New CoachCal.com Practice Report; Matthews Impressing

[Smashcat]

Yes, KU fans. This report is biased.

Coach Cal was tinkering with his options again in practice. Here's the latest report: http://www.coachcal.com/35346/2015/09/practice-report-coach-cal-tinkering-with-options/… #BBN pic.twitter.com/l4gVOuU0UW

 

[katntonic]

Nice read. Thanks for the link.

 

[WildMoon]

sounds good.

Seems like we have pretty good balance. I can't wait to see this team. What's the X on the court. Is that where Murray is bombing the three from? :-D

 

[Smashcat]

Seems like we have pretty good balance.

Agree.

 

[ymmot31]

Sounds good. Thanks.

 

[Dakota25]

Looking good. I am looking forward to November.

 

[Trouthound]

I know Kentucky likes the one and done model for recruiting purposes, and it certainly has worked for them. His inter-action with Ulis though, makes me think Cal would like him to be a floor general, possibly for more than just this year.

Kentucky fans are crazy if they want this guy to leave. Sure it opens a space and sure it looks good for the KENTUCKY TO THE LEAGUE PIPELINE recruits, but this fella could be a really smart, second "on the floor" coach for at least three years. To Kentucky's overall team benefit.

 

[westerncat]

Thanks for the report. Going to be another fun year. Can't wait for us to get going.

 

[Smashcat]

I know Kentucky likes the one and done model for recruiting purposes, and it certainly has worked for them. His inter-action with Ulis though, makes me think Cal would like him to be a floor general, possibly for more than just this year.

Kentucky fans are crazy if they want this guy to leave. Sure it opens a space and sure it looks good for the KENTUCKY TO THE LEAGUE PIPELINE recruits, but this fella could be a really smart, second "on the floor" coach for at least three years. To Kentucky's overall team benefit.

I'd love for him to stay four years but Cal has already stated more than once Ulis will be in the NBA next year.

 

[UKDUNK]

#whataboutwillis

 

[caneintally]

People say we haven't gotten a great SF in a while but I disagree as Matthews is that . Now it is true we haven't gotten an true NBA SF in a while as Matthews is a pro SG but that is splitting hairs IMO.

 

[Supafuzz75]

I know Kentucky likes the one and done model for recruiting purposes, and it certainly has worked for them. His inter-action with Ulis though, makes me think Cal would like him to be a floor general, possibly for more than just this year.

Kentucky fans are crazy if they want this guy to leave. Sure it opens a space and sure it looks good for the KENTUCKY TO THE LEAGUE PIPELINE recruits, but this fella could be a really smart, second "on the floor" coach for at least three years. To Kentucky's overall team benefit.

Who's said we want him gone? We would love for him to stay,, but chances are he'll go to the league..

 

[caneintally]

Who's said we want him gone? We would love for him to stay,, but chances are he'll go to the league..

Yeah that kid might be the best pg in college this year - kid is gone!

 

[Jkwo]

I know Kentucky likes the one and done model for recruiting purposes, and it certainly has worked for them. His inter-action with Ulis though, makes me think Cal would like him to be a floor general, possibly for more than just this year.

Kentucky fans are crazy if they want this guy to leave. Sure it opens a space and sure it looks good for the KENTUCKY TO THE LEAGUE PIPELINE recruits, but this fella could be a really smart, second "on the floor" coach for at least three years. To Kentucky's overall team benefit.

Of course we want him here, but every decision comes with compromise.

Structure a program like Cal, and in our case, we've had the best initial 6 year run at a new school in the history of CBB.

But the spirit of going to the NBA might overtake some of your borderline prospects and run them off when they could've been school legends.


On the flipside, other great coaches have structured programs in such a way that their beloved players all stay for four years - but that makes the uber talents harder to recruit.

And of course there are programs in the middle of these two ends, like Kansas - but at any program, you'll either have kids leave early, you'll miss out on most blue chippers, or a little bit of both, depending on how you navigate the one and done era of basketball.

