Is this roster the closest we have seen to Cal's ideal team?

[EclipsingYou]

We have heard Calipari say several times that he would love to have a team of athletes that can guard multiple positions and have tremendous length.

When you look what we have for next season,

Green/SGA at PG
Followed by
Diallo, Knox, JV, WG, PJ, Richards, and SKJ.

It looks pretty close to what he has referred too. Other than SKJ & Richards being a C, everyone else can play multiple positions, right?

If so, Cal has 2 great FR PG and Diallo who can play the 2-4, WG, Knox, and JV that can play the 2-5, PJ capable of the 3-5, and Richards/SKJ who look more like true C manning the 5 spot while the 2-4 spots are totally interchangeable.

That's about as positionless as it gets. WG playing the 2, PJ playing the 3 May be a stretch, but it seems as if this is how he wanted to build a team by the way he has talked the last few years. 6 players between 6'5" and 6'8" that are extremely athletic and van play almost anywhere on the court.

Pick a PG and play whichever 4 players are playing best at the time. What a luxury to have.

I wonder how many different lineups we will see by the year's end. I'm sure it'll be a TON.

All in my completely worthless opinion as always.

 

[ORCAT]

It's a good team, no doubt about that, but I doubt it is his ideal team. I think, like us, he would prefer to have some seasoned players to be leaders on this team. How many times will we hear Cal say how young they are and how much they have to learn and how much they need to do to become a team that plays together and appreciate how important defense is. I know those words will be coming. I think this team will be fun to watch and develop but they are not his ideal, in my opinion.

 

[Canned Heat]

Ideal maybe, but like the first reply said , if a few were experienced, it might be lethal. We have the potential but so so young it will be hard to get them all clicking to make a run

 

[fatguy87]

Ideal would be Tyler Ulis on the 2012 team.

 

[EclipsingYou]

Haha! Tyler Ullis could start his own religion within our fan base

I agree with your experience comments. I'm sure he'd prefer to have a bunch of JR's & SR's, but for that to happen, he would have to drastically change his recruiting targets. Sure, a few players may come back this year, but I think losing half of the 10 is the best case scenario.

My point being, Calipari will never produce a similar team full of "positionless" players due to how many players he will have leave early every year.

Hopefully there's a few on this team like SGA, Baker, PJ, WG, SKJ, and Tai that come back next season with 5 more ultra talented "positionless" players to replace Diallo, Knox, JV, and whoever else that decide to be OAD players.

 

[EclipsingYou]

All at 6'4+ with length and athleticism, Romeo, Quickley, and Smart can play the 1-3

At 6'7"-6'8", Zion Williamson, Khavon Moore, Louis King, Jaedon Ledee, Nazreon Reid, and Cameron Reddish look like more "positionless" players Calipari wants that appear to be able to handle the 2-4 spots.

Bagley can play the 3-5 despite being 6'11" with his crazy skills.

I don't see Bol Bol playing anywhere other than C, though! Especially when considering that he could be 7'4" by the time he plays his first game.

Of those 10 players, I'd guess we land 5-7 of them. Hopefully 1-2 of the 3 guards come with a decent chance Green and SGA come back. I could see Smart and Langford at the 2 and 3 next season. Still, 1 of 3 is probably a good bet.

Of the 6 "positionless" players Calipari is looking at, I could see him getting 3-4 if things work great this year in this system.

Out of Bagley and Bol Bol, getting both would be quite the hard sell.

Hopefully, we can end up with a class like:
1 or 2 of Quickley, Smart, and Langford
3 or 4 of Williamson, Reddish, Moore, King, Reid, and LeDee
1 or 2 of Bagley and Bol Bol

Say we end up with Smart, Williamson, Reddish, King, Moore, and Bagley. Then we add them to SGA, Green, Baker, WG, PJ, and Tai. I see the "positionless" movement taking an even bigger step forward.

That's how I see Calipari's future teams looking. 1-2 legitimate PG, 1-2 legitimate C, and 7-9 "positionless" players capable of playing the SG-PF positions on the floor on both sides.

Sprinkle in a Jemarl Baker, Nick Richards, SKJ, Tai, Romeo Langford, Immanuel Quickley, Bol Bol, Marvin Bagley, or Javonte Smart here and there for unbelievable talent, length, ball handling, shot blocking, athleticism, height, experience, sharpshooting, 3 pt shooting, etc.

So, to go along with 7-9 "positionless" players, add 1-2 PG, and 1-2 C. That's how I see Kentucky's future Calipari teams. Using an elite PG with a backup and elite big with a backup matched up with a host of players that can handle the 2-4 positions. I see that as the overall plan.

All in my completely worthless opinion as always.

