Kobi Simmons will announce on Saturday

[GOING FOR #9]

Too late.

Forget about the Skal draft position and give him no more mins than he got yesterday which was 8.

Play Wynyard and Humphries in the post and hope they improve enough until March. Lee comes off the bench with Poyghress.

Play some zone. Ha

But I am sure we will just trudge along as we have with some minor adjustments. Just hope we can make some noise late.

I'm glad you're not the coach. To try and rely on 17 yr old foreigners against the best 18 year olds in the world is a suicide mission.

 

[Blue Decade]

Serious question: Except for the Alabama game is Poythress anywhere near as good a player now as he was during his Freshman year?

He is a better player now. He is a much better defender, and a much better rebounder now. I have never been a cheerleader for Poythress. He has been slow to develop. But there are extenuating circumstances. He has been used incorrectly at times. He has played behind Michael Kidd Gilchrist, Terrance Jones, Kyle Wiltjer, Willie Cauley Stein. He missed most of last year with a torn ACL. Now some people are minimizing the lingering impact of the ACL injury, but I wonder if they ever had knee surgery. If you look ahead to March, Poythress is probably the key to any hope that Kentucky can get back to the EE. I don't know what will happen, but I would put my chips on Poythress over Wills without thinking twice. Poythress has to play.

 

[brianpoe]

Starters - Reserve

Tyler - Briscoe
Murray - Briscoe
Willis - Mulder
Poy - Lee, Skal
Humphries - Tai

Yes I would start developing the two 17 year olds, will help us next year. This squad's ceiling is much too low.

 

[gamalielkid]

We have excellent guards, but there is no balance or spacing in our offensive game. The problem is poor play and low production from our baseline players. When you can't score on the low block, it puts too much burden on your guards and makes your team too predictable. Auburn doesn't exactly have a dominant baseline or a strong interior defense, so yesterday's loss underscores how weak our baseline game really is. In yesterday's loss, Kentucky took 72 shots from the floor, hitting 25 of those, less than 35%. You don't beat anyone shooting like that. Combined, our guards Ulis and Murray took 39 shots from the floor, which was 55% of all the shots taken by our entire team. This is what happens when your bigs don't contribute. No balance, too predictable. Ulis and Murray sank 13 of their 39 shots, which is even a worse percentage than the team shot as a whole. This is the result of poor spacing and bad shot selection. Some of our fans scream for more Derek Willis. While it's true that Willis had his best game as a Wildcat yesterday, it wasn't exactly a dominant performance. 12 points, 12 rebounds. Previously, Willis' playing time was limited by poor rebounding and poor defense. Yesterday he had his best rebounding day as a Wildcat, but it came against a guard dominated team with a weak baseline. Although I saw improvement in Wills' defensive performance, he still commits big defensive gaffes. A number of times, Auburn forwards put the fall on the floor and drove to the basket for unchallenged dunks and layups. Many of those plays happened because Willis was beaten by his man on the dribble, or because Willis did not give weakside help. Willis is not Jamal Mashburn. On the other hand, Calipari's baseline is failing, which is killing this team. If I was Calipari, I would increase playing time for Willis and Humphries, decrease playing time for Labissiere. I would tell Lee to improve as a scorer and free throw shooter, or else plan to sit more. I would get Humphries into games and design plays for him to score, and I would be patient while he shakes off rust. If playing Humphries means getting creative defensively, so be it. This is not a great defensive team anyway. Maybe this team needs to switch up defenses and mix in some zones. Calipari doesn't like zone defenses, but he has used them before when necessary. Maybe it is necessary now for 10 or so defensive series a game, so Calipari can use other baseline players like Humphries and develop a scoring capability on the low block. A decision must be made for Wynyard. So far, Wynyard hasn't gotten into a game. That says he isn't ready. Maybe he isn't in shape, maybe he still doesn't know the assignments. If he is going to play, then get him ready ASAP and use him on the low block. But it's getting late. If Wynyard can't do it, then redshirt him. I would redshirt Wynyard unless he can beat out Humphries now in a fair competition. And finally, I think Hawkins' injury has hurt a little bit on the margins. Hawkins isn't going to be a dominant player, but his game against Louisville actually contributed to an important win against a ranked team, therefore considerably more impactful than Willis' game in yesterday's ugly loss. Getting Hawkins back will help Kentucky defensively and in transition. This is an inexperienced 23-8 type of team that can improve and become more dangerous in March.

Blue I think you are probably writing something really good. But if you don't break this up into paragraphs it becomes to hard to read. So I didn't. Doesn't matter if if correct or not. Just break it up into a maximum of 8 lines so it can be read easily. I know how hard it is when getting on a run. Go back and edit it for us - no one else can. I would love to read it.

Go Big Blue!

 

[ukwazoo]

I'd take the reins more on offense - call more set plays, etc. This team doesn't have the low-post presence or active bigs needed to give the team that much freedom on offense. On defense, zone more - a lot more. Personnel-wise, make people earn their PT. Go as far down the bench as you need to until you find someone that wants to play that day. Have the best 5 ON THAT PARTICULAR DAY close out the game.

