Nice Willis article

[BigBlueFanGA]

If Willis will put in the necessary work, I tend to agree with it. We've all seen the flashes of what he can do. He can shoot, he can drive, he has pretty decent handles and he passes very well. But can he put out consistent effort, particularly on defense. We'll see pretty soon I guess.

http://kentucky.247sports.com/Bolt/Willis-can-be-difference-maker-next-season-37131389

 

[katwest]

It seems like it's all up to him, now is the time more so than ever for him, anytime you can shoot as well as him, you should be able to play anywhere. That's a need every team has and he is no slouch in the other area's you mentioned. I would love to see him and Hawkins play a lot this year, if you are MR. basketball in Kentucky you can play, we really need for them to contribute this year in a big way.

 

[Ron Mehico]

The ultimate backup QB syndrome. Hopefully Willis can play well this year, but at the same time hope people don't build him up only to tear him down.

 

[AnarchoNeoLuddite]

More like the ultimate Kentucky syndrome...

 

[coolcat9lives]

Remember that Derek Willis was a borderline 5 star recruit when he signed here. He was ranked in the top 25 before experiencing that major drop when the rankings were finalized. I think its all mental. This year Willis = Darius Miller 2.0.

 

[barryn2000]

 

[ArkansasCatsFan]

Put in the work Derek. Nice read.

 

[CrustyCat]

View embedded media

Thanks for the link. I think he can contribute - just up to him to want to do what he has to in making that happen.

 

[jman3715]

This is going to much like the 2013 year was for Wiltjer. Wiltjer faded into the background that year and basically blew his opportunity to take advantage of tons of playing time that was available by not working as hard as he could have. Derek now has basically the same opportunity and I'm really hoping he hits the gym hard this summer.

 

[weatherbird]

I tend to be in the middle of most people. I don't expect him to be a big contributor, or lead the team in scoring, but I do think he has an opportunity to contribute in a similar fashion as Darius Miller, if he puts the time and work in. As for the white boy comment, that has a lot less to do with it, than being from Kentucky. People did the same thing with Miller. And even though he did contribute, and sometimes contribute a lot, people constantly built him up to be more than he was because he was from Kentucky. If we had an outstanding SF, the same hype would be put on Hawkins, because he is from Kentucky.The only reason the hype around Hawkins isn't as big is because of Ulis and Briscoe.

 

[coolcat9lives]

or that scouts just saw him play really well at one event and over ranked him. It happens every year. Happened with Jon Hood initially.

Could be true but I think Derek Willis has an NBA skill set. Long, athletic, can pass and shoot the three. We just haven't got to see it much. Derek has had a more NBA ready player ahead of him both years. He will do well this year.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

I tend to be in the middle of most people. I don't expect him to be a big contributor, or lead the team in scoring, but I do think he has an opportunity to contribute in a similar fashion as Darius Miller, if he puts the time and work in. As for the white boy comment, that has a lot less to do with it, than being from Kentucky. People did the same thing with Miller. And even though he did contribute, and sometimes contribute a lot, people constantly built him up to be more than he was because he was from Kentucky. If we had an outstanding SF, the same hype would be put on Hawkins, because he is from Kentucky.The only reason the hype around Hawkins isn't as big is because of Ulis and Briscoe.

We had people hyping Willis last year and in 2013-2014 as well...with solid to good SF types on the roster.

If we had signed Brown, nothing would have changed...you are fooling yourself if you think that. The guy is competing with Mulder, Matthews and potentially Vick or Murray if either signs with UK (assuming they reclassify), so he better put the work in.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

Welcome to the ignore list. I have better things to do than read the comments of racists.

I thought about putting him on ignore but I think I prefer to have the opportunity to point out someone's ridiculous posts. Call him out on it and report his post.

 

[1war]

It seems like it's all up to him, now is the time more so than ever for him, anytime you can shoot as well as him, you should be able to play anywhere. That's a need every team has and he is no slouch in the other area's you mentioned. I would love to see him and Hawkins play a lot this year, if you are MR. basketball in Kentucky you can play, we really need for them to contribute this year in a big way.

Where's the evidence of him being this "shooter" ?

 

[wild mandu]

Does anyone else see the irony in bashing white basketball players after losing an undefeated season to Wisconsin?

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Does anyone else see the irony in bashing white basketball players after losing an undefeated season to Wisconsin?

