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Will Cal Go After Another Big Grad Transfer?

I think Calipari could still pull in a Malcolm Dandridge type to come here even now. That's all we would really need, but I'm pretty confident that Somto Cyril will re-classify. His classes were suppose to end in late July.
Been thinking about the Dandridge possibility. He’s been available for a while and hasn’t landed anywhere. If he was a possibility, wouldn’t the staff be reaching out? Wouldn’t we hear about it?

I think if Cal felt desperate for another big man and didn’t think or know that someone better than Dandridge would be available in August, he would be all over Dandridge.

So basically, I feel like Dandridge is not someone Cal covets. Cal will either stand pat with what he has or has a guy already in mind that won’t be available until August. Cal has hinted that he would go after a guy in August. And that was before Onyenso got hurt.
 
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Been thinking about the Dandridge possibility. He’s been available for a while and hasn’t landed anywhere. If he was a possibility, wouldn’t the staff be reaching out? Wouldn’t we hear about it?

I think if Cal felt desperate for another big man and didn’t think or know that someone better than Dandridge would be available in August, he would be all over Dandridge.

So basically, I feel like Dandridge is not someone Cal covets. Cal will either stand pat with what he has or has a guy already in mind that won’t be available until August. Cal has hinted that he would go after a guy in August. And that was before Onyenso got hurt.
who do you think that might be?
 
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Probably someone we have not even heard about yet.

But I am hoping it’s Dante.

Or we may just stand pat.

Hard to tell.
Cal has said there might be a chance to pick up a big in August so that means there probably isn't much of a chance.
 
Cal has said there might be a chance to pick up a big in August so that means there probably isn't much of a chance.
I am hoping Cal already has someone in mind. Someone the staff has talked to already and knows will be graduating in August.

Maybe Dante?

Coach Martin was his assistant coach, so he probably knows his academic situation. Martin talking to Dante about his academics and possibly transferring while still on Oregon’s staff would not be out of the ordinary.

Heck, Dante might have been part of the reason why Martin was hired.

Purely speculation on my part, though.

But regardless, I hope Cal has someone in mind. We will need another big man.
 
I am hoping Cal already has someone in mind. Someone the staff has talked to already and knows will be graduating in August.

Maybe Dante?

Coach Martin was his assistant coach, so he probably knows his academic situation. Martin talking to Dante about his academics and possibly transferring while still on Oregon’s staff would not be out of the ordinary.

Heck, Dante might have been part of the reason why Martin was hired.

Purely speculation on my part, though.

But regardless, I hope Cal has someone in mind. We will need another big man.
All valid points and reasonable possibilities.
 
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I am hoping Cal already has someone in mind. Someone the staff has talked to already and knows will be graduating in August.

Maybe Dante?

Coach Martin was his assistant coach, so he probably knows his academic situation. Martin talking to Dante about his academics and possibly transferring while still on Oregon’s staff would not be out of the ordinary.

Heck, Dante might have been part of the reason why Martin was hired.

Purely speculation on my part, though.

But regardless, I hope Cal has someone in mind. We will need another big man.
That would be a violation I think if they haven't graduated yet.
 
We were one injury or foul trouble away from starting Burks at the 5.

This team has potential and Cal knows da base is restless. He will not begin year with Mitchell and Burks as only big men.

Season doesn’t begin until Nov. But, Cal will have info on injuries/Legitimate return time and make decision by late Aug.
First sentence that I quoted is scary, and potentially true. Depending on Ugo and Bradshaw injuries. I agree, no chance Cal is going to let that be the case. I’d imagine if Ugo and Bradshaw both timetable to be ready by October 1ish you might see a late reclass add if anything at all. If one or both are still iffy in a few weeks, then I think you’ll see a Dante type grad transfer.
 
I'd prefer this team to play small all year as far as the 5 spot. Get a rim running shot blocker that can rebound and let's go. The points will be coming from the perimeter. Reeves, Wagner, Mitchell, Reed, Edwards, Adou and Dilly are going to be scoring the majority of this teams points.

We finally have a modern high octane team. We just need Mitchell, Edwards, Adou and Bradshaw to be tough in the paint on defense and out score teams this year. Not like we are small especially with a lineup of PG Reed 6"3 200 SG Wagner 6"3 200 SF Reeves 6"6 190 PF Edwards 6"8 215 C Mitchell 6"9 240. No we might not have a rim protector but with the way teams shoot the 3 ball it's not all that important in todays game. Get up and down the floor work on man to man defense and use are quickness advantage to hold our own on the boards.
 
I'd prefer this team to play small all year as far as the 5 spot.
Playing small ball is all about offense.

Not having a serviceable big man to guard the post will get you knocked out of the tourn before winning 6 games. You can guarantee there will be foul problems throughout the season. It’s just part of the game.

Protecting the rim is a luxury. I agree with you that blocking shots are not essential. Defending the post and rebounding are essential.

UK got out rebounded in Canada over the course of 4 games. We still went 4-0. Most of us would agree the teams were mid-tier competition.

Whatever Cal does regarding adding another player will not impact offensive philosophy.

As stated earlier, I don’t pretend to know extent of either injury. I do know foot problems tend to linger with big men.

