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Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 12-01-2020, 11:29 PM:
 
I’m not sure that I have seen a collective group of Freshmen players with less fundamental skills and basketball IQ as this group. Guard play is basically non existent and I’m not sure there is a guard on the roster that is capable of being a lead or point guard. I watch the guards often put the bigs in bad position by giving them the ball in the wrong spot on the floor.

Jackson is the only player with fundamentals and understanding of court and body positioning.

Askew is simply physically over matched at this level he should have stayed in high school for his Senior Year. I think he is giving his best effort I just don’t think he is really ready for big time college basketball. That has to change for UK to be successful later in the year.

Boston and Clarke have zero court awareness and don’t understand where shots should come from. They do a lot of dribbling and go no where and when they do they generally head right into help defenders or they are dribbling the ball on their side and not dribbling to drive past their man which makes them very easy to defend.

Fletcher plays hard, but I don’t see much out of him either.

I don’t know. This may be a long year. Maybe if they get Brooks back into the mix they will be better and can ride Brooks/Sarr/Jackson, but I’m just not sure they have a guard to get them the ball consistently and they are going to have to make some perimeter shots.

[ 12-02-2020, 12:12 AM: Message edited by: Trey Ball ]
 
Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 12-02-2020, 12:07 AM:
 
Askew definitely looked out of his depth tonight. He had a good game against Morehead State, but the last two games he has been a liability. In my mind, Mintz owns the PG spot right now.

Sarr played OK, but as you said, our guards are terrible at getting the ball to our bigs when they are in a position to score. Thank God Jackson can use his sheer athleticism to get some junk buckets in there.

Honestly, every time Boston or Clark have the ball, I wince. Boston in particular bobbles the ball a lot. I think opposing teams will make both of them a turnover waiting to happen.

Toppin did well in his limited minutes, Mintz and Sarr played OK, and Jackson was our star. Boston, Clark, Askew and the others were not ready for this game.

Can't wait till we get to Camp Cal so we can start to get some improvements going. Until mid-January, though, I see some big losses coming our way. I still think this team can be a great one by March... if we don't get too beat up in December.

[ 12-02-2020, 12:09 AM: Message edited by: Tiptree ]
 
Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-02-2020, 04:01 AM:
 
Seemed like we got to around the 30 point mark and then everything came to a halt. I'll have to break down the recording later this evening but it seems like it happens around the time that Sarr picked up his 2nd foul. Either him or Jackson.
 
Posted by EnterpriseCat (Member # 2881) on 12-02-2020, 06:38 AM:
 
PG play and spacing are lacking. Not enough movement and way too much one on one play on offense. I’m concerned because it doesn’t appear that Askew or Mintz are able to pressure the defense enough to get the offense started. Neither one is a threat to drive by their defender.

Boston is like the black hole. If you give him the ball you may as well run to the rim for rebounding position because he’s going to shoot. Brooks may help a little, but without solid PG play this team will struggle offensively. KU wasn’t impressive either. I thought the officiating favored them. Seemed like we were called for some touch fouls and they were allowed to body block our shooters several times with no call.

Frustrating to watch the offensive ineptitude. Hopefully, they will figure it out and we’ll right the ship. Go Big Blue!
 
Posted by ukcatfannfl (Member # 1425) on 12-02-2020, 08:13 AM:
 
The problem is even if we get "better" in March we will have played themselves into a 4 or 5 seed. Chances of winning a NT with a high seed are just about nil... Another year of Cal getting his players ready for the NBA and another year for us fans supposed to be happy how well they are doing.
 
Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 12-02-2020, 10:52 AM:
 
Yup! That's what it is. Cal recruited the #1 team this year and they all should still be in high school. That's what I saw. The way KS played and our group of 5 stars made it look like a high school game. Everything was in slow motion for a large part of the game after the first 10 minutes.

I can't recall a UK team shooting this badly, except the 1984 game against Georgetown in the second half. Their shots were for the most part way off target. Were they scared or are they really that bad of shooters from 18 foot out? Maybe Cal was right, he don't have a good shooter in the bunch.

