What does our roster look like next year????

[_NewWorldOrder_]

As depressing as its been the last 5-6 days loosing to KU and Tennessee I've been thinking a lot about what should be beautiful basketball next season. So what's y'alls roster predictions???? Here's mine.



Tyler Ulis
De'Aaron Fox
Malik Monk
Bam Adebayo
Marques Bolden

Derrick Willis
Wenyen Gabriel
Sacha Killeya Jones
Charles Mathews
Dominique Hawkins
Mychal Mulder
Issac Humphries
Tai Wynyard

I swear I think Ulis is back. Just don't see him leaving when he has a chance to lead a great team to a championship and still get drafted next year anyway.

 

[Big Cat fan]

NWO, you keep doing these next year threads, we are trying to only think about the next game.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I don't think Ulis will be back. I think we will sign Bolden.

I think we look something like this next year:

Starters
G Fox
G Monk
F Gabriel
F Adebayo
F Bolden

Key Reserves
F Willis- sixth man, starter minutes.
G Matthews- backup 3.
G Hawkins- backup 1/2.
F Killeya-Jones- backup 4/5.

Bench
G Mulder
F Humphries
F Wynyard
G Floreal

I wouldn't be surprised to see Willis start, at least initially, instead of Bolden. Also, Matthews might start over Gabriel early in the season, for defensive purposes until Gabriel proves he can defend on the perimeter in college. In the end, I think we start five Freshmen most of the season next year. The new guys are going to be too good to keep on the bench.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

If Ulis does come back to join that team...My goodness....That would be one hell of a basketball team!!

 

[bigc45157]

Ulis is gone. We will start 5 freshman, albeit talented, that's still a group of freshman out there without any help.

As much as I want to believe next yeAr's the year, Duke/MSU/KU will all have vetetans back to help lead the charge.

I can't wait to see the new guys play, but I think we lose a handful of games due to youth.

Here's to finishing strong THIS season.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

I don't think Ulis will be back. I think we will sign Bolden.

I think we look something like this next year:

Starters
G Fox
G Monk
F Gabriel
F Adebayo
F Bolden

Key Reserves
F Willis- sixth man, starter minutes.
G Matthews- backup 3.
G Hawkins- backup 1/2.
F Killeya-Jones- backup 4/5.

Bench
G Mulder
F Humphries
F Wynyard
G Floreal

I wouldn't be surprised to see Willis start, at least initially, instead of Bolden. Also, Matthews might start over Gabriel early in the season, for defensive purposes until Gabriel proves he can defend on the perimeter in college. In the end, I think we start five Freshmen most of the season next year. The new guys are going to be too good to keep on the bench.

I seriously doubt a freshman Gabriel will beat out Willis for a starting spot. Maybe late in the season. I hope we don't have to start 5 freshmen.

 

[dorkmeister]

Does everyone really believe Skal is going pro?????

 

[_NewWorldOrder_]

Does everyone really believe Skal is going pro?????

I don't really, but I had just rather have Bolden. We could actually have both, but it would be crowded. If Ulis left Gabriel, Bam, and Skal would start in the frontcourt with Bolden, SKJ, and Willis as the backups. Willis would have to play the 3 most of his mins.

 

[CatPhight]

Does everyone really believe Skal is going pro?????

If his handler <cough> has anything to say about, he'll declare no matter what GM's might say.

 

[brianpoe]

As depressing as its been the last 5-6 days loosing to KU and Tennessee I've been thinking a lot about what should be beautiful basketball next season. So what's y'alls roster predictions???? Here's mine.



Tyler Ulis
De'Aaron Fox
Malik Monk
Bam Adebayo
Marques Bolden

Derrick Willis
Wenyen Gabriel
Sacha Killeya Jones
Charles Mathews
Dominique Hawkins
Mychal Mulder
Issac Humphries
Tai Wynyard

I swear I think Ulis is back. Just don't see him leaving when he has a chance to lead a great team to a championship and still get drafted next year anyway.

Where is that 5th year sharpshooter?

 

[SDcatfan13]

I don't think Briscoe is guaranteed to leave. I just don't feel that with his poor shooting, he will be a 1st round pick, and in addition, I don't think Calipari will suggest him to go. I do think the end of this season will have a decent say in draft decisions. Finish the season with an early tournament exit, and I could see that encouraging someone to come back.

