Murray can't be stopped

[Bluegrass79]

23 games into the season and nobody has stopped him defensively. Murray has slowed himself down with his shooting sometimes but he ALWAYS makes a 3 in every game. 23 straight games. He also shoots 15 times a game and nobody has stopped him from doing that. I cant remember a freshman that nobody could control after 23 games other than Wall. John scored 10+ points in every game he played at Kentucky I believe.
I wonder what the guy might do in the tourney when it matters? Ive seen what he does when he played for his country and I'm thinking Murray might go off. I mean 26 points a game throu 6 games off. Ive seen that trait that's needed. I think he has Delk in him.
We needed that game yesterday and Murray didn't miss. When it really matters he locks in. He has that other level. The eye of the tiger.
The secret ''tweak'' this year? Jamal Murray's parents present at all the tourney games this year. Look what happened yesterday .

 

[Aike]

A hot Murray could carry us to the Final Four. A cold Murray and we are in jeopardy from the first game.

It's a dangerous way to live, but that's who we are this year. If we get hot Murray, it could be one of the most fun runs we've ever had.

 

[caneintally]

Murray is rarely cold . Like the OP said he isn't some streaky shooter like Aaron Harrison or James Young who could make 5 in a row but then would miss 10 in a row . Murray at worst will score 14-18 pts usually in a game and when he is on he gets in the 20's and 30's . He is truly one of the elite SG's college B-ball has seen in the last 5 years.

 

[dlh331]

Best 2 Guard of the Cal era.

Darryl

 

[willievic]

Best 2 Guard of the Cal era.

Darryl

That's a very strong statement, especially considering some of the GREAT ones we've had, since Cal's been here.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

 

[Bluegrass79]

Ive always preferred Lamb over any of his two guards. He made the shots better than any of them. I always felt comfortable with him. I'd love him with Ulis. Lamb was steady eddie from 3. A bit of a forgotten fella nowadays.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

Lamb wasnt the pure scorer that Murray is.
Murray hit 6 straight threes to blow UF out of the water.
Not sure I have ever seen that before at UK.

 

[wobycat]

I like Murray to a Patrick sparks who can create and finish at the rim. Sparks was streaky like that, hot one minute then ice cold. Murray just needs to pick up his defensive intensity in a game til he finds his rhythm in offense. If he can do that, uk is going a long way.

 

[uk#1alltime]

Lamb wasnt the pure scorer that Murray is.
Murray hit 6 straight threes to blow UF out of the water.
Not sure I have ever seen that before at UK.

Prince hit a bunch in a row against UNC to start the game...incredible start by him. Murray is the best scorer since Monster Mash...just think he should be a senior in HS.

 

[Fitch44]

He is starting to show a better feel and understanding of what cal wants, as well as a feel for playing with this team.
We could head into the tournament with the best player in college. He has that "it" that rarely comes along.
He can get to whatever spot he wants on the floor. Even the shots he missed yesterday hit every part of the rim and were half way down.
Ulis and Murray can carry us to a final four.

 

[brianpoe]

Murray has 7 games that he has shot under 35% and didnt have a good shooting game.

Interestingly enough, we have lost only one of those - UCLA. 31% from the field, 5-11 from 3

OSU - 57% from the field and 7-9 from 3
LSU - 53% from the field and 2-5 from 3
Auburn - 37% from the field and 4-10 from 3
Kansas - 55% from the field and 2-7 from 3
Tennessee - 35% from the field and 3-12 from 3


What does this mean?

I dont really know, but it isnt like we only lose if he shoots bad.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Murray is so young. That is the amazing thing about him. His 3 point shooting is creeping near to 40%. He had a few bad games (I was at the 1/10 against NJIT in person) that have held down his overall percentage this year for a while, but now he is being more and more consistent. He is definitely a 40+% 3 point shooter. Willis is close to the same...and Ulis is a lot better than his 3 point shooting % suggests IMO>

 

[brianpoe]

Lamb wasnt the pure scorer that Murray is.
Murray hit 6 straight threes to blow UF out of the water.
Not sure I have ever seen that before at UK.

There might be reason you havent seen it... I dont think he did.

Prince, however, did hit 5 in a row vs UNC.

 

[fatguy87]

What does this mean?

I dont really know, but it isnt like we only lose if he shoots bad.

It means that there are other players on the team.

 

[fatguy87]

Ive always preferred Lamb over any of his two guards. He made the shots better than any of them. I always felt comfortable with him. I'd love him with Ulis. Lamb was steady eddie from 3. A bit of a forgotten fella nowadays.

Lamb also rarely turned it over.

 

[brianpoe]

It means that there are other players on the team.

Thanks biggin, but i meant in relation to Murray specifically, and in response to the posts above suggesting "as Murray goes, we go"...

 

[Untouchables22]

BUT I think we would all agree that Murray is a vastly better player this year when taking a set shot as opposed to a wild drive. His problem is shot selection. He insists on taking wild shots or trying to drive between 3 guys in the paint and losing the ball. I think he does a good job in transition but in the half court most of his drives end in disaster. On the rare times we run an actual set play he almost always gets open and Ullis almost always find him for a high quality look. (still not over the end of regulation in the Kansas game.) It's not going to happen but I wish we would shift from our current free flowing offense to running more set plays for Murray and Willis on 3's and put Ullis in a bunch of pick n' rolls in which he really excels.

 

[screwduke]

Murray is a stone cold killer.

