That's how I see it.
I want Willis to play, but not over Matthews.
6- Lee
7- Matthews
8- Willis
Sounds like its down to Matthews and Willis for #8 in rotation
- Thread starter KWilt43atbuzz
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I want Willis to play, but not over Matthews.
6- Lee
7- Matthews
8- Willis
Yeah, I just don't get what some of these guys are looking at. Willis looked to be better than Matthews, albeit against weak competition. He was quick to the ball. Shot well and played decent defense. Again, against weak comp.Yeah, who wants a 6'9 athletic guy who can shoot to do well for his team.![[eyeroll]](http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/img/emoticons/rolleye/rolleye0011.r191677.gif "Eye roll [eyeroll]")
And I'm not knocking Matthews. He played well in spots too. He's going to be a good one. Just saying Willis is ahead of him right now.
I think it will depend on the matchup, and what we need for that game. Each guy has something different to offer.
Willis: shooting, experience, size, rebounding (if he doesn't rebound, I don't think he'll play)
Matthews: athletic, defense, multiple position
Mulder: shooting, athletic, experience
Even Hawkins & the 7-footer have something to offer. Although I think they are the least likely to get in the rotation. The big guy just seems to move slower than the rest.
Willis: shooting, experience, size, rebounding (if he doesn't rebound, I don't think he'll play)
Matthews: athletic, defense, multiple position
Mulder: shooting, athletic, experience
Even Hawkins & the 7-footer have something to offer. Although I think they are the least likely to get in the rotation. The big guy just seems to move slower than the rest.
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99% of the time Cal is not going to look to Willis for scoring. He has enough players that can score. Willis trying to score takes a possession away from Skal, Ulis, Murray, Briscoe. All of whom can do it better.
However, Cal will look at Matthews to be a lock down defender. Matthews guarding the other teams best player = fresher legs on offense for Murray
lee first post player off the bench and matthews the first perimeter. willis is battling humphries for that 8th man spot (if a big is needed that game) and mulder battling hawk, offense vs. defense (if a guard is needed)
assuming the 3 guards lineup wins out. I'm still not 100% sure matthews doesn't win that starting 3 job
assuming the 3 guards lineup wins out. I'm still not 100% sure matthews doesn't win that starting 3 job
Short benches win titles. Just like duke last year and kentucky in 2012. I'd much rather have our best seven play the majority of the minutes.
I'm guessing that the final decision on this won't be made for a while yet. So, I think we'll see both of these guys, in addition to Mulder, for most of the non-conference games. There is always ebb and flow to a season, also, and players as well. They get banged up a bit, they play well for a couple weeks and then the other guy steps it up. Calipari is using this as motivation. He wants all these guys to step up their games.
By the way, he mentioned the number 9 in regard to the rotation as well. He said whoever deserves to play will play. If they both deserve to play, they'll play. If one is clearly better, he'll play.
Either way, I don't think this should even be a worry right now. Everyone will get their shot.
By the way, he mentioned the number 9 in regard to the rotation as well. He said whoever deserves to play will play. If they both deserve to play, they'll play. If one is clearly better, he'll play.
Either way, I don't think this should even be a worry right now. Everyone will get their shot.
If Willis does not make the rotation it will not be because he is not good enough to play here. Nobody can convince me that Willis would not start at any other school in the SEC. He has been playing behind some unreal talent the last few years. I also don't buy the he only looks good against week competition arguement. He looked great in the Bahamas against some pretty good competition. I like Charles Matthews a lot, but I think I would rather see a junior Willis get a chance early in the season anyway to see what he can do.
All the last game showed me is that willis is capable of playing at the NAIA level. His defense blows and he looks like he's never touched a weight.
And if he was from Ohio you wouldn't say the same. I don't think he's good enough to start at another SEC school..no defense, too weak. He could maybe come off the bench for one..
Depth is needed for the course of a season--not a game. It's why it's overrated and often a hindrance in NCAA play--now I'll say this--for the way UK will play this year--it's a help because the pace they're going to play.(anytime you have a guard oriented team and elite guards--it's championship worthy) I see it more as who UK is facing and what is needed. Willis can play--just a matter of being consistent and being able to contribute without the basketball. Matthews already does that--he can defend, rebound, and his familiarity with Ulis is a big bonus for him.
Wynyard's addition is going to be great for Skal/Humphries and practice sessions as you enter league play/KU game. Physical body/presence to bang and also will help Lee. Just think the type of bigs that UK has this year are perfectly suited for the type of team (guard driven/led) you have.
Mulder's role to me albeit he's different player--Kyle Wiltjer's on the '12 championship team. Be ready to come in--hit a big shot or 2 and provide breather. He does that--and you have a valuable player.
Poythress looks great to me--despite not being fully back. Improved jumper, and I think you see guy we saw on the Bahamas Trip for entire year. Seniors get it--and he is also a perfect compliment to what this roster is.