 

[jackcarlson]

I don't see anyone leaving except Poythress and maybe......Murray. And, Murray shouldn't.

 

[TIE543]

I don't see anyone leaving except Poythress and maybe......Murray. And, Murray shouldn't.

We don't have enough scholarship space for that.

 

[Tampa_cat54]

Where exactly do people think Marcus Lee is going??

 

[UKWildcats#8]

I don't see anyone leaving except Poythress and maybe......Murray. And, Murray shouldn't.

Murray is going to be a top 10 pick. Other than his D, he has been an exceptional player this year. Look at the stats, pay attention.

And if those are the only two you see going I hope you enjoy the view of the ocean from Kentucky or wherever you live.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Where exactly do people think Marcus Lee is going??

Either leaving, or coming back here to ride the bench next year. That is the problem for most of these guys...other than Murray and Ulis (both of who are not coming back IMO), who that can return would play as much next year as they are this year? Answer is no one unless Skal had a reformation and learned to rebound and Briscoe learns how to shoot...then they could.

 

[MWes11]

I seriously doubt a freshman Gabriel will beat out Willis for a starting spot. Maybe late in the season. I hope we don't have to start 5 freshmen.

I disagree. I think Gabriel does start no matter who comes back. He is that versatile and he has a motor that never stops like MKG. Cal loves to start those big, long small forwards(MKG/Lyles) Needs to put on a few lbs., but he is a MKG clone, imo. Shoots it better than MKG, though.

Yes, I compared Gabriel to MKG.

 

[brianpoe]

I don't see anyone leaving except Poythress and maybe......Murray. And, Murray shouldn't.

Why should Murray not go if he is top 10?

 

[SDcatfan13]

With Ulis as such a competitor, I could see him pondering a return more strongly if Kentucky has a 1st or 2nd round loss in the NCAA tournament as compared to an Elite 8 run.

 

[tmuck]

Returnees:

Briscoe
Willis
Hawkins
Wynyard
Humphries
Hawkins
Mathews
Mulder

I think we get Bolden too.

 

[brianpoe]

With Ulis as such a competitor, I could see him pondering a return more strongly if Kentucky has a 1st or 2nd round loss in the NCAA tournament as compared to an Elite 8 run.

We see this quote every year... never happens, if the opportunity is there Tyler goes.

 

[RondoBaller21]

I seriously doubt a freshman Gabriel will beat out Willis for a starting spot. Maybe late in the season. I hope we don't have to start 5 freshmen.

Gabriel has been compared to Luol Deng, so I'm pretty sure he will start over willis. All Willis basically does is shoot threes.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

Ill bite...like the Golden State Warriors.

 

[caneintally]

We don't have enough scholarship space for that.

LOL yeah he shouldn't leave even though he is lock lotto pick . OK buddy. Just LMAO. Murray , Poy , Ulis are gone for sure. I think Lee might do grad transfer thing . Briscoe will come back IMO .

 

[BigAbe4UK]

Returnees:

Briscoe
Willis
Hawkins
Wynyard
Humphries
Hawkins
Mathews
Mulder

I think we get Bolden too.

Like this list except Briscoe. I think he is gone. This draft will be very weak...any of the guys that are in the projections 1st or 2nd round will go IMO. The combination of the weak draft this year compared to what it will be next year (very very strong) and then you factor in the minutes are going to be reduced substantially for any returners.

Briscoe
Ulis
Murray
Skal
Lee

will all be gone- just too much risk for them to come back I think.

 

[SDcatfan13]

I think this talk of one draft being weak compared to the other one affecting a player's projection is overblown. I don't think it will make much of a difference. Ulis has more of an argument of going with how he's doing this year, but I think it would do Briscoe good to return another year having worked on his game more, especially since I don't think he'll be taken in the 1st round this year. He could come back next year, be a great contributor as the 6th man or even starter, and improve his stock to the 1st round.

 

[Blue Decade]

As depressing as its been the last 5-6 days loosing to KU and Tennessee I've been thinking a lot about what should be beautiful basketball next season. So what's y'alls roster predictions???? Here's mine.