I saw a lot of standing around like who's going to move first. Have these guys not been practicing? Time for some shooting practice along with free throw shooting. Boston is getting a lot of practice shooting. Only problem it's happening during the game. We have had guys like Boston the last couple seasons. When things aren't going well they take it upon themselves to drive the ball no matter what. And he's not that good of a ball handler in traffic.

Things aren't going well for Clarke and he's not getting as many touches as he wants. When he goes to the bench he is always seeming to pout. Just look at his face.

If we are to have any chance at all these kids are going to have to grow up quick. Too many guys are trailing their man to the basket on defense. You don't have too much luck trying to block a shot from behind unless you're Anthony Davis.

WE are only playing 25 games this year and right now it's looking like we may not get 20 wins this season. I'm expecting everything to be down or less than normal this year. Will some of the one and dones be back for a second season? If they don't pick it up soon Cal may not need to get any more kids for his 2021 class.
 
Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 12-02-2020, 11:18 AM:
 
I would start Sarr, Jackson, Toppin, Mintz, and one of the walk-ons. Let Boston and Clark stew for a game until they figure out how to play team ball. Let Askew watch Mintz (who is not much more talented, but way more experienced) run a team. If possible, sub in the three freshmen only for a possession or two to give the starters a blow.

Then put all three of them in during the last minute so they see what it feels like to come off the bench only when it doesn't matter.
 
Posted by clydeh (Member # 7) on 12-02-2020, 12:07 PM:
 
The Cats do not look like a five man team playing together on offense.
 
Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 12-02-2020, 01:03 PM:
 
quote:
’m not sure that I have seen a collective group of Freshmen players with less fundamental skills and basketball IQ as this group
I think we have been saying this almost every year. Either it is a universal decline (too much AAU ball?), or Cal doesn't recruit on existing skills as much as future potential?

If the latter, it makes NO sense, since they won't be here long enough to develop. If you are going to get one-and-dones, they need to be "college ready" from the get-go. That has NOT been the case far to often.
 
Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 12-02-2020, 01:04 PM:
 
quote:
The Cats do not look like a five man team playing together on offense.
Sure they do. One guy has the ball, and the other four stand around watching. That makes five, right? [Roll Eyes]
 
Posted by clydeh (Member # 7) on 12-02-2020, 01:28 PM:
 
Tip,
I used the word "together" in my comment. I agree they are all on the floor at the same time, but not functioning together.

I realize that you are just trying to aggravate me with your comment.
 
Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 12-02-2020, 02:01 PM:
 
Tip,

I think the lack of fundamentals is all AAU ball and playing basketball at these Mega Basketball academies which is basically an extension of AAU in my opinion.

It is simple things like taking the correct angle to enter a post pass, when you shoot your jump shot get your base under you and rise up (Boston and Clarke are practically leaning backwards and heaving the ball at the rim I feel), on defense slide your feet to get in position not your hands, etc.
 
Posted by MountainMafia (Member # 2066) on 12-02-2020, 03:47 PM:
 
We just played a top-10 team to the wire, and had a ton of room to play better,...I believe the Cats will be fine when it counts....March!
 
Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-02-2020, 05:36 PM:
 
MM, you nailed it!
 
Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-02-2020, 06:10 PM:
 
Defensively we played really well, offensively we didn't play like a team!
 
Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-02-2020, 07:10 PM:
 
We went 3-21 from the 3 point line which didn't help!!!
 
Posted by clydeh (Member # 7) on 12-02-2020, 07:52 PM:
 
thanks for the three point information. I knew it was bad but did not know the stat.
 
Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-02-2020, 08:09 PM:
 
We also went 22-61 from the field and 16 turn-overs...All in all we just didn't play Kentucky basketball
 
Posted by 1 Catlanta Fan (Member # 1526) on 12-02-2020, 08:43 PM:
 
And I don't think our opponent played Kansas basketball either, they looked horrible the first 10 minutes. Obviously both programs have a lot of work to do, it comes down to who gets there first and rack up some wins before Selection Sunday if there is one.
 
