What is DJ Wagner Doing?

[EliteBlue]

Terrance Jones, though?

He averaged less points, blocks, rebounds, and assists and his 3P% and FT% were lower in year two.

This. T.Jones was actually less individually effective year 2.

IQ and Ulis improved primarily as a result of being “the guy” and getting a chance instead of playing limited minutes off the bench.

Washington def had a big year 2 leap w body recomp and the jump that happens with strength in the post. Thank the weight room

 

[wkycatfan]

DJ would be the starting point guard next year if he comes back imo.

 

[SemperFiCat]

DJ would be the starting point guard next year if he comes back imo.

I don't know if that's true at all. Let's put aside the fact that we have know clue who is on the roster. DJ's strength his getting into the lane. I don't know if he shoots well enough to Pope's Off. Maybe he does. It's coach's decision. And while I like DJ and his toughness, he's not quite good enough to automatically ink into a starting spot. For Pope's Off or some other rosters.

 

[zgcrawfo94]

He will announce Arky before Sunday

 

[MrHotDice]

He really didn’t. He didn’t look like a superstar, but he definitely looked like someone who could have made a splash in another year or two. It sucks that this is what the culture has become and we never get to see kids like him develop into really good college players.

And thats it, a college player. Some on here still have 5 Staritus from Cal. DJ was a slasher type of player and at times before his injury looked very good. Give Pope a chance to make him better.

 

[cathouse]

He will announce Arky before Sunday

This^^^^^^^

DJ has held off announcing his decision to transfer to Arkansas because that's what Cal has told him to do.

Cal needs players to fill out a roster. Especially guards.
If DJ came out early and committed to Arkansas, every guard in the portal would know they would be playing behind DJ because of his relationship with Cal and Cal's " commitment" to DJ and his family.

Cal wants to get the other players he needs before DJ announces. It will happen at the last minute before portal closes.

Cal is being Cal. Coy Cal.

 

[Aike]

I figure DJ is waiting for Cal to fill out his roster before he swoops in and steals the starting point from some unsuspecting soul.

 

[Wonky]

I figure DJ is waiting for Cal to fill out his roster before he swoops in and steals the starting point from some unsuspecting soul.

Yep. Johnell Davis should talk to Dillingham before he commits to Arky.

 

[Bluegrassking]

You don't think his father, grandfather, and coaches tried to improve his shooting? Obviously, if anyone knew how important it was for him to improve his shooting, it was his father and grandfather. If they couldn't do it, why do you think anyone else can?

Shooting was not a major strength for either that I recall, especially dad.

 

[ruppsrunt66]

dj--best right handed player able to drive left and MISS layups I have ever seen at the college level.

rr

 

[cathouse]

Shooting was not a major strength for either that I recall, especially dad.

Milt had a deadly midrange game.

 

[wfc7]

I wholeheartedly hope he comes back to UK. He knows basketball coming from a solid bball family and how to be a good teammate, plus he’s very talented and could be around two more years.

 

[wkycatfan]

I don't know if that's true at all. Let's put aside the fact that we have know clue who is on the roster. DJ's strength his getting into the lane. I don't know if he shoots well enough to Pope's Off. Maybe he does. It's coach's decision. And while I like DJ and his toughness, he's not quite good enough to automatically ink into a starting spot. For Pope's Off or some other rosters.

Fair but playing for somebody who teaches something besides dribble drive might be exactly what he needs.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

I figure DJ is waiting for Cal to fill out his roster before he swoops in and steals the starting point from some unsuspecting soul.

Funny, but so true. Some naive guy visiting this week will not know what we know.

 

[Bluegrassking]

Milt had a deadly midrange game.

True. I was thinking more about outside the arc.

 

[cathouse]

True. I was thinking more about outside the arc.

Don't believe the 3 point shot was a thing when Milt played.

 

[rolaid]

Yep I say pass - can’t make slightly contested jumpers and is a terrible finisher at rim. He’s a me first point guard without the ability to be that type

 

[kennyskywalker34]

I wholeheartedly hope he comes back to UK. He knows basketball coming from a solid bball family and how to be a good teammate, plus he’s very talented and could be around two more years.

If he were to come back to UK. Regardless of how well he played or didn't play. He wouldn't come back a 3rd year. Those days are sadly gone. Even the players who have no chance at a pro career won't be staying 3 or 4 years very often. You will have a exception to the rule occasionally. But for the most part two years max. They will transfer elsewhere after a couple years.

 

[Hopmix]

Even the players who have no chance at a pro career won't be staying

You mean they won't be staying in College? NIL was created exactly for the reason of keeping players in the NCAA system longer.

 

[Fox2monk]

Yep. Johnell Davis should talk to Dillingham before he commits to Arky.

Well Dilly just bought a Cyber truck and is about to get really rich so I’d assume Davis is like cool with me. Honestly that is all it’s about.

 

[*CatinIL*]

I figured he was gone already. If he's not, then i would say Calipari is bringing in another wonder stud and told DJ.'Wait' on making your announcement so that "we" can make a splash.

 

[wfc7]

If he were to come back to UK. Regardless of how well he played or didn't play. He wouldn't come back a 3rd year. Those days are sadly gone. Even the players who have no chance at a pro career won't be staying 3 or 4 years very often. You will have an exception to the rule occasionally. But for the most part two years max. They will transfer elsewhere after a couple years.

I don’t agree. I think he could stay a third year if the NBA or playing internationally aren’t viable options. He may transfer, yet I’m predicting the NCAA / Congress will pass guidelines to get the transfer / NIL revolving door under control in the next two years.

