Willis on the floor period

[UKrazycat2]

Skal deserves to sit the bench. Now where's my agenda?

Sometimes players get blown by, but when you only get 10 minutes a game to prove yourself and it happens on more than a few occasions then it stands out. Willis hustles and has a decent shot, but when he decided to play defense he will continue playing limited minutes. This is year three and he still hasn't received more than spot duty...dont you think there is a reason for that?


I shat no bull. You are EXACTLY RIGHT in saying he belongs in the game when Cal says he does, so why is it people bitch and moan because THEY THINK he deserves more PT. Those people are the ones who think they know more than Cal...my opinion lines up perfectly with what Cal has done with Willis up until this point and that is he deserves spot duty until he improved his defense.

Possibly because they see a player doing more in the limited minutes he gets to play, than others who get to play through their mistakes in a game where they aren't contributing squat offense or defense.
I understand why our coach does it with the freshmen so I don't knock his decisions one way or the other. I choose to support whoever is on the floor. What difference does it make who/where they come from? They're all Wildcats.

 

[DUNNSTILLFREENALIVE]

I don't like tattoos but I actually think Willis tattoos are pretty cool, but he don't need no more unless he gets one of an old UK wildcat mascot from the 50's. This season will be fun, I'm looking forward to the ul and Kansas games

 

[brianpoe]

As long as he is playing D I like having him, Poy and Lee out there. I honestly think he should only play two guards at a time, but it won't happen as he's trying to get them all to the pros at the end of the year.

Which guard do you sit?

 

[Wall2Boogie]

I'll be the first to eat crow if this thread doesn't read "Willis off the floor period" by the time March madness rolls around much less next game.

 

[DUNNSTILLFREENALIVE]

Your eating crow and I'll kill it for you and bring it to yo crib​

 

[UPSCat4080]

Possibly because they see a player doing more in the limited minutes he gets to play, than others who get to play through their mistakes in a game where they aren't contributing squat offense or defense.
I understand why our coach does it with the freshmen so I don't knock his decisions one way or the other. I chose to support whoever is on the floor. What difference does it make who/where they come from? They're all Wildcats.

So Cal shouldn't give a kid who everyone predicts has the potential to be the #2 pick in the draft a little more lead way to come into his own? I think he needs to bench Skal, but how many times has Willis done more in less time than ANY starter during his career?

Skal in a slump has averaged 12 and 4 in 22 minutes.

Willis playing the ball of his life according to others is giving us 6 and 2 in 11 minutes.

That means statistically they give us exactly the same. Problem is they play different positions so you can't trade them out. Who does Willis take time from....Lee, Poythress, Briscoe, Murray? I don't think so.

Cal plays him spot duty because that is what he deserves as of now. Cal sees him every day in practice and we don't. I get tired of the KY boy treatment and that is what it is.

The kid has scored more than 2 points in only 50% of our games this year. I mean come on!

 

[Stonewall12]

There is no Ky boy treatment.

There is just play the player that can help with our weakness right now and that is outside shooting. As soon as a team goes zone Willis should be at the scorers table.

 

[ulismyman]

As much as you want Skal to be elite he isn't...let it go

 

[krazykats]

The only thing I dislike about fans saying "he gets beat on defense" is that everyone is getting beat badly that isn't Briscoe or Ulis. So by that standard bench everyone and forfeit!

Look, Willis is a skilled player for sure and deserves clock. However his strength as well as this team is being long, athletic, and willing to run. We'd go along way fixing a lot of our problems by pressing the whole game and speeding the game up.

 

[BoulderCat]

Starters or not Skal didn't get a whole lot of minutes tonight. Hump is stronger and bigger, and doesn't get pushed around as easily, but he only played like 5 min. Cal see's it to. He's giving more minutes to the guys who look to be the one's who will define the season. Willis has an excellent opportunity to be one of them. His willingness to compete seems markedly increased, at least to me, and his skills are good. Brisco is a horrid shooter from 3 and the line, but he's a player. Talented and competitive. I may be wrong, but I see him as a 2 year guy who can improve tremendously. Murray will find his role, and a rhythm. He is that talented. Matthew's similar to Brisco, but a bit of notch below. Those guys, Alex Poythress, and Marcus Lee are the one's who'll take this team however far it goes. And maybe towards the end Skal will emerge and be able to help us go even further. Having said that it'd wouldn't be a bad bet things will go some other way.

LOL, rereading my post it seems I neglected to mention the most important player on this team. Tyler Ulis. I guess I figured everyone knows that so it didn't need mentioning. It does!

