Next year: Rebuild or contend?

[Blueathletics]

I know a lot will depend on whether Briscoe returns....Not sure if there are any instant impact type guys like AD or Randall or Towns...

So are we going to have to wait 2 years before we compete for # 9?

 

[Cardsstink]

To win 6 straight in March/April, we really need Briscoe back.

 

[WildMoon]

If we get Bamba, we compete for title.

 

[UKMurph]

Bam, Briscoe, Wenyen, Hump, SKJ, Bamba, Knox, Mystery Shooter behind door number 3.. too many unknown variables to know right now.

 

[mrdavisanddd]

I think it'll be 18 when we make a serious run some carry over from this class and a Couple stars in the next class.

 

[bookerfan66]

Even if we get Bamba we still need a shooter or they will just pack it in on us.I would prefer a grad transfer for the experience.

 

[kybassfan]

Asking the wrong question. The question is how fast the players buy into the system and how well they fit together. Get your answer mid to end December.

 

[swflakat]

Yes/Yes

 

[Catfan2226]

Even if we get Bamba we still need a shooter or they will just pack it in on us.I would prefer a grad transfer for the experience.

Would love a grad transfer as well.Cam Johnson from Pittsburgh would be a nice addition kid has a great GPA and at 6'7 can play shooting guard and could help at small forward.Elijah Brown from New Mexico can shoot as well

 

[Cats192]

In any other year, we'd expect SKJ and Gabriel to make an impact as freshmen. Now they're sophomores. I think our front court can be a problem, especially if we add Bamba or keep Bam.

We need 1 more guard. If we keep Briscoe, we become dangerous.

 

[Rupp'sRunt]

Need to get Bamba and Knox to be in the top contenders

 

[BassProCat]

Asking the wrong question. The question is how fast the players buy into the system and how well they fit together. Get your answer mid to end December.

This plus do we get a flavorable tourney draw.

 

[Montana81]

I can't remember a team ever losing more than 50% of their scoring and winning a title. If Briscoe leaves we're losing about 90%.

 

[Rupp'sRunt]

I can't remember a team ever losing more than 50% of their scoring and winning a title. If Briscoe leaves we're losing about 90%.

Uh 2012 Kentucky?

 

[kats23]

I think it's a rebuild year. Going to be really young and unless Cal pulls a rabbit out of his hat, I just don't see enough on the roster to truly contend.

 

[Bluesnky]

This plus do we get a flavorable tourney draw.

I can almost taste the championship.

 

[Bluesnky]

If we get Bamba, we will contend.

People are underestimating how great this team will be defensively and overstating the impact of not having a "shooter" play big minutes.

 

[Aike]

I can't remember a team ever losing more than 50% of their scoring and winning a title. If Briscoe leaves we're losing about 90%.

'98 Cats, if you include losing DA.

 

[UKBrassowTipIN]

If we get Bamba, we will contend.

People are underestimating how great this team will be defensively and overstating the impact of not having a "shooter" play big minutes.

This...if you rebound and play defense you don't have to put all your money on a guy being able to hit 3's

 

[Bluesnky]

This...if you rebound and play defense you don't have to put all your money on a guy being able to hit 3's

Is there any recent example of a team proving this proposition?

 

[catrecruit]

Would love a grad transfer as well.Cam Johnson from Pittsburgh would be a nice addition kid has a great GPA and at 6'7 can play shooting guard and could help at small forward.Elijah Brown from New Mexico can shoot as well

CJ would be a sweet get! A taller shooter with nearly 42% from 3 and 81% FT......Bring him in and we might have a shot

 

[BostonCat2001]

rebuild. 7-11 loss team. but many guys will be back. 2018 we will have a lot of talented SOs and add 3 or 4 big time super star players to have a really elite team

 

[kydmb99]

So if this team ends up winning 27 games and loses in the Sweet 16 what percentage of the posters here start the "FARR CAL"! movement?

