I'm OK without Oscar or Dickerson

[bballcat4]

I know the board will meltdown if we don't get Dickerson or Oscar.

Here's the reason I'm not overly concerned about either Dickerson or Oscar suiting up in blue next year.

I think Ugo will be serviceable and maybe have a few games where he flashes his potential. However, I don't expect him to play more then 20 mins a game. This scenario forces Bradshaw to play more minutes at the 5, which I think will be our best lineup.

Oscar and Dickerson are both good college players, but I'm not excited about watching one of them on the floor at the same time with Bradshaw. People label Bradshaw as a shooting/stretch big man. Statistics reveal that he only made 4 (FOUR!!!) 3 point shots in hs last year. It doesn't show percentage. Now, I think Bradshaw is going to be a good player and Cal will give him some freedom to expand his game. BUT, I don't expect him to come in and light it up from outside.

I can see scenario where Bradshaw struggles outside, but there's no where else to play him if Dickerson or Oscar is on the roster. Thus, Bradshaw's minutes are reduced or we watch alot of bricks.

I will not complain if we get either Dickerson or Oscar. But, I think Bradshaw best contribution comes from splitting minutes at both big man positions, and our best lineup will be with him at the 5 and Edwards at the 4. (I'm the first to admit this specific roster requires bringing in another shooting big man to come off the bench.)

Don't panic if Dickerson goes elsewhere!

 

[docholiday51]

If Bradshaw can shoot as well as Oscar from 15/17 feet it will be a good thing.

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

Ugo is not ready to be a starter.It's that simple.

 

[Wildcat-Lane]

Either way Kentucky still needs a big man next season, missing out on those two would suck

 

[JonathanW]

I am kinda in the same boat. But Bradshaw is too weak to be a 5, and I think he may struggle next year. I may think more of UKO than most. He won't be a star, but I think he could play 24mpg, and average 8-9pts, 7-8reb, 2-3blk. But be an improvement defensively for us.

However, I do think we need to add/return someone at the 4 or 5. Just UKO, Bradshaw and Ware is NOT enough, not even if Theiro played some 4 is it enough. And NO, Edwards is not a 4, also not strong enough for there. So whether that be Oscar, Dickinson, Holland, Nkawmori or someone else, we do need to add someone good there.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I would tend to agree if Cal would commit to playing small ball.

Cal will instead park him in the post on offense and wonder why it’s not working.

If we lose out on getting an impact big, we will probably be looking at that scenario as our main rotation:

G Dillingham/Wagner
G Wagner/Sheppard
G Reeves/Sheppard
F Edwards/Bradshaw
F Bradshaw/Onyenso

I think we will at least add one more 4 or 5 or 4/5 type.

Getting Livingston back would be huge in that scenario, if he would be willing to play some at the 4.

 

[Wildcats1st]

Here we go with the “I will be ok if we swing and miss”. You will be ok but our chances of a title will be close to nil if we don’t have some real men on the team that can ball. We will not be ok without all American Dickinson or our POY Oscar. Uk basketball has a sweet sixteen ceiling without one of those two talented MEN.

 

[JFCats22]

I’m ok without Oscar or Dickinson IF they get someone else. I’m glad Ugo is back but there is no way he should be counted on for significant contributions

 

[Wildcats1st]

I would tend to agree if Cal would commit to playing small ball.

Cal will instead park him in the post on offense and wonder why it’s not working.

If we lose out on getting an impact big, we will lose probably be looking at that scenario as our main rotation:

G Dillingham/Wagner
G Wagner/Sheppard
G Reeves/Sheppard
F Edwards/Bradshaw
F Bradshaw/Onyenso

I think we will at least add one more 4 or 5 or 4/5 type.

Getting Livingston back would be huge in that scenario, if he would be willing to play some at the 4.

That’s awful. This team loses 10 games due to physicality alone and an inability to defend. Any scenario where edwards is our PF we are screwed. He will get bounced around like a beach ball. If he isn’t the full time 3 we are screwed pure and simple. That roster gets bounced in the second round.

