I hope we get Garrison back next year.

[crestcat]

I want him back for more than his smile

But I always want all players back. If they were willing to sacrifice for UK for a year, that's enough for me. I can't stand the posts and posters who say they don't want players back.

I usually want them to come back but we’ve had a few that one year was enough.

With one year in the system Pope should be able to make dramatic changes in his game if he is willing to put in the work.

 

[Kantucke]

Garrison could be a beast, if he'd focus less on layups and jumpers and just dunking over fools

 

[qwesley]

Been hard to watch at times, but if Pope wants him here and he wants to be here, I’m good with it. If they have a mutual parting or the ways, I’m good with that too.

Love to see players develop over the years, and I can’t deny that he’s contributed to a Sweet 16 run.

Agreed. He has a long way to go to be a starter on a top tier team. Would he be content in the same role next year?

 

[aikenite4uk]

He's pretty ordinary at the high D1 level. Even though he can run and jump, and seems to show some athleticism, he's kind of clumsy at times with the ball and his moves need work. We also desperately need a cease and desist order on jacking up 3's in close games.

 

[Kantucke]

I'm sure his layups and jumpers will develop over time, and when it does fine. But until then play to your strengths big man

 

[PastorofMuppets34]

I do like his improvement on the defensive end proving her is versatile and can guard smaller/quicker player on the perimeter. Though he needs to improve in the post defensively and stay planted instead of getting baited into the air. Offensively he still has those moments where he looks like Bambi on ice but the athleticism and potential is there. Not as great of an instinctual passer as Amari, but I think could benefit greatly from playing more of a post PF spot when KY wants to go big inside and fast 3 guard on the perimeter. Will be interesting to see what bigs Pope picks up in the portal. It will help define BG's role, assuming he stays, which I hope he does.

 

[kywildcats8]

This.

Garrison just needs some bulk. Magloire was raw as well early on, but ended up becoming one of the best big men in UK history.

Another year of strength and conditioning for Garrison, and the young man could end up being an All-SEC level performer.

I agree- you can see he has skills and hopefully he likes playing for KY even though I know the NIL $$ talks

 

[CastleRubric]

That smile on his face after the layup high off the glass from a Butler feed, made my day. He has the motor and the athleticism. I would like to see him bulk up and work with someone in the off-season to add a couple of moves to his repoitoire.

Yes

Reminds me a LITTTTTTLE Of Nazr Mohammed & Jamaal Maglore

 

[Bleedin Blue in Ohio]

I never understood the bashing of Garrison and comparing him to Williams by some on this board. He is only a Sophomore and you can definitely see the potential. He may not end up being the passer that Williams is, but I think his offensive ceiling is higher. Williams has 3 years of experience on him.

I think all of the years of Cal pushing kids to the next level ready or not many people forgot that players progress thru their 4 years of college. They will improve throughout their time and by the time they are seniors they are solid players with loads of confidence. I read folks giving up on our Freshman and Garrison and I really don't understand their thought process. Only player I remember that grow over his time here with Cal was Willie Cauley Stein. You could see his athleticism, but he struggled mightily as a freshman. By his junior year he was a special kind of talent especially on the defensive end.

 

[Festivus Miracle]

I think all of the years of Cal pushing kids to the next level ready or not many people forgot that players progress thru their 4 years of college. They will improve throughout their time and by the time they are seniors they are solid players with loads of confidence. I read folks giving up on our Freshman and Garrison and I really don't understand their thought process. Only player I remember that grow over his time here with Cal was Willie Cauley Stein. You could see his athleticism, but he struggled mightily as a freshman. By his junior year he was a special kind of talent especially on the defensive end.

Good point. Nick Richards comes to mind.