 

[Cardsstink]

Is there any recent example of a team proving this proposition?

How about last night?

 

[Bluesnky]

How about last night?

Fo real?

 

[3kidsandme]

We will have 7 or 8 5 stars. It will not be a rebuild year. UK does not rebuild we reload. To many guys coming in used to winning. Will we dominate no. Will we be 1 of 10 15 teams with a chance at a final 4 hell yes!

 

[Elliott Tim]

I know a lot will depend on whether Briscoe returns....Not sure if there are any instant impact type guys like AD or Randall or Towns...

So are we going to have to wait 2 years before we compete for # 9?

 

[Cardsstink]

Fo real?

UNC couldn't throw it in the ocean last night and won.

 

[Bluesnky]

UNC couldn't throw it in the ocean last night and won.

I know.

 

[Smashcat]

I know a lot will depend on whether Briscoe returns....Not sure if there are any instant impact type guys like AD or Randall or Towns...

So are we going to have to wait 2 years before we compete for # 9?

If we get Bamba I think we compete. If we don't I think we are looking at two years away. I am assuming Bam jumps.

 

[Montana81]

Uh 2012 Kentucky?

Nope. lost less than half of the scoring. That Jones, Lamb and Miller were all double digit scorers that came back. Only lost Knight, Harrelson and Liggins. Only 1 of which scored in double figures.

 

[Smashcat]

UNC couldn't throw it in the ocean last night and won.

True but their 4 TOs to Gonzaga's 14 helped a lot.

 

[Cardsstink]

True but their 4 TOs to Gonzaga's 14 helped a lot.

Agree. If UK is very efficient next year and plays great D, anything can happen.

 

[GonzoCat90]

The thing is, no one will be very good. If our guys are as advertised and we stay healthy, we'll have the size, length, versatility and defense to contend.

Plus, it'll be fun to watch everyone who cries about Cal's one and done "not working" fly into a fit of rage when we lose several games and claim that he has to go, when in reality, next year will be laying the foundation like they've whined about for years.

Somehow, he's supposed to challenge for a title every year and do so with guys who aren't good enough to go pro after one season.

 

[Rupp'sRunt]

Nope. lost less than half of the scoring. That Jones, Lamb and Miller were all double digit scorers that came back. Only lost Knight, Harrelson and Liggins. Only 1 of which scored in double figures.

Interesting

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

If Briscoe comes back and we can get something from Hump and Gabriel, I think we can contend. I think you gotta have some experience. If Hump and Gabriel are our only experience returning and they don't play much, I just can't see all freshmen getting a title.

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

So if this team ends up winning 27 games and loses in the Sweet 16 what percentage of the posters here start the "FARR CAL"! movement?

Zero. Give it a rest already.

 

[track42]

The thing that's not being mentioned is that all the good teams are losing guys.North Carolina,Duke,Kansas,UCLA are losing talent and basketball looks to be way down next season.If we get Bamba and either Cam Johnson or the Baker or Smith kid we can contend.

 

[WildMoon]

The thing that's not being mentioned is that all the good teams are losing guys.North Carolina,Duke,Kansas,UCLA are losing talent and basketball looks to be way down next season.If we get Bamba and either Cam Johnson or the Baker or Smith kid we can contend.

so, i agree with everything but...

people keep mentioning Cam Johnson, baker, or smith... Like they are going to play any.

Maybe Cam Johnson, but Baker and Smith are long term guys, most likely. They probably have no impact or very marginal impact.

 

[kydmb99]

Zero. Give it a rest already.

Okay. Watch and see.

 

[Brando Mac]

Somehow, he's supposed to challenge for a title every year and do so with guys who aren't good enough to go pro after one season.

That's the perfect summation of the conundrum you face when you're the Kentucky basketball coach.

We demand top talent, we demand guys that'll stay, and we demand to win every season. Usually you can do 2 out of 3 of those, it's not that easy to do all 3.