Are we overhyping Quaintance?

preston-lemasterpiece

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He averaged 9.4 pts a game last year, 7.9 rebounds. So yes I think he is overhyped unless I am missing something. Guess he’s just a big dude, so people like his potential?

He isn't a stat sheet stuffer. He's a hustle merchant who does A LOT of the little things that nobody on this team (outside of maybe Mo) does currently. He will absolutely make this team significantly better
 

akaukswoosh

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Jan 14, 2006
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I’m not overhyping but he does help with some issues this team has. Rebounding and rim protection. Now that Mo D is back that’s a huge rebounding and inside presence advantage. Ike would not have dominated against JQ.
This.
 
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He's much more of a Shawn Kemp than a NN.
He will look like that in highlights. Definitely more of a NN than a Kemp. He’s a mobile defensive anchor with elite shot blocking and steals, has defensive gravity, stronger than he looks and a load in rebounding. Has a Shawn Kemp type of athletic ceiling but doesn’t play similar on offense. Danger of highlights is you’ll see those posterizers and open floor dunks and think those are common but I watched several full games and that wasn’t even his game pre-injury and I definitely wouldn’t be expecting that post-injury. His IQ and vision are very good and he will make the simple play, so I expect he will be better than people expect passing the ball. Short roll and post drives, he’s going to score some points and time to time he will drop the hammer on someone —- Shawn Kemp was an offensive weapon.
 
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theKybluedude

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Jul 2, 2025
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Has he been overhyped ? No. Will he help the team improve over his time on the floor… definitely. Projected lottery pick.

Look at the difference adding Lowe and Mo D had and they are still shaking off rust . Now we will have 3 “new” additions getting the minutes.
 

Ky_Bred_Cat

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He will look like that in highlights. Definitely more of a NN than a Kemp. He’s a mobile defensive anchor with elite shot blocking and steals, has defensive gravity, stronger than he looks and a load in rebounding. Has a Shawn Kemp type of athletic ceiling but doesn’t play similar on offense. Danger of highlights is you’ll see those posterizers and open floor dunks and think those are common but I watched several full games and that wasn’t even his game pre-injury and I definitely wouldn’t be expecting that post-injury. His IQ and vision are very good and he will make the simple play, so I expect he will be better than people expect passing the ball. Short roll and post drives, he’s going to score some points and time to time he will drop the hammer on someone —- Shawn Kemp was an offensive weapon.
I was referring to Kemp as a freshman at UK (actually his rookie season in NBA). At that point he was still raw offensively. NN while at UK was a springy, thin very good shot blocker. the only thing in common with JQ is the shot blocking. Very dissimilar physique.
 
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Snarks

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Yea, he isn’t going to make this team shoot better. They’re missing wide open 3s as is
 
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I was referring to Kemp as a freshman at UK. At that point he was still raw offensively. NN while at UK was a springy, thin very good shot blocker. the only thing in common with JQ is the shot blocking.
Ahh I gotcha. I’m not familiar with Kemp at UK so that might be a good comparison then. The comparison to NN definitely isn’t perfect because JQ has more versatility and explosiveness to his game, and while being an elite shot blocker isn’t quite NN there. One thing both players have in common is steals. JQ and NN are both elite “stocks” guys and and shut down an entire side of an offense at their best. Kemp a little before my time, so I’ll trust you on that comparison.
 
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CELTICAT

Heisman
May 21, 2002
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It's only overhyping if he can't do things that help us compared to where those minutes go now. I know that's an obvious answer, but some people here tend to think he won't help much. Well, what if he's a dominant big man? What if he gives us elite rim protection, added defensive rebounding, and grabs offensive rebounds?

