Trent Noah had 4 rebounds in 12 minutes, Amari 5 in 23

[Terrapin_Station]

The entire roster is. That is not a slam, but just the facts. Pope has done an outstanding job to achieve what he has.

What concerns me is that any returning players we have next year will still be mid-major talent, and only one of the three recruits is starting material next season. We have a lot of work to do in the portal.

 

[Kyhoward]

Who the hell are all these bench players you’re planning on bringing in? We must have some guys on the roster that I don’t know about.

Did not mean to upset you Yoshu! When I say bench, I don’t mean an entire game or even a half. Just a few minutes on the pine. You could have left out the h word and still got your point across.

 

[Blue_2_the_bone]

What concerns me is that any returning players we have next year will still be mid-major talent, and only one of the three recruits is starting material next season. We have a lot of work to do in the portal.

Mid major? You think Oweh, Garrison, and 4 star freshmen returning as sophomores are mid major talent? 😂😂

 

[yoshukai]

Did not mean to upset you Yoshu! When I say bench, I don’t mean an entire game or even a half. Just a few minutes on the pine. You could have left out the h word and still got your point across.

Sorry dude , that’s just the way I talk . Didn’t mean to offend .

 

[TTTblue24]

Noah has played pg since 8th grade at varsity level, he can spot fill in some and promise you he will take better care of the ball the butler and Robinson did and do. Kids a gamer and no he shouldn’t start or get starter mins, but as we saw Saturday he can fill in and hold his own. He’s one of the smartest players you will watch and find, not going to hurt us at all cause it’s obvious we can’t defend a light post & heaven forbid we block out…….but Noah will.

 

[TheDude73]

Noah was one of the only bright spots yesterday. Really great to see the heart and hustle.

I thought Oweh again carried us.

 

[CatsFanIL]

Amari is a mid major talent. It’s time we accept it.

Taking off the Drexel jersey and putting on the UK jersey doesn't automatically make someone an SEC star player. But, since Pope was hired at a less than ideal timing, he was the best Pope could go get at the 5-spot. He still has a couple more months of development to squeeze out some more talent and ability, hopefully we'll see that.

But there's a reason why he was at a mid-major for 4 years. I love Brea, but you're seeing why he was at a mid-major as well. If he's not making 3s, what's he bringing to the table? Doesn't rebound, doesn't guard, doesn't get by his guy. Just because other teams, like Duke, are after these guys in the portal, doesn't mean they're after them to be starters or their primary star. Who wouldn't want Brea's shooting off the bench? But we also have to understand their limitations and WHY they're coming from a mid-major...

 

[Wonky]

But that was in a totally different era back when there was no transfer portal or NIL promises to deal with.

The coach/player balance of power has dramatically changed. Now benching one of your main guys more likely just means you lose him rather than motivate him.

You’re not wrong, but I would argue that losing a player who is giving half-assed effort is addition by subtraction.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Seems like Amari rebounds at waist. Does not extend hands to rebound

He definitely doesn't play tall. Often defends and rebounds with his hands at his waist. Also he constantly gets pushed under the rim on rebounds.

I know i keep getting told the metrics say hes a great rebounder, but i don't understand how anyone can watch him and think the same.

 

[rolaid]

The problem with Williams is if he had better body language and looked like he tried 100% and occasionally showed a big time hustle play everyone will be tickled with 10pt 9 rebounds in 21 minutes per game
He just is aggravating to watch simply because he plays with his arms down & can’t catch a cold on rebounds

 

[G-PIP]

Taking off the Drexel jersey and putting on the UK jersey doesn't automatically make someone an SEC star player. But, since Pope was hired at a less than ideal timing, he was the best Pope could go get at the 5-spot. He still has a couple more months of development to squeeze out some more talent and ability, hopefully we'll see that.

But there's a reason why he was at a mid-major for 4 years. I love Brea, but you're seeing why he was at a mid-major as well. If he's not making 3s, what's he bringing to the table? Doesn't rebound, doesn't guard, doesn't get by his guy. Just because other teams, like Duke, are after these guys in the portal, doesn't mean they're after them to be starters or their primary star. Who wouldn't want Brea's shooting off the bench? But we also have to understand their limitations and WHY they're coming from a mid-major...

Yeah, but almost every player in CBB has some obvious to significant limitations, including starters for the Power Conferences. We follow our guys closely so those limitations standout to us.

