New Starting Five

[Kentucky_SportsX]

Wagner
Reeves
Edwards
Bradshaw
Mitchell

Rob
Ugo
Adou
Reed
Burks
Hart

Before anyone says Mitchell is undersized please remember Cal played Oscar at the five and he’s only 6’8’’. Also Mitchell can space the floor and actually knock down the three ball. Cal would be stupid not to play this lineup.

 

[BGCATFAN2012]

Reeves will play the three for that lineup so his defense assignments are different from Edwards. Wagner Edwards Reeves Ugo and Mitchell. Bradshaw takes Reeves or Mitchell's spot upon return. Dillingham 6th man when we go 4 guards.

 

[catben]

I'll go with:
Wagner
Dillingham
Edwards
Mitchell
UGO

Reeves
Theiro
Shep
Burks
Hart
Bradshaw last because I'm still not sure we ever see him suit up for UK. But if he does ACTUALLY return by Nov, then replace him with UGO, but he will be the 4 and Mitchell the 5.

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

I still think we need another big man with some bulk to get rebounds.Somto Cyril is my hope.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Wagner
Reeves
Edwards
Bradshaw
Mitchell

Rob
Ugo
Adou
Reed
Burks
Hart

Before anyone says Mitchell is undersized please remember Cal played Oscar at the five and he’s only 6’8’’. Also Mitchell can space the floor and actually knock down the three ball. Cal would be stupid not to play this lineup.

I think this will be our best lineup, and hopefully Cal uses it quite a bit.

But I do think Cal will want to use Onyenso at the 5 as much as possible. But I personally do not think Onyenso is going to be ready this season to handle 25-30 minutes a game at the 5.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Not sure who will start, but I think our top 7 who will get starter type minutes:

Dillingham
Wagner
Reeves
Edwards
Bradshaw
Mitchell
Onyenso

Then two more will round out the rotation getting 10-15 minutes or so. That’s probably:

Sheppard
Thiero

Then Hart and Burks get mop up minutes.

If Cyril is added, it changes things. Thiero will probably fall out of the rotation.

Cal almost always rotates four bigs.

Bradshaw, Mitchell, Onyenso, and Cyril will be the rotation at the 4 and 5 spots, most likely.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I still think we need another big man with some bulk to get rebounds.Somto Cyril is my hope.

Yes. Definitely need another big man. Cyril would be perfect.

 

[DeerTurkHunter1]

Not sure who will start, but I think our top 7 who will get starter type minutes:

Dillingham
Wagner
Reeves
Edwards
Bradshaw
Mitchell
Onyenso

Then two more will round out the rotation getting 10-15 minutes or so. That’s probably:

Sheppard
Thiero

Then Hart and Burks get mop up minutes.

If Cyril is added, it changes things. Thiero will probably fall out of the rotation.

Cal almost always rotates four bigs.

Bradshaw, Mitchell, Onyenso, and Cyril will be the rotation at the 4 and 5 spots, most likely.

I think Thiero is gonna surprise

 

[bucsrule8872]

I think Thiero is gonna surprise

Very possible. He’s a hustler and he has reportedly bulked up. He could help us at the 4.

 

[westerncat]

Mitchell is not on the team yet is he ????

 

[arenk]

I'll go with:
Wagner
Dillingham
Edwards
Mitchell
UGO

Reeves
Theiro
Shep
Burks
Hart
Bradshaw last because I'm still not sure we ever see him suit up for UK. But if he does ACTUALLY return by Nov, then replace him with UGO, but he will be the 4 and Mitchell the 5.

I just don't see that. Mitchell is not a 5 and Cal's teams need rim protection to win consistently. One of Bradshaw, Ugo or Cyril will have to be that protector, or some combination of them. I'd go with whichever one of those 3 plays best at the 5 in practice. The other 4 should be Edwards, Mitchell, Wagner and Dillingham. I'd play Reeves at least 25 minutes a game at the 2 or 3 spots if the SG and/or SF aren't hitting. As I've said before, if Reeves goes 0-6 or it's obvious he isn't hitting, I'd play Dillingham, Sheppard or even Hart in order to space the floor.