Tyler Ulis
De'Aaron Fox
Malik Monk
Bam Adebayo
Marques Bolden

Derrick Willis
Wenyen Gabriel
Sacha Killeya Jones
Charles Mathews
Dominique Hawkins
Mychal Mulder
Issac Humphries
Tai Wynyard

I swear I think Ulis is back. Just don't see him leaving when he has a chance to lead a great team to a championship and still get drafted next year anyway.

Ulis may or may not be back, but I am beginning to believe he has nothing to gain by coming back. You forgot Lee and Labissiere, who aren't going to get drafted no matter what anybody says now. That's why I don't see room for Bolden yet.

 

[brianpoe]

Ulis may or may not be back, but I am beginning to believe he has nothing to gain by coming back. You forgot Lee and Labissiere, who aren't going to get drafted no matter what anybody says now. That's why I don't see room for Bolden yet.

I would not draft Skal but the mocks still have him going and scouts have said he will be picked. Ford just came out and said last week he will be Top 10....

 

[Supafuzz75]

As of right now,, 4 spots have to open up.. Whether it's going to the NBA,, transfer,, or someone graduating.. Would be 5 if Bolden comes.. Which I think he waits n see if we have room..

 

[TIE543]

LOL yeah he shouldn't leave even though he is lock lotto pick . OK buddy. Just LMAO. Murray , Poy , Ulis are gone for sure. I think Lee might do grad transfer thing . Briscoe will come back IMO .

Huh?
I was just telling the dude that there's not enough space to fulfill his dreams...

 

[wyldcatsfan]

I just wanna see Mr. Ulis back with us....he will be the key with next years ballers!!

 

[dorkmeister]

This is the year the new rule of letting guys come back after trying out for NBA teams might bite us in the ars. Have any of the incoming players signed LOI or just scholarship papers? If they have to wait to see what Briwscoe and Scal do it could put us in a bind.

 

[Blue Decade]

I would not draft Skal but the mocks still have him going and scouts have said he will be picked. Ford just came out and said last week he will be Top 10....

I know, but I don't think the current mocks have caught up to the reality. Lee is not that much of an anomaly since he was never expected to be more than a bottom half of the 2nd round pick to begin with. Lee has lost playing time to Poythrsss and Willis because Marcus just gives us nothing at all besides being a good offensive rebounder. But Labissiere is still hugely overrated in the mocks because of his performance in the NHS last spring. I don't care what the mocks are saying. Any NBA GM who drafts Labissiere in the 1st round is putting his job on the line. Somebody might take a flier on Skal in the 2nd round. But Skal would be out of his mind to leave Kentucky after 1 season to be a 2nd round pick. If he is patient and comes back to Kentucky for another year, a stronger Skal can be a lottery pick next year. That means a whole lot more money, also a whole lot more security. So this is my skepticism about Bolden. It's clear that Bolden wants to play for Calipari. I'm sure all of us would like that. But I just can't see Lee or Labissiere leaving unless they are really nuts, and that probably means no scholarship available for Bolden.

 

[brianpoe]

I know, but I don't think the current mocks have caught up to the reality. Lee is not that much of an anomaly since he was never expected to be more than a bottom half of the 2nd round pick to begin with. Lee has lost playing time to Poythrsss and Willis because Marcus just gives us nothing at all besides being a good offensive rebounder. But Labissiere is still hugely overrated in the mocks because of his performance in the NHS last spring. I don't care what the mocks are saying. Any NBA GM who drafts Labissiere in the 1st round is putting his job on the line. Somebody might take a flier on Skal in the 2nd round. But Skal would be out of his mind to leave Kentucky after 1 season to be a 2nd round pick. If he is patient and comes back to Kentucky for another year, a stronger Skal can be a lottery pick next year. That means a whole lot more money, also a whole lot more security. So this is my skepticism about Bolden. It's clear that Bolden wants to play for Calipari. I'm sure all of us would like that. But I just can't see Lee or Labissiere leaving unless they are really nuts, and that probably means no scholarship available for Bolden.

As I said, according to Ford and his sources, as of today, he is definitely lottery so he better go.

Also it is best to take the chance after one year and have people wonder if you really are overrated then to come back and prove it.

Also Skal is old for his class.

