Simmons is consensus 15-18 ranked in a deep class, and after a subpar summer, in the new rankings, and the consensus here is that you don't want him?
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Fox, Monk, and Alkins should be the primary backcourt targets. From the sound of things Simmons would be willing to wait.
If you are talking to me, here is my answer:
If Ulis leaves this year we will need a great PG.
Fox > Simmons as far as point guard play. Both are great players.
If Fox commits and Monk wants some time at PG then having Simmons as well could cause an issue there.
I would gladly take Simmons but not over Fox and Monk.
Ullis will be back next season. Unless I missed something? He's not in any mock draft. Briscoe is late teens in the current mock drafts, but I'm not sold he's one and done. I wasn't convinced Booker was either, so what do I know?
We never know. If Ulis doesn't think his stock will go any higher due solely to his height he could go ahead and go. It's crazy around here in April.
I agree that Fox, based on rankings, is greater than Simmons. Do you risk losing Simmons, waiting on Fox? I think Calipari has the luxury to do so based on my above post.
True. He has the skills. What he lacks is NBA athleticism and height for position. He's what 5'8?
True. He has the skills. What he lacks is NBA athleticism and height for position. He's what 5'8?
It is not just rankings, Fox at this time is a better PG. Someone here will hopefully back me up but I was big on the kid long ago.
Tyler is closer to 5'8 than 5'10 that is for sure. Thus he may very well be a 2nd round pick whenever he comes out.
Why stay another year and risk getting hurt, showing more flaws, or missing out on money?
That said, I certainly hope he stays.
I don't see Ulis leaving unless we win the title this year (which is possible). I'm also not sold on Briscoe being a OAD.
I agree if I had a vote it would be Fox over Simmons. I am glad I do not have to make that decision. Cal knows what he is doing,
I'd try to make him wait. I want to see how the season plays out first, seems everyone is skipping ahead the fact we have 3 starting PG's in our line up now. I think Briscoe goes, but definitely wouldn't be shocked if he doesn't. That's why I would go all in on Fox, he has the best game to translate as a combo guard. He plays excellent defense but could thrive without the ball IMO. Simmons might have the slashing ability for a two but I'm not sure he's a good enough shooter. Great class of talent no need to rush in on Guards. Make Bridges a priority for early signing and maybe a SG but play the waiting game for a PG.
Agreed on not rushing in on guards. The only guard that will leave after this season for sure is Murray. We could have Ulis, Briscoe, Mulder, Matthews and Hawkins all coming back next year.
Fox replaces Ulis.
Monk replaces Murray.
Simmons replaces Briscoe.
If the 3 guard lineup works this season, this might be what we see next season. I'd prefer Bridges or Alkins as the third perimeter guy over Simmons, though. If Bridges is willing to play the 4, then sign all four and go small.
Monk replaces Murray.
Simmons replaces Briscoe.
If the 3 guard lineup works this season, this might be what we see next season. I'd prefer Bridges or Alkins as the third perimeter guy over Simmons, though. If Bridges is willing to play the 4, then sign all four and go small.
You were def the first person I saw really advocating for Fox. It was from you that I first heard of the kid. He is def my preferred PG.
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Here's what I'm thinking. Feel free to take my brilliant opinion as gospel.
I doubt any of our guards come back. Murray-no brainier. Tyler-his stock will only go so high. Briscoe-extremely confident; I think he has one year on his mind. So that leaves us reloading with new guards.
Now, Fultz just snubbed us, probably because we didn't show him enough attention. He's up to top 10 on most sites. There has to be a reason for that. Cal must be extremely confident about guys ahead of him to let Fultz go like that. Fox and Monk are, in my opinion, the best 2 guards in the class and I think Cak has a REALLY good inkling we may get both. Question is; where does that leave Simmons? The thing about Cal is, as we know, he NEVER promises playing time. If he tells Fox, Monk, and Simmons "you have to work hard and prove you deserve to start and play", I could see all 3 coming. Not saying they will, but it's not out of the realm of possibility. Especially with Simmons' size, he could easily play the 1-3 and even as a backup get 25+ minutes per game.
But the bottom line is, Cal is THE BEST in the game at figuring these things out. Bar none. "In Cal I trust" is a silly platitude, but when it comes to recruiting strategy, I guarantee he knows better than anyone on this site the best way to go about it. So whether we'd prefer he take Simmons now or make him wait for Fox is irrelevant. Cal will see that the 5 stars keep rolling in and we keep going deep into March.
I doubt any of our guards come back. Murray-no brainier. Tyler-his stock will only go so high. Briscoe-extremely confident; I think he has one year on his mind. So that leaves us reloading with new guards.
Now, Fultz just snubbed us, probably because we didn't show him enough attention. He's up to top 10 on most sites. There has to be a reason for that. Cal must be extremely confident about guys ahead of him to let Fultz go like that. Fox and Monk are, in my opinion, the best 2 guards in the class and I think Cak has a REALLY good inkling we may get both. Question is; where does that leave Simmons? The thing about Cal is, as we know, he NEVER promises playing time. If he tells Fox, Monk, and Simmons "you have to work hard and prove you deserve to start and play", I could see all 3 coming. Not saying they will, but it's not out of the realm of possibility. Especially with Simmons' size, he could easily play the 1-3 and even as a backup get 25+ minutes per game.
But the bottom line is, Cal is THE BEST in the game at figuring these things out. Bar none. "In Cal I trust" is a silly platitude, but when it comes to recruiting strategy, I guarantee he knows better than anyone on this site the best way to go about it. So whether we'd prefer he take Simmons now or make him wait for Fox is irrelevant. Cal will see that the 5 stars keep rolling in and we keep going deep into March.
The amazing thing about Cal is he seems to catch a lot of late bloomers. I am kind of surprised he didn't get Fultz because he has improved so much in the last year. I think Fox is similar in that he is now the top rated PG over Smith and Simmons. I don't think there is any question he is the man!
I don't see Ulis leaving even if we win the championship. He won't go unless he is expertly advised that he will make an NBA roster. In my mind, Ulis is a 4 year player. That's what almost everyone believed when he signed with us. People have pointed out before that 5-9 players occasionally stick with NBA rosters. But that is rare. Ulis, while being a very good player, does not seem to have the exceptional skills needed to play 80 games a year against players 8-10 inches taller and just as quick or quicker than him every night out. Have you seen Briscoe play? Briscoe is an underrated player with an NBA body and an NBA jump shot. Probably OAD.
Monk's interest in Kentucky has been obvious. The thinking seems to be that Monk wants to play for Calipari, but he is being careful because of the nastiness of the local press in Arkansas. Monk's big brother Marcus has already made a public case why Arkansans should forgive Monk and understand his decision when he goes out of state. Of all the top uncommitted players in the 2016 class, I have become more confident about Monk than any other.
Whenever I watch Simmons and Fox play, they remind me of clones out there. Their games are very similar, and so is their height and demeanor on the court. Simmons had a bad summer, so what? Simmons will kill it on the alllstar circuit and hopefully rise higher than Fox when its all said and done. If im Cal, I take whoever commits first. It's that close between these two.
And I agree with your agreement with Jerry. Everything I have seen from the 2 and everything I've read says that Simmons may be the superior athlete, but Fox is the better shooter, passer, and has a higher basketball IQ.
Yes, I have seen Briscoe play. I'm not doubting his talent. I'm saying he may not get as many opportunities with all the guards we have to showcase all of his talent. Depends on if he's a projected first rounder or not.
F* king cold, bro. UK is on the top of the world now and we felt the same way when Tark was roaming the sideline. Think about that.