Posted by WildcatFanatic (Member # 2932) on 12-03-2020, 10:07 AM:
 
Georgia Tech Sunday at 5:00. We'll see what they've been working on.
 
Posted by PaulCat (Member # 513) on 12-03-2020, 01:14 PM:
 
A legit top-10 Kansas team would've beat us by 30 on Sunday. We are horrible right now and will get better, but we won't be able to hide the fact that we have no 3-point shooters. This is gonna be the 2017-2018 team all over again. We'll win one game, maybe two, in the NCAA Tourney. Then it's on to next year and a new starting five. Rinse and repeat.
 
Posted by clydeh (Member # 7) on 12-03-2020, 02:27 PM:
 
I believe that if the UK starting five were playing one on one against another team's starting five, they would dominate them. Cal will soon get them playing as a team and they will be good.
 
Posted by Old Norm (Member # 1482) on 12-03-2020, 03:17 PM:
 
Sure hope you are right, Doc.
 
Posted by MountainMafia (Member # 2066) on 12-05-2020, 04:01 PM:
 
Tip:
quote:
If you are going to get one-and-dones, they need to be "college ready" from the get-go. That has NOT been the case far to often.
Dead on, Tip.

Also, if you are depending on these recruits to win national championships, there needs to be a couple each year that are "NBA ready"...the truly dominant freshman....That's where recruiting has fallen off, imo.
 
Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 12-06-2020, 07:00 PM:
 
UK will be lucky to win 11 games this year. These guys just are not very skilled.
 
Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 12-06-2020, 07:26 PM:
 
It appears that each of our freshman have spent their careers as "the man", where the other four guys play the defense, create some space for them to score from, and do the rebounding.

In other words, I don't think it is a lack of skill, it is a lack of being a good teammate.

Now, they come to UK, and ALL of them are looking for the other four to sacrifice for them. It ain't happening.
 
Posted by rlt4uk (Member # 3194) on 12-06-2020, 07:40 PM:
 
This team is hard to watch, and that's on cal.
 
Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 12-06-2020, 07:54 PM:
 
I think this team is hard to watch because the talent is just not very good. I’m not sure how Boston/Clark/Askew/Ware were ranked so high. I don’t see a ton of skill, basketball IQ, or just flat out athleticism from those 4.

I’ll just say it right now. I would have torched Devin Askew in high school and I wasn’t a Top 1000 high school player. LOL.

He continually picks his dribble up (even when not pressured), has zero clue on passing angles, not that great of a scorer, and can’t defend his shadow. Other than that Askew is pretty good. LOL.

[ 12-06-2020, 07:56 PM: Message edited by: Trey Ball ]
 
Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 12-06-2020, 09:15 PM:
 
I just received a message from an old friend from beyond the end line. Redbone tells me there is a very leaky rowboat drifting around in Kentucky with a bunch of holes in it, too many to count. But don't worry! If it sinks nothing will be lost, when you have nothing to start with.

Have you ever seen a UK team perform so spastically?? What will these kids finally decide to do?? They are just about all playing like it's a high school game. The passes are so weak I could intercept them at 80.
A lot of the shots are forced, and some right at the end of the shot clock. No one seems to be able to fight for a ball. Too much dribbling and not enough movement by the guys without the ball. When will they learn to get themselves open for a short shot. Their attempts to break the zone by passing across it ends up a disaster.
Jackson is the one who appears to be trying to get drafted, he's the only one providing a spark. The only good thing about todays game is we finally started hitting some threes.
Sarr ain't gonna get it with play like I saw today. He hurt us bad in the early going today by making a bad play one after another. Askew needs to be back in high school. He plays like he is still there. Clarke is not much better except for some threes.
Not sure we have anyone on the bench who is anywhere being a prime time player.
In my opinion we are going to have a hard time wunning more than 13 of our 26 games. Possibly the worst season record for Cal since he's been here.
It's a good thing we slipped Detroit in there between Notre Dame and UCLA. Bur that doesn't mean we can beat Detroit. Who will guard Brad???
If Cal can fix the bleed before we hemorhage to death he's a genius.
 


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