Skal and Briscoe. Are they gone after the season?

[GOING FOR #9]

If so then bench them and get minutes for humphries, Matthews and mulder. Both are killing us. I never saw a guard so bad at shooting like Briscoe. Skal shouldn't be on the floor over humphries anyway. I think humphries is a better player and is stronger. Why not play the guy more? Get him minutes develop him for next year and the NCAA tourney. Same with mulder and Matthews. Both will be around next year. Cal needs to treat this season as a rebuilding bc it's evident the guys we brought in wasn't a reload. Don't get me wrong...we are not terrible we are top 20 but I see nothing to indicate to me postseason successs. We have no defensive capabilities and no shooting. Our bigs are weak. Get the guys who will be around next year minutes especially if they are not keeping us competitive.

 

[Louis_Skunt]

Nobody knows if they're leaving. They don't even know what they're doing. For players like them, they wait till the season is over, listen to what scouts say and where they're predicted....then they make the call.

 

[Dreklie]

Well if they aren't they won't be getting much PT next year. Bam would eat Skals lunch and Fox or Monk will embarrass Briscoe.

 

[UK90]

While I agree that Briscoe's shooting (especially free throw shooting) has been pitiful, you guys are missing the good that he does for us. He's an excellent defender, an excellent rebounder for his size, an excellent ballhandler, he gets steals, can penetrate, and he plays damn hard. He does a plenty of good things for us in between all the missed shots.

Skal, on the other hand, I can't even begin to defend. As far as I can tell, Skal essentially gives us NOTHING. Can't rebound, can't defend, can't score, can't play the post, can't seem to do ANY of the things you want your big guy to do. How Skal was was the No. 1 rated big man recruit just baffles me. He looks completely lost.

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

I'd play Skal completely different than what he's been playing now. Would not play him as a 5 especially a guy who is forced to bang with other bigs. That's a lost battle before it begins. I'd bring him out of the paint and let him play the way that got him that 5 star ranking.

 

[bnewt]

After the LSU fiasco..........give Humphries, Tai & Mulder the minutes that have been going to Skal, Lee & Poy

Maybe if they don't play for a few games, they will at least give an effort

 

[Cats78]

While I agree that Briscoe's shooting (especially free throw shooting) has been pitiful, you guys are missing the good that he does for us. He's an excellent defender, an excellent rebounder for his size, an excellent ballhandler, he gets steals, can penetrate, and he plays damn hard. He does a plenty of good things for us in between all the missed shots.

Skal, on the other hand, I can't even begin to defend. As far as I can tell, Skal essentially gives us NOTHING. Can't rebound, can't defend, can't score, can't play the post, can't seem to do ANY of the things you want your big guy to do. How Skal was was the No. 1 rated big man recruit just baffles me. He looks completely lost.

That's true that Briscoe brings us "something", but it's to the point to where his negatives are outweighing the positives. He's a liability. Yes, he takes it to the basket, but he's getting fouled most of the time and that's pretty much a turnover. He's probably the worst free throw shooting guard I've ever seen. It's embarrassing. If he shoots a jumper, that's pretty much a turnover as well. AS far as Skal, I can't really disagree with anything you said. I don't get it. He's having trouble simply catching the ball. Ugh

 

[bigbluedon]

I'd play Skal completely different than what he's been playing now. Would not play him as a 5 especially a guy who is forced to bang with other bigs. That's a lost battle before it begins. I'd bring him out of the paint and let him play the way that got him that 5 star ranking.

good point. Been saying this for weeks now.

 

[CUT-NETS]

Its interesting to think what they will do after the season. Obviously their aspirations are to go to the league. And since that is the case, Cal will do everything in his power to give them the opportunity to go after just one year. Which means he will play them and play them even if to the detriment of the team. Player's first remember?

 

[qwesley]

Once we played a few games, the scouting report was set....don't even guard Briscoe and body Skal hard, our offense hasn't been the same.

 

[RJKentuckyBlue]

the problem with Skal I think is 1. he is playing out of position, and 2. He thinks way to much, last night on two trips, he caught the ball deep in the paint, and had he turned and went up, would have had a pretty easy shot, but instead brings the ball down takes a dribble and waits for the help defender to arrive and promptly turns it over. I think he has some offensive talent, if he can play facing the basket, and get out of his own head. My opinion.