Overwhelmingly, the best players in CBB are upperclassmen coming from the ranks of returning players and transfers – with the very best generally populating the All-American and All-Conference teams at the end of the season (or mid-season lists). And some of the best transfers are players that developed and came from mid-majors. Now, of course, a lot of those transfers are also coming from other Power Conferences. Still the mid-major guys who blossomed are a major, major factor.

 

[JonathanW]

Noah gave us good minutes.

As for Williams and his rebounding. He is one of the best rebounders we've had in the 2000's. Only better than him is Oscar, Vanderbilt & Cousins. Sure he "only" had 5 in 21 minutes. Had he played 34 minutes and had 8 boards, I'm sure most of you would have been satisfied with that (not happy with it, but not disappointed either). Well guess what, the 5 in 21 would extrapolate to 8.1 in 34 minutes.

ALSO, other than Oscar, everyone has had occasional bad rebounding games. On the season Williams is averaging 8.6 rebounds in only 21.1 minutes. That extrapolates out to 12.2 boards every 30 minutes; 4th best at UK over the past 25 seasons. In his 6 SEC games, he has averaged 8.8 rebounds in 22.2 minutes.
The 3 games prior to Vandy he had 11, 12, & 12 boards (in 22, 23 & 30min).

So, to call Williams a bad rebounder, is just ignorant, and contrary to the facts. Is he Oscar at it? No, but I doubt we will ever see another rebounder like Oscar at UK.

As for other aspects of his game:
- he makes 56.3% of his shots (all from within 8'), so while that % is solid, it certainly could be better
- he is 64.6% at the FT line, which is not good, but could be worse
- he is 2nd on the team in assists (not counting Kriisa) at 2.6/gm, and 3rd per30min barely behind Garrison (3.9 & 3.8)
- he leads the team in Blocked shots by a wide margin 30, 2nd most is 13
- and because of the Blocks, he is 2nd on the team in Stocks (Blocks+Steals) at 38 (Oweh has 41)
- But he does lead the team in TOs at 2.2/gm, which is in part due to our offense going through the C

Is Williams KAT, Randle, Cousins, Richards (his JR year)? No.
But he is pretty decent.

 

[Blue_2_the_bone]

Noah gave us good minutes.

As for Williams and his rebounding. He is one of the best rebounders we've had in the 2000's. Only better than him is Oscar, Vanderbilt & Cousins. Sure he "only" had 5 in 21 minutes. Had he played 34 minutes and had 8 boards, I'm sure most of you would have been satisfied with that (not happy with it, but not disappointed either). Well guess what, the 5 in 21 would extrapolate to 8.1 in 34 minutes.

ALSO, other than Oscar, everyone has had occasional bad rebounding games. On the season Williams is averaging 8.6 rebounds in only 21.1 minutes. That extrapolates out to 12.2 boards every 30 minutes; 4th best at UK over the past 25 seasons. In his 6 SEC games, he has averaged 8.8 rebounds in 22.2 minutes.
The 3 games prior to Vandy he had 11, 12, & 12 boards (in 22, 23 & 30min).

So, to call Williams a bad rebounder, is just ignorant, and contrary to the facts. Is he Oscar at it? No, but I doubt we will ever see another rebounder like Oscar at UK.

As for other aspects of his game:
- he makes 56.3% of his shots (all from within 8'), so while that % is solid, it certainly could be better
- he is 64.6% at the FT line, which is not good, but could be worse
- he is 2nd on the team in assists (not counting Kriisa) at 2.6/gm, and 3rd per30min barely behind Garrison (3.9 & 3.8)
- he leads the team in Blocked shots by a wide margin 30, 2nd most is 13
- and because of the Blocks, he is 2nd on the team in Stocks (Blocks+Steals) at 38 (Oweh has 41)
- But he does lead the team in TOs at 2.2/gm, which is in part due to our offense going through the C

Is Williams KAT, Randle, Cousins, Richards (his JR year)? No.
But he is pretty decent.

Williams numbers show good production. I think it’s just the eye test that gives people concern. He doesn’t always challenge shots, plays with his hands down and refuses to use his right hand. Regardless, he’s a capable big for our offense. I hate to use the word, but a couple “tweaks” to his game and he could be much more productive. Still, he’s a good big and undeserving of the way some talk about him.

 

[wkycatfan]

The main thing I noticed about Noah was that he was one of the few guys out there who make a strong effort to get rebounds and loose balls.