He will get chosen for the combine, look good in post drills, and during the scrimmage float around the perimeter and hit mid range jumpers and go in my opinion.

Also, if he feels good about being picked he may bypass the combine altogether as to not reveal any negatives.

Lee has had 3 years to show something, anything, that might be of value to the NBA. I have yet to see it. There are tons of 6'9 guys who sit on the end of benches that have a better feel for the game, score better and understand defense.

 

[brianpoe]

This is the year the new rule of letting guys come back after trying out for NBA teams might bite us in the ars. Have any of the incoming players signed LOI or just scholarship papers? If they have to wait to see what Briwscoe and Scal do it could put us in a bind.

..




All are signed.

 

[_NewWorldOrder_]

Where is that 5th year sharpshooter?

LOL. I'm still hoping Cal looks into the transfers, but obviously I cant add one to my prediction to next year's roster before we know who's going out be out there. But I do wanna ask you something Poe. I know you always hassle me about me wanting a 5th year transfer so badly. But my question is why? Do you think its a bad idea? Or do you just not think its going to happen. I just wanted your opinion on it. We did get Mays a few years back, but I'd prefer someone a little more well rounded and a better shooter. Mays only shot like 30 something % that year from 3.

 

[_NewWorldOrder_]

I know, but I don't think the current mocks have caught up to the reality. Lee is not that much of an anomaly since he was never expected to be more than a bottom half of the 2nd round pick to begin with. Lee has lost playing time to Poythrsss and Willis because Marcus just gives us nothing at all besides being a good offensive rebounder. But Labissiere is still hugely overrated in the mocks because of his performance in the NHS last spring. I don't care what the mocks are saying. Any NBA GM who drafts Labissiere in the 1st round is putting his job on the line. Somebody might take a flier on Skal in the 2nd round. But Skal would be out of his mind to leave Kentucky after 1 season to be a 2nd round pick. If he is patient and comes back to Kentucky for another year, a stronger Skal can be a lottery pick next year. That means a whole lot more money, also a whole lot more security. So this is my skepticism about Bolden. It's clear that Bolden wants to play for Calipari. I'm sure all of us would like that. But I just can't see Lee or Labissiere leaving unless they are really nuts, and that probably means no scholarship available for Bolden.

I think Lee will transfer before he comes back. But my prediction is he enters the draft. I think he can graduate this year and be able to play immediately next season. But Lee's really disappointed me. I thought this year he would really take off and shine. I thought he would give us kind of a smaller version of WCS. Good D, blocking shots, and scoring off lobs, tip slams, and offensive rebounds. But he's been pretty bad. And what's odd is he started off a lot better earlier in the year.

 

[_NewWorldOrder_]

I disagree. I think Gabriel does start no matter who comes back. He is that versatile and he has a motor that never stops like MKG. Cal loves to start those big, long small forwards(MKG/Lyles) Needs to put on a few lbs., but he is a MKG clone, imo. Shoots it better than MKG, though.

Yes, I compared Gabriel to MKG.

Bad comparison IMO. The only similarity is they both play with a very high motor. Gabriel's more of a Loul Deng, KD cross. He has a similar body type and skillset as KD had at that age. I'm not saying he's going to be as good Kevin Durant so don't be thinking that's what I meant lol. I'm just saying similar body type and similar skill set at that age.

 

[Jazzycat]

Next year will have talent, but where is the leadership going to come from? Very concerned about the lack of veteran leadership on that roster...Hope the freshmen are straight up mature....

 

[ORCAT]

I seriously doubt a freshman Gabriel will beat out Willis for a starting spot. Maybe late in the season. I hope we don't have to start 5 freshmen.

I know some have disagreed with you about Gabriel and Willis but I am thinking more like you. A starting lineup of 5 freshman just seems to be setting us up for some trouble once again. I know Gabriel is supposed to be the real deal but have we not yet learned from relying on too many freshman? I see nothing wrong with starting Willis and having, at least, some experience in that lineup at the beginning of a game. Gabriel can come off the bench and still get a ton of minutes and, if he really is that great, he would still be on the floor at the end of close games. But, experience is what we need to blend with the great freshman coming in, at least to some degree. We all can speculate but Cal will determine what he feels is best anyway but it's good to hear everyone's thoughts.