agreed - and in the meantime they'll get to practice against these other guys
love AP, Lee and Skal, but none were exactly guys who would make others better.
Thoughts on UK From Outsider
- Thread starter ralphdaltonfan
- Start date
love AP, Lee and Skal, but none were exactly guys who would make others better.
I agree that Calipari has done a good job of bringing in shooters who can play early on at this level. I don't think that's an easy thing to do. Great shooters may be born, but shooting consistency is developed over time with repetition and building self-confidence. How many guys have we seen annually in the college game who have gone from ok-but-inconsistent shooters to knock-down shooters in the span a 2 or 3 years. You see that at the college level and in the pros. For example, Hawkins has become a much better shooter than he was as a freshman.
ralphdalton, I'd take a thousand "non-UK" fans like yourself posting here.
I read every word of your original post up there and I think you're spot on. Thanks for posting your thoughts here.
Specific thoughts that resonated with me...
1. I agree this team had a good season when you step back and really evaluate what they had, which was two great guards and not much surrounding them. The lack of consistent post play is what killed us, in my opinion. You gotta have someone down on that block who is at least a threat to go for a double-double in any game. We just didn't have that. Poythress was the closest thing we had, and I love the guy, but his inconsistencies are well known. In the final analysis, he will always the guy with the highest potential who just never realized it. I wouldn't call him a bust, either, but we're used to guys excelling and exceeding their potential around here.
2. I agree that Derek Willis is a critical piece for next year's team. As you say, he's a shooter and a shot maker. And I have to give him a bit of a pass in that Indiana game. Yes, he didn't step up and got lost on defense a few times, but when you consider where he came from (even for just this season alone), he made huge strides this season. And that game was the biggest of his career to this point, and as a Kentucky kid I'd say the moment may have been a little bit too big, especially considering that it seemed nothing went UK's way in that game.
3. I agree about next season mostly. I think (perhaps it's a hope) that most are not giving Fox and Monk enough credit for their perimeter shooting. They both appear to be good shooters. Monk seems a bit streaky, but most kids are in high school. But they both have good form and a killer instinct, and they should both get good looks given the fact that defenders will have to respect their ability to blow by and get straight to the rim. I think those 2 are the most athletic combo we will have had since Wall/Bledsoe, and that's saying something. If they can hit open shots and Willis and even a senior Hawkins can hit open shots, I think we'll be fine.
4. I have a feeling we're gonna see a couple transfers before all is said and done here. I wonder if Mulder will ever see the floor next season, and I have to ask the same question about either Tai Wynyard or Isaac Humphries with UK still recruiting big men. Of course, the good news for Tai and Isaac is that they have plenty of time to develop, but for Mulder next year is it. If he doesn't get on the floor, he's done. I must say, in the limited time I saw him this year, the thing I thought he'd give is the very thing he didn't give us- shooting. His 3pt shooting was not good at all. He did it in games in the previous seasons, though, so it makes you wonder if it's just a mental thing or a pressure thing. The other possible transfer may be Lee to a grad transfer, though I do hope he stays. I know he's never going to be a shooter or scorer, but his energy plays (lobs and shot blocking) can provide a lift off the bench.
5. I'm very excited for next season, without a doubt. I think most UK fans are cautiously optimistic, but may be leaning more toward the cautious side of that than the optimistic side. The Labissiere experiment going so badly is what has some a bit skittish. And who can blame them? My opinion is that Skal's situation was very strange and unique. His injury and then sitting out a year, followed by a year of not much competition, it was very strange. So, the good news is that the players coming in don't have these strange circumstances surrounding them. I think Adebayo will be a breath of fresh air to UK fans because of his fierce competitive fire and strength inside. He reminds me a bit of a taller, stronger Montrez Harrell.
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As for the charge calls--the push offs are fine--Murray did push off--but so does Buddy Hield everytime he drives, so do a lot of players and the inconsistency of who gets calls and what teams do/don't is tiresome. Either call it or don't. Ferrell was hooking people and Bryant traveled 3-4 times and 75% of them ended in baskets including a big 3 early from Johnson for IU. Then again, I am admittedly biased against charge/block calls. Don't think it's basketball and think it should eliminated. Anyone with pair of eyes can see when players gain advantages offensively and last time I checked defense shouldn't be rewarded by players falling to the ground--when the basket is 10 feet in air. Now if you run over a guy standing there--fine but this crap where guys are moving by someone and the defender falls after undercutting him is pathetic (see Troy Williams as defender with charge call) or when a 6'11 kid is posting a 5'10 kid and they call hooking. Why would he do that and why is that needed? Bigs are treated like garbage in CBB unless you wear certain uniforms.
Great paragraph ralphdaltonfan, this just sums up my frustrations with CBB
Great paragraph ralphdaltonfan, this just sums up my frustrations with CBB
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