Actually both Jack and Zack think this. Starts around the 1 hour 8 minute mark of this video.
Sources Say - Pilgrim thinks Bradshaw/Thiero/Burks/Hart return
- Thread starter mcwildcats04
- Start date
Idk about Hart…he didn’t even see the floor this year and likely won’t next year either.
I think you can add Z to that group as well.
let the guessing games begin.
Going to be sad if that ends up being our four returners if we don't get to a Final Four.
Would like to see Wagner, Z and Edwards come back.
Would like to see Wagner, Z and Edwards come back.
Wagner - learn how to play PG
Z - muscle up
Edwards - work on right hand and embrace contact
Would be shocked if Bradshaw returned. He needs to but that hasn't mattered in years.
Would absolutely love to have Z back. They didn't say he was for sure gone but seemed to think it more likely than not.
Hey, don't shoot the messenger, but I hear you. Haha All I really care about is this next month. Just posting because they brought it up tonight.
It’ll be up to him and him alone. Live in the weight room, live in the gym. Earn the respect of your teammates with the amount of work you put in. If you earn their respect then you will earn Cal’s. Then it’s just a matter of performing when you do get in.
If that’s who we get back combined with what we have coming in then we are gonna be a more traditional Cal team next year w a lot of size/length/athleticism and bully ball. Let’s hope the defense can be top 5 and we get to the line a lot…also hope Boogie Fland can be a Fox/Knight/Wall game breaker type guard and not a TyTy/Cason just solid college guard type.
In the meantime… enjoy this years teams style of play and offensive prowess for these final weeks
In the meantime… enjoy this years teams style of play and offensive prowess for these final weeks
Whew, dodged a bullet there, was afraid he would add Cal to the list.
Thanks for info OP but I have gotten to where I don’t even try to guess in who stays, who goes/transfers etc. With this year it will be even moreso as I really like this team and just enjoy watching them play. Whatever happens will happen after the season is over. This year has certainly had its share of frustration but I really like this teams chances in the NCAAT. Elite guard play has beaten us for years and we have it this year and are deep as well. Emergence of Edwards to go along with Theiro has really made us formidable. If only Tre could get back to early season form and the triple headed interior of Ugo/Z/bradshaw is icing on the cake. One of those 3 are separating themselves each game so great to have that luxury. Just pumped and ready for tournament action!!!!
I sure hope so, I’d like to see Wags and Edwards too.
I'm not sure what people can base anything on at this point.
with the transfer portal and NIL, every kid is going to be asking Cal what is my role on the team next year against a good recruiting class coming in. UK is going to be competing with at least 10 other schools who have NIL money to bring in a known quantity player like Bradshaw or Thiero, offer them a Keion Brooks @ Washington situation and $200K more than what they were getting at UK.
All these other schools want just one guy that could be the difference in getting into the tourney next year or not, or a coach keeping their job. They aren't trying to pay NIL money to a 9 deep bench
with the transfer portal and NIL, every kid is going to be asking Cal what is my role on the team next year against a good recruiting class coming in. UK is going to be competing with at least 10 other schools who have NIL money to bring in a known quantity player like Bradshaw or Thiero, offer them a Keion Brooks @ Washington situation and $200K more than what they were getting at UK.
All these other schools want just one guy that could be the difference in getting into the tourney next year or not, or a coach keeping their job. They aren't trying to pay NIL money to a 9 deep bench
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They know as much as we do at this stage in the process. Similarly, before the Final Four in 2012 ....
MKG told everyone he was coming back.
Teague wasn't even considering the draft.
There are several other examples. Things change dramatically based on post-season play.
MKG told everyone he was coming back.
Teague wasn't even considering the draft.
There are several other examples. Things change dramatically based on post-season play.
Those are valid points.
Here is what I think they will hear from Cal:
- Reed, you don't have a wrong decision here. You could go, probably be a high/lottery pick. On the other hand, you could stay and lead your lifelong dream school to a championship (or repeat). This is your dream (or at least one of them) to play for and lead your dream school since a little kid. And there's no rush to become an adult, unless you want that responsibility now, in which case I believe in you and that you will succeed in the NBA. But if you return, and work hard to get stronger and quicker, I think you would immediately make an impact and be a star in the league in 3-4 years (rather than spending your first year or two being manhandled by physically more mature Men).
- DJ, I know this year didn't go as you planned personally. A lot of that was due to ankle injuries, bad enough to slow you down, but not miss a lot of time. I still believe in you and how good you can be. Can you be drafted, sure. But if you return, and continue to improve your shot, I think you will be the clear leader on our team and a lottery pick next year. The question for you is do you want to develop next year in the G-league or at UK?