There's no perfect solution, but Cal has UK as hot as it's ever been in history, which is saying a lot.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

People say we haven't gotten a great SF in a while but I disagree as Matthews is that . Now it is true we haven't gotten an true NBA SF in a while as Matthews is a pro SG but that is splitting hairs IMO.

Agree 100%. Also have a good shooter in Mulder than can play the 3 as well.

 

[kentucky_wildcat_#1]

To say we want Ulis gone is just insane. Why in the world would any UK fan want the best point guard in the nation gone? That doesn't even make sense. We would welcome this kid to stay the entire 4 years, but unlike KU fans, we would rather stay realistic about things and the fact is, if our coach thinks he's good enough to leave after this coming season, so do we. We like our onendone just fine, but no KY fan would encourage a kid to leave if he really wanted to stay. If they are a lock to go too 5, sure, many of us want them to cash in and get paid. If you help our cats, we want the best for these kids. Not many would argue being a millionaire is a bad start to Life. KU fans can say and think of some pretty dumb things to say, but this KU fan, he just might be in a league of his own

 

[Willy4UK]

I know Kentucky likes the one and done model for recruiting purposes, and it certainly has worked for them. His inter-action with Ulis though, makes me think Cal would like him to be a floor general, possibly for more than just this year.

Kentucky fans are crazy if they want this guy to leave. Sure it opens a space and sure it looks good for the KENTUCKY TO THE LEAGUE PIPELINE recruits, but this fella could be a really smart, second "on the floor" coach for at least three years. To Kentucky's overall team benefit.

.

Lol Frank Mason

 

[Owen68]

The X's on the floor are stations for shooting practice.

 

[Aike]

I know Kentucky likes the one and done model for recruiting purposes, and it certainly has worked for them. His inter-action with Ulis though, makes me think Cal would like him to be a floor general, possibly for more than just this year.

Kentucky fans are crazy if they want this guy to leave. Sure it opens a space and sure it looks good for the KENTUCKY TO THE LEAGUE PIPELINE recruits, but this fella could be a really smart, second "on the floor" coach for at least three years. To Kentucky's overall team benefit.

Really getting tired of you Kansas fans perpetuating the narrative that any of us want him to leave. I've never seen a single UK fan say that they wanted him to leave. Have you?

We accept the reality that he may go pro. Most of us are happy for the success of our kids.

And I say "Kansas fans," but maybe it's just you over and over.

 

[HICATFAN]

Yes, KU fans. This report is biased.

Coach Cal was tinkering with his options again in practice. Here's the latest report: http://www.coachcal.com/35346/2015/09/practice-report-coach-cal-tinkering-with-options/… #BBN pic.twitter.com/l4gVOuU0UW

Excellent reading!!!!

Mahalo!

AlohaCat

 

[ORCAT]

Great report, thanks for the link. Lots of stuff in there to get excited about and, to think, it's way early in the practice season yet. I have a feeling this will be one of our more fun teams to watch as they seem like they might maybe be our quickest/fastest and all seem, once again and typical of the kids Cal goes after, like they are great kids who get along together so well. Also good to hear about some experienced leaders stepping up to the task, that can only be good for the team. I'm ready!!!

 

[stenchymouse]

Fox will be our PG next year...

The beat goes on...

 

[Kycatspaws]

Nice read. Some very good stuff in it.

 

[BBUK]

I know Kentucky likes the one and done model for recruiting purposes, and it certainly has worked for them. His inter-action with Ulis though, makes me think Cal would like him to be a floor general, possibly for more than just this year.

Kentucky fans are crazy if they want this guy to leave. Sure it opens a space and sure it looks good for the KENTUCKY TO THE LEAGUE PIPELINE recruits, but this fella could be a really smart, second "on the floor" coach for at least three years. To Kentucky's overall team benefit.

You are selfish, uninformed, and a trouble-maker. That is a bad combination but you keep trying your best. You will lose but don't stop. Don't root for KU, try and subtly bash UK or its fans every time you post. See where it gets you.

 

[true blue1]

Great read!

