Acaden Lewis de-commits

[catsfanbgky]

Pope understands the assignment.

Who said he didn't ?

It was a mutual agreement, so pretty sure he had a idea what was needed even before Lewis left. Yes he understands, can he fix it ? That is the bigger question. It is easy to understand something, now he has to draw his attention to another roster spot to fill on top of finishing up the roster finding a proven shooter / scorer. He will find a solid backup, UK will be fine, nobody said he didn't understand the assignment.

 

[Sparkaces]

Not exactly thrilled having Chandler as the backup PG. He is better suited for the 2/3 spot. Need another PG very much. Ballhandling was a MAJOR issue last year. You have to have guys who can break down a defense and set the table for other guys. Chandler is NOT that kind of player. Nothing against Chandler, but he is NOT a PG. Has not proved he can play the role, even as a backup status.

Yeah, I wonder if this will change them going after Wilkerson, doesn't sound like he plays any PG, or do they now try and get a PG and SG.

 

[d2atTech]

Go get Lee from Princeton and Wilkerson and Alvaro and call it a day.

alas i think you are correct. i'd rather have lewis rather than all of them though. just sucks

 

[jessieshorts8]

alas i think you are correct. i'd rather have lewis rather than all of them though. just sucks

I don't understand why you would want an unknown freshman over guys who have proven they can play college ball.

 

[Padsfs07]

Yeah, I wonder if this will change them going after Wilkerson, doesn't sound like he plays any PG, or do they now try and get a PG and SG.

Johnson will be just as good of a backup PG as Lewis.

 

[Digger-Cat]

Most of the schools with new coaches don’t have a PG like Maryland, A&M, and Villanova, for instance.

Well, he's going to learn a hard lesson if he tries to be the primary pg at those 3 schools.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

So ok to be honest now……I wasn’t a huge fan of Lewis from the jump. We will be just fine. Maybe two years from now he’s good. Gonna take time, and he would have transferred out after year 1 is my thought. Wish him the best.

 

[Digger-Cat]

I may be a little naive here, but I don't believe CMP is promising anyone starting spots. I don't believe that's the way he works.

Making promises is a very dangerous game to get into.

Sadly, our previous coach never learned his lesson on that.

If you have to promise playing time to get a kid, it's best to move on.

 

[Sparkaces]

Johnson will be just as good of a backup PG as Lewis.

Maybe Jasper was getting cold feet as well with Wilkerson possibly coming in and they agreed to get him some minutes at PG, so Lewis was the odd player out.

 

[chasingwildcat]

Maybe Jasper was getting cold feet as well with Wilkerson possibly coming in and they agreed to get him some minutes at PG, so Lewis was the odd player out.

Probably

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Chandler will be ok at backup, just depends who’s out there with him but I also expect him to take a huge step forward in his overall game next season. I think a lot around lex does as well.

No, he won't be. Chandler isn't a PG. Never has been. He just played it some out of pure need. I hope (and really think) his game will improve a lot next season, but he's not a PG in any sense of the word. He's a wing.

 

[Digger-Cat]

I still personally don’t think this is a case of Lewis being afraid of the competition. My gut tells me he was tampered with and got more money and one of his best friends going to a different blue blood just down south being in his ear. It can’t be this easy and straightforward can it?

Well, then the joke is going to be on whoever is going to pay a 4* recruit more money, only to see him transfer after the season.

 

[Padsfs07]

No, he won't be. Chandler isn't a PG. Never has been. He just played it some out of pure need. I hope (and really think) his game will improve a lot next season, but he's not a PG in any sense of the word. He's a wing.

Jasper Johnson is though. Perry as the 3rd string PG in Yr 2 will be fine too.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Jasper Johnson is though. Perry as the 3rd string PG in Yr 2 will be fine too.

I'm way more comfy with JJ getting those minutes. Perry isn't ever going to be a PG, I don't think. I think he's got a role in another year possibly, but he's got some serious work to do. I can see a world where Perry plays 10-12 mins/game and 5 of those are in that PG role. He's going to have to shoot 40+ from 3 for that to happen and he's going to have to be more than a worn out speed bump on D too. He, like Chandler, wasn't close last year. Just there because there wasn't another option even remotely playable.

