Free Big Z 2.0

[JwUKFan11]

Ugo has been pretty damn good in the minutes he's gotten. Maybe we shouldn't completely shit on guys like him and he's one of the few bright spots on defense most of the time. He has mistakes sometimes but he does a good job avoiding fouls and blocking shots.

 

[JwUKFan11]

Z. ...... D Allen ... B Hop ..... hmmmm what a great coach we have

Dontaie Allen is a superstar! oh wait....

 

[gracetoyou]

I dont mind him not playing many minutes if he got a chance and looked lost , but man 60-70seconds in a game where AB did look lost , after what we know he can do .. its just maddening

I agree to some degree. I would've brought him in for 3-4 minutes & ran high screen, kick back opportunities & told him tonshoot everyone of them. He can do that. If he's missing 3 in a row pull him out.

 

[UKNothinButNet]

Serious question. What is Klutch? It gets posted a lot

Evidently it’s CCC’s real boss.

 

[ukfan1622]

I'm happy with Ugo; he's played well and deserves some minutes.
I also think Z should have got more than the couple minutes he played. People are talking about how bad
he got dominated but he got 2 rebounds in his 2 minutes compared to 7 combined in 37 minutes for Bradshaw and Ugo. So I don't see how he could have played that poorly his short stint. If it was because of his play against USC then we should have forfeited since the only guy who played well that game was Dillingham, who sat out tonight.

 

[HagginHall1999]

Ugo has been pretty damn good in the minutes he's gotten. Maybe we shouldn't completely shit on guys like him and he's one of the few bright spots on defense most of the time. He has mistakes sometimes but he does a good job avoiding fouls and blocking shots.

He had a couple of spots where he should have been more aggressive on block attempts but I'm with you. TBH he is who I would start at this point. I trust him way more than AB. I like Z a lot it is weird timing though...it is February.

I 100% know what we get with Ugo and I like that. Similar to Thiero in the since that he will create and both sides of the ball...not always flawless.

Also, some people keep saying project with Ugo. He isn't a project and never was...I don't know where that came from. He held is own against Dickinson in December of '22.

 

[TriCountyCat]

I’m pretty sure Z is light years ahead of the other two offensively. This team needs defense and rebounding. Not sure which one is best at rim protection and pick and roll defense. Bradshaw was putrid on the pick and roll tonight and Ugo did ok. Z didn’t get to play enough to be able to tell anything.

 

[JFCats22]

So Cal loved Z last week but hates him today?

The clowns on here are so freaking stupid it’s amazing.

 

[Rockfly78]

Evidently it’s CCC’s real boss.

?

 

[Runnin'Ramel]

He’s better away from the basket tbh. I don’t care if he’s 7’2, he needs to be out on the perimeter imo (spacing and shooting).

This

 

[Rockfly78]

I really want to see Z repeat some of the stuff we saw in the Georgie game. That was amazing. I don’t believe cal is picking on him. He fought to get him cleared and then played him right away. They cried together and all that. Makes no sense to just try to screw him over in favor of the other kids. They are ALL draft pics. Actually Ugo is the least draft able of the 3 and he plays plenty.

He needs to improve in some areas because cal is stubborn as hell. If he is bad in two areas and good in one Cal won’t play him.

 

[CASblue]

Ehh this might not be the game for him. This is a tough game. Tough environment. And we need this win.

I'd like to see him during the next two home games tho.

Exactly. As much as we dog Cal, he made a conscience decision to to pull Z off the court and limited Bradshaw to only a few possessions. Onyenso got the nod tonight to try and battle in the trenches. Which I’m fine with that.

 

[OmahaCats]

He didn't look any good against sc or in his brief appearance tonight. Not sure why he isnt getting at least 6 to 10 minutes tonight though.

Bc he’s new. He’ll get more play at home on Wednesday. It’s tough to throw a player into a conference road environment when they e barely played

 

[ib4ky]

Allen sucks. He sucks at wku.

You mentioning him loses all credibility

EXCEPT for the game against FIU where he just dropped 30.........

Thu 1/25

vsFIU

W 105-91

33

9-11

81.8

5-7

71.4

7-7

100.0

1

0

0

0

0

1

30

 

[blue cincy]

UGO should start over Bradshaw (in games against more physical bigs). Bradshaw would rather look at the backboard than to actually battle a guy for a rebound (most games against bigs). Adou goes in and battles and yes he missed a bunch today but heck he has not played in over a month. UGO lost a few balls with his weak hands but at least he did block 3 or 4 shots and tried. Issue is Big Z knows how to block out but he is lost on defense right now with our team. Hope he gets up to speed.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

But Edwards got to play 9 minutes. SMH

Well he has to play a little. I still think the freshman need to play a bit just so they are game-ready in case w have injuries.

