catmandoo
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posted 01-04-2016 03:56 PM
With the first of the teams’ two highly anticipated games at hand, let’s update Labissiere and Simmons. Keep in mind the fond memory of freshmen being eased into college basketball as complements to more established players. And once upon a time, freshmen were even — gasp — ineligible.
Going into this weekend, Labissiere’s struggles through all of 12 games are well-chronicled. Basketball observers say the subsequent flood of second-guessing has taken a toll on his psyche.
“I’m rooting for this kid,” ESPN analyst Dick Vitale said recently. “Just talking to him, I like him so much. I think he’s hurting a little bit, too. I think he’s thinking and really hurting on the inside because he’s heard about all his projections. His teammates have heard about all his projections.”
Those obsessed with the NBA Draft long ago proclaimed that Labissiere or Simmons would be the first pick in 2016.
Joe Dean Jr., who works as an SEC Network analyst, saw the same hurt and confusion in Labissiere.
“He’s lost some confidence,” Dean said last week. “He’s got that deer-in-the-headlights a little bit.”
Of course, Labissiere got off to a good start, averaging 14.7 points in Kentucky’s first six games. Then opponents learned to get physical with him. Labissiere didn’t score a point nor grab a rebound while fouling out in 13 minutes against Arizona State. He scored two points against Ohio State, and then played a season-low 10 minutes against Louisville.
Link
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http://www.ukfightsong.com/
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