Dilly is so quick and elusive that I wouldn't sell him short. He isn't strong enough yet, but that will come in time. He can help us in so many ways despite that, so I'm expecting him to get a lot of minutes.

 

[JonathanW]

Wagner
Reeves
Edwards
Bradshaw
Mitchell

Rob
Ugo
Adou
Reed
Burks
Hart

Before anyone says Mitchell is undersized please remember Cal played Oscar at the five and he’s only 6’8’’. Also Mitchell can space the floor and actually knock down the three ball. Cal would be stupid not to play this lineup.

Stupid? I don’t think so.
You are only thinking about offense, our bigger problem the past few seasons has been defense. Now idk, maybe Mitchell is a good defender, maybe Bradshaw a good shot blocker. Maybe. But our best teams under Cal have had good defense, specifically good rim protection/ shot blocking. Onyenso should give us that. And it’s not like he can only score from inside 5’, his shot looks good out to 15’, he isn’t Ware on offense.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I just don't see that. Mitchell is not a 5 and Cal's teams need rim protection to win consistently. One of Bradshaw, Ugo or Cyril will have to be that protector, or some combination of them. I'd go with whichever one of those 3 plays best at the 5 in practice. The other 4 should be Edwards, Mitchell, Wagner and Dillingham. I'd play Reeves at least 25 minutes a game at the 2 or 3 spots if the SG and/or SF aren't hitting. As I've said before, if Reeves goes 0-6 or it's obvious he isn't hitting, I'd play Dillingham, Sheppard or even Hart in order to space the floor.

Dilly is so quick and elusive that I wouldn't sell him short. He isn't strong enough yet, but that will come in time. He can help us in so many ways despite that, so I'm expecting him to get a lot of minutes.

Mitchell is probably more of a 5 than Bradshaw in terms of banging down low and being physical. Neither one is an ideal 5 man. Both are really stretch 4’s.

Onyenso is the only true 5 on the roster right now. I’m just not sure if he is ready to carry us at that position.

Also, Bradshaw and Mitchell have to get their minutes. There’s only 40 minutes at the 4 and both will want to play 25-30 minutes a game, so one or both will have to play some minutes at The 5.

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

Mitchell is not on the team yet is he ????

About as close to a done deal as you can get

 

[bucsrule8872]

Stupid? I don’t think so.
You are only thinking about offense, our bigger problem the past few seasons has been defense. Now idk, maybe Mitchell is a good defender, maybe Bradshaw a good shot blocker. Maybe. But our best teams under Cal have had good defense, specifically good rim protection/ shot blocking. Onyenso should give us that. And it’s not like he can only score from inside 5’, his shot looks good out to 15’, he isn’t Ware on offense.

I don’t have a lot of faith in Onyenso just yet. I’m not convinced he is ready for prime time.

I do think Cal will do everything he can to keep him on the floor, though. He knows he needs a shot blocker.

But keep in mind, this time last year Cal was talking about how he had to get Collins on the floor because his best teams always have a shot blocker. That didn’t happen.

It really boils down to whether Onyenso can handle it on the offensive end. No matter how much you want a shotblocker, it’s hard to play 4 on 5 at the offensive end. He has to give us at least some semblance of a threat on the offensive end.

If he can score and stay out of foul trouble, I think he plays major minutes. But that’s a big if.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

About as close to a done deal as you can get

I can only imagine this board if somehow he doesn't end up here. That might be the biggest implosion in a while.

We need Mitchell and Somto to sign up ASAP and we can call it a roster.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

I don’t have a lot of faith in Onyenso just yet. I’m not convinced he is ready for prime time.

I do think Cal will do everything he can to keep him on the floor, though. He knows he needs a shot blocker.

But keep in mind, this time last year Cal was talking about how he had to get Collins on the floor because his best teams always have a shot blocker. That didn’t happen.

It really boils down to whether Onyenso can handle it on the offensive end. No matter how much you want a shotblocker, it’s hard to play 4 on 5 at the offensive end. He has to give us at least some semblance of a threat on the offensive end.

If he can score and stay out of foul trouble, I think he plays major minutes. But that’s a big if.

