How good can we expect Carr to be?

[UKBB4Ever]

He's a perfect system fit for how Pope likes to play. A stretch 4 big that can handle the ball, pass and shoot. Nothing like Kal's 18 year old twigs who couldn't walk and chew gum at the same time.

Good point. Doesn’t matter how good a guy is if he’s not a fit.

He seems to be a fit.

 

[James from Krispy Kreme]

The Stony Brook game highlights were definitely disappointing

I’m not saying he’s not a good player, I’m just saying he isn’t what people are making him out to be. It’s like Aaron Bradshaw was always a project, was always rail thin, he was everything he was at UK prior to coming to UK. Instead of watching his games, people rode the hype train and made him out to be something he isn’t. Same for Amari Williams. I hope he kills it but to me he’s a guy you use to steal minutes.

 

[AzubuikeandFitch]

Amari Williams played in the CAA for 4 years and everyone has him pencilled in at center. Carr is better, played against better comp and should play over Williams, we just need a stretch 4 with the last scholarship.

Almonor is best suited in a stretch 4 role. Given his consistent improvement and experience, I expect him to provide some solid minutes.

 

[Colonial Farm 80]

I like what I see on video.

Carr can shoot, but he is not very physical. That goes with his build.

 

[megablue]

I’m hoping for a Willis type year for him. Willis was so underrated here.

I can see that.
8/4, 10/5 would be good help from Carr.

Derek Willis College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Derek Willis - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more

www.sports-reference.com

 

[Colonial Farm 80]

They played head to head in the CAA, Carr is simply a better player. Carr is infinitely better in Mark Pope’s system.

I don’t think Williams is the player people think he is. He’s one of the better players in the CAA, he’s a guy you use to steal minutes in the SEC. Carr has the potential to be a big time player in Popes offense.

I have seen a lot of tape. I don't see how you jump to these conclusions. They are totally different players. Carr played 2 ACC seasons and wasn't that good until last year. Even then, he scored but he couldn't defend on the floor because he gets shoved around. Williams has never played P4 but his strength, defense, and passing ability will probably translate. Strength is strength. If you are strong, rim protection is rim protection. Those qualities translate. But Williams is a 5 and Carr is a 4. You cannot use Carr as a 5 in the SEC. We would get murdered on the boards. But I will give you this much. Garrison may start by midseason.

 

[davekersey]

I’m hoping for a Willis type year for him. Willis was so underrated here.

How about walter mccarty?

 

[TucsonCat]

He had 31 points and 11 rebounds against Georgia in the NIT, so he wasn't too overwhelmed or “out physicaled” by a 20-win SEC team in his most recent game. And yeah, I know Georgia wasn’t great but they were a fairly athletic SEC team.

He also scored 3, 4, 4, 4, 6 against Boston College, Virginia, Florida State, Georgia Tech and Towson. Playing starter minutes, 30 or more. That's a lot of disappearing acts.

When a player like this is our 4th option, we can get a 5 seed or better.
If he's our 3rd, we'll be 10 or lower.

 

[W1LDCAT22]

I think he can be a solid piece. I expect him to average about 9-10 ppg and 5 rbg. More importantly is his ability to stretch the offense and make the defense respect his outside shooting.

 

[W1LDCAT22]

Williams was the best player in the CAA.
I'm thinking/hoping that translates to good starting center on a good SEC team.
Maybe a 3rd team all conference.

Wake Forest was an NIT team.
Carr was the 4th best player on it.
Hopefully he's 4th or 5th option on a good Team that makes sweet 16.
I would be concerned if he puts up numbers.
Otherwise, well be another NIT team.

People are sleeping on Garrison. I think Garrison will push Williams and will eventually steal meaningful minutes from Williams and Carr for the 4/5 spots.

 

[Cold Stout Beer]

People are sleeping on Garrison. I think Garrison will push Williams and will eventually steal meaningful minutes from Williams and Carr and the 4/5 spots.

Yeah him or someone(s) will break out. Gonna be a fun ride!!

 

[ia.ukfan]

Whereas your posts are designed to keep discussion going despite this being a slow season ahead. You have one on the T-Wolves, one on UK baseball, and this nonsense. I guess your bosses are getting a little worried about web traffic, eh sock? On one hand you post blather like "Gee I wonder how good Carr will be next year" and in the same thread you mock someone for not having any outdoor hobbies. LOL the irony and hubris.

Criticizing someone for “keeping discussion going” on a message board.

That may be, perhaps, the most ridiculous attack I’ve ever read on RR.

The irony is you confirm what he said you were. You are who we thought you were. That is, a dick.

 

[kingdom come cat]

For a 6 foot 10 Thin guy he plays pretty physical, very good handle and foot work, very good with his movement and timing to get himself open for passes for scoring opportunities down low and on the perimeter, he's a better inside player than I was expecting.

 

[bucsrule8872]

He also scored 3, 4, 4, 4, 6 against Boston College, Virginia, Florida State, Georgia Tech and Towson. Playing starter minutes, 30 or more. That's a lot of disappearing acts.

When a player like this is our 4th option, we can get a 5 seed or better.
If he's our 3rd, we'll be 10 or lower.

Most of the time, Carr was an afterthought in the offense for Wake. They had three guards, led by Sallis, that took most of the shots just about every game. Carr and Reid weren’t expected to do much last season.

But when he did get the ball in the low post from time to time, he made some good things happen. His opportunities were just few and far between based on what I saw.

