Not making an honest effort to feed the post.

[liveblue92]

I know Poy, Marcus, and Skal have been very underwhelming this year as a whole, but could it be the case that we aren't feeding the post enough? None of our bigs have shown the ability to score on anyone down low, but we don't exactly go out of our way to give them opurttunities.

There were several times last night that Alex had decent position down low and we passed him up. When we pass them up so many times, eventually they stop fighting for position. Just an observation.

 

[Graves51]

I know Poy, Marcus, and Skal have been very underwhelming this year as a whole, but could it be the case that we aren't feeding the post enough? None of our bigs have shown the ability to score on anyone down low, but we don't exactly go out of our way to give them opurttunities.

There were several times last night that Alex had decent position down low and we passed him up. When we pass them up so many times, eventually they stop fighting for position. Just an observation.

YES, someone has to get these guys involved, especially Poy.

 

[DwayneMeighan]

There's no one to feed it to. Skal constantly gets stripped, Lee can't make a shot unless it's a lob dunk, and Poythress is so on and off you never know what you're getting. It's gotten to the point where feeding the post is basically a change of possession. With Willis potentially playing much better, it's a shame he doesn't have the skill or strength at 6'9" to play in the post because that is exactly what this team needs.

 

[USNNFOCAT]

I know Poy, Marcus, and Skal have been very underwhelming this year as a whole, but could it be the case that we aren't feeding the post enough? None of our bigs have shown the ability to score on anyone down low, but we don't exactly go out of our way to give them opurttunities.

There were several times last night that Alex had decent position down low and we passed him up. When we pass them up so many times, eventually they stop fighting for position. Just an observation.

Skal will lose the ball unless it is a lob dunk, pretty much the same with Lee and who knows with Alex...it all depends how he feels that day. And, other than AL, he ain't be feelin it lately.

 

[sluggercatfan]

I know Poy, Marcus, and Skal have been very underwhelming this year as a whole, but could it be the case that we aren't feeding the post enough? None of our bigs have shown the ability to score on anyone down low, but we don't exactly go out of our way to give them opurttunities.

There were several times last night that Alex had decent position down low and we passed him up. When we pass them up so many times, eventually they stop fighting for position. Just an observation.

I know Poy, Marcus, and Skal have been very underwhelming this year as a whole, but could it be the case that we aren't feeding the post enough? None of our bigs have shown the ability to score on anyone down low, but we don't exactly go out of our way to give them opurttunities.

There were several times last night that Alex had decent position down low and we passed him up. When we pass them up so many times, eventually they stop fighting for position. Just an observation.

Jamal Murray is not feeding the post... If the ball goes in his hands it's like going into a black hole it's going one place in one place only and that's towards the rim

 

[Graves51]

Jamal Murray is not feeding the post... If the ball goes in his hands it's like going into a black hole it's going one place in one place only and that's towards the rim

yes, Jamal never saw a shot he didn't like.

 

[Old_Red]

I know Poy, Marcus, and Skal have been very underwhelming this year as a whole, but could it be the case that we aren't feeding the post enough? None of our bigs have shown the ability to score on anyone down low, but we don't exactly go out of our way to give them opurttunities.

There were several times last night that Alex had decent position down low and we passed him up. When we pass them up so many times, eventually they stop fighting for position. Just an observation.

I don't think there were that many times to feed the post. A lot of times, we were "posting up" well outside the lane. We weren't working hard enough to get the required position down low. From what I've seen so far, you feed the post outside the lane and our guys get stripped of the ball or turn it over.

 

[Bddandy]

Many times there open down low. The guards (Murray) won't pass the ball.havnt seen one time all year to feed the post and kick it back out. Coach should recognize this also

 

[irishcat1965]

yes, Jamal never saw a shot he didn't like.

And if he wasn't on the team UK would have a losing record.

 

[irishcat1965]

Many times there open down low. The guards (Murray) won't pass the ball.havnt seen one time all year to feed the post and kick it back out. Coach should recognize this also

There is no one to fed it too. The bigs aren't capable of scoring. That is obvious after 17 games.