 

[AzubuikeandFitch]

Wow. He is ONLY a sophomore. You try playing only 10-14 minutes per game, come in a pressure packed game and see how you do. He has won a couple games for UK this year. The talent is there, just needs a little more reps to put it together.
Just a few games he has had :
Illinois - 14 minutes - 5 points / 4 rebounds / 2 assist / 2 steals / 1 block
Troy - 16 minutes - 13 points / 6 rebounds / 2 assist / 2 steals
Gonzaga - 17 minutes - 10 points / 9 rebounds / 1 assist / 1 block. against Huff and Ike
@ Georgia - 27 minutes - 13 points / 5 rebounds / 2 assist / 2 steals / 2 blocks
Alabama - 19 minutes - 11 points / 6 rebounds / 5 assist /
South Carolina - 21 minutes - 15 points / 2 blocks
@ Oklahoma - 27 minutes - 12 points / 4 rebounds / 3 steals / 2 blocks
LSU - 21 minutes - 15 points / 4 rebounds / 3 steals / 1 block

So like I said, his numbers don't jump off the page, but when he gets ample playing time, he produces at BOTH ends of the floor. Maturity, another year in the system, and more clock, he will be a very solid big man. Not every position will average 14-15 per game. Brandon is really talented, when he puts it all together, look out !!! He was a highly rated recruit for a reason, people who know more than you and I thinks he is talented enough.

Wonder what his numbers are per 40? I'm too lazy.

 

[runt#69]

That smile on his face after the layup high off the glass from a Butler feed, made my day. He has the motor and the athleticism. I would like to see him bulk up and work with someone in the off-season to add a couple of moves to his repoitoire.

He's the man with Oweh, Chandler and our mountain mamba and holler baller. There's our core. Solid. really want to see them all back here.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

It's simple. Teach him proper mechanics for a left and right baby hook shot, and keeping his man in front of him on defense. Do those things and he can be a star.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

Agreed. He has a long way to go to be a starter on a top tier team. Would he be content in the same role next year?

Tough sell. You already have Moreno coming in and will certainly be a guy primed for a backup role. You’d have two guys to appease at that point on your bench in Garrison and Moreno. Have no idea how you figure this out, because I both see the potential of Garrison but could also see him being subpar as a starter. I trust Pope to make the right decision

 

[ck-2]

I hope he’s not our starter, if he is we’re screwed. If he hangs around, improves, and comes off the bench I’m ok with it. Depth is good.
He’s better than Lance Ware.

 

[JonathanW]

Wonder what his numbers are per 40? I'm too lazy.

I keep all of the stats for UK, have done so for the past 25 years.
Garrison's per30min stats are: 10.3 pt, 6.8 reb, 3.3 ast, 1.0 blk, 1.5 stl (so 2.5 stocks)
Comparatively Williams are: 14.2, 11.4, 4.2, 1.7, 0.7 (2.4)

 

[catsfanbgky]

Wonder what his numbers are per 40? I'm too lazy.

I do not do per 40 because nobody hardly plays all 40 minutes. Just guessing, I took 40 minutes and divided it by the 15 minutes per game he is averaging and it came out to 2.67. So they points, rebounds, assist and steals averaging for 15 minutes X 2.67 should = per 40.

9 points (per 15 minutes per game) X 2.67 = 24.03 points per 40 minutes
5 rebounds (per 15 minutes per game) X 2.67 = 13.35 rebounds per 40 minutes
2 assist per game X 2.67 = 5.34 assist per 40 per 40 minutes minutes
2 steals per game X 2.67 = 5.34 steals per 40 per 40 minutes

 

[catsfanbgky]

I keep all of the stats for UK, have done so for the past 25 years.
Garrison's per30min stats are: 10.3 pt, 6.8 reb, 3.3 ast, 1.0 blk, 1.5 stl (so 2.5 stocks)
Comparatively Williams are: 14.2, 11.4, 4.2, 1.7, 0.7 (2.4)

I was just doing the 2 tournament games.

 

[Ripcord65]

I don't know....he only scores on easy paths to rim and an occasional 3pt shot (and he is only shooting 30% from deep...so not exactly a sniper ). Garrison ability to score back to the basket is very small IMO.....

The thought of handing him the starting C with Moreno backing him up......I'm almost more inclined to look for an Amari replacement (to which Garrison would rightfully transfer) and let Moreno back that up.