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

We have heard Calipari say several times that he would love to have a team of athletes that can guard multiple positions and have tremendous length.

When you look what we have for next season,

Green/SGA at PG
Followed by
Diallo, Knox, JV, WG, PJ, Richards, and SKJ.

It looks pretty close to what he has referred too. Other than SKJ & Richards being a C, everyone else can play multiple positions, right?

If so, Cal has 2 great FR PG and Diallo who can play the 2-4, WG, Knox, and JV that can play the 2-5, PJ capable of the 3-5, and Richards/SKJ who look more like true C manning the 5 spot while the 2-4 spots are totally interchangeable.

That's about as positionless as it gets. WG playing the 2, PJ playing the 3 May be a stretch, but it seems as if this is how he wanted to build a team by the way he has talked the last few years. 6 players between 6'5" and 6'8" that are extremely athletic and van play almost anywhere on the court.

Pick a PG and play whichever 4 players are playing best at the time. What a luxury to have.

I wonder how many different lineups we will see by the year's end. I'm sure it'll be a TON.

All in my completely worthless opinion as always.

I don't think so, at least not yet. We haven't even seen what they're capable of doing at the collegiate level. Sometimes, as we've seen occasionally, players don't adjust to the college game very well.


I think it may have been more of Cal's ideal team had we gotten Bamba but without him, the 2012 team just oozes Calipari. Multiple elite defenders on the court, a pitbull for a PG in Teague, an aggressive slashing SF, an elite shooting SG, a versatile PF that can score and guard all over the floor, and most importantly for a Calipari perfect team........the elite of the elite rim protector in AD. THAT was Cal's ideal team and I don't think any other team even comes close. Throw in the heady veteran in Darius and you don't get any more ideal for Cal ( hell, for any coach for that matter but especially Cal) than that 2012 squad. It just had everything that Cal loves.


The 2015 team could've also been that team but when Alex went down, it took a step behind the 2012 team in this race. With Alex, it would've been right there with 2012 as being ideal for Calipari. Alex was best as a role player and he fit the role that the team needed the most in the end. Ran into an elite scoring wing that torched us and proved how crucial the loss of Alex was to that squad. That's why it's 2nd on this list, if you ask me.

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

Haha! Tyler Ullis could start his own religion within our fan base

I agree with your experience comments. I'm sure he'd prefer to have a bunch of JR's & SR's, but for that to happen, he would have to drastically change his recruiting targets. Sure, a few players may come back this year, but I think losing half of the 10 is the best case scenario.

My point being, Calipari will never produce a similar team full of "positionless" players due to how many players he will have leave early every year.

Hopefully there's a few on this team like SGA, Baker, PJ, WG, SKJ, and Tai that come back next season with 5 more ultra talented "positionless" players to replace Diallo, Knox, JV, and whoever else that decide to be OAD players.

I think we will be surprised by who is OAD off this squad. I think you nailed it with Diallo, Knox, and JV. I think that might be the ones who are ready but as we've seen, it doesn't really matter too much whether they're ready or not, some may still decide to go. But I think there are a few who believe they are better than what they are and are looking to be OAD. I hope it doesn't effect them too much during the season.

 

[EclipsingYou]

I know that the Crystal Ball has been a joke as of late. For just a reference, according to that source Kentucky currently leads or is tied for:

Marvin Bagley
Bol Bol
Immanuel Quickley
Moses Brown
Devonte Smart
Khavon Moore
Nazreon Reed
Louis King
Jaedon LeDee

I don't see UK signing 9, but I expect 4-5 to leave early plus there's 2 open scholarships.

Bagley, Bol, Reid, Quickley, Smart, Moore, and Brown are 7 of the top 14 players. I could see a class of 6 of those 7 as being realistic at this point.

Bol and Brown are Centers
Quickley and Smart are tall PG's that could play the 1-3.
Moore, Reid, and Bagley are more in the mold of the 6'7-6'8 "positionless" player. Bagley is 6'11", but is rated #1 overall for a good reason.

If Kentucky could take Bagley, Bol, Quickley, Smart, Moore, and Reid right now and call it a day, I'd be more than ecstatic and celebrating yet another #1 class with some decent talent likely to return.

Bol/SKJ/PJ/Reid
Bagley/PJ/Reid/Moore
WG/Moore/Smart
Quickley/Baker/SGA/Smart
Green/SGA/Smart

Looks pretty damn good to me no matter who you think starts and comes off the bench. There wouldn't be a more talented team from 1-12 in the country and definitely nobody that could hang with them on the court.

 

[EclipsingYou]

I see Diallo, Knox, and JV as gone for sure.
I see 1-2 of Richards, WG, Green, SKJ, and Tai either enter the draft or transfer.

