Are we set? If we are, it's pretty ridiculous.
Roster
- Thread starter Mike-D
- Start date
You mean the kids Cal brought in aren't comparable to Shaden Sharpe or even Nick Smith who we could have gotten if Cal hadn't ALLOWED Sharpe's entourage to dictate his time here AND screw over the UK program???!!!!
I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY!!!!
I know right. Top 3 in most predictions. Can’t wait
The roster is as set as this board is with threads asking this same question and then complaining about it. We have no idea when it will be finished. Just because there is an IG post saying "the whole team is here" doesn't mean someone comes available in a month and UK looks at adding them.
WildcatfaninOhio
All-American
Might add one more (Dillingham reclass? Grandison transfer?), but it’s unlikely. I think the 10 scholarship guys we have are it and 9 will play with 8 playing most of the minutes.
Rotation will probably look something like this (give or take a few minutes here and there):
G Wheeler(30)/Wallace(10)
G Wallace(20)/Fredrick(20)
F Livingston(25)/Reeves(15)
F Toppin(25)/Collins(15)
F Tshiebwe(30)/Ware(10)
Wheeler and Tshiebwe are locks to start.
Wallace will likely start on one wing and backup Wheeler.
Livingston will likely start at the 3.
Fredrick and Reeves back up Wallace and Livingston on the wings.
Toppin and Collins split time at the 4 spot.
Ware plays when Tshiebwe needs a break, just like last season.
Thiero bides his time on the bench and plays spot minutes in blow outs.
Wheeler- 30
Tshiebwe- 30
Wallace- 30
Toppin- 25
Livingston- 25
Fredrick- 20
Reeves- 15
Collins- 15
Ware- 10
Rotation will probably look something like this (give or take a few minutes here and there):
G Wheeler(30)/Wallace(10)
G Wallace(20)/Fredrick(20)
F Livingston(25)/Reeves(15)
F Toppin(25)/Collins(15)
F Tshiebwe(30)/Ware(10)
Wheeler and Tshiebwe are locks to start.
Wallace will likely start on one wing and backup Wheeler.
Livingston will likely start at the 3.
Fredrick and Reeves back up Wallace and Livingston on the wings.
Toppin and Collins split time at the 4 spot.
Ware plays when Tshiebwe needs a break, just like last season.
Thiero bides his time on the bench and plays spot minutes in blow outs.
Wheeler- 30
Tshiebwe- 30
Wallace- 30
Toppin- 25
Livingston- 25
Fredrick- 20
Reeves- 15
Collins- 15
Ware- 10
Like last season?How did that turn out?
Season they were top 5 at the end. Ended on a fluke but the season was good.
I would have loved to have Nick Smith as a great consolation prize for not getting Sharpe. Turns out the result would have been much better. But Smith chose to not go where he would not be "the man" at guard, didn't want to share it.
Surely Cal did not know in advance of his arrival that what did happen would happen. If he did then that would be horrible on his part.
Cal just said that with Oscar back from visiting his mom the whole team is together so it sounds like it.
Are you actually saying something positive about the ridiculous amount of talent that starts with the NPOY, two other starters/occasional starters, two TOP TEN recruits, a returning injured player who was an All-Big Ten freshman team marksman, a talented transfer and an athletic freak ready to take a giant step forward as a sophomore?
If so, surprisingly astute take.
It's all about the children.We can't have competition to take someone's heart away.Winning games comes second.
Common knowledge.
We had 12 guys last year that effectively turned into 11 with Fredrick out for the year. Even with a myriad of small injuries and Fredrick out for the year we had multiple players that left due to not enough playing time.
Really comparing the two rosters we’re talking about Bryce Hopkins and Dontaie Allen. Were we that much better off for having them last year? The combined 300 minutes, 36% FG, 23% 3FG I think we’ll be able to compensate for. Everyone would love one more piece for peace of mind especially with Fredrick’s injury history. But realistically it would be someone to ride the bench and cash NIL checks.
Really comparing the two rosters we’re talking about Bryce Hopkins and Dontaie Allen. Were we that much better off for having them last year? The combined 300 minutes, 36% FG, 23% 3FG I think we’ll be able to compensate for. Everyone would love one more piece for peace of mind especially with Fredrick’s injury history. But realistically it would be someone to ride the bench and cash NIL checks.
I think Cal has proven that pre-season predictions are total hot garbage. Anybody that thinks pre-season rankings mean something cannot be taken seriously.
It’s just as horrible if he didn’t know & was THAT negligent & played for a fool. But, he knew. He had all of Sharpe’s paperwork before Sharpe could be accepted at UK, with all pertinent dates included. Kids can’t enter college without transcripts, proof of graduation & age. And, no coach is more obsessed with the draft & all of the ins & outs associated with it. He knew Sharpe’s age, graduation date & his draft projection. It’s easy to see unless you just don’t want to.
