Johnson to visit UK Wednesday

[EclipsingYou]

I'll go with 26mpg and 13ppg.

Again, Johnson has NOTHING to do with Diallo. The plan was ALWAYS to get both.

Johnson scored nearly 13ppg in the ACC last year, 11ppg overall on 42% from 3 % 82% from FT in the season with 2 SR bigs scoring 18+ log for Pitt and seeing the entire offense ran through them.

Johnson is a 3 who could play a 2 in a jam. Diallo is a guard who could play the 3 in a 3 guard lineup.

Johnson's stats will be affected by how well Vanderbilt plays out of the gate, but I still do not see him starting over Johnson at the 3. I could see Vanderbilt starting at the 4 to have our 5 best players in our SL. Green, Diallo, Johnson, Vanderbilt, and Bamba.

 

[Thompkins4uk]

He's a fine player if you just watch him. I don't know what else to tell you. But having him is just objectively a much better situation for UK than not having him, whether you think he must be trash or not. Because the only 2s left are significantly worse and will need a lot of time to be able to play.

Valid point. Also, if Cal wants him then ok. But how often do transfers pan out? Guys also thought Mulder was going to be a stud. If Diallo leaves, it looks like we are going to have a hole at the 2 because Baker and Johnson will probably be role players.

 

[GonzoCat90]

Johnson has to do with Bam, not Diallo. Some of us have tried to tell you guys that for a couple weeks.

No, they don't play the same position. But Cal is going to prioritize talent over position and with our roster the way Cal expects (including Diallo and Bamba), there were no minutes for Johnson if Bam returned.

He's gone, so there's a spot in the rotation. There are no coincidences. It was clear when Johnson set his initial decision date as the day of the NBA withdrawal deadline.

 

[anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y]

Valid point. Also, if Cal wants him then ok. But how often do transfers pan out? Guys also thought Mulder was going to be a stud. If Diallo leaves, it looks like we are going to have a hole at the 2 because Baker and Johnson will probably be role players.

Mulder was a JUCO. Johnson is a key player for a Power 5 team in the ACC. Big difference.

 

[westerncat]

Just do not see Diallo returning. It's sad because I would have love to see him play at UK.

 

[Thompkins4uk]

Mulder was a JUCO. Johnson is a key player for a Power 5 team in the ACC. Big difference.

Please, Pitt was awful!

 

[JohnnyGentle]

I just find it fascinating how Johnson who was the 3rd leading scorer on a bad Pitt team is now going to be our savior. I'm not sold on him, but I don't matter...

41% from 3 @ 6 attempts a game on a bad team is pretty good. pitt had two guys who were better than him, but neither was a natural playmaker (artis was ok)

run variations of what you ran for monk/murray/humphries with a 6'8 kid who shot 3s that well in the ACC, people are going to have to guard it

if he works and defends it's a big addition imo

 

[Thompkins4uk]

He's a fine player if you just watch him. I don't know what else to tell you. But having him is just objectively a much better situation for UK than not having him, whether you think he must be trash or not. Because the only 2s left are significantly worse and will need a lot of time to be able to play.

We have all watched the video when he score 26 against UNC. He averaged 12, not 22. I'm glad he can shoot though. I hope we get him. I hope he does well, but we will see...

 

[wk1001]

Yeah, Pitt was bad last year. But look at it this way, he was probably a focal point of opposing defenses since he was averaging double figures. At UK, he might be the fourth or fifth option on the floor which could lead to even better looks than he was getting at Pitt. Wide open looks for a 42% 3 point shooter is what we need

 

[anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y]

Please, Pitt was awful!

Wow, You're just looking for faults in his game. Learn the game is all I can tell ya.

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

Valid point. Also, if Cal wants him then ok. But how often do transfers pan out? Guys also thought Mulder was going to be a stud. If Diallo leaves, it looks like we are going to have a hole at the 2 because Baker and Johnson will probably be role players.

Kyle Macy
Dale Brown
Josh Harrellson
Patrick Sparks
Heshimu Evans
Mark Pope
Derek Anderson
Travis Ford

 

[BlueSince92]

Please, Pitt was awful!

Not necessarily sequitur. Every year the SEC has two or three players who would upgrade our roster even though they are on horrible teams. Lotta things go into the making of a horrible team.

 

[The_Catfather]

Interestingly enough, what was looking like a potentially poor-shooting team a couple weeks ago could suddenly be a real strength if Johnson commits and Baker can contribute meaningful minutes off the bench.

I'm not expecting Diallo back. Hope I'm wrong. However, Johnson would be a great replacement this late in the game. This is going to be a really balanced team offensively, but we need a consistent double-digit scorer at 2-guard in the worst way.

 

[Cat Ballou]

Yeah, Pitt was bad last year. But look at it this way, he was probably a focal point of opposing defenses since he was averaging double figures. At UK, he might be the fourth or fifth option on the floor which could lead to even better looks than he was getting at Pitt. Wide open looks for a 42% 3 point shooter is what we need

You've also got to wonder how hard a guy is going to play when the team is crap, and the coaching situation is crap, and you're playing for a guy that didn't recruit you and you didn't chose to play for. If Johnson comes here, it's his way of saying he's ready to work his arse off to be the best player possible. Cal doesn't tolerate anything else.

