What exactly does Cal need to do for you guys to be content with his usage of Reed ?

[MychalG]

It makes no difference who starts. Having the kind of production we are getting from Reed and Rob is extra nice coming off the bench. We are 4 games into a long season. We get at least one big back, DJ and Justin figure it out, Tre moves to the 4..we will be in great shape going into the new year and SEC play..heck we may be able to get by with out having to play Joey Hart at the 5 spot..

 

[the nail at the foul line]

Don’t get this at all. You want your best and most efficient player coming in 4-6 minutes after the game starts? Makes no sense, and it shouldn’t happen.

Promises were made.

 

[ukcatz12]

Hell Yeah, sit Reed & Rob until DJ & Edwards catch up

Is that what I said? Don't think so.

 

[UKortho]

Given the probable guard exodus of this team, I think Perry will have ample opportunity to play. However, I think people will have to temper their expectations of his immediate impact. Perry isn't the athlete that Sheppard is. That aspect has made Sheppard's transition from high school to college a lot easier.

That’s the way I see it also. Not as athletic, but in my opinion, he is a better shooter. Although seeing Reed knock them down last night..,

 

[Cawood86]

I though it was an excellent post. There is more complaining, early season, about Reed not being used properly, playing enough, starting etc. than anyone since Dontae Allen. I think Cal is doing a great job of playing everyone, keeping them fresh etc. I think this will be a special team. The rafter guys that complain all the time will need to get more creative in dissing Cal.
Example; Cawood 69 who says the post was nonsense, while at the same time saying folks are saying the same about dillingham. Not even close to comparable.

Yes they are. Your little pathetic post was just more of the nonsense. Most everyone was asking for both of them to start.

Reed and Dillingham made the change in the KU game. Both were excellent last night. But keep propping up those that try and prop up falsehoods.

 

[UKortho]

Reed got 26 minutes, scored 25 points.

And I keep reading how the kid is being slighted and Cal only plays "his guys" to protect their draft stock. Wagner played 26 minutes. Wagner went 3/8 from 3 and played a decent game. So Cal actually played Reed the same number of minutes as "His NBA boy" as some of you like to put it.

If Reed gets the same number of minutes as "Cal's guy," is he not...one of Cal's guys? I'm so confused.

So do you need Reed to play a certain number of minutes? Is he only being treated fairly if he hits 30 minutes? Is he being cheated if he doesn't start? Does he need to score 30 for him to be used properly?

Wagner- 27.5 minutes to Reed’s 23
Wagner 9 PPG vs Reed’s 13.3
Wagner 2.3 boards vs Reed’s 2.8
Assist are the same
Wagners’s steals 1.5 vs Reed’s 3.0
Wagner .5 blocks vs Reed’s 3.0
Wagner 1.3 turnovers vs Reed’s 1.0
DJ shooting 39%, Reed is 69%
DJ 50% from the line, Sheppard is 100%
DJ 23% from deep, Sheppard 70%

Reed starts and Wagner provides relief. He doesn’t shoot good enough to be a 2.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

He just got a contract extension. LOL at message board posters.

Yeah Board of Trustees, I’m UKWildcats1987 and I post on Cats Illustrated. I give nothing to the program but I would like you to fire the director of our profitable athletics program because of contracts he’s given out that I don’t approve of.

Most fans don't approve of caliparis contract, how much we pay Stoops for results we get or the dumb women's basketball hire.

It's not my money though so mitch can do whatever he wants.

 

[UKortho]

Starting does matter as much as you think. I like him coming off the bench, as that role has its advantages. I am more interested in the minutes played, which needs to be no lower than 25 a game.

If you look at the stats, starting Reed is the obvious thing to do.

 

[Cats192]

Play him correctly. He’s clearly a starter, and that does matter. Reed is not a guy you want coming in after 4-6 minutes of play, there’s no reason to keep you best player on the bench to start games. But that’s not going to happen, because Wagner was promised everything from day one and Calipari isn’t going to do anything to interfere with his image for the draft.

Coaches do have to balance these things. You certainly don’t want to hurt Wagner but you can’t hurt the team at the expense of that.

There isn’t one person that’s a true UK fan that wants Wagner to fail. Not one.

He was the number 1 player in the class for a long time. We’re seeing how off that projection was, he will never be that kind of player.

I just don't see how the current set up is "hurting the team."

We just hit the most 3 point shots ever under Cal. The lineup decisions are clearly hurting us.

 

[catben]

I will just say this, the +/- from last night's game was:

Reed = +42
DJ = +14

I don't know if I've EVER seen a number that high for a player.