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The part about Nick Smith and Sharpe is 100% incorrect.
Not telling you to like Sharpe situation at all, but Smith was fine with him being committed. Want to point your anger at Cal in this situation, direct at him ignoring his assistants advice to cut Skyy Clark loose immediately after they were hired, therefore not having a decision to make when Clark got injured of whether to drop him then or keep him until he recovered. That cost them Smith.
Cason Wallace is a top 5 player in this class and will be outstanding.
Chris Livingston went from consensus top 3 prospect in his class and discussed as overrated to now being underrated as it seems so many UK fans think he can't walk and chew gum. Don't worry he doesn't call himself the "Dragon" or "Godzilla" or "T-Rex with the Flex". He will be a very good college player.
To add to the speculation (because that is what all of this is- none of us "know" anything)...I've heard reports (not here but on a podcast) that UK accepted Sharpe's early enrollment based off paperwork received with a fall graduation date in '21.
After receiving paperwork they were unsure of his eligibility for Spring semester and took their time investigating that. By the time it was determined he was ok to play it was too late in the mind of the staff to do so.
Regarding the May graduation date...that seems like BS that the Sharpe camp pulled after the fact.
Again, just more speculation. I've long thought Cal begrudgingly let the kid join mid year full well knowing there was little chance he would play and at least a possibility he would go to this year's draft. Basically gambled taking him with the thought he could come back for '22-'23 because he either didn't have a high enough projection in the draft or that NBA would rule him as eligible.
I don't have a problem with the above personally. My issue is how the whole thing was handled from a communication/messaging standpoint. Everyone, Cal included handled it incredibly poorly.
I also thought Boston would be a very good college player.We just have to wait and see.
You are by far the best poster on this board, @ralphdaltonfan — I literally laughed out loud — “Godzilla” LOL
Well as long as Livingston avoids going on National TV and proclaiming he wants to be known as the greatest player to ever play the game......he'll be off to a better start.
He/Wallace also will get the advantage of more preparation and some competitive games this August.
Like the frames of Wallace/Livingston too. They won't have a problem with physical play.
Well he did say he might play the 2 at UK.
The “Nick Smith didn’t come here because of Sharpe” posts are getting ridiculous since that is completely untrue. But it makes people feel better I guess, so have at it.
He may at times, but as long as he avoids making any silly predictions of his future, or claiming he's a Dinosaur or that Lexington is now Jurrassic Park and he's an UltraRex that demands we call this forum Rupp's RAPTORS--then we're on right track. I can't tell you how many UK fans have seen his JR year film, cussed at Cal for "never getting guys like that anymore" and then when told he's a Cat, turn around and say "Well--he will suck anyways".
He's going to be a nice player. Hopefully he exceeds expectations, but if he meets them, he'll be a major contributor.
Being accepted into college and eligible to play or be drafted are different things. And wasn’t it reported his people had the high school change the graduation date. Back date it. To make him draft eligible.
Love this roster!!! Let’s go!!!! Can’t wait for the season. Guess you will be moping all year because Cal only has 10 scholarship payers. So weird.
I don't think you'll see a lot of it, but could at times. I'm not going to make any judgments on the team until I see them play and that will be August, so we can discuss the team/personnel then. Hopefully we'll see the first UK Bahamas Trip that includes all the players on the court and can discuss that, rather than wondering who will do what when they get to the lineup. WCS/Baker/Montgomery have missed the 2 I've seen, so this team should have all the roster available (knock on wood)
I can't see Reeves only getting 15 minutes a game. Don't think he transfers here to only play 15 minutes a game.
If they play 9 that would be a lot. I get the roster frustration of not filling spots, but in terms of who actually plays, having 8 in today's game is considered being "deep". You only need 6/7 most come NCAA Tournament time and if the 8th can play, great.
Depth matters more for course of a season and if you are a pressing team that is going to incorporate a style of play that hasn't been used since the '90's for some reason?? I mean it was working at an insane level and yet coaches just went away from it. Oh well. But playing people to play them in NCAA games can lose games. I'd say where it does help is when someone isn't playing well like say Keion Brooks, you can turn to Toppin who was......oh wait....nevermind. LOL
You get my point though. I don't disagree with your or any fan's take but at same time, I'd go 12 and keep 1 spot open just in case something happens where you can get a player. Now Cal will tell you he has that with Walk Ons--but unless they are like Jarred Polson, I'm not expecting them to play.
How many teams have the injury problems that UK has every season though.CJ has been injured every season and Wheeler was always hurt last season.
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