 

[bballcat4]

I may think more of UKO than most. He won't be a star, but I think he could play 24mpg, and average 8-9pts, 7-8reb, 2-3blk.

Agree with you on Ugo. Those will be good #'s for him and UK.

I think Bradshaw can play the 5 and give a few minutes at the other position. I admit to having only watched Edwards for a few minutes in the all-star games, but I think he can easily play the 4. Three guards + Edwards and an athletic big man will be a good lineup.

I agree 100% about needing another big that can shoot. However, I'm fine with it being a 6'8-6'9 type player that's not a traditional post player. Ugo, Bradshaw, & Ware are enough depth to guard the post.

 

[bookerfan66]

Agree with you on Ugo. Those will be good #'s for him and UK.

I think Bradshaw can play the 5 and give a few minutes at the other position. I admit to having only watched Edwards for a few minutes in the all-star games, but I think he can easily play the 4. Three guards + Edwards and an athletic big man will be a good lineup.

I agree 100% about needing another big that can shoot. However, I'm fine with it being a 6'8-6'9 type player that's not a traditional post player. Ugo, Bradshaw, & Ware are enough depth to guard the post.

It will be a very long season if that's our only post players.

 

[bballcat4]

I would tend to agree if Cal would commit to playing small ball.

Cal will instead park him in the post on offense and wonder why it’s not working.

If we lose out on getting an impact big, we will probably be looking at that scenario as our main rotation:

G Dillingham/Wagner
G Wagner/Sheppard
G Reeves/Sheppard
F Edwards/Bradshaw
F Bradshaw/Onyenso

I think we will at least add one more 4 or 5 or 4/5 type.

Getting Livingston back would be huge in that scenario, if he would be willing to play some at the 4.

Agree 110%. Your 7 man rotation will be a good 7.

Agree that we need another big that can shoot.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Here we go with the “I will be ok if we swing and miss”. You will be ok but our chances of a title will be close to nil if we don’t have some real men on the team that can ball. We will not be ok without all American Dickinson or our POY Oscar. Uk basketball has a sweet sixteen ceiling without one of those two talented MEN.

Agreed.

I will go one further, it will be difficult to make a deep run, if we don’t get some talent back.

I may be in the minority, but I am not sure that bringing in a bunch of portal guys is the answer either. At least on this team.

Are we really going to win a title or even make a Final Four run with four Freshmen and a bunch of portal players as our top rotation guys?

Gotta get some guys back that know the system to go with the talented Freshmen.

A bunch of first year in the system guys aren’t going to do much. Remember ‘21 with only Brooks back?

 

[bballcat4]

It will be a very long season if that's our only post players.

Gotta disagree, but only time will tell.

Some people think Ugo/Bradshaw will get bullied by the Oscar type of players. But, we know the other side of that coin because they're the exact kind of defenders that the Oscar types struggle against.
'
We need a 5 next year that can do a few things. 1) Spread the floor 2) Block shots 3) Have good enough hands and athletic ability to catch lobs and dunk. Wagner and Dillingham are going to draw lots of help side attention if we spread the floor.

Not getting Dickerson or Oscar forces Bradshaw to play more minutes at the 5. I know the kid wants to play the 4 and Cal will give him a chance. I just think he'll struggle there ... especially earlier in the season. Having available mins for him at the 5 allows Bradshaw to still get mins, and Ugo giving us 20 mins a game is plenty.

 

[RondoBaller21]

one of these two is the missing piece to a final four run. Absolutely have to land 1.

 

[bucsrule8872]

That’s awful. This team loses 10 games due to physicality alone and an inability to defend. Any scenario where edwards is our PF we are screwed. He will get bounced around like a beach ball. If he isn’t the full time 3 we are screwed pure and simple. That roster gets bounced in the second round.

On the other hand, who guards Edwards? Do you bench your 6’8 240 lbs 4 man because he can’t chase Edwards on the perimeter?

A smart coach knows how to create mismatches.

But you are right, they probably struggle with physicality. Edwards is closer to a 2 than a 4.