Maybe he doesn't do any of that. He might though, and that's why it's silly to say he's can't help this team.
 

ukjeepin

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Aug 5, 2025
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I think he's a huge difference maker from the get-go! One he's the only player besides Mo and Oweh that has the physical strength that won't be pushed around by SEC talented teams. The Cats won't be bullied in the paint. As we saw Mo playing like a beast made others around him like BG and JLo play like beasts. This team was playing scared until IU game and Mo put them on his back. JQ gives crazy energy, timely big dunks and put backs. He's going to block shots and alter shots when players drive in the paint. You won't have to double bigs and risk wide open jumpers from opponents, He also ensure BG and Malichi have to play harder or sit. He gives you second chance points through offensive rebounds. They will doble him and he can pass out to open perimeter looks. He fills a huge hole. I think our outside shoot improves with him due to defenses doubling him. He's a space eater and JLo will feed him near the basket like feeding a fat kid doughnuts. Game one all this? Nope, but by the time we are in the meat of SEC play, yes. I also think Pope needs to reduce his subbing and put the best five on the floor to start and make more 1-2 strategic subbing. Go Cats.
 

Ky_Bred_Cat

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Ahh I gotcha. I’m not familiar with Kemp at UK so that might be a good comparison then. The comparison to NN definitely isn’t perfect because JQ has more versatility and explosiveness to his game, and while being an elite shot blocker isn’t quite NN there. One thing both players have in common is steals. JQ and NN are both elite “stocks” guys and and shut down an entire side of an offense at their best. Kemp a little before my time, so I’ll trust you on that comparison.
Technically Kemp never played at UK. Most know the story there. I played pickup games regularly at the Seaton Center at that time and new that team pretty well. Kemp's 'freshman' season was as a rookie in the NBA. He was a bit raw offensively but quickly turned into a beast.
 

Possum

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For months I've been seeing comments about how JQ is going to dominate when he starts playing.
I think we should temper our expectations a little. He hasn't played in a long time, his conditioning is going to be down, he's going to be rusty and I have to believe he's going to have to get used to playing on a surgically repaired knee. That can't be easy to do.
I think he will eventually be a force, but I don't think we should expect him to come in like the ultimate warrior and save the day.
At this point, I just want him to stay healthy and eventually get to the point where he can get back to his normal.
I doubt he's going to fix what's wrong with this team, not at first anyway.
Not worried. Derek Anderson was back practicing 2 months after tearing his acl and could have played. When JQ gets back, he will be stronger than ever and just young enough to not let it affect his mentality. By he time SECT rolls around, he will he rounded into full form.
 
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carolinacat

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He will certainly help, but we need shooters more than anything.
Correct. He ain't that guy. 52% FG%, 19% 3pt%, 52% FT%. 9.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg, in 29 mpg playing time. He'll help some, but I don't see a superstar with those stats...and coming off a serious knee injury.
 

Ky_Bred_Cat

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Yea, he isn’t going to make this team shoot better. They’re missing wide open 3s as is
His presence will pull defenders off the 3 point line. That is, if they ever want an defensive rebound. Right now teams are playing out on our shooters. It will make a difference.
 
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Cats192

Heisman
Apr 22, 2011
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I think for us to win, we have to embrace being this elite defensive unit that wins rock fights because of our defense.
I think he synergizes extremely well with that.

I think as long as we continue to lean into that version of basketball, JQ can be our best big man and that will go a long way.

He won't fix the offense or the shooting. But that's not our path to victory anyways.
 

TFCat11

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Mar 25, 2019
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All I know is, if UK doesn’t beat St. John’s, and goes a predicted 10-8 in the SEC, they aren’t making the tournament. If JQ can somehow help overcome that, they can hype him all they want!
 

KentuckyStout

Heisman
Sep 13, 2009
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We are going to need him to keep losses in the 11-12 range, and yes - people are probably expecting too much from him.

His overall value on the season will be if Kentucky commits to establishing the ORB physical team that manifest from the 13-minute mark of the 2nd half of the Indiana game.
 

UKJenning

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He would probably be about the 8th or 9th best player in the current freshman class.

I don’t see him as a guy that can carry a team like some of those guys.
 

theBlues

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He would probably be about the 8th or 9th best player in the current freshman class.

I don’t see him as a guy that can carry a team like some of those guys.
This is one of the strongest freshman classes I can ever recall; #8 or #9 in this class is top five in most classes. Those that expect him to carry the team will no doubt be disappointed. I expect him to make the team better on both ends of the court; just a question of how much better.
 
