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Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-12-2016, 07:36 PM:

UK Coach John Calipari said Friday that he likely will have a discussion about redshirting with freshman power forward Tai Wynyard during this weekend’s road trip to South Carolina.

Wynyard — a 6-foot-10, 255-pound player — joined the team as a mid-season enrollee after graduating from high school in New Zealand in December but has not yet played in a game. His absence in the past two games specifically — while senior forward Alex Poythress has been sidelined — is another sign that he might not yet be ready for game action.

Fellow freshman big man Isaac Humphries has played an average of 14.5 minutes in those two games.

“We’ll probably sit down and talk here on the way to South Carolina,” Calipari said Friday. “I’m not sure he wants to redshirt. I think he does. But we haven’t really talked about it. I was going to put him in the game and I kind of looked, like, ‘You don’t want to go in, do you?’

“But he’s doing fine in practice. I think he’s looking at Isaac saying, ‘Right now I know I’m behind Isaac and why do it?’ But there’s so many things that could happen between now and the end of the year.”

Scout.com national analyst Evan Daniels has told the Herald-Leader that Wynyard would have been considered a top-50 recruit in the class of 2015 if international players were eligible for those rankings.

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Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-12-2016, 07:40 PM:

It seems a bit strange this would go public before taking to Wynyard first.

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 02-12-2016, 09:13 PM:

Cal does a lot of strange things. That's normal for him.

Posted by SCWC (Member # 2464) on 02-13-2016, 03:13 AM:

I certainly do not know who does the rankings for Scout but there is no way Wynward would have been a top 50 recruit had he been playing in America. I have only seen him play one game and am basing my judgement on that. I have said all season long that I felt Wynyard would not play this season. I am like Bama, think that decision has already been made. Tuesday night would have been the perfect game to get him minutes were Cal planning on using him this season.

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 02-13-2016, 09:42 AM:

I saw him play in a couple of games, and a few highlights from another. I think you might be underestimating him, SCWC.

He is a skilled inside player, able to bang, yet with some slippery post moves. He is NOT super athletic (no Davis, WCS, nor Lee), but he can get out on the break. His game reminds me a little of a mix of Lyles and Townes. I didn't get the impression that he has a reliable shot outside of 10' or so, but we'll see.

Would I place in in the top 50 of this year's freshmen class? Probably. Part of any player's worth is his competitiveness, his will to win. I don't think Wynard is looking to be 'the star', but to be a solid teammate and ultimate roll player. I think he brings all of that, along with that woodchopper strength and toughness, and a decent skillset.

BUT, I hope Cal doesn't call his name this year. After this half-year of practice, I think he will be a significant part of next year's team, even with all the talent coming in. He will be a veteran big man, without having ever played in a game, because he will have absorbed Cal's system and can help the newbies learn too.

[ 02-13-2016, 09:45 AM: Message edited by: Tiptree ]

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 02-13-2016, 09:51 AM:

By the way, as way of anecdote, I play pick-up basketball 3 days a week at my college. I also participate in the intramural league on the faculty/staff team. So, I have played against some decent players.

A few years ago, a young couple came to our college from New Zealand to be interns, learning about how to manage a recreational program. Nice couple, and excellent basketball players. Nothing flashy, no behind-the-back dribbles, no no-look passes, no tomahawk dunks with the requisite posturing afterwards. We see that from our American kids all the time, but not the Kiwis. They played solid, fundamentally sound basketball. The young lady could hold her own against most men, and the young man was simply outstanding. I get the feeling that there is a stronger basketball tradition in New Zealand than we might think.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-13-2016, 09:57 AM:

It will be interesting to see how Wynyard's talk with Cal goes and what he does. If he is as good as advertised and works hard on his game over the summer would think he has a shot at a lot of playing time next season.

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 02-13-2016, 09:59 AM:

I did see him in 2 or 3 clips and I think all that was lacking when he arrived here was to learn the system and get experience. He is definitely an inside player although he can run. I still think Cal wants to save his eligibility and will keep him on the bench unless something very drastic happens. He is sort of an Ace in the hole and should get his share of time next year. We have all seen how someone may have great press clippings but when they arrive it takes longer to fit into the big picture than you would like. Wynyard is putting in his time now and should be ready to deliver next year when the time comes. We should be just about as strong as last years team when we had the two teams.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 02-13-2016, 11:00 AM:

Bama, that is so true and if we have another big go down like Poy did we have a great option in bringing in Wynyard. I don't know what the big deal in saving him however as if he is good as people say he will not be here for 4 years anyway.