BB: UK vs UCF (EXH) Game Thread

[chroix]

I'm not going to get too up or down this year unless we go like 15-0 or something to start the year of really start off horribly. I'm officially in wait and see mode.

I’m sick of waiting. Never have to do much waiting if a team is a contender.

 

[JustBlue]

Noah isn’t making us any better. He hasn’t preformed really in many games here. He’s just not the kind of talent we need. If he could come in and make some shots he could help, but he’s easy to shut down.

This. Noah should be our Jared Polson - crowd starts cheering when he gets in and goes apesh*t when he hits a 3. Anyone expecting him to come in and change games is just not being realistic. I DO think Kam can help us space things out a bit.

 

[bbnkat02]

I’m sick of waiting. Never have to do much waiting if a team is a contender.

The issue is that's all we can do right now.

 

[Artlaibesghost]

It's hopeless

 

[ScWildcat3]

Random player thoughts from the game. Results be damned, although it did look like both staffs were doing everything they could to get a dub. Save the rotation. Surely McBride, Hawthorne and Potter won’t see real action with that many mins.

Mason—I’m sold. Dude is good. Way better than anticipated. Damn good thing too…

Diallo—Woof. He’s so bad on offense right now. He’s fine defensively. But he’s lost on offense. No feel. No flow. Nothing. He missed a TON of easy assists tonight.

Wilkins—Super frustrating to watch. His game is immature and needs to mature quickly. He does nothing within the flow of the offense. Lots of my turn possessions and odd decisions on when to attack.

Milan—As polished and as good as expected. Really enjoy watching him play.

N’Diaye—His length is a problem when he’s on the ball defending. Constantly gets lost off the ball on the perimeter. His offense will be feast or famine. Needs to be able to score around the bucket more and not just rely on hoisting 3s.

Moreno—Glad he showed up last 5-8 mins or so and OT. Complete non factor prior to. He’s got a motor issue.

McBride and Hawthorne—When they make shots, their lack of defense can be tolerated. If they don’t, they can’t play. Kam can’t get healthy quickly enough. Hawthorne can at least block some shots with his length. But man, he’s not good on the ball and gets lost like N’Diaye constantly. McBride couldn’t guard me.

Frank—Is as expected. 10 mins of fouls and muscle.

Potter—No, just no.

Mason as expected looks great. Son of an nba pg and guy who just didn’t play the political game so wasn’t ranked high. Always excelled against the top kids when he played them though. Love his poise and game. Now needs to work on his off ball defense which to be expected he gets lost a little. His effort makes up for it though.

Diallo I think the pressure is getting to him. He wants it so bad and to do good so bad and hasn’t so far. I remember during his recruitment he wasn’t sold completely on 2 pg types together. Don’t want him to come off bench but for now it might mentally be what’s best for him. Let him come In and just go at the rim with the second unit against manhattan with shooters and see how he does. High PnR and let him go downhill. Build up his confidence. He’s not comfortable shooting and needs to be.

Alex is Alex. Got to take the good with the bad. Still in crunch time no other player id rather have shooting. I had zero doubt he was making that game tying shot. Just who he is. Rest of the game was bad. Forced a lot and seemed he was trying too hard not to shoot it and instead looking to get others involved. I know at least in my experience we tell guys different things each scrimmage to focus on. Maybe that’s what pope has been doing with him. We will see next week. Bad game though.

Milan just has to hit open shots. Off night until the end. Hope to see alot more of him posting up though.

N’Diaye I love. Not scared and always looking to score. Needs to hit the glass more and start the break but his length is a huge asset along with his feet on d.

Moreno I get you want more but he had a near triple double before OT. He missed some bunnies and fumbled a ball or 2. He also drew a ton of fouls a lot not called downlow on push in back. Was always in position but has to get aggressive finishing. Stop the soft hook in. Dunk it.

