I'm OK without Oscar or Dickerson

[mebeblue2]

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

Bradshaw would play the 4/5
Onyenso would play the 5
Ware would get what minutes are left at the 5
Holland would play the 3/4

we would have a 7 footer that can block shots at the 5 most of the time
at times we would have two 7 footers on the floor one of which can not only block shots but also step outside

 

[mebeblue2]

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.

100% agree

 

[bucsrule8872]

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

That would be the drawback for sure. Defensively, it would be tough, especially in a pure man to man system like Cal runs. I would play some zone and try to cover up for his lack of physicality on defense and hope the mismatch he creates on offense outweighs what he gives up on defense.

But like I said, I would rather have Edwards at the 3.

But the scenario was that we didn’t get a big man and Bradshaw had to play the 5. In that situation, I would go with skill and talent rather than just play someone with size like Ware just because he’s the only player on the squad over 215 lbs.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

That would be the drawback for sure. Defensively, it would be tough, especially in a pure man to man system like Cal runs. I would play some zone and try to cover up for his lack of physicality on defense and hope the mismatch he creates on offense outweighs what he gives up on defense.

But like I said, I would rather have Edwards at the 3.

But the scenario was that we didn’t get a big man and Bradshaw had to play the 5. In that situation, I would go with skill and talent rather than just play someone with size like Ware just because he’s the only player on the squad over 215 lbs.

Cal, zone?! 😆 You know better. Lol

 

[bucsrule8872]

Cal, zone?! 😆 You know better. Lol

And it’s so dumb. He could make a killing off of Cal-Zone merch!!!

 

[HerrosHeroes]

Im ok, you’re ok

 

[Lukeslaw]

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.

But he's not playing the 5. He's said he's not and so has Cal. So yeah we have Ware and Ugo slated for the 5 spot.

 

[bballcat4]

But he's not playing the 5. He's said he's not and so has Cal. So yeah we have Ware and Ugo slated for the 5 spot.

I’ll bet you a $5 right now that Bradshaw plays the 5 position next year. We can both take snapshot of the post, then loser makes contribution to the winner’s charity.

I know Bradshaw’s group wants him to get minutes at 4 next year. Yes, I know what Cal has said. I’m also certain Cal is saying things to make Bradshaw happy PLUS try to recruit another big man.

What do you think Cal does with Bradshaw next year if he can’t make some 3’s? (He made 4 FOUR for the entire season last year!!!) Cal will end up using Bradshaw the way he used Nick Richards.

I suspect (and hope) Bradshaw develops his outside game. I think Cal will give him plenty chances for multiple reasons. (Recruiting being a major reason.) But, Bradshaw will get minutes at the 5 next year. Bradshaw will get majority of his minutes at the 5 if Dickenson/Oscar are not on the team.

We MUST get another stretch big man that can shoot. If we get a good shooting big man then Cal will call it positionless bball when both are on the floor. (He’s probably right if that happens.)

But, I’m not going to think the sky is falling if Dickenson goes somewhere else. I laugh when people say we cannot go into next year with just Ugo and Ware while the top center in this year’s class is already on the roster.

Dickenson can add some things to the roster, but the sky is not falling if he goes elsewhere.

 

[Rockfly78]

If it’s Bradshaw and Ugo then we are a bubble team

 

[bballcat4]

If it’s Bradshaw and Ugo then we are a bubble team

I’d put the combo of Bradshaw & Ugo up against any team in America’s best 2 centers.

I think everyone agrees we need another 4 that can score.

There want be many teams that can match the Bradshaw/Ugo combination. They won’t be asked to carry the team if our wing players live up to expectations. But, they’ll cause problems for other teams.

 

[ArtLaibsGhost]

How can anyone evaluate a roster where 5 of its best peices have never seen a college floor. Next year is a total mystery until the games start. You could argue Onyenso should be included on that list no more than he played. I'm not thrilled having such an inexperienced roster but I'm not ready to call the season a wash either. We are just going to have to wait and see.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

And it’s so dumb. He could make a killing off of Cal-Zone merch!!!

Exactly. Calzonearoni!

 

[Cowtown Cat]

I’ll bet you a $5 right now that Bradshaw plays the 5 position next year. We can both take snapshot of the post, then loser makes contribution to the winner’s charity.

I know Bradshaw’s group wants him to get minutes at 4 next year. Yes, I know what Cal has said. I’m also certain Cal is saying things to make Bradshaw happy PLUS try to recruit another big man.

What do you think Cal does with Bradshaw next year if he can’t make some 3’s? (He made 4 FOUR for the entire season last year!!!) Cal will end up using Bradshaw the way he used Nick Richards.