With Richards size and athleticism, some sites already have him as a lottery pick.

If we win it all, I see Green pulling a Tyus Jones or Marquis Teague and leaving while his stock is highest.

If WG has worked on his game as hard as rumored, I could see him going to the draft as well.

With Calipari here you never know who will be left when the dust settles!

All in my completely worthless opinion as always

 

[EclipsingYou]

As of future recruits, I can see Calipari landing Bagley, Bol, Quickley, and Moore without too much effort, no matter who stays and leaves.

I believe there will be 2 more open spots for whatever combo of Romeo Langford, Zion Williamson, Javonte Smart, Nazreon Reid, Moses Brown, and Louis King that Calipari can fill with the most talent possible.

Again, all in my completely worthless opinion as always.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

To answers the OP's question - in terms of a recruiting class, yes this is his ideal incoming group.

He has said he always wanted multiple Tyreke Evans-types in the backcourt playing with multiple MKG wings. He also loved rim protection and he has it in Richards.

Cal's never had a group featuring so much versatility before. He loves it and I bet we see some very intriguing lineups this year.

 

[wromanp7]

On paper yes. And I'd even say it's likely to be so.
However, we will need to see Quade and/or SGA step up big and to see rim protection at a high level.

If he has those two things our wings are going to feast.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

As of future recruits, I can see Calipari landing Bagley, Bol, Quickley, and Moore without too much effort, no matter who stays and leaves.

I believe there will be 2 more open spots for whatever combo of Romeo Langford, Zion Williamson, Javonte Smart, Nazreon Reid, Moses Brown, and Louis King that Calipari can fill with the most talent possible.

Again, all in my completely worthless opinion as always.

Langford, Bagley, Williamson are all top 10 picks. Cal’s never pulled off a class with three top 10 picks before, but I think it could be done with this next class.

I’m not sure about Bagley. I know UK’s in good shape, but I just have a feeling he goes elsewhere or doesn’t play at all next year. Who knows? Hope my premonition is wrong.

If UK doesn’t land Bagley, I’d like to see Bol, Williamson, Reddish, and Langford (I don’t think UK would land Smart or Quickley if Green/SGA come back). Put them together with Washington, SKJ, Wynyard, Alexander, Green, and Baker.

C – SKJ/Bol/Wynyard

F – Williamson/Washington

F – Reddish/Williamson

G – Langford/Baker

G – Green/Alexander

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

On paper yes. And I'd even say it's likely to be so.
However, we will need to see Quade and/or SGA step up big and to see rim protection at a high level.

If he has those two things our wings are going to feast.

I’m not sure the rim protection has to be out of this world to please Cal. Just competent. I think Cal is realistic when it comes to shot blocking. Just have enough guys who can stop dribble penetration with their length (Vanderbilt, Diallo, Alexander) and a handful of guys capable of playing the role of Joey Dorsey (Richards, maybe SKJ).

1.5 to 2.5 blocks/game collectively from the 5 spot with another 5 to 8 altered shots. The collective length of Knox, Diallo, Gabriel, Vanderbilt, SKJ, and Washington gives Cal something he hasn’t had the last two seasons in terms of team shot blocking.

Some keep thinking UK will not have a team with many blocks due to not having a Noel/Davis on the team. I actually think UK averages 6.5+ blocks/game this year due to the having multiple guys who will likely average 1 to 1.5 blocks/game.

 

[docholiday51]

I think this years team has the look of one of Cal's very good Memphis teams,as to looking forward to next year(to borrow a theme from another thread)we have no idea at this point how things will play out.There are waaaay to many moving parts at this point in time.

 

[EclipsingYou]

I'd bet some serious money that Cal ends up taking either Smart or Quickley despite if Green and SGA return.

Quickley or Smart could start along with Green or even along with Green and SGA.

UK are their big favorites from what has been said. Their too talented for Cal not to take one.

If Bagley or Bol go to college anywhere, the consensus is it will be at UK. Things can change, but I really hope not.

A recruit that seems to love UK on his tweets and when he lists his favorites that I'd LOVE to see Cal sign ASAP is 6'7" Khavon Moore from Georgia. #8 on ESPN, #10 on 24/7, #19 on Rivals. He is a real player that is coming into the scene real quick. Can do a little of everything and can fly with the ball in his hand. I hadn't seen him mentioned much around here, but it is a name we should probably get familiar with. He has been climbing in the rankings and I look for him to make an unofficial here or for Cal to visit him soon. Anthony White at FL probably has him as his #1 priority, but I think Cal could get him pretty easily and see him seamlessly take over for either Knox, WG, or JV.

