We have NO point guards right now. Take the top 2 PGs off any team and see how they do

[silentsaregolden2.0]

Not saying that is the only issue and that we would be title contenders with both of them back, but the first half of the season wasn't a fluke. We were good. Just very succeptible to good gameplans and unable to withstand the loss of our playmakers.

 

[BigBlue1992]

You are right it’s always a blow to lose your main PG…however…I would like to point out that Butler is a good veteran basketball player but he’s not John Wall like many are implying. He’s not good enough for us to be this bad by losing him.

And Kerr Kriisa just wasn’t very good at all. We’d be in trouble if he was the starting point guard anyway.

Appears to me something else has happened to this team.

 

[4849515878969812...]

I'm shocked at the lack of basketball knowledge by so many UK fans! No coach in the history of the game could win with UK's currently available roster. Open your eyes people!!! No PG means big-time trouble in the SEC.

Pope had very little time to assemble a roster. Anyone who thinks what's going on with the team right now is an indicator of what is to come in the upcoming seasons is very shortsighted!!!

I can see why UK fans get such a bad wrap from the rest of the nation.

 

[kywildcat41035]

Regardless PG or No PG this team shows no fight and that's a problem!

 

[OmahaCats]

You are right it’s always a blow to lose your main PG…however…I would like to point out that Butler is a good veteran basketball player but he’s not John Wall like many are implying. He’s not good enough for us to be this bad by losing him.

And Kerr Kriisa just wasn’t very good at all. We’d be in trouble if he was the starting point guard anyway.

Appears to me something else has happened to this team.

No, that’s all it is. The pg is the most impactful player on the team. Guys like Perry shouldn’t be touching the court unless we’re up a sizable amount. Hes killing us offensively and defensively. Not to mention guys like Noah and Chandler. They hurt us pretty bad as well

 

[JimboBBN]

Defense is still shit no matter how you spin it.

 

[BigBlue1992]

No, that’s all it is. The pg is the most impactful player on the team. Guys like Perry shouldn’t be touching the court unless we’re up a sizable amount. Hes killing us offensively and defensively. Not to mention guys like Noah and Chandler. They hurt us pretty bad as well

I hear you about Perry and Noah but I respectfully disagree about losing Butler being a reason for tanking. We are BAD right now.

Between Oweh, Robinson, and Brea we should have good enough guards to sustain.

 

[KyCPA]

Defense is still shit no matter how you spin it.

Thats true, outscoring teams was working before the injuries. That was the strategy for this team from the start.

 

[The_Answer1313]

It's twofold right. I mean the defense has been bad all season long but less awful with Butler and Kerr in there to the point where the offense could just outscore teams (even very good ones).

The injuries have made it to where the offense on most nights can't overcome the defense.

It's also not helping that a big part of our offense was not turning the ball over and since Butler has gone out that's been a major issue.

Yeah it's definitely true. Take the two top PG off any team and see how they do. Especially when 1) there was major deficiencies on this team even when completely healthy and 2) they are playing in a conference where there is no easy games.

That being said, this is where Pope is going to have to get creative, because who knows how long these guys will be out for.

 

[bnewt]

Regardless PG or No PG this team shows no fight and that's a problem!

this is the biggest problem and that is really bothersome

 

[bnewt]

I hear you about Perry and Noah but I respectfully disagree about losing Butler being a reason for tanking. We are BAD right now.

Between Oweh, Robinson, and Brea we should have good enough guards to sustain.

Brea is not a guard, he may think he is with all of the dribbling, but going no where
He has ZERO ability to create his own shot and can not guard a broken fence post

 

[BigBlue1992]

Brea is not a guard, he may think he is with all of the dribbling, but going no where
He has ZERO ability to create his own shot and can not guard a broken fence post

Brea is a guard as his only shot is a 3. And as far as the other stuff, tell that to Mark Pope. I didn’t recruit him.

 

[TopCatCal]

Defense is still shit no matter how you spin it.

Our defense is $h!t because we have got the most unathletic team in the entire conference. There's not a position on our team where we can say. WOW he's really fast for his position.

 

[Mike_Edwards]

Defense is still shit no matter how you spin it.

You’ll have that when 6/7 wings are trying to guard the quickest guy on the other team. Then everyone is half a step out of position trying to help and well then you get what we got.

 

[Mike_Edwards]

I’d like to know if there is currently any other power 5 school playing without their top 2 point guards and if so how they are fairing.

 

[hoggwildcat]

I hear you about Perry and Noah but I respectfully disagree about losing Butler being a reason for tanking. We are BAD right now.

Between Oweh, Robinson, and Brea we should have good enough guards to sustain.

Watched KSR rapid reaction, they made good point I will repeat. "If Mark Pope after filling his roster had no Kerr Kriisa or Lamont Butler, how would you think this season would turn out"?

