Roundtable: Who starts for UK this year?
- Thread starter JRowland
- Start date
I'm going with these 5 to start the season
1- Green
2- Diallo
3- Knox
4- Gabriel
5- Jones
The 3/4/5 will be a rotation of Washington/Vanderbilt/Richards with Knox playing some 2.
Can you imagine the length of this lineup:
1- Alexander
2- Knox
3- Vanderbilt
4- Washington
5- Richards
1- Green
2- Diallo
3- Knox
4- Gabriel
5- Jones
The 3/4/5 will be a rotation of Washington/Vanderbilt/Richards with Knox playing some 2.
Can you imagine the length of this lineup:
1- Alexander
2- Knox
3- Vanderbilt
4- Washington
5- Richards
Last edited:
Green
Diallo
Knox
Gabriel
Richards
The only one I'm not sure about is Richards.
Diallo
Knox
Gabriel
Richards
The only one I'm not sure about is Richards.
I think that green knox and diallo are obvious locks. After that i think Washington is a good bet. I think his offensive versatility and rebounding make him a nightmare to defend but its the fact that he is a coaches son that makes me most confident that he will start. I just think he is way ahead of Vanderbilt mentally because of that. At center i think richards gets the nod just because skj seems to piss cal off something fierce when he messes up. Also i will disagree with people that call Richards raw offensively. He can shoot and he has great post moves. He is very good as long as he catches it. He is better than bamba offensively. Im not an expert but he looks far from raw to me. Marcus Lee now he was raw. I also love richards body. He doesnt need to pack on any weight at all. He just needs to work with what he already has so there wont be an adjustment period for him like there is other guys that add weight. Honestly i used to think richards was going to be a stiff but he has really shown me alot the last few months. I think he is a great prospect now and is going to surprise some people as long as he gets minutes.
I agree that Green, Diallo, and Knox are virtual locks to start. At the other two spots I'm going with Gabriel and SKJ to start off the season just because of the experience factor. They both came in as highly touted 5 star players themselves and seem eager to start a new season. Who's to say that PJ, JV, or Richards won't struggle early in Cal's system like they did last year? Or hit a wall like Gabriel did in Jan/Feb? I also believe Alexander will be in the rotation from the get go.
I'm picking it this way:
PG Green- highest rated PG.
SG Diallo- highest rated player, period.
SF Knox- second highest rated player.
PF Vanderbilt- third highest rated player.
C Richards- highest rated big man.
I am using composite rankings, by the way.
I could see Gabriel and Killeya-Jones starting at the 4 and 5 spots, though because of their experience and the fact that they were in a stronger class.
I am really having a hard time deciding the 4 and 5 spots. Could be Gabriel, Washington, or Vanderbilt at the 4 and Killeya-Jones or Richards at the 5.
That's a good problem to have, I suppose.
PG Green- highest rated PG.
SG Diallo- highest rated player, period.
SF Knox- second highest rated player.
PF Vanderbilt- third highest rated player.
C Richards- highest rated big man.
I am using composite rankings, by the way.
I could see Gabriel and Killeya-Jones starting at the 4 and 5 spots, though because of their experience and the fact that they were in a stronger class.
I am really having a hard time deciding the 4 and 5 spots. Could be Gabriel, Washington, or Vanderbilt at the 4 and Killeya-Jones or Richards at the 5.
That's a good problem to have, I suppose.
I think we will start five freshmen. Green and Richards are my two givens. The other spots will be Diallo, Vanderbilt, Knox, or Washington, with Washington likely being the man out.
Vanderbilt is the best defender, Knox the best shooter, Washington the best rebounder and Diallo the best at driving the ball. Just my observations from what little I have seen of them.
Vanderbilt is the best defender, Knox the best shooter, Washington the best rebounder and Diallo the best at driving the ball. Just my observations from what little I have seen of them.
I think Cal wants to do 2 things before he retires,
1. Go undefeated. (Unlikely)
2. Win a title starting 5 freshmen. (Very possible)
Regardless we'll have a minimum of 3 five star players on the BENCH at all times. Man, it's good to be a Kentucky fan!
For everybody naming Richards to start, I think there are two very important factors that you need to take note of:
1. I don't think some of you realize how raw Richards is. He's been playing less than 4 years.
2. The biggest downside to his game right now, besides being raw? Quoting draftexpress: "Motor runs hot and cold. Gets down on himself easily. Doesn't sprint back on defense after mistakes. Very laid back demeanor in general."
There is no trait that Cal has less patience for. He'll deal with back-talk, a questionable shot, or a player stepping on the baseline every fifth play, but if you're soft and you look like you don't care, Cal is going to eat your soul.
So until Cal whips him into shape, I can't see any way a (reportedly) newly motivated SKJ doesn't take the 5 (or maybe two of our forwards, like Washington/Gabriel/Vanderbilt)
1. I don't think some of you realize how raw Richards is. He's been playing less than 4 years.
2. The biggest downside to his game right now, besides being raw? Quoting draftexpress: "Motor runs hot and cold. Gets down on himself easily. Doesn't sprint back on defense after mistakes. Very laid back demeanor in general."
There is no trait that Cal has less patience for. He'll deal with back-talk, a questionable shot, or a player stepping on the baseline every fifth play, but if you're soft and you look like you don't care, Cal is going to eat your soul.