I worry he will get pushed around a lot and not be able to knock down jump shots when he is pushed out of the paint. We must have Somto or another big body.

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

I can only imagine this board if somehow he doesn't end up here. That might be the biggest implosion in a while.

We need Mitchell and Somto to sign up ASAP and we can call it a roster.

For sure, and we blame our insiders for acting like it was a done deal

 

[arenk]

Mitchell is probably more of a 5 than Bradshaw in terms of banging down low and being physical. Neither one is an ideal 5 man. Both are really stretch 4’s.

Onyenso is the only true 5 on the roster right now. I’m just not sure if he is ready to carry us at that position.

Also, Bradshaw and Mitchell have to get their minutes. There’s only 40 minutes at the 4 and both will want to play 25-30 minutes a game, so one or both will have to play some minutes at The 5.

Yes, but Mitchell is not a true rim protector. Bradshaw may want to play tye 4, but Mitchell isn't coming here to share minutes with a freshman who fancies himself as a 7 foot perimeter shooter who might get 6 or 7 rebounds a game at the 4. His NBA career will be as a 5 or not at all, at least IMO. He isn't a true 4 and Cal will likely use him there only if Mitchell needs a breather or gets into foul trouble. Onyenso, Bradshaw and Cyril (assuming we get him), are all 5s and their minutes should be determined by who plays the best in practice. That will likely cost us at least one of them, but such is life in this era of college basketball.

 

[Kentucky_SportsX]

My opinion I think Reed is going to be the biggest surprise on the team. Just feel like he’s going to be a good player and he will prove the doubters wrong

 

[arenk]

My opinion I think Reed is going to be the biggest surprise on the team. Just feel like he’s going to be a good player and he will prove the doubters wrong

You sure could be right on this one. Reed reminds me of a freshman version of Kyle Macy, except Reed is quicker and a much better athlete. I'm not saying that Reed is the player now that Macy was his junior and senior years, but Macy is definitely the person that Reed resembles most. Great basketball IQ, unselfish, great passer and a damn good shooter. Also, Reed shot 89% from the ft line in high school last year, and that's the same percentage that Macy shot at UK.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Yes, but Mitchell is not a true rim protector. Bradshaw may want to play tye 4, but Mitchell isn't coming here to share minutes with a freshman who fancies himself as a 7 foot perimeter shooter who might get 6 or 7 rebounds a game at the 4. His NBA career will be as a 5 or not at all, at least IMO. He isn't a true 4 and Cal will likely use him there only if Mitchell needs a breather or gets into foul trouble. Onyenso, Bradshaw and Cyril (assuming we get him), are all 5s and their minutes should be determined by who plays the best in practice. That will likely cost us at least one of them, but such is life in this era of college basketball.

Bradshaw is not a true 5 man. He may play some at the 5, but he is better suited to play the 4.

But here is the thing, it doesn’t matter. Both Mitchell (if he comes here) and Bradshaw (if he is healthy) will play and play starter minutes and play whichever position Cal thinks they should play.

Mitchell isn’t coming if he isn’t getting starter minutes.

Bradshaw wouldn’t have signed with us if he wasn’t going to get starter minutes.

So, if both guys are getting 25+ minutes a game, one of them will play the 5 some.

Onyenso and Cyril (if he comes) will split the remaining minutes or one of them will win the lion’s share of the rest of the minutes.

As for how they will play, when Bradshaw or Mitchell man the 5, expect a lot of pick and pop and pick and roll action, to try to get the opponents big man away from the basket.

Defensively, it will depend on matchups. If we play a team with a bruiser inside, we probably see Mitchell guarding him. When the other team’s 5 is a finesse player or doesn’t score a lot, expect Bradshaw to patrol the paint.

We really don’t have a 5 that can park it on the block and we can feed all game. Onyenso is not that guy. I don’t think Cyril will be either. Bradshaw and Mitchell both prefer the face up game. I don’t expect a lot of back to the basket post play next season, unless Onyesno and/or Cyril really surprise me.