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Great read.

We don't need a pure three-man. I think that much is obvious. They're nice to have, but totally unnecessary to winning a national title. Cal is loading up on long two-guards who can compliment point guards like Ulis and Fox - precisely why I think it would be intriguing to land Alkins and Monk and place them both on the wing beside Fox.

The last few national champions, and who they started at small forward:

2015 - Duke, Matt Jones.
2014 - UConn, Niles Giffey
2013 -Louisville, Luke Hancock
2012 - Kentucky, MKG
2011 - UConn, Jeremy Lamb
2010 - Duke, Kyle Singler

Of that group, only MKG was a "pure" three man. The rest of the list reads like a d-league audition roster, with Lamb and Singler being the exceptions -even those two represent my point - one being a shooting guard (Lamb) who played the three and one being a third tier athlete/shooter (Singler).

 

[jarms24]

Kentucky fans are crazy if they want this guy to leave.

We don't want him to leave. We want him to live his dream. Huge difference.

 

[Orange Soda King]

I know Kentucky likes the one and done model for recruiting purposes, and it certainly has worked for them. His inter-action with Ulis though, makes me think Cal would like him to be a floor general, possibly for more than just this year.

Kentucky fans are crazy if they want this guy to leave. Sure it opens a space and sure it looks good for the KENTUCKY TO THE LEAGUE PIPELINE recruits, but this fella could be a really smart, second "on the floor" coach for at least three years. To Kentucky's overall team benefit.

I think every UK fan wants him to stay, but if he has good NBA draft stock and a good opportunity to make the leap this year, that's what's best for him and we will support that all the way. What's best for the player is more important than what's best for us fans, or even what's best for our coach.

But I REALLY would love to see Ulis back for the 16-17 year. We will see how this season plays out.

 

[jarms24]

From all indications, it seems like we'll have a pretty potent offense. No doubts about Ulis or Lee on the defensive end, but I wonder how everyone else looks. I've read that Matthews is a pretty tenacious defender. Skal will be a rim protector no doubt. What about Murray and Briscoe?

 

[Orange Soda King]

From all indications, it seems like we'll have a pretty potent offense. No doubts about Ulis or Lee on the defensive end, but I wonder how everyone else looks. I've read that Matthews is a pretty tenacious defender. Skal will be a rim protector no doubt. What about Murray and Briscoe?

I'm interested to see the defense of these two as well. However, I imagine Matthews and Mulder are good defenders, so if there are any issues Murray and/or Briscoe on defense, well, Cal can use the bench as a teaching tool. But they seem coachable, so if there are issues, they'll improve over time. I'm not too worried right now.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I think Mulder, Matthews and Humphries will all three be big contributors next season. Not sure how much they will play this season, though. Nice to know all three should be back for a second year with us.

 

[Aike]

I think Mulder, Matthews and Humphries will all three be big contributors next season. Not sure how much they will play this season, though. Nice to know all three should be back for a second year with us.

You've consistently said this about Matthews, but I will be shocked if one or both of Matthew/Mulder don't play significant minutes.

Somebody has to get backup minutes at the wing. I figure there will be about 25 minutes per game available.

Poythress may get some because of defensive matchup at times, but I expect Matthews and Mulder to fight for the bulk of them. For that matter, they may push Briscoe for minutes, or be needed more at times because of foul trouble.

I agree that they will be back, better than ever in 16-17.

 

[bucsrule8872]

You've consistently said this about Matthews, but I will be shocked if one or both of Matthew/Mulder don't play significant minutes.

Somebody has to get backup minutes at the wing. I figure there will be about 25 minutes per game available.

Poythress may get some because of defensive matchup at times, but I expect Matthews and Mulder to fight for the bulk of them. For that matter, they may push Briscoe for minutes, or be needed more at times because of foul trouble.

I agree that they will be back, better than ever in 16-17.

It's a hard call on which one will get the lion's share of those backup minutes or if they split. There's about 20-25 minutes on the wing to be had by one or both of them. I just don't know how it plays out.

