SKJ is the key to the season

[DerekMcPwn]

Here's my regrettable UMM/SAB thread. Whether we're good or great next season will depend on what Sacha Killeya-Jones brings. We're terrific in the 2-4 positions, and Green and SGA will be very serviceable PGs. However, Nick Richards as our lone center is not a post presence. He still needs a lot of polish, and I imagine he might struggle on defense for awhile. Plus, fouls and exhaustion are major concerns for post players, so even if he's excellent, you still can't have just one. We have a lot of combo forwards that like to play on the wing (esp. Gabriel and Knox, but even Washington hunts jumpers), and they can't fill that slot. Wynyard isn't there yet.

Teams without a post game are a fraud, and if we're deficient there, teams will find plenty of ways to beat us. But SKJ has the potential to make all the difference.

 

[KYNC89]

Smooth???

 

[JerseyCat84]

How ya been Derek?

 

[UK2KJAG]

Nah fam he won't

 

[caneintally]

No . Now I do think if he lives up to his HS hype and can be a good back up center we go from a 5-6 loss to team to maybe a 4-5 loss team ( since Richards even though he will be badass will get into foul trouble at times) . Basically he could make this difference in a a win or 2 if he brings it . BUt regardless we are a top 5 team.

 

[BBUK]

Here's my regrettable UMM/SAB thread. Whether we're good or great next season will depend on what Sacha Killeya-Jones brings. We're terrific in the 2-4 positions, and Green and SGA will be very serviceable PGs. However, Nick Richards as our lone center is not a post presence. He still needs a lot of polish, and I imagine he might struggle on defense for awhile. Plus, fouls and exhaustion are major concerns for post players, so even if he's excellent, you still can't have just one. We have a lot of combo forwards that like to play on the wing (esp. Gabriel and Knox, but even Washington hunts jumpers), and they can't fill that slot. Wynyard isn't there yet.

Teams without a post game are a fraud, and if we're deficient there, teams will find plenty of ways to beat us. But SKJ has the potential to make all the difference.

Decent post but the title is off...jmuo

 

[DerekMcPwn]

Decent post but the title is off...jmuo

Maybe, but you'd probably agree that if he were to blow up and play to his potential as the sophomore version of what he was predicted to be last year, it would transform this team.

 

[Smashcat]

I expect a good sophomore SKJ. If he's very good, we'll be a tough out in March.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Crazy that the OP is getting slammed for this thread. I think @DerekMcPwn makes a very good point.

 

[BBUK]

Crazy that the OP is getting slammed for this thread. I think @DerekMcPwn makes a very good point.

Just so it's understood, I never slammed him for his post, just questioned the title. A significant difference...

 

[LeonThe Camel]

Here's my regrettable UMM/SAB thread. Whether we're good or great next season will depend on what Sacha Killeya-Jones brings. We're terrific in the 2-4 positions, and Green and SGA will be very serviceable PGs. However, Nick Richards as our lone center is not a post presence. He still needs a lot of polish, and I imagine he might struggle on defense for awhile. Plus, fouls and exhaustion are major concerns for post players, so even if he's excellent, you still can't have just one. We have a lot of combo forwards that like to play on the wing (esp. Gabriel and Knox, but even Washington hunts jumpers), and they can't fill that slot. Wynyard isn't there yet.

Teams without a post game are a fraud, and if we're deficient there, teams will find plenty of ways to beat us. But SKJ has the potential to make all the difference.

Then the season is going to be bad if we have to rely on him. He might get 5 minutes a game.

 

[Cardsstink]

The key is SKJ OR Richards becoming a very good Center, and I'm confident that at least one of them will break out and be very good and the other will be a solid backup. If we get lucky, both will become really good.

 

[bucsrule8872]

This team does not have a star inside. That will be our downfall this season, IMHO.

The next season, we should be fine inside. I think we probably get Bagley or Bol.

 

[WildMoon]

Absolutely no

 

[bookerfan66]

It did really hurt losing out on Bamba.Richards is talented but hasn't played basketball for very long and is raw.It's hard to know what to expect with SKJ after last season.One of them will have to step up for a shot at the title.