 

[ManitouDan]

was always my belief that if the guy cant score it , why throw it in there ? Unless the opposing coach is dumb enough to double a non scorer . Why should we throw it in there ? I love Marcus but he couldn't post up the girls team . Same for Poy and Skal . I'm not going to " feed the post" unless the post can score .

 

[mdlUK.1]

Jamal Murray is not feeding the post... If the ball goes in his hands it's like going into a black hole it's going one place in one place only and that's towards the rim

First off, you're wrong. Murray does pass. Does he SOMETIMES dribble too much? Sure but Who the f$$k do you want him to pass to? Skal and lee can only score on lob dunks. Poy is maddeningly inconsistent. So just who is he passing to?

I'd rather Murray take a bad shot rather than watch our bigs get stripped or miss a layup.

 

[mdlUK.1]

There is no one to fed it too. The bigs aren't capable of scoring. That is obvious after 17 games.

It's not obvious to some of these "fans".

 

[brianpoe]

Everyone in this thread is pretty much correct.

Alex, especially early on, had good position and didn't receive the ball.

That said, what was he going to do? Spin move to get all the way under the basket again and go up soft?

The experiment to make him a 3 probably took away time that could have been used to develop some post moves.

Of course, having the fight inside you to want the ball and be strong with it (ala Randle) has to be there.

 

[chevyman 50]

Poy has proved in some games he can score down low, i agree the guards does not look for him, Murray is a great shooter but sometimes he need to pass the ball, when Auburn came back in the second half most of the time it was from a Murray misses..

 

[brianpoe]

Poy has proved in some games he can score down low, i agree the guards does not look for him, Murray is a great shooter but sometimes he need to pass the ball, when Auburn came back in the second half most of the time it was from a Murray misses..

Yes he has. Against smaller front lines whose defenses are willing to spread the floor.
We won't get that too many times.

 

[Oboro3]

Our bigs don't post up strong. They play little and weak. Our best low post presence is briscoe who drives the ball with authority unfortunately. Our smallest player on the team out rebounded most of our bigs which is pretty pathetic. Willis, who is less athletic than Poy, showed the determination to rebound. Can't wait until Poy leaves after this year. He has squandered his talents.

 

[gamalielkid]

And if he wasn't on the team UK would have a losing record.

Maybe, maybe not. Jamal is a talent - but he either doesn't have the confidence to give the ball to the the guys in the low post or he thinks he is the man. I think it is some of both. Either way, he may be fun to watch, but he reminds me a lot of Pistol Pete. Pete's team NEVER won a big game. Pistol got his 45 points or whatever, was fun to watch and marvel at - but the fact is we beat them like a drum every time we played him.

We have real issues with this team, Briscoe can't hit layups or free throws - but the kid hustles his butt off. Skai is NEVER going to be a good player - he is 7 feet tall with a nice touch - I can't understand why Cal is not trying to get the big Aussie and now the lumberjack in the game. Skal is useless - part of his problem is Jamal - because Jamal knows this and will not give him the ball! I know of at least two times yesterday Skal was open for what should have been dunks and Jamal refused to pass the ball to him. Derek is hustling, but thinking too much. Look at our shot chart yesterday - this team missed more shots within 3 feet than they made - lack to concentration or trying to make the impossible plays. When they go in we "marvel" at the shot, but think how many waisted opportunities we had/have.

Jamal has issues with trust of anyone else. How many times would Cal let any other player drive in wildly and throw up ridiciouslous shots like he does? This is how bad this team is. The great outside juco shooter is shooting what - 20% or so? The only person I feel comfortable with shooting is Tyler - he deserves a better team. I hope he stays another year - because next year - even though we will be young as usual - he will have some warriors that he could take to a National Championship.

I have come to the realization that this team is going to do nothing this year by Kentucky standards. I hope we can win 25 games - a feat most teams would go crazy over - but not UK's fans. We have been spoiled the last several years and have been treated to some quality talent. But like another guy has said, what is disappointing is getting to so many final fours and then not winning it. I know it's early - and I am a very optimistic guy - but I can't see this team winning any thing meaningful this year with the players that are presently playing. Don't get me wrong, I will be supporting the team and pulling for them every game - they just don't have "it". I really dread the Kansas game, right now a 30 point beating is probably a reality.

