Not sure how bad ill get slammed, but i gotta ask

[whhs22]

We had 2 guys standing almost 7ft tall and both over 225 pnds sitting on the bench. Not to mention both ended the game with 5 fouls to give each.

Are both that bad that a 6ft guard gets in before them, while we are in desperate need of rebounds?

Ive said it before and got slammed on here. But i do not see Hump or Wynn being the type of players that Cal is comfortable using in his system. I kept hearing we were running out of players, but i was confused because we had 2 bigs i thought we could use even if in desperation.

I think Cal got desperate when he missed out on some recruits. He then took 2 guys he had not even seen play in person.

If we cant even use them this year when we are running out of bigs , how will either of them even see the floor next year? And if cal recruits like he normally does. Playing time their JR and SN year looks thin. Cal gets bigs that play above the rim and run like deers. Neither of these guys fit that mold.

And before i hear Jorts name. He was only thrown in because EK could not play. And to Jorts credit he played his role perfect. Changing his game to fit the O.

Gotta admit it was a little discouraging that we could not go to either guy while running out of players.

 

[ThroughBlue]

Gotta get their asses on the treadmill

 

[AGEE11]

I think a lot of people wonder the same thing.

My take is this. I trust Cal and think he is a top notch coach. There is obviously something he sees (or doesn't see) from them in practice that causes him not to play them both.

Also, they are both rather slow and Kansas is a pretty athletic team.

You probably will get slammed, just the nature of the beast. But it is a legitimate question.

 

[deplion]

I'm sure Cal considered Isaac. Barring an unforseen injury, I don't think Tai plays this year.

My guess is Cal thought Isaac wouldn't be capable of rebounding / defending any better than the guys he had on the court - even though they were undersized. I'm going to trust his judgment on that.

 

[Nuke99m]

I think at this point everyone should assume that Tai Hikuroa Wynyard is going to redshirt.

 

[The_Answer1313]

I'm thinking he's saving Tai till next year.

 

[mdlUK.1]

It's fair to ask but it would be better to call Cal's show and ask him. He knows more than anyone here.

 

[Wildcat-in-STL]

wynyard is too far behind right now. Cals not going to hold the team back just so Tai can play


Humphries needs to get on the treadmill and get in better shape. Now just doesn't move fast enough.

 

[kats23]

I just don't think those two guys are going to help the team this year, nor I don't think that was the plan. These are multi year guys, at least in Humphries' case and no one knows about Wynard bc no one has seen him.

 

[wldktz8]

We had 2 guys standing almost 7ft tall and both over 225 pnds sitting on the bench. Not to mention both ended the game with 5 fouls to give each.

Are both that bad that a 6ft guard gets in before them, while we are in desperate need of rebounds?

Ive said it before and got slammed on here. But i do not see Hump or Wynn being the type of players that Cal is comfortable using in his system. I kept hearing we were running out of players, but i was confused because we had 2 bigs i thought we could use even if in desperation.

I think Cal got desperate when he missed out on some recruits. He then took 2 guys he had not even seen play in person.

If we cant even use them this year when we are running out of bigs , how will either of them even see the floor next year? And if cal recruits like he normally does. Playing time their JR and SN year looks thin. Cal gets bigs that play above the rim and run like deers. Neither of these guys fit that mold.

And before i hear Jorts name. He was only thrown in because EK could not play. And to Jorts credit he played his role perfect. Changing his game to fit the O.

Gotta admit it was a little discouraging that we could not go to either guy while running out of players.

UL has 35 feet of suck. Usually they have 28 feet of suck sitting on the bench. Certainly didn't help them Saturday.

 

[UKBrassowTipIN]

Isaac can't keep up...pretty easy to understand

 

[JohnBlue_]

Seriously? I guess you were thinking they would be nba all stars by this time next year too.

Every single recruit isn't all world as a freshman, it make take two or three years before they produce.

 

[StubbornPenny]

I agree we can all put Wynyard to bed for this year. Makes it even weirder that he was ACTUALLY AT THE SCORERS TABLE READY TO COME IN like a month ago. Wtf?

Neither Wynyard or Humphries could have kept up with the pace of this game. They'd have collapsed out of breath.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

run like deers

 

[USNNFOCAT]

I think a lot of people wonder the same thing.

