Will Willis be on the team?

[UK3K]

No mention of him in the practice report, but that doesn't necessarily mean he wasn't there. Or maybe he is hurt. What do you think, will he be on the team at the start of the year? And at the end?

Willis has always seemed to me like he didn't fit in and was struggling with that. I would go so far as to say he wanted more recognition for what he has done right and can do and has trouble motivating himself to work harder without that recognition. I think he is a good player, but I think he needs more one on one focus than what UK has been able to give him.

 

[musrat59]

I like the way Willis plays but he needs a little toughness about him.

 

[anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y]

He just needs to transfer. He's a decent player but not Cal's type of player. He should have stayed with his commitment to Purdue.

 

[KA4Prez]

What am I missing? He's clearly on the team. Now whether he sees the floor is another story, but he's on the roster...

 

[uk78]

If I were Willis (and not knowing his personal situation, simply basketball focus), I would transfer now. He certainly is talented but playing time will clearly be limited. If I were his height, size, shooting ability, etc, guess what, I would want to play not sit on a bench. Yes, Kentucky is a special unique experience but going to a division 2 program would about guarantee me starting and playing most games.

 

[blubo]

if he doesn't have a chance to play at uk then i'd love to see him at dayton playing for archie miller. he would be all A10 there. hopefully though things will still work out and he will see more pt.

 

[Ben101er]

I am probably in the minority, but I think Willis will play more this year. It may not be a lot, but I think he should see some PT since he has some size and can shoot. A lot depends on how Mulder works out, but I can see Willis in, when they need a little more size, while staying mobile. If his defense improves a little, and he quits making foolish turnovers, he will play. I thought he had made a lot of improvement, during the Bahamas tour, last summer.

 

[MWes11]

He has division 1 ability and should transfer if he wants to see significant minutes. If he is just happy being here and he is enjoying the ride at UK, then by all means he should stay. But he has the talent to contribute somewhere at the D1 level, imo.

 

[Smashcat]

When we beat WVU by 70 points (wink) Cal didn't put him in until the last seconds. Surprised he stayed.

 

[thecatsareback#8]

ahhhh!!

The ole Willis can shoot and needs more playing time thread

Basketball season is here, FINALLY.

 

[Chuckinden]

I have also advocated he should transfer since the end of his freshman year, but apparently he's content with where he's at and that's all that matters.

 

[gright]

He has benefited our team by being in practice even if he isn't good enough to play, so I appreciate his effort and hope he sticks it out if that is his wish.

 

[Poetax]

He just needs to transfer. He's a decent player but not Cal's type of player. He should have stayed with his commitment to Purdue.

This is why I can't understand fans. First of all, Willis never was looked like that he was a MKG, he has faced classes on his team every year that was tops in the nation, we need players to are willing to wait and be patient on the bench and they are HARD to find. So let the kid alone, he's willing to wait because he knows talent wise he will always be facing an uphill battle but that again isn't his fault. He may never play but WHY so fans want him to transfer? He's not taking up space plus does anyone think that there's a 5 star kid out there who is thinking I wish Willis would leave so that I could sit in his place. Its stupid to bash a kid who as a Kentucky kid is living a dream, leave him be and until someone can prove that he's been a problem I hope he graduates from here and contributes somehow.

 

[JWat_]

Willis loves the rockstar life that is being a UK basketball player.

Some of you are saying he should transfer to get playing time somewhere else. Why? He gets to play with the best talent in the country every day. What would make the biggest impact in his development as a basketball player, going against NBA talent every day for 4 years, or dropping 12 a night at a mid major against objectively inferior talent?

Just because he doesn't see the floor on a loaded UK roster doesn't mean he's not improving or working towards his goals.

 

[MWes11]

Willis loves the rockstar life that is being a UK basketball player.

Some of you are saying he should transfer to get playing time somewhere else. Why? He gets to play with the best talent in the country every day. What would make the biggest impact in his development as a basketball player, going against NBA talent every day for 4 years, or dropping 12 a night at a mid major against objectively inferior talent?