But............

Go Big Blue!

 

[Comebakatz3]

Unfortunately, I think that Cal has fell in love with the tall, skinny, athletic post player. He loves this because if they are the right type then we can switch at every position. That was the case with both Davis and WCS. If they were beat off the dribble they had the ability to catch up and then get a block. That is the case with Lee and a bit less extent with Skal. So guys like Humphries, Tai, and Wiltjer are less valuable because they are more traditional big men that are heavier footed and cannot switch in a man to man defense and are a defensive liability. However, the problem is that the tall skinny guys, except Davis, have struggled to develop a good low post game. None of them, except Davis, were able to get the ball in the post and score with any consistency. The bigger and thicker guys probably have a more developed offensive game, but they don't get the chance to show that as much because they are a defensive liability.

It is merely my lowly opinion, but I think that Cal needs to go away from the tall skinny defensive leaning philosophy and start to use these bigger players. If he doesn't use them then I don't see why he really even recruits them. If Wiltjer doesn't fit in the system then why bring him in? Still, I think the idea needs to change. It is okay to have a big tall skinny guy playing the 4, but I think we need to have that more traditional 5 that can score and we need to be able to play them and hide them on defense at times if we have to. The man to man is a solid defense, but we have to have some sort of presence down low, so we might have to give up a bit of defense to open up the offense more.

 

[Graves51]

And if he wasn't on the team UK would have a losing record.

Thats your opinion, we might have a better record.

 

[mdlUK.1]

Maybe, maybe not. Jamal is a talent - but he either doesn't have the confidence to give the ball to the the guys in the low post or he thinks he is the man. I think it is some of both. Either way, he may be fun to watch, but he reminds me a lot of Pistol Pete. Pete's team NEVER won a big game. Pistol got his 45 points or whatever, was fun to watch and marvel at - but the fact is we beat them like a drum every time we played him.

We have real issues with this team, Briscoe can't hit layups or free throws - but the kid hustles his butt off. Skai is NEVER going to be a good player - he is 7 feet tall with a nice touch - I can't understand why Cal is not trying to get the big Aussie and now the lumberjack in the game. Skal is useless - part of his problem is Jamal - because Jamal knows this and will not give him the ball! I know of at least two times yesterday Skal was open for what should have been dunks and Jamal refused to pass the ball to him. Derek is hustling, but thinking too much. Look at our shot chart yesterday - this team missed more shots within 3 feet than they made - lack to concentration or trying to make the impossible plays. When they go in we "marvel" at the shot, but think how many waisted opportunities we had/have.

Jamal has issues with trust of anyone else. How many times would Cal let any other player drive in wildly and throw up ridiciouslous shots like he does? This is how bad this team is. The great outside juco shooter is shooting what - 20% or so? The only person I feel comfortable with shooting is Tyler - he deserves a better team. I hope he stays another year - because next year - even though we will be young as usual - he will have some warriors that he could take to a National Championship.

I have come to the realization that this team is going to do nothing this year by Kentucky standards. I hope we can win 25 games - a feat most teams would go crazy over - but not UK's fans. We have been spoiled the last several years and have been treated to some quality talent. But like another guy has said, what is disappointing is getting to so many final fours and then not winning it. I know it's early - and I am a very optimistic guy - but I can't see this team winning any thing meaningful this year with the players that are presently playing. Don't get me wrong, I will be supporting the team and pulling for them every game - they just don't have "it". I really dread the Kansas game, right now a 30 point beating is probably a reality.

But............

Go Big Blue!

There is no maybe. Without Murray, we are sub 500. Not sure what games you are watching but if you can't see that a pass into Lee or Skal, unless it is a lob dunk, is a missed layup or a turnover, there's nothing I can do for ya. Better a bad shot from Murray that has a chance to go on!

And Briscoe can't make a layup? LOL....he is our best player at taking it to the basket! I'll give ya the freethrows but missed layups?