But yeah, I'm looking for Ugo and BigZ.

 

[JonathanW]

Ugo has been better than Bradshaw for sure so idk about that

Some people seem to think offense is all that matters. Nope, especially at the 5. There it is defense, rebounding, and protecting the rim that matters most.

 

[Bluesbrother]

That’s what i’m saying. It’s always the double standards with Cal. Z is behind but Bradshaw is playable. There’s been other instances of BS like this with Cal too. I just can’t remember them right now.

Cal is a dysfunctional mess. In spite of his incessant mouth, he never says anything that makes any sense.

 

[Halodiego]

He will be freed when he is ready. Has a lot of work and understanding to do first.

 

[ManitouDan]

Well ...... I know 100% Ugo as had a career game , but the big fella cant play ever minute .. and It would be kind to say Tre Mitchell has had a very off night .. you telling me Z cant the 4 ? Entire thing sucks , Dilly cramping DJ sick , Edwards MIA , and win or lose this this one it just inserts doubts about a roster that was showing so much promise

 

[KyCatFan]

I think Cal is punishing Z because of the fans. They got him freed finally and he had a big game. Then Cal is back to his way of refusing to play the player the fans want to see. Don't we seem to have a lineup every year lately the fans think is the best lineup, but Cal refuses to play it? Then he eventually is forced to and it makes him look bad for not playing them sooner.

If he has to have one of Bradshaw or Ugo in the paint fine, but give Z more minutes at the 4 and 5. Mitchell needs to only play like 25 minutes a game. That could give Z 15 minutes there and maybe 5 or 10 at the 5 if needed. He's not a back to the basket type and needs to play away from the basket more. Help draw out defenders for the drives to the basket.

I have a feeling we will never see him that much and then he leaves for the NBA or Europe next season. I'd love to have him another year as the main 4 or 5. That probably won't happen at all though unless Cal leaves and we get a big name to replace him. Then maybe he will come back. He can make solid NIL money if he does.

 

[ManitouDan]

^^ Well in most cases that would be preposterous , but since it's most likely true and Z could relive Mitchell at the 4 IF Cal wants to lose riding A Bradshaw at the 5 . Who knows , another unexplainable Calism' . Only thing that doesnt ever change is disappointment .

 

[ManitouDan]

So can someone link the official statement from Cal/ UK on the availability of Z. last night .. something to the effect of " he's sick and can see emergency duty only " WTH is that ??? He can really go .. but only if we really extra badly need him ? IMO you are either off the roster , you are throwing up / diarrhea whatever .. but in no way do you dress out , set with the team , and claim you are too sick to play , first Edwards , now Z , all in 2 weeks .. it smells to me , something just isnt right . I hate to say it , but both players looked fine to me .

 

[megablue]

UGO is tremendous when the offensive player is facing him and attacking the basket.
He falters against other bigs when they back him down and use ordinary post moves.
He will surely get better, but he gets abused some down low ... it surprises me, but I do see it happening.
His hands need great improvement. He gets hold of many balls, but loses possession.
Having said all of that, I still love seeing him in the game and what he brings to the defense via rim protection.
Keep in mind he was an earlier qualifier and should've been in high school last year. He is quite young, the third youngest on the team ... behind Wagner and Dillingham.
Ugo will continue to get better, imho. I'm really rooting for him.

Regards Z ... the coaches see him in practice. He must not show them he can play down low and be a force. Obviously, we have enough three-point shooting. We need DEFENSE and REBOUNDING !!!

 

[ManitouDan]

bout what I thought , no one has an official word . Weak story from the staff IMO

 

[blubo]

from ksr yesterday—“Unless there’s some kind of emergency I probably won’t play (Ivisic),” Calipari said. He added that Wagner is still a “couple of more days” away from returning.

DJ Wagner out, Zvonimir Ivisic unlikely to play against No. 5 Tennessee

Kentucky will be without DJ Wagner and likely Zvonomir Ivisic against the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday night.

www.on3.com

 

[mcwildcats04]

Time for a billboard outside Cal's house. Who wants to set up this fundraiser?

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Ugo has been better than Bradshaw for sure so idk about that

Right. Ugo deserves his time for sure.

Z definitely deserves more than he's getting, especially with Mitchell apparently having back issues. Bradshaw is a waste but he's one of Cal's chosen so he's getting minutes.

 

[ManitouDan]

And this is my 2nd Free Big Z thread .... and I about cracked up when Raffety said " free big Z " as they were breaking for a commercial.