I'll say it again: Wynyard

[MdWIldcat55]

I brought this up a week or so ago and it was roundly dismissed. Well, Diallo is off the board now, and UK isn't looking that good with any other impact 4-5s.

Tai Wynyard should start his Kentucky career as soon as possible.

I haven't read anything that would indicate he doesn't have the option to play at UK beginning in mid-December. If there is a reason, then I apologize for missing it.

But otherwise, he should be able to come in and contribute, and be more ready than he would be otherwise for 2016-2017. He played adequately in the Nike Summit. He's not as skilled as Skal or as dynamic as Diallo, but that's a pretty elite sub-set to be compared with.

As for his age: He'll be almost exactly the same age, size and weight as Jarnell Stokes was when he came in and made an impact as a rebounder, garbage bucket guy for Tennessee in 2012.

 

[ukmelanie]

Coach Cal might not have a choice.We are going to be so thin and foul trouble would kill us.

 

[Supafuzz75]

He can start in January.. He's not decided if he will though.. I'm sure Cal will push him now with the way it's playing out.. Maybe adding Maker in January also? And hope like hell Willis can contribute this coming season..

 

[Rhavicc]

Coach Cal might not have a choice.We are going to be so thin and foul trouble would kill us.

Literally or depth wise in games? Literally speaking, 2011-12 showed us that you don't need to have a 260 pound center to have a helluva front-court. Depth wise, we're going to have 7 guys who will see minutes at least, which is the average.

 

[CatPhight]

Thon Maker

IMO, UK or KU were going to get Diallo and the other land Maker...I'd expect that ball to trend strongly towards UK.

 

[Bluegrassking]

He could maybe give us some much needed beef in the paint but he see.s pretty raw from what little I've seen, plays against mediocre at best competition, and if I understood correctly fairly new to hoops in general so I wouldn't expect a whole lot more than a strong body though that might really be all we need. Well shy of what we want but might be all we need.

 

[Rhavicc]

He could maybe give us some much needed beef in the paint but he see.s pretty raw from what little I've seen, plays against mediocre at best competition, and if I understood correctly fairly new to hoops in general so I wouldn't expect a whole lot more than a strong body though that might really be all we need. Well shy of what we want but might be all we need.

Like Diallo, who everybody is apparently blowing a gasket over.

 

[ArmyWildcat81]

He's no where near ready right now. He is the definition of a raw prospect w upside. He needs another year before he can compete in college, even his own coach said so.

 

[DY9ASTY]

I agree completely about Wynyard. He gives us some beef and size down-low off the bench, along with a few good post moves. He will be a crucial mid-season addition. Thon would do the same thing...just to give us solid depth down low. We wouldn't have to rely on Wynyard or Thon...just need them to play role.

 

[JFCats22]

He has a LONG way to go to be any kind of contributor. If Cal wants him for practice that is one thing, but there is literally zero chance he contributes during a game in the 15/16 season.

 

[ArmyWildcat81]

He has a LONG way to go to be any kind of contributor. If Cal wants him for practice that is one thing, but there is literally zero chance he contributes during a game in the 15/16 season.

This ^ his own coach has even said this.

 

[5iveStarRecruit]

Stokes seems like a decent comparison. Stokes basically thrived off strength, toughness and motor.

Tai didn't strike me as anything special. Those 3 qualities i listed are the things he's most praised for, so I'm holding out some hope with him.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Wynyard comes in second semester for one reason: to get a head start toward the 16-17 season. If he comes, I doubt he plays. He will redshirt and practice with the team, get some classes under his belt and get a jump start on conditioning. Any one expecting him to contribute is going to be disappointed, IMHO.

 

[CUT-NETS]

He can start in January.. He's not decided if he will though.. I'm sure Cal will push him now with the way it's playing out.. Maybe adding Maker in January also? And hope like hell Willis can contribute this coming season..

Cal push him? Oh I don't think so. Cal doesn't push kids to do anything, he lets them make up their own minds remember?

"Hey coach, should I go to the NBA or stay in school"?

Cal: "You should do whatever you want to do"

"I want to go to the NBA"

Cal: "Ok then you should go"

 

[CatPhight]

Wynyard comes in second semester for one reason: to get a head start toward the 16-17 season. If he comes, I doubt he plays. He will redshirt and practice with the team, get some classes under his belt and get a jump start on conditioning. Any one expecting him to contribute is going to be disappointed, IMHO.

^ This

 

[uk78]

It is not good but not desperation time either. He indicated that he likely would not come early. But, even if he changed his mind, I agree with those who observed he won't contribute much right away. There always is this hope for the guy on the bench or the guy who hasn't played to be an answer. But, it doesn't happen too often. I still hope for a transfer or some other surprise. It is a long way yet to next season.

 

[ORCAT]

He has a LONG way to go to be any kind of contributor. If Cal wants him for practice that is one thing, but there is literally zero chance he contributes during a game in the 15/16 season.

