four dills
- It's Briscoe, Mulder, Willis and SKJ vs. Fox, Monk, Gabriel and Bam.
- Both defenses having a tough time. It is four-on-four, but guards are having a lot of success.
- Crazy play with Willis and Bam. Willis makes a really nice move on the perimeter Bam closed out strong. Willis pump faked and forced Willis inside. Willis appeared to have a wide open shot but Bam somehow got a hand on it. Calipari stops practice to call the play unbelievable. Proud of what Willis did but truly amazed how Bam recovered. I, too, thought Willis had a wide open 10 footer.
- Tony Barbee doing a good job coaching. Cal gives him a decent amount of time to explain things. Usually it's always been the Calipari show but Barbee has done a good deal of coaching.
- Justus does too but he never has the floor. He has to coach when the players are taking a breather. Robic is taking notes at the scores table. I don't believe I have seen him talk to a player once practice has started.
- Really trying to feed the post in this four-on-four drill. Killeya-Jones doing a good job of forcing Bam to catch the ball about five feet from the block.
- I've never seen a Calipari drill stopped as much as this. A lot of coaching. Working on screens and defending screens in this four-on-four drill. Wants his defensive bigs to put their arms past the screens. "If you get your arm through they can't screen your chest." It makes sense. We're talking about screens on the block.
- Really getting on SKJ "If he's screening your chest YOU'RE WRONG!" It's Monk who's setting the screen.
- "We have to work with Sacha after practice"- Calipari says.
- I miss when they were just letting guards do their thing. Not a lot of basketball being played.
End of practice
- Calipari says the team is off tomorrow and they will close out practice with five minutes of shooting.
- Fox and Monk are pushing individual sleds as if they're playing football.
- In shoot around drills Gabriel looks much better. Willis is great. SKJ looks solid. Bam struggling a big from the elbow.
- I'm not exaggerating, Willis has missed maybe just four or five shots in this five minute shooting drill. All threes. Most misses came in the final minutes. First four minutes were nearly perfect. A student assistant coach yells Derek hit 54.
- Now it's the guards turn and the bigs are pushing the sleds or using weight balls to finish dunks.
- All guards shooting threes but Briscoe is about three feet in for his shots.
- Calipari, Mulder, Hawkins and Monk are just raining shots.
- Briscoe and Fox are standing out for their misses but that may be because everyone else has been so consistent.
- Bam and Willis are pushing the sleds. Willis started before Bam and they finish at about the same time. For room reasons they have Willis go first and give him about a 15 second head start. Bam finishes about 30 seconds before him. Just crazy strength from Bam.
- I know it's just a drill but I can't stress this enough, I don't have any three-point shooting concerns.
- Malik hit 58. Brad had 55. Not sure how many Hawkins had. I couldn't hear Robic tell him. I thought Hawkins may have more than Monk.
- UK SID says Briscoe has hit 60 in several practices.
Getting Started
- No Humphries or Wynyard today. Humphries has knee soreness in his right knee. Wynyard suffered a fracture on the left side of his face from an inadvertent elbow during the televised practice.
- UK says both are day-to-day.
- No Kenny Payne at practice. He's out recruiting.
- They start practice by doing some rebounding drills. Guards were getting as much coaching and as many reps as the bigs.
- Bam Adebayo may be the most physically impressive player just based on looks, but Sacha Killeya-Jones isn't too far behind. It's crazy how much good muscle he has put on over the last year.
- Eventually move to a different rebounding drill where they catch the ball high off the glass, bring it down and get hit by two body bags before going back up to finish with a layup. Bam struggled here missing a few bunnies. Last part of that drill the player had to slam it home after catching it off the glass. All excelled at that part.
- They did Cal's famous "Perfection Drill" (not actually sure if he started it or not). You just have to run the length of the floor and make layups. No issues here.
- Eventually layups turned to jumpers. Some players had more success than others (I'll get to that) but, man, Brad Calipari doesn't miss too many shots.
- I was also impressed with Malik Monk's ability to hit outside shots.
- Just based on these drills I really would be surprised if three-point shooting cost UK games. I need to see some five-on-five action, and I will, but just too many guys with nice form knocking down shots. Won't be Cal's best three-point shooting team but if UNC could win as much as they did last year being historically bad, the Cats will be just fine.
- Continue to just run against zero defense. Doing some plays. So many options on these plays. Calipari really does a good job teaching. Going over every option. "If he does this, you do that. If he decides to do that, then you'll simply do this." It's complicated but simple at the same time. So much going on but someone is bound to end up open.
- Again, no defense, but Monk is just a freak. Casually throwing down some ridiculous dunks. I've seen his athletic ability for a few years now but still am impressed.
- Briscoe has been shooting well, especially from deep. But this is against zero defense. His shot looks the same as last year. Still has a bit of a hitch. Curious to see how it translates when there's a defender. My guess is when he has all the time in the world he can take his time and he's going to knockdown shots. When there's someone closing he rushes things and that may explain what happened last year.
- Wenyen has been missing a lot of shots, even with zero defense. Anywhere from threes to 7-footers.
- Mulder knocking down virtually every shot in practice. Looking confident.
Five-on-five
- Wenyen finally hits a shot and Calipari notices. "WENYEN!" he shouts in excitement.