Just because he doesn't see the floor on a loaded UK roster doesn't mean he's not improving or working towards his goals.

I posed this question in the past and got a bunch of responses. Would you rather be a practice player at UK (dream school) or be a good player at a solid mid major like VCU/Wichita St./Northern Iowa? I guess it depends on the individual but I would rather play and contribute than sit on the bench only to play during scrub burn.

 

[Poetax]

I posed this question in the past and got a bunch of responses. Would you rather be a practice player at UK (dream school) or be a good player at a solid mid major like VCU/Wichita St./Northern Iowa? I guess it depends on the individual but I would rather play and contribute than sit on the bench only to play during scrub burn.

But Willis is Willis, not any of us, I'm like you I would want to play but I never got an offer from UK either. I think its rough of those who knock him for that.

 

[thecatsareback#8]

I played for a low mid major in NC, and believe me I would rather ride the pine and have front row seats for 4 years with a chance to perhaps become a polson or Jorts. We are talking about KENTUCKY here. Plus, you have Cal and UK program. He is set for life if he never picks up a basketball again.

 

[JWat_]

I posed this question in the past and got a bunch of responses. Would you rather be a practice player at UK (dream school) or be a good player at a solid mid major like VCU/Wichita St./Northern Iowa? I guess it depends on the individual but I would rather play and contribute than sit on the bench only to play during scrub burn.

It does depend on the individual, but I think you're not evaluating the fact that he's a Kentucky kid who knows how famous being in that spot will make him, regardless of whether or not a professional basketball career pans out. In a way, after playing at UK for 4 years, he never has to worry about being employed because a number of businesses would fall all over themselves to bring him in.

Hell, it even works for little brother. Mike Marra and Luke Hancock are employed by Lamkin Wealth Management in Louisville, not because they are smart - and they may actually be, doesn't matter-, but because the guy who runs that business is. It's the best publicity and marketing money can buy in a basketball crazed state.

Guarantee you, in five years, if you lined up Jon Hood next to Shelvin Mack and asked people in downtown Lexington who the two were, what do you think the ratio of being recognized would be, 20:1? That's not to say I would prefer being John, but the odds of making it in the league are so small. Cal's recruiting has blown people's perception of "how difficult it is to make it in the NBA" way out of proportion, and I think that taints people's views on players like Willis and Hawkins.

 

[Cawood86]

I just have to laugh at these posts. Not trying to be mean, just funny to me some of things UK worry about.

 

[Poetax]

I just have to laugh at these posts. Not trying to be mean, just funny to me some of things UK worry about.

What is UK worried about?

 

[MWes11]

I just have to laugh at these posts. Not trying to be mean, just funny to me some of things UK worry about.

?

 

[Cawood86]

Meant to say UK fans.

 

[Blueblood22]

He was the best player on the floor during practice, but unfortunately he's been hanging with Patrick Towles and borrowed his Harry Potter invisibility cloak, so the practice report didn't mention him.

 

[Orange Soda King]

New video about Humphries on coachcal.com mentions Willis returning.

 

[ekywildcat]

If he's happy riding the bench and just being along for the ride, I'm happy for him, seems to be a good kid. But, if I was him and really wanted to play, I would sit down with Cal, who I think would be honest with him, and just ask him if I should transfer and get more exposure for a position on a foreign team and make some cash.

 

[Blueaz]

Willis loves the rockstar life that is being a UK basketball player.

Some of you are saying he should transfer to get playing time somewhere else. Why? He gets to play with the best talent in the country every day. What would make the biggest impact in his development as a basketball player, going against NBA talent every day for 4 years, or dropping 12 a night at a mid major against objectively inferior talent?

Just because he doesn't see the floor on a loaded UK roster doesn't mean he's not improving or working towards his goals.

or having fun...

 

[brianpoe]

Not sure of the overseas pro potential he will be able to capitalize on after college, but he will definitely have big time opportunities in the state for the rest of his life, if he stays.

