Skal gives us nothing. Humphries deserves these minutes.

[4UK]

It's a shame that Skal's bogus recruiting ranking and draft position cost Humphries minutes throughout the year. If Skal plays another minute the rest of the season, that's on Cal. He doesn't do one thing better that Humphries, not one.

Of course Skal choked the free throw, and then, of course, he gives up the offensive rebound to lose the game. But that's not even his fault. He couldn't contribute at Morehead, let alone, UK. He literally doesn't have a single skill that is above average, he's a marginal athlete - and that's being VERY generous - and he's the softest player to ever put on a UK uniform. That effort he put forth on the last play would be laughable, if it weren't so sad.

At some point everyone, including the coaching staff, is going to have to accept he's a bust and move on. There is no rule you have to have a big guy on the floor. Even with Willis, Poythress, Lee and Hump out, we still would have been better with Matthews, Mulder or Floreal on the floor. All are better rebounders.

 

[UKChamps2012]

So I realize Skal is a Freshman, but what is Lee's excuse? A 3rd year McD AA, a basketball IQ of a 10 year old, grabbed 5 rebounds in 31 minutes today, and missed a one and one with 9 seconds left in the game for the win. Combine that with Willis grabbing 1 rebound in 20 minutes, then your starting frontline grabs a total 6 rebounds in 51 minutes of play. Skal had 3 rebounds in 9 minutes (Agree he could have more) and blocked/changed several other A&M shots. We need more from our upper classmen and not getting it.

 

[pauled]

I feel so bad for Hump, he played hard and I never thought we could win down there to start with, AM had to have a win and got some home calls. Next game!

 

[stereonut]

The players on our team have class.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said for some of our "fans".

 

[Atrain7732]

I agree 99%. Only difference is I do think he tries to play hard. I think he thinks he is playing hard. But he just needs more years of battling before we will see improvement in my estimation.

I agree as well. It is frustrating bc it looks like he is in slow motion. I realize the kid just is really having trouble adjusting to the speed of high level college basketball. It just isn't there with his coordination and basketball awareness. I do not think that he is intentionally not playing hard. It just looks like it at times.

 

[rolaid]

It's a shame that Skal's bogus recruiting ranking and draft position cost Humphries minutes throughout the year. If Skal plays another minute the rest of the season, that's on Cal. He doesn't do one thing better that Humphries, not one.

Of course Skal choked the free throw, and then, of course, he gives up the offensive rebound to lose the game. But that's not even his fault. He couldn't contribute at Morehead, let alone, UK. He literally doesn't have a single skill that is above average, he's a marginal athlete - and that's being VERY generous - and he's the softest player to ever put on a UK uniform. That effort he put forth on the last play would be laughable, if it weren't so sad.

At some point everyone, including the coaching staff, is going to have to accept he's a bust and move on. There is no rule you have to have a big guy on the floor. Even with Willis, Poythress, Lee and Hump out, we still would have been better with Matthews, Mulder or Floreal on the floor. All are better rebounders.

Spot on

 

[stereonut]

Spot on

I'm surprised you didn't write it yourself.

 

[CatFanInIlliniLand]

The sad thing is this game could've been a huge confidence builder for both freshmen. Skal could've saved Humphries by making both free throws. (I could see cal making a big deal about that!) And Humphries could've been a huge part of a road victory.

 

[screwduke]

The players on our team have class.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said for some of our "fans".

I haven't seen a lack if class in this thread. In fact almost everyone in this thread has said they like Skal and want badly for him to succeed, but the truth is that he's just not. Its not classless to say when someone is playing terrible.

 

[andreIGUODOLLAsigns4UK]

I haven't seen a lack if class in this thread. In fact almost everyone in this thread has said they like Skal and want badly for him to succeed, but the truth is that he's just not. Its not classless to say when someone is playing terrible.

Yea I don't understand sensitive fans like him. Those are the worst fans of all, the holier than thou type. The one that when you criticize a player for his basketball ability he wants to call other fans classless for pointing out the obvious? I've been begging for skal to do well all year. This was the last straw for me. He's just simply not a quality basketball player. Is he a POS loser? No one said that. He's not a POS. just a very bad basketball player. His game was made for high school ball.

