|
|
Post by royalcrown on Apr 24, 2018 9:54:09 GMT -5
Just how excited should we as fans be about getting the 2nd best collection of players in a poorly regarded incoming class? Who will return from the "testing the waters" brigade? Will the remnants of a somewhat under-performing 2017 Team meld w/ the newcomers and exceed that 2017 performance in what should be a competitive 2018 SEC? Magic 8-Ball answers follow: - Expect Keldon and EJ to play minutes and make an impact. It shouldn't be overly difficult for somebody to improve the production at the "2" vs the enigmatic Diallo and if recent rumors are true about PJ staying in the draft then EJ better be worth the price of a ticket.
- Herro and Quickley will get opportunities but chances are they're role players that'll need to adjust to limited time.
- Big question mark in the middle. Will the under-performing Richards take a big step over the Summer? No SKJ means little depth at the position so it's Richards or back to playing an out-of-position PF at the "5". Not great choices.
- For my money, it's Green at the PG spot. He was one of the more confident shooters on last years Team and got better handling the ball as the season progressed. He's got a small frame and was a defensive liability so there's opportunity for one of the new comers to steal the spot but his combination of experience and talent give him the edge. I wouldn't expect anyone playing the Point to match the production of Shai.
- The absolute biggest issue is the decisions of PJ, Vanderbilt and Gabriel. While each played the 4/5 spot on this years Team they brought very different skill sets with them to the court. Gabriel stretched the floor, PJ muscled (missed free throws) and played "D" while Vanderbilt was the glass-cleaner who showed little on the offensive end. UK probably loses 2-of-3 w/ the most valuable and probable returnee being Vanderbilt.
Okay, what does that all add up to? About the same as this year, a middling Top-20 team that's better than most but not a real National Championship threat.
|
|
|
|
Post by jakuka on Apr 24, 2018 10:42:16 GMT -5
As you say, a lot depends on who returns. But I suppose I'm a bit more optimistic. With Green coming back and IF we get Richardson plus and one of PJ/Vando/WG....along with the new crop that's still a top ten team that should be much stronger out of the gate. Most of the weaknesses from last year should see some form of improvement (whether experience, shooting, depth, or whatever). There's a lot to look forward to in my mind.  |
|
|
|
Post by bobbyblue on Apr 24, 2018 13:46:53 GMT -5
I agree,no way Keldon doesn't start,and EJ has to play,a lot,but I'd sure feel a lot better if 2 of Vanderbilt,WG,and PJ return....Hagans is the "Truth".... I don't know much,only an armchair QB, but after seeing him play,I just can't imagine how he sits,if he reclassifies.....and yeah, I know he's a freshman,and will make freshman turnovers,and his three ball is suspect. Jones will still get all of the accolades because he signed with St K,but no way Hagans would not be the best PG in the class if he reclassifies.
Green will never get drafted as a 2G in the NBA... His only shot at getting to the league is as a PG. He still can transfer at any time before school starts in the fall,and my internal Debbie Downer thinks he might still do so, if Hagans comes, and I'd lay great odds that it's a definite if Maxey also reclassifies.
That being said,I trust Cal,and I suppose if the two kids reclassify, he will have some sort of platoon system cooking,just under another name.
|
|
|
|
Post by crazycat65 on Apr 24, 2018 14:01:01 GMT -5
I can see Cal running an offense like the Warriors with 4 shooters and 1 big. People seem to keep sleeping on Baker and they shouldn't. He will see plenty of PT if healthy. I think this team will be a lot better 3 point shooting team than last years and could be 1 of the best in the country next year.
|
|
|
|
Post by lawmax on Apr 24, 2018 15:42:14 GMT -5
I can see Cal running an offense like the Warriors with 4 shooters and 1 big. People seem to keep sleeping on Baker and they shouldn't. He will see plenty of PT if healthy. I think this team will be a lot better 3 point shooting team than last years and could be 1 of the best in the country next year. This ^^ is how I've been perceiving this for some time. Except for going after Bol and then Montgomery [and despite KNOWING that he could lose PJ, Vanderbilt and Wenyan], Cal's recruitment was pretty focused on the 1 thru 3 spots. When he didn't get RJ and/or Zion, it's been focused even more so on 1 and 2. I'm NOT saying that this was entirely by choice rather than necessity, but when you're trying to populate your roster with as many as SIX guards of 4-5 star quality [while it looks like you may get decimated at the 4], that strongly suggests --to me-- that you're ramping up to play small ball. One big; shooters scattered around the arc; and a strong point who can drive, dish and, at least, keep the D honest from deep. May not happen if we get lucky on guys coming back, but that looks like we're preparing for it. JMO |
|
|
|
Post by bobbyblue on Apr 25, 2018 14:21:16 GMT -5
Hope you guys are correct,especially if the three of WG,JV,PJ, all stay in the draft,but it sure would be a sudden change in style for him. Maybe he watched the Villinova massacre of UM and,KU,plus Golden State blowing through the competition.