 

[ia.ukfan]

If I was him I would transfer. I'm happy if he stays. But I'd rather play then ride the bench. He's a talented kid, many trashed posters who said the same about wiltjer and turns out transferring was the best decision and it wasn't close.

 

[kybassfan]

After looking through the thread, I think that Willis has a value that many are overlooking, particularly this year. He's a competent player. He would see significant time on a lot of other teams we face. Somebody has to deal with him in practice. The better caliber player you face every day, the better you are going to be when you step on the floor in a real game. Its important to remember that this is Kentucky the basketball TEAM. Its not Kentucky the collection of star recruits. Guys that can bring pressure in practice are important aspects of the TEAM. No matter how much time he sees in games, practice will provide a huge opportunity for him to make the TEAM better.

Also, remember that 99.9% of our posters which are actual Kentucky fans would kill to be in his shoes. Given a chance to start for Eastern or participate however I could for the Cats, I'd be on that bench and busting my arse for Cal in practice every time I got the chance. Its no great surprise to me that Willis has chosen that path.

 

[brianpoe]

If I was him I would transfer. I'm happy if he stays. But I'd rather play then ride the bench. He's a talented kid, many trashed posters who said the same about wiltjer and turns out transferring was the best decision and it wasn't close.

I agree about Kyle.

But which top 20 program is telling Willis to come onboard and we will make sure you are our scoring leader? That's a big difference.

 

[Untouchables22]

Here is an interesting question? How do you guys think Willis compares to Cameron Mills? Is he more talented and buried behind far more talented players? I realize that Mills was a walk on and Willis is a scholarship player but I'm curious how everyone compares the players? Personally I've been hoping Willis could develop into a Scott Pagett level player but I no longer think that is a realistic possibility.

 

[KMKAT]

A good insurance policy should Alex not be ready to return yet.

I would like to see him get 10-15 minutes, but he will very fortunate to meet those numbers.

 

[WACB]

#35... Yep, he's right there.

 

[Orange Soda King]

I agree about Kyle.

But which top 20 program is telling Willis to come onboard and we will make sure you are our scoring leader? That's a big difference.

Also, we should remember that Wiltjer was a McDonald's All-American and 5-star recruit.

 

[UKDUNK]

If we could get Bahamas Alex and Bahamas Derek Willis this year, we would go 40-0. There are not many 6'9 guys who can do the things Derek can do. I would love to see him reach his potential at UK, but I think maybe he is intimidated by the competition for playing time.

 

[UK2KC-A-T-S]

He is on the team. It's up to him if he wants to work his way into the floor. He has the potential.

 

[Tyblue22]

Remember,....the word in previous years was that Derek was not giving 100%, in the weight room and on the court. He was being distant, and giving up basically. The word now is that has all changed, and he knows his time is near, its up to him, and he is working very hard. Yesterday, his name was not on OBE practice report, and he wasn't the only one. But, when you have a writer decide to say "Willis was not mentione din the report, take it for what you will" ...of course it cause questions and concern. There is NO STORY behind any of this

 

[UKBrassowTipIN]

I'm not sure he could play at any other D1 school...he wasn't putting any work in. It's up to him if he wants to get better. Besides, we all know if he wasn't from KY there would be zero concern or assumption he was so good

 

[Stonewall12]

Of course he is on the team. Gotta love UK fans



He just won't play. Poythress was hurt the whole season and lyles was sick first part of last year. Willis did not sniff the floor. If he did not play last year after all that. He will not play this year. Just accept it and move on. He has.... Since he is still here so don't worry about it.

 

[UKBrassowTipIN]

Of course he is on the team. Gotta love UK fans



He just won't play. Poythress was hurt the whole season and lyles was sick first part of last year. Willis did not sniff the floor. If he did not play last year after all that. He will not play this year. Just accept it and move on. He has.... Since he is still here so don't worry about it.

Cal doesn't play people to just play them...he didnt deserve to play last year. That doesn't mean he won't this year. Remember Josh Harrelson..yeah he didn't play until his senior year bc he didn't deserve to..Willis needs to put work in...otherwise he isn't good enough