FWIW.

Wagner currently averages 1.5 turnovers. Reed Sheppard averages 1.4 turnovers. Dillingham currently averages 1.9 turnovers. So the guy consistently attacking the basket the hardest, is averaging just .1 turnovers more than Sheppard.

If you want assists, Wagner is currently averaging 3.4 assists, Sheppard 4.2 assists, and Dillingham 4.1 assists.

2 hours ago, Breds82 said:

bench him in favor a guy that'll actually produce

 

2 hours ago, Breds82 said:

he doesn't have an issue benching you if you're not performing

I do think Edwards would be seeing less playing time if Theiro was available at that position all he has to play is Burkes and he cannot get it done or go with 3 guards and Mitchell and Bradshaw or O.

Friend that was at the game.

2 minutes ago, theguru said:

Friend that was at the game.

There's nothing better than attending a game at Rupp. I'm not ashamed to say that it makes me emotional and I tear up during the pregame video when it goes through the history. Whenever I go again next, I think it will hit even a little harder after my die-hard father passed away about a year ago.

3 hours ago, MJAlltheWay24 said:

I think it would be a big mistake to mess with his current rotation. It's working.

But many will continue to ignore that and push the narrative that you are.

So you’re ok with the slow starts instead of getting out in front first? And you can’t say I’m wrong on Edwards. If you’re the HC for Kentucky are you starting your best 5 or not?

4 hours ago, nikeman49 said:

Nice workmanlike win, still a guy that thinks Shep should start the game, beginning of the second half, no Shep and MissSt had a 13-0 run and Cal should have taken a timeout after the first three baskets of that run, but no, he waits until they score 7 more points before using a much needed timeout and gets Shep in the game, then Ky gets their double digit lead back, just not understanding why Shep doesn’t start the game and also start the second half, Wagner doesn’t need to be starting right now, Ky plays much better when he is sitting.

 

3 hours ago, nikeman49 said:

Wagner’s consistent turnover ratio will hurt this team more and more as the season progresses, it has already cost Ky one, maybe two more wins, this team has no chance to succeed in postseason play with the basketball in his hands. Just my opinion as I watched them play live last night and also two other home games.

UK’s lowest scoring game of the season came when Sheppard started and Wagner didn’t play. It’s only one game, but doesn’t really back your thinking up. UK’s offense has been just fine all year except for the one game Sheppard started. Defense is where they need to keep improving at. 

44 minutes ago, Breds82 said:

So you’re ok with the slow starts instead of getting out in front first? And you can’t say I’m wrong on Edwards. If you’re the HC for Kentucky are you starting your best 5 or not?

 

4 hours ago, Breds82 said:

I love the pace the offense plays at, also hate how easy our defense gives up points. That being said, we all know why Edwards started and is playing more than he should right now. Cal promised him the moon and is to afraid to bench him in favor a guy that'll actually produce, it'll hurt his recruiting. You can't sell "I'll get you to the NBA" if the recruits see he doesn't have an issue benching you if you're not performing. Instead of starting your best five and getting out to a big and early lead drives me nuts. Why make us come from behind early? Put all the pressure on the other team, then start subbing.

You are right about Edwards. However, Cal has shown he usually will start giving less and less minutes to those 5 star guys and even eventually not start or play them much if they aren’t producing much by the middle of January. We have seen that with Whitney a few years back, Skal was one of the highest recruits and ended up benched, Hopkins, etc. He does give them lots of opportunities early in the season to get better, but Cal has shown he will move off them if they aren’t producing. Honestly of Theiro wasn’t hurt, I think we would have see him starting Theiro over him by now. 

2 hours ago, 16thBBall Fan said:

 

I do think Edwards would be seeing less playing time if Theiro was available at that position all he has to play is Burkes and he cannot get it done or go with 3 guards and Mitchell and Bradshaw or O.

Agreed. 

I hate when Dillingham does that scissor-kick jumper trying to draw a foul. I guess it is not as much of a point of emphasis in college, but in the NBA he would have been called for multiple fouls by now.

27 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

 

You are right about Edwards. However, Cal has shown he usually will start giving less and less minutes to those 5 star guys and even eventually not start or play them much if they aren’t producing much by the middle of January. We have seen that with Whitney a few years back, Skal was one of the highest recruits and ended up benched, Hopkins, etc. He does give them lots of opportunities early in the season to get better, but Cal has shown he will move off them if they aren’t producing. Honestly of Theiro wasn’t hurt, I think we would have see him starting Theiro over him by now. 

I agree and believe this is where we are headed. Several games in Edwards looked like he was finding his place, but he just hasn't been able to put it together. I believe he can be a good rebounder and mid-range threat, but his lack of experience isn't delivering like it should.

2 hours ago, Breds82 said:

So you’re ok with the slow starts instead of getting out in front first? And you can’t say I’m wrong on Edwards. If you’re the HC for Kentucky are you starting your best 5 or not?

Yeah, I don't care how they start if they are winning games consistently, as they have been and overall they look good.

I think they need Edwards to find that next gear or his role on this team for them to be truly special in March/April. I don't think that happens by benching him. But maybe a healthy Thiero fits that need, cause he seemed to be pretty tough before his injury that we don't seem to know anything about.

I don't care at all about the first 3-4 mins of the first half or second half if when looking at the whole game, they are winning and they seemed to have great chemistry with each other. Start messing with the starting lineup and egos and things can definitely go haywire, thus I say, it's not currently broke.

1 hour ago, futurecoach said:

 

You are right about Edwards. However, Cal has shown he usually will start giving less and less minutes to those 5 star guys and even eventually not start or play them much if they aren’t producing much by the middle of January. We have seen that with Whitney a few years back, Skal was one of the highest recruits and ended up benched, Hopkins, etc. He does give them lots of opportunities early in the season to get better, but Cal has shown he will move off them if they aren’t producing. Honestly of Theiro wasn’t hurt, I think we would have see him starting Theiro over him by now. 

Agreed. 

3 hours ago, futurecoach said:

 

You are right about Edwards. However, Cal has shown he usually will start giving less and less minutes to those 5 star guys and even eventually not start or play them much if they aren’t producing much by the middle of January. We have seen that with Whitney a few years back, Skal was one of the highest recruits and ended up benched, Hopkins, etc. He does give them lots of opportunities early in the season to get better, but Cal has shown he will move off them if they aren’t producing. Honestly of Theiro wasn’t hurt, I think we would have see him starting Theiro over him by now. 

Those guys you mentioned couldn’t play for anyone, so easy decision to make, Cal will lean toward playing and starting Wagner regardless of production.

8 minutes ago, nikeman49 said:

Those guys you mentioned couldn’t play for anyone, so easy decision to make, Cal will lean toward playing and starting Wagner regardless of production.

Not true. Hopkins has been a great college player. Whitney definitely would have eventually been a good college player if he stayed in college, and same with Skal. 
 

Wagner needs to continue to start and actually seems to be getting better. Plus he is the best player at attacking the basket on the team. Which once again I don’t think it’s a coincidence the one game he didn’t play and Sheppard started was the lowest scoring offensive game of the season for UK, and was a game they ended up losing. Imo you are focused on the wrong guy in regards to who shouldn’t start. If someone is to come out of the starting lineup it should be Edwards.  

I would love to see Cal play all 4 guards together with one of the bigs…

I know folks think they would get killed in the glass… but those 4 guards are a competitive, I think they would find a way to rebound!