 

[BBUK]

It did really hurt losing out on Bamba.Richards is talented but hasn't played basketball for very long and is raw.It's hard to know what to expect with SKJ after last season.One of them will have to step up for a shot at the title.

I expect great things. I don't get feelings as that is mostly gas but I sure think this season may go a little farther..just my thinking.... Go CATS!!!

 

[EclipsingYou]

Interesting opinion, but I am in agreement with Cardsstink concerning your hypothesis.

There's a good reason Nick Richards is projected as a OAD lottery pick by a few projections. He was the #2 ranked C overall and the #1 player in New York. He stands 7'0" and weighs 240 lbs while having a reach of 7'4".

From what I have seen of him, he is a more athletic player than Dakari Johnson by quite a bit on both ends of the floor, but lacks the scoring ability and shooting in the post that Dakari had.

He will block a ton of shots, finish a lot of lobs from Green, and be the inside forcec we need. Bamba was rated higher and might be the better player. However, the difference in talent that separates the 2 is really small, if you ask me.

So, while I would LOVE for SKJ to show up and be an unbelievable contributor from Day 1, I'd be ok if he has improved to the point of being able to backup Richards and fill in for him when he experience's the inevitable foul trouble that UK big men are cursed with in close games.

Richards is a real stud and I do not see him staying at Kentucky for more than one season along with Diallo, Knox, and JV.

I'd love for SKJ to have improved enough that Richards and him have to split minutes at the 5 spot and there isn't a drop off no matter which C is in the game. That'd be excellent and a great sign of how much SKJ has improved.

But, as for your original post, due to Nick Richards being such a talented FR that quite a few people project him as a OAD lottery pick due to his size and athleticism, I do not think SKJ is the key to our season.

Outside shooting, staying healthy, and rebounding will be the keys to our season, in my opinion...

All in my completely worthless opinion as always!

 

[WildMoon]

Interesting opinion, but I am in agreement with Cardsstink concerning your hypothesis.

There's a good reason Nick Richards is projected as a OAD lottery pick by a few projections. He was the #2 ranked C overall and the #1 player in New York. He stands 7'0" and weighs 240 lbs while having a reach of 7'4".

From what I have seen of him, he is a more athletic player than Dakari Johnson by quite a bit on both ends of the floor, but lacks the scoring ability and shooting in the post that Dakari had.

He will block a ton of shots, finish a lot of lobs from Green, and be the inside forcec we need. Bamba was rated higher and might be the better player. However, the difference in talent that separates the 2 is really small, if you ask me.

So, while I would LOVE for SKJ to show up and be an unbelievable contributor from Day 1, I'd be ok if he has improved to the point of being able to backup Richards and fill in for him when he experience's the inevitable foul trouble that UK big men are cursed with in close games.

Richards is a real stud and I do not see him staying at Kentucky for more than one season along with Diallo, Knox, and JV.

I'd love for SKJ to have improved enough that Richards and him have to split minutes at the 5 spot and there isn't a drop off no matter which C is in the game. That'd be excellent and a great sign of how much SKJ has improved.

But, as for your original post, due to Nick Richards being such a talented FR that quite a few people project him as a OAD lottery pick due to his size and athleticism, I do not think SKJ is the key to our season.

Outside shooting, staying healthy, and rebounding will be the keys to our season, in my opinion...

All in my completely worthless opinion as always!

Richards is extremely athletic. His non-step vertical was 30". That's insane for a 7' @ 240 lbs.

 

[OSOK]

To play late in the season you need a point guard that plays like a PG.
But, you can start a PF that plays like a center. UNC last year was only 6' 8".

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

Then the season is going to be bad if we have to rely on him. He might get 5 minutes a game.

No way! Not gunna happun! He's too talented to ride the pine after a year in the program. If Cal didn't think he had a future here, I doubt very seriously that he'd still be on the team right now. Hell, Derek said that he thought SKJ had the most potential on the entire team last year. He's had to have shown flashes of being great. I fully expect him to be a major factor next year. People keep talking about Richards being a beast and he very well may be but he very well may not be too and it's not likely that he'll start out that way anyway. He may come along quickly in the 2nd half of the year like Boogie did but I highly doubt he comes out torching anyone on the offensive end especially. He'll have a learning curve and SKJ may be right there to show what he can bring. I've got my hopes up for Sasha and I'm pretty confident in those hopes. He's just too talented to be down for long.

