Cal Says - "It's On Me"

[Bkocats]

SIAP
http://www.coachcal.com/37286/2016/01/this-teams-transformation-is-on-me/

It IS on Cal - this team has been nearly bi-polar this year. I do believe a lot of it is mental - but a lot of it is also that Cal has to figure out he doesn't HAVE the type of players he had last year, or any of his other winning years. Call it a 'tweak" if you will, or simply an adjustment. Cal is stubborn and he is trying to force a group into playing a style that it's simply not strong enough to play. Once he figures that out and adjusts, we'll be fine.

Like everyone else, I've been frustrated as hell with this team, and with the coach. I think it's worse that we had such good games against Duke, ASU, UofL and Ole Miss, only to also have such bad games UCLA, OSU and LSU. We AREN'T consistently bad.

Now that I'm done stating the obvious - I think a win @Alabama this weekend will go a long way on the mental part of things.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

It seems to have taken longer to tear them down this year. Now it's time to build them back up. I TRUST IN CAL.

 

[GOING FOR #9]

It's on cal for this....he relies on freshman every year. That's his mistake and it's catching up now.

What isn't his mistake is coaching. These guys are 17-18 the guys we rely on. They make terrible decisions he cannot change in one season. There is a massive learning curve UNLESS you bring in legit studs who play and look like men. MKG types of guys. The skals of the world have a long way to go and he will never develop as a college athlete bc he will be gone. I believe given the players we have Cals is doing ok. His hands are tied because he has very little power options

 

[Bkocats]

It's on cal for this....he relies on freshman every year. That's his mistake and it's catching up now.

What isn't his mistake is coaching. These guys are 17-18 the guys we rely on. They make terrible decisions he cannot change in one season. There is a massive learning curve UNLESS you bring in legit studs who play and look like men. MKG types of guys. The skals of the world have a long way to go and he will never develop as a college athlete bc he will be gone. I believe given the players we have Cals is doing ok. His hands are tied because he has very little power options

that's what I mean - all of our best teams had those power options. This team does not. I agree it's not the coaching so much as the philosophy; this team needs to go another direction.

 

[the nail at the foul line]

This team is not likely to fix their road woes. Too many shrinking violets.

 

[Brando Mac]

I agree that Cal doesn't know his team or is at least in denial about what they are.

One thing I'll put on Cal in particular is that he wants his center to work primarily back-to-the-basket and low post, yet recruited the #1 pick-and-roll/finesse big man in the class when guys that were better suited for the way he wants his guys to play were out there, several of whom wanted to come here. My message to him would simply be adjust and play to the strengths of what you have, which he's never had a problem doing previously, and next time go after the best player that best fits the style you want to run if it's that big of deal. Either way as a fan I just want to see good basketball and constant improvement, I couldn't care less about the style we have to use in order to achieve that.

 

[Xception]

The demeanor of our bigs in some games is a problem and I'm not sure it can be fixed in Lee or Poythress , the mold is mostly cast as a Jr/Sr . Skal has the best chance at turning a corner but again his demeanor is just like the other two . You recruit the best available players but these three might be too much alike in assertiveness . It won't be like that every game because we have seen Alex and Marcus turn it on , they just can't keep it on .

 

[Icecoldbrewdoggy]

I agree that Cal doesn't know his team or is at least in denial about what they are.

One thing I'll put on Cal in particular is that he wants his center to work primarily back-to-the-basket and low post, yet recruited the #1 pick-and-roll/finesse big man in the class when guys that were better suited for the way he wants his guys to play were out there, several of whom wanted to come here. My message to him would simply be adjust and play to the strengths of what you have, which he's never had a problem doing previously, and next time go after the best player that best fits the style you want to run if it's that big of deal. Either way as a fan I just want to see good basketball and constant improvement, I couldn't care less about the style we have to use in order to achieve that.

Love Cal but he's addicted to getting the highest rated recruits on the board, even if they overlap or don't fit his system and then sorting it out from there. I probably would be, too.