 

[Blue_Reality]

If so then bench them and get minutes for humphries, Matthews and mulder. Both are killing us. I never saw a guard so bad at shooting like Briscoe. Skal shouldn't be on the floor over humphries anyway. I think humphries is a better player and is stronger. Why not play the guy more? Get him minutes develop him for next year and the NCAA tourney. Same with mulder and Matthews. Both will be around next year. Cal needs to treat this season as a rebuilding bc it's evident the guys we brought in wasn't a reload. Don't get me wrong...we are not terrible we are top 20 but I see nothing to indicate to me postseason successs. We have no defensive capabilities and no shooting. Our bigs are weak. Get the guys who will be around next year minutes especially if they are not keeping us competitive.

Cal is to concerned with getting them drafted to be concerned about next year.

He has said so himself.

 

[jrpross]

Why not? They've been gone this season.

 

[The_Answer1313]

It's not just that Briscoe can't shoot,. That's a huge part of it.

But he turns the ball over 20.7% of the time. And while he is one of the few that drives the ball to the net, getting fouled as mentioned above is basically a turnover since he's such a bad FT Shooter.

His defense doesnt make up for this

 

[The_Answer1313]

Cal is to concerned with getting them drafted to be concerned about next year.

He has said so himself.

If he is so concerned about getting them drafted then why isn't Skal still starting games?

This notion that Cal cares more about the draft then the team is silly

 

[uk78]

Back to the OP. Humphries did not look that good either. But, anyone would look better than Skal at the 5.

All the experts seem to believe that Skal is a great talent, and even at this date, I read where Skal is going to be a high first round pick. So, there seems to be 2 choices. Play Skal with the hope that this "talent" develops so that by the end of the season, he is contributing. Or, play Poy and Lee at the 5, maybe Humprhies, and Wynward too, in order to win games. I do like the posts suggesting giving Skal a try at the 4, although I don't have any great confidence much different would occur. But, worth a try as the "experts" seem to see something we don't.

Briscoe does do some things well, but plays too fast and out of control which causes unforced turn-overs. These are Freshman correctable mistakes. But, he is a huge offensive liability because he can't shoot the ball or hit free throws. Can someone tell him that every free throw he takes is too hard and hits the back of the rim or back board? He has no arc and I would rather him short the shot than what he does.

Whether both stay or go doesn't matter. What good would their staying accomplish though?

 

[The_Answer1313]

Yeah I'm not so worried about the turnovers. Briscoe and Murray both have turnover rates over 20%. But that's typical of Cal's teams and something that usually improves as the season goes on.

It's just the shooting. I haven't seen many of his games before coming to UK but I find it hard to believe a player recruited that highly shoots this bad.

And it's killing us.

Our frontcourt gives us nothing. Most felt Skal would dominate and most felt Alex would at least improve somewhat. Neither has happened. Lee was never a good offensive player to begin with but at least gives us a presence on the offensive boards. I don't think it's a coincidence that Lee has played a grand total of 9 mins in two of our three losses. Without him, a strength of ours (offensive boards) turns into a weakness.

Ulis and Murray right now have to be the guys. IMO they are the only ones that can score on any consistent basis.

With the way our frontcourt is tho Briscoe needs to be apart of that scoring. Otherwise this team is gonna struggle

 

[Sawnee Cat]

We need to keep our reputation as One and Done University so yes they must go at the end of the year.

 

[KopiKat]

Nobody in the NBA is going to offer Briscoe a job. He can't shoot. He really IS NOT that fast. REPEAT: Briscoe IS NOT particularly fast. He is strong and does have the ability to beat ONE MAN off the dribble . . . sometimes, with quick feet. He is horrible shooting free throws. He turns the ball over . . . a lot. He gets in trouble and makes bad decisions. Every so often he makes a really good play. He's chubby. Will probably have weight problems if not already. Not good enough to play the 1. Can't shoot well enough to play the 2. Not tall enough and 1+2 enough to play the 3 . . . have no friggin clue why he's in Lexington.

 

[K_TIME]

1. Briscoe is shooting 35% FT and 19% 3pt land. Briscoe makes Archie Goodwin look like 2nd coming of Tony Delk in comparison. Ask yourself this...do you want him on the floor when teams will just play off of him and sit in the lane to clog it up for drivers like Fox/Monk/Gabriel? Doubling down when Bam/SKJ gets ball in post? That is exactly what will happen next year if Briscoe plays appreciable minutes.

2. As far as Skal goes...it's the same as Briscoe. he is such a negative when he's on the floor it takes away from others. The kid won't rebound and for a tall athletic kid...he can't block shot very well...he's like Kyle Wiltjer out there w/o being an offensive weapon like Kyle was.