 

[Icecoldbrewdoggy]

Which guard do you sit?

It's impossible to answer as I like all three guards very much. I don't blame Cal at all for playing all three. I'd just like to see two of the three play with Poy, Lee and Willis for an extended stretch every now and then to see what happened. It'l all work out.

 

[UKrazycat2]

So Cal shouldn't give a kid who everyone predicts has the potential to be the #2 pick in the draft a little more lead way to come into his own? I think he needs to bench Skal, but how many times has Willis done more in less time than ANY starter during his career?

Skal in a slump has averaged 12 and 4 in 22 minutes.

Willis playing the ball of his life according to others is giving us 6 and 2 in 11 minutes.

That means statistically they give us exactly the same. Problem is they play different positions so you can't trade them out. Who does Willis take time from....Lee, Poythress, Briscoe, Murray? I don't think so.

Cal plays him spot duty because that is what he deserves as of now. Cal sees him every day in practice and we don't. I get tired of the KY boy treatment and that is what it is.

The kid has scored more than 2 points in only 50% of our games this year. I mean come on!

Reread my post. I said I support our coach on all his calls as to who plays when. But you know what, if a bench player is kicking your projected #2 prospects ass in a close game that Coach needs, get ready to watch the bench player. It doesn't matter if he's a Ky boy or not.

 

[throatpoker]

Hilarious.

From KSR:
Q. As you say, you’re looking for those seventh and eighth guys in the rotation. Did Derek kind of make another case for that today?
JOHN CALIPARI: He played better. I thought he did some good things. He passed up on a jumper that I absolutely did a backflip on the sideline. You don’t have to make them but you’ve got to shoot them, and you can’t miss them all. Like the one he hit bounced three times, hit the light, went off the top of the board, almost rolled behind and fell in. That’s okay, it went in. Now the next one you’ve got to shoot.

during the game, i knew this was the one thing above all else cal would hold against willis. nice to see the post game interview confirm i was right.

"shoot that ball" cal just yelled at him

 

[Jkwo]

Just saying.

Best recruiter, along with K, one of the best X and O guys. But some people need to complain about something.

 

[brianpoe]

It's impossible to answer as I like all three guards very much. I don't blame Cal at all for playing all three. I'd just like to see two of the three play with Poy, Lee and Willis for an extended stretch every now and then to see what happened. It'l all work out.

Willis is not a better option than any of the 3 though,

during the game, i knew this was the one thing cal would hold against willis. nice to see the post game interview confirm i was right.

Overall I thought DW did just fine.

He was taken to the hole a couple times, the white guard really made him look bad one time. (I would take that kid all day.)

 

[Jkwo]

The only thing I dislike about fans saying "he gets beat on defense" is that everyone is getting beat badly that isn't Briscoe or Ulis. So by that standard bench everyone and forfeit!

Look, Willis is a skilled player for sure and deserves clock. However his strength as well as this team is being long, athletic, and willing to run. We'd go along way fixing a lot of our problems by pressing the whole game and speeding the game up.

Poythress and Lee are doing great defensive jobs this season.

 

[Icecoldbrewdoggy]

@ BrianPoe

There are times when he's a better option than having all three guards in there for rebouding purposes alone. To say that he's never a better option than having all three on the floor all the time is just silly.

 

[brianpoe]

Maybe, but the guards are rebounding pretty well this season, which we haven't seen for awhile.

 

[UKrazycat2]

Starters or not Skal didn't get a whole lot of minutes tonight. Hump is stronger and bigger, and doesn't get pushed around as easily, but he only played like 5 min. Cal see's it to. He's giving more minutes to the guys who look to be the one's who will define the season. Willis has an excellent opportunity to be one of them. His willingness to compete seems markedly increased, at least to me, and his skills are good. Brisco is a horrid shooter from 3 and the line, but he's a player. Talented and competitive. I may be wrong, but I see him as a 2 year guy who can improve tremendously. Murray will find his role, and a rhythm. He is that talented. Matthew's similar to Brisco, but a bit of notch below. Those guys, Alex Poythress, and Marcus Lee are the one's who'll take this team however far it goes. And maybe towards the end Skal will emerge and be able to help us go even further. Having said that it'd wouldn't be a bad bet things will go some other way.

LOL, rereading my post it seems I neglected to mention the most important player on this team. Tyler Ulis. I guess I figured everyone knows that so it didn't need mentioning. It does!

I really, really like this post BC. Wish I'd said it.