|
|
|
|
Post by bobbyblue on Apr 25, 2018 14:29:29 GMT -5
I can see Cal running an offense like the Warriors with 4 shooters and 1 big. People seem to keep sleeping on Baker and they shouldn't. He will see plenty of PT if healthy. I think this team will be a lot better 3 point shooting team than last years and could be 1 of the best in the country next year. SGA was interviewed by KSR about 2 weeks ago..They asked who he would choose from the team to be POTUS. He replied Jamrl Baker,and gave some reasons. ' The questioner than said "well we don't really know much about him except he is supposed to be a good shooter" SGA replied "hes better than that---you aren't going to believe his shooting skill---best shooter on the team,from any spot on the floor ". |
|
|
|
Post by lawmax on Apr 25, 2018 15:11:53 GMT -5
Hope you guys are correct,especially if the three of WG,JV,PJ, all stay in the draft,but it sure would be a sudden change in style for him. Maybe he watched the Villinova massacre of UM and,KU,plus Golden State blowing through the competition. Again, I don't think what he's doing is necessarily by choice as much as out of necessity [and given what's available]. I mean, he's not only going for half a dozen guards, but pulling 2 of them out of the 2019 class if he can. That tells me he thought going THIS route was more likely to pay dividends than trying to lock up another big or two for insurance purposes respecting the draft. Not saying he wont look for a 5th year big IF one or two of the three guys feeling out the draft stay in it, but it sure looks to me like he's giving himself the option of taking a "Plan B" approach to things if necessary. |
|
|
|
Post by mccollums on Apr 25, 2018 15:58:27 GMT -5
Baker is definitely an unknown. Even more then the freshman coming in since we have at least seen the freshman play a little bit. Here's the way I'm looking at it. Point Guard - Primary initiator - Green - Quickley - Hagans Anybody that guesses who starts or who plays more is doing just that... guessing... I think a lot of people are sleeping on Quickley - he's good at everything. I think he plays a lot and he will be able to play the 1,2 or 3. His size, versatility, and experience with USA basketball will get him minutes. 2 Guard - Quickley - Baker - Herro Small Forward - Johnson - or any guard other than Green. PF -  ? I agree with RC that EJ will play. I think he is going to come in fairly polished and ready. I think he's similar to Quickley where he's solid at a ton of different things. Center - Richards ( no idea on improvement and usage - but he's the only big considered a classic center) I do think he gets 18-20min a game though... the kid just needs time for the game to slow down. After watching Herro play this summer I am expecting a little less from him. I think he will contribute and be a spark plug but my guess is he's a long way off from playing significant minutes. He didn't look strong with the ball in his hands in the all-star games this summer, he had trouble getting by the defenders. Calipari will help him be more efficient in that regard, less hopping and dancing and more direct movement (the same way he helped Liggins). He probably needs to tighten up his handle as well to be a 3 level scorer in college. Herro could struggle defensively - and that's where I think he will need to earn his time. Calipari usually doesn't play kids if he has a better option defensively. The times he has played weaker defenders is (usually) when he didn't have a choice. Jakuka - If we get Richardson? Who is that? I didn't sleep much last night... I'm spacing out on who that is? |
|
|
|
Post by jakuka on Apr 25, 2018 16:13:56 GMT -5
Haha....meant Richards of course. Had a client at work with the other name that was on my mind earlier.
|
|
|
|
Post by mccollums on Apr 25, 2018 19:52:28 GMT -5
Haha....meant Richards of course. Had a client at work with the other name that was on my mind earlier. shew! I was like "damn, what happened? I've been watching all the UK sites closely waiting for news and thought I missed something. |
|
|
|
Post by Marty Caudill on Apr 28, 2018 13:21:32 GMT -5
Well,, we'll have 4 5* pg's..
|
|
|
|
Post by jakuka on Apr 28, 2018 14:03:59 GMT -5
Well,, we'll have 4 5* pg's.. That's just insane...lol. |
|
|
|
Post by bobbyblue on Apr 30, 2018 17:28:09 GMT -5
Well,, we'll have 4 5* pg's.. Would appear there's no way he can keep all of the 5 star PG's happy----But I trust Cal has a plan beyond just trying to regain bragging rights. Two classes back Puke had the top rated class---then Cal brought in Humphry late,giving Ky the top class rating...but wait--- the talking heads said,no it's to late in the year to count,and kept Puke the top rated class. One year ago Cal had the top rated class,and St K brought in Bagwell in August---with the help of the "Fightn Emmerts clearing him for reclassification in a couple of weeks after he had been at 3 high Schools in the school year----but wait--- the talking heads said it's Special K so it's never too late for them,so Puke has the top class. This year Puke again has the top class,and if Cal brings in Hagans,and Maxey,in July,I bet I know what the talking heads will say this time..Ok I bet you know |
|
|
|
Post by Marty Caudill on May 1, 2018 20:03:07 GMT -5
Well,, we'll have 4 5* pg's.. Would appear there's no way he can keep all of the 5 star PG's happy----But I trust Cal has a plan beyond just trying to regain bragging rights. Two classes back Puke had the top rated class---then Cal brought in Humphry late,giving Ky the top class rating...but wait--- the talking heads said,no it's to late in the year to count,and kept Puke the top rated class. One year ago Cal had the top rated class,and St K brought in Bagwell in August---with the help of the "Fightn Emmerts clearing him for reclassification in a couple of weeks after he had been at 3 high Schools in the school year----but wait--- the talking heads said it's Special K so it's never too late for them,so Puke has the top class. This year Puke again has the top class,and if Cal brings in Hagans,and Maxey,in July,I bet I know what the talking heads will say this time..Ok I bet you know Quickley (1-2-3) green (1-2) Hagans (1) Maxey (1-2-3) Baker (2) Herro (2-3) Johnson (3-4) Play small ball and play 3 pg's with the other coming off the bench along with Herro,, Baker.. Or 2 pg's with Herro and Johnson.. Or.. Just so many combinations.. Can put Johnson at the 4 in some instances.. They'll be so many combos it'll be a nightmare for opposing teams.. Then add in Wenyen and PJ with Richards n EJ at the 5.. I don't think Vando comes back and 50/50 at best on PJ.. |
|
