Willis

[Cats192]

1. He didn't contribute much of anything in 16 minutes. For all the talk of him helping the offense so much--3 points on 1/4 shooting isn't exactly lighting it up. People like to act like he'd getting going if Cal let him play. But 16 minutes in a big time game--you gotta do something with it.

2. That turnover late was horrible. If you want to play--you have to make the coaches trust you. Spinning to the baseline and putting it on the floor out of bounds--when the plan was to catch it and give it back to Ulis--ruins that.

 

[westerncat]

Murray turned the ball over a lot today also.

 

[Play some D]

I was screaming at my tv to take Murray out the whole 2nd half. Didn't we make a good run at the end of the 1st half with Murray on the bench. What I'm saying is that all these players will have good games & bad games. Good halves & bad halves. Someone was attempting to guard Damian Lee who scored 27 today. I don't think it was Willis who got lit up. So someone else wasn't playing defense.

 

[kybassfan]

I was screaming at my tv to take Murray out the whole 2nd half. Didn't we make a good run at the end of the 1st half with Murray on the bench. What I'm saying is that all these players will have good games & bad games. Good halves & bad halves. Someone was attempting to guard Damian Lee who scored 27 today. I don't think it was Willis who got lit up. So someone else wasn't playing defense.

That post is just as silly as the folks wanting to run all the offense through him after the last game.

 

[Cats192]

I was screaming at my tv to take Murray out the whole 2nd half. Didn't we make a good run at the end of the 1st half with Murray on the bench. What I'm saying is that all these players will have good games & bad games. Good halves & bad halves. Someone was attempting to guard Damian Lee who scored 27 today. I don't think it was Willis who got lit up. So someone else wasn't playing defense.

1. It's ok when Damion Lee lights a team up. He's very good. I have to live with Lee going for 27, because he's THAT good. I don't have to live with many of their other guys lighting it up. If Lee is drawing fouls and making tough shots at the rim--you tip your hat. If Willis can't guard period, you put in someone else. In the NBA, you don't bench a guy for LeBron getting 30.

2. Was it simply a bad half for Willis? For having an absolutely putrid game--Murray made big 3's late. He is able to bring the ball up. In a game where you're scrapping for points, you've got to play the best NBA talent you have. Willis killed himself with that late turnover. Absolutely silly.

 

[MojoYamamoto]

Can't play Willis in place of Murray. Willis isn't quick enough to defend the guards that Murray does. And while Murray played pretty bad today, it's not like Willis contributed anymore. And while Willis might give you a steady 8-10 points if he played 30 mins a game. Murray will give you more and also has the potential for a huge 30+ point game. Willis does not have that potential. I'd rather play our players with the most potential to get them ready for March. Also, wasn't there a group of posters begging for Willis to get Poythress's minutes last week. Does anyone really think we would have won today if Willis would have gotten Poythress's minutes. Willis needs to play to spell people and if he is really hot leave him in a little longer. But It's hard to leave someone on the court who is supposed to be a floor spacing shooter who doesn't make the outside shot consistently. A great shooter rarely misses a wide open three. Willis missed two today. And while he did make a critical three from the corner that was contested and he was fading away a little, at best he will make that shot 2 to 3 times out of ten.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

Willis sucks, it's just the cold hard truth

That is NOT the cold hard truth. He's not great but he does okay coming off the bench. Hit a three today when we really needed it. To say he sucks and it's the cold hard truth is wrong.

 

[Bungalow Bill]

No one said he was Murray. Murray isn't as good as you think. He's a quicker Patrick sparks. Streaky scorer who plays pick up defense. Willis will have good and bad moments, but he will be needed this year and next.

That's an 11 on the 10 scale of stupidity. Murray is a freshmen who scored 27 in a half. He will be a very good pro and I don't mean in Israel.

 

[chattanoogawildcat]

This thread just goes to show how ignorant some posters are.

 

[marshalfan]

C'mon -- skal went three games with 2 fetches , he never got the hook like DW does . Like him or not that's fact .

Skal come out and played only 10 minutes. Willis is a defensive liability. He played alright but if we have to depend on him we are in trouble.

 

[qwesley]

Like Cal said this team needs him at times to be an outside threat for spacing. Just can't play him at pf against many teams. That first run with him and Skal was brutal.

 

[Xception]

If a player is from KY they scan for any glimmer of positive play to expound on , going so far as praising entry passes while simultaneously ignoring dreadful defense . All the while they're juniors and seniors . Even praising them for abilities they never possessed , dead eye shooter , great athlete etc....

