How much should Kevin Knox’s surprise choice of UK up expectations for the Cats?

[preacher_tom]

http://www.kentucky.com/sports/other-sports/article149387499.html

 

[blubo]

Vegas bettors expectations have risen since the addition of knox:

http://props.scoresandodds.com/sect... Odds to Win&sporttype=525&startdate=5/9/2017

 

[spotter34]

Knox commitment alone took us from a ceiling of sweet 16 to a ceiling of a FF and clearly a title contender. Adding Bamba would take us from that to being the perceived favorite.

 

[docholiday51]

Knox commitment alone took us from a ceiling of sweet 16 to a ceiling of a FF and clearly a title contender. Adding Bamba would take us from that to being the perceived favorite.

FF might be pushing it right now but add Bamba and it takes us to a whole new level.The Diallo question still looms large,Johnson seems less likely now but would change things greatly if it happened.I see Diallo and Johnson as either/or at best

Bamba,Richards,Knox Johnson and Green would be something to see at times,if Vanderbilt is ready to go you could plug him in at any of 3 spots with that line-up

 

[irishcat1965]

I was confident Cal could have his team ready for a title run whether Knox joined the team or not. His addition simply means more ammunition for us and Duke and UNC missing out on what could have been a huge missing piece.

 

[spotter34]

FF might be pushing it right now but add Bamba and it takes us to a whole new level.The Diallo question still looms large,Johnson seems less likely now but would change things greatly if it happened.I see Diallo and Johnson as either/or at best

Bamba,Richards,Knox Johnson and Green would be something to see at times,if Vanderbilt is ready to go you could plug him in at any of 3 spots with that line-up

FF would be pushing it but the ceiling for that team is what I was trying to gauge and I think with just Knox and no one else that that team could reach the FF. Not likely, but completely possible.

 

[BlueBomb]

UofL toward the top in Vegas odds....

 

[docholiday51]

FF would be pushing it but the ceiling for that team is what I was trying to gauge and I think with just Knox and no one else that that team could reach the FF, not likely but completely possible.

Agree,I think we get Bamba and that makes us more flexible (we could really move players around and put so many different combinations on the floor)

 

[spotter34]

Agree,I think we get Bamba and that makes us more flexible (we could really move players around and put so many different combinations on the floor)

Can you imagine Bamba, Gabriel, Vanderbilt, Diallo, and Alexander on the floor together defensively? We'd have wing span out the wazoo.

 

[Deli owl]

I was shocked. I said months ago he was my fav. player in the class but thought he was a duke lock. So I was shocked. Did I mention being shocked?

 

[true blue1]

UofL toward the top in Vegas odds....

 

[Ocornett]

After we get Bamba and we get Diallo back or Johnson comments (if Diallo leaves) we will be ready to go after number 9. I have a great feeling about this team. I would love to come to a practice just to see these kids go at it. Know we are not going 40 and 0, but if this team comes together early we could see another 30 win season easily, and that's not including the big dance wins we will get on our way to number 9. Cards are going to get a good ole @ss whooping this year.

 

[IL Wildcat]

There is no question his addition changes many things. With Diallo potentially gone, the big question in my mind had become guard play and ball handling. I know Knox isn't a true guard, but he's definitely a solid ball handler. So, with Quade Green and Shai Alexander handling the ball and Baker coming in to provide some shoooting, now you've got a very versatile wing who can do it all. I would venture to say Knox has the potential to play something like a point forward as needed. Knox coming in makes Diallo's possible departure much easier to manage. Look at the possible combinations. (without considering Diallo, Johnson, or Bamba)

PG Green/Alexander
SG Knox/Baker
SF Washington/Knox
PF Vanderbilt/Gabriel/Knox
C Richards/SKJ/Wynyard

Knox is a gamechanger because he has the entire package. He can handle the ball. He can shoot the ball. He has size. He has length. He has quickness and agility. He runs the floor like a gazelle. He can finish. He plays defense. He blocks shots. He could probably play the 1 through 4 positions against most teams. He's a little thin to attempt to play center, but he could probably do that against smaller teams. I figure he'll spend the majority of his time on the perimeter, on either wing.

Another great thing is that group also could play together this summer when Calipari coaches the USA U19 team in Egypt. Green, Diallo, Knox, Washington, Vanderbilt, and also Bamba are all on that team. That could be a huge boost to team chemistry for next season.