McBride is coming along nicely. He’s a hustle guy and hits the boards hard. His shot is coming around good too and he gets it off quick. He will be a very valuable bench asset.
Hawthorne if he can get open will hit shots. Has to continue to use length on d but can’t get lost so easily. His effort was there though.

frank and potter are what they are. Just need 10-12 mins out of Franck or both combined. Potter needs to shoot when in though. Great shooter.

We need kam full go soon. He brings so much defensively and can shoot it. Also would love Morton back. Another shooter and defender.

bottom line for me I loved this game. Shouldn’t have been close but was. Got a real game under 4 mins and end game experience with no real life consequences and the team showed up and pulled it out. Dominated OT which shows they got the ability and now pope knows that as well. They locked in and dominated as they did for a few spurts when we would push it past 10. I expect to see more of what we did in OT. Way faster pace and more Milan on block stuff too. He’s so crafty and willing passer as well.

 

[WallMash]

For somereason I thought this game was this weekend, am waking up to all this and know nothing about it.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

This. Noah should be our Jared Polson - crowd starts cheering when he gets in and goes apesh*t when he hits a 3. Anyone expecting him to come in and change games is just not being realistic. I DO think Kam can help us space things out a bit.

Kam will help for sure. Just what has Noah shown in college to make anyone think he can help? He gets abused on defense, they face guard from 3 and prevent him from even getting the ball. He had a couple decent stretches as a freshman. I thought he had the size to be a decent player eventually but his shooting hasn’t translated to games. He is like the modern day Josh Carrier. Practice star.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

I’m sick of waiting. Never have to do much waiting if a team is a contender.

Yeah you pretty much know if a team is a contender before the year even starts. It’s very evident when they start play.

 

[wldktz1]

Pope has been given the chance and he just doesn’t have it in him to make the necessary changes to succeed. I still think he’s a good X’s and 0’s guy. And I think he’s a great dude. But you also have to have balls and fire in your belly to win at the highest level. Look to our football coach as an example. That’s the complete package UK basketball deserves.

He knows what it takes as a player. How many D1 nattys do you have? He also played in the NBA. I think he knows what it takes.

 

[legalbeagle123]

He knows what it takes as a player. How many D1 nattys do you have? He also played in the NBA. I think he knows what it takes.

He may know what it takes as a player, but that has not translated into the type of success as a coach that is expected and demanded at UK.

 

[chroix]

Yeah you pretty much know if a team is a contender before the year even starts. It’s very evident when they start play.

Yeah this is feeling like last year all over again in a lot of ways. People will push back and say we’re better but it’s just on paper until they prove otherwise

 

[kyjeff1]

It was also obvious that Jayden Quaintance was secretly not injured and that Oweh made Dioubate a cuckold... until it wasn't so obvious.... There's a reason everyone thinks our fanbase is insane.

It must be constant joy for you walking through life so oblivious to the obvious.

 

[BluWildcatz]

It must be constant joy for you walking through life so oblivious to the obvious.

Okay.

 

[Beatle Bum]

Pope‘s offense turns the prior year best 3 point shooter in to a mediocre shooter.

Really, Brea was drafted as a mediocre shooter? ROFL

 

[Beatle Bum]

Is Franck hurt? Why hasn't he played

He played.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Mason as expected looks great. Son of an nba pg and guy who just didn’t play the political game so wasn’t ranked high. Always excelled against the top kids when he played them though. Love his poise and game. Now needs to work on his off ball defense which to be expected he gets lost a little. His effort makes up for it though.

Diallo I think the pressure is getting to him. He wants it so bad and to do good so bad and hasn’t so far. I remember during his recruitment he wasn’t sold completely on 2 pg types together. Don’t want him to come off bench but for now it might mentally be what’s best for him. Let him come In and just go at the rim with the second unit against manhattan with shooters and see how he does. High PnR and let him go downhill. Build up his confidence. He’s not comfortable shooting and needs to be.

Alex is Alex. Got to take the good with the bad. Still in crunch time no other player id rather have shooting. I had zero doubt he was making that game tying shot. Just who he is. Rest of the game was bad. Forced a lot and seemed he was trying too hard not to shoot it and instead looking to get others involved. I know at least in my experience we tell guys different things each scrimmage to focus on. Maybe that’s what pope has been doing with him. We will see next week. Bad game though.