 

[gamalielkid]

what do you do to right the ship

I would probably get fired - lols! But I would go with ALL guards or at least 4 guards on the floor all the time. Murray, Briscoe and Matthews are all good rebounders! I would press all over the floor. With Hawkins back you have Ullis, Briscoe, Murray, Matthews and Hawkins that can all play fast and press. It might be better to play one big. Actually Alex, Derek and Marcus - anyone of them could work with 4 guards. The guards are in shape from what I have seen to press and run the entire time. These are the 8 guys I would make my key guys. Why not?

Skal can practice against the other big guys and he can play when we are way ahead or way behind lols. Yes I am giving up on him - for this year! He seems like a good kid, but he is not ready - the long layoff and his weak body is a problem for him now. He could be a great kid in the future - but who knows.

Go Big Blue!

 

[gamalielkid]

what do you do to right the ship

We have excellent guards, but there is no balance or spacing in our offensive game. The problem is poor play and low production from our baseline players. When you can't score on the low block, it puts too much burden on your guards and makes your team too predictable. Auburn doesn't exactly have a dominant baseline or a strong interior defense, so yesterday's loss underscores how weak our baseline game really is. In yesterday's loss, Kentucky took 72 shots from the floor, hitting 25 of those, less than 35%. You don't beat anyone shooting like that. Combined, our guards Ulis and Murray took 39 shots from the floor, which was 55% of all the shots taken by our entire team.

This is what happens when your bigs don't contribute. No balance, too predictable. Ulis and Murray sank 13 of their 39 shots, which is even a worse percentage than the team shot as a whole. This is the result of poor spacing and bad shot selection. Some of our fans scream for more Derek Willis. While it's true that Willis had his best game as a Wildcat yesterday, it wasn't exactly a dominant performance. 12 points, 12 rebounds. Previously, Willis' playing time was limited by poor rebounding and poor defense. Yesterday he had his best rebounding day as a Wildcat, but it came against a guard dominated team with a weak baseline. Although I saw improvement in Wills' defensive performance, he still commits big defensive gaffes.

A number of times, Auburn forwards put the fall on the floor and drove to the basket for unchallenged dunks and layups. Many of those plays happened because Willis was beaten by his man on the dribble, or because Willis did not give weakside help. Willis is not Jamal Mashburn. On the other hand, Calipari's baseline is failing, which is killing this team. If I was Calipari, I would increase playing time for Willis and Humphries, decrease playing time for Labissiere. I would tell Lee to improve as a scorer and free throw shooter, or else plan to sit more. I would get Humphries into games and design plays for him to score, and I would be patient while he shakes off rust. If playing Humphries means getting creative defensively, so be it.

This is not a great defensive team anyway. Maybe this team needs to switch up defenses and mix in some zones. Calipari doesn't like zone defenses, but he has used them before when necessary. Maybe it is necessary now for 10 or so defensive series a game, so Calipari can use other baseline players like Humphries and develop a scoring capability on the low block. A decision must be made for Wynyard. So far, Wynyard hasn't gotten into a game. That says he isn't ready. Maybe he isn't in shape, maybe he still doesn't know the assignments. If he is going to play, then get him ready ASAP and use him on the low block. But it's getting late. If Wynyard can't do it, then redshirt him. I would redshirt Wynyard unless he can beat out Humphries now in a fair competition.

And finally, I think Hawkins' injury has hurt a little bit on the margins. Hawkins isn't going to be a dominant player, but his game against Louisville actually contributed to an important win against a ranked team, therefore considerably more impactful than Willis' game in yesterday's ugly loss. Getting Hawkins back will help Kentucky defensively and in transition. This is an inexperienced 23-8 type of team that can improve and become more dangerous in March.

24 Blue Decade, Today at 12:46 PM
Last edited: Today at 12:

 

[gamalielkid]

We have excellent guards, but there is no balance or spacing in our offensive game. The problem is poor play and low production from our baseline players. When you can't score on the low block, it puts too much burden on your guards and makes your team too predictable. Auburn doesn't exactly have a dominant baseline or a strong interior defense, so yesterday's loss underscores how weak our baseline game really is. In yesterday's loss, Kentucky took 72 shots from the floor, hitting 25 of those, less than 35%. You don't beat anyone shooting like that. Combined, our guards Ulis and Murray took 39 shots from the floor, which was 55% of all the shots taken by our entire team.

This is what happens when your bigs don't contribute. No balance, too predictable. Ulis and Murray sank 13 of their 39 shots, which is even a worse percentage than the team shot as a whole. This is the result of poor spacing and bad shot selection. Some of our fans scream for more Derek Willis. While it's true that Willis had his best game as a Wildcat yesterday, it wasn't exactly a dominant performance. 12 points, 12 rebounds. Previously, Willis' playing time was limited by poor rebounding and poor defense. Yesterday he had his best rebounding day as a Wildcat, but it came against a guard dominated team with a weak baseline. Although I saw improvement in Wills' defensive performance, he still commits big defensive gaffes.

