I feel like next year's team...

[BleedBlue32]

Will more closely resemble Cal's Memphis teams than any of the ones he's had here. Before he came to UK, he ran the Dribble Drive Motion Offense because he had a few highly-touted recruits, a lot of athletic role players, and not much size up front and that system worked to their advantage. Once he got here, though, he's virtually had his choice of the top talent, the luxury of size, and has been able to choose how he plays because of that (PNR w/ the Davis team, hand-offs w/ the Knight team, post-ups this past year, etc.), leaving the DDMO as an afterthought.

I think 2015-16 changes that, though, and for the first time we get to see Cal's "signature" offense at UK. This team, at least on paper, has a similar makeup of his Memphis teams I mentioned above. Because of that, I think we'll see the tempo sped up more, a lot of three-guard lineups, and ultimately a fun team to watch. We won't win 38 straight, but I think it will be a fun season and we'll be right in the thick of things come March.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

While I don't necessarily disagree with your thesis, Cal often had long, 6'6" to 6'7" wings at Memphis - guys like CDR, Shawne Williams, Rodney Carney, Antonio Anderson, etc. - guys who could take the ball off the bounce, defend three positions, and consistently slash.

Next year's team won't have that, unless something miraculous happens regarding Jaylen Brown. I think having that type of 3 man is pivotal to doing what Cal did at Memphis.

 

[BleedBlue32]

Good point, Saul. Is there any possible way Charles Matthews could fill that role? I have not watched him much so I don't know much about his game, but I thought I read somewhere that he can be similar to Miller, who played that spot pretty well.

 

[Rhavicc]

While I don't necessarily disagree with your thesis, Cal often had long, 6'6" to 6'7" wings at Memphis - guys like CDR, Shawne Williams, Rodney Carney, Antonio Anderson, etc. - guys who could take the ball off the bounce, defend three positions, and consistently slash.

Next year's team won't have that, unless something miraculous happens regarding Jaylen Brown. I think having that type of 3 man is pivotal to doing what Cal did at Memphis.

Well we're looking at getting Shaun Kirk, who is a 6'7 wing. Plus, Matthews is 6'6, and Mulder is 6'5, so I wouldn't say it's a huge discrepancy.

 

[Rhavicc]

Good point, Saul. Is there any possible way Charles Matthews could fill that role? I have not watched him much so I don't know much about his game, but I thought I read somewhere that he can be similar to Miller, who played that spot pretty well.

Both Matthews and Mulder can slash the ball very well, and are elite athletes. Both can play the wing very efficiently, but Mulder can at least drill threes at a high clip.

 

[UKSlim]

Calipari is a grinder.

 

[Oak_Hill]

Shaun Kirk is the definition of former players Cal had at Memphis. He is 6'7 Long,rangy, bouncy and has the ability to guard multiple positions. Remember Cal is all about defense, we may not block as many shots this year, but there is no reason we can't bring some hellacious pressure defense this season.