 

[JonathanW]

The main thing I noticed about Noah was that he was one of the few guys out there who make a strong effort to get rebounds and loose balls.

What I liked from Noah, how I would play in pickup games since not athletic, was to crash the glass as soon as the shot goes up. Too many players often just freeze. Yeah if you have position block out, but if you don't have position, GO GET INTO POSITION.

 

[rivercatinfl]

Maybe and hopefully sooner

sooner I hope!!

 

[Wonky]

Noah gave us good minutes.

As for Williams and his rebounding. He is one of the best rebounders we've had in the 2000's. Only better than him is Oscar, Vanderbilt & Cousins. Sure he "only" had 5 in 21 minutes. Had he played 34 minutes and had 8 boards, I'm sure most of you would have been satisfied with that (not happy with it, but not disappointed either). Well guess what, the 5 in 21 would extrapolate to 8.1 in 34 minutes.

ALSO, other than Oscar, everyone has had occasional bad rebounding games. On the season Williams is averaging 8.6 rebounds in only 21.1 minutes. That extrapolates out to 12.2 boards every 30 minutes; 4th best at UK over the past 25 seasons. In his 6 SEC games, he has averaged 8.8 rebounds in 22.2 minutes.
The 3 games prior to Vandy he had 11, 12, & 12 boards (in 22, 23 & 30min).

So, to call Williams a bad rebounder, is just ignorant, and contrary to the facts. Is he Oscar at it? No, but I doubt we will ever see another rebounder like Oscar at UK.

As for other aspects of his game:
- he makes 56.3% of his shots (all from within 8'), so while that % is solid, it certainly could be better
- he is 64.6% at the FT line, which is not good, but could be worse
- he is 2nd on the team in assists (not counting Kriisa) at 2.6/gm, and 3rd per30min barely behind Garrison (3.9 & 3.8)
- he leads the team in Blocked shots by a wide margin 30, 2nd most is 13
- and because of the Blocks, he is 2nd on the team in Stocks (Blocks+Steals) at 38 (Oweh has 41)
- But he does lead the team in TOs at 2.2/gm, which is in part due to our offense going through the C

Is Williams KAT, Randle, Cousins, Richards (his JR year)? No.
But he is pretty decent.

It isn’t that Williams is terrible… it’s that he COULD BE so much better.

I realize you’re a statistician, and that’s fine. There’s certainly a lot of value in that. But if you think he’s giving anywhere close to the effort that’s required at this level, I question what games you’re watching. The man is 7’0, 262lbs and straight DOGS it out there about half the game.

 

[Basscat1987]

Taking off the Drexel jersey and putting on the UK jersey doesn't automatically make someone an SEC star player. But, since Pope was hired at a less than ideal timing, he was the best Pope could go get at the 5-spot. He still has a couple more months of development to squeeze out some more talent and ability, hopefully we'll see that.

But there's a reason why he was at a mid-major for 4 years. I love Brea, but you're seeing why he was at a mid-major as well. If he's not making 3s, what's he bringing to the table? Doesn't rebound, doesn't guard, doesn't get by his guy. Just because other teams, like Duke, are after these guys in the portal, doesn't mean they're after them to be starters or their primary star. Who wouldn't want Brea's shooting off the bench? But we also have to understand their limitations and WHY they're coming from a mid-major...

That’s not always the case tho with the portal. Johni broome. Walter Clayton from Florida. And I’m sure there’s many more

 

[CatsFanIL]

That’s not always the case tho with the portal. Johni broome. Walter Clayton from Florida. And I’m sure there’s many more

Johni Broome played only 2 seasons at Morehead, not at all the same as 4 years at Drexel

Clayton only played 2 years at Iona, so again not the same as 4 years at a mid-major.

Clayton and Broome clearly showed they were too good for the mid-major level after just 2 seasons.

Broome averaged a double-double as a sophomore. Williams as a senior last year in a mid-major didn't even do that.

Brea only had 1 season at Dayton where he averaged double digit points, at that was last season, his senior year. He was a good 3-pt shooter his entire college career, but his senior year it jumped to 49.8% (37% year prior). So again, 4th year was best year

I get your point, and yeah of course there's other variables at play. But those guys who play 4 years at a mid-major are NOT the same as those guys that dominate in 2 years then hit the portal. Dalton Knecht would be a good example of a contrary to my argument. Of course there's going to be outliers