We will spread the floor and our 5 man will get his points off weak side alley oops and rebounds, catching it in the so-called “dunker’s spot,” on pick and pop or pick and roll action, etc.

I just don’t expect our offense to go through the post with this roster. Our guards are playmakers and our bigs are hopefully finishers.

 

[arenk]

Bradshaw is not a true 5 man. He may play some at the 5, but he is better suited to play the 4.

But here is the thing, it doesn’t matter. Both Mitchell (if he comes here) and Bradshaw (if he is healthy) will play and play starter minutes and play whichever position Cal thinks they should play.

Mitchell isn’t coming if he isn’t getting starter minutes.

Bradshaw wouldn’t have signed with us if he wasn’t going to get starter minutes.

So, if both guys are getting 25+ minutes a game, one of them will play the 5 some.

Onyenso and Cyril (if he comes) will split the remaining minutes or one of them will win the lion’s share of the rest of the minutes.

As for how they will play, when Bradshaw or Mitchell man the 5, expect a lot of pick and pop and pick and roll action, to try to get the opponents big man away from the basket.

Defensively, it will depend on matchups. If we play a team with a bruiser inside, we probably see Mitchell guarding him. When the other team’s 5 is a finesse player or doesn’t score a lot, expect Bradshaw to patrol the paint.

We really don’t have a 5 that can park it on the block and we can feed all game. Onyenso is not that guy. I don’t think Cyril will be either. Bradshaw and Mitchell both prefer the face up game. I don’t expect a lot of back to the basket post play next season, unless Onyesno and/or Cyril really surprise me.

We will spread the floor and our 5 man will get his points off weak side alley oops and rebounds, catching it in the so-called “dunker’s spot,” on pick and pop or pick and roll action, etc.

I just don’t expect our offense to go through the post with this roster. Our guards are playmakers and our bigs are hopefully finishers.

I don't really take issue with most of this, the exception being that I don't see Bradshaw as a 4. He isn't tough enough and may end up being Skal 2.0. The 4 needs to be an enforcer and Bradshaw is anything but that. I also have my doubts about his ability to hit the outside shot, yet he believes he's a perimeter shooter. Maybe in HS, but not in Div 1 and certainly not against SEC competition. Mitchell gets the lion's share of minutes at the 4 and I think Cal will persuade Bradshaw that his future in the NBA, if he is to have one, is to become an all around good offensive player who can protect the rim and alter shots.

 

[ArtLaibsGhost]

Lezs get Mitchel before we put him in lineup

 

[AzubuikeandFitch]

Wagner
Reeves
Edwards
Bradshaw
Mitchell

Rob
Ugo
Adou
Reed
Burks
Hart

Before anyone says Mitchell is undersized please remember Cal played Oscar at the five and he’s only 6’8’’. Also Mitchell can space the floor and actually knock down the three ball. Cal would be stupid not to play this lineup.

If I'm not mistaken, I think Mitchell played center at UMass for 2 seasons.

 

[CatPatrick13]

Reeves will play the three for that lineup so his defense assignments are different from Edwards. Wagner Edwards Reeves Ugo and Mitchell. Bradshaw takes Reeves or Mitchell's spot upon return. Dillingham 6th man when we go 4 guards.

Bradshaw at the 3 for Reeves?..... That is a head scratcher.

 

[CatPatrick13]

Bradshaw is not a true 5 man. He may play some at the 5, but he is better suited to play the 4.

huh?.... round peg in a square hole for now... Brad is a 5.. Played 5, NBA draft's have him at the 5, has not shown the handle for a 4.... he will have to have HUGE improvement with shot/ and handle to be a 4 at the next level. Why take away his rim protection at the 4? Squeezing him into the 4 spot takes him out of his best position to do the things he is GREAT at... runs the floor, rebounding, shot blocker, inside scoring are the reason he is a 5 star.

 

[dl51344]

I think there will be a surprise from the bench. Watch out for Burks.

 

[NociHTTP]

Lezs get Mitchel before we put him in lineup

Yeap. All these people creating threads with imaginary players, as of it were fact.