 

[Mike-D]

And if he wasn't on the team UK would have a losing record.

Pretty much.

Thats your opinion, we might have a better record.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But if you're of that opinion, it's a pretty stupid one.

 

[qwesley]

Unfortunately, I think that Cal has fell in love with the tall, skinny, athletic post player.

A lot of truth in this. And they are the kind of athletes the NBA covets.

I do think Cal needs to make a concerted effort to feed the post early to get these guys engaged. Kind of like running the football, even it is doesn't necessarily work it does set a tone. Post Lee and Poy like we did with Randle, 12-15 ft out and use their first step.

 

[aikenite4uk]

There is no maybe. Without Murray, we are sub 500. Not sure what games you are watching but if you can't see that a pass into Lee or Skal, unless it is a lob dunk, is a missed layup or a turnover, there's nothing I can do for ya. Better a bad shot from Murray that has a chance to go on!

And Briscoe can't make a layup? LOL....he is our best player at taking it to the basket! I'll give ya the freethrows but missed layups?

Absolutely correct...without Murray we're in big trouble. Might not even make the NIT. He made a great pass to Poythress in the paint yesterday for a layup. We do need to feed the post more...I'd like to see Skal and Willis get more chances on hi lo post action, but that's on Cal not the guards IMO. He's the one in love with the dribble drive.

 

[irishcat1965]

Thats your opinion, we might have a better record.

I assume this is sarcasm.

 

[3rex]

I think where our bigs have the best chances of scoring is by crashing the boards when the guards penetrate.

They don't seem to have the necessary post moves, and unfortunately do not have top tier talent.

Murray is apparently a gunner by nature, and that's ok, at least he is aggressive. Ulis, especially at crunch time, realizes he has to make something happen & score & is trying to do a little too much. That said, he's my favorite player on this team. Unfortunately the coaching staff just sorta left him out to dry when it comes to surrounding him with talent this season.

 

[UK_fan_41102]

I assume this is sarcasm.

I would hope so for their sake.

 

[catfan144]

Trying to feed the post with poy, skal, and Lee down there would be as about as useful as pulling up and attempting half court shots on every possession.

 

[irishcat1965]

I think where our bigs have the best chances of scoring is by crashing the boards when the guards penetrate.

They don't seem to have the necessary post moves, and unfortunately do not have top tier talent.

Murray is apparently a gunner by nature, and that's ok, at least he is aggressive. Ulis, especially at crunch time, realizes he has to make something happen & score & is trying to do a little too much. That said, he's my favorite player on this team. Unfortunately the coaching staff just sorts left him out to dry when it comes to surrounding him with talent this season.

The coaching staff and everyone else in America thought Skal was going to have a tremendous year. He hasn't and so the team has suffered. I can't help but wonder if Cal had Diamond Stone instead of Skal how much better the offense would be. But UK doesn't so it is what it is.

 

[Ky_Bred_Cat]

This has already been discussed. There is no one to throw it to. This team has no one inside that can create and get their own. There's no Kenny Walker or Jamal Mashburn in there. As someone astutely said, with this group of bigs, it's basically a turnover when fed inside.

 

[kyboy1998]

Alex has a lot of 3-5 type lines. That would suggest he doesn't get many shots up. He needs more touches and less blame from the fans. Hard to put up the scoring efforts you all want without shot attempts.

I like Murray quite a bit but a lot of potential success revolves around changes that can be made in his game. Right now he's like Jodie Meeks, minus all the made shots.

 

[Graves51]

Pretty much.


Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But if you're of that opinion, it's a pretty stupid one.

and I think yours is stupid, so there

 

[DwayneMeighan]

Unfortunately, I think that Cal has fell in love with the tall, skinny, athletic post player. He loves this because if they are the right type then we can switch at every position. That was the case with both Davis and WCS. If they were beat off the dribble they had the ability to catch up and then get a block. That is the case with Lee and a bit less extent with Skal. So guys like Humphries, Tai, and Wiltjer are less valuable because they are more traditional big men that are heavier footed and cannot switch in a man to man defense and are a defensive liability. However, the problem is that the tall skinny guys, except Davis, have struggled to develop a good low post game. None of them, except Davis, were able to get the ball in the post and score with any consistency. The bigger and thicker guys probably have a more developed offensive game, but they don't get the chance to show that as much because they are a defensive liability.

