April 18, 201511 yr And who's roster is better? The entire country is gonna suck next year. At this point who comes off the bench UK?
April 19, 201511 yr If nothing changes I think the rotation will look something like this. Starters Ullis Briscoe Poythress Lee Big Skal Bench Hawkins Matthews Willis *One more guy out of either the back up plan route such as JUCO or one of the uncommitted studs. Two more would be great. As it stands now Kentucky will still be able to go 8 deep which is what most teams do anyways. For a couple years now the talk has been that Hawkins and Willis could start on many other major conference teams. We will now get our chance to see as they will be key bench pieces. 5 Burger Boys is still pretty solid and they could still add a couple more.
April 19, 201511 yr At this point who comes off the bench UK? Willis, Hawkins, and Matthews. Not a roster in the country that is hands down better.
April 19, 201511 yr Willis' date=' Hawkins, and Matthews. Not a roster in the country that is hands down better.[/quote'] If only there wasn't foul trouble and freshman struggles.
April 19, 201511 yr People quickly forget that most teams don't have 10 All Americans. I guess UK will have to make due with 5 or 6 this year. It's a hard knock life for us.
April 19, 201511 yr If nothing changes I think the rotation will look something like this. Starters Ullis Briscoe Poythress Lee Big Skal Bench Hawkins Matthews Willis *One more guy out of either the back up plan route such as JUCO or one of the uncommitted studs. Two more would be great. As it stands now Kentucky will still be able to go 8 deep which is what most teams do anyways. For a couple years now the talk has been that Hawkins and Willis could start on many other major conference teams. We will now get our chance to see as they will be key bench pieces. 5 Burger Boys is still pretty solid and they could still add a couple more. If Willis is smart he will live in the gym this summer. Put some muscle on and be more of an inside threat. I think he's very capable of doing that. He's played against great big guys in practice for a couple years now. He knows what it takes. I'm still not sold on Hawkins effort. He's naturally gifted with a skill for athletics and basketball. I've tried for a while to figure out why his playing time is so up and down and the only thing I can think of is effort. Cal knows when his guys want it.
April 19, 201511 yr If only there wasn't foul trouble and freshman struggles. Duke just won the title in a season where there were several good teams with 7 players and a Plumlee. Every team deals with foul trouble. UK is going to get someone else and if they don't then what they have can compete with any other roster in the country. Good grief, they are going to start 4 McD AA and the projected first pick in the draft.
April 19, 201511 yr If this team can add Mulder and nothing else, I really can't complain at all. This team will have the best player in the country next year, so it will be a really fun ride
April 19, 201511 yr Duke just won the title in a season where there were several good teams with 7 players and a Plumlee. Every team deals with foul trouble. UK is going to get someone else and if they don't then what they have can compete with any other roster in the country. Good grief, they are going to start 4 McD AA and the projected first pick in the draft. Teams like Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and Michigan State this past season are perfect examples of what experience can do for a team. You don't have to have McDonald's All Americans to have an elite college basketball team. I'll take experience over hyped up freshman who haven't played a single minute of college ball all day. You are seriously underestimating what teams like Iowa St, Kansas, Virginia, UNC (with or without Tokoto), Maryland, and even Villanova return if you think UK has the best roster heading in to next year with what they currently have.
April 19, 201511 yr If this team can add Mulder and nothing else, I really can't complain at all. This team will have the best player in the country next year, so it will be a really fun ride Ben Simmons might have something to say about that.
April 19, 201511 yr If Willis is smart he will live in the gym this summer. Put some muscle on and be more of an inside threat. I think he's very capable of doing that. He's played against great big guys in practice for a couple years now. He knows what it takes. I'm still not sold on Hawkins effort. He's naturally gifted with a skill for athletics and basketball. I've tried for a while to figure out why his playing time is so up and down and the only thing I can think of is effort. Cal knows when his guys want it. I agree on Hawkins, I've never really been sold on him. I watched James Bolden as a sophomore make him look silly on defense and play him point for point, that day I never saw the hype with Hawkins. Over the last couple seasons though I do think he's Improved. To his defense he's been blocked by some of the best guards in the country for playing time, that has also made him better in practice. He's improved his perimeter shot and knows Cals system by now like the back of his hand. This will his year to be counted on as a back up PG and I think he will do great. Willis is actually the one I believe lacks some passion for the game and needs to work extremely hard like you said. He's long and athletic and has some guard skills which is rare for a guy his size. If he can work on being more physical in the paint he could help out a lot. I expect Hawkins and Willis to fulfill their roles this year and thrive with some extra confidence that comes from increased playing time. B
April 19, 201511 yr Teams like Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and Michigan State this past season are perfect examples of what experience can do for a team. You don't have to have McDonald's All Americans to have an elite college basketball team. I'll take experience over hyped up freshman who haven't played a single minute of college ball all day. You are seriously underestimating what teams like Iowa St, Kansas, Virginia, UNC (with or without Tokoto), Maryland, and even Villanova return if you think UK has the best roster heading in to next year with what they currently have. Grayson Allen might have something to say about that. You give it some thought and came up with 6 teams that might be better. I don't think this is going to be a great UK team but there aren't any great teams next year. This roster can compete and they may not be done yet.
April 19, 201511 yr Grayson Allen might have something to say about that. You give it some thought and came up with 6 teams that might be better. I don't think this is going to be a great UK team but there aren't any great teams next year. This roster can compete and they may not be done yet. I'm not arguing UK won't be good next year. I'm a HUGE fan of Briscoe and Skal. Saw both as sophomores and love the way both play. Have made it a point to see both the past two summers at AAU events. I think UK will be right in the thick of things just like you guys do. I just don't like the arrogance that no other team has a roster comparable to UK's because they have X amount of All Americans. I simply listed teams who could possibly be ranked higher than UK coming in to the season next year because right now they have a better roster. I compare next year's team to the Knight team. Will have some holes and lose some games but have enough talent and potential to make a final 4 run.
April 19, 201511 yr I compare next year's team to the Knight team. Will have some holes and lose some games but have enough talent and potential to make a final 4 run. All depends on if they can simply play together. Adding Mulder would be nice to have another shooter.
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.