Is it time to rethink the roster? Sprinkle in some players who might stay at UK 3, even 4 years? Recruit 4-5 one and done possibles and let the rest of the roster mature?

 

I think Cal tries to do that and then guys wind up tearing it up and moving up the draft boards quite a bit. Booker and Herro are two perfect examples of that.

 

Looking at this year's recruiting class, Keldon Johnson was probably the only projected one and done player.

A lot of Kentucky fans are going to look back 5-10 years after Calipari is gone and really going to wish they enjoyed his tenure more than they are. We may win another title under the next coach, whenever that comes, but we will not have the same amount of continued success.

I have met Bruce Pearl a few times when Chris Lofton was at Tennessee. He is a real treat, very fun to talk to and very knowledgeable. He has all the tools to be very successful as long as he does not have BBQ's.

 

If Cal hangs it up any time soon, he's probably my #1 pick for UK's next coach.

Something dumb. How come they wheeled in Okeke during the 2nd half? Why couldn't he have just been there for the whole game? It's not like he was on his death bed or something. Seemed weird unless they wanted to orchestrate some type of emotional/motivational thing for the rest of the team.

Something dumb. How come they wheeled in Okeke during the 2nd half? Why couldn't he have just been there for the whole game? It's not like he was on his death bed or something. Seemed weird unless they wanted to orchestrate some type of emotional/motivational thing for the rest of the team.

 

Scripted.

Scripted.

Yes. Planned from the beginning for dramatic emotional impact.

I thought the officials did a good job overall, but that sequence toward the end of regulation with the game tied where UK had a shot blocked in the paint, got the rebound and got the next shot blocked, got the rebound again and got that shot blocked.....it’s just hard for me to believe that three straight attempts were all clean blocks and no fouls. And Auburn then rebounded and had the ball.

Something dumb. How come they wheeled in Okeke during the 2nd half? Why couldn't he have just been there for the whole game? It's not like he was on his death bed or something. Seemed weird unless they wanted to orchestrate some type of emotional/motivational thing for the rest of the team.

Umm, yeah.

Actually Arizona in 1997 when they won the title they also defeated Kansas, North Carolina, and Kentucky in that tournament.

Some also might say Maryland in 2002. Consecutive wins over UK, UConn, Kansas and Indiana.

Yes. Planned from the beginning for dramatic emotional impact.

 

Seems like some have taken issue with that.

Agree with that, just because you’re running around doesn’t mean you’re playing good defense, most of the effort you saw was because he was trailing on cuts or getting beat off the dribble, don’t get me wrong, I love Herro but he’s not as good as a lot of people on here think!

 

I think coach Cal thinks he is a lot better than you apparently think, same with NBA scouts. Somehow people rarely have talked about Keldon Johnsons poor defense this year on here, but yet he was probably the worst defender in the starting 5. There is a reason why Keldon was always taken out because of his defense, a reason why Herro was always given the task of guarding the other teams top player and not Johnson. In this tournament alone Herro played great defense on Woffords best scorer and Houstons. Houstons best player usually scores in the 20s and Herro held him to a poor shooting game and to only 14 points.

 

No doubt Herro didnt play as good against Auburn. Which I truly believe that had a lot to do with him being in foul trouble and picking up his third foul just 2 minutes into the second half. Cal kept him out there, and i don't think it's a coincidence that is when Brown really took off in the second half. He knew Herro couldn't get to much into him because of fear of a 4th foul. Same on offense, it seemed like that took all aggressiveness away from him as Herro didnt try to attack at all in the second half. I could be wrong but I don't remember him being in foul trouble really ever this year, especially early like he was in this one. I do think that played a big part in his struggles yesterday. First time all year he had to play with foul trouble and he didnt seem to know how to still be aggressive while in foul trouble.

Bruce Pearl's son, Steve (an assistant coach) is quoted that they kept telling their players to keep it within 10 the first half. The 2nd half pressure of the game will cause them to tighten up. How prophetic a prediction. My question "with another year will Ashton Hagans become a high pressure performer or will we see more of this sad performance repeating itself"?

 

Hagans is a freshman. I find it funny how people say they want Cal to have more experienced guys. But then at the same time question guys like they wont get better after their freshman year. These teams with experience that some say they want the Cats to have. Those guys when they were freshman werent the same guys they are now leading their teams to wins. In fact Hagans freshman year was probably better than some of these experienced guards leading the way now for teams when they were freshman.

I think coach Cal thinks he is a lot better than you apparently think, same with NBA scouts. Somehow people rarely have talked about Keldon Johnsons poor defense this year on here, but yet he was probably the worst defender in the starting 5. There is a reason why Keldon was always taken out because of his defense, a reason why Herro was always given the task of guarding the other teams top player and not Johnson. In this tournament alone Herro played great defense on Woffords best scorer and Houstons. Houstons best player usually scores in the 20s and Herro held him to a poor shooting game and to only 14 points.

 

No doubt Herro didnt play as good against Auburn. Which I truly believe that had a lot to do with him being in foul trouble and picking up his third foul just 2 minutes into the second half. Cal kept him out there, and i don't think it's a coincidence that is when Brown really took off in the second half. He knew Herro couldn't get to much into him because of fear of a 4th foul. Same on offense, it seemed like that took all aggressiveness away from him as Herro didnt try to attack at all in the second half. I could be wrong but I don't remember him being in foul trouble really ever this year, especially early like he was in this one. I do think that played a big part in his struggles yesterday. First time all year he had to play with foul trouble and he didnt seem to know how to still be aggressive while in foul trouble.

That is a fair point about the foul trouble.

 

I think Herro did well guarding the types of players that played like him. Running around the court, fighting though screens. On ball taking on dudes that can break you down was not his strong suit (yet). He grew a lot from the beginning of the season.

 

Why I worry about his at the next level his size. At 6'5" he will be tasked with guarding wings much bigger than him. He doesn't seem to have the skill set to guard the PG position.

 

I know many will think this comparison is coming about simply because he is white, but this was JJ Redick's breakdown coming into the league on nbadraft.net:

 

Strengths: One of the purest shooters anywhere ... Redick has a beautiful outside stroke that creates fear in the eyes of opponents ... He possesses incredible range and routinely takes shots well beyond the three point line. He's a player that you simply can't leave open anywhere within the area code of the basket ... He has also added a deadly mid range game to his repertoire, with the ability to create shots for himself with ball fakes and the dribble drive Unbelievable at rolling off screens and hitting the open J ... Redick has picture perfect form, a lightning quick release and gets great elevation on his shot. He is also automatic from the free throw line ... Has a killer instinct and seems to step his game up in clutch situations ... Never appears tired, has great conditioning and work ethic ...

 

Weaknesses: Doesn't have great size or athleticism for the 2 at the next level ... He doesn't possess the ball handling or passing skills to run the point He can be streaky at times, but he's on more often than not His defense will also need work as he lacks both size and strength ... Must prove he can score against elite level athletes ... Not a freak athlete, but his quickness and agility is better than it looks...

 

 

 

Redick was a much better shooter off screens with his quick release, which is where Herro is going to have to improve. I was impressed with his ability to create as the year unfolded.

Seems like some have taken issue with that.

 

I would have taken him for a lap around the court before parking him. There is no bigger boost.

I would have taken him for a lap around the court before parking him. There is no bigger boost.

 

:lol2: :thumb:

 

Especially after the Auburn players saw the banner that was hung up on some student housing at UK.