KRIISA HAS MORE TO OFFER

[G-PIP]

Kriisa could really make this team much tougher to handle. But it seems to me that he’s not comfortable yet with the offense, particularly the cutting. Unlike the other guys, Kriisa’s cutting isn’t putting pressure on the defense. He isn’t cutting to (at least potentially) score. He seems to just be going through the motions. Kriisa passes to the big man at the top and then kind of casually moves through the lane. Also, it seems that Kriisa isn’t getting as good of looks as the other guys, and he’s unselfish to a fault; but he still has ended up taking the 3rd most 3pt. shots and yet has been by far the worst shooter.

I think Kriisa is the one guy Pope has to figure out better how to get going.

 

[B.B.H.]

Kriisa could really make this team much tougher to handle. But it seems to me that he’s not comfortable yet with the offense, particularly the cutting. Unlike the other guys, Kriisa’s cutting isn’t putting pressure on the defense. He isn’t cutting to (at least potentially) score. He seems to just be going through the motions. Kriisa passes to the big man at the top and then kind of casually moves through the lane. Also, it seems that Kriisa isn’t getting as good of looks as the other guys, and he’s unselfish to a fault; but he still has ended up taking the 3rd most 3pt. shots and yet has been by far the worst shooter.

I think Kriisa is the one guy Pope has to figure out better how to get going.

I have zero worries about Kriisa’s shooting. He’s gonna make some big ones for us. His shot selection hasn’t been great but his willingness to continue passing makes me confident that he still believes he’s going to knock them down. He isn’t playing like someone desperate to make a shot or two to end a cold streak. Dude’s a killer

 

[Smashcat]

Not in sync a lot of the time but there’s a lot of season left to get in sync.

 

[gojvc]

Whatever Mark Pope thinks.

 

[Aike]

I think he’s a nice piece for a backup PG.

 

[Wildcat-in-STL]

Passing the ball Kriisa is amazing, he runs the team well and he plays better defense than I thought he would . But shot selection is killing him right now, He's been forcing some 3's , let the game come to him shooting wise and then the last piece of the puzzle offensively will make the machine even more insane than its been already.

 

[Cold Stout Beer]

Gosh he's playing his tail off, doing what he's asked to do and learning the system. Geez Louise.

 

[bucsrule8872]

He had 7 assists last night. How much more can you ask from a backup PG?

TBH, he’s probably the best backup PG in college.

 

[blue cincy]

Love his attitude. I do not think Kerr cares about playing Jack St / Georgia State and such. Look how he played against Duke, more on point, made mistakes and all but was more driven in that game. Kerr has been playing for a long time. He is not care about stats. He wants to win, the stat he wants is the W throughout the year and finally the last and biggest W in April. He is bought in to the team aspect of this team. Do what it takes to put up the W.

 

[G-PIP]

Love his attitude. I do not think Kerr cares about playing Jack St / Georgia State and such. Look how he played against Duke, more on point, made mistakes and all but was more driven in that game. Kerr has been playing for a long time. He is not care about stats. He wants to win, the stat he wants is the W throughout the year and finally the last and biggest W in April. He is bought in to the team aspect of this team. Do what it takes to put up the W.

I agree with all of that. But don’t you think there’s more in the tank with Kriisa - more than any other current player – for Pope to tap into this season and make UK even tougher to handle? Personally, I think that’s an exciting thought for the season – that Kriisa has even more game to offer. I think Pope will get it, too.

 

[UK67KU59]

He had 7 assists last night. How much more can you ask from a backup PG?

TBH, he’s probably the best backup PG in college.

He is giving us some good production no doubt. But I do think he has lots of room to be even more productive.

 

[G-PIP]

He had 7 assists last night. How much more can you ask from a backup PG?

TBH, he’s probably the best backup PG in college.

To have Krissa as a backup PG is incredible. But I think calling any of the top 8-9 guys a “backup,” while technically correct, is kind of a misnomer with the way Pope plays. He has position tandems reminiscent of the platoon system. And I think Kriisa has more game than he has yet shown that will be big for UK.

 

[runt#69]

I like the PACE Kriisa plays at, the energy he brings on both ends of the floor. That we have a guy coming in that can not only look to maintain a (dare I say it...?) fast paste - or even a FASTER PASTE ... 😂... Is what I'm looking at when I see him coming in, it's great how he is contributing to the overall team chemistry as well as embracing that role as an example to follow, and CMP is using him as a very sharp weapon, indeed.

He's another team leader on a team FULL of leaders. That seems to be the theme that's developed, at least to my eyes, so far.

One of the greatest strengths of this team, maybe the greatest, is that we really aren't losing anything pace-wise with players 1 - 10+ in the ways CMP is utilizing each player. The various combinations they present in the court together , at any given time, presents both positives as well as negatives that they gotta watch out for, depending on the game situation they're in. And their experience is driving them to success.

So far, against the softer opponents, our guys are finding each role they seem to fit in, as they go along, as it should be.

And with the experience all of them collectively bring, I absolutely have to conclude that the team PACE gets a huge boost whenever he is utilized on the floor. That's how it looks to me.

For me, Kriisa is the "Pacemaker" that keeps us ticking at a FAST PASTE!
😂 😆

GO BIG BLUE!

 

[chattanoogawildcat]

Kerr will have his share of TO's but he does a lot of things well. He made some critical plays against Duke which I expect more of.

 

[Aike]

I agree with all of that. But don’t you think there’s more in the tank with Kriisa - more than any other current player – for Pope to tap into this season and make UK even tougher to handle? Personally, I think that’s an exciting thought for the season – that Kriisa has even more game to offer. I think Pope will get it, too.