 

[blackcat714]

Cal needs to leave it the way it is its more fun to watch Ky come back from being behind when Reed comes in rather than them getting a big lead and losing it when the scrubs come in.

 

[HagginHall1999]

Best to just ignore folks OP. You aren't going to change their minds and they aren't going to change yours.

 

[susan2361]

25 minutes a game will be a plus for this team. Starting means nothing to most players, you can see it means nothing to Reed. Some may get their feelings hurt by not starting, Reed will get the job done regardless, if he gets the minutes. Dilly and Reed need 25+ minutes a game and we will win a lot of games.

Reed is a special kind of player and a special kid. (I call him kid because I'm 65 years old...lol). That being said, I don't think it would matter to him whether he starts or not. He is truly an unselfish player who wants his TEAM to win and wants to help with that. There are players (I don't think on this team, but past teams) who would be butt hurt and whining if they didn't start or had started and then got "demoted" to coming off the bench.

 

[dickieVIII]

Don’t get this at all. You want your best and most efficient player coming in 4-6 minutes after the game starts? Makes no sense, and it shouldn’t happen.

There are 40 minutes in a game. With the exception of the last 2-4 minutes of the game, all of those minutes are equal. I have no problem with Reed coming off the bench, with fresh legs, possibly against a backup. These early games are a way to feel things out and find out what works and what doesn't. Just make sure he ends up with 25-30 minutes a game and I will be happy. There is also the possibility he has ASKED to come off the bench. It happens more than you think.

 

[The_Answer1313]

If you look at the stats, starting Reed is the obvious thing to do.

not really.
The stats above would say definitely that over the first four games of the season Reed has performed way better than Wagner. I don't think anyone can debate that.

But the stats would also say you are talking about four games. No one should ever base any decision on a small sample of four games.

Reed may very well prove to be the better recruit, the better player. But I think that some are maybe jumping the gun here and coming to conclusions way too early. We've seen it time after time after time with these freshman. Some take more time than others. And we are really concerned with who is going to give us the best shot come March to win tournament games. Again may very well be Reed, but I think everyone shouldn't write off guys just yet is all.

 

[JimmyBlue1972]

Most fans don't approve of caliparis contract, how much we pay Stoops for results we get or the dumb women's basketball hire.

It's not my money though so mitch can do whatever he wants.

Exactly

 

[rolaid]

Most Coaches make you earn your starting job and minutes
Cal looks at Rivals recruiting rankings and picks his

 

[Mike-McD]

Reed got 26 minutes, scored 25 points.

And I keep reading how the kid is being slighted and Cal only plays "his guys" to protect their draft stock. Wagner played 26 minutes. Wagner went 3/8 from 3 and played a decent game. So Cal actually played Reed the same number of minutes as "His NBA boy" as some of you like to put it.

If Reed gets the same number of minutes as "Cal's guy," is he not...one of Cal's guys? I'm so confused.

So do you need Reed to play a certain number of minutes? Is he only being treated fairly if he hits 30 minutes? Is he being cheated if he doesn't start? Does he need to score 30 for him to be used properly?

Who's complaining after last night? I don't see any posts about that. 25 minutes is fine, especially given Reed's efficiency. But he will also need to be in the game in crunch time if there is a close game or up against a top contender. We can't rely on DJ to get it done against another KU, unless he does a big turnaround.

 

[Mike-McD]

I just don't see how the current set up is "hurting the team."

We just hit the most 3 point shots ever under Cal. The lineup decisions are clearly hurting us.

I predicted this. DJ would play better against a cupcake and his defenders would strut around farting and thumping their chests. Here it is.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

I was fine with Cal’s use of Reed in last nights game. I think the criticism of Cal related to Reed in the Kansas game was warranted. The team was noticeably better with him in the game and he left him on the bench way too long in the second half.

He appears to have recognized this, as he was much quicker to insert him and yank DJ when he messed up against SH. DJ needs to get his and start playing better for this team to really excel. But, it doesn’t need to happen at Reed’s expense.

The problem with not starting him and/or Rob is that our starting lineup is forcing us into a hole, where we must play from behind. Hell, we went down 9-0 against KU. Can’t keep allowing that to happen. Start your best players, Cal! Politics be damned!

 

[Stonewall12]

As of this post, Reed is the best overall basketball player on the team, followed by Dillingham.

Look at ANY other 2 best players from ANY team sport, and tell me the difference!

No other team from ANY team sport, amateur or professional, has their two best players coming off the bench!