 

[EliteBlue]

You’ll have that when 6/7 wings are trying to guard the quickest guy on the other team. Then everyone is half a step out of position trying to help and well then you get what we got.

Simple as this and the OP post. I don’t understand how ppl don’t get it.

 

[BigBlue1992]

Watched KSR rapid reaction, they made good point I will repeat. "If Mark Pope after filling his roster had no Kerr Kriisa or Lamont Butler, how would you think this season would turn out"?

I didn’t know how this season would go anyway as it was. I think it’s a sure assumption that nobody else did either.

Kerr Kriisa is not very good at all. He averaged 4 points a game shooting like 20 something % if I’m not mistaken. And that’s against a lot of cupcakes.

Just to be clear when I critique our team, this is not a knock on Pope. He needs and deserves time to get things his way before being judged.

But as far as the now, we just ain’t very good. It is what it is. Nothing more, nothing less lol. I don’t understand why some are fighting everybody tooth and nail who mention the facts. It’s very strange.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

I'm shocked at the lack of basketball knowledge by so many UK fans! No coach in the history of the game could win with UK's currently available roster. Open your eyes people!!! No PG means big-time trouble in the SEC.

Pope had very little time to assemble a roster. Anyone who thinks what's going on with the team right now is an indicator of what is to come in the upcoming seasons is very shortsighted!!!

I can see why UK fans get such a bad wrap from the rest of the nation.

Yep 100%. We look pretty dumb as a fanbase right now

Watched KSR rapid reaction, they made good point I will repeat. "If Mark Pope after filling his roster had no Kerr Kriisa or Lamont Butler, how would you think this season would turn out"?

Loved watching Steven Peake having to calm down Pilgrim. A+ level weird lol

 

[bucsrule8872]

When you think about it, beating UT and Gonzaga on the road without Butler is pretty impressive.

This team has been up and down all season.

It’s almost as if the team was hastily constructed in just a month or two. LOL!

We really should have more downs than ups in our current situation sans a true PG.

Pope has done pretty well all things considered.

 

[The_Answer1313]

I didn’t know how this season would go anyway as it was. I think it’s a sure assumption that nobody else did either.

Kerr Kriisa is not very good at all. He averaged 4 points a game shooting like 20 something % if I’m not mistaken. And that’s against a lot of cupcakes.

Just to be clear when I critique our team, this is not a knock on Pope. He needs and deserves time to get things his way before being judged.

But as far as the now, we just ain’t very good. It is what it is. Nothing more, nothing less lol. I don’t understand why some are fighting everybody tooth and nail who mention the facts. It’s very strange.

Yeah but Kerr is one of the better defenders on the team which is what this team is sorely missing at this point. He's the energy guy.

We really don't need offense from him. There's plenty of other guys on this team that's capable of putting up numbers.

 

[BigBlue1992]

Yeah but Kerr is one of the better defenders on the team which is what this team is sorely missing at this point. He's the energy guy.

We really don't need offense from him. There's plenty of other guys on this team that's capable of putting up numbers.

I do get that. He is high energy. But like I said earlier, if we’re down to depending on Kerr for much of anything, we were in trouble anyway.

 

[The_Answer1313]

I do get that. He is high energy. But like I said earlier, if we’re down to depending on Kerr for much of anything, we were in trouble anyway.

To me, the bigger issue is Butler with the injuries. He's the best on the ball defender. Him gone our defense has gone from bad to very bad.

It also hit us on offense as we've been a team all season long that took care of the ball but since he's gone we've been turning it over at an alarming rate.

Biggest problems I see:
1) Butler injured
2) Brea and Robinson not being able to guard a lamppost.

We can get by without Kerr, I don't think we can do so without Butler tho.

 

[bnewt]

Yeah but Kerr is one of the better defenders on the team which is what this team is sorely missing at this point. He's the energy guy.

We really don't need offense from him. There's plenty of other guys on this team that's capable of putting up numbers.

Kerr adds some swager to this group. He plays with an attitude, that the others do not. He also plays 100% that the others do not. Much rather have someone with less talent that gives their all, than someone with more talent that loafs

 

[BigBlue1992]

To me, the bigger issue is Butler with the injuries. He's the best on the ball defender. Him gone our defense has gone from bad to very bad.

It also hit us on offense as we've been a team all season long that took care of the ball but since he's gone we've been turning it over at an alarming rate.

Biggest problems I see:
1) Butler injured
2) Brea and Robinson not being able to guard a lamppost.

We can get by without Kerr, I don't think we can do so without Butler tho.

I agree 100%!