This is his big chance. I'd be surprised if he didn't prove to be an even better player at UK relative to his time on the floor.

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

Commitment EMMINENT.

Here we go.

Bamba soon after.

Calipari has this all figured out. Chill out, yo!

You post as though you know all this. Your other posts have insinuated the same. Is this just your opinion or what?

 

[Blueathletics]

The thing people might be missing here is he's 6'8" !! Not just some 6'3 or 6'4 shooting guard...we're talking 6'8....talk about zone-buster! He can shoot over them with ease

 

[Strip club lover]

UK needs Johnson especially if Diallio doesn't return. Uhhhh the anxiety lol! Just one month from now the roster will be set

 

[warddr]

He's a fine player if you just watch him. I don't know what else to tell you. But having him is just objectively a much better situation for UK than not having him, whether you think he must be trash or not. Because the only 2s left are significantly worse and will need a lot of time to be able to play.

Optimism works against the agenda of many on this board. You are right, we are simply better off with him than without him.

 

[warddr]

Valid point. Also, if Cal wants him then ok. But how often do transfers pan out? Guys also thought Mulder was going to be a stud. If Diallo leaves, it looks like we are going to have a hole at the 2 because Baker and Johnson will probably be role players.

He may not be a superstar but to be more confident in a player that put up good numbers at Pitt compared to Vincennes College is justifiable.

 

[caneintally]

Pitt was a bad team but they had 2 great players Johnson and Artis who have proven to have big time games against the likes of UNC , UL ,DUke ect. I think Diallo will be back but w need Johnson regardless . Having Johnson and Baker as our sg's would be the best shooters Cal has had at that spot along with Lamb .

 

[Dablueman]

No way

He almost did that playing ACC competition not sure why he can't playing SEC competition. Thought that was really reasonable

 

[Dablueman]

Both. If he can't play defense then he won't play at all. I hope he does more than Mulder.

Lead the team in steals playing top notch competition not jr college like mulder

 

[Dablueman]

I just find it fascinating how Johnson who was the 3rd leading scorer on a bad Pitt team is now going to be our savior. I'm not sold on him, but I don't matter...

Does Pitt being bad mean the top notch teams he was scoring on and getting steals against play down to Pits level to help Johnson get his stats against them?

 

[LukaszObrzut]

He had Stallings as his coach and was just a Soph..
This kid would be a huge addition to a team that already has limited shooters but tons of playmakers. I can see it now. Vanderbilt in the middle kicking to Johnson.

 

[ubtrapper]

Start the bidding at 23 minutes and 12 points.

Bidday, bidday, bidday. Do I hear 22 minutes, 14 pts, 4 assists and 4 rebounds? Bring him on in! I'm sold on him! Lol

 

[C8TS]

Cam and Bamba ... come on down!!!

 

[uksam21]

Kyle Macy
Dale Brown
Josh Harrellson
Patrick Sparks
Heshimu Evans
Mark Pope
Derek Anderson
Travis Ford

Please don't forget Twany Beckham

 

[wcc31]

Idiots who can't differentiate between transfers and JUCOs.

Our program has been bolstered with important transfers whose contributions have led to F4s and championships. How can any UK fan not know about Macy, Ford, Anderson, Pope, Evans, etc?

No, NOT all were stars, but who here is saying this dude is a star? He's a super intelligent kid who plays a position we need and has an elite skill we need.

Some of you get into a tizzy anytime something doesn't go UK's way and then take a negative perspective on everything. It's weak.

 

[TheDude73]

I just find it fascinating how Johnson who was the 3rd leading scorer on a bad Pitt team is now going to be our savior. I'm not sold on him, but I don't matter...

Different coaches do different things with different players. Just because he wasn't top dog at sh*tty Pitt under that goofball Stallings doesn't mean he'll carry over his 3rd-best PPG under Cal and our coaching staff's tutelage.

 

[Thompkins4uk]

Different coaches do different things with different players. Just because he wasn't top dog at sh*tty Pitt under that goofball Stallings doesn't mean he'll carry over his 3rd-best PPG under Cal and our coaching staff's tutelage.

I hope you are right, but I'm skeptical.

 

[lennyd250cat]

Get him!! Diallo will be back. This was Cals plan all along. He's a genius. Both will be in Big Blue next year.

 

[HoptownCat93]

24 points on the road in Chapel Hill against the National Champs. I'll take that any day of the week, its not like we're relying on him to be the number 1 option on both ends of the floor lol

 

[TheBlueDisciple]

Not another one and done!

 

[kev69]

Please, Pitt was awful!

There are good players on bad teams.

Good shooters are not a dime a dozen.

 

[UKfan215]

We don't need the guy to come in and be Anthony Davis or John Wall. If he can just be a Darius Miller type guy and give us some added scoring and experience, then I'll be very happy. And I think Johnson is more than capable of doing that.

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

I knew he was from Cal's hometown, and that his dad played for Pitt the year Cal left the staff, but I just found out that his brother played for Cal's alma mater, and his dad has known Kenny Payne for 30 yrs. If we can't get this guy, something is wrong.

 

[gracetoyou]

Anyone know what Cam had for breakfast yet this morning?

 

[mrdavisanddd]

Pop Tarts

 

[railroadkat_1]

Not another one and done!

NO

 

[Big Foot 275]

Pop Tarts

That ought to make him at least 5% tougher.