 

[dave5164]

Murray this year has consistently hit 3 or 4 Three's a game. When he is extremely hot he seems to nail 4-6 Three's a game. If he can continue to shoot like Murray is capable of each game and Ulis is draining outside shots and Three's we will be fine come tourney time. We also have Willis that can hit 3-4 three's a game and has a nice outside shot when he takes the open shot. These 3 players can really help us shooting and drilling 3's for remainder of season. If we can get Poythress playing consistently each night and score 14-16 ppg and double digit rebounds to go along with Lee, Humphries, and Skal then we can be a dangerous team come March Madness.

 

[brianpoe]

BUT I think we would all agree that Murray is a vastly better player this year when taking a set shot as opposed to a wild drive. His problem is shot selection. He insists on taking wild shots or trying to drive between 3 guys in the paint and losing the ball. I think he does a good job in transition but in the half court most of his drives end in disaster. On the rare times we run an actual set play he almost always gets open and Ullis almost always find him for a high quality look. (still not over the end of regulation in the Kansas game.) It's not going to happen but I wish we would shift from our current free flowing offense to running more set plays for Murray and Willis on 3's and put Ullis in a bunch of pick n' rolls in which he really excels.

It's been obvious Cal wants him to drive. However, Cal doesn't want him to duck under and avoid contact with circus shots - which he does constantly- Cal wants him to get fouled and go to the line.

 

[Deli owl]

I like Murray to a Patrick sparks who can create and finish at the rim. Sparks was streaky like that, hot one minute then ice cold. Murray just needs to pick up his defensive intensity in a game til he finds his rhythm in offense. If he can do that, uk is going a long way.

Oh my god

 

[brianpoe]

Oh my god

Anthony Davis reminds me of LeRon Ellis...

 

[ZenCatFan73]

I like Murray to a Patrick sparks who can create and finish at the rim. Sparks was streaky like that, hot one minute then ice cold. Murray just needs to pick up his defensive intensity in a game til he finds his rhythm in offense. If he can do that, uk is going a long way.

Did you just compare Patrick Sparks and Murray?

 

[kyups01]

I said Murray was the best overall guard that Cal has signed since hes been here before Murray even played his first game! I stand by that, although the usual suspects on here tried to ridicule and laugh me off the board.

 

[wobycat]

Did you just compare Patrick Sparks and Murray?

I said he was like Patrick sparks in the way how he can get hot which included him being able to create and finish at the rim something I never said sparks could do. Please read carefully. I didn't word it well but surely some can understand.

 

[ZenCatFan73]

I said he was like Patrick sparks in the way how he can get hot which included him being able to create and finish at the rim something I never said sparks could do. Please read carefully. I didn't word it well but surely some can understand.

I understood fine. Back off.

 

[wobycat]

Then why ridicule my opinion?

 

[ZenCatFan73]

I thought it was a funny comparison. I don't remember Sparks as streaky, just mediocre.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

Murray's 18.3 ppg is the 2nd most by a Cat in the last 20 plus yrs. Meeks avg. 23.72 in '08-'09.
Meeks was a Jr. Murray is a Freshman.

 

[wobycat]

He was mediocre but there were times when he get hot behind that three. In fact I think Murray's shot looks like sparks. I don't think Murray is a pure shooter but a player that can score many ways.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

Murray has 66 made 3s in 23 gms thats nearly 3 made threes a game on avg. He is shooting it at nearly 40%.
If UK makes the SECT Finals and NCAAT Finals, Murray may threaten Meeks' school record of 117 threes made.

 

[Deli owl]

Chris Gettlefinger reminds me of Anthony Davis as they are both really tall.

 

[brianpoe]

Chris Gettlefinger reminds me of Anthony Davis as they are both really tall.

Art Garfunkel reminds me of Chris Gettlefinger...

 

[kyjeff1]

Lamb wasnt the pure scorer that Murray is.
Murray hit 6 straight threes to blow UF out of the water.
Not sure I have ever seen that before at UK.

Jodie Meeks says hi.

 

[KyCatFan]

There might be reason you havent seen it... I dont think he did.

Prince, however, did hit 5 in a row vs UNC.

Everyone always talks about Prince and his 5 in a row against UNC, but I am almost positive he hit his 6th as well. It just happened after the TV timeout and things calmed down so no one really remembers it. I don't have the game saved anymore so I can't verify it, but I feel pretty confident in remembering it.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

Tayshaun Prince is no Jam Murray.

 

[brianpoe]

Everyone always talks about Prince and his 5 in a row against UNC, but I am almost positive he hit his 6th as well. It just happened after the TV timeout and things calmed down so no one really remembers it. I don't have the game saved anymore so I can't verify it, but I feel pretty confident in remembering it.

Good memory, but it was 6 out of his first 7 made shots!

 

[Big Foot 275]

The only thing I wish he would change on offense is when he drives into double coverage going to the basket that he would pitch it back to the three point line.
He has left Willis standing wide open on the three point line on several occasions and ended up throwing up a wild shot near the basket.

 

[fatguy87]

So is no one else more impressed by Murray's outstanding turnover rate than his shooting efficiency during conference play?

After a turnover prone beginning, he's averaging less turnovers per 40 than Ulis during conference play. That increase in ball security is the most important factor in his improved offensive efficiency.

 

[Bluegrass79]

So is no one else more impressed by Murray's outstanding turnover rate than his shooting efficiency during conference play?

After a turnover prone beginning, he's averaging less turnovers per 40 than Ulis during conference play. That increase in ball security is the most important factor in his improved offensive efficiency.

I had not noticed his turnover rate actually