Cal is a beast...but he missed on many kids in this class and combined with the losses from last year's squad, we're not a good team this year. But I don't want these guys cluttering up next year's team which looks like another world beater team. THe guys I want back for next year are Lee and Alex...they can help out (along with the Willis, Hawkins, Hump and Tai). The only NBA legit kids that should go are Ullis and Murray.

 

[UKGrad93]

Holy hell. I knew Briscoe was a bad ft shooter, but just looked at Jon Scotts stats page. Briscoe is 35% on the year from the stripe.

 

[Calsarmy]

Skal needs to be at UK for 4 years. Having said that he is gone by April. Briscoe is a case in total flux. Terrible offensively and we are going to be in great shape at guard next year. Not much space for him. Total unknown as to the outcome with him IMO. Alex is gone. Lee is on the bench if Bolden comes in. Lot of unknowns as to how it shakes out next year. Remainder of the year I'm playing wood-chopper and the Aussie a good bit just just see what I have. I know about the others (unfortunately)

 

[Riverslynn010]

If they are, it's D league %110 ....

 

[UK90]

All the experts seem to believe that Skal is a great talent, and even at this date, I read where Skal is going to be a high first round pick.

Honestly, I think that's largely because a lot of those mock boards haven't been properly updated, and because many of those "experts" haven't been watching all our games as closely as us UK fans have, and thus don't yet realize just how shockingly awful he's been in every aspect of the game.

My prediction is that after the season Skal's stock will promptly drop like a lead balloon once the pre-draft evaluation process really gets going. I just refuse to believe people labeled hoops "experts" could watch how he's played here and still think he's a lottery pick.

 

[The_Answer1313]

The again Daniel Orton got drafted in the first round lol

 

[zannmann]

If Briscoe and Skal are first round picks after the way they have played the draft is broken.

 

[JojaCat]

It's not just that Briscoe can't shoot,. That's a huge part of it.

But he turns the ball over 20.7% of the time. And while he is one of the few that drives the ball to the net, getting fouled as mentioned above is basically a turnover since he's such a bad FT Shooter.

His defense doesnt make up for this

Hawkins is a very good defender and a much better shooter. When his ankle heals, give him the minutes.

 

[UK90]

The again Daniel Orton got drafted in the first round lol

I'd take Orton over Skal in a heartbeat. At least Orton could defend the post, rebound, and bang down low. Whereas Skal has been giving us NOTHING, he's been a complete liability in every game that mattered.

 

[JojaCat]

Nobody in the NBA is going to offer Briscoe a job. He can't shoot. He really IS NOT that fast. REPEAT: Briscoe IS NOT particularly fast. He is strong and does have the ability to beat ONE MAN off the dribble . . . sometimes, with quick feet. He is horrible shooting free throws. He turns the ball over . . . a lot. He gets in trouble and makes bad decisions. Every so often he makes a really good play. He's chubby. Will probably have weight problems if not already. Not good enough to play the 1. Can't shoot well enough to play the 2. Not tall enough and 1+2 enough to play the 3 . . . have no friggin clue why he's in Lexington.

At least he's not the gunner he was in high school. We wouldn't have won a game so far. The few times I saw him play in HS, he just blew by people and could shoot a little from the outside, decent FT shooter too. That's why he got the stars and the UK offer. He's in a different league now and a liability to us.

 

[Smashcat]

After the LSU fiasco..........give Humphries, Tai & Mulder the minutes that have been going to Skal, Lee & Poy

Maybe if they don't play for a few games, they will at least give an effort

Agree.

 

[Longtrip]

If so then bench them and get minutes for humphries, Matthews and mulder. Both are killing us. I never saw a guard so bad at shooting like Briscoe. Skal shouldn't be on the floor over humphries anyway. I think humphries is a better player and is stronger. Why not play the guy more? Get him minutes develop him for next year and the NCAA tourney. Same with mulder and Matthews. Both will be around next year. Cal needs to treat this season as a rebuilding bc it's evident the guys we brought in wasn't a reload. Don't get me wrong...we are not terrible we are top 20 but I see nothing to indicate to me postseason successs. We have no defensive capabilities and no shooting. Our bigs are weak. Get the guys who will be around next year minutes especially if they are not keeping us competitive.

Finally someone is being realistic and calling it the way it is.