- Fox shoots a contested three from the corner. Misses but it was close. Cal says he could have driven on Briscoe and he would have had Bam wide open once SKJ cheated over. Calipari is confident Fox can get around anyone.
- Just can't believe the length on this team. Not sure how it will translate on rebounding overall but there are plays where no one should get the hand on the ball but a player will tip it and keep the play alive.
- Speaking of rebounding, Bam is a monster. I genuinely believe if he's on UK's team last year they have a serious chance at the Final Four. He's exactly what the Cats were missing.
- Impressed with how much this team talks. It's a point of emphasis with every Calipari team, but this team is LOUD. Briscoe really leads the charge and they cheer on the bench players as much as the starters. It's kinda cool to see. A lot of smiling and high fives, too.
- As of today Briscoe is the best guard. Fox can't keep him out of the paint. Briscoe is too strong. He's the best finisher on the team and even craftier finishing than he was last year.
- Willis looks good. His shot always seems a little strange but he's catching and shooting very quickly. There will be shots that look like are going to be blocked directly back into his face but he gets them off and he's nailing them today. Another sign perimeter shooting won't be an issue.
- Seriously, if I were to point out five concerns with this team based on this five-on-five drill, shooting wouldn't make the list.
Next
- Quit five-on-five drills to do some more individual drills. Closing out on shooters then getting their balance back once the shooter puts it on the floor. Basically a "if you fall for a pump fake you need to get back" drill.
- Now doing four on three half court drills. Making the three defenders cover the floor and pick up the open man. Length makes this easy for the defense but they're also very quick.
- Working on screens and how to defend them. If a defender doesn't guard the curler on a screen "I'm taking his ass out and I don't care if he comes over mumbling something."
- Funny- Calipari says Wenyen played on the second worst high school team he's ever seen. He says Anthony Davis' team was the worst. Hints Wenyen doesn't trust anyone because he had to do everything on his high school team.
One-on-one drills
- Bigs going against bigs and guards against guards. The drill starts with the offensive player catching the ball at the perimeter. He has to pass back to the coach. Coach passes it back to him and then he goes one-on-one with the defender.
-Hawkins won with the guards. Bam won with the bigs.
- Was impressed with Willis in the drill Worked his ass off against stronger bigs when he was on defense. When he was on offense the defense was on skates. He hit shots and finished at the rim.
- I was mostly focused on the bigs but Briscoe looked solid when I was watching. Not sure how Hawkins ended up winning (you won based on how many times you scored or stopped someone).
- Gabriel struggled a bit in this drill. He's had a bit of an off day.
Four-on-four dills
- It's Briscoe, Mulder, Willis and SKJ vs. Fox, Monk, Gabriel and Bam.
- Both defenses having a tough time. It is four-on-four, but guards are having a lot of success.
- Crazy play with Willis and Bam. Willis makes a really nice move on the perimeter Bam closed out strong. Willis pump faked and forced Willis inside. Willis appeared to have a wide open shot but Bam somehow got a hand on it. Calipari stops practice to call the play unbelievable. Proud of what Willis did but truly amazed how Bam recovered. I, too, thought Willis had a wide open 10 footer.
- Tony Barbee doing a good job coaching. Cal gives him a decent amount of time to explain things. Usually it's always been the Calipari show but Barbee has done a good deal of coaching.
- Justus does too but he never has the floor. He has to coach when the players are taking a breather. Robic is taking notes at the scores table. I don't believe I have seen him talk to a player once practice has started.
- Really trying to feed the post in this four-on-four drill. Killeya-Jones doing a good job of forcing Bam to catch the ball about five feet from the block.
- I've never seen a Calipari drill stopped as much as this. A lot of coaching. Working on screens and defending screens in this four-on-four drill. Wants his defensive bigs to put their arms past the screens. "If you get your arm through they can't screen your chest." It makes sense. We're talking about screens on the block.
- Really getting on SKJ "If he's screening your chest YOU'RE WRONG!" It's Monk who's setting the screen.
- "We have to work with Sacha after practice"- Calipari says.
- I miss when they were just letting guards do their thing. Not a lot of basketball being played.
End of practice
- Calipari says the team is off tomorrow and they will close out practice with five minutes of shooting.
- Fox and Monk are pushing individual sleds as if they're playing football.
- In shoot around drills Gabriel looks much better. Willis is great. SKJ looks solid. Bam struggling a big from the elbow.
- I'm not exaggerating, Willis has missed maybe just four or five shots in this five minute shooting drill. All threes. Most misses came in the final minutes. First four minutes were nearly perfect. A student assistant coach yells Derek hit 54.
- Now it's the guards turn and the bigs are pushing the sleds or using weight balls to finish dunks.
- All guards shooting threes but Briscoe is about three feet in for his shots.
- Calipari, Mulder, Hawkins and Monk are just raining shots.
- Briscoe and Fox are standing out for their misses but that may be because everyone else has been so consistent.
- Bam and Willis are pushing the sleds. Willis started before Bam and they finish at about the same time. For room reasons they have Willis go first and give him about a 15 second head start. Bam finishes about 30 seconds before him. Just crazy strength from Bam.
- I know it's just a drill but I can't stress this enough, I don't have any three-point shooting concerns.
- Malik hit 58. Brad had 55. Not sure how many Hawkins had. I couldn't hear Robic tell him. I thought Hawkins may have more than Monk.
- UK SID says Briscoe has hit 60 in several practices.