 

[AzubuikeandFitch]

Our abundance of guys ranging from 6'6 to 6'10 should help if we have trouble at the center spot. For years we lacked a true small forward and now we have 2-3 who are versatile. I think this can offset any foul problems and provide extra interior defense. Besides, length and lateral quickness at the wings should allow guys to close out easier and stop straight line drives to the basket.
I look for both Richards and SKJ to show significant improvement by March. Cal has considerable depth to experiment with a variety of lineups. Our best five likely won't resemble a conventional 1-5 position because Cal has guys who can play multiple spots (positionless basketball).

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

All you have to ask is this: Is Nick Richards likely to be better than freshman Dakari Johnson?

Because Dakari was the starter on a team that reached the final game. So if Richards can match Dakari, he's good enough to be the center on a Final Four team. That would relegate SKJ's role to sophomore WCS's, and he was injured and out for most of the Sweet 16, Elite Eight and Final Four games.

Didn't WCS start for most of the year? Obviously up until he got hurt in the tournament. I could be wrong but I'm usually not. LOL! Jk

 

[Wall2Boogie]

Here's my regrettable UMM/SAB thread. Whether we're good or great next season will depend on what Sacha Killeya-Jones brings. We're terrific in the 2-4 positions, and Green and SGA will be very serviceable PGs. However, Nick Richards as our lone center is not a post presence. He still needs a lot of polish, and I imagine he might struggle on defense for awhile. Plus, fouls and exhaustion are major concerns for post players, so even if he's excellent, you still can't have just one. We have a lot of combo forwards that like to play on the wing (esp. Gabriel and Knox, but even Washington hunts jumpers), and they can't fill that slot. Wynyard isn't there yet.

Teams without a post game are a fraud, and if we're deficient there, teams will find plenty of ways to beat us. But SKJ has the potential to make all the difference.

Atleast you're close on a typical smooth title thread except you should of said "skj will start this yr and be one of our best players." Then youvwould of had it down. Btw, how ya been?

 

[bucsrule8872]

All you have to ask is this: Is Nick Richards likely to be better than freshman Dakari Johnson?

Because Dakari was the starter on a team that reached the final game. So if Richards can match Dakari, he's good enough to be the center on a Final Four team. That would relegate SKJ's role to sophomore WCS's, and he was injured and out for most of the Sweet 16, Elite Eight and Final Four games.

Dakari had an absolute stud beside him named Julius Randle.

Randle could get post position and score taking pressure off of Johnson.

We don't have someone like that at the 4 spot, so Richards has to be better offensively than Dakari.

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

No . Now I do think if he lives up to his HS hype and can be a good back up center we go from a 5-6 loss to team to maybe a 4-5 loss team ( since Richards even though he will be badass will get into foul trouble at times) . Basically he could make this difference in a a win or 2 if he brings it . BUt regardless we are a top 5 team.

Love the enthusiasm as always but Richards has got a long way to go to be a badass next year. He's still pretty damn raw. I'm hoping I'm wrong and that he's really going to take a big step forward this off season. He hasn't been playing long at all and it shows at times in his game. That will only get magnified at this level if he's not putting in the necessary work off the game court. He's uber athletic and he's got size for days, so he's got a lot of tools to work with but I'm trying not to get my expectations too high for him. Playing and adjusting to this level of play can be really challenging even for the most seasoned players. I definitely think it will take him some time to get it going. I hope you're right in the end though cause he can't be a fraud in the middle if we want to win the title. We've got to have a scoring presence in the post and that will fall on SKJ or Richards.


Here's to hoping at least 1 of them can fill those shoes. Be even better if they both do!

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

Dakari had an absolute stud beside him named Julius Randle.

Randle could get post position and score taking pressure off of Johnson.

We don't have someone like that at the 4 spot, so Richards has to be better offensively than Dakari.

 

[UKCATSFREAK]

Dakari had an absolute stud beside him named Julius Randle.

Randle could get post position and score taking pressure off of Johnson.