Still, you work with what you got and if we don’t get another big man, we are probably in trouble anyway.

But that is one way to try to make up for a lack of size, play small ball.

 

[bballcat4]

Here we go with the “I will be ok if we swing and miss”. You will be ok but our chances of a title will be close to nil if we don’t have some real men on the team that can ball. We will not be ok without all American Dickinson or our POY Oscar. Uk basketball has a sweet sixteen ceiling without one of those two talented MEN.

I'm not talking at all about swinging and missing. My personal take is that Bradshaw at the 5 puts better players on the floor than him playing the 4.

I'm not anti Oscar or Dickerson. Nor am I only about NBA talent. But, here's a question for you. How far has either player taken their teams???? Michigan didn't even make the tournament!

I won't turn this into an Oscar post. I'll just say in my lifetime I haven't watched a single UK player that rebounds and plays as hard as Oscar. He's a machine. (Post for another day.)

But, I'm also a realist. Oscar and Dickerson both struggle against athletic big men. Either player can be a role player on next year's team. However, Bradshaw and Ugo both give you twice the amount of rim protection plus Bradshaw can spread the floor some.

I enjoy your posts, but gotta disagree with your "real men" asssessment. These "real men" haven't taken either of their teams anywhere.

 

[JonathanW]

I would tend to agree if Cal would commit to playing small ball.

Cal will instead park him in the post on offense and wonder why it’s not working.

If we lose out on getting an impact big, we will probably be looking at that scenario as our main rotation:

G Dillingham/Wagner
G Wagner/Sheppard
G Reeves/Sheppard
F Edwards/Bradshaw
F Bradshaw/Onyenso

I think we will at least add one more 4 or 5 or 4/5 type.

Getting Livingston back would be huge in that scenario, if he would be willing to play some at the 4.

We would get tossed around like a rag doll w/ Edwards at the 4, Bradshaw at the 5, not to mention a 3 who can't guard anyone.

 

[Runnin'Ramel]

Anyone thinking UK is a contender with the 5-man class coming in plus Thiero, Ugo and Ware is just delusional. Sorry. Even the Wall/Cousins/Bledsoe/Orton crew had Patterson, Stevenson, Liggins and Miller, and the title team's freshmen core (AD, MKG, Teague, Wiltjer) had Miller, Jones, and Lamb as critical pieces. Currently, the freshmen have nothing around them other than guys you put in when there is serious foul trouble or injuries among the freshmen.

At a minimum, UK has to get Reeves back plus 2 more. (I'm assuming Livingston is long gone).

 

[Wildcats1st]

On the other hand, who guards Edwards? Do you bench your 6’8 240 lbs 4 man because he can’t chase Edwards on the perimeter?

A smart coach knows how to create mismatches.

But you are right, they probably struggle with physicality. Edwards is closer to a 2 than a 4.

Still, you work with what you got and if we don’t get another big man, we are probably in trouble anyway.

But that is one way to try to make up for a lack of size, play small ball.

Do you count on cal to create mismatches? I don’t. He runs the same lineup and never adjusts once it’s settled in. Edwards is the best pure 3 cal has ever brought in. It would be a signature cal move to pound that square peg into a round hole. I think 1-3 we have to play some trio of Wagner reeves edwards. Have too. If cal can’t find a legit pf or center and play Bradshaw at pf well he’s farther down the tubes than we thought.

Btw you and I think very closely. I just cringe though when I see a guy who is a game changer at the three forced into another roll. Cal rarely recruits a talented 3 and it will make me sick if he piss it away because he couldn’t bring back Oscar or land a big fish in the front court

 

[kl40504]

I know the board will meltdown if we don't get Dickerson or Oscar.

Here's the reason I'm not overly concerned about either Dickerson or Oscar suiting up in blue next year.

I think Ugo will be serviceable and maybe have a few games where he flashes his potential. However, I don't expect him to play more then 20 mins a game. This scenario forces Bradshaw to play more minutes at the 5, which I think will be our best lineup.