 

[ruppsrunt66]

bye bye dj---good to see YOU go

rr

 

[kennyskywalker34]

I don’t agree. I think he could stay a third year if the NBA or playing internationally aren’t viable options. He may transfer, yet I’m predicting the NCAA / Congress pass guidelines to get the transfer / NIL revolving door under control in the next two years.

I sure hope so

 

[IL Wildcat]

I would take Wagner for another season with Pope as the coach, without a doubt. He does have obvious talent. His shot is broken, that's his biggest issue. He obviously had the green light from day one and was handed the starting pg job without earning it. Most of the problems I had with Wagner were more about his use and minutes in the system. He shouldn't have been a starter, but coming off the bench. He should have had his shot broken down and fixed as soon as they saw it, but it may be too late now. But if someone, perhaps Pope or an assistant, worked with his shot and made better decisions about his minutes and role, he'd be a welcome addition to the 2024-25 team. He could be a great defensive stopper if he made that a focus. He has the strength and athleticism to be a good player. Fix his shot and he'd be a great player.

 

[wfc7]

I would take Wagner for another season with Pope as the coach, without a doubt. He does have obvious talent. His shot is broken, that's his biggest issue. He obviously had the green light from day one and was handed the starting pg job without earning it. Most of the problems I had with Wagner were more about his use and minutes in the system. He shouldn't have been a starter, but coming off the bench. He should have had his shot broken down and fixed as soon as they saw it, but it may be too late now. But if someone, perhaps Pope or an assistant, worked with his shot and made better decisions about his minutes and role, he'd be a welcome addition to the 2024-25 team. He could be a great defensive stopper if he made that a focus. He has the strength and athleticism to be a good player. Fix his shot and he'd be a great player.

If DJ chooses to come back to UK and forge his own path here, he can be for Mark Pope’s 1st National Championship team in 2025-2026 what Darius Miller was for Coach Cal’s only Championship Team in 2011-2012.

 

[EJonesy]

DJ will be at Arkansas. Anyone believing otherwise is silly. Trust me it will
Be announced on a day something good happens for UK. Cal plans this stuff guys.

 

[ck-2]

So there’s not better pg’s in the portal? I’m not talking about 5 star pg’s just better. I don’t think I can handle another year of watching him dribble backwards towards half court instead of attacking and running the offense. And then turning everything into a left handed layup attempt.
All of this talk when we know there’s ZERO chance he stays here.

 

[MonsterMash79]

He will announce Arky before Sunday

Hope so.. Can’t hit layups lol

 

[52T]

I would take DJ back in a second.

Me to

 

[bradyjames]

Hopefully, working on his right hand lay ups. Wherever he is at the moment.

 

[Fox2monk]

DJ will be at Arkansas. Anyone believing otherwise is silly. Trust me it will
Be announced on a day something good happens for UK. Cal plans this stuff guys.

I would think that is highly probable as well.

 

[Tf2217]

Terrance Jones, though?

He averaged less points, blocks, rebounds, and assists and his 3P% and FT% were lower in year two.

And he had to share with a elite big in AD. Couldn't imagine how that happened.
On the same team Doron improved quite a bit.

 

[Seth_C]

This^^^^^^^

DJ has held off announcing his decision to transfer to Arkansas because that's what Cal has told him to do.

Cal needs players to fill out a roster. Especially guards.
If DJ came out early and committed to Arkansas, every guard in the portal would know they would be playing behind DJ because of his relationship with Cal and Cal's " commitment" to DJ and his family.

Cal wants to get the other players he needs before DJ announces. It will happen at the last minute before portal closes.

Cal is being Cal. Coy Cal.

If any player and their family are stupid enough to fall for that scam, then they are going to get exactly what they deserve.

 

[southernsodbuster]

I would take Wagner for another season with Pope as the coach, without a doubt. He does have obvious talent. His shot is broken, that's his biggest issue. He obviously had the green light from day one and was handed the starting pg job without earning it. Most of the problems I had with Wagner were more about his use and minutes in the system. He shouldn't have been a starter, but coming off the bench. He should have had his shot broken down and fixed as soon as they saw it, but it may be too late now. But if someone, perhaps Pope or an assistant, worked with his shot and made better decisions about his minutes and role, he'd be a welcome addition to the 2024-25 team. He could be a great defensive stopper if he made that a focus. He has the strength and athleticism to be a good player. Fix his shot and he'd be a great player.

I think a lot of his shooting had to do with confidence and shot selection, when the 2 guards coming off the bench are better than you and the crowd starts cheering when they come in and you go out it would have to mess with your head.

 

[cathouse]

If any player and their family are stupid enough to fall for that scam, then they are going to get exactly what they deserve.

They all "trust in Cal".
Not hard to fool someone if they trust you.

 

[plumdog69]

I am a big Dj fan. He was a great teammate and has a lot of potential. Wish he would come back.

 

[NociHTTP]

I don't know if that's true at all. Let's put aside the fact that we have know clue who is on the roster. DJ's strength his getting into the lane. I don't know if he shoots well enough to Pope's Off. Maybe he does. It's coach's decision. And while I like DJ and his toughness, he's not quite good enough to automatically ink into a starting spot. For Pope's Off or some other rosters.

Yeap, and from what we know about Pope's offense, he isn't going to allow DJ to stand around on the perimeter only to drive to the lane with a few seconds to go on the shot clock. He'll have to remain in constant motion, in sets.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Too many guys visiting and some leaning now. Got a feeling the room at the inn may be close to full this time next week.

 

[deuces r wild]

I would love to have a completely healthy DJ back. He had a good FR year, just not what people expected. I wonder if Coach Pope took any heat bringing his best player (Jaxson Robinson) off the bench this year, like Cal did Reed