Trying not to pay much attention to Arky . I know i would like seeing g them struggle given situation but also know wanting to see someone fsil brings bad karma and really rather not have that. PVO
How much fun are you having watching Arkansas suck?
- Thread starter Jgrass34
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Actually, with some coaching, he would be a very good fit in Pope's system. He actually protects the rim fairly well and of course, the guy can shoot.
Right now, defenses don’t have to come out and guard Williams at the top, but if Z had the ball up top, his nan would need to be right up on him.
If we could just combine Z and Williams, we would have an unstoppable 5 and good luck to any defense trying to defend the paint against cutting guards and wings.
He sure did, I just laughed. Still throwing the bench guys under the bus aren’t ya Cal.
Williams cant shoot the 3. Z wouldn't take Carr's spot, Carr is a 4.
Also, Williams doesn't really have any post moves either and rebounding hasn't really been his thing to this point.
Z only played 9 minutes against UT. He hit a 3, grabbed 3 boards and blocked at least 3 shots. Cal is all about his guards, so they always have the ball and Z is just in the way. He already has Aidoo and Thiero taking up space in the paint, so Z gets put on the bench.
Z would do very well in this system, but he would need to be ciached, he's a bit lazy and he doesn't move laterally very well.
He’s shooting and making too many 3’s for Cal’s liking. Can’t have him not Parked under the goal.
To each his own.
Cal is entertainment all on his own. He's that old guy that doesn't understand he's an embarrassment and the things that come out of his mouth are gold, solid gold and now another fanbase gets to deal with it.
There are fans from almost every fanbase that are watching what's going on and are in disbelief as well, it's not just UK fans.
All you guys that say you don't watch, or pay attention to Cal, are either bullsh*tting, or you just simply aren't much of a cbb fan, because like it or not, Cal/UK/Arkansas is the biggest story this season.
Had he gone to UCLA, or somewhere else out west, we wouldn't care, but dude went to Arkansas and to those that love cbb, like me, that is almost more entertaining than watching the games.
He's not living rent free in our minds, you know how you can tell? Because we're all pointing and laughing at him.
Z would’ve been instead of Garrison.
Was watching the field of 68 last night (national college bball podcast) and when breaking down and reviewing Kentucky game they naturally started comparing how we play to Arkansas and how refreshing it is. These were not Kentucky fans but they naturally compared the two programs.
Cal is not one of our own. He is a traitor to the program. His arrogant attitude of players first was wrong and kept many other good players from coming here that would have helped us even more than some that he recruited. He was an absolute clown of a coach and it was by the grace of God we got rid of him due to that awful contract Mitch gave him. I hope he falls flat on his face at Arkansas and leaves in disgrace. Screw him.
Possibly, but remember, Pope had to fly back out to convince Williams to stay committed to UK after he signed Garrison IIRC. I'm not sure we get Williams if Z stays at UK.
But my point was, Williams isn't a shooter and there are a few things Z does that Williams doesn't and vice versa.
Yup, I watch all their videos, I love Fanta, he's a trip.
I also love Southeastern 16. I watched them last night and they spent a lot of time talking about Cal and the things he said in his post game presser. They couldn't believe he didn't have a shoot around.
I think everyone is starting to see what we have been dealing with the last 5 years. The guy is a mental case and the funniest part is all these media guys are saying he's a terrible coach without actually saying it.
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Many of us, likely including you, felt that Calipari was going to try and ruin the program under ANY circumstances of leaving. Last night I watched his speech he gave his players, with Nolan Richardson in attendance. He thinks he's exhausted all the tricks in the book trying to motivate his kids, when the fact is HE SUCKS. Surely Z was sitting there thinking "whatz zthe hellz didz I getz into?".
Z and Garrison would have been a scary good combo.
I think Cal is going to disappear to Florida or somewhere in the New England area soon, probably to never be heard from again. Lol
Yeah I mean those guys gave us every break last year and believed in Cal until he failed yet again. It’s easy to see how Pope is a huge scheme upgrade, even to them.
If it weren’t for the thread titles about Arkansas on this site, I’d have practically no idea how they’re doing.
He’s gone.
He’s gone.
Cal is the one who is overrated and if you don't think Z would have fit into Pope's system, you are worse than Cal.
The only thing Williams does well is pass, so I think Z's 3-point shooting would have opened up the floor even more than it is. The major difference with Z being a part of Pope's system is the quality coaching he would receive vs getting no coaching from cal.
I don't enjoy watching them suck. I am however THRILLED that we're significantly better, and we are significantly better, regardless of what happens on 2/1. I've watched every Arkansas game and they are EXACTLY who we were for the majority of the last 8-9 years. They're athletic, with some talented players, but, awful shooters, low assist rates, and not well organized.
Cal doesn’t believe in the 5 being played that way, how could he coach it?
I never said Z wouldn't have fit in Pope's system. I just don't think there was much of a need to fit him into this specific roster. We have pieces that compliment each other very well right now and the roster is solid.