Oscar and Dickerson are both good college players, but I'm not excited about watching one of them on the floor at the same time with Bradshaw. People label Bradshaw as a shooting/stretch big man. Statistics reveal that he only made 4 (FOUR!!!) 3 point shots in hs last year. It doesn't show percentage. Now, I think Bradshaw is going to be a good player and Cal will give him some freedom to expand his game. BUT, I don't expect him to come in and light it up from outside.

I can see scenario where Bradshaw struggles outside, but there's no where else to play him if Dickerson or Oscar is on the roster. Thus, Bradshaw's minutes are reduced or we watch alot of bricks.

I will not complain if we get either Dickerson or Oscar. But, I think Bradshaw best contribution comes from splitting minutes at both big man positions, and our best lineup will be with him at the 5 and Edwards at the 4. (I'm the first to admit this specific roster requires bringing in another shooting big man to come off the bench.)

Don't panic if Dickerson goes elsewhere!

Ok

 

[mebeblue2]

if we could get Holland i would be fine without either
i actually think Holland would give us a better all around team


sadly i do not think we get Holland

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

I know the board will meltdown if we don't get Dickerson or Oscar.

Here's the reason I'm not overly concerned about either Dickerson or Oscar suiting up in blue next year.

I think Ugo will be serviceable and maybe have a few games where he flashes his potential. However, I don't expect him to play more then 20 mins a game. This scenario forces Bradshaw to play more minutes at the 5, which I think will be our best lineup.

Oscar and Dickerson are both good college players, but I'm not excited about watching one of them on the floor at the same time with Bradshaw. People label Bradshaw as a shooting/stretch big man. Statistics reveal that he only made 4 (FOUR!!!) 3 point shots in hs last year. It doesn't show percentage. Now, I think Bradshaw is going to be a good player and Cal will give him some freedom to expand his game. BUT, I don't expect him to come in and light it up from outside.

I can see scenario where Bradshaw struggles outside, but there's no where else to play him if Dickerson or Oscar is on the roster. Thus, Bradshaw's minutes are reduced or we watch alot of bricks.

I will not complain if we get either Dickerson or Oscar. But, I think Bradshaw best contribution comes from splitting minutes at both big man positions, and our best lineup will be with him at the 5 and Edwards at the 4. (I'm the first to admit this specific roster requires bringing in another shooting big man to come off the bench.)

Don't panic if Dickerson goes elsewhere!

Then who is the big in that scenario because I can promise you bradshaw and ugo aren’t ready

 

[Wildcats1st]

I'm not talking at all about swinging and missing. My personal take is that Bradshaw at the 5 puts better players on the floor than him playing the 4.

I'm not anti Oscar or Dickerson. Nor am I only about NBA talent. But, here's a question for you. How far has either player taken their teams???? Michigan didn't even make the tournament!

I won't turn this into an Oscar post. I'll just say in my lifetime I haven't watched a single UK player that rebounds and plays as hard as Oscar. He's a machine. (Post for another day.)

But, I'm also a realist. Oscar and Dickerson both struggle against athletic big men. Either player can be a role player on next year's team. However, Bradshaw and Ugo both give you twice the amount of rim protection plus Bradshaw can spread the floor some.

I enjoy your posts, but gotta disagree with your "real men" asssessment. These "real men" haven't taken either of their teams anywhere.

Dickson hasn’t really carried his team anywhere. They had a very good team that made a run in which he was a big part but he didn’t carry them. This is what a lot of us envision for Oscar. Big piece to the puzzle but with a specific role. Not the go to oscar put us on his back. Rather the guards put Oscar on theirs

 

[JonathanW]

Anyone thinking UK is a contender with the 5-man class coming in plus Thiero, Ugo and Ware is just delusional. Sorry. Even the Wall/Cousins/Bledsoe/Orton crew had Patterson, Stevenson, Liggins and Miller, and the title team's freshmen core (AD, MKG, Teague, Wiltjer) had Miller, Jones, and Lamb as critical pieces. Currently, the freshmen have nothing around them other than guys you put in when there is serious foul trouble or injuries among the freshmen.