 

[Bkocats]

good discussion guys - thank you!

 

[kybassfan]

You guys really don't see Poythress the way I do. If he gets any more assertive there will be assault charges filed. The guy is a bull in a china shop. The problem is that he knows this and swings too much the other way. His challenge is maintaining his aggressive play without being a battering ram. I don't think the knee is 100% either. He is just not getting to the rim off a flat footed jump the way he used to. Looks like he needs a full step to elevate. That's causing problems rebounding and with moves around the basket.

 

[Bkocats]

You guys really don't see Poythress the way I do. If he gets any more assertive there will be assault charges filed. The guy is a bull in a china shop. The problem is that he knows this and swings too much the other way. His challenge is maintaining his aggressive play without being a battering ram. I don't think the knee is 100% either. He is just not getting to the rim off a flat footed jump the way he used to. Looks like he needs a full step to elevate. That's causing problems rebounding and with moves around the basket.

You know, I never thought of that before - but it does make sense. He's smart enough to realize he's a bull and tries to be careful ,but takes it too far. I do think Poy overthinks things too; his best games are when he just reacts.
Interesting point to ponder

 

[wkycatfan]

They aren't a good road team. Hopefully they'll get better.

 

[FlCATFan]

I agree that Cal doesn't know his team or is at least in denial about what they are.

One thing I'll put on Cal in particular is that he wants his center to work primarily back-to-the-basket and low post, yet recruited the #1 pick-and-roll/finesse big man in the class when guys that were better suited for the way he wants his guys to play were out there, several of whom wanted to come here. My message to him would simply be adjust and play to the strengths of what you have, which he's never had a problem doing previously, and next time go after the best player that best fits the style you want to run if it's that big of deal. Either way as a fan I just want to see good basketball and constant improvement, I couldn't care less about the style we have to use in order to achieve that.

Fully agree. I think playing Skal away from the basket would also open up the paint and give the guards, and especially Briscoe, more room to drive.

 

[docholiday51]

Poy has over thought things most of his time here, that is just his nature. He spends time processing stuff instead of reacting. In a sport that involves split second decisions that is a disadvantage

 

[Bkocats]

Poy has over thought things most of his time here, that is just his nature. He spends time processing stuff instead of reacting. In a sport that involves split second decisions that is a disadvantage

This is very true; we've all noticed it. That will make him a great financial consultant (i believe that's his field of study?) but not a great NBA player.

 

[ukmelanie]

I think the expectations for this team were just way too high.You can't lose so many talented players and just replace them so easily.Cal had a rare time of losing out on top recruits and the ones he got look like they were overated.Skal seems like a great kid but he is just not ready for the bright lights,Briscoe fights hard but is just not a good shooter,Jamal has great talent but disappears and doesn't play D.Alex is who he is.Very inconsistent and may never be the player we thought.Marcus has improved but doesn't have low post moves.I think the team will improve by March but don't expect a Final Four run.Hope I am wrong.

 

[LouBoy]

One of the great challenges of all coaches is to develop team chemistry and an effective system for this group of players. That's why all coaches, all things being equal, would prefer to have their starting 5 to be all juniors and seniors. Of course, all things aren't equal, and the best talent will now almost always be freshmen. I think Cal has done a remarkable job (I didn't think he could do it) of getting teams dominated by freshmen to play well almost every year. But it is a risky strategy as far as consistency. The approach that Cal and K (more recently) are taking is going to work spectacularly some years and not so well other years. But given the rules, it's the most effective strategy over time.

 

[sluggercatfan]

SIAP
http://www.coachcal.com/37286/2016/01/this-teams-transformation-is-on-me/

It IS on Cal - this team has been nearly bi-polar this year. I do believe a lot of it is mental - but a lot of it is also that Cal has to figure out he doesn't HAVE the type of players he had last year, or any of his other winning years. Call it a 'tweak" if you will, or simply an adjustment. Cal is stubborn and he is trying to force a group into playing a style that it's simply not strong enough to play. Once he figures that out and adjusts, we'll be fine.