If this, along with his coach saying the same thing, are true assessments and statements then I would have to agree that he isn't ready to contribute this season and we should wait on him for next year. Too many people are in panic mode and ready to put about anyone breathing on our roster just to fill it up and hope that they can all contribute to a national title run. We may not be a true contender this upcoming season but will still have a good team to follow. We've been to a lot of Final Fours in recent years and I think many of our fans have become too spoiled to accept a season where we don't make it that far. Thus, the panic to get anyone added to the roster.

 

[MdWIldcat55]

If this, along with his coach saying the same thing, are true assessments and statements then I would have to agree that he isn't ready to contribute this season and we should wait on him for next year. Too many people are in panic mode and ready to put about anyone breathing on our roster just to fill it up and hope that they can all contribute to a national title run. We may not be a true contender this upcoming season but will still have a good team to follow. We've been to a lot of Final Fours in recent years and I think many of our fans have become too spoiled to accept a season where we don't make it that far. Thus, the panic to get anyone added to the roster.

As the OP, just a couple points: 1. Your IF is key. Cal saw something in this kid worthy of an offer. He's been playing in a league with full-grown men, some of whom had NBA experience. He's 6'9'' 258. I think it presumes a lot to think he couldn't give an effective 10-12 minutes in college. 2. It isn't being in panic mode to want to see a Kentucky recruit make the most effective transition to Lexington, and that might well be playing some next year. 3. With or without Wynyard, Kentucky is a top 10 team next year, a 2-3 seed, with a decent chance at the Final Four. No reason to write that off, at all.

 

[docholiday51]

It is not good but not desperation time either. He indicated that he likely would not come early. But, even if he changed his mind, I agree with those who observed he won't contribute much right away. There always is this hope for the guy on the bench or the guy who hasn't played to be an answer. But, it doesn't happen too often. I still hope for a transfer or some other surprise. It is a long way yet to next season.

I agree, the interview seemed to be pretty clear that this was his thinking on the matter,he is not going to be a difference maker in January of next year so neither UK or the kid have much to gain in 1/2 a season.The Stokes situation is similar bet this kid isn't Stokes and doesn't have his background playing against that level of competition.

 

[DY9ASTY]

If no one else commits then we will NEED him in the second semester, no matter how far along he is. There is no one behind Lee. Foul trouble and any injuries would be a major issue.

 

[ORCAT]

As the OP, just a couple points: 1. Your IF is key. Cal saw something in this kid worthy of an offer. He's been playing in a league with full-grown men, some of whom had NBA experience. He's 6'9'' 258. I think it presumes a lot to think he couldn't give an effective 10-12 minutes in college. 2. It isn't being in panic mode to want to see a Kentucky recruit make the most effective transition to Lexington, and that might well be playing some next year. 3. With or without Wynyard, Kentucky is a top 10 team next year, a 2-3 seed, with a decent chance at the Final Four. No reason to write that off, at all.

I understand what you are saying completely. The panic mode I used was aimed at so many messages I see on the board today posting about all these new names out there and suggesting we need to get bodies, no matter the talent level of these names being tossed about. I wasn't referring to you and others as being in panic over Wynyard because Cal obviously does like the kid. I question whether he is all that ready if his coach is even suggesting that he isn't ready yet. I've never seen him play so I can't comment on how well along he is in his game or understanding the game. He is a big body but that doesn't always equate to a player who can immediately be an impact type but, again, I've never seen him play so difficult for me to judge the kid. Yes, we will have a good team next year but if we were to have some injuries or foul problems that is where we would be in trouble as we will be pretty thin it seems. So, we could be a top 10 team and 2/3 seed like you say but I would be worried about our depth in some big games in the tournament to be a real serious contender. Hope I'm very wrong but we'll just have to wait to see how things play out. We weren't all that deep in 2011 and things turned out pretty great that year.

 

[UK HEMINGWAY]

We need beef next year..this kid is 6'9" and 260....he can push bigs around, get a couple boards, make his easy shots, give up some solid picks and fouls. And, give our starters some rest. Even if he slowly gets worked in the rotation, by March i'll take him with all those things I mentioned above.

 

[UKDUNK]

Hard to say what he can do next year based off of 10 minutes (if that) played in the Hoop Summit game. The international team was loaded with elite level crazy athletic bigs, so of course he is going look overmatched in practice. If he can join the team in January it would be just what the doctor ordered. Some strength to go along with Lee coming off the bench in the frontcourt.

 

[tapemaster8]

He can start in January.. He's not decided if he will though.. I'm sure Cal will push him now with the way it's playing out.. Maybe adding Maker in January also? And hope like hell Willis can contribute this coming season..

The only way Willis can play is for Cal to put him in the game! Now I reckon it is up to Willis to perform in practice and in the games. I just want to see him get the chance and that doesn't mean 2 minutes at the end of games with the walkons!

 

[Supafuzz75]

The only way Willis can play is for Cal to put him in the game! Now I reckon it is up to Willis to perform in practice and in the games. I just want to see him get the chance and that doesn't mean 2 minutes at the end of games with the walkons!

Agree.. It's all in his hands.. He needs to be busting his balls off this summer.. He's waited on this moment for 2 years..

 

[ArmyWildcat81]

Willis, Hawkins, and Lee will be expected to play minutes this year and contribute. I'm not so much worried about Marcus, just hope the other two are busting it to be ready