I must be watching a different Big Z than some of you all. He looks great shooting an open 3 or making the occasional backdoor pass but other than that he looks like an oversized toddler who can't guard literally anyone. He would have been better in Pope's system but right now he isn't half the player Williams and Garrison are.
Your watching the real version of Z. I think people fell in love with his 16 minute debut against Georgia and for some reason still think he's some amazing player. His brother at Illinois is the better player.
For whatever marginal benefit we would get from Z on the offensive end this year, he would get absolutely eaten alive on defense and on the boards.
I’m ambivalent about Z, he has skills that will help you in the right system and hurt you in the wrong system. We know which one CAl’s is.
Thiero is the arky kid we need. We have everything except a bruiser and a rebounder. He would also probably be our most athletic player if he were here. Z had such an amazing moment in his debut and we will remember it forever. But the kid isn't that good. I wish him the very best because he seems like a nice kid.
I agree but the guy I was quoting said Z is garbage and would be here in this system too. I disagree with that. It’s hard to see how good he’d be if he wasn’t playing in a system that completely underutilizes his specific skills. I think the way he plays the game would fit in perfect with what Pope does. But that’s JMOP. But totally agree, Thiero was the guy I wanted to stay the most. Him and then Boogie Fland then Z.
I'm gonna kind of repeat myself from another thread, but what Z gives us is something we really don't need more of. We don't need any more guys hitting threes. What we do need is someone who can grab a rebound. If getting Z back means we don't get garrison then that's a net negative for the squad.
Okay, but he's not the only one that looks uncoached, there's a common denominator and.it ain't big Z.
Our defense is rated 89th and we might be the worst rebounding team in the SEC, if we're going to suck in those 2 areas, we might as well have a 5 that can hit 3's while also sucking at rebounding and rim protection, although, Z is actually not bad at rim protection, Williams plays with his hands down and has he even taken a 3 yet?
Can you imagine having a 5 that can hit 3's running the offense from up top?
Z showed us what he's capable of last year in his debut, all Cal has done, is stymie that, for whatever reason.
In Pope's system, Z would be encouraged to shoot and pass. At 7'2", he would terrorize defenses with the ball in his hands up top.
It's kind of unfair to judge him when he's playing for Cal.
Oh, I’ll judge him. Cal totally wasted him last year, and the young fool said “more please!”
The last 4 or 5 years of Cal overshadows the early success he had(in part because he failed to take full advantage of the talent he had on hand) I know it is petty but I want to see him fail, he was a detriment to the program his last few years and did more damage than Billy G. The timing and manner of his exit was calculated to leave UK in the worst situation possible.
Pope has done the best job possible under the circumstances no matter what the remainder of the season brings.
I hope for the best as far as Z and Thiero are concerned. Maybe they felt they didn't have a place here, maybe they were loyal to Cal. I hope Ark can do us a favor or two and knock off Ala, Auburn or UF(they ain't beating UT)
Pope has done the best job possible under the circumstances no matter what the remainder of the season brings.
I hope for the best as far as Z and Thiero are concerned. Maybe they felt they didn't have a place here, maybe they were loyal to Cal. I hope Ark can do us a favor or two and knock off Ala, Auburn or UF(they ain't beating UT)
you're right and I think he would be better under a better coach. I mostly judge Z on hid physical limitations and his on court personality. There isn't a coach alive that can fix those things. Well, maybe but it's unlikely. He needs a lot of work in the weight room and a lot of agility drills in the offseason. Maybe he can hook up with a navy seal or something.
great kid though. wish him the best.
I had the UT game on in the background as I was doing some things in and out of the house. They look long and athletic, but short on basketball IQ and inconsistent shooting. I care as much about their success/failure as I do other Division 1 programs not named UK and ETSU, which is pretty close to zero. 😐
That's certainly true. Pope would coach him up, but physically he's not even in the same ballpark as Williams and Garrison. Z is unplayable against teams that play with intensity, significantly too soft and too weak. I fell in love with him last year too but only because Bradshaw and Ugo were unplayable also. Worst and softest trio of bigs imaginable.
I think it's fair to judge his lack of physical development. He had a whole offseason and all the resources a D1 program could offer and he has still not improved his body or agility. One could blame that on the coach's lack of motivation or encouragement but at this stage if he can't muster the discipline himself then he may have a big immaturity issue.
I feel bad bagging on him so much. I wish him the best. It just kind of is what it is. I bet at some point he will have another game like that georgia game last year.
Basically said he thought about a shootaround but decided against it cause 3-4 guys were sleeping in or something to that effect. He said something about them being on a 12:00 game time for them since they were coming from the Central time zone. It was a lame excuse. Essentially blaming an early game time.
Meanwhile we have a Coach who pays attention to details like game time and prepares the team by getting them in the gym early all week to get them adjusted for the 11:00 tipoff.
It is never his fault. It is always someone else's fault.
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