At a minimum, UK has to get Reeves back plus 2 more. (I'm assuming Livingston is long gone).

I don't think ANYONE (including the OP) would disagree that we must return Reeves, OR ADD a comparable shooter.
The OP was only talking about the 4 & 5 positions.

 

[ralphdaltonfan]

I agree although I'd look to be bringing in 3 more players to '24 roster. Said it another thread, it could be returning guys, Portal, or a HS recruit but I'm not going to say "Oh well--No Dickinson or Oscar, we're good with what we have".

Options are out there and a few more will become available before May 11th date of when CBB players have to decide if they enter the Portal-including the NBA Draft entrees who want more options should they withdrawal from Draft but not want to return to school they were attending.

 

[Runnin'Ramel]

I don't think ANYONE (including the OP) would disagree that we must return Reeves, OR ADD a comparable shooter.
The OP was only talking about the 4 & 5 positions.

Oh I wasn't referring to OP here ... just a general observation about some people on this board. Anyone relying on the incoming class to go win a title aren't paying close enough attention.

 

[OmahaCats]

if we could get Holland i would be fine without either
i actually think Holland would give us a better all around team


sadly i do not think we get Holland

Holland is not a good replacement for these two. He’s 200lbs. We’d have no size (muscle) down low

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

I agree although I'd look to be bringing in 3 more players to '24 roster. Said it another thread, it could be returning guys, Portal, or a HS recruit but I'm not going to say "Oh well--No Dickinson or Oscar, we're good with what we have".

Options are out there and a few more will become available before May 11th date of when CBB players have to decide if they enter the Portal-including the NBA Draft entrees who want more options should they withdrawal from Draft but not want to return to school they were attending.

Nelson/osacr, reeves, stretch four or somebody else

 

[dl51344]

I'm not talking at all about swinging and missing. My personal take is that Bradshaw at the 5 puts better players on the floor than him playing the 4.

I'm not anti Oscar or Dickerson. Nor am I only about NBA talent. But, here's a question for you. How far has either player taken their teams???? Michigan didn't even make the tournament!

I won't turn this into an Oscar post. I'll just say in my lifetime I haven't watched a single UK player that rebounds and plays as hard as Oscar. He's a machine. (Post for another day.)

But, I'm also a realist. Oscar and Dickerson both struggle against athletic big men. Either player can be a role player on next year's team. However, Bradshaw and Ugo both give you twice the amount of rim protection plus Bradshaw can spread the floor some.

I enjoy your posts, but gotta disagree with your "real men" asssessment. These "real men" haven't taken either of their teams anywhere.

I don't expect any one player to carry a team,

 

[bballcat4]

Dickson hasn’t really carried his team anywhere. They had a very good team that made a run in which he was a big part but he didn’t carry them. This is what a lot of us envision for Oscar. Big piece to the puzzle but with a specific role. Not the go to oscar put us on his back. Rather the guards put Oscar on theirs

I agree 110% with you that Oscar's best case to make pros is to show them how he fits as a role player. Next year was a chance for him to do that. But, I think that ship has sailed. I also think he struggles to catch the ball and play the way next year's team needs to play. Oscar is a grinder on offense and ... (The best rebounder I've ever watched on the college level!!!)

I never saw Dickerson lead Michigan on any kind of run. (I think he has some of the same struggles Oscar has, but shoots the ball better.)

Listen, I will NOT be unhappy if Dickerson ends up at UK. I'm simply saying not getting him will also not bother me. It will force Bradshaw into more minutes in his natural position, but allow Cal to give him some minutes at the 4.

I expect Edwards to be a stud. If they spread the floor then it doesn't matter if Edwards is 3 or 4. It does matter defensively and I think he can handle himself there. Again, we need a shot blocker at the 5 to make it work.