I just know that Mitchell was questionable for last game in Canada. This would have made Burks the big man and Thiero the emergency big man. Same scenario happens if Mitchell plays and gets in foul trouble.

Although this lineup would be fun to watch and certainly will put up points, Cal knows this lineup isn’t going far in March. Cal will bring in another player if he’s not confident about their health and recovery time. The perfect scenario for me is for Cyril to join this fall. He can play a similar role as Ugo did last year while being available if injuries linger. It doesn’t sound like he’s going to qualify before the fall semester.
 
I'd prefer this team to play small all year as far as the 5 spot. Get a rim running shot blocker that can rebound and let's go. The points will be coming from the perimeter. Reeves, Wagner, Mitchell, Reed, Edwards, Adou and Dilly are going to be scoring the majority of this teams points.

We finally have a modern high octane team. We just need Mitchell, Edwards, Adou and Bradshaw to be tough in the paint on defense and out score teams this year. Not like we are small especially with a lineup of PG Reed 6"3 200 SG Wagner 6"3 200 SF Reeves 6"6 190 PF Edwards 6"8 215 C Mitchell 6"9 240. No we might not have a rim protector but with the way teams shoot the 3 ball it's not all that important in todays game. Get up and down the floor work on man to man defense and use are quickness advantage to hold our own on the boards.
Wagner might be 6’2 185 lbs. where do you people get this stuff? Reed is not 200 lbs. wake up.
 
If both 7 footers were healthy, I would be inclined to agree, but with both coming off surgery, I would not take any chances.
Odds are one of the bigs if not both will be healthy, if not i would say let cyril be the next man up.
 
I think he has to now or get a reclass from Cyril.

I don't see Ugonna playing here. His handlers will probably hold him out now to prevent further injury
His handlers? Why would they do that? If he doesn’t play, he won’t get drafted. Guys like him and Bradshaw aren’t first rounders without proving themselves in college
 
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We don’t have much of a sales pitch. Transfer here and if our two top bigs stay hurt you’ll get to play. If they get well then you sit the bench.
Transfer here and be 1/3 to compete for the starting 5 spot...your 2 main competitors are currently injured

You must not be in sales?
 
Odds are one of the bigs if not both will be healthy, if not i would say let cyril be the next man up.
Cyril isn’t likely to be available until January at the earliest. I don’t think he will help us this season.

Cal needs to get a grad transfer big in August as insurance.
 
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I think you may have seen it. His classes end after august then i think he can start working out with team.
I agree Cyril is a natural fit if he can begin college in the fall semester. This is a legit head start, and they can redshirt him if Ugo and Bradshaw get healthy. (Who thought we would use the term "redshirt" with Cal or in this day of college basketball!)

If Cyril cannot begin until January, or if either Bradshaw or Ugo are not avvailable until January, then I agree with @bucsrule8872. The team needs to discover who it is in Nov & Dec, while figuring out rotations and be rounding into form heading into SEC play. January is a bad time to fit someone into the rotation.
 
I doubt we get anyone unless Somto reclassifies.
You are probably right. It's the one move that makes the most sense regardless if everyone is healthy when the season begins.

However, if Cal aggressively pursues someone over the next month it will an unfortunate indicator that he thinks someone is going to have a longer rehab and will miss part of the season ... or longer.
 
I think you may have seen it. His classes end after august then i think he can start working out with team.
I hadn’t heard this. I didn’t think he would be finished in time to join the team in the Fall?

I would still rather have a grad transfer. This team needs more experience.

Best case scenario is a grad transfer this season and Cyril comes in next season.

But if no one else is available, he would be a welcomed addition, if we can get him on campus in the Fall.
 
According to Pilgrim the class he needs doesn't start until the fall and Somto would have to wait until January to enroll.
 
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According to Pilgrim the class he needs doesn't start until the fall and Somto would have to wait until January to enroll.
That’s what I was thinking.

If that is the case, Cyril needs to stay in the ‘24 class and come in next season and we use the last scholarship (we have 12 on scholarship now counting Canada) on a grad transfer big.
 
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According to Pilgrim the class he needs doesn't start until the fall and Somto would have to wait until January to enroll.

Makes sense. That puts the kid even further behind though, so I'm not sure the thought process at that point. A warm body.
 
We don’t have much of a sales pitch. Transfer here and if our two top bigs stay hurt you’ll get to play. If they get well then you sit the bench.


If the kid from Oregon really wanted to come here, Ugo would be sitting. That's just a fact.
 
I doubt we get anyone unless Somto reclassifies. Why would a decent or good big take a chance on coming to uk knowing that we have 3 7ft's ahead of you plus a upperclassmen at 6ft 9 inches that playes excellent. A good grad transfer is going some place where he can play 20 minutes or more
 
Cyril isn’t helping us much if he doesn’t come in until January. He’d play less than Onyenso did last season, most likely.

I am counting Cyril as not contributing until ‘24-25.

With both 7 footers recovering from surgery, Cal needs an insurance policy. He needs a decent grad transfer in August.

And why would Cal even entertain the possibility, if he didn’t think we needed someone?

He talked about a possible grad transfer before Onyenso’s injury. Wouldn’t he be even more inclined to get one now?

Also, why did he recruit Dickinson, if we didn’t need another big?
 
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