We just don't know yet. I haven't seen enough of them to know and the fan base is divided on which one is better. Keep hearing guys on here declaring Matthews is a beast and will start, then you hear about how long and athletic Mulder is and how he can shoot lights out. If they are both good, then do they end up splitting those minutes? If so, then neither one will get more than 15 minutes per game and so they shouldn't be seen as major impact players, IMHO.

And then there's Humphries. Where does he fit in? Cal has talked about playing two seven footers a lot. That pushes Poythress back to the 3 spot, so there goes some of those minutes.

Lots of variables.

I think the top six (Ulis, Briscoe, Murray, Poythress, Labissiere, and Lee) are the only guys we can for sure say are going to play significant minutes. The rest of the rotation remains to be seen.

 

[Federal Cat]

Good read, thanks Smashcat, can't wait to see this team play together this year

 

[IL Wildcat]

To the Kansas fan suggesting UK fans ever "want" any player to leave, you're nuts. We'd love to have Ulis for 4 years. He's a coach's dream. I'm kinda hoping that, though I think he's the best pg in the nation, the NBA scouts and GMs decide he's too small to be effective. IMO that's the only reason he's still here.

UK fans don't all necessarily like the one and done model. We're just like every other fanbase. We'd love to have them all stay multiple years. By the way, we just had almost an entire class stay year before last. I think Kansas fans should hope all our guys leave every year because last year's team was pretty darn good, right?

Perhaps you're worried a bit too much while you stir the pot here. Haha!

 

[IL Wildcat]

By the way, regarding Matthews and Mulder getting playing time, I fully expect to see them both for their fair share of minute. They both offer unique attributes to the team from what we've been reading. Matthews seems to be one of the most athletic wings we've had in some time. And Mulder appears to be a lights out shooter.

Having said this, I'll be a bit surprised if either of those guys keep Murray out of the starting lineup. From what I've seen of that kid, he's got the whole package. The only concern I can see with Murray or Briscoe starting at the 3 is their size. I worry about their rebounding from that position. Even considering that, I still think it will be Ulis, Briscoe, and Murray with Poythress and Skal, with generous helpings of Lee, Mulder, Matthews, and a bit of Hawkins and Humphries in there as well.

 

[martinsm30]

I know Kentucky likes the one and done model for recruiting purposes, and it certainly has worked for them. His inter-action with Ulis though, makes me think Cal would like him to be a floor general, possibly for more than just this year.

Kentucky fans are crazy if they want this guy to leave. Sure it opens a space and sure it looks good for the KENTUCKY TO THE LEAGUE PIPELINE recruits, but this fella could be a really smart, second "on the floor" coach for at least three years. To Kentucky's overall team benefit.

The young man needs to do what's best for him. Self would have had him riding the pine last year and be trying to figure out he could get Ulis to stay a third while others make the jump and live their dreams.

 

[ThroughBlue]

Kansas fans

 

[Bkocats]

wow - the assumption that we EVER want a player to leave is ridiculous. That has never been the case; often we UK fans have stated we wish that the rule was 2 or more years. But at the same time, I don't think there is one of us who wouldn't want our players to follow their dreams - if they have the opportunity and ability then they need to do what is best. It would be the same if it were any of our own sons.

Nice try though

 

[gracetoyou]

I know Kentucky likes the one and done model for recruiting purposes, and it certainly has worked for them. His inter-action with Ulis though, makes me think Cal would like him to be a floor general, possibly for more than just this year.

Kentucky fans are crazy if they want this guy to leave. Sure it opens a space and sure it looks good for the KENTUCKY TO THE LEAGUE PIPELINE recruits, but this fella could be a really smart, second "on the floor" coach for at least three years. To Kentucky's overall team benefit.

This is just a dumb post. NO ONE wants Ullis gone! He's very good & will likely have the option to enter the NBA draft. If he's being projected to be drafted even in 2nd round he's gone. With his size he'll have to strike while he's hot. Can't take a chance. Love that kid...best PG in college BB.