 

[Lukeslaw]

I've given this some thought since the Dickenson deferment of earlier. I'm good without Dickenson. I don't think he fits with our other players at all. I could be wrong.
I guess I'm good without Oscar because it's clear Cal doesn't want him back and that relationship is strained enough without another season.
I'd prefer we focus on someone more mobile and athletic.
One thing is certain, if we go into next season with Ware and Ugo as our 5 spot we are doomed.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

WTF is Dickerson??? 😂😂😂😂

 

[bballcat4]

I've given this some thought since the Dickenson deferment of earlier. I'm good without Dickenson. I don't think he fits with our other players at all. I could be wrong.
I guess I'm good without Oscar because it's clear Cal doesn't want him back and that relationship is strained enough without another season.
I'd prefer we focus on someone more mobile and athletic.
One thing is certain, if we go into next season with Ware and Ugo as our 5 spot we are doomed.

Bradshaw is 7’!!! He’s never played the 4 before! He was the #1 ranked center in this class. Ugo and Ware are not our only options at the 5.

Bradshaw doesn’t want to get labeled as a center that is limited to playing in the paint. I understand his camp’s thinking. But, being able to play on the perimeter requires more than desire! I suspect he’ll be solid shooter out to 15-17 feet, but struggle from 3. That kind of development takes a couple years. (PJ did it in 2nd year of college. Most bigs who haven’t done it on high school level usually don’t develop it until NBA. That list is a mile long of good shooters now, but were not in college.)

Again, Bradshaw made 4 last year!!!! I’m excited to see him play and think he will develop into a very, very good player. But, the 5 is his natural position and where he will have the most success.

 

[bballcat4]

WTF is Dickerson??? 😂😂😂😂

Ha! We’ve got him as Dickerson, Dickson, and Dickenson in this thread.

Sounds like a law firm specializing in divorces!

 

[bucsrule8872]

Do you count on cal to create mismatches? I don’t. He runs the same lineup and never adjusts once it’s settled in. Edwards is the best pure 3 cal has ever brought in. It would be a signature cal move to pound that square peg into a round hole. I think 1-3 we have to play some trio of Wagner reeves edwards. Have too. If cal can’t find a legit pf or center and play Bradshaw at pf well he’s farther down the tubes than we thought.

Btw you and I think very closely. I just cringe though when I see a guy who is a game changer at the three forced into another roll. Cal rarely recruits a talented 3 and it will make me sick if he piss it away because he couldn’t bring back Oscar or land a big fish in the front court

Definitely agree about Cal. He won’t play small ball. Just not in his DNA.

 

[bballcat4]

Definitely agree about Cal. He won’t play small ball. Just not in his DNA.

It will force Cal's hand to play more small ball. Ugo will give them servicable minutes and it allows Cal to play two bigs together. I'm fine if he even starts them. It gives Bradshaw some minutes at the 4. But, the natural rotations will force 3 guards on the floor with Edwards and Bradshaw.

Cal can act like it was his idea and call it a 'tweak.'

3 guards plus Edwards and Bradshaw will get majority of minutes toward end of the season. (This is all obviously based on current players plus getting another big man that can shoot.)

 

[bucsrule8872]

What I would really like to see if we don’t get another big is Holland added at the 4.

That keeps Edwards at his true position and gives us a star at PF.

G Dillingham/Wagner
G Wagner/Reeves
G Edwards/Reeves
F Holland/Bradshaw
F Bradshaw/Onyenso

That team is a little bigger and more athletic. I would really love to add Holland, especially if we miss on an impact big man.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Agree with you on Ugo. Those will be good #'s for him and UK.

I think Bradshaw can play the 5 and give a few minutes at the other position. I admit to having only watched Edwards for a few minutes in the all-star games, but I think he can easily play the 4. Three guards + Edwards and an athletic big man will be a good lineup.

I agree 100% about needing another big that can shoot. However, I'm fine with it being a 6'8-6'9 type player that's not a traditional post player. Ugo, Bradshaw, & Ware are enough depth to guard the post.

Love Edwards, but he’d get eaten alive as a college 4. He’s not big, nor strong enough.

 

[LukaszObrzut]

Two All American centers- need one of them- it’s that simple.