So until Cal whips him into shape, I can't see any way a (reportedly) newly motivated SKJ doesn't take the 5 (or maybe two of our forwards, like Washington/Gabriel/Vanderbilt)
Wouldn't rule it out. The perimeter and help defense is going to be much better than last year with long wings rotating. If they play hard, the lack of rim protector won't be a big issue.
Otherwise, Vanderbilt will play a bunch, he has too many tools and plays with effort. He will be a crutch for Cal.
Good post.
So it sounds like the consensus here is that Green, Diallo and Knox are near locks, and that 2 of Washington, Vanderbilt, Gabriel, Jones and Richards completes the starting lineup. That's 8. Which is about the number Cal likes for his rotation. The other 2 freshman may get limited minutes.
green/alexander
diallo/baker
knox/vanderbilt
washington/gabriel
skj/richards
There's your 1st and 2nd platoons...
diallo/baker
knox/vanderbilt
washington/gabriel
skj/richards
There's your 1st and 2nd platoons...
Every year there are those guys that get a longer leash because of their potential and Cal knowing what they can become or they're just so good its a given. There will be much more competition this year and you could see a better product from it because of depth.
I think the only two guys for sure right now are Knox and Diallo and I think Green is close in that group.
SKJ and Richards will battle for the 5 spot and I think Cal may want to see what the ultra athletic Richards can do anchoring the D. Washington, Gabriel, and Vanderbilt will battle for the other forward spot...Vanderbilt seems to be the best out of that group (if healthy). SGA and Baker will battle for that first guard off the bench role that Hawkins had last year (Dom avg. 19 mpg) a see SGA taking that role with less minutes and Baker probably getting the Mulder role.
5 guys battling for two starting spots seems like we will get truly the best player in those roles.
My 5:
1-Green
2-Diallo
3-Knox
4-Vanderbilt
5-Richards(SKJ if he actually improves)
6-Wenyen(versatile/athletic and a decent shooter)
7-SGA(not the 7th best player but being the best bench guard will get him some good minutes)
8-SKJ(could be higher or lower I'm not completely sold
9-Washington(Saw him in person, talented but not overly impressive just yet)
10-Baker
11-Tai
I think the only two guys for sure right now are Knox and Diallo and I think Green is close in that group.
SKJ and Richards will battle for the 5 spot and I think Cal may want to see what the ultra athletic Richards can do anchoring the D. Washington, Gabriel, and Vanderbilt will battle for the other forward spot...Vanderbilt seems to be the best out of that group (if healthy). SGA and Baker will battle for that first guard off the bench role that Hawkins had last year (Dom avg. 19 mpg) a see SGA taking that role with less minutes and Baker probably getting the Mulder role.
5 guys battling for two starting spots seems like we will get truly the best player in those roles.
My 5:
1-Green
2-Diallo
3-Knox
4-Vanderbilt
5-Richards(SKJ if he actually improves)
6-Wenyen(versatile/athletic and a decent shooter)
7-SGA(not the 7th best player but being the best bench guard will get him some good minutes)
8-SKJ(could be higher or lower I'm not completely sold
9-Washington(Saw him in person, talented but not overly impressive just yet)
10-Baker
11-Tai
Worried about 1 and 5.
Can a non elite Freshman PG lead a team full of Freshman? He has also been prone for TO's.
Richards is very raw and has trouble catching and handling the ball. He is not very strong with it. We don't know enough about SKJ to know one way or another.
If we had got Bamba and landed an elite PG we would have been set.
2-5 we are very strong (only weakness shooting).
Green - Alexander
Diallo - Baker
Knox
Vanderbilt
Richards
This team has great potential with some major flaws as well. All I know is that we have a chance every year and you can't ask for more than that!
Can a non elite Freshman PG lead a team full of Freshman? He has also been prone for TO's.
Richards is very raw and has trouble catching and handling the ball. He is not very strong with it. We don't know enough about SKJ to know one way or another.
If we had got Bamba and landed an elite PG we would have been set.
2-5 we are very strong (only weakness shooting).
Green - Alexander
Diallo - Baker
Knox
Vanderbilt
Richards
This team has great potential with some major flaws as well. All I know is that we have a chance every year and you can't ask for more than that!
I know one thing, regardless of who starts. This team is really athletic and really long. Where we aren't uber athletic and long we have great skill and toughness. We only have 2 guys on the team with less than a 6'10.5" wingspan.
Either way you look at it, the length on this team is absurd. Just pick 4 to play with Green.
SKJ 6'10" 7'2"
Wynyard 6'10.25" 6'11"
Gabriel 6'9" 6'11"
Diallo 6'5" 6'11.25"
Green 6'0" 6'2"
Washington 6'8" 7'2"
Richards 6'11" 7'3.5"
Knox 6'9" 6'11.5"
Vanderbilt 6'9" 7'1"
SGA 6'6" 6'10.5"
Baker 6'3" 6'6"
Wings and bigs are gonna catch hell trying to shoot against us.
Either way you look at it, the length on this team is absurd. Just pick 4 to play with Green.
SKJ 6'10" 7'2"
Wynyard 6'10.25" 6'11"
Gabriel 6'9" 6'11"
Diallo 6'5" 6'11.25"
Green 6'0" 6'2"
Washington 6'8" 7'2"
Richards 6'11" 7'3.5"
Knox 6'9" 6'11.5"
Vanderbilt 6'9" 7'1"
SGA 6'6" 6'10.5"
Baker 6'3" 6'6"
Wings and bigs are gonna catch hell trying to shoot against us.
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