My take is this. I trust Cal and think he is a top notch coach. There is obviously something he sees (or doesn't see) from them in practice that causes him not to play them both.

Also, they are both rather slow and Kansas is a pretty athletic team.

You probably will get slammed, just the nature of the beast. But it is a legitimate question.

It is a legitimate question. I trust Cal but it would've been interesting to see what one, or both, could've contributed. As it is, I'll go with Cal's decision.

 

[Bungalow Bill]

In a game with that high of intensity either of them would have looked like they were standing in cement. They're just not in good enough shape or strong enough to be able to help yet IMO.

 

[docholiday51]

Wynyard wasn't a real option for that game,it would have been a huge mistake for Cal to stick him into that situation,Humphries on the other hand is slow, but just put him down close to the rim and wait for a KU player to get there.He takes up space and is more likely to grab a rebound than Dom Hawkins

 

[Comebakatz3]

More confusing to me is bringing in Hawkins, and having him play 15 minutes, rather than bringing Matthews and especially Mulder in to play.

In terms of the bigs... I just don't see how they can really ever contribute. Calipari loves to play man and he loves to play a 5 man switching defense. I don't remember completely, but I feel as though Cal used to have his guys hedge more on screens than he does now. That was how Cousins was used. Then he began to use the switching defense for all 5 positions, and it worked very well for us, with Davis. Last year we mostly switched, but we had the shot blockers (and a No. 1 draft pick) to use this defense. This year I think we might be better off hedging. Then someone like Hump could be more effective on defense and would be able to bring down some rebounds. Anyway, just my humble opinion.

 

[Mike-D]

The last game Humphries played, he got pushed around like a rag doll going for rebounds. Kid needs to hit the weight room badly. He will be a 3-4 year player.. As for Tai.. If Cal thought he could help, he would be playing. That, or Cal is saving him as a super top secret weapon just waiting to be unleashed for the tournament. The possibilities are endless.

 

[docholiday51]

The last game Humphries played, he got pushed around like a rag doll going for rebounds. Kid needs to hit the weight room badly. He will be a 3-4 year player.. As for Tai.. If Cal thought he could help, he would be playing. That, or Cal is saving him as a super top secret weapon just waiting to be unleashed for the tournament. The possibilities are endless.

I think with Wynyard there are 2 possibilities (1) He is good enough that Cal doesn't want to burn a year of eligibility for 1/3 of a seasons play or (2) He doesn't have the talent/skill to play here.

As someone else said why not Matthews or Mulder? Why was Wynyard at the scorers table earlier this year and who was on the grassy knoll in 63 while we are at it?

 

[WeWant9]

I never expected to see Tai play this year, but Humphries is an interesting situation. He played decently when given the time against Duke, but since then he's been a ghost. At the same time, we do not see what goes on in practice. He's still just 17, and I'm sure he's taken a huge step up in competition. With the way our bigs foul it would've been nice to have another big body, but I guess Cal doesn't think he is ready for the competition.

 

[whhs22]

comebackatz that's were I'm a little confused. no way Hump would be able to play in Cals def style. Cal is more of a def coach then offensive I think we can all agree. and cal is a man to man switch everything guy. you gotta have athletic bigs to play that. Hump and Wynn are traditional bigs, not like WCS or even Lee.

and to those saying Hump would of been worn out. a min and a half is what was left when we went to a 5"9, 6"0, 6"2, 6"3, 6"8 line up to try to close this game out. if Hump can't get in for 1.5 mins and if anything just be a presence in the game over a 6ft guard with a bad wheel, then I can only be honest and say I do not see him as nothing more then a practice guy.

Hump got in against UCLA I think and held his own. lee was out and of course Skal was a no show, so Cal put the kid in and he grabbed some rebounds and blocked a shot. so I'm guessing the kid has hit the wall and Cal has zero confidence in the kid.

 

[Mike-D]

Wish we had put Mulder in during that overtime. Briscoe needs to be on he bench at the end of close games. Jamal Murray sat half the OT as well. I'm still confused about that.

 

[westerncat]

I think it is a very interesting question OP. If Hump is not in shape now what has he been doing? I was wondering the same thing at the end of the game why we did not have someone like Hump in there . That is why Cal is the coach I guess.