UK always has great talent--but much like the '12 team--this one has best roster to fit a playing style for each guy in rotation. What was hard about last year--was some parts weren't always best fits. It's a credit to the coaching at UK (an embarrassing dismissal by detractors or people who don't know the game) they fit the guys on '14/15 together and damn near were perfect last year. Don't think many understand how difficult it is to teach spacing with taller kids at the amateur level. Most teams are small in HS or have 1 big and play traditional positions. UK being so big----that was about as an impressive job of coaching as you'll see that was completely ignored due to talent and going off "Rankings". Fact is---this year's team is easier to fit around your best players and blends better in terms of being able to fit style wise. For instance--Humphries might not be most athletic/fleet of foot--but he's extremely skilled. Skal is a no doubter--but his skill set doesn't change how others play--and that is a helluva job recruiting to fit the rest of team. Cal said it would be a team to suit Ulis and he wasn't lying.
All the worrying over zone this year is silly--because mobility/flexibility of bigs offensively and overall shooting/skill is best I've seen for a Calipari team anywhere.
Wynyard's addition is going to be great for Skal/Humphries and practice sessions as you enter league play/KU game. Physical body/presence to bang and also will help Lee. Just think the type of bigs that UK has this year are perfectly suited for the type of team (guard driven/led) you have.
Mulder's role to me albeit he's different player--Kyle Wiltjer's on the '12 championship team. Be ready to come in--hit a big shot or 2 and provide breather. He does that--and you have a valuable player.
Poythress looks great to me--despite not being fully back. Improved jumper, and I think you see guy we saw on the Bahamas Trip for entire year. Seniors get it--and he is also a perfect compliment to what this roster is.
UK always has great talent--but much like the '12 team--this one has best roster to fit a playing style for each guy in rotation. What was hard about last year--was some parts weren't always best fits. It's a credit to the coaching at UK (an embarrassing dismissal by detractors or people who don't know the game) they fit the guys on '14/15 together and damn near were perfect last year. Don't think many understand how difficult it is to teach spacing with taller kids at the amateur level. Most teams are small in HS or have 1 big and play traditional positions. UK being so big----that was about as an impressive job of coaching as you'll see that was completely ignored due to talent and going off "Rankings". Fact is---this year's team is easier to fit around your best players and blends better in terms of being able to fit style wise. For instance--Humphries might not be most athletic/fleet of foot--but he's extremely skilled. Skal is a no doubter--but his skill set doesn't change how others play--and that is a helluva job recruiting to fit the rest of team. Cal said it would be a team to suit Ulis and he wasn't lying.
All the worrying over zone this year is silly--because mobility/flexibility of bigs offensively and overall shooting/skill is best I've seen for a Calipari team anywhere.
Depends how serious Cal is at picking up tempo with pressure. One thing still in doubt is our ability to defend in the half court with limited beef in the lineup. Cal has said he wants to run and pressure more . . . if so both can play but that fits Matthews to a tee so I'll say he will end up with more minutes than people think and in the top 7 by year end.
Not following you there. If anyone other than Ulis (clear starter) or Murray (clear starter, best guard since Wall IMO) has the ball in their hands at the end of a close game to shoot FTs...Cal needs to return his salary for that game and donate it to charity.
![[roll]](http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/img/emoticons/classic/roll.r191677.gif "roll [roll]")
All of us from Ky. would like to see Willis do well and earn some clock, but as we all know Cal preaches "play defense or you sit." Therefore, unless Derek has improved leaps and bounds from last season, (doubtful), you're going to see Matthews win that 8th spot.
Someone said "Cal said Hawkins was playing great before his injury"; to me, that was coach speak. I'd love to see Hawk get some clock as well, (he's from my old high school), but he has three, if not four, of the best guards in college this year ahead of him, so I just don't see anything other than mop up minutes for him, unless we're in very serious foul trouble of course.
However, I do see Humphries getting at least some clock in several games this year to spell Skal and Lee, or again, to help when we're in foul trouble.
We have so MANY different pieces on this year's team, and it's going to be exciting to watch this team grow throughout the year.
Someone said "Cal said Hawkins was playing great before his injury"; to me, that was coach speak. I'd love to see Hawk get some clock as well, (he's from my old high school), but he has three, if not four, of the best guards in college this year ahead of him, so I just don't see anything other than mop up minutes for him, unless we're in very serious foul trouble of course.
However, I do see Humphries getting at least some clock in several games this year to spell Skal and Lee, or again, to help when we're in foul trouble.
We have so MANY different pieces on this year's team, and it's going to be exciting to watch this team grow throughout the year.
I think the better defender wins out, unless the offensive player is truly special.
Matthews is the long wing defender we've been hoping for for the last few seasons. If Willis is getting minutes over him, it's because his defense has come along with his shooting ability.
Matthews is the long wing defender we've been hoping for for the last few seasons. If Willis is getting minutes over him, it's because his defense has come along with his shooting ability.
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