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For months I've been seeing comments about how JQ is going to dominate when he starts playing.
I think we should temper our expectations a little. He hasn't played in a long time, his conditioning is going to be down, he's going to be rusty and I have to believe he's going to have to get used to playing on a surgically repaired knee. That can't be easy to do.
I think he will eventually be a force, but I don't think we should expect him to come in like the ultimate warrior and save the day.
At this point, I just want him to stay healthy and eventually get to the point where he can get back to his normal.
I doubt he's going to fix what's wrong with this team, not at first anyway.
No. Netherlands real deal. Period. Relax.
 

UKJenning

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This is one of the strongest freshman classes I can ever recall; #8 or #9 in this class is top five in most classes. Those that expect him to carry the team will no doubt be disappointed. I expect him to make the team better on both ends of the court; just a question of how much better.
Yes that’s what I was getting at. Top 5-6 players in this current class are game changers and can carry a team.
JQ can help us but not carry us.
 
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Jul 30, 2024
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Yes that’s what I was getting at. Top 5-6 players in this current class are game changers and can carry a team.
JQ can help us but not carry us.
He can absolutely carry us defensively. If Pope has the defensive chops, we should look completely different with JQ on the court. I have a few tactical things in mind already, and I’m sure Pope is dying to try a few things.
 

Shaudylo

Heisman
Apr 2, 2011
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Correct. He ain't that guy. 52% FG%, 19% 3pt%, 52% FT%. 9.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg, in 29 mpg playing time. He'll help some, but I don't see a superstar with those stats...and coming off a serious knee injury.
But wasn’t he 16 for most of his freshman year? Those are solid numbers and could have made a huge jump but like you said he’s coming off of a serious knee injury

I expect him to start off slow and if he does hopefully the fans don’t turn on him which I could definitely see happening if he doesn’t produce good numbers right away
 
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theBlues

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I hope.

I can’t see that at all. Kemp was a scoring machine. Maybe he’s an athletic freak like Kemp?

But not skills like.
The guy I'd compare JQ to in size and the type of game would be Alonzo Mourning. JQ is maybe an inch shorter than Alonzo but with longer arms and would have to improve on offense to be as good but none of us saw Alonzo until he was older than JQ is now, much less last year.
 

TeamAmerica

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Not worried. Derek Anderson was back practicing 2 months after tearing his acl and could have played. When JQ gets back, he will be stronger than ever and just young enough to not let it affect his mentality. By he time SECT rolls around, he will he rounded into full form.
You have never torn an ACL have you?
 
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MegaBlue05

Heisman
Mar 8, 2014
10,276
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Kentucky fans overhype someone as the individual savior of a mediocre season? Never!!

Sincerely,
Randolph Morris
Jared Vanderbilt
First year Diallo
Shady Sharpe
JQ???
 

Ky_Bred_Cat

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Dec 28, 2014
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The guy I'd compare JQ to in size and the type of game would be Alonzo Mourning. JQ is maybe an inch shorter than Alonzo but with longer arms and would have to improve on offense to be as good but none of us saw Alonzo until he was older than JQ is now, much less last year.
I can't help but feel many don't understand the level of athlete he is. Mourning was a great, highly skilled center for many years. But he was not what you would call explosive, a term mostly associated with forwards and gaurds. JQ has been defined as an explosive, powerful big since high school.

His size, strength and explosiveness likely led to his injury so caution there is warranted. I am not going to concern myself with another injury there unless it happens.

This guy has the athleticism and explosiveness of an elite 6' "6 small forward in a 6' 10.5" 255 lb frame. And no, I'm not suggesting he has the same skill set as a SF. And, by all accounts, he is highly intelligent and mature for his age. And, he accomplished what he did last year as a freshman barely 17 years old.

He will make a difference.
 
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kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
48,887
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I've seen about 10 "JQ isn't going to be the savior" posts and don't know if I've seen 1 "JQ is going to be the savior."
Well, then this thread isn’t for you. You obviously haven't been reading the same threads I have been reading.
 

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
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I hear ya, but part of the reason our shooting has sucked is because we take lots of bad shots. If the D packs the paint, it could create better looks that help our shooters get in a rhythm.
I feel like most of the 3's we take, are wide open, which is what makes the misses and airballs so shocking.