 

[deadtracker]

You are right it’s always a blow to lose your main PG…however…I would like to point out that Butler is a good veteran basketball player but he’s not John Wall like many are implying. He’s not good enough for us to be this bad by losing him.

And Kerr Kriisa just wasn’t very good at all. We’d be in trouble if he was the starting point guard anyway.

Appears to me something else has happened to this team.

Well, we also lost our best defender on a team lacking in quality defenders. Pope has really done a great job with building a brand new team overnight and playing very good against some very good teams. Now he needs to make some adjustments, but it will be OK. This was never a final four team. But, with a little luck, and some health, maybe this team can still make a run. It will be OK.

 

[TTTblue24]

Regardless PG or No PG this team shows no fight and that's a problem!

^^^^^^this, and when does losing a couple guys mean you can’t hustle and fight and show some fire especially on defense??? I mean we can’t blame everything on not having butler or Kerr & stop with the talent excuse too. Ole miss doesn’t have the elite of the elite on their team nor 5 stars running around either but they have a commitment to defense. Athleticism definitely helps but you can still be a a good defender or defensive team and not super talented.

 

[BigBlue1992]

Well, we also lost our best defender on a team lacking in quality defenders. Pope has really done a great job with building a brand new team overnight and playing very good against some very good teams. Now he needs to make some adjustments, but it will be OK. This was never a final four team. But, with a little luck, and some health, maybe this team can still make a run. It will be OK.

He has done a good job with the short timeframe of constructing a roster.

And hey I’m just stating the facts.

The ones we need to be concerned about are those who are freaking out because someone simply says we’re not playing good right now.

 

[Blue wood]

Not saying that is the only issue and that we would be title contenders with both of them back, but the first half of the season wasn't a fluke. We were good. Just very succeptible to good gameplans and unable to withstand the loss of our playmakers.

Can't tell these idiots this,

 

[BBN-N-AZ]

I want to win every game. With that said our defensive tone is set by Butler. He isn’t in and things sometimes go to crap. Complete roster rebuild in short period of time. We ain’t cutting down the nets this year but it’s been an overall fun watch. When things are great they are great. When they are bad they are very bad.
First half saw a lot of bad body language. Second half not a lot better but a little better. Never seen a player hit a three and look disgusted. Saw that last night. They did close the gap so did show some fight.
Not the product I wanted to see this year but I’ll take it over product for the last couple of years.
Pope has given me hope that I previously lost. I’m good with giving them time to work through it and start building a culture. I think we will all be pleased given some time.
Ole Miss went for the throat, which is what we should be doing.
I’m still on board and think we have a bright future.
Go CATS!!!

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

He’s not good enough for us to be this bad by losing him.

100% disagree.

I coached a High School team a few years back and we had both our primary and secondary ball handlers go down with injury. We went from competing for the conference title to middle of the pack because we a) couldn't bring the ball up against pressure, b) effectively drive to burn off pressure in the half court, and c) stay in front of quicker players on defense.

It's EXACTLY the problem. We're going to look bad until we have Krisa and/or Butler back.

 

[ACT ONE]

How do you think Alabama would be doing right now if Sears and Holloway were injured and not playing?

 

[yabbadabbadoo]

These coaches are pretty smart these days. They are getting a good sample of games where we are w/o our PGs and have figured out how to exploit the hell out of it. It’s what they’re paid to do. This is NOT on Pope. This is him trying to survive until HOPEFULLY we get one back. Yet, we have fans pushing his head under the water trying to drown him instead of standing by him. Shame on those who are so stupid that you can’t understand this.

We will be fine once we get one back. If we don’t, then we have to support a Freshman Perry and see where it goes. He’ll keep improving and meshing with the other guys. We’re riding on a rough road right now and our seeding is gonna take a hit, but in the end we’ll be in the bracket and if we get Butler or Krissa back we’ll have to be dealt with.

It sucks that we’ve been hit with the injury bug again, but it’s where we are. Support is what this team and Pope needs. If that’s what fans are NOT gonna give, then they shouldn’t get on a public forum and bitch. Just go away.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

For reference, the Rockets have just had their worst stretch of basketball this year. 4 losses in a row, and to not even a great slate of teams (outside of 1 game against the Knicks)..

Why? Because it just so happens this is the most injured they've been all season. Tari has been banged up, in and out, FVV is out this week (our veteran PG), and Jabari Smith is out.

So it's no coincidence Houston goes from being a top5 team, to a roster that'd probably rank in the low teens/high 20s.

Same with UK.. when healthy (even relatively healthy), were a top15 team. With 3 guys out? Were in the 40s, with a roster that's more like a mediocre P5 program or a solid mid-major. You can see the difference.

 

[BigBlue1992]

100% disagree.