 

[G-PIP]

No, he won't be. Chandler isn't a PG. Never has been. He just played it some out of pure need. I hope (and really think) his game will improve a lot next season, but he's not a PG in any sense of the word. He's a wing.

I agree. But you know, some of the high school recruiting sites listed Chandler as a PG. Of course, those sites are making projections about future potential, not current ability. But I still found that interesting.

 

[Fadhi]

No, he won't be. Chandler isn't a PG. Never has been. He just played it some out of pure need. I hope (and really think) his game will improve a lot next season, but he's not a PG in any sense of the word. He's a wing.

The thing I like about Chandler is that no matter how stacked the roster is...he will carve out some minutes for himself. He has good size is smart and quick on defense. He will always be needed. I never want him to transfer

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

Who said he didn't ?

It was a mutual agreement, so pretty sure he had an idea what was needed even before Lewis left. Yes he understands, can he fix it ? That is the bigger question. It is easy to understand something, now he has to draw his attention to another roster spot to fill on top of finishing up the roster finding a proven shooter / scorer. He will find a solid backup, UK will be fine, nobody said he didn't understand the assignment.

There’s nothing to fix or replace. We have at least four players on the current roster who can play PG. take the Acaden money and present a bigger bag for Wilkerson. Get him signed and the roster is done

 

[anon1751545683]

Making promises is a very dangerous game to get into.

Sadly, our previous coach never learned his lesson on that.

If you have to promise playing time to get a kid, it's best to move on.

Pope doesn't make promises and neither did Cal.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

I agree. But you know, some of the high school recruiting sites listed Chandler as a PG. Of course, those sites are making projections about future potential, not current ability. But I still found that interesting.

That's wild to me. Heck, I'd love it if he could play the position. He just can't right now. But man, with his size, length, and athleticism it would be nice.

 

[G-PIP]

That's wild to me. Heck, I'd love it if he could play the position. He just can't right now. But man, with his size, length, and athleticism it would be nice.

Yeah, but all of that plays well at SG as well, right?

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

There’s nothing to fix or replace. We have at least four players on the current roster who can play PG. take the Acaden money and present a bigger bag for Wilkerson. Get him signed and the roster is done

Can? No, we have two. And if one goes down, we're in the same position we were last season.

TP and CC can't play it and be really good. If either of them have to play as many PG mins as they did last year, next year's results will be much of the same. Except Lowe or JJ isn't Butler. I'd feel way better with an actual PG on the roster for depth.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

Can? No, we have two. And if one goes down, we're in the same position we were last season.

TP and CC can't play it and be really good. If either of them have to play as many PG mins as they did last year, next year's results will be much of the same. Except Lowe or JJ isn't Butler. I'd feel way better with an actual PG on the roster for depth.

Listen man, I hate to tell you. Every team in the country is screwed if their top two point guards get injured.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Yeah, but all of that plays well at SG as well, right?

Totally agree. I hope the March growth we saw continues. I'm certainly not ready to give him the role many are, but I hope he's capable of earning it. Part of me thinks he was so bad up until March, that what we saw in March was just a guy that was finally deserving of the 10-15 mins/game he had been getting all season. I certainly didn't see the superstar many others are talking about, but I did see a ton of growth.

 

[Cats192]

Not exactly thrilled having Chandler as the backup PG. He is better suited for the 2/3 spot. Need another PG very much. Ballhandling was a MAJOR issue last year. You have to have guys who can break down a defense and set the table for other guys. Chandler is NOT that kind of player. Nothing against Chandler, but he is NOT a PG. Has not proved he can play the role, even as a backup status.

I agree.

The one thing about Chandler: He's a proven SEC player. He can defend. He can shoot. We don't know what we were getting with Lewis. I suspect long term, Lewis will be a very good player. but it may take a year or 2. If you had to use him there some, it's not the end of the world.

But I'd agree--I'd like to get an actual PG that's played some college ball as the backup. Where you find someone that's willing to be a backup? I'm glad that's Pope's job and not mine. But that's what we need.

 

[K_TIME]

Lowe will be better than Acaden next year, but the benefit of Acaden was multiple years.

Idk, this does suck, but we also couldn't have gone into the year with a 4-star freshman as our PG1.