 

[UPSCat4080]

Reread my post. I said I support our coach on all his calls as to who plays when. But you know what, if a bench player is kicking your projected #2 prospects ass in a close game that Coach needs, get ready to watch the bench player. It doesn't matter if he's a Ky boy or not.

Completely agree with you except for the part of the bench player "kicking the #2 prospects tail"...not sure I would call it exactly that lol. Like I mentioned....over 2 points in only half the games.

 

[Icecoldbrewdoggy]

Maybe, but the guards are rebounding pretty well this season, which we haven't seen for awhile.

Well, the good thing is we have plenty of options. I just will be interested to see what happens when we play a team with a lot of beef. Cal will adjust as needed.

 

[Stonewall12]

The only thing I dislike about fans saying "he gets beat on defense" is that everyone is getting beat badly that isn't Briscoe or Ulis. So by that standard bench everyone and forfeit!

Look, Willis is a skilled player for sure and deserves clock. However his strength as well as this team is being long, athletic, and willing to run. We'd go along way fixing a lot of our problems by pressing the whole game and speeding the game up.

What a breath of fresh air!!
Good post

 

[UKrazycat2]

Completely agree with you except for the part of the bench player "kicking the #2 prospects tail"...not sure I would call it exactly that lol. Like I mentioned....over 2 points in only half the games.

We're cool here. I meant that as in a one game situation. I still have the faith we'll see the earlier Skal hitting shots from everywhere. He's too talented not to. Peace.

 

[UPSCat4080]

We're cool here. I meant that as in a one game situation. I still have the faith we'll see the earlier Skal hitting shot from everywhere. He's too talented not to. Peace.

I agree. Once Cal figures him out and he comes out of "Camp Cal" he will be fine. People forget that the kid played pickup ball the past two years.

 

[thecatsareback#8]

Please stop with "7 points"

2 of his points was completely generated by Matthews
2 of his points were in a fast break where Ulis set him up for a easy lay in.
And the 3 well make of it what you want but it touched every part of the rim and he back board and finally went in.

I agree skal isn't playing good. But those mins go to Poy, Leee, Mathews.

 

[UKrazycat2]

Please stop with "7 points"

2 of his points was completely generated by Matthews
2 of his points were in a fast break where Ulis set him up for a easy lay in.
And the 3 well make of it what you want but it touched every part of the rim and he back board and finally went in.

I agree skal isn't playing good. But those mins go to Poy, Leee, Mathews.

I guess they don't count then. I guess being in a position to score from an assist is just luck. I'm learning more and more everyday. Why don't those idiots who keep stats know this? Faaaaaaar all stat keepers.

 

[DwayneMeighan]

Bullsh!t.... Most fans don't give a damn where the hell he's from. He belongs in the effing game if Cal says he does. Some of you guys think you know more than our own coach. Need to get over yourselves.

Can't this same exact thing be said about why he doesn't get in the game more? Yet, you still have plenty of posters questioning why he doesn't play more. Do they need to get over themselves as well?

 

[Stonewall12]

Please stop with "7 points"

2 of his points was completely generated by Matthews
2 of his points were in a fast break where Ulis set him up for a easy lay in.
And the 3 well make of it what you want but it touched every part of the rim and he back board and finally went in.

I agree skal isn't playing good. But those mins go to Poy, Leee, Mathews.

This kid can not win with some of you clowns.
I think he could win the Louisville game with a dunk tip and tear the goal down and land on Pitinos head, knock that POS out cold. And you still would have clowns trying to poke holes in his performance. Well the Egyption fell down!!

 

[thecatsareback#8]

This kid can not win with some of you clowns.
I think he could win the Louisville game with a dunk tip and tear the goal down and land on Pitinos head, knock that POS out cold. And you still would have clowns trying to poke holes in his performance. Well the Egyption fell down!!

Hahaha. That was funny.

Alls that I am saying is he is a roll player and some are out here thinking he's going to take us to the promised land in March.

 

[UKrazycat2]

Can't this same exact thing be said about why he doesn't get in the game more? Yet, you still have plenty of posters questioning why he doesn't play more. Do they need to get over themselves as well?

Absolutely correct. We have folks that get paid to make those calls. And it still makes no difference where they're from if they're out playing whomever in a game. Simple math.

 

[Stonewall12]

Nobody is saying he is going to lead us to the final four.

He is a role player that needs to see the floor especially when teams zone us. Especially until Ulis and Murray get out of their funk. He has earned it. That is all....

 

[poppycat]

Best recruiter, along with K, one of the best X and O guys. But some people need to complain about something.

