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Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 05-28-2019, 03:09 PM:

It's official. Hope E J will return as well.

https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/5/28/18308177/kentucky-basketball-nick-richards-uk-wildcats-2019-20-nba-draft

Posted by rlt4uk (Member # 3194) on 05-28-2019, 03:33 PM:

I hope Nick develops into the player coach cal wants him to be.

Posted by boomdaddy (Member # 2644) on 05-29-2019, 11:43 AM:

If Richards can get fluid and remove the hesitation from his game, he will be a beast. I would like to see him work on being a quicker shot blocker.....maybe get leaner....

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 05-29-2019, 04:35 PM:

I would bet Richards will come back much improved and will have a good season under the guidance of Cal and his coaching staff.

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 05-29-2019, 05:08 PM:

I'd like to see him get better but we have said that for two years. Lets hope it happens because we will surely need him if we expect to finish high.

Posted by ukman (Member # 3032) on 05-29-2019, 05:57 PM:

Personally, I think Nick needs to be given a little longer leash than Cal has allowed in his first 2 years. The guy definitely has things to work on, but I can't think of another player that has gotten pulled quicker than him over the years. And often for some of the same mistakes other guys would make. I think it did affect his confidence, especially in his first year. I hope he pulls it together and does what he needs to stay on the court longer. I think he has some really good potential, but it hasn't been realized yet. Maybe this will be the year. Fingers crossed.

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 05-29-2019, 08:53 PM:

ukman, I used to feel the same way as you. But I looked very closely at Nick this year, and most of the time, he was called back to the bench for egregious defensive lapses. I am talking about on-the-other-side-of-the-court defensive lapses. He would get screened, hesitate, try to switch to the wrong man, then realize his mistake. Meanwhile, his man would simply scurry to an open spot on the floor and usually nail an open shot.

If we played some sort of defense that wasn't focused so much on switching, he might look better. But in the heat of the action, he just would get lost. That HAS to change.

[ 05-29-2019, 08:54 PM: Message edited by: Tiptree ]

Posted by rlt4uk (Member # 3194) on 05-29-2019, 09:26 PM:

I hate the switching defense, it's cost us a couple of national championships. I prefer the straight up man to man with a little zone thrown in from time to time.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 05-29-2019, 09:44 PM:

Last season Richards averaged over 4 boards a game while only playing 15 minutes a game. It should also be noted that that he "led" the Cats in blocks which says a lot about his defensive play. He is a player to watch and wouldn't be surprised if he plays a lot more minutes this coming season.

Posted by ukman (Member # 3032) on 05-29-2019, 09:55 PM:

I did see that some too Tip. He definitely struggles in the switching, which I personally hate. It has cost us numerous times over the years. However, I still think Nick was pulled alot quicker than other guys that would make the same mistake. Maybe Cal was trying to motivate hi, but I don't think that worked with him his first year, and not so much last year. I hope he gets confidence and really plays well. The one thing that really drove me nuts with him last year was his screen setting. He just doesn't hold the screen long enough. He leaves to roll to the basket almost the instant there is going to be any contact. Therefor the defender easily stays with the ball handler. If he would hold the screen for a solid second he would be open for quite a few lobs.