Like everyone else, I've been frustrated as hell with this team, and with the coach. I think it's worse that we had such good games against Duke, ASU, UofL and Ole Miss, only to also have such bad games UCLA, OSU and LSU. We AREN'T consistently bad.

Now that I'm done stating the obvious - I think a win @Alabama this weekend will go a long way on the mental part of things.

Glad he owned up to it because it is ...he normally does though

 

[.S&C.]

One of the great challenges of all coaches is to develop team chemistry and an effective system for this group of players. That's why all coaches, all things being equal, would prefer to have their starting 5 to be all juniors and seniors. Of course, all things aren't equal, and the best talent will now almost always be freshmen. I think Cal has done a remarkable job (I didn't think he could do it) of getting teams dominated by freshmen to play well almost every year. But it is a risky strategy as far as consistency. The approach that Cal and K (more recently) are taking is going to work spectacularly some years and not so well other years. But given the rules, it's the most effective strategy over time.

I'd agree on some points, and rememeber that cal has gone to 4 final fours as well with extremely young talent. Coach K has a bigger issue with consistency when dealing with younger players than Calipari for sure. The early exists and struggles prove it.

Cal was the innovator of the OAD system. Coach K actually used to be very anti-early departure and has had issues with several players for leaving. It wasn't until recently that coach K decided it wasnt evil and he'd like to try. Then USA basketball saved his recruiting, and easier paths make it easier to win the big one with these players.

You sound like a good Duke poster but I felt like it needed saying. We more than any fans out there understand our system.

 

[Bkocats]

Glad he owned up to it because it is ...he normally does though

AND attends press conferences after a loss

 

[Icecoldbrewdoggy]

Lee and Poythress are two glaring issues, and I don't put that on Cal. He's coached them until he's blue in the face and they've faced the best competition in the country for multiple years in practice and games...they just aren't great. They are good, just not great. I applaud Cal for blaming himself, however.

 

[Poetax]

It's on cal for this....he relies on freshman every year. That's his mistake and it's catching up now.

What isn't his mistake is coaching. These guys are 17-18 the guys we rely on. They make terrible decisions he cannot change in one season. There is a massive learning curve UNLESS you bring in legit studs who play and look like men. MKG types of guys. The skals of the world have a long way to go and he will never develop as a college athlete bc he will be gone. I believe given the players we have Cals is doing ok. His hands are tied because he has very little power options

Can't agree with what you said. We have a senior in Alex, juniors in Lee, Willis, and Hawkins, and a sophomore in Ulis. Besides Ulis there isn't any leadership coming from this group. Last year Lyles, Ulis, and Booker didn't have to lead because the upperclassmen did. This year's freshmen are depended on to make all the big plays now and sometimes it's too much to ask. One sign of this could be Briscoe's ft shooting, he was good in high school so why is he bad here all of a sudden? The older guys need to step up.

 

[wildcatwelder]

I agree that Cal doesn't know his team or is at least in denial about what they are.

One thing I'll put on Cal in particular is that he wants his center to work primarily back-to-the-basket and low post, yet recruited the #1 pick-and-roll/finesse big man in the class when guys that were better suited for the way he wants his guys to play were out there, several of whom wanted to come here. My message to him would simply be adjust and play to the strengths of what you have, which he's never had a problem doing previously, and next time go after the best player that best fits the style you want to run if it's that big of deal. Either way as a fan I just want to see good basketball and constant improvement, I couldn't care less about the style we have to use in order to achieve that.

Excellent post, and if I may, I'd like to touch on something you said about Skal. I simply can't wrap my head around the fact that, most everyone agrees, he's not a back to the basket player, yet Cal seems intent on him becoming one. I honestly think this is a large part of Skal's problem, (other than being a freshman of course); I believe he would, if not flourish, at least be more comfortable, and give the team some productivity, were he to play facing the basket.