- Justin, Like DJ I know this year didn't go as you planned personally. You struggled early on, for over half the season. But I knew how good you could be and stuck with you as much as I could. And you found that confidence than pushed through finishing strong. Because of that I think you went from a projected high lottery pick, to undraftable, back to a late 1st/early 2nd round pick. If you return, I think the sky is the limit for you next year. Also like DJ, would you rather spend a year in the G-league trying to prove your ready, or spend the year becoming a clear lottery pick next year?
Rob, What can I say. You drive me crazy, both in good and bad ways. You can't return. I don't see what else we can do for you here. You are a top 5 pick, and future all-star. A cross between Iverson and Trae Young. You know I'm always here for you. Now go prove yourself (to the NBA).
Z, I feel so bad still about how the NCAA f***ed you over. And I know that caused you a lot of stress, in a totally new environment/culture. Your skills are undeniable. You need polishing though to play at the next level. I'd love the chance to help you with that polishing, and think you could be a dominant force next year here, and be a lottery pick next year. But if you want to leave for the NBA now, I understand. Just know that teams won't play you as rough as you are now, they will put you in the G-league next year. So would you rather do that there or here?
Aaron, I know this year didn't go as you planned, between your foot injury and that setting you back, and then the physicality of college basketball. You could leave and probably be drafted in the 2nd round with a guaranteed contract that has you in the G-league next year. But the NBA is even more phyical than college with grown-ass men. Even the G-league is more physical. Or..., you can return, spend all summer in the weightroom, gym, and cafeteria, and come back and be a dominant college player next year like you hoped to be this year.
Adou, I think we can get you some workouts with teams, and probably get you drafted late in the 2nd round, and spend next year in the G-league. But look how you've progressed the past 2 years. You clearly have the work ethic to be successful. You spend this summer working on your shot, and fluidity with the ball, and you'll be an all-SEC player next year, and then a lottery pick next summer.
Ugonna, I love what you bring to the floor, that shot blocking defense is what will get you to the NBA. But look at Oscar and his incredible rebounding, it wasn't enough, so he's in the G-league. We have to get you being able to guard quicker players, and hitting some jumpers, and being stronger with the ball around the basket. Look at Nick Richards and what I did for him. That is the path I think you need to be on. And hopefully you continue that path here next year.
Jordan, I'm sure you hoped to play more this year. Everyone does. But look at how Adou progressed from last year to this year. I see that same from you, but maybe even better. You are a scorer, I think you can be a 3-level scorer for us next year. Nothing is guaranteed or promised. But I can see you and Adou manning our Forward positions and both of you being all-SEC, positioning yourself to be drafted next summer.
Joey, I know it sucks not playing. But you saw it in practices, that you weren't quick enough, strong enough, to guard perimeter players. That's what you need to spend all summer on. Your offense/shooting skills are there. But you got to be able to better defend, I can't hide you. You get quicker and stronger, with your shooting, make it so that I can't afford to keep you on the bench. Make me have to play you. If you do those things, I can see you carving out a contributing role next season.
No because under Calipari it’s all about recruits and drama. So this is year round until he retires unfortunately.
Hart could be in line for some playing time next year if this prediction holds true and no other guards return. As it stands, Fland & Perry are the only ones in next year's class. That is likely to change adding a reclass and snagging one or two from the portal depending on how things unfold at the end of the year.
if Cal still believes landing a PG in the portal from a school that struggled to go .500 is the right move, we're in trouble
Georgia's success (or lack of) was not the reason that he did not work out at UK, it was his playing style and most importantly in inability/unwillingness to adjust/improve his biggest weakness(es).
Your same statement could be make of Konnect (sp) at UT, and other guys who went from unsuccessful teams to successful ones.
Didn't he lead the Sky conference in scoring? I don't think your comparison holds much weight
While Northern Colorado didn't set the world on fire, he did.
DK couldn't even make 1st team all Big Sky conference.
Didn't Wheeler lead the SEC in assists, and scored quite well for a PG.
A good coach should be able to see beyond the stats and records and "expert" projections.
Sure would hope so. Right now he still seems like a very tall kid. He really needs another year in college to be more suited to go against bruiser NBA pros. Just see him enjoying college so much right now and still learning about American basketball. He's even stated there are differences in rules and such and that he's still trying to catch up and learn.
No doubt. I think he probably just needs to get stronger and quicker to be better able to guard perimeter players. Supposedly his shooting is quite good.
But we will either return Reed (or Wagner) or add a portal-shooter. And after this year, it should be much easier for us to add a portal-shooter than prior years.
For those who've seen him play, could Perry be a backup PG (or is he strictly a SG)?
I agree, Saul ... but I don't see any chance that Edwards comes back. I'm hopeful about Wagner and Z. And ... don't laugh out loud ... I'm not sure that Reed won't come back -- but I do understand that that's odds-against.
Go 'Cats.
Good imagination and a lot of facts from you, but you really can’t believe Cal would encourage a first-riunder(especially a lottery pick) to stay.
Cal cherishes the NBA draft as his greatest day. Championships be damned!
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