I suspect (and hope) Bradshaw develops his outside game. I think Cal will give him plenty chances for multiple reasons. (Recruiting being a major reason.) But, Bradshaw will get minutes at the 5 next year. Bradshaw will get majority of his minutes at the 5 if Dickenson/Oscar are not on the team.

We MUST get another stretch big man that can shoot. If we get a good shooting big man then Cal will call it positionless bball when both are on the floor. (He’s probably right if that happens.)

But, I’m not going to think the sky is falling if Dickenson goes somewhere else. I laugh when people say we cannot go into next year with just Ugo and Ware while the top center in this year’s class is already on the roster.

Dickenson can add some things to the roster, but the sky is not falling if he goes elsewhere.

He’ll most likely play both 4/5. He’ll have to play the 4 so Cal can get the other bigs PT IMO. Agree, we still need a 4 that’s an offensive threat.

 

[bucsrule8872]

If we miss on Dickinson and Tshiebwe stays in the draft, then UK better throw a boat load of money at the best available 4 or 5 out there.

My top choice would be Holland, even though we would be very young.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

If we miss on Dickinson and Tshiebwe stays in the draft, then UK better throw a boat load of money at the best available 4 or 5 out there.

My top choice would be Holland, even though we would be very young.

Still look for Oscar to ultimately return. JMO.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Still look for Oscar to ultimately return. JMO.

I hope you are right. We need some real experience.

Dillingham, Wagner, Reeves, Edwards, Bradshaw, and Tshiebwe gives us a pretty solid top six.

Hopefully Cal will fill out the roster with some decent portal guys and someone likes Onyenso steps up.

I also think Sheppard is being under appreciated. I think he could be a key contributor.

 

[YardCat]

One down and one staying in the draft. You might get your wish. Hope Lance turns the corner.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

One down and one staying in the draft. You might get your wish. Hope Lance turns the corner.

Looking like he’s gone too. It’s looking that way anyway.

 

[Pulaski Cat Fan]

I'm ok without any of them, and I'd be ecstatic if Calipari was gone as well.

 

[Lukeslaw]

I’ll bet you a $5 right now that Bradshaw plays the 5 position next year. We can both take snapshot of the post, then loser makes contribution to the winner’s charity.

I know Bradshaw’s group wants him to get minutes at 4 next year. Yes, I know what Cal has said. I’m also certain Cal is saying things to make Bradshaw happy PLUS try to recruit another big man.

What do you think Cal does with Bradshaw next year if he can’t make some 3’s? (He made 4 FOUR for the entire season last year!!!) Cal will end up using Bradshaw the way he used Nick Richards.

I suspect (and hope) Bradshaw develops his outside game. I think Cal will give him plenty chances for multiple reasons. (Recruiting being a major reason.) But, Bradshaw will get minutes at the 5 next year. Bradshaw will get majority of his minutes at the 5 if Dickenson/Oscar are not on the team.

We MUST get another stretch big man that can shoot. If we get a good shooting big man then Cal will call it positionless bball when both are on the floor. (He’s probably right if that happens.)

But, I’m not going to think the sky is falling if Dickenson goes somewhere else. I laugh when people say we cannot go into next year with just Ugo and Ware while the top center in this year’s class is already on the roster.

Dickenson can add some things to the roster, but the sky is not falling if he goes elsewhere.

Jesus man, you wrote a novel.
Cal and Bradshaw say he's playing the four. Who knows what might happen. At some point, yeah, Bradshaw will probably be the 5. For 5 minutes, a whole game, who knows? That's like saying you bet that Bradshaw has to breathe oxygen. Stop getting lost in the minutiae.

 

[CatPatrick13]

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!

Your analysis on Bradshaw is spot on. Edwards doesn’t fit the 4 at all. But Nelson does. Or Holland.

 

[Lukeslaw]

Your analysis on Bradshaw is spot on. Edwards doesn’t fit the 4 at all. But Nelson does. Or Holland.

We all know Bradshaw isn't a 4, but will Cal go back on what he said and put him there? That's the question.

 

[Rockfly78]

I’d put the combo of Bradshaw & Ugo up against any team in America’s best 2 centers.

I think everyone agrees we need another 4 that can score.

There want be many teams that can match the Bradshaw/Ugo combination. They won’t be asked to carry the team if our wing players live up to expectations. But, they’ll cause problems for other teams.

dude those two skinny kids couldn't bench 135 if they worked together. I love them both. But we need more in the paint to win in the SEC.

 

[smooth as butter]

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!

Lol