 

[Riverslynn010]

Still feeling that way after a few mansize boards by Hump

No..... You were correct and I

 

[CBBCrazy]

Skal has gotten way more playing time than he would have under any other coach. That said, he is not the player Hump is right now. If Cal gives Skal more minutes than Hump it is to protect the brand and nothing more. He is a great kid, but that is just it. His size is way ahead of his maturity in the game. He needs another year maybe two to be a lottery pick imo. I wish him lots of luck finding it but we need Hump and Lee at the 5 for the remainder of the season.

 

[Chuckinden]

I wrote in another thread after the last game that "if I was a coach making $8M a year, I would invest all my time in Humphries, not Skal".

I don't know how good the competition was that Skal played against before he go here, but he may be the worst recruit that Cal has recruited at UK.

 

[sluggercatfan]

We were getting killed on the boards when Humphries was in there too.

He had 12...good grief...he played hard nosed and tough

 

[WallMashKyBall]

I hate to be hard on a kid, but damn, Here it is in a nut shell, look at the last second A and M put back. The A and M player is scoring a winning offensive rebound and bucket while Skal is tripping and falling to the floor and ends up ten feet from the basket.

 

[Cat_Man_Blue]

Man if Skal stayed and was good enough to earn minutes and help next years loaded roster or if he's not and simply adds depth for practice what's the big deal? No sense in taking everything out on a guy who's simply not ready to play big time CBB yet. You act like he'll be exactly the same player next year. You want him gone yesterday. We get it. Give it a rest. He's a player at UK so show just a ounce of respect. It's not easy and he's not ready. We're not loaded up front if you didn't notice.

This is exactly how I feel about Skal. There is not a team in the country that wouldn't have signed him. It is clear that he is not ready for college level play. He will get better if he stays at UK. It might take him 3 years to become the type of player he needs to be, but he will add depth and be a valuable practice player. What is wrong with that. I have no problem with him not getting minutes the rest of the year.

Did anyone else feel uncomfortable with Cal putting Skal in to shoot the free throws for Isac. I couldn't understand why Cal didn't let Ulis or Murray shoot the free throws. There was noway Skal could have felt comfortable in that situation.

 

[Slowwalker]

This is exactly how I feel about Skal. There is not a team in the country that wouldn't have signed him. It is clear that he is not ready for college level play. He will get better if he stays at UK. It might take him 3 years to become the type of player he needs to be, but he will add depth and be a valuable practice player. What is wrong with that. I have no problem with him not getting minutes the rest of the year.

Did anyone else feel uncomfortable with Cal putting Skal in to shoot the free throws for Isac. I couldn't understand why Cal didn't let Ulis or Murray shoot the free throws. There was noway Skal could have felt comfortable in that situation.

It had to be Hump's replacement as he fouled out. Ulis and Murray were already in the game, so they couldn't replace Hump.

 

[83Cat]

What happened to the Skal in the first games of the season? He was playing so well, I picked up the phone and called my brother and said, "are you seeing this team? We are awesome!" He looked great and seemed to be aggressive, skilled... Now just scared.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Skal has to play as long as Poy and Willis are out. Once they return? Well let's say I know who my top 4 big men rotation will be at the 4/5 in the NCAA Tourney. I think Cal does too now.

And Skal does not have to leave...it's 100% on him if he does.

 

[Ukheadhunter]

I think the biggest issue for Humphries getting on the floor more is that he is prone to get into foul trouble. I agree that per minute played he is exceeding expectations. I suspect if he can stay out of foul trouble his minutes will increase drastically.

 

[UKDUNK]

I hate admit it, but I'm kinda on board with this. We are a week away from March and Hump is clearly the better player. I believe Cal sees it too as I believe Isaac was the first big off the bench against A&M. The only thing that Skal does well is hit the medium range jumper but Hump does that as well and also fights and gets rebounds.

 

[ZenCatFan73]

Even an 80% Poythress right now would help so much.

 

[Bluemamba]

skal just has zero fight in him, he watches the shot hit the rim and just stands there. He gives us nothing on the court, I feel like humphries at least gives us a body to rebound. Which is a huge upgrade. Please take skal out!

agree