I coached a High School team a few years back and we had both our primary and secondary ball handlers go down with injury. We went from competing for the conference title to middle of the pack because we a) couldn't bring the ball up against pressure, b) effectively drive to burn off pressure in the half court, and c) stay in front of quicker players on defense.

It's EXACTLY the problem. We're going to look bad until we have Krisa and/or Butler back.

If you’re an upperclassman (shooting, scoring, etc) guard in college, playing at the highest level, making six figures, and you can’t bring the ball up the court, that’s on the player himself.

High school is high school. College basketball is a billion dollar operation. Their job is to play basketball at this point. Those are two different animals.

I don’t expect the guy filling in to average 6 or 7 assists a game. I also do expect to see a drop off in the team chemistry. But we have just been ran off our own court by the worst team in the conference and blown out by Ole Miss.

My sky isn’t falling. I’m cheering for the best they can do this year and hopefully things will swing our way next year.

 

[Cats192]

You are right it’s always a blow to lose your main PG…however…I would like to point out that Butler is a good veteran basketball player but he’s not John Wall like many are implying. He’s not good enough for us to be this bad by losing him.

And Kerr Kriisa just wasn’t very good at all. We’d be in trouble if he was the starting point guard anyway.

Appears to me something else has happened to this team.

WE DON'T HAVE A SINGLE POINT GUARD.

It's not about how talented Butler is or isn't. We don't have someone who can effectively play the most important position.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

If you’re an upperclassman (shooting, scoring, etc) guard in college, playing at the highest level, making six figures, and you can’t bring the ball up the court, that’s on the player himself.

High school is high school. College basketball is a billion dollar operation. Their job is to play basketball at this point. Those are two different animals.

I don’t expect the guy filling in to average 6 or 7 assists a game. I also do expect to see a drop off in the team chemistry. But we have just been ran off our own court by the worst team in the conference and blown out by Ole Miss.

My sky isn’t falling. I’m cheering for the best they can do this year and hopefully things will swing our way next year.

Again, completely disagree.

We saw early in the season that Jaxson struggled when defenders got up in his kitchen. He dribbles the ball high, and doesn't have it on a string. Does that mean he doesn't deserve his NIL money? Don't be silly. But it DOES mean that he's going to struggle being the primary ball handler for this team. Same way that Oweh would. Both of them can handle in small bursts, i.e. driving to the bucket, but neither one is comfortable being the primary handler. If you can't bring the ball up the court and start your offense, that btw, is predicated on up-tempo trigger, THAT AFFECTS YOUR OFFENSE.

Defense is a whole other issue, primarily related to our general lack of athleticism, but that's for another thread.

 

[BigBlue1992]

WE DON'T HAVE A SINGLE POINT GUARD.

It's not about how talented Butler is or isn't. We don't have someone who can effectively play the most important position.

OH REALLY?

That hasnt been brought up a million times yet.

Serious question, what are we supposed to be talking about right now? Yes we all know we have injuries. That’s out of the way.

So where does this board go from there? It seems there’s many who just keep saying the same thing. I love Pope! I fully expect next year to be better. Happy now, cry baby? Never seen a bunch of grown men whine and cry when somebody says the team isn’t very good right now.

Give me a new topic please!

 

[BigBlue1992]

Again, completely disagree.

We saw early in the season that Jaxson struggled when defenders got up in his kitchen. He dribbles the ball high, and doesn't have it on a string. Does that mean he doesn't deserve his NIL money? Don't be silly. But it DOES mean that he's going to struggle being the primary ball handler for this team. Same way that Oweh would. Both of them can handle in small bursts, i.e. driving to the bucket, but neither one is comfortable being the primary handler. If you can't bring the ball up the court and start your offense, that btw, is predicated on up-tempo trigger, THAT AFFECTS YOUR OFFENSE.

Defense is a whole other issue, primarily related to our general lack of athleticism, but that's for another thread.

Man…I’ve said a dozen times it’s going to affect us. Anybody who says it wouldn’t affect us is crazy. I still don’t think it justifies the last two games.

I totally disagree with you.

 

[Cats192]

OH REALLY?

That hasnt been brought up a million times yet.

Serious question, what are we supposed to be talking about right now? Yes we all know we have injuries. That’s out of the way.

So where does this board go from there? It seems there’s many who just keep saying the same thing. I love Pope! I fully expect next year to be better. Happy now, cry baby? Never seen a bunch of grown men whine and cry when somebody says the team isn’t very good right now.

Give me a new topic please!

I responded to your post about Butler's absence shouldn't have this big of an effect.

Get this, Mr. Genius:

This thread topic is about not having a point guard. If you don't want to discuss that--don't come into this thread. It's really that easy.

If you want to discuss a different topic, you go to the board and click on a topic that interests you.

You must not have read the "How to find a topic I want to talk about" manual