I know Cal WANTS his big man to play back to the basket, but it's painfully obvious Skal isn't made to play that way, and probably never has.

JMO....

 

[CUT-NETS]

Best thread I have seen on here in terms of a fair assessment of the team, and fair criticism of Cal as a coach. No one on this thread has overreacted to either. IF this thread had been started two weeks ago, two months ago, etc…..OP would have been destroyed. I think the board is taking on a different tone. I think those who are in the "Cal does no wrong, he's a hall of famer, lets just go back to BCG" camp when it comes to responding to criticism of Cal have subsided a bit in the wake of a head scratching beat down to LSU. Glad to see that some posters are taking a step back and taking a critical look at things. Good thread

 

[Poetax]

Best thread I have seen on here in terms of a fair assessment of the team, and fair criticism of Cal as a coach. No one on this thread has overreacted to either. IF this thread had been started two weeks ago, two months ago, etc…..OP would have been destroyed. I think the board is taking on a different tone. I think those who are in the "Cal does no wrong, he's a hall of famer, lets just go back to BCG" camp when it comes to responding to criticism of Cal have subsided a bit in the wake of a head scratching beat down to LSU. Glad to see that some posters are taking a step back and taking a critical look at things. Good thread

You know what they say Cut, misery loves company, lol.

 

[Double Tay]

It's on cal for this....he relies on freshman every year. That's his mistake and it's catching up now.

What isn't his mistake is coaching. These guys are 17-18 the guys we rely on. They make terrible decisions he cannot change in one season. There is a massive learning curve UNLESS you bring in legit studs who play and look like men. MKG types of guys. The skals of the world have a long way to go and he will never develop as a college athlete bc he will be gone. I believe given the players we have Cals is doing ok. His hands are tied because he has very little power options[/QUOTE

So what should he do to change the fact he has to rely on freshmen? Should he recruit lesser players that will stay longer? Should he lie to talented kids that are guaranteed to be lottery picks or even guaranteed to first-round picks to selfishly help himself?

What exactly would you do?

 

[Bkocats]

So what should he do to change the fact he has to rely on freshmen? Should he recruit lesser players that will stay longer? Should he lie to talented kids that are guaranteed to be lottery picks or even guaranteed to first-round picks to selfishly help himself?

What exactly would you do?

please don't misunderstand the poster - very few of us would want Cal to recruit much differently. However, there ARE criticisms that are of merit - one being that he has had the power players in years past that he does not have now. We have been lucky that Cal has been able to recruit this amazing talent and it HAS worked most years because these guys come in with a special attitude. This year, we got the talented players, but they are normal, freshman talent; none of them have that "it" factor that guys like Wall, Cousins, AD, MKG et al did.

This kind of thing is bound to bite Cal in the butt every so often - not all recruiting classes are created equal

 

[Poetax]

please don't misunderstand the poster - very few of us would want Cal to recruit much differently. However, there ARE criticisms that are of merit - one being that he has had the power players in years past that he does not have now. We have been lucky that Cal has been able to recruit this amazing talent and it HAS worked most years because these guys come in with a special attitude. This year, we got the talented players, but they are normal, freshman talent; none of them have that "it" factor that guys like Wall, Cousins, AD, MKG et al did.

This kind of thing is bound to bite Cal in the butt every so often - not all recruiting classes are created equal

True and not every recruit turns out the way you hope but to recruit a player that you know will not be ready to play for a couple of years does seem to be the solution since the successes have been more then the misses.

 

[FlCATFan]

please don't misunderstand the poster - very few of us would want Cal to recruit much differently. However, there ARE criticisms that are of merit - one being that he has had the power players in years past that he does not have now. We have been lucky that Cal has been able to recruit this amazing talent and it HAS worked most years because these guys come in with a special attitude. This year, we got the talented players, but they are normal, freshman talent; none of them have that "it" factor that guys like Wall, Cousins, AD, MKG et al did.