 

[wromanp7]

I'd bet some serious money that Cal ends up taking either Smart or Quickley despite if Green and SGA return.

Quickley or Smart could start along with Green or even along with Green and SGA.

UK are their big favorites from what has been said. Their too talented for Cal not to take one.

If Bagley or Bol go to college anywhere, the consensus is it will be at UK. Things can change, but I really hope not.

A recruit that seems to love UK on his tweets and when he lists his favorites that I'd LOVE to see Cal sign ASAP is 6'7" Khavon Moore from Georgia. #8 on ESPN, #10 on 24/7, #19 on Rivals. He is a real player that is coming into the scene real quick. Can do a little of everything and can fly with the ball in his hand. I hadn't seen him mentioned much around here, but it is a name we should probably get familiar with. He has been climbing in the rankings and I look for him to make an unofficial here or for Cal to visit him soon. Anthony White at FL probably has him as his #1 priority, but I think Cal could get him pretty easily and see him seamlessly take over for either Knox, WG, or JV.

Agree on Moore.

Not sure I agree that we are consensus favorites for Bagley and Bol. AZ is a real player too.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

Ideal would be Tyler Ulis on the 2012 team.

Can you imagine the number of dunks AD would have gotten.

 

[EclipsingYou]

I don't think there's any way Bagley ends up going with Sean Miller to Arizona over UK when you look at the relationship Cal and Bagley have had for years.

Now, Bagley finding a way to skip college entirely? That's a bit more of a concern and the more serious think for Kentucky to worry about.

I'm pretty sure Bol would commit right now if Cal asked him to, but is waiting for this latest class's hype to die down in the fall to maximize the exposure of his announcement. I haven't even heard a serious rumor about Bol going elsewhere, but you never know. The same was often said about Bamba.

No matter who you listen to or which recruits decide to attend which school, Kentucky is the favorite for at least 10 of the top 25 players right now.

The recruitment class will be ridiculous and rated #1 yet again by the end of it all. Some names may disappear that we thought were locks. Some new names will appear that we weren't supposed to have a shot with. In the end, I just put my trust in Cal and haven't been let down yet.

All in my completely worthless opinion as always.

 

[BBUK]

I doubt even Cal has an ideal team. Cal has idea results.

 

[stoneycat_20]

Can you imagine the number of dunks AD would have gotten.

He might even have been player of the year...

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

He might even have been player of the year...

Only if he tried harder.

 

[JC CATS]

I don't think so, at least not yet. We haven't even seen what they're capable of doing at the collegiate level. Sometimes, as we've seen occasionally, players don't adjust to the college game very well.


I think it may have been more of Cal's ideal team had we gotten Bamba but without him, the 2012 team just oozes Calipari. Multiple elite defenders on the court, a pitbull for a PG in Teague, an aggressive slashing SF, an elite SG, a versatile PF that can score and guard all over the floor, and most importantly for a Calipari perfect team........the elite of the elite Tim protector in AD. THAT was Cal's ideal team and I don't think any other team even comes close. Throw in the heady veteran in Darius and you don't get any more ideal for Cal ( he'll, for any coach for that matter) than that 2012 squad. It just had everything that Cal loves.


The 2015 team could've also been that team but when Alex went down, it took a step behind the 2012 team in this race. With Alex, it would've been right there with 2012 as being ideal for Calipari. Alex was best as a role player and he fit the role that the team needed the most in the end. Ran into an elite scoring wing that torched us and proved how crucial the loss of Alex was to that squad. That's why it's 2nd on this list, if you ask me.

This! Thread over

 

[Cat78Scot]

I don't think so, at least not yet. We haven't even seen what they're capable of doing at the collegiate level. Sometimes, as we've seen occasionally, players don't adjust to the college game very well.


I think it may have been more of Cal's ideal team had we gotten Bamba but without him, the 2012 team just oozes Calipari. Multiple elite defenders on the court, a pitbull for a PG in Teague, an aggressive slashing SF, an elite shooting SG, a versatile PF that can score and guard all over the floor, and most importantly for a Calipari perfect team........the elite of the elite rim protector in AD. THAT was Cal's ideal team and I don't think any other team even comes close. Throw in the heady veteran in Darius and you don't get any more ideal for Cal ( hell, for any coach for that matter but especially Cal) than that 2012 squad. It just had everything that Cal loves.


The 2015 team could've also been that team but when Alex went down, it took a step behind the 2012 team in this race. With Alex, it would've been right there with 2012 as being ideal for Calipari. Alex was best as a role player and he fit the role that the team needed the most in the end. Ran into an elite scoring wing that torched us and proved how crucial the loss of Alex was to that squad. That's why it's 2nd on this list, if you ask me.

Higgins is a scoring wing?