 

[wildcat_nation28]

Wagner
Reeves
Edwards
Bradshaw
Mitchell

Rob
Ugo
Adou
Reed
Burks
Hart

Before anyone says Mitchell is undersized please remember Cal played Oscar at the five and he’s only 6’8’’. Also Mitchell can space the floor and actually knock down the three ball. Cal would be stupid not to play this lineup.

You know Cal won't play the obvious.

 

[JonathanW]

I don’t have a lot of faith in Onyenso just yet. I’m not convinced he is ready for prime time.

I do think Cal will do everything he can to keep him on the floor, though. He knows he needs a shot blocker.

But keep in mind, this time last year Cal was talking about how he had to get Collins on the floor because his best teams always have a shot blocker. That didn’t happen.

It really boils down to whether Onyenso can handle it on the offensive end. No matter how much you want a shotblocker, it’s hard to play 4 on 5 at the offensive end. He has to give us at least some semblance of a threat on the offensive end.

If he can score and stay out of foul trouble, I think he plays major minutes. But that’s a big if.

And I don’t have a lot of faith in Bradshaw, not convinced he is ready for the physical SEC. Have you seen him, he looks like Collins FR body wise.

I saw enough from Onyenso last year to think he can have an offensive game. Will he be our 1-3rd option? No!! Probably not the 4th option either. But someone HAS TO BE the 4-5th option. On offense I think he can give us as much as Harrelson did in 11, as WCS did in 15, more than Lee ever did.

And again, DEFENSE has been our problem in recent years more so than offense!! Yes Onyenso is not as strong and physical as Oscar (not close), but he appears more than Bradshaw. And between Reeves and Edwards and Wagner and Dillingham and Bradshaw and Mitchell, even if Onyenso can score well he may not get the ball a lot (they want their shots).

And maybe I’m wrong about Bradshaw, I hope I am!! I don’t think he will be bad, but I think he will disappoint much of BBN. He’s just too thin and weak. Same problem I saw and correctly predicted with Collins 2 years ago when many on this board were sure he would star for us as a OAD FR. And yes I did hop on the Collins train last fall/summer. But we really don’t know what kind of season he might have had if his dad had not died (with him) suddenly right before the season began. But that an already thin kid lost 15-20 lbs in just 3-4 months says it was a big impact on him.

 

[JonathanW]

Bradshaw at the 3 for Reeves?..... That is a head scratcher.

Definitely. Bradshaw will NOT play ANY at the 3/SF!!!!!

 

[catben]

huh?.... round peg in a square hole for now... Brad is a 5.. Played 5, NBA draft's have him at the 5, has not shown the handle for a 4.... he will have to have HUGE improvement with shot/ and handle to be a 4 at the next level. Why take away his rim protection at the 4? Squeezing him into the 4 spot takes him out of his best position to do the things he is GREAT at... runs the floor, rebounding, shot blocker, inside scoring are the reason he is a 5 star.

Then why has Cal AND Bradshaw INSISTED that he is a 4 and will play the 4 here since the McDonald's game?????

Klutch wants him to play PF and Cal WILL do just that. Remember, this is a "Players First" program.

 

[bucsrule8872]

huh?.... round peg in a square hole for now... Brad is a 5.. Played 5, NBA draft's have him at the 5, has not shown the handle for a 4.... he will have to have HUGE improvement with shot/ and handle to be a 4 at the next level. Why take away his rim protection at the 4? Squeezing him into the 4 spot takes him out of his best position to do the things he is GREAT at... runs the floor, rebounding, shot blocker, inside scoring are the reason he is a 5 star.

He is a face up big. He won’t be a traditional 5 man. He isn’t posting up on the block every time down the floor.

He may play the 5, but he isn’t going to be a traditional 5. He is going to be more like Labissiere.

If Cal tries to make him a traditional big man like he has played in the post most of the time he has been here, it probably won’t go well.

Bradshaw is not going to be like Tshiebwe has been the last two seasons.

And in the NBA, they don’t really play 5’s like Cal does, so that it really doesn’t matter where his pro position is.

We are talking college and more specifically in Cal’s system.

Bradshaw is better suited to the Toppin/Brooks role than the Tshiebwe role.