This kind of thing is bound to bite Cal in the butt every so often - not all recruiting classes are created equal

Great analysis BKO. We have been incredibly spoiled by Cal recruiting the best of the best to UK. In the past the talent have been able to adapt their play to Cal's system and thrive. But this group simply hasn't adapted and I doubt they will. I know it can't be easy for Cal to abandon a formula that has been so successful in recent years. But if this team is to reach it's potential I think it will be necessary.

 

[dave5164]

This is not the first team that has went through this transition with Coach Cal. The 1st team was the 10-11 team with Knight, TJones, Harrrelson, and Miller. We lost in the Maui to UCONN by 17 and we started the SEC at 5-5 and everyone was saying NIT at 17-7 on how that was playing. We finished the season winning 12/13 and winning the SEC Tourney and beating WVU, UNC, and OSU to get to the Final Four and we lost to UCONN by 1 after being beat by 17 in the Maui earlier in the season. Then in 13-14 Harrelson Twins and Randle we beat Kansas State, Undefeated Wichita State at #1 Seed, beat #4 Seed UL, and beat #2 seed Michigan in the Elite 8 to head to the FF. We defeated the Badgers and lost to UCONN once again in the Finals. Those 2 years were unbelievable because most media, experts, and fans had UK heading to the NIT in both seasons. This team can do it to with Ulis, Murray, Poy, Lee, Skal, Briscoe, Matthews, Willis, Mulder. The biggest problem that we all talk about over and over is trying to move Skal to forward and see how that works out and maybe away from the 3 guard lineup and try and start someone other than Briscoe like Willis, Matthews, Mulder and still bring Briscoe in but try something different in those 2 areas and see what happens. Even try Humphries or Wynyard at Center and see what happens when they play 25-30 minutes. There are options here for Cal to try and see if helps and works better.

 

[Bkocats]

This is not the first team that has went through this transition with Coach Cal. The 1st team was the 10-11 team with Knight, TJones, Harrrelson, and Miller. We lost in the Maui to UCONN by 17 and we started the SEC at 5-5 and everyone was saying NIT at 17-7 on how that was playing. We finished the season winning 12/13 and winning the SEC Tourney and beating WVU, UNC, and OSU to get to the Final Four and we lost to UCONN by 1 after being beat by 17 in the Maui earlier in the season. Then in 13-14 Harrelson Twins and Randle we beat Kansas State, Undefeated Wichita State at #1 Seed, beat #4 Seed UL, and beat #2 seed Michigan in the Elite 8 to head to the FF. We defeated the Badgers and lost to UCONN once again in the Finals. Those 2 years were unbelievable because most media, experts, and fans had UK heading to the NIT in both seasons. This team can do it to with Ulis, Murray, Poy, Lee, Skal, Briscoe, Matthews, Willis, Mulder. The biggest problem that we all talk about over and over is trying to move Skal to forward and see how that works out and maybe away from the 3 guard lineup and try and start someone other than Briscoe like Willis, Matthews, Mulder and still bring Briscoe in but try something different in those 2 areas and see what happens. Even try Humphries or Wynyard at Center and see what happens when they play 25-30 minutes. There are options here for Cal to try and see if helps and works better.

agreed, and good points - ties in well with what we are discussing.
But even those two teams had players that had the "it" factor - Brandon Knight in '11 and Julius Randle in '14. That's not to say this team cannot improve; the question is will Cal modify his philosophy and make the adjustments needed for this particular team to succeed.

 

[MychalG]

Heck yea this is all on Cal. He shoved last years class out the door along with Dakari and then had to scramble around to put a team together after his arrogant self was left holding the bag when most of the 5 star players decided not come to UK. I honestly feel Cal believes he can get any kid he wants when he wants him however the bigs in this years class said, No Thanks. Anyone think this team could use Diamond Stone who plays for Maryland, Bryant at IU, Bragg and Diallo at Kansas. With the exception of possibly Bryant I feel Cal thought he was getting at least 2 of them.