If the player is an import they scan for any flaw and amplify it as the reason he should sit the bench conveinently in favor of a local player , stay in school for years , go undrafted , was overrated , play overseas , not make it in the pros . All of that based 12 games into college .

 

[Drcatfan]

Comparing Willis to Murray is ridiculous, and comparing Willis to Skal is even more ridiculous. Willis is a small forward that is a good but streaky shooter that can help space the floor. His lateral quickness is a touch slow that makes him a little bit of a liability on defense. Murray is a sure fire NBA guard whose offensive skills are near the best in NCAA basketball. He is a freshman and made lots of bad decisions and plays today. I see lots of complaints about Murrays defense, but watch some tape. Murray is an excellent defender. Skal is a 6'11" center with incredible high skill level but rather low strength level. He is still struggling to adjust to the size and strength of the college game.

 

[sound defect]

No one said he was Murray. Murray isn't as good as you think. He's a quicker Patrick sparks. Streaky scorer who plays pick up defense. Willis will have good and bad moments, but he will be needed this year and next.

Patrick Sparks? You have no clue what you're talking about if you're comparing Murray to Sparks. Seriously, you're opinion is the worst I've ever seen on this board.

 

[Oboro3]

Murray was the one who almost cost us the game. He is Archie Goodwin 2.0 in that he drives, gets up in the air and hopes to get fouled. He needs to pull up and take the 10 foot shot instead. Willis hustles and tries to get things going when he is out there. He is not afraid to takes shots and try to do things.

 

[Blueaz]

No, because overall Murray is a better player. Did you forget the fact that he even kept us in the game against OSU? Murray has the ability to take over a game when he is on. It's not because Cal owes him.

this
it is comical to think that the UK coach "chances" wins on "having to play OADs'...Ask Skal

 

[ulismyman]

Willis steps out of bounds and gets yanked and Murray single handidly keeps UL in the game but is allowed to play thru. WILLIS NEEDS THAT LEEWAY

 

[Cats192]

Willis steps out of bounds and gets yanked and Murray single handidly keeps UL in the game but is allowed to play thru. WILLIS NEEDS THAT LEEWAY

The difference is in the skill set.
Murray can bring the ball up.
Murray can score in bunches. In a game where we COULD NOT SCORE late--you had to have your best scorer on the floor.

Willis is a capable shooter. But, he couldn't break the press. He isn't one of our two best rebounders.

 

[ulismyman]

Willis can break the press..very good ball handler

 

[Cats192]

Willis can break the press..very good ball handler

Yeah, I think we saw that today

 

[bsteele350]

Willis can break the press..very good ball handler

I need to watch that play again, but I'm fairly certain he got hip-checked out of bounds. Should have been a foul...just one of many missed today.

 

[TheySoSensitive]

1-4 3pts
1 reb
2 TO
0 Stl
0 Blk
16 Min

If you can't see that this was a poor performance then I don't know what to tell you. The fact that some of you are clinging to the fact that he took a charge is laughable.

When Willis has a 33 point game like Murray did he will also be given a leash like Murray. Comparing the two is an absolute joke.

I know some of you have been waiting a long time for a white kid from Kentucky to contribute but you all are putting unrealistic expectations on Willis. If he wants to play he needs to rebound, play adequate defense, make shots, and eliminate the unforced turnovers.

 

[Maubris]

H

Willis steps out of bounds and gets yanked and Murray single handidly keeps UL in the game but is allowed to play thru. WILLIS NEEDS THAT LEEWAY

Here you go again. Your posts leave me shaking me head and saying UmM.

 

[ulismyman]

Nobody is saying Willis is better than Murray...i am saying he needs the latitude others get...Cal cant yank Willis when he messes up yet let Murray make 7 turnovers and shoot numerous bad shots

 

[TheySoSensitive]

Nobody is saying Willis is better than Murray...i am saying he needs the latitude others get...Cal cant yank Willis when he messes up yet let Murray make 7 turnovers and shoot numerous bad shots

Yes, he can. Murray just had a 28 point half and has a knack for exploding out of nowhere so yes he deserves a much longer leash than Willis(or Matthews/Hawkins/Mulder etc).

