Starting center next season

[chasingwildcat]

If Garrison is the starting center next year, we have no chance to be strong team at all. Dont expect Garrison to be developed into starter level next year, would rather Morelo over Garrison.

Better recruit a starter level C from portal.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

I'll worry about next season after this seasons last loss (or win).

 

[Big BlueBeard]

Nick Richards developed himself into an NBA player in the last yr or two of his UK career. Garrison has a long way to go, but no telling what he's gonna end up being yet. I surely didn't see Richards turning into what he did during his sophomore year. Same can be said for Nazr, too.

 

[lj bulldog]

If Garrison is the starting center next year, we have no chance to be strong team at all. Dont expect Garrison to be developed into starter level next year, would rather Morelo over Garrison.

Better recruit a starter level C from portal.

Lot of time between now and next year. Moreno needs to put on 50# of muscle to be effective SEC center.

 

[FitchandMurray29]

I’m waiting till the end of the year to make that call and also the biggest thing we have no idea about is the NIL he’ll be looking for. Is it the same as this year? Is it more because he is the expected starter? Is it less because he’s lost some “potential” and had miserable advanced analytics? He’s a fascinating player to consider from that perspective regardless of him already being at Kentucky.

There are a lot more thoughts I have about this decision but the most striking thing I found in my research was the lack of development historically by Center prospects like him recently. Centers that weren’t physical freaks(your 7 foot mountains or gazelle types) and were ranked between like 20-50 really have not developed as much as you’d think the last 10 years or so that I went back. Many of them just were who they were by that point and consistently gave similar production year over year.

The argument for rolling with him and paying him handsomely, has too much to do with his high school ranking from what’ll be 3 years ago by next season for my taste. But that’s what Pope and staff get paid the big bucks to determine.

 

[BBNinSC]

I expect Garrison to be a really good player next season with the added maturity and time with our coaching staff. He’s an eventual NBA first round pick.

 

[fatguy87]

Garrison needs to get some strength in his arms. They are like noodles. He is so flimsy reaching out with the ball to dribble, pass, or attempt to finish around the rim.

 

[Wildcat-in-STL]

I dont think he will make a jump to be dominant but he's good for us now if he'd cut down on some turnovers and a couple bad shots. A whole off season of learning the system better and working with our coaches to improve , Garrison can be what we need next year. Some people are so used to Cal and his system where if you didnt have it , 95% odds the player wasnt going to have it the next year or the year after (some exceptions of course which is why its 95% and not 100%) but in regular systems players get more proficient at the playbook each year.

 

[TucsonCat]

He's shown enough flashes to warrant hope. Back when players stayed till seniors, that was the biggest jump in production. I would predict an average SEC center next year, and significant key his senior.

 

[gharding07]

I expect Garrison to be a really good player next season with the added maturity and time with our coaching staff. He’s an eventual NBA first round pick.

Wow I'll take that bet. He has no skills that replicate that of a nba player let alone a first rounder.

 

[NociHTTP]

Lot of time between now and next year. Moreno needs to put on 50# of muscle to be effective SEC center.

I don't see that happening.

 

[J-Ryan]

I have no worries about Pope’s ability to build a team with a full recruiting season

 

[CASblue]

If Garrison is the starting center next year, we have no chance to be strong team at all. Dont expect Garrison to be developed into starter level next year, would rather Morelo over Garrison.

Better recruit a starter level C from portal.

Like really? The kid has two years in and he’s already being passed over? C’mon no need to kick him out….would you take a freshman Thiero or the current version you see at Arkansas? I’ll hang up and listen

 

[chasingwildcat]

Like really? The kid has two years in and he’s already being passed over? C’mon no need to kick him out….would you take a freshman Thiero or the current version you see at Arkansas? I’ll hang up and listen

I just say if we want a strong team next year, he is not the starter center material next year.

Moreno's feel on the court is already way more better than Garrison, all of offence, defence, rebounding, and on-court decision making. Merono is also bigger in size.

 

[CrazyCat74]

I have no idea what the portal is going to have but I hope we get Garrison as a junior back.

Hes so raw, but he plays with a passion and shows flashes of decent upside so you know it's there.

If/when he can put it all together (skill, strength, coordination, experience etc) he will have a fairly high ceiling and a potential next level player.

**Let's remember this particular offense has the center dribbling around 22 feet from the basket looking for cutters which is clearly not his strength.

 

[Padsfs07]

I think he is hurt most by the lack of the 3 injured guards. Him and Brea.

 

[Thecycle27]

Pope system isn’t big man friendly in the traditional back to the basket. It is more Euro lifting everything out of the lane to create space for all his actions. He isn’t changing either. Bigs that can pass, shoot and rebound are unicorns. They may have 1 or 2 of these qualities but not all 3.

Now they should take more advantage of Williams/Garrison when teams switch. They should immediately dive to post and take advantage of the mismatch. I don’t think they are being used correctly especially with the injuries. They can force double teams in the post. Create opportunities for three out of double teams.