Milan just has to hit open shots. Off night until the end. Hope to see alot more of him posting up though.

N’Diaye I love. Not scared and always looking to score. Needs to hit the glass more and start the break but his length is a huge asset along with his feet on d.

Moreno I get you want more but he had a near triple double before OT. He missed some bunnies and fumbled a ball or 2. He also drew a ton of fouls a lot not called downlow on push in back. Was always in position but has to get aggressive finishing. Stop the soft hook in. Dunk it.

McBride is coming along nicely. He’s a hustle guy and hits the boards hard. His shot is coming around good too and he gets it off quick. He will be a very valuable bench asset.
Hawthorne if he can get open will hit shots. Has to continue to use length on d but can’t get lost so easily. His effort was there though.

frank and potter are what they are. Just need 10-12 mins out of Franck or both combined. Potter needs to shoot when in though. Great shooter.

We need kam full go soon. He brings so much defensively and can shoot it. Also would love Morton back. Another shooter and defender.

bottom line for me I loved this game. Shouldn’t have been close but was. Got a real game under 4 mins and end game experience with no real life consequences and the team showed up and pulled it out. Dominated OT which shows they got the ability and now pope knows that as well. They locked in and dominated as they did for a few spurts when we would push it past 10. I expect to see more of what we did in OT. Way faster pace and more Milan on block stuff too. He’s so crafty and willing passer as well.

If we want to be any good we must get Mason to start, hope Hawthorne develops into a 30Mpg type player, and play the best 6 like 80% of the game.

 

[theKybluedude]

Mason as expected looks great. Son of an nba pg and guy who just didn’t play the political game so wasn’t ranked high. Always excelled against the top kids when he played them though. Love his poise and game. Now needs to work on his off ball defense which to be expected he gets lost a little. His effort makes up for it though.

Diallo I think the pressure is getting to him. He wants it so bad and to do good so bad and hasn’t so far. I remember during his recruitment he wasn’t sold completely on 2 pg types together. Don’t want him to come off bench but for now it might mentally be what’s best for him. Let him come In and just go at the rim with the second unit against manhattan with shooters and see how he does. High PnR and let him go downhill. Build up his confidence. He’s not comfortable shooting and needs to be.

Alex is Alex. Got to take the good with the bad. Still in crunch time no other player id rather have shooting. I had zero doubt he was making that game tying shot. Just who he is. Rest of the game was bad. Forced a lot and seemed he was trying too hard not to shoot it and instead looking to get others involved. I know at least in my experience we tell guys different things each scrimmage to focus on. Maybe that’s what pope has been doing with him. We will see next week. Bad game though.

Milan just has to hit open shots. Off night until the end. Hope to see alot more of him posting up though.

N’Diaye I love. Not scared and always looking to score. Needs to hit the glass more and start the break but his length is a huge asset along with his feet on d.

Moreno I get you want more but he had a near triple double before OT. He missed some bunnies and fumbled a ball or 2. He also drew a ton of fouls a lot not called downlow on push in back. Was always in position but has to get aggressive finishing. Stop the soft hook in. Dunk it.

McBride is coming along nicely. He’s a hustle guy and hits the boards hard. His shot is coming around good too and he gets it off quick. He will be a very valuable bench asset.
Hawthorne if he can get open will hit shots. Has to continue to use length on d but can’t get lost so easily. His effort was there though.

frank and potter are what they are. Just need 10-12 mins out of Franck or both combined. Potter needs to shoot when in though. Great shooter.

We need kam full go soon. He brings so much defensively and can shoot it. Also would love Morton back. Another shooter and defender.

bottom line for me I loved this game. Shouldn’t have been close but was. Got a real game under 4 mins and end game experience with no real life consequences and the team showed up and pulled it out. Dominated OT which shows they got the ability and now pope knows that as well. They locked in and dominated as they did for a few spurts when we would push it past 10. I expect to see more of what we did in OT. Way faster pace and more Milan on block stuff too. He’s so crafty and willing passer as well.