 

[The_Answer1313]

Hawkins is a very good defender and a much better shooter. When his ankle heals, give him the minutes.

I don't know about this. Hawkins is a career 22% 3pt shooter and 50% from the line at UK

I don't know exactly what you do if your Cal. We pretty much know what we are getting in Hawkins whereas I suppose if Briscoe ever finds his shot he could improve

 

[UK90]

I don't know about this. Hawkins is a career 22% 3pt shooter and 50% from the line at UK

This. Our fans have really short attention spans. Hawkins has one good shooting game and people claim he's a good shooter. Sorry but, NO, he's not. He's usually a crappy shooter, the UL game was just an anomaly.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

No. Stop lumping Briscoe in with Skal. Both might be adjusting to the college game, are making mistakes, and finding their shot... that's fine. That's to be expected.

But Briscoe is at least trying, and he does something not many on this team are doing well: defending and rebounding. Skal is a whole other mess. He still looks like he doesn't want to be here. He's not having fun. He's not enthusiastic. He's not trying as hard as he could.

 

[cardsfan53]

The again Daniel Orton got drafted in the first round lol

The last update mock draft I seen didn't have either guy being drafted( of course that is one of many).

For Orton he was hid that year and only played about 13 minutes a game behind Cousins and Patterson. He also had John Wall and bledsoe making plays for him while he was in the game.

 

[The_Answer1313]

I don't agree he's not trying. I don't think Skal really wants to suck this bad lol

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I don't agree he's not trying. I don't think Skal really wants to suck this bad lol

IDK what it is. But his face says it all. Looks like his dog died. Never gets fired up.

I did see one play where he swooped in for a rebound and I think got called for a foul, or maybe the ball went out of bounds. Either way, he went to the ref to plead his case, with urgency and enthusiasm. Almost saying "No No No, check the replay!"

That's one of the very rare times I've seen him hustle and care about the game. It was good to see, but we need that x100 from him.

 

[The_Answer1313]

IDK what it is. But his face says it all. Looks like his dog died. Never gets fired up.

I did see one play where he swooped in for a rebound and I think got called for a foul, or maybe the ball went out of bounds. Either way, he went to the ref to plead his case, with urgency and enthusiasm. Almost saying "No No No, check the replay!"

That's one of the very rare times I've seen him hustle and care about the game. It was good to see, but we need that x100 from him.

It could just be his demeanor on the court. There are some kids that are very excitable and get into it and then there are others that do their work quietly. Skal might be the latter. I do think that's different then not caring.

I think if he was playing better, the fun would come. It can't be very fun for him right now. I'm sure he hears what the media and fans are saying.

Its tough to play at UK.......when your following in the steps of Anthony Davis, Noel, Cousins, etc etc. We've created this expectation where freshman are on an accelerated path to stardom. It's possible Skal would come around and it's just going to take more time. In one of those exhibition games the second half he flat out dominated. Granted the competition was weak but what that tells me is he does have the talent.

Hopefully Briscoe and Skal can figure this thing out quickly

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I'm sure some of it has to do with him not playing well. But regardless, it's not a good look. Briscoe isn't playing well, but he still gives it his all and gets fired up.

People are dogging Poy, and deservedly so. He's there some games, he's not others. He beats on bad teams and goes into hiding against the good teams. No real emotion, doesn't even seem to like the game. That's what I'm seeing from Skal right now, and that's a big problem.

Of course, he has a ton of time to get it together. I'm not closing the book on Skal now, and probably won't even he continues this all season, because he IS still a freshman.

But attitude problems scare me WAY more than missing shots.

 

[The_Answer1313]

I'm sure some of it has to do with him not playing well. But regardless, it's not a good look. Briscoe isn't playing well, but he still gives it his all and gets fired up.

People are dogging Poy, and deservedly so. He's there some games, he's not others. He beats on bad teams and goes into hiding against the good teams. No real emotion, doesn't even seem to like the game. That's what I'm seeing from Skal right now, and that's a big problem.

Of course, he has a ton of time to get it together. I'm not closing the book on Skal now, and probably won't even he continues this all season, because he IS still a freshman.

But attitude problems scare me WAY more than missing shots.

Yeah I agree. Almost to a point where when Cal recruits I think he has to make it a priority. There are some kids who just seem uninterested at times. Like Poy. And you wonder with all that talent in the world, will guys like that ever perform to their potential.

That's why every year people say Alex is gonna get better and all I can do is sit here and think no.........probably not. He's not always into it.