 

[HagginHall1999]

Ugo is starting at Center people....he just is.

Cal is drooling to have a shot blocking big and that should be good with everyone.

 

[bucsrule8872]

It’s pretty obvious to me that if we get Mitchell AND Bradshaw is able to play, then both are going to play 25-30 minutes a game.

So do the math- 40 minutes in a game per positions. So that’s 80 minutes at the 4 and 5.

If both play around 25 minutes each, that’s around 50 of the 80 minutes.

That leaves around 30 minutes for Onyenso and a fourth guy (Cyril ideally, Thiero as a small ball 4 if not).

Onyenso is likely getting between 15-20 minutes leaving the fourth guy with somewhere around 10-15 a game.

So my estimates for the 4 and 5 positions:

Mitchell- 25
Bradshaw- 25
Onyenso- 20
Cyril or Thiero- 10

Not going to break down who plays at the 4 or 5, I doubt the staff knows exactly how that breaks down.

My guess would be that since Onyenso will be exclusively a 5 and so would Cyril, which means either Bradshaw or Mitchell will play the remaining 10 or so minutes at the 5. Bradshaw and Mitchell would then get most of their minutes at the 4.

If we don’t get Cyril, then Onyenso will get about half the minutes, maybe a little more at the 5. The rest will go to either Bradshaw or Mitchell. Thiero would get the left over minutes at the 4.

So a lot depends on how Cal finishes out the roster.

But one of Mitchell and Bradshaw have to get some minutes at the 5. Which one plays what spot is debatable at this point.

 

[UKCats24]

Mitchell and Bradshaw play a lot together. Mitchell is the 5 on offense and the 4 on defense. Bradshaw is the 4 on offense and the 5 on defense. Ugo plays a lot, strictly at the 5. That way, we always have a shot blocker defensively at the 5.

 

[BGCATFAN2012]

Reeves will play the three for that lineup so his defense assignments are different from Edwards. Wagner Edwards Reeves Ugo and Mitchell. Bradshaw takes Reeves or Mitchell's

Bradshaw at the 3 for Reeves?..... That is a head scratcher.

Positionless Cal will call it, but its putting the best players on the court together and hopefully they can play defense as a unit.

 

[fatguy87]

I’m curious how Tre would fit in. I never watched him play, but given his block rate, rebound rate, and that 1/3 of his shots came from 3 during last season, he seems to be more like a wing than a big despite a “C” that could be next to his name on the roster.

Tre coming off the bench and playing starter minutes in a 3 man front court rotation with Bradshaw and Ugo is feasible. He can play the stretch role while in the court with Ugo or Bradshaw.

Knowing Cal, there is a chance that Tre plays a bit at the 3 with no one who can shoot at the 1 and 2 lol.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I’m curious how Tre would fit in. I never watched him play, but given his block rate, rebound rate, and that 1/3 of his shots came from 3 during last season, he seems to be more like a wing than a big despite a “C” that could be next to his name on the roster.

Tre coming off the bench and playing starter minutes in a 3 man front court rotation with Bradshaw and Ugo is feasible. He can play the stretch role while in the court with Ugo or Bradshaw.

Knowing Cal, there is a chance that Tre plays a bit at the 3 with no one who can shoot at the 1 and 2 lol.

i am thinking that when Bradshaw and Mitchell are in together, there won’t be anyone playing the traditional 5 man role. The 5 is going to run PnP and PnR action and try to get the opposing big out on the perimeter away from the basket. We will see more of a spread offense. 5 out.

When Onyesno (and hopefully Cyril) are in, then we play a four out offense.

Not sure about how it will look on the defensive end with Bradshaw and Mitchell.

On one hand, Mitchell isn’t the shot blocking threat you want from your 5. On the other hand, Bradshaw isn’t the physical presence you want at the 5.

It might come down to matchups. Sometimes you might want your 6’9, 225 lbs. physically mature player banging down low. Sometimes you might want your bouncy, athletic 7 footer patrolling the paint.

But when Onyenso (and Cyril if we get him) is in there, Bradshaw and Mitchell will defend the 4 spot.

It will be interesting to see how it plays out, but that’s my guess.