I agree with this post. I am not high on Garrison. We might be able to do substantially better out of the portal ... and if we can, IMHO we should recruit over Garrison. If he transfers ... so be it.

 

[JonathanW]

Good point. Nick Richards comes to mind.

With Richards I could see "it" from his FR & Soph years. He just needed to get stronger (especially stronger hands).
Below are Richards per30min stats all 3 years, and Garrisons (pts, reb, ast, blk, stl, blk+stl)
Richards (fr): 10.4, 9.0, 0.5, 1.8, 0.2, 2.0
Richards (so): 9.9, 8.3, 0.5, 3.2, 0.2, 3.4
Richards (jr): 14.2, 7.9, 0.2, 2.2, 0.1, 2.3
Garrison: 10.3, 6.8, 3.3, 1.0, 1.5, 2.5

 

[catsfanbgky]

He's the man with Oweh, Chandler and our mountain mamba and holler baller. There's our core. Solid. really want to see them all back here.

Holler baller is so damn stupid. Not a damn holler one in Lyon County. Maybe the Lake LA Laker Showtime, there are lakes in and around Lyon County. Both stupid, but the Holler Baller is really stupid seeing how there are no hollers, so why use Holler in the nickname ?

 

[catsfanbgky]

I keep all of the stats for UK, have done so for the past 25 years.
Garrison's per30min stats are: 10.3 pt, 6.8 reb, 3.3 ast, 1.0 blk, 1.5 stl (so 2.5 stocks)
Comparatively Williams are: 14.2, 11.4, 4.2, 1.7, 0.7 (2.4)

And Williams is 3 years older and has played 3 more years than Garrison.

 

[catsfanbgky]

With Richards I could see "it" from his FR & Soph years. He just needed to get stronger (especially stronger hands).
Below are Richards per30min stats all 3 years, and Garrisons (pts, reb, ast, blk, stl, blk+stl)
Richards (fr): 10.4, 9.0, 0.5, 1.8, 0.2, 2.0
Richards (so): 9.9, 8.3, 0.5, 3.2, 0.2, 3.4
Richards (jr): 14.2, 7.9, 0.2, 2.2, 0.1, 2.3
Garrison: 10.3, 6.8, 3.3, 1.0, 1.5, 2.5

Actual numbers :
Nick Richards (Fr) - 14.7 MPG / 5.1 ppg / 4.4 rpg / .2 apg / .1 steals per game
Nick Richards (SO) - 12.1 MPG / 4 ppg / 3.3 rpg / .2 apg / .1 steals

Brandon Garrison (FR /OSU) - 22.7 MPG / 7.5 ppg / 5.3 rpg / 1.5 apg / .8 steals / 1.5 blocks
Brandon Garrison (SO / UK) - 17.3 MPG / 6 ppg / 4 rpg / 2 apg / 1 steal / .6 blocks

Worth noting, Richards did not have another center to compete with, started all 37 games as a freshman and played his time with the starters. Garrison hasn't been as fortunate. Nick showed so much promise as a freshman, he only started 3 games for UK his sophomore year even though UK didn't have a center worth a damn and he still lost his job and all numbers decreased. How you can see it with one player and not the other, I have not a clue. MAYBE because you already know how Nick Richards JR. year turned out ?? The look very similar, Nick Richards had the same head scratching plays and results Garrison has had.
As I showed above, Brandon Garrison has had some very good games against elite teams / very good teams. Now go thru Nick Richards first two years and see if you can find the same ?? Hint : You can't. He couldn't play against good players his first couple years, he padded his stats against the Winthrop's, ISUE's of the world (yeah I looked that up also). So if you want to compare apples to apples, paint the whole picture, not just a slanted canvas to favor one over the other. NR was NOT any better, or even as good as Brandon Garrison his first 2 years, facts.

 

[CGblue]

Holler baller is so damn stupid. Not a damn holler one in Lyon County. Maybe the Lake LA Laker Showtime, there are lakes in and around Lyon County. Both stupid, but the Holler Baller is really stupid seeing how there are no hollers, so why use Holler in the nickname ?

Lighten up Francis..