Did it look like the offense dramatically changed to a more traditional north south with our bigs posting and screening horizontally in the ot? Got an easy 19 pts and just overwhelmed UCF. Wonder if we have 2 offensive styles?

Kinda liked the 1 guard and 4 over 6 9 lineup. Hope we see it some when appropriate.

 

[ScWildcat3]

Did it look like the offense dramatically changed to a more traditional north south with our bigs posting and screening horizontally in the ot? Got an easy 19 pts and just overwhelmed UCF. Wonder if we have 2 offensive styles?

Kinda liked the 1 guard and 4 over 6 9 lineup. Hope we see it some when appropriate.

I think we will see different styles depending on who is in. And that’s a good thing. Makes you harder to scout. I’d love to see us play faster and I think we will.

 

[ScWildcat3]

If we want to be any good we must get Mason to start, hope Hawthorne develops into a 30Mpg type player, and play the best 6 like 80% of the game.

Who starts idc really. Hawthorne playing 30 mpg will never happen. If it does we are in trouble. He’s a 5-7 min a guy a half and maybe more if he’s hitting shots and playing d. 3 and d guy is his role off the bench as it will be with Kam too. Mason I think has looked so good because he has come off the bench. Less pressure and can sit and watch to see how the game is being played. A pros kid sees things others probably don’t. I believe him coming off the bench until at least December would be great for his development. If it’s apparent by then zoom isn’t evolving then switch the 2.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Who starts idc really. Hawthorne playing 30 mpg will never happen. If it does we are in trouble. He’s a 5-7 min a guy a half and maybe more if he’s hitting shots and playing d. 3 and d guy is his role off the bench as it will be with Kam too. Mason I think has looked so good because he has come off the bench. Less pressure and can sit and watch to see how the game is being played. A pros kid sees things others probably don’t. I believe him coming off the bench until at least December would be great for his development. If it’s apparent by then zoom isn’t evolving then switch the 2.

If we want to be competitive we better hope he plays more and develops into a 30 mpg type player. Thats my point. He has the higher ceiling than many of our players, especially defensively.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

I like to think a lot of problems for Cal stemmed from Mitch Barnhart and our boosters. Our jackass of a former AD couldn’t get his boosters to play nice with the NIL. Now we’re suffering with Pope. I hope Batt can course correct because we’re heading south fast.

Mitch caused a lot of issues. He should have been canned 15 years ago.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Random player thoughts from the game. Results be damned, although it did look like both staffs were doing everything they could to get a dub. Save the rotation. Surely McBride, Hawthorne and Potter won’t see real action with that many mins.

Mason—I’m sold. Dude is good. Way better than anticipated. Damn good thing too…

Diallo—Woof. He’s so bad on offense right now. He’s fine defensively. But he’s lost on offense. No feel. No flow. Nothing. He missed a TON of easy assists tonight.

Wilkins—Super frustrating to watch. His game is immature and needs to mature quickly. He does nothing within the flow of the offense. Lots of my turn possessions and odd decisions on when to attack.

Milan—As polished and as good as expected. Really enjoy watching him play.

N’Diaye—His length is a problem when he’s on the ball defending. Constantly gets lost off the ball on the perimeter. His offense will be feast or famine. Needs to be able to score around the bucket more and not just rely on hoisting 3s.

Moreno—Glad he showed up last 5-8 mins or so and OT. Complete non factor prior to. He’s got a motor issue.

McBride and Hawthorne—When they make shots, their lack of defense can be tolerated. If they don’t, they can’t play. Kam can’t get healthy quickly enough. Hawthorne can at least block some shots with his length. But man, he’s not good on the ball and gets lost like N’Diaye constantly. McBride couldn’t guard me.

Frank—Is as expected. 10 mins of fouls and muscle.

Potter—No, just no.

Pope is really good about getting players who don’t fit together and ones who are good at one thing and nothing else.