I'd respond in saying UK beat itself that game, with the help of some crooke officiating...but I get what you are saying. I'll just say it was NOTHING Wisconsin did on D that made UK suck 6 straight possessions and not score a point as they did down the stretch until A. Harrison's and 1 with 50-ish seconds left to cut it to 1.

 

[Rhavicc]

Where's the evidence of him being this "shooter" ?

Well let's be fair here, hoss. He was pretty accurate in the Bahamas, when he was forced to play. It was pretty often that he would go in during garbage time and hit the first 3 that he shot as well.

 

[lwbb]

I do believe that Willis will play a big part in this years team.I think he has the ability to have a big season.......GO CATS!!!!

 

[UKGrad93]

I don't know what to believe about Willis. I'm guessing that he must have some skills for Cal to have signed him. On the other hand, he has had to play behind guys that are better. The article is no better than a mix tape IMO. It's his former coacch saying how great he is, how he wants to practice/work hard/contribute. The former coach isn't going to say, well Derek is mediocore and lazy. Really just likes sitting on the bench.

 

[WeepNoMore]

Unfortunately, we have way too many posters on Rafters who sincerely believe that, unless a player is a 5-star McD AA and/or from out of state and/or Black, he is not a UK-caliber player.

 

[Pope John Wall II]

Which poster is most likely to start the "Faaaaar Calipari" movement if Willis sees less than 10 minutes a game next year?

 

[JustthefaxMa'am]

I'm not usually one to pull for kids just because they are from KY. I frequently got frustrated with Darius at times and wasn't the biggest W. Bennett fan but I like Willis' game. Can shoot, rebound, run the floor, pass. Seems to make the offense flow when out there. I think he'll be fine. I just hope to get to see him play this year. I think he's better than Alex on the offensive end.

 

[wobycat]

Totally agree with weep no more. We have come to the point where the white athlete appears to be inferior to the black athlete in basketball. This is so untrue. The black athlete looks stronger and faster, and generally is stronger and faster, but to be able to shoot, pass, and defend, is how basketball is played. Alex poythress is an amazing athlete but he's not the elite basketball player he was thought to be. Willis may not turn out to be a great player but it will have nothing to do with his skin color.

 

[Chuckinden]

Where's the evidence of him being this "shooter" ?

He's only had the opportunity a few time and has shown he can shoot, but his teammates said he was the best shooter on the team. Also, he IIRC, he hit a bunch of consecutive 3,s in a contest at the Craft Center. There is not doubt he can shoot, but I think he can play too, if ever given the opportunity. I still haven't figured out what has kept him here.

 

[1war]

He's only had the opportunity a few time and has shown he can shoot, but his teammates said he was the best shooter on the team. Also, he IIRC, he hit a bunch of consecutive 3,s in a contest at the Craft Center. There is not doubt he can shoot, but I think he can play too, if ever given the opportunity. I still haven't figured out what has kept him here.

He's 6-21, 28.57% career, what teammates said he was the best shooter on the team,link?

 

[barryn2000]

I tend to be in the middle of most people. I don't expect him to be a big contributor, or lead the team in scoring, but I do think he has an opportunity to contribute in a similar fashion as Darius Miller, if he puts the time and work in.

Getting the chance is all I'd expect...at some point, all those practices with NBA destined talent had to improve his game. If he can't step up, it's on him.

 

[weatherbird]

He's 6-21, 28.57% career, what teammates said he was the best shooter on the team,link?

If that shooting percentage is your evidence that he can't shoot, then that is where you are having trouble comprehending. The first issue is the attempts, meaning that there isn't enough sample size to prove one way or the other. Second, you do realize that most people who think that a shooter must shoot 45% or better fail to realize how rare it is to shoot that high of a percentage from behind the arc. A study done years ago proved that shooting 33% from behind the arc scores more points and provides more momentum than most teams can generate inside the arc. Aa. Harrison didn't shoot much better than what Willis has shot thus far in his career, yet he could stretch the floor because people would go out to gaurd him, even at 31%. It is not as much the percentage a player shoots, but when he makes shots, and we won't know that until he gets a chance to play.

 

[1war]

If that shooting percentage is your evidence that he can't shoot, then that is where you are having trouble comprehending. The first issue is the attempts, meaning that there isn't enough sample size to prove one way or the other. Second, you do realize that most people who think that a shooter must shoot 45% or better fail to realize how rare it is to shoot that high of a percentage from behind the arc. A study done years ago proved that shooting 33% from behind the arc scores more points and provides more momentum than most teams can generate inside the arc. Aa. Harrison didn't shoot much better than what Willis has shot thus far in his career, yet he could stretch the floor because people would go out to gaurd him, even at 31%. It is not as much the percentage a player shoots, but when he makes shots, and we won't know that until he gets a chance to play.