 

[michaeluk26]

Comparing Willis to Murray is ridiculous, and comparing Willis to Skal is even more ridiculous. Willis is a small forward that is a good but streaky shooter that can help space the floor. His lateral quickness is a touch slow that makes him a little bit of a liability on defense. Murray is a sure fire NBA guard whose offensive skills are near the best in NCAA basketball. He is a freshman and made lots of bad decisions and plays today. I see lots of complaints about Murrays defense, but watch some tape. Murray is an excellent defender. Skal is a 6'11" center with incredible high skill level but rather low strength level. He is still struggling to adjust to the size and strength of the college game.

Murray is a damn good defender. Not sure what the hell that poster is thinking. Damn good perimeter defender.

 

[Cats192]

I need to watch that play again, but I'm fairly certain he got hip-checked out of bounds. Should have been a foul...just one of many missed today.

Regardless. With a suffocating U of L press, you KNOW Cal said to get the ball in and give it to to a guard. Derek decided to be a guard. Knowing and accepting your role is part of it.

 

[Cats192]

Nobody is saying Willis is better than Murray...i am saying he needs the latitude others get...Cal cant yank Willis when he messes up yet let Murray make 7 turnovers and shoot numerous bad shots

I think that Murray has done some things to earn that leash, whereas Willis hasn't.
Skal isn't getting much of a leash either, in case you hadn't noticed.

 

[sluggercatfan]

1. It's ok when Damion Lee lights a team up. He's very good. I have to live with Lee going for 27, because he's THAT good. I don't have to live with many of their other guys lighting it up. If Lee is drawing fouls and making tough shots at the rim--you tip your hat. If Willis can't guard period, you put in someone else. In the NBA, you don't bench a guy for LeBron getting 30.

2. Was it simply a bad half for Willis? For having an absolutely putrid game--Murray made big 3's late. He is able to bring the ball up. In a game where you're scrapping for points, you've got to play the best NBA talent you have. Willis killed himself with that late turnover. Absolutely silly.

3/14...7 tos...3-6 ft ya right

 

[KentuckyWildcat4Life]

Some posters here need to shut up as they have no clue at all what they are spitting out their mouth.

 

[Cats192]

3/14...7 tos...3-6 ft ya right

But 2 CLUTCH 3's. You don't pull your best player when they play poorly. You do pull the bench player. That's basketball. If Willis could do the things that Murray can do, he would get more minutes.

 

[Kybluedude]

You think Murray is a good defender???? Whoa. He is terrible on that side of the floor right now. Doesn't rebound either. Potential is there but right now he never gets in front.

Murray is a damn good defender. Not sure what the hell that poster is thinking. Damn good perimeter defender.

 

[TheySoSensitive]

Scoring 33 points will get you a leash a mile long. I'm not sure why that is so difficult for some of you to process.

Murray had a poor game and deserves some of the flack he is getting, but acting like he wasn't a major part of us holding on with those 3s is kinda silly.

 

[TheySoSensitive]

Some posters here need to shut up as they have no clue at all what they are spitting out their mouth.

Elaborate?

 

[chevyman 50]

..Willis does OK, yesterday it was Murruy that was hurting Ky..

 

[Fawrules]

If Willis can develop into a guy who can come off the bench and consistently hit a three or two per game, he'll he giving us far more than I expected going into the season.

 

[OHcatfan]

Willis can break the press..very good ball handler

 

[OHcatfan]

Nobody is saying Willis is better than Murray...i am saying he needs the latitude others get...Cal cant yank Willis when he messes up yet let Murray make 7 turnovers and shoot numerous bad shots

Yes you can! That is why some players get more run than others. Better players get more time and leeway.

 

[OHcatfan]

Willis' three was HUGE.. Willis can play and he's from Kentucky.. He made several key plays.. In fact, if it wasn't for Willis and Hawkins helping Poy and Ulis who are just balling we may not have the lead.. Willis, huge 3, took a charge and caused a turnover all critical..

What does the state he comes from have to do with his basketball skill set?

 

[UKrazycat2]

Stars don't shine every night.
Bench players will win some games for you whether you like it or not.
Some guys read stats only, seeking someone to bitch about.(even when we win)
This is a team sport. Can't put the burden on one player every game.

This team will look totally different come march, with different players stepping up while others struggle. Just like right now.
Some fans will continue to piss and moan because we aren't 40-0.
Others will support the team as a whole, no matter who's on the floor when we lose.
Some posters will name call other posters for being fans of the wrong player.(don't get this one)

Crazy stuff.