So Lowe just shot 36% Fg and 26%3pt….id argue Lewis will shoot nowhere near that poor

Now how much will Lowe shoot better…I can argue he’ll shoot better…but I don’t see him getting his 3pt percentage to 35%+….I just think the kid is a poor shooter along rhe lines of Wheeler, Hagans, Briscoe etc of the world

Feels like Lowe having 2 years cost us Lewis…to which I never liked the Lowe addition. I’d have preferred a one year Butler-ish Pg and hope that didn’t push Lewis off

 

[ukgold]

So whos on our big hoard now

 

[jeffky]

We all know the reason, and he needs to stay close to home so I’m assuming Maryland is making a deal with him

Don't forget unc he and caleb wilson are big buddies and Ian left unc . I could see them being a major player for him oh well back to the fishing hole . I am glad he left now we don't need attitude adjustments during the season

 

[stuway]

Chandler grew so much this year, people are underestimating his ability. He was a big time recruit who didn't touch a ball for 2 years. Took him a few months last year and look at the difference

Can you imagine him with more time now. I think the dude is a stud and averages around 15 this year

Like I said earlier. This isn't a big deal losing Lewis. Really believe Pope saw red flags from dad and backed off. We will be fine. We are U of K. The best college basketball program in the world!!!

 

[Tampa_cat54_rivals112262]

So Lowe just shot 36% Fg and 26%3pt….id argue Lewis will shoot nowhere near that poor

Now how much will Lowe shoot better…I can argue he’ll shoot better…but I don’t see him getting his 3pt percentage to 35%+….I just think the kid is a poor shooter along rhe lines of Wheeler, Hagans, Briscoe etc of the world

Feels like Lowe having 2 years cost us Lewis…to which I never liked the Lowe addition. I’d have preferred a one year Butler-ish Pg and hope that didn’t push Lewis off

Eh not quite the full story.

As a freshman, he shot just over 35% from 3FG. Obviously took a step back as a Sophomore but he was asked to carry SO MUCH of the load. Their offense was basically just him so he saw so much defensive attention. That won't be the case.

Plus, a key indicator of a player's ability to improve their 3FG % is if they are a good FT shooter. He shot 88% from the FT line last year, has a really good looking shot, and won't get double-teamed every possession like at Pitt.

I expect him to get back above 35% this year, just like his freshman year.

 

[G-PIP]

So Lowe just shot 36% Fg and 26%3pt….id argue Lewis will shoot nowhere near that poor

Now how much will Lowe shoot better…I can argue he’ll shoot better…but I don’t see him getting his 3pt percentage to 35%+….I just think the kid is a poor shooter along rhe lines of Wheeler, Hagans, Briscoe etc of the world

Feels like Lowe having 2 years cost us Lewis…to which I never liked the Lowe addition. I’d have preferred a one year Butler-ish Pg and hope that didn’t push Lewis off

My feelings were along the same lines as yours. But I think after watching Lowe more I might have more confidence than you as to Lowe's 3pt. shooting ability. The numbers are the numbers - and both the FG% and the 3pt.% concern me. But Lowe's shot looks good to me, form wise. I didn't feel the same way about Wheeler or Haggans or even Brisco (whose shot I did feel better about than the other two).

Also, I feel like Lowe was forced to try to carry too much of the scoring load for Pitt and take shots he won't take at UK with a better cast - at least I hope that was the case and he wasn't just a gun, and I don't think that was the case. PLUS, the one thing Lowe can do at a high level is handle and pass.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

My feelings were along the same lines as yours. But I think after watching Lowe more I might have more confidence than you as to Lowe's 3pt. shooting ability. The numbers are the numbers - and both the FG% and the 3pt.% concern me. But Lowe's shot looks good to me, form wise. I didn't feel the same way about Wheeler or Haggans or even Brisco (whose shot I did feel better about than the other two).

Also, I feel like Lowe was forced to try to carry too much of the scoring load for Pitt and take shots he won't take at UK with a better cast - at least I hope that was the case and he wasn't just a gun, and I don't think that was the case. PLUS, the one thing Lowe can do at a high level is handle and pass.