You agree with me and than accuse me of complaining??
Do understand what you read??

Please stop with "7 points"

2 of his points was completely generated by Matthews
2 of his points were in a fast break where Ulis set him up for a easy lay in.
And the 3 well make of it what you want but it touched every part of the rim and he back board and finally went in.

I agree skal isn't playing good. But those mins go to Poy, Leee, Mathews.

So assisted baskets, fast break baskets and 3's that tough the rim, don't count amiright?

 

[Jkwo]

You agree with me and than accuse me of complaining??
Do understand what you read??

If somebody says "best coach", and you go out of your way to correct him with "best recruiter", you don't understand how that sounds like a UL fan-type shot?

 

[brdmn22]

Nobody is saying he is going to lead us to the final four.

He is a role player that needs to see the floor especially when teams zone us. Especially until Ulis and Murray get out of their funk. He has earned it. That is all....

I agree that Willis is somewhat of a threat from outside, but he has a career .295 3PT%. I think Willis is more of a threat offensively than most of the other options, but I don't think he makes the impact that you're implying.

 

[poppycat]

If somebody says "best coach", and you go out of your way to correct him with "best recruiter", you don't understand how that sounds like a UL fan-type shot?

Maybe, I should have said he is one of several great coaches.
If Cal was not such a great recruiter, he would have never been hired at UK.
We all have seen "one year wonder" that made some coach great. (for 1 yr)

P.S. In my baseball days it was a question."Did Casey make the Yankees or did the Yankees make Casey"? Now, you have to be old to understand that. Your "Poppy" would know.

 

[kybassfan]

It's not just about scoring, he gave us solid productive minutes while he was in there and at least put forth some energy and fight. That's what we need right now and that's what we aren't getting from a certain someone. No one is saying that he's an All-American or an NBA All-Star or even one of the best players on this team, but he's at least giving us something productive.

I mean, at least he scored some to make up for any of his defensive lapses, which is better than the 0 we got from the #2 NBA pick to make up for his "two steps too slow" swats at the air. Look, I'm not a "we need to play all white guys from Kentucky" type of fan, trust me, I'm all about playing the best talent and if we were actually getting what we needed from Skal then myself and many others wouldn't be talking about playing Willis and Humphries more at all, but until he toughens up, shows some fight, and starts producing, then that's where we are. I will also say that playing Skal primarily in the post is not giving him the best chance to succeed or playing to his strengths, but that's another argument entirely.

You mean Skal? Last I checked he's still on our roster. You say he's been drafted #2, umm, Sandy we got a problem.

Willis had a Willis like game. He did ok. Ulisishisboi or what ever that poster's handle is was in ecstasy over Willis today. I was just bringing some sanity to the thread.

You better hope to hell Skal doesn't lose many minutes to Humphries or Willis. Humphries is really young. Willis is not going to contribute 20 min a game to a final four caliber team no matter how far Ulisishisboi has his nose up Willis' butt.

I want Willis to do great. He is secondary to the team's success. I just can't resist poking fun at nonsense suggesting otherwise. Willis did ok. I watched his every step though and I assure you his coach has a laundry list of things for him to work on.

 

[Lob2Davis]

Honestly, we need Skal to come off the bench and play the 3. Have Ulis Briscoe Murray Poythress Lee as starters. Have Willis and Humphries get more minutes than they are getting.

Skal at the 3??? He can't even hold onto the ball under the basket, have him making moves 15-20 feet out and you better be ready to run on defense.

 

[brianpoe]

@ BrianPoe

There are times when he's a better option than having all three guards in there for rebouding purposes alone. To say that he's never a better option than having all three on the floor all the time is just silly.

Having CUTNETS like your post takes all validity from a good discussion... sorry that happened to you.

 

[kybassfan]

Having CUTNETS like your post takes all validity from a good discussion... sorry that happened to you.

LOL, a like by cutnet is a bit like having the Pee Wee Herman vote of confidence.

 

[Longtrip]

Just must have been an amazing, fabulous, stupendous and unparalleled 7 pts to evoke such an unbridled reaction by some of our 'special' fans.

I watched the entire game. I saw a decent game that was on par for a mid level KY player. I'm not 'special' though, so I may have missed the fantasy.

He was the best player in the State as a HS senior and with the way he is now playing deserves the playing time he is getting.
What about Skal? Do you think he is earning and deserving of the minutes he is getting?
Is he playing well enough to start? Many fans are asking themselves these questions.
How do you see it?