You can’t and won’t find ONE SINGLE EXAMPLE, except Cal and UK! Period.

Great post
Keep fighting the good fight over here with these idiots

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Small sample size , tho . Also , minutes played matters . Like Wallace / wheeler last yr , he may flip starters ….then people will look at who has more minutes . You can’t win if you’re Cal now unless you start Shepherd , play him 32-35 mostly at the expense of Wagner and it’s just too early yet

The eye test says different. It’s clear as day.

 

[oakhillcatman]

I bet Reed is happy with his minutes I bet Reed's mom and dad are happy with his playing time. Some of you just want to complain.. This could be a special season and a special season. Let'senjoy this season

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Is it really hard to understand why people want a kid who is clearly the best option on the team to be a starter and get as many minutes as possible?

Many of these people are wayyyyyy too hung up on the past player rankings. Just because DJ was #1 in the class for 2/3 years straight makes him a better player to some people. I’ve thought Reed and Rob were both better than DJ for a year or two now. It’s quite obvious.

 

[sk73]

Yes they are. Your little pathetic post was just more of the nonsense. Most everyone was asking for both of them to start.

Reed and Dillingham made the change in the KU game. Both were excellent last night. But keep propping up those that try and prop up falsehoods.

I am enjoying the games and as long as they play the minutes they are playing I am happy. Dont know what you mean by propping of falsehoods but really, I dont get get why you always seem to have to have something to whine about.

 

[chroix]

Listen, I know people are sick of hearing it, but the games now are largely irrelevant. This team reaches its peak if DJ and Edwards turn into great players, just like Rob and Reed seem to be on their way to doing. This team is going to have a lot of guys fighting for minutes, especially when any of the bigs come back. 26 minutes seems like a perfectly good amount of time to play.

Truth is DJ needs playing time to develop. Giving Reed 35 minutes last night so we win by 50 is meaningless. Rob and Reed seem like known quantities at this point. You can keep using them like they're being used and they'll be exactly where they need to be come March. DJ and Edwards are much less known at this point. A Stonehill is exactly the type of game you keep playing DJ and Edwards to see what they can do and hopefully help them get their feet under them. Keep in mind freshman often hit the wall during conference play, playing everyone 20-28 minutes a game now keeps them fresh for late in the year.

And before people bitch about the KU game, Reed sat a lot of the first half with two fouls. Almost any coach takes out a freshman with two fouls in the first half in his first big game. Dilly was taken out after his big first half run because he needed a breather. Cal literally said during the postgame guys were subbing themselves out to catch their breath. He picked up his third and fourth foul in the second half and eventually fouled out.

If we're still having this conversation in February that's one thing, but it's been four games. One against actual competition. There's a long season ahead to see what guys can do. As of now, yeah it seems like there's a good sized gap between Rob and Reed and DJ and Edwards. The question is, do you want that gap to still be there in March? If the answer is no than DJ and Edwards are going to need the playing time they've been getting to improve. If all you want to do is win and win by as much as possible now, then put them on the bench and then everyone will bitch in March how Cal is only playing six or seven guys.

No reason Dillingham can’t be the lead guard instead of Wagner. Absolutely none.

 

[chroix]

Many of these people are wayyyyyy too hung up on the past player rankings. Just because DJ was #1 in the class for 2/3 years straight makes him a better player to some people. I’ve thought Reed and Rob were both better than DJ for a year or two now. It’s quite obvious.

I guess that’s what it is. Doesn’t make any sense. Hopefully the coaches see it.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Wagner- 27.5 minutes to Reed’s 23
Wagner 9 PPG vs Reed’s 13.3
Wagner 2.3 boards vs Reed’s 2.8
Assist are the same
Wagners’s steals 1.5 vs Reed’s 3.0
Wagner .5 blocks vs Reed’s 3.0
Wagner 1.3 turnovers vs Reed’s 1.0
DJ shooting 39%, Reed is 69%
DJ 50% from the line, Sheppard is 100%
DJ 23% from deep, Sheppard 70%

Reed starts and Wagner provides relief. He doesn’t shoot good enough to be a 2.

Even after seeing these stats and seeing the stark difference in players on the court, some people still aren’t convinced. Just unbelievable to me. SMH.

 

[Mike-McD]

Many of these people are wayyyyyy too hung up on the past player rankings. Just because DJ was #1 in the class for 2/3 years straight makes him a better player to some people. I’ve thought Reed and Rob were both better than DJ for a year or two now. It’s quite obvious.