Lowe doesn’t follow through and short arms a lot of shots. That’s a very easy tweak

 

[wildcatknh]

So Lowe just shot 36% Fg and 26%3pt….id argue Lewis will shoot nowhere near that poor

Now how much will Lowe shoot better…I can argue he’ll shoot better…but I don’t see him getting his 3pt percentage to 35%+….I just think the kid is a poor shooter along rhe lines of Wheeler, Hagans, Briscoe etc of the world

Feels like Lowe having 2 years cost us Lewis…to which I never liked the Lowe addition. I’d have preferred a one year Butler-ish Pg and hope that didn’t push Lewis off

Lowe shot 35%+ his Freshman year on nearly 100 attempts from the arc. I think you may be surprised given a new situation with better players around him and a better offense to play in.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Listen man, I hate to tell you. Every team in the country is screwed if their top two point guards get injured.

Totally agreed. But JJ can't be the ONLY PG left standing, simply because he needs to be depth (or even the starter currently) at the 2. I look at it this way, if JJ's mins are completely shifted to the PG spot that means minutes for Kam and CC are increased significantly. Like to the point of Brea/Oweh minutes from this year. And then our depth behind them is seriously hampered, because at least one of them was a depth piece. Hope that makes sense.

My point is, I just want a true backup PG. Nothing special. In large part because I think JJ is going to be really good out of the gate. Like good enough to start with Lowe and Oweh in the backcourt.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

The thing I like about Chandler is that no matter how stacked the roster is...he will carve out some minutes for himself. He has good size is smart and quick on defense. He will always be needed. I never want him to transfer

Couldn't agree more. While I don't think he should ever be an option at PG, he did. I almost feel the same about him at the 4, simply because of athleticism and his willingness to just do the dirty stuff. I truly dig that about his play.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

Totally agreed. But JJ can't be the ONLY PG left standing, simply because he needs to be depth (or even the starter currently) at the 2. I look at it this way, if JJ's mins are completely shifted to the PG spot that means minutes for Kam and CC are increased significantly. Like to the point of Brea/Oweh minutes from this year. And then our depth behind them is seriously hampered, because at least one of them was a depth piece. Hope that makes sense.

My point is, I just want a true backup PG. Nothing special. In large part because I think JJ is going to be really good out of the gate. Like good enough to start with Lowe and Oweh in the backcourt.

He isn’t the only backup PG. You still have 3rd, 4th and 5th string options

PG1 - Lowe
PG2 - Johnson
PG3 - Chandler
PG4 - Oweh
PG5 - Perry

Given the roster need, point guard is unnecessary. Go all in on Wilkerson (who can also give you some PG minutes) and keep the roster you have happy and start building chemistry in the off-season.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

He isn’t the only backup PG. You still have 3rd, 4th and 5th string options

PG1 - Lowe
PG2 - Johnson
PG3 - Chandler
PG4 - Oweh
PG5 - Perry

Given the roster need, point guard is unnecessary. Go all in on Wilkerson (who can also give you some PG minutes) and keep the roster you have happy and start building chemistry in the off-season.

3-5 aren't "options". They are just non post players capable of dribbling, which in theory, every single guard in the SEC is capable of. If any of those dudes is the primary backup, we're toast.

I agree with your earlier premise about losing both PGs. My problem with JJ being the only capable backup at PG is we are seriously handcuffed (domino effect) if something happens to EITHER Lowe or JJ, not both. That's the main reason I think we need a traditional backup at the position.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

3-5 aren't "options". They are just non post players capable of dribbling, which in theory, every single guard in the SEC is capable of. If any of those dudes is the primary backup, we're toast.

I agree with your earlier premise about losing both PGs. My problem with JJ being the only capable backup at PG is we are seriously handcuffed (domino effect) if something happens to EITHER Lowe or JJ, not both. That's the main reason I think we need a traditional backup at the position.

You hamstring yourself trying to go into every year with three point guards. Team chemistry very much matters. I trust Pope to decide what to do but I’d prefer he doesn’t add a pure point

 

[wccat]

alas i think you are correct. i'd rather have lewis rather than all of them though. just sucks

Guess Alvaro will not happen. SMH!

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

He's a POS fraudster scumbag. Maybe he heard that they don't get the SEC network in the slammer.

Some people online claimed his mom did Onlyfans too. I have no idea if that’s true but sounds crazy.

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

We didn't need him anyway