We don't have someone like that at the 4 spot, so Richards has to be better offensively than Dakari.

 

[Poetax]

Maybe, but you'd probably agree that if he were to blow up and play to his potential as the sophomore version of what he was predicted to be last year, it would transform this team.

Yes that statement is very true.

 

[Wall2Boogie]

I think skj will be more suited at the 4. He seem a like a more physical skal but not physical enough to be the 5. Richards and Washington I think will primarily play the 5. Yes I know Washington is 6'8 or 6'9 depending on where you look but he is physical enough to back up Richards. Plus we are going to have size at every position except when green is in. I Donny feel rebounding will be an issue . Skj can hit that 15ft jump shot much like skal could. He Knox can play anywhere from 2-5, cal is going to have a lot of options and line up choices depending on matchups. As long as we stay out of foul trouble we will be fine.

 

[kev69]

If our hopes rest on Jones, we're probably in deep trouble.

 

[docholiday51]

Here's my regrettable UMM/SAB thread. Whether we're good or great next season will depend on what Sacha Killeya-Jones brings. We're terrific in the 2-4 positions, and Green and SGA will be very serviceable PGs. However, Nick Richards as our lone center is not a post presence. He still needs a lot of polish, and I imagine he might struggle on defense for awhile. Plus, fouls and exhaustion are major concerns for post players, so even if he's excellent, you still can't have just one. We have a lot of combo forwards that like to play on the wing (esp. Gabriel and Knox, but even Washington hunts jumpers), and they can't fill that slot. Wynyard isn't there yet.

Teams without a post game are a fraud, and if we're deficient there, teams will find plenty of ways to beat us. But SKJ has the potential to make all the difference.

I agree with much of what you say,but if we are depending that much on a guy that couldn't find the floor for 2/3 of last season then we have a problem.This is why Humphries would have been so valuable for us if he had returned.

Maybe Jones and Wynyard can give us a total of 15 minutes per game,I expect Richards to struggle with foul trouble early(much like Bam did last year)I can see us having a problem with rebounding even though we will have length but not bulk.

 

[MasonCoBlue]

Simple formula for success in basketball. Big men play big and are ferocious. Small men play small and dish. Those in the middle figure out the rest. Those in the middle are the KEY to a championship season. Just an opinion in my experience. Oh yeah...I was the small guy! Ha

 

[wromanp7]

This team does not have a star inside. That will be our downfall this season, IMHO.

The next season, we should be fine inside. I think we probably get Bagley or Bol.

I hate "or."

 

[Bluegrassking]

Meh...luxury rather than necessity, I sez.

I think we have enough plausible combinations with great overall length to be able to have a real opportunity even if we end up without starting or even finishing with a traditional center.

 

[_Rooster]

 

[bucsrule8872]

I hate "or."

LOL!

Me too.

Hopefully we get both, but one would do the trick.

 

[KDcats11]

Then the season is going to be bad if we have to rely on him. He might get 5 minutes a game.

How would you possibly know any of that? Dumb post.

 

[bucsrule8872]

2018 will not have a Randle, that is true. But the assumption is that Knox, Diallo, Vanderbilt, Washington and Gabriel, as a group, are going to be more athletic and put more pressure on the interior defense than the Harrisons and Young did, so that will open up chances inside for Richards.

That's a big assumption. Hope you are right.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Dakari had an absolute stud beside him named Julius Randle.

Randle could get post position and score taking pressure off of Johnson.

We don't have someone like that at the 4 spot, so Richards has to be better offensively than Dakari.

What about 2011, when UK was a three point shot away from advancing to face Butler for the title?

Josh Harrelson and Terrence Jones vs. Nick Richards, P.J. Washington, Wenyen Gabriel, SKJ, and Jarred Vanderbilt?

Give me the upcoming frontline any day over that 2011 group.

 

[DerekMcPwn]

What about 2011, when UK was a three point shot away from advancing to face Butler for the title?

Josh Harrelson and Terrence Jones vs. Nick Richards, P.J. Washington, Wenyen Gabriel, SKJ, and Jarred Vanderbilt?

Give me the upcoming frontline any day over that 2011 group.

Fair, but we also don't have Brandon Knight.