 

[lcp3557CATS]

Humphries compared to Johnson?
Was Johnson that much more athletic than Humphries? I don't see it. I also do not understand how he isn't getting minutes in a game where we needed a big man after ours were on the bench with 5 fouls. Not that he is extremely talented but compared to Johnson I would give the edge to Hump with his shooting touch. Something other than his lack of talent is keeping him off the court.

 

[Cawood86]

Gotta remember Tai and Humphries are both young. Humphries I believe is 17. Tai only been here about a month. I'm sure had the game into another OT that Humphries would have played.
But it is a valid question. Definitely think Tai is redshirting although nothing has been made public, because if an injury occurs he may have to play.

 

[yoshukai]

I just don't think those two guys are going to help the team this year, nor I don't think that was the plan. These are multi year guys, at least in Humphries' case and no one knows about Wynard bc no one has seen him.

Those two won't see any meaningful minutes until their Jr. & sr years , if then .

 

[tHeFeVeR_23]

My take on your posed question is just that once you get that deep into the game and in critical situations you are probably best turning to players that have actually been inserted into the game at some prior point. Hawkins had been, that's why he was put in in that situation. Had we been in serious foul trouble right before the half, I think you would have seen Humphries.

 

[yoshukai]

Wish we had put Mulder in during that overtime. Briscoe needs to be on he bench at the end of close games. Jamal Murray sat half the OT as well. I'm still confused about that.

Mulder should have gotten Hawkins minutes , and Brisco should NOT be the the one taking it to the rack at crunch time , it's practically the same as a turnover . Pretty much has to be Tyler or Murray with the ball at crunch time .

 

[docholiday51]

We had 2 guys standing almost 7ft tall and both over 225 pnds sitting on the bench. Not to mention both ended the game with 5 fouls to give each.

Are both that bad that a 6ft guard gets in before them, while we are in desperate need of rebounds?

Ive said it before and got slammed on here. But i do not see Hump or Wynn being the type of players that Cal is comfortable using in his system. I kept hearing we were running out of players, but i was confused because we had 2 bigs i thought we could use even if in desperation.

I think Cal got desperate when he missed out on some recruits. He then took 2 guys he had not even seen play in person.

If we cant even use them this year when we are running out of bigs , how will either of them even see the floor next year? And if cal recruits like he normally does. Playing time their JR and SN year looks thin. Cal gets bigs that play above the rim and run like deers. Neither of these guys fit that mold.

And before i hear Jorts name. He was only thrown in because EK could not play. And to Jorts credit he played his role perfect. Changing his game to fit the O.

Gotta admit it was a little discouraging that we could not go to either guy while running out of players.

I think your 4th line here is a point overlooked by many,We didn't know if Skal would be cleared until late in the process,Murray was a late addition(if he doesn't come where would we be) Cal pulled this class out of thin air and has done maybe his best coaching job(to this point) since he has been here.

How the season plays out is still way up in the air and just about hinges on each game we play(there is not much room for error with this bunch.)

 

[MakinMusic]

Our guards are great rebounders. Being taller doesn't mean the have a great "nose" for the ball. That said, it's a legit question. The only conclusion would be they aren't showing him anything in practice that gives him the confidence to play them in big game situations.

 

[IL Wildcat]

You'll get no slam from me, first of all. It's a legitimate question, so why should you hesitate to ask it?

None of us knows, obviously, but I could give you my personal guess.

1. It seems clear that Calipari has decided he's got to focus on who can help this year. He's obviously decided on Poy, Lee, Willis, and Skal for the 4 bigs.
2. The atmosphere of the Kansas game was not for the faint of heart, and also not for those with little or no experience at this level. He figured Hawkins has played in the Big Dance, so he's prepared for the atmosphere more than Humphries or Wynyard.
3. The personnel of Kansas made those 2 guys liabilities on defense. Even when they're in shape, and I'm sure Isaac is in shape, they would be a step slow in a game where every point mattered.

Those are my guesses. If I were arguing the other side, I'd say... 1. the 4 bigs in the rotation all fouled out. What more reason do you need? 2. Refs were calling fouls on every possession anyway. If they can't stay in front, just foul. 3. Guards being asked to man up against guys a head taller is ridiculous and hard to ask.

Clearly, this is a question only Calipari can answer, but we can speculate all day. I would personally love to see Wynyard just because we haven't even seen him in a game. But at this point, I'm thinking he must be pretty bad right now for Cal not to at least put him in against Missouri when we were winning by 30+ the entire 2nd half. I'm thinking a red shirt seems likely.

