...is what has made this team mediocre. We have no low post play.
Skal not being what we thought.
- Thread starter wobycat
- Start date
At least Skal is a freshman - Marcus Lee is a 3rd year 5 star who consistently produces nothing but garbage stats.
Put a zone in our defensive sets . Their 5 out o drive and we foul was guardable. We just are not a good man team this year. It's ok Cal adjust
Skal is the weakest, most timid player I think I have ever seen at UK in my 50+ years of following UK. Good kid I'm sure but not college capable.
Remember Cal flying a helicopter to recruit 5 star Adreian Payne? Had Payne gone to Kentucky and been thrown into the fire like Skal has this season, the exact same disappointing result would've transpired, he would've been labeled a bust and people would be pushing for him being run off the team. Just like they are with Skal.
But look at the kind of well rounded talent that Payne turned into at MSU. That patience paid off as he turned into a great player as a junior and senior when he came into his own and matured as a person. Not all stud recruits and future stars are immediate difference makers in college. That's just how it is. Some simply take time to develop. Don't give up on these kids after only a few months.
And regarding the out of control prep hype machines that we all follow and that some take as gospel, it is wise for college basketball fans not to eat up and believe everything theese prep "scouts" feed us in order to sell clicks and subscriptions. Superlatives sell better than pejoratives and highlight videos don't show bad plays and glaring holes in kid's games for a reason. These 9 to 5 scout wannabes aren't scouts for actual sports teams for a reason.
Caveat emptor.
But look at the kind of well rounded talent that Payne turned into at MSU. That patience paid off as he turned into a great player as a junior and senior when he came into his own and matured as a person. Not all stud recruits and future stars are immediate difference makers in college. That's just how it is. Some simply take time to develop. Don't give up on these kids after only a few months.
And regarding the out of control prep hype machines that we all follow and that some take as gospel, it is wise for college basketball fans not to eat up and believe everything theese prep "scouts" feed us in order to sell clicks and subscriptions. Superlatives sell better than pejoratives and highlight videos don't show bad plays and glaring holes in kid's games for a reason. These 9 to 5 scout wannabes aren't scouts for actual sports teams for a reason.
Caveat emptor.
OK, I can agree with this, however, Cal recruits these kids to come in and play right away, and in that regard Skal IS a bust. Yes, he may very well turn out to be a great player someday, but we needed him this year.
That said, even Skal not being D-1 ready can overcome the fact that EVERY ONE of our other big guys simply are not basketball players, they just aren't. We need guys who can rebound, post their man up and be a scoring threat, protect the rim, etc. We don't have that this year and it's costing us in a huge way.
None of us here know how they're doing in practice, but I for one refuse to believe that Tai or the Big Aussie are a worse option than Lee, I don't believe that for a minute.
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anon_q409idbs5m40a
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Lee is nothing more than a role player thrust into a starting role. He's an exceptional athlete but has the worst hands of any player I can remember at UK and is limited offensively.
I can't think of a worse big at UK the past 20 years. Maybe Jared carter. Skal does have some skill, big man that can shoot the ball. Can't do anything else on the floor. No defense, rim protection, rebound, play back to the basket.....remember how well Cousins and Towns could pass and play inside out. None of our bigs can even catch the ball. That makes me wanna puke. He simply can't do anything right now but Might be a good player in 7-8 years.
I don't know if you have noticed over the years but that is how our D is designed. You funnel your man on the permiter and make him drive to the hole. Once their one of our athletic long bigs is going to block his shot or alter it into a low percentage one. That's Cals D.
When it's obvious we do not have that or it is simply not working against an opponent like the UConn title game for example Cal refuses to go zone. A zone D stops that.
Why do you think so many teams employ that against us? Cal wants our guys to drive it to the hole and draw a foul so the opposing coach switches the D up to find one that stops us. It's on the opposing teams personal on how quickly they can close out on gaps or get Into passing lanes and deflect passes.
When you see posters saying that by his stubburness it has cost him titles I'd say that is very true. Cal sticks to one thing and thats that.
I remember challenging you with the fact that he was highly rated by all the scouts. If that is "shredding you", then guilty as charged I guess.