Also the "it's too early yet" argument. You wanna know when it will no longer be too early? When DJ finally has a good game. Then it'll be, "Sorry about Shep, but DJ is clearly the man and he needs 50 mpg LOL"

 

[Mike-McD]

I bet Reed is happy with his minutes I bet Reed's mom and dad are happy with his playing time. Some of you just want to complain.. This could be a special season and a special season. Let'senjoy this season

We want to enjoy this season. But Cal's history of stubbornness and loyalty to his 5 stars might cost us some of that enjoyment if we lose some games because of it.

 

[YardCat]

Not at all.

I'm just kind of having my mind blown reading all of the whining about Reed's mistreatment. He got the same minutes as the guy you're wanting benched. He got more shots than that guy. He scored 25 points.

But, Cal has it out for him.

How many did he get at Kansas? Compare the +/- for Shephard against Wagner and minutes played over the first 4 games. Are they equal and who should play more or start? Please help us understand your thinking?

 

[YardCat]

We want to enjoy this season. But Cal's history of stubbornness and loyalty to his 5 stars might cost us some of that enjoyment if we lose some games because of it.

You mean Boston and Askew?

 

[Cowtown Cat]

We want to enjoy this season. But Cal's history of stubbornness and loyalty to his 5 stars might cost us some of that enjoyment if we lose some games because of it.

Right. It’s not like Cal doesn’t have a known history for this BS. He better be starting his best players for big games, like Miami and the cheats.

 

[The_Answer1313]

We want to enjoy this season. But Cal's history of stubbornness and loyalty to his 5 stars might cost us some of that enjoyment if we lose some games because of it.

We've played 4 games. We won 3 of them by a convincing fashion and we took the number 1 team in the nation down to the wire on a neutral court with 3 big men missing.

And this was with "Cal's lineup" in the games.

I think people are putting entirely too much weight on this subject.

 

[Mike-McD]

We've played 4 games. We won 3 of them by a convincing fashion and we took the number 1 team in the nation down to the wire on a neutral court with 3 big men missing.

And this was with "Cal's lineup" in the games.

I think people are putting entirely too much weight on this subject.

Maybe, but the onus is on Cal at this point to prove himself. He's the one who's shit the bed for the last several years. He's the one who ignored the "Benny Lineup" and mocked the fans. We had a 14 point lead on KU, there's NO EXCUSE for losing that game. That's on Cal for not managing his lineup correctly and it's been done to death.

 

[The_Answer1313]

Maybe, but the onus is on Cal at this point to prove himself. He's the one who's shit the bed for the last several years. He's the one who ignored the "Benny Lineup" and mocked the fans. We had a 14 point lead on KU, there's NO EXCUSE for losing that game. That's on Cal for not managing his lineup correctly and it's been done to death.

Maybe I'll be wrong about this but I have a feeling if Reed and Rob continue to prove themselves to be better options than Wagner and Edwards, they will definitely see their mins increase.

At the same point you cannot possibly throw the towel on guys like Wagner and Edwards.

The bottom line is in order for this team to be the best possible team they can be, we need all four of those guys to do well.

 

[Mike-McD]

Maybe I'll be wrong about this but I have a feeling if Reed and Rob continue to prove themselves to be better options than Wagner and Edwards, they will definitely see their mins increase.

At the same point you cannot possibly throw the towel on guys like Wagner and Edwards.

The bottom line is in order for this team to be the best possible team they can be, we need all four of those guys to do well.

Agree totally, and I hope Wagner and Edwards get their act together. If they do, and we get even one 7-footer back, we'll be a tough team to beat. It would be great to have a 9 man rotation of 25 minute guys with zero weaknesses.

 

[Cats192]

How many did he get at Kansas? Compare the +/- for Shephard against Wagner and minutes played over the first 4 games. Are they equal and who should play more or start? Please help us understand your thinking?

16 vs Kansas
26 vs Stonehill

You guys wanted more minutes. He got 10 whole more minutes.

Everyone still acts outraged that "He isn't Cal's guy" and "Cal only cares about getting guys to the NBA."

Perhaps Reed plays 30+ minutes if it's not a blowout. But to get 10 more minutes the very next game--you guys act like he played less.

 

[Cats192]

I predicted this. DJ would play better against a cupcake and his defenders would strut around farting and thumping their chests. Here it is.

I literally said the team is playing well. That post didn't even mention DJ. You guys act like Cal is harming the team if Reed isn't getting 35 minutes. The team is well.

 

[fatguy87]

Reed should play over 30 minutes a game. In a tight, tournament game, he plays 40 if possible.