Maybe you have trouble comprehending,I never said he couldn't shoot, people here are saying that he can. I don't see evidence that he CAN shoot.As you support MY point when you say "there isnt enough sample size to prove one way or the other." I've know for years that you dont have to shoot 45% from three point range to be effective , but not from a study just from simple math. My college coach used to always say 33% from three is equal to 50% from two and this was the early 90's. My point was ,how do we know he can shoot.

 

[chevyman 50]

Willis has always been a good 3 pt shooter and you can't teach size which he has and being a junior after going up against some of the player been there the last couple yrs, I thank he can become a very good player..

 

[weatherbird]

Maybe you have trouble comprehending,I never said he couldn't shoot, people here are saying that he can. I don't see evidence that he CAN shoot.As you support MY point when you say "there isnt enough sample size to prove one way or the other." I've know for years that you dont have to shoot 45% from three point range to be effective , but not from a study just from simple math. My college coach used to always say 33% from three is equal to 50% from two and this was the early 90's. My point was ,how do we know he can shoot.

My point was that what most are referring to when they say he can shoot, are people/players in the program that say so, and thus that information is more reliable than 21 3 point shots that you and I have seen him take. There have been interviews and conversations with players which note that the hardest guy to guard in practice for the last 2 years has been Willis. This is how he got the nickname "Buckets", which was given to him last year by the players. And with those 21 3 point shots, you do realize that if he makes 1 more, that makes him a 33% 3 point shooter. Judging by his form and mechanics, that isn't that unreasonable. I think most people taking the approach that he can shoot, are doing so in comparison to several people we have played at the 3 in the last few years, of which none of them could make enough 3 point shots to stretch the defense.

 

[Chuckinden]

He's 6-21, 28.57% career, what teammates said he was the best shooter on the team,link?

I don't have a link, but I do remember someone on the team saying it. Here is a quote from Aaron: "Derek's a great player," guard Aaron Harrison said. "He's probably underrated, obviously, on our team. But Derek is a great player. We all have confidence in Derek. We know he can play."

 

[Ron Mehico]

I don't have a link, but I do remember someone on the team saying it. Here is a quote from Aaron: "Derek's a great player," guard Aaron Harrison said. "He's probably underrated, obviously, on our team. But Derek is a great player. We all have confidence in Derek. We know he can play."

Wow!! strong words! Didn't realize he was getting such high praise. Although I was curious to see how he would play next year, my hopes for him have significantly increased from that over the top quote about him by his teammate!!

 

[ZZBlueComet]

We all hope Willis steps up and is a very productive high D-1 player - but to base it on anything more than hope, at this point, is kind of silly.

 

[KingOfBBN]

@HeismanWildcat85

Whaaaat? I think you have me confused with someone else. I couldn't care less if Willis or any white Kentucky kid is ever on this roster again so I don't understand you trying to act like I'm some country bumpkin wanting a white guy to play. I don't care.

 

[KingOfBBN]

I'm just messing with ya. I clicked "@" and then typed "H" and your name was one of the first that popped up and I recognized.

Oh you're good. Apparently I suck at taking a joke.

I just didn't want anyone to think I was one of those rednecks screaming to put Farmer in

 

[5iveStarRecruit]

I think he can become a solid rotation player. It really all hinges on his 3-point accuracy.

 

[Bkocats]

I'm just dreaming that Willis is next year's Jorts - I want that for him as much as I want it for us.
And it's not just because he's a Kentucky kid - it's because he looks so sad most of the time - not smiling. Or maybe that's just his game face?

 

[cal=8]

Derek Willis will contribute and be an important piece next year..

 

[C1180]

Willis will play as much as his defense allows Calipari to play him this year. Defense is what could get him off the bench. Lee is offensively challenged but his defense gets him playing time. It is hard to play a player if he give up more points than he scores.

 

[CrustyCat]

Does anyone else see the irony in bashing white basketball players after losing an undefeated season to Wisconsin?

Your post may not make any sense to most given that we've had a whitewash of the original ridiculous post (rendering it meaningless to those who did not see the original version), my response and the responses of several others. Probably just an oversight that your post didn't get nuked as well.