I haven't followed it closely enough and maybe I missed some discussion on this but could Tai Wynyard help this team? Is he just not ready or does Cal not plan on him playing at all this year? He certainly has the size that they are lacking inside.

 

I did read an article (will post) that he was getting closer and closer to being ready. Yes, I think that he will help inside and from what all it sounds like is that he doesn't mind or shy away from physical play or going to the boards ...(his father is a world class lumberjack, lol and Ty has worked in that as well).

So, I guess that we will find out.

 

http://kentucky.247sports.com/Article/Tai-Wynyard-chopping-path-toward-playing-time-at-Kentucky-42766396

Edited January 13, 201610 yr by oldrambler

I haven't followed it closely enough and maybe I missed some discussion on this but could Tai Wynyard help this team? Is he just not ready or does Cal not plan on him playing at all this year? He certainly has the size that they are lacking inside.

 

I was under the impression that his conditioning was holding him back some. I think you'll see him soon.

Briscoe had another nice game, I thought.

I haven't followed it closely enough and maybe I missed some discussion on this but could Tai Wynyard help this team? Is he just not ready or does Cal not plan on him playing at all this year? He certainly has the size that they are lacking inside.

I'm sure that Cal would love to play him. I don't know how much he will help, but this front line is lacking strength, desire and basketball skills.

One step forward (Saturday), two steps back.

 

This team is just atrocious outside of Ulis and Murray.

Here's Ben Howland after the game:

 

This UK team needs to play zone. Miss St. beat them off the dribble time and time again and UK has no one who consistently protects the basket. State shot 53% from the field and 46% on 3's . UK will not advance far in the postseason playing defense the way they are right now.

Willis is awful, Poythress is awful, Lee is awful and Skal is awful.

 

Poythress and Lee you can generally rely upon to make a few plays, guard a spot, and grab rebounds. Shaky, I know but it is what you got. Willis can shoot uncontested three pointers decently. Beyond that he can't rebound, create for himself, pass, defend, or help on defense. It was no coincidence that after Lee got his 4th, and then 5th with nearly six minutes remaining that the Bulldogs cut into the lead. They went directly at Willis or forced him to help almost every play. Skal is brutal.

One step forward (Saturday), two steps back.

 

This team is just atrocious outside of Ulis and Murray.

 

Yes. But if Briscoe can keep it up it is showing possibilities for a third.

This team is the most guard heavy UK team since Kyle Macy, Truman Claytor, and Dwight Anderson led the 1979 Cats to the SEC Tourney Final.

Willis can shoot uncontested three pointers decently. Beyond that he can't rebound, create for himself, pass, defend, or help on defense. It was no coincidence that after Lee got his 4th, and then 5th with nearly six minutes remaining that the Bulldogs cut into the lead. They went directly at Willis or forced him to help almost every play.

 

And you'll have people over and over again say they don't understand why he doesn't get more time.

And you'll have people over and over again say they don't understand why he doesn't get more time.

 

And I am fine having a specialty sniper type player that can give you a few minutes and get buckets, but he isn't that kind of a shooter.

The things being said about Willis are very similar to what was being said about another UK player about 3 years ago......Kyle Wiltjer, and he still can't play man to man defense.

The things being said about Willis are very similar to what was being said about another UK player about 3 years ago......Kyle Wiltjer, and he still can't play man to man defense.

 

I think that's a fair comparison except Wiltjer was a Sophomore when he left here.

 

Willis is a Junior. Wiltjer's Junior year at Gonzaga was a whole lot better.

I think that's a fair comparison except Wiltjer was a Sophomore when he left here.

 

Willis is a Junior. Wiltjer's Junior year at Gonzaga was a whole lot better.

 

I'm not saying that Willis is as good a player as Wiltjer, he's just no more of a defensive liability than Wiltjer was or would still be if he was still at Kentucky.

Willis is quicker and jumps better, but plays in a different system and his liabilities are exposed more. He needs to improve on some of the basic defensive fundamentals, have better anticipation and he could become a decent defender. He did have a nice block and a steal in the first half last night.