I knew going into the season are front line was going to be weak and they are proven me right. No need to beat a dead horse and bash the players we have however without a solid consistent inside scorer, this team is going to struggle against teams with good front lines. If Lee and Alex play like they did against LSU it could be a long season. Tyler and Jamal can only do so much. I will never give up on a UK team, however I will not be a happy camper if by chance we do not make the NCAA tourney.

 

[CUT-NETS]

So what should he do to change the fact he has to rely on freshmen? Should he recruit lesser players that will stay longer? Should he lie to talented kids that are guaranteed to be lottery picks or even guaranteed to first-round picks to selfishly help himself?

What exactly would you do?

I don't know what he could change or how he could do anything differently. Obviously in a perfect world you recruit the best players and they stay all 4 years but thats just never going to happen.

Tay you have been on the "Cal does no wrong" wagon for a long time now. My stance on Cal has been that he is great and has been amazing but that he is blowing a golden opportunity to really do something that has never been seen before. I think he SHOULD have won two other titles. I think his own stubbornness got in the way of those two titles and I believe it will stay in the way.

I ask you this; what would you think about Cal's time here at UK if Pitino and UL win it all again this year making it two titles during the Cal era? Would you still be perfectly fine with the run Cal has had at UK? The multiple final fours and only one title? Or would you think, "Gosh, Cal had the perfect opportunity to blow the lid off this thing and didn't"?

I actually think in a field so wide open that UL could win it all. Guarantee you if they get two titles in the Calipari era nobody will take solace in an 8-1 record against them.

 

[Bkocats]

Heck yea this is all on Cal. He shoved last years class out the door along with Dakari and then had to scramble around to put a team together after his arrogant self was left holding the bag when most of the 5 star players decided not come to UK. I honestly feel Cal believes he can get any kid he wants when he wants him however the bigs in this years class said, No Thanks. Anyone think this team could use Diamond Stone who plays for Maryland, Bryant at IU, Bragg and Diallo at Kansas. With the exception of possibly Bryant I feel Cal thought he was getting at least 2 of them.

I knew going into the season are front line was going to be weak and they are proven me right. No need to beat a dead horse and bash the players we have however without a solid consistent inside scorer, this team is going to struggle against teams with good front lines. If Lee and Alex play like they did against LSU it could be a long season. Tyler and Jamal can only do so much. I will never give up on a UK team, however I will not be a happy camper if by chance we do not make the NCAA tourney.

FWIW - I think he advised Dakari to come back; there was no way that Towns or WCS or Lyles were going to return, they were all lottery picks. And I must respectfully disagree that Cal shoves them out the door.
That being said - and I do completely believe this - we ended up missing on recruits due mostly to negative recruiting. Yes, Cal is arrogant, but I don't believe he is in the way you are suggesting.
Cal did, however, have to scramble a bit to put together a class, and it wasn't one that quite measured up to last year's

 

[SDcatfan13]

Heck yea this is all on Cal. He shoved last years class out the door along with Dakari and then had to scramble around to put a team together after his arrogant self was left holding the bag when most of the 5 star players decided not come to UK. I honestly feel Cal believes he can get any kid he wants when he wants him however the bigs in this years class said, No Thanks. Anyone think this team could use Diamond Stone who plays for Maryland, Bryant at IU, Bragg and Diallo at Kansas. With the exception of possibly Bryant I feel Cal thought he was getting at least 2 of them.

I knew going into the season are front line was going to be weak and they are proven me right. No need to beat a dead horse and bash the players we have however without a solid consistent inside scorer, this team is going to struggle against teams with good front lines. If Lee and Alex play like they did against LSU it could be a long season. Tyler and Jamal can only do so much. I will never give up on a UK team, however I will not be a happy camper if by chance we do not make the NCAA tourney.

