Could we start 5 freshmen next year?

[mikbrenhum]

1 - Fox
2 - Monk
3 - Gabriel
4 - Bam
5 - SKJ

Without knowing who will be back, that's a fun projection. Yes, if any of our starters this year return, they are automatic. Humphries will be back, and a likely starter. But Skal, Lee, Ulis, Briscoe, Murray are all projected as gone, and Poy graduates. Who knows about Wynyard. He could be Superman, or need time to develop. Give us a returning guard and forward and I think #9 ( or 10!)is ours to lose.

 

[RondoBaller21]

I'd slide bolden in at the 5, but either way it'll be 5 freshman.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

I'd be more surprised if it was not a fab 5 frosh starting. We will have an experienced bench for sure though. Maybe Matthews could start next year if he really improves his shooting, but idk.

 

[jrpross]

Possibly. It's also possible Humphries starts at the 5. But if say the 1-4 are right unless by chance Ulis or Lee come back.

 

[Louis_Skunt]

Ulis is going to the NBA??

 

[z71sab]

Yes he is

 

[UKDUNK]

Gonna be hard to push Matthews, Willis and Humphries out of the starting lineup with the minutes those guys are getting this year. It's easy to assume every top 25 guy will be an instant impact player from day one but it's not guaranteed. I like the fact that Cal sprinkles in a few 4 year guys so there isn't as much pressure on the new guys.

 

[z71sab]

Switch bam and skj . Bam at the center unless we get bolden which is still possible

 

[z71sab]

No offense but mathews , Willis and hunphries are not starting over next years freshman. No way no how

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Gonna be hard to push Matthews, Willis and Humphries out of the starting lineup with the minutes those guys are getting this year. It's easy to assume every top 25 guy will be an instant impact player from day one but it's not guaranteed. I like the fact that Cal sprinkles in a few 4 year guys so there isn't as much pressure on the new guys.

Won't be as hard as you think. Bam will embarrass Willis at the 4 or Hump at the 5.

 

[BlueBomb]

Sorry, but I'm not convinced Ulis is gone.

 

[caneintally]

With Ulis , Lee , Murray , Briscoe , Poy and Skal gone I think our line up is this next year

Starters
PG- Fox
SG- Monk
SF- Gabriel
PF- Bam
C- Bolden if we get him and if not Humphries

2nd string

Mulder ( he is not a pg obviously but think he will eventually play more then Hawkins )
Matthews
Willis
Skj
Tai

 

[Owen68]

What would make Ulis come back? He's not going to improve his point guard skills. The only thing he needs is to be taller. He's not going to get taller if he stays. May as well go and earn some money.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

What would make Ulis come back? He's not going to improve his point guard skills. The only thing he needs is to be taller. He's not going to get taller if he stays. May as well go and earn some money.

If he keeps sucking shooting the ball this year he might want to consider it. I think he is gone though.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Humphries really needs to improve defensively in order to start next year.

Also, with speedy guards on the perimeter, do we really want to clog the paint with two bangers like Hump and Bam at the same time?

My guess is we start five freshmen. Bam and SKJ compliment each other inside. Matthews, Willis, and Humphries come off the bench.

 

[STEVEGRO50]

I hope not.

 

[GOING FOR #9]

You guys have no clue. No one was right on this years rotation. And the fact that these questions are being asked in the first third of the 2015-16 ImO it's sickening. It's writing off a team before they have even made it halfway. How about asking who starts blah blah in 2 weeks? These threads are garbage I'm sorry it must be 15 yr olds starting them

 

[UKWildcats#8]

You guys have no clue. No one was right on this years rotation. And the fact that these questions are being asked in the first third of the 2015-16 ImO it's sickening. It's writing off a team before they have even made it halfway. How about asking who starts blah blah in 2 weeks? These threads are garbage I'm sorry it must be 15 yr olds starting them

People were not really wrong. Most said Ulis, Briscoe, Murray, Poy and Skal with Lee first off the bench. If not for Poy's injury most peoples' predicted starting 5 would have been right. The only real surprise, if any, is Willis getting some decent run.

 

[TexKat]

Wouldn't be the first time.

 

[Supafuzz75]

Fox,, Monk,, Gabriel and Bam will 100% start.. They're better than anyone that would be back hands down.. SKJ keeps progressing as is,, pencil him in as the 5th starting frosh as well..

 

[bluescat92]

What is it that has people thinking Humphries will start next year. The five we have coming all can rip and run. If he can't get minutes on this years team he will not start on next years.

 

[UKDUNK]

Won't be as hard as you think. Bam will embarrass Willis at the 4 or Hump at the 5.

I hope so but I won't be counting on it. Expecting freshmen to come in and become All-Americans from day one leads some to call a kid a bust 10 games into the season.

 

[UKDUNK]

What is it that has people thinking Humphries will start next year. The five we have coming all can rip and run. If he can't get minutes on this years team he will not start on next years.

You do understand that players get better with time and experience, right? Isaac will have a full year of playing and a full offseason to work on his game with some of the best trainers in the world and build confidence. He might not start but he will be a BIG part of the team next year.