 

[CGblue]

I'm surprised so many are saying Garrison needs to bulk up, he looks strong as an ox to me. Anyway, at this point in his career I like what I see and I hope stays.

 

[megablue]

Look at his PER 40 STATS ... he is due for major improvement in year #3 to become more of a reliable force at starting center.
To my view, he still plays about like he did last year as a Freshman. He needs to really step it up.

Brandon Garrison College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Brandon Garrison - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more

www.sports-reference.com

Season	Team	Conf	Class	Pos	G	GS	MP	FG	FGA	FG%	3P	3PA	3P%	2P	2PA	2P%	eFG%	FT	FTA	FT%	ORB	DRB	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS	Awards
2023-24	Oklahoma State	Big 12	FR	C	32	29	727	5.0	8.7	.572	0.0	0.0		5.0	8.7	.572	.572	3.2	5.0	.648	2.4	6.9	9.3	2.6	1.4	2.6	2.9	4.9	13.3
2024-25	Kentucky	SEC	SO	C	34	0	587	5.7	11.2	.509	0.8	2.7	.300	4.9	8.5	.576	.545	1.5	2.9	.524	2.7	6.5	9.1	4.4	2.0	1.4	2.7	4.7	13.8

 

[bbncal02]

I'm surprised so many are saying Garrison needs to bulk up, he looks strong as an ox to me. Anyway, at this point in his career I like what I see and I hope stays.

He needs a bit more bulk (not a lot) and needs to get a bit more ripped. He looks "soft" in his arms, even if he may or may not be.

I love his defensive step up. If Amari goes out he can get in there and fight. Need him back.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

He's maybe the one guy I won't mind losing, because I sense he wants a bigger role, yet he might be 2 years out from being truly trustworthy in a starting role. He's got some very raw fundamentals at the moment. I have to believe that if we wanted to, we could find a more than capable replacement..

 

[bbncal02]

He's maybe the one guy I won't mind losing, because I sense he wants a bigger role, yet he might be 2 years out from being truly trustworthy in a starting role. He's got some very raw fundamentals at the moment. I have to believe that if we wanted to, we could find a more than capable replacement..

If he WANTS to be here though, I want to keep him.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

If he WANTS to be here though, I want to keep him.

Yeah i agree. But will say, he's just not starter worthy yet. Maybe he can be our 6th or 7th type guy. But we can't go into next year with him as a starting forward I don't think.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

he needs a lot of work on his offense, defense and strength
he missed several easy shots, as did Williams
He has to start blocking some shots. NO reason at his size & agility that he can't
He is young and raw, but has talent

This. If we're going to return to elite status, bg must either vastly improve or can only be depth. His defense and rebounding really fall short and he doesn't have great length.

On offense hes much better but still needs refinement.

For the rest of our run, he really needs to not take that three unless we're in the final 10 of the shot clock. Teams are baiting him into it and it really hurts us.

 

[gharding07]

No, No, No....

 

[gharding07]

Garrison could be a beast, if he'd focus less on layups and jumpers and just dunking over fools

And being a hot dog almost getting a technical and costing us a game. His stupid antics need to stop.

 

[DraftCat]

Garrison has a lot to work on to be a starting center in the SEC. It painfully hurts that he isn't a shot blocker so he must be great in other areas.

Improvement at the 3 point line and back to basket play.
Decision making... your open for a reason.
Attitude it hasn't cost us this year but easily could have.

Think he has the tools to improve in everything but the shot blocking ability. Just not sure if he will continue to accept a back up role.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

He has a ton of upside.

If college guys can attend Olajuwon’s big man camp he should do it.

I love his attitude even though maybe he needs to tone it down a bit.

He’s getting a bad reputation with SEC officials and they will take it out on him.

 

[Cleatortoises]

Don't overlook his defense - in the same possession yesterday in crunch time, he switched onto and guarded 3 different Illini players in the same possesion - locked each of them up.

He also makes most of his layups.
This should not be discounted.

 

[jeffky]

Garrison seems happy and content here we need Brandon next year I like his upside go cats