What a bunch of BS. You don't know at all whether Calipari pushed anyone out the door or was arrogant about getting players. I'm pretty sure he made a good push for Diallo and Bryant at the minimum. Those players just chose to not go to Kentucky.

 

[Big Cat fan]

This team has the talent but the coaching and heart is in question. One reason I feel UK doesn't have half court offense is because Cal slows it down, they look at him and he talks to much. I think Cal has to let this team play more sure they'll have more turnovers most likely but they gotta go score. No one on that sideline can teach them. I'm sorry but it's true. You wanna have points and big stats go elsewhere, because it's isn't happening here.

Another thing is the team seems to not care once a team gets a 10 point lead. They don't fight back once they get pushed. I hear Cal sayin they have to but he puts up with his little guards turning it over and not getting back and set on D. He may give them a free pass but the rest of the country is learning and getting ready for march.

The thing people will say is what about 11-14 well our teams until now never got ran, like this team does. I'm worried about that.

 

[LmdCat]

It's on cal for this....he relies on freshman every year. That's his mistake and it's catching up now.

What isn't his mistake is coaching. These guys are 17-18 the guys we rely on. They make terrible decisions he cannot change in one season. There is a massive learning curve UNLESS you bring in legit studs who play and look like men. MKG types of guys. The skals of the world have a long way to go and he will never develop as a college athlete bc he will be gone. I believe given the players we have Cals is doing ok. His hands are tied because he has very little power options

It is also on Cal for signing players that are incapable of playing man defense and refusing to incorporate some zone defense in games. It is also on Cal for not utilizing some defenses that would allow him to occasionally get his best shooters on the floor instead of complaining because they can't play man. If man defense is that important to him, it is time to start recruiting only players that have demonstrated an ability to play man defense.

 

[docholiday51]

Overall this was a weak class, Cal missed on 2 or 3 of his first choices. If we don't get Murray late then this is a bigger down season than it will turn out to be. As I said in another thread Cal pulled this class out of thin air and was lucky to get what we have.

When you hitch your star to this model years like this happen, so do years like last year and probably next year. This doesn't make Cal a bad coach or bad guy it is just the risk he is willing to take on a yearly basis.

In a weak year if you miss the few top guys that are on the board and you miss evaluate one or 2 guys then you have a problem. Lee and Poy are role players at this level, that is all they have ever been, this is due to Lee's skillset and Poy's mental approach to the game.

The question becomes how much can he change and how willing is Cal to change what he does for the rest of this year with this team. Will he alter who gets minutes, how we play or change the make-up of who is on the floor together. We are 11-3 currently, I doubt Cal is in a drastic change mode yet (probably not even to the point of tweak)

 

[Big Cat fan]

Doc I think he thought Booker and Johnson would return until very late march last season.

Everybody did.

 

[LmdCat]

Overall this was a weak class, Cal missed on 2 or 3 of his first choices. If we don't get Murray late then this is a bigger down season than it will turn out to be. As I said in another thread Cal pulled this class out of thin air and was lucky to get what we have.

When you hitch your star to this model years like this happen, so do years like last year and probably next year. This doesn't make Cal a bad coach or bad guy it is just the risk he is willing to take on a yearly basis.

In a weak year if you miss the few top guys that are on the board and you miss evaluate one or 2 guys then you have a problem. Lee and Poy are role players at this level, that is all they have ever been, this is due to Lee's skillset and Poy's mental approach to the game.

The question becomes how much can he change and how willing is Cal to change what he does for the rest of this year with this team. Will he alter who gets minutes, how we play or change the make-up of who is on the floor together. We are 11-3 currently, I doubt Cal is in a drastic change mode yet (probably not even to the point of tweak)

It is easy to blame the players for all that is going wrong. However, that isn't the case. As was stated by former Eagle football players when talking about their former head coach, great coaches are smart enough to adapt their systems to the players that they have instead of attempting to force players to adapt to systems that their skill sets aren't suited for.