 

[JonathanW]

Given that he hadn't played in a month & rust was expected, AND that he's never been an offensive threat, I can't say I was enthusiastic about seeing Hawkins on the floor.
But, neither of those bigs had seen the court all game, one hadn't seen the court since he arrived in Dec, the other hadn't played meaningful minutes since Dec. That would have been a lot of pressure for them. But I assume they didn't go in because Cal didn't think they could guard the KU big-men which would have meant easy baskets for KU. Not that Hawkins could guard a KU big-man, but he (supposedly) could guard their guards and Murray could try to guard a KU forward.

I think Cal will play them next year. Cousins and Towns weren't "above the rim" "run like deer" big men. Neither was Harrellson, but he didn't really have much choice but to play him. Point is, I think Cal adjusts his style to fit his talent, as long as the players can defend. That last part is important.

 

[EvilMD]

Humphries saved our butts against Duke. I'm not sure why he left the rotation in the first place. Once he was out, though, he was out. Pitino plays Matz Stockman, for crying out loud.

 

[kybassfan]

I think this is one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't situations for a coach. Put a guy on the ball or not. Put a guy that's extremely inexperienced on the court in a critical situation or not. I'm just happy as hell, I didn't have to make that choice.

 

[trinity45]

I think it is a very interesting question OP. If Hump is not in shape now what has he been doing? I was wondering the same thing at the end of the game why we did not have someone like Hump in there . That is why Cal is the coach I guess.

I don't buy the out of shape thing, they all should be in shape or the Cat's are not doing something right in practice. I am not saying the guy needs mega minutes but there were times he could have played a minute or two here or there to spell some one or just to give up an extra foul, we may have been able to kept Willis or Less on the floor at the end????

 

[docholiday51]

I don't buy the out of shape thing, they all should be in shape or the Cat's are not doing something right in practice. I am not saying the guy needs mega minutes but there were times he could have played a minute or two here or there to spell some one or just to give up an extra foul, we may have been able to kept Willis or Less on the floor at the end????

This is really the point,"out of shape" is just the nice way of saying he can't help us,Cal has to do that to protect his players(even the ones on the far end of the bench.

 

[YaySports]

run like deers

You know, on their feets...

 

[Cali-Hawk]

We had 2 guys standing almost 7ft tall and both over 225 pnds sitting on the bench. Not to mention both ended the game with 5 fouls to give each.

Are both that bad that a 6ft guard gets in before them, while we are in desperate need of rebounds?

Ive said it before and got slammed on here. But i do not see Hump or Wynn being the type of players that Cal is comfortable using in his system. I kept hearing we were running out of players, but i was confused because we had 2 bigs i thought we could use even if in desperation.

I think Cal got desperate when he missed out on some recruits. He then took 2 guys he had not even seen play in person.

If we cant even use them this year when we are running out of bigs , how will either of them even see the floor next year? And if cal recruits like he normally does. Playing time their JR and SN year looks thin. Cal gets bigs that play above the rim and run like deers. Neither of these guys fit that mold.

And before i hear Jorts name. He was only thrown in because EK could not play. And to Jorts credit he played his role perfect. Changing his game to fit the O.

Gotta admit it was a little discouraging that we could not go to either guy while running out of players.

KU fans have had much of the same frustration with Self's usage of Traylor and Lucas over Mickelson, Bragg & Diallo. Both Bragg and Diallo flashed more offensive skill on Saturday than you'll ever see from Lucas and Traylor, but for some reason they sit. I'm sure they also make more mistakes, but the rim protection would have to improve. We're not coaches, but coaches aren't infallible.

 

[OHIO COLONEL]

Wynyard wasn't a real option for that game,it would have been a huge mistake for Cal to stick him into that situation,Humphries on the other hand is slow, but just put him down close to the rim and wait for a KU player to get there.He takes up space and is more likely to grab a rebound than Dom Hawkins

Agree 100%. Some of the posts talk about the 'intensity' of the game in regards to Humphries being in. Which is even more true if he would have gotten thrown in at the last couple minutes or OT. But why not play him a minute or two in the first half or early, mid second half for what you mentioned for a rebound or two, plus maybe eat up a foul or two that the other bigs got which perhaps would have let them remain in the game at the end.