A number of times, Auburn forwards put the fall on the floor and drove to the basket for unchallenged dunks and layups. Many of those plays happened because Willis was beaten by his man on the dribble, or because Willis did not give weakside help. Willis is not Jamal Mashburn. On the other hand, Calipari's baseline is failing, which is killing this team. If I was Calipari, I would increase playing time for Willis and Humphries, decrease playing time for Labissiere. I would tell Lee to improve as a scorer and free throw shooter, or else plan to sit more. I would get Humphries into games and design plays for him to score, and I would be patient while he shakes off rust. If playing Humphries means getting creative defensively, so be it.

This is not a great defensive team anyway. Maybe this team needs to switch up defenses and mix in some zones. Calipari doesn't like zone defenses, but he has used them before when necessary. Maybe it is necessary now for 10 or so defensive series a game, so Calipari can use other baseline players like Humphries and develop a scoring capability on the low block. A decision must be made for Wynyard. So far, Wynyard hasn't gotten into a game. That says he isn't ready. Maybe he isn't in shape, maybe he still doesn't know the assignments. If he is going to play, then get him ready ASAP and use him on the low block. But it's getting late. If Wynyard can't do it, then redshirt him. I would redshirt Wynyard unless he can beat out Humphries now in a fair competition.

And finally, I think Hawkins' injury has hurt a little bit on the margins. Hawkins isn't going to be a dominant player, but his game against Louisville actually contributed to an important win against a ranked team, therefore considerably more impactful than Willis' game in yesterday's ugly loss. Getting Hawkins back will help Kentucky defensively and in transition. This is an inexperienced 23-8 type of team that can improve and become more dangerous in March.

24 Blue Decade, Today at 12:46 PM
Last edited: Today at 12:

Excellent analysis Blue. After I broke it up, I could read it and makes great sense. Thanks for the post!

Go Big Blue!

 

[gamalielkid]

Here is my two cents worth. First, I have said in another post this morning, I would play 4 guards and press. I would run, run, and run. I would actually copy what Pitino did while he was here and while at Louisville. He gets a lot out of above average talent. We have a lot of good guards. So, press, press and then go to a hybrid zone defense of some kind. I would play the big in the middle and overplay all the other zone positions aggressively. When someone comes into your zone attack him like a man to man.

The quickness of this team and ball handling ability would probably lead to a lot of easy transition baskets. If we start practicing this now, we could be dangerous with it by the NCAA's.

Yes I am giving up on the bigs. We have three bigs that are known. Look how strongly our guards rebound now compared to the bigs. Forget all the shot blocking strategy - that was great when we had Cousins, Davis, Noel and Stein. We don't have them now - recognize it and adjust to what you have! Skal is not going to get it done. Neither are Alex and Derek. Lee, blocks shots but then he gives up the rebound second shot - just look at the films of the games.

Briscoe and Murray both rebound well. Matthews rebounds well. Hawkins and Ullis are scrappy defenders. Take advantage of the teams speed and quickness and let's go!

Go Big Blue!

 

[CrustyCat]

Every player (except Ullis) comes with major holes in his game.
Cal is going to have to pick and choose what he can live with and piece it together.
We aren't used to this concept and neither is Cal.
It's not going to be pretty and we better just keep chopping' and take it one game at a time.

Post of the day. It's overused, but the appropriate phrase is: "It is what it is."

 

[catfan144]

You bring up a possible option. Its obvious at this point skal, Lee, and poy are what they are. Maybe play 4 gaurds and live by the 3 or die by it. Post play is just non existent with this group.

 

[Drcatfan]

The problem is if we live or die by the 3 we will die. Murray is streaky, but look at the percentages. We are not near as good of shooting team as we had envisioned preseason.

Really, the only two I like seeing shoot the 3 right now are Willis and Murray.

 

[ManitouDan]

Get real. So you don't think Willis is inconsistent? LOL! Yes, Poythress IS a much better player than Willis. If you don't believe this, you are living in a dream world. Look at their career stats. Who is the better rebounder? Who is the better defender? Who has contributed more to our basketball team? Have you already forgotten what Poythress did to Alabama last week? How do you think Calipari would answer the question of which is the better player?

I guess if you cant win the debate just change the question.. Somewhere you went from Poy being better on OFFENSE to Poy being a better OVERALL player . Two different debates . I do not think Poy is better on Offense than Willis . Yes if a team gives him easy dunks/ 2 ft put backs he can score the ball , without that he struggles to average 6-8 points a game

 

[brianpoe]

I guess if you cant win the debate just change the question.. Somewhere you went from Poy being better on OFFENSE to Poy being a better OVERALL player . Two different debates . I do not think Poy is better on Offense than Willis . Yes if a team gives him easy dunks/ 2 ft put backs he can score the ball , without that he struggles to average 6-8 points a game

Well, Willis can dribble, pass, and shoot...

Alex is better at posting up, put-backs, and offensive rebounding.

Defense, block some shots and rebound is Alex's game.

 

[CharlieT71059]

We just need good solid players

 

[preacherfan]

We just need good solid players who can shoot the rock, baby!

I fixed it for ya....