 

[Cold Stout Beer]

Most of the time, Carr was an afterthought in the offense for Wake. They had three guards, led by Sallis, that took most of the shots just about every game. Carr and Reid weren’t expected to do much last season.

But when he did get the ball in the low post from time to time, he made some good things happen. His opportunities were just few and far between based on what I saw.

Seems to me that with the ball moving so fast in Pope’s offense, he’ll have all kinds of chances and it will come down to him converting.

 

[TucsonCat]

I see you are a glass half empty guy. How about we go with averages instead of worst - or best - performances? His were 11 points and 6 rebounds. That would be an upgrade, statistically, over any forward or center on Kentucky’s roster last year, including Mitchell, Z, Bradshaw or anyone else.

I'm not saying he can't do 11 and 6. I hope that's the max he needs to do.
There were 3 players better than him on Wake Forest and they lost to Georgia in the NIT.
if he outperforms that, probably means we have less talent than Wake Forest.

When Antonio Reeves came here, he went from a 20 point leading scorer on a 13-20 team, to a 14 point scorer on an ncaa tournament team.
Conversely, Keion Brooks went from a 4th banana on a ncaa tournament team to leading scorer on the 8th place Pac 12 team.
I do not want Carr to have a Keion Brooks trajectory.

 

[Cleatortoises]

Clutch pearls or dig in.
I like carr but none of us bennies has a clue. So many declarative statements. He will. He won't. If this then that.
Let's let er breathe for a minute. Captain Pope says he understands the assignment. I believe.
GBB

 

[FatestCat]

How about walter mccarty?

It’s funny how many guys you can come up with that were overshadowed here, but could’ve been stars on other teams.

 

[Cold Stout Beer]

Clutch pearls or dig in.
I like carr but none of us bennies has a clue. So many declarative statements. He will. He won't. If this then that.
Let's let er breathe for a minute. Captain Pope says he understands the assignment. I believe.
GBB

Agree but it’s fun to see what people think. I mean this IS a chat board.

 

[FatestCat]

I can see that.
8/4, 10/5 would be good help from Carr.

Derek Willis College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Derek Willis - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more

www.sports-reference.com

The one block a game and his ability to stretch the floor for that team is what I think Carr can do for this one. I doubt Garrison and Williams play together a lot for that reason. I could even see him do a stretch five with Brea and Robinson on the floor.

 

[JHannibalSmith]

I’m not saying he’s not a good player, I’m just saying he isn’t what people are making him out to be. It’s like Aaron Bradshaw was always a project, was always rail thin, he was everything he was at UK prior to coming to UK. Instead of watching his games, people rode the hype train and made him out to be something he isn’t. Same for Amari Williams. I hope he kills it but to me he’s a guy you use to steal minutes.

Williams will likely be a key part of our offense. Pope loves to run zoom action off staggered screens & a good passing big out of the high post is a must. And, AW is a very good passer with seemingly solid vision & court awareness.

He probably won’t score a lot, mostly put backs, lobs & post ups on the block. But, he’ll be tough to keep off the floor with his defense, rebounding & passing, IMO. I’d be concerned if we had to rely on him as a top scoring option. But, I think he’ll be a great fit as a rim protector, glass eater & facilitator, surrounded by shooters, with little pressure to score.

 

[AshWilliams]

Did you give your killswitch24 alias the day off to go visiit with your old UKGrad24, 2stepshep, Jeff2Reed, etc. aliases? I honestly lost track of them all. Enjoy your "formula".

Whiff on all attempts. Sorry I wasn't around to respond, but unlike you I actually have a life. Enjoy lurking around this site during the dead period and trying to dredge up traffic. I see your baseball off topic thread got shut down LOL

 

[CincinnatiWildcat]

I'm not saying he can't do 11 and 6. I hope that's the max he needs to do.
There were 3 players better than him on Wake Forest and they lost to Georgia in the NIT.
if he outperforms that, probably means we have less talent than Wake Forest.

When Antonio Reeves came here, he went from a 20 point leading scorer on a 13-20 team, to a 14 point scorer on an ncaa tournament team.
Conversely, Keion Brooks went from a 4th banana on a ncaa tournament team to leading scorer on the 8th place Pac 12 team.
I do not want Carr to have a Keion Brooks trajectory.

In Reeves second year he was again a 20 point scorer but this time on a ncaa tournament team.... In his first year he like some have mentioned of Carr had some disappearing acts, but the very next year he was our most consistent player. Guys get better, and play differently depending on what option they are for their team/ how defenses try to stop their team.

 

[Wildcat-in-STL]

Scott Padgett is a perfect description of what kind of player Carr can be for us. The plays he does make are plays that you can make in the SEC and Big 12. He'll play the stretch 4 position and not the 5. And if he disappears, thats what having the deep team is for, you then put in Robinson as a small ball 4 or Almonor in. Being deep means having options.

I also dont understand why the one guy thinks Carr is a 5? if he was going to play the 5, either Williams or Garrison would have bolted. its Carr at the 4 with Almonor backing him up and Williams at the 5 with Garrison backing up the 5. Also we could see some Robinson or Oweh sliding to the 4 at points if there is foul trouble or a need to go small and quick.

 

[Bluegrassking]

I think he is a great template player for the 4 in Pope's system.

I'm not meaning the ideal but rather he seems to have the skillset pretty well checked off across the board and should serve as a great example to show how an even better talent will plug in going forward while holding the role down productively this season.