 

[bigc45157]

My question is can we win it with a starting freshman five? I know no one can answer that question, but we had a heck of a class in '13 and struggled mightily during the season.

My only thought is that next year's group more dynamic and just better in many ways.

It sure would be nice to return some guys to match what MSU and Duke will have coming back, though.

 

[TIE543]

Man, next year's gonna be freakin' awesome. (Disclaimer: I'm really enjoying this year, too.)

 

[RondoBaller21]

If

My question is can we win it with a starting freshman five? I know no one can answer that question, but we had a heck of a class in '13 and struggled mightily during the season.

My only thought is that next year's group more dynamic and just better in many ways.

It sure would be nice to return some guys to match what MSU and Duke will have coming back, though.

If you've followed recruiting at all, you would know these guys are not your normal freshmen. I'm talking 4 players in the top 10. If Cal lands Simmons and or Bolden, your talking 6 or 7 5 star prospects. Nobody has ever had a class like that. Usually classes will have a few 3 or 4 star players added to the five stars. Not the case with this class, all five stars. Scouts are calling it one of the best classes in years, yet cal gets four top ten players? Wha?? Are you kidding me. I think most everyone who's heard from scouts or that have seen them play know that Monk, Fox, Gabriel, and bam are just ridiculously good. Add SKJ who is improving and Bolden who's a top 15 recruit and you got problems for anyone on UK's schedule.

 

[bluescat92]

You do understand that players get better with time and experience, right? Isaac will have a full year of playing and a full offseason to work on his game with some of the best trainers in the world and build confidence. He might not start but he will be a BIG part of the team next year.

I hope so cause he has not shown it yet. Next years teams is outrageously athletic and unless he makes that dramatic improvement your hoping for I don't see it happening til he is a junior or senior (depending on Cals classes in 17 and 18). Here's hoping.

 

[Wildcat-in-STL]

Lets be honest, Ulis has not been shooting like he's capable of. And if it doesnt pick up, he may have to come back.

 

[caneintally]

You guys have no clue. No one was right on this years rotation. And the fact that these questions are being asked in the first third of the 2015-16 ImO it's sickening. It's writing off a team before they have even made it halfway. How about asking who starts blah blah in 2 weeks? These threads are garbage I'm sorry it must be 15 yr olds starting them

what are you talking about ? Some , including myself , think we will win it all this year . But this thread is about next year which is totally reasonable . This is what these boards are for - discussion.

 

[caneintally]

You do understand that players get better with time and experience, right? Isaac will have a full year of playing and a full offseason to work on his game with some of the best trainers in the world and build confidence. He might not start but he will be a BIG part of the team next year.

I can't believe you had to even say that but you did . Issac most likely will be tearing it up in the NBA in a few years but b/c he didn't start his season like Cousins or AD he isn't very good to some LOL. The scouts at the combine seemed to be impressed and those are the people who matter.

 

[TNCatfanforever]

Fox,, Monk,, Gabriel and Bam will 100% start.. They're better than anyone that would be back hands down.. SKJ keeps progressing as is,, pencil him in as the 5th starting frosh as well..

I totally agree. Even if Ullis is back Fox is better. Hump is a 3-4 year guy as is Wynard and Matthews and as of Today they will all start over Skal

 

[NCukcat62]

If we do get bolden then I believe he starts. Humphries could start but he'll have to get quicker to run with these guys. I expect cal to want the quickest team in the country so I could see skj right now starting. Deadly. This class is above any class I've seen

 

[downthehatch]

I don't think so.

If there's one thing I've learned this year it's that you can't trust high school statistics and mix videos to predict what's going to happen in college. I hope I'm wrong and those five give us 40 - 0.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

I hope so but I won't be counting on it. Expecting freshmen to come in and become All-Americans from day one leads some to call a kid a bust 10 games into the season.

I never said anything about him being an All-American. What the hell does that have to do with beating out players like Willis and Humphries? Those guys are nto close to All-Americans or even All-SEC type players. Bam is not competing with a front court of Anthony Davis and Cousins at the front court to start at PF or C.

 

[buckkiller]

I think we are going to be so badass next year!

 

[Buck Creek Cat]

If next year's recruits could be taken out of high school right now and given one month of practice under a quality coach they would beat this year's UK team by 15 points.

 

[GOING FOR #9]

From MAY of last year. Proves no one knows anything. Let's enjoy our team we have now and the players who stay. If Ulis stays he's on no bench.

https://kentucky.forums.rivals.com/threads/name-your-starting-5-as-of-today.97518/

 

[5iveStarRecruit]

Don't see Ulis leaving. The increased workload has hurt his efficiency numbers. I expect his 3p% to pick up, but im not confident his FG % will rise to respectable levels.

 

[marshalfan]

Possibly. It's also possible Humphries starts at the 5. But if say the 1-4 are right unless by chance Ulis or Lee come back.

I would be beyond shocked if Humphries starts next year.

 

[CharlieT71059]

We definitely will have 5 that could start