In some ways I honestly think a dialed down Kerr is better for our team. He’s the kind of guy who can shoot you in and out of a game.

I like him being the pace/energy guy. Kerr as a role player not trying to do too much may be the best thing for us.

 

[G-PIP]

In some ways I honestly think a dialed down Kerr is better for our team. He’s the kind of guy who can shoot you in and out of a game.

I like him being the pace/energy guy. Kerr as a role player not trying to do too may be the best thing for us.

I think Pope is using Kriisa in the best way. I’m definitely happy with Butler, and not in any way advocating Kriisa over Butler. In fact, I love the tandem even more than either one individually. But Kriisa has the ability to play better than he is now. And I believe he will play better, which is exciting. In his case, I think (just a fan thinking out loud on a message board, mind you) that Kriisa is still getting more comfortable with Pope’s offense and in particular the Bigs handling the ball from on top while he cuts to the basket. I believe in the past Kriisa may have ran a half-court offense from the top of the key and mainly floated around out on the perimeter for kickouts.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

Yours truely, Señor Hyperbole, has alot more to offer too!
May God have mercy on your souls!

 

[Cobb4uk]

One of the hardest things to master, for some players, in a completely new offense is understanding taking the shot when your open. If you have to think about it, it's already to late, it has to be in rhythm. Seems like he passes on some good shots and then takes a few that aren't as good. He's a great asset to have and will be fine especially in tough games and late in the year.

 

[B.B.H.]

One of the hardest things to master, for some players, in a completely new offense is understanding taking the shot when your open. If you have to think about it, it's already to late, it has to be in rhythm. Seems like he passes on some good shots and then takes a few that aren't as good. He's a great asset to have and will be fine especially in tough games and late in the year.

I think we are also going to learn re-define what a “bad” shot is for Kriisa. He hasn’t made many of them yet, but his film shows he has insane range. He will improve to his own mean eventually and we will start to “get it” a little more. Right now, it’s hard to get excited about a dude pulling 35-footers off the dribble when he has a sub-30% shot

 

[gbl97]

Kerr has a little Dillingham in him. There will be a game where we score 15 unanswered, all on Kriisa assists or baskets. Other games he gets a little wild.

 

[kennyskywalker34]

I think he’s a nice piece for a backup PG.

Yes. He will probably win a couple games. He is a very streaky shooter.
Butler absolutely has to be in the game at crunch time though. Kerr's defense isn't good enough. Unless he is just buring 3 after 3.

 

[fatguy87]

Kerr's shooting has been a struggle, but I suspect he will improve as the season goes on.

I definitely would not have expected Butler to be a more efficient shooter through 5 games than Kerr before the season. There will be some mean regression, I'm sure. The gap between the two should close.

 

[Catfanlou]

Kerr needs to set up Brea more rather than jacking up threes from thirty feet with 15 seconds or more left on the shot clock .

 

[ccukuk]

He had 7 assists last night. How much more can you ask from a backup PG?

TBH, he’s probably the best backup PG in college.

8?

 

[NociHTTP]

I like that we have our version of that pest who played for Mississippi not too long ago.

 

[CastleRubric]

One of the hardest things to master, for some players, in a completely new offense is understanding taking the shot when your open. If you have to think about it, it's already to late, it has to be in rhythm. Seems like he passes on some good shots and then takes a few that aren't as good. He's a great asset to have and will be fine especially in tough games and late in the year.

Thats an excellent point - you sound like someone who coached or played before

Good point about the rhythm / chemistry matters so much for good rhythm -- and both genuinely seem to be based on "trust"

Lots of Cal's teams lacked that cohesion IMO

 

[crawfords corner]

Im not worried about Kriisa one bit.

He's tremendous energy. Is learning how to play coach Pope's offense at the pace coach Pope wants so there is going to be some getting used to playing like that. He's an intelligent hard-nosed player. Don't underestimate his bball IQ. He's perfect for this offense.

 

[BigKari]

Love the role he’s playing and he seems to understand it. Dish out assists and you have the green light to shoot when you get the space. He’s crushing the first part, his shot selection is a bit questionable but the shot will start falling at a higher rate. Even if he ends up only shooting around 35% from the field, 90%+ of his shots are threes so that number would be fine. Where we need Butler picking his spots and being the picture of efficiency, a role he’s been well suited for, Kerr allows us to play a Joker card where now you’re dealing with something less conventional and predictable. It’s working, the shot hasn’t fallen like at all, yet Kerr has been highly playable. If he can get on a tear during SEC play, his 17 minutes are going to be a son of a bitch to gameplan against.

 

[B.B.H.]

Love the role he’s playing and he seems to understand it. Dish out assists and you have the green light to shoot when you get the space. He’s crushing the first part, his shot selection is a bit questionable but the shot will start falling at a higher rate. Even if he ends up only shooting around 35% from the field, 90%+ of his shots are threes so that number would be fine. Where we need Butler picking his spots and being the picture of efficiency, a role he’s been well suited for, Kerr allows us to play a Joker card where now you’re dealing with something less conventional and predictable. It’s working, the shot hasn’t fallen like at all, yet Kerr has been highly playable. If he can get on a tear during SEC play, his 17 minutes are going to be a son of a bitch to gameplan against.

Only gotta make 33% of those threes to equal the same efficiency of a 50% two point shot. Kriisa will easily get there, while also stretching the defense out extremely deeply AND increasing the offensive pace by about 8 trillion mph