Here is a little comparison and why I think we need Diallo and/or Murray (preferably both) in a big way...
2012-2013 vs 2015-2016 Roster
PG - Harrow < Ulis - This is a HUGE win for 2015-2016, Ulis is a leader and what we sorely lacked
SG - Goodwin = Briscoe - I love Briscoe's handles and potential but both came in with similar upside and Goodwin is in the league currently, so he proved he could do it. Again I would take Briscoe over Goodwin simply because it gives us another PG (Goodwin did his best at times that year but was not a true PG).
SF - Mays > Mulder - Again hoping Mulder is better, but similar players when they transferred. Hopefully calming presence. Mays was very key for us that year, I would love if Mulder could be as good as him.
PF - Poythress < Poythress - A Sr. Poythress is a better than a Fr. Poythress as long as he is able to fully recover for the injury, which I think he will.
C - Noel ? Skal - I LOVE Skal, but Noel was the man in his class too and was a stud for UK that year, and likely the top pick had he not been injured. Skill seems much better offensively than Noel, but Noel had all the intangibles. This could go either way.
Bench
6. Cauley-Stein > Marcus Lee - Love Lee's energy, but give me Cauley-Stein in this matchup. Not talking about JR Willie either, as a freshmen I still take him over Marcus due to his ability to be more physical.
7. Wiltjer > Willis - Only reason I give the nod to Wiltjer is he had more court experience from his freshmen year.
8. Polson = Hawkins - again has to be a toss up.
9. ??? < Matthews - Matthews could be the X factor and hopefully shows why he was so highly touted prior to HS injuries.
Long and short - I like our starting 5 better in 2015-2016, but our bench was better in 2012-2013. The teams match up pretty evenly if you ask me and have surprisingly similar players.
If we get Diallo and/or Murray - that is a game changer for this squad. Calipari has always said he won't get in a situation again where his bench holds him hostage - getting one or both of Diallo and/or Murray would assure that and give us the extra pieces we need, in my opinion.
I am excited about Mulder but we NEED Diallo and/or Murray much more. Best case scenario, we get 2 of those 3 and Jaylen Brown decides to play for us!!
2012-2013 vs 2015-2016 Roster
PG - Harrow < Ulis - This is a HUGE win for 2015-2016, Ulis is a leader and what we sorely lacked
SG - Goodwin = Briscoe - I love Briscoe's handles and potential but both came in with similar upside and Goodwin is in the league currently, so he proved he could do it. Again I would take Briscoe over Goodwin simply because it gives us another PG (Goodwin did his best at times that year but was not a true PG).
SF - Mays > Mulder - Again hoping Mulder is better, but similar players when they transferred. Hopefully calming presence. Mays was very key for us that year, I would love if Mulder could be as good as him.
PF - Poythress < Poythress - A Sr. Poythress is a better than a Fr. Poythress as long as he is able to fully recover for the injury, which I think he will.
C - Noel ? Skal - I LOVE Skal, but Noel was the man in his class too and was a stud for UK that year, and likely the top pick had he not been injured. Skill seems much better offensively than Noel, but Noel had all the intangibles. This could go either way.
Bench
6. Cauley-Stein > Marcus Lee - Love Lee's energy, but give me Cauley-Stein in this matchup. Not talking about JR Willie either, as a freshmen I still take him over Marcus due to his ability to be more physical.
7. Wiltjer > Willis - Only reason I give the nod to Wiltjer is he had more court experience from his freshmen year.
8. Polson = Hawkins - again has to be a toss up.
9. ??? < Matthews - Matthews could be the X factor and hopefully shows why he was so highly touted prior to HS injuries.
Long and short - I like our starting 5 better in 2015-2016, but our bench was better in 2012-2013. The teams match up pretty evenly if you ask me and have surprisingly similar players.
If we get Diallo and/or Murray - that is a game changer for this squad. Calipari has always said he won't get in a situation again where his bench holds him hostage - getting one or both of Diallo and/or Murray would assure that and give us the extra pieces we need, in my opinion.
I am excited about Mulder but we NEED Diallo and/or Murray much more. Best case scenario, we get 2 of those 3 and Jaylen Brown decides to play for us!!