It is merely my lowly opinion, but I think that Cal needs to go away from the tall skinny defensive leaning philosophy and start to use these bigger players. If he doesn't use them then I don't see why he really even recruits them. If Wiltjer doesn't fit in the system then why bring him in? Still, I think the idea needs to change. It is okay to have a big tall skinny guy playing the 4, but I think we need to have that more traditional 5 that can score and we need to be able to play them and hide them on defense at times if we have to. The man to man is a solid defense, but we have to have some sort of presence down low, so we might have to give up a bit of defense to open up the offense more.

Umm... Karl Anthony Towns, #1 draft pick ring a bell? Cal rode him with his back to the basket game fom several wins last year. Or how bout the fact that he's recruiting Bolden hard for that very same reason next year.

Unfortunately, you are way off in your assessment. Humphries and Wynyard not playing has nothing to do with them being bulky big guys, and everything to do with how good/bad they are.

 

[mdlUK.1]

Alex has a lot of 3-5 type lines. That would suggest he doesn't get many shots up. He needs more touches and less blame from the fans. Hard to put up the scoring efforts you all want without shot attempts.

I like Murray quite a bit but a lot of potential success revolves around changes that can be made in his game. Right now he's like Jodie Meeks, minus all the made shots.

Meeks without all the made shots? Lets see, Meeks shot 42% overall and 36%as a freshman. Murray is shooting 42% overall and 39% from 3. Not surprising that you are wrong.

 

[truebluewildcat]

There is no post to feed...

simply don't have a true big body low post presence that can put up 12 pts and grab 8-10 boards a night...

Our offense is Ulis and Murray...

AP, Skal, and Lee are not true back to the basket post players...

Alex is 6'9...and maybe once in a while if he gets a favorable match up and is feeling motivated, he can do some work down low...but most true post player are going to be bigger than he is, and the days which he feels like going off are few and far between...

Lee is a lean athlete with some springs...but other than skying for a put back dunk or getting easy tap ins over inferior opponents...he really isn't a back to the basket player with an arsenal of post moves...and like AP, he isn't consistent...he can blow up and have a 12-8 night...or he can have a 5 minutes and 5 fouls type of night...

Skal...is a bad combination of too thin and too nice...he is a finesse player...may need to switch to a stretch 3/4 face the basket player...maybe if he can develop a jump shot, improve his 3 pt shooting, and become a versatile perimeter Defender he can become something...but right now he is on his way to not having the career he has been led to believe he will have...

 

[kyboy1998]

Meeks without all the made shots? Lets see, Meeks shot 42% overall and 36%as a freshman. Murray is shooting 42% overall and 39% from 3. Not surprising that you are wrong.

I think you could have assumed I wasn't comparing freshman seasons dipshit.

 

[mdlUK.1]

I think you could have assumed I wasn't comparing freshman seasons dipshit.

Then what's the point of comparing them, dumbass? I apologize to all dumbasses for comparing them to you.

 

[kyboy1998]

Then what's the point of comparing them, dumbass? I apologize to all dumbasses for comparing them to you.

Because Murray won't be here as a Junior and Meeks was the focal point, like Murray, one season while he was here. I think which two seasons and scenarios for the comparison went without saying.

Then again, like at work, you have to make presentation to the lowest common denominator.

 

[mdlUK.1]

Because Murray won't be here as a Junior and Meeks was the focal point, like Murray, one season while he was here. I think which two seasons and scenarios for the comparison went without saying.

Then again, like at work, you have to make presentation to the lowest common denominator.

That makes zero sense. The only way to compare the two is by their stats at the same time period. Both as freshman had almost identical stats with Murray being slightly better. You're the one saying Murray was Meeks without the buckets.

 

[willievic]

Skal is just a spectator when we have the ball. He never puts his man on his hip and calls for the ball.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!