BG - yikes?

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
38,310
59,935
113
JQ won’t be playing the 4 .

JQ is a 5. They need Alvaro or another to play the 4 spot.

Honest question, were not worried at all that he's a little undersized for the 5? I know he's got a LOT of talent and his defense is stout.. but his highlights seem to show a lot of 4 or maybe a stretch 5. He's even playing on the perimeter in some footage.

And also, we definitely need a backup center regardless. One for pure depth but two, in the event that Jayden isn't quite ready for start of the season, etc.
 
Jul 9, 2004
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Here's a player that is worth keeping a tab on if we dont get someone right away if BG transfers. Former D2 player and just played for Charleston. Ante Brzovic had games of 39, 34, and 32. Scored in the 20s twelve other times. Sounds like his eligibility is however going to be an issue for a while as he's recently sued the NCAA after having been denied an extra year.

 
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yoshukai

Heisman
Dec 21, 2002
28,299
39,270
102
Honest question, were not worried at all that he's a little undersized for the 5? I know he's got a LOT of talent and his defense is stout.. but his highlights seem to show a lot of 4 or maybe a stretch 5. He's even playing on the perimeter in some footage.

And also, we definitely need a backup center regardless. One for pure depth but two, in the event that Jayden isn't quite ready for start of the season, etc.
He’s 6’10 and 240 with a 7’5” wingspan , he’s not small. I just know that he and his father both say that Pope recruited him to play the Williams role . He is a great, not good , defensive center.
 

Panthur

Heisman
Aug 5, 2008
9,225
12,780
0
Don't want to see BG be our main cog at 5.

But if JQ really likes the 5 and can play it why on Earth would BG bolt? BG at 4 and JQ at 5 would be a brutal combination. For once we'd be pushing SEC bigs around instead of being on the receiving end of that treatment.
 

ImTheVillageIdiot

All-American
May 18, 2024
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Don't want to see BG be our main cog at 5.

But if JQ really likes the 5 and can play it why on Earth would BG bolt? BG at 4 and JQ at 5 would be a brutal combination. For once we'd be pushing SEC bigs around instead of being on the receiving end of that treatment.
I agree with that. You could be insanely good on defense if BG wanted to be a 3 and D power forward. He likes to shoot — it could be Brandon Garrison time all the time
 

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
38,310
59,935
113
He’s 6’10 and 240 with a 7’5” wingspan , he’s not small. I just know that he and his father both say that Pope recruited him to play the Williams role . He is a great, not good , defensive center.

Ah I was seeing 6'9, not that it's any big difference. Yeah if he's got that big of a wingspan then I'm fine if we use him as a 5. We also will still have Moreno.
 

yoshukai

Heisman
Dec 21, 2002
28,299
39,270
102
Ah I was seeing 6'9, not that it's any big difference. Yeah if he's got that big of a wingspan then I'm fine if we use him as a 5. We also will still have Moreno.
Well I haven’t seen him play a game. I’m just going by what people more familiar with him are saying.
 
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Runt#1969

All-American
Dec 13, 2010
20,641
7,772
113
Don't want to see BG be our main cog at 5.

But if JQ really likes the 5 and can play it why on Earth would BG bolt? BG at 4 and JQ at 5 would be a brutal combination. For once we'd be pushing SEC bigs around instead of being on the receiving end of that treatment.
This is my thought as well.

just wondering out loud. I'd like BG to stay if not just for some roster continuity. I think he's fine if he stays put. Opens up other options if he bolts, but I wouldn't think he would be in a better position if he did. Either way, I still would like to see him come back and make that big jump with Chandler. They can do it and be a very important piece of the overall picture.
 

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
38,310
59,935
113
Well I haven’t seen him play a game. I’m just going by what people more familiar with him are saying.

It's interesting to hear he wants to play the Williams role.. because Williams was also kind of a point forward (or point center) at times. He could run the floor and pass very well in transition and still work in the post. Problem there was that Williams seemed to be a little lacking in his center ability. Not always aggressive, Iffy touch at times. So-so defense (little shot blocking). He worked well enough but I think we lacked that true center presence at times.

Check out some JQ highlights from ASU. He really is an insane talent. No denying that. He's got a bit of Zion in him where he's moving pretty well for that weight and just crashing in for dunks from the top of the arc, or hitting some threes when needed. Which is why I sort of wondered if he isn't more of a powerhouse PF, than a traditional center. But I'm sure he will be fine at the 5. Nesrly 3 blocks per game. And probably close to 4 on a per 36 basis. And as someone said, bad shooting percentages so far lol.
 

wildcat1515

All-Conference
Feb 7, 2006
5,407
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In a perfect world , if you got BG to stay you’d hope he improved his shooting enough to take the Andrew Carr type PF role as a starter. He can guard the perimeter well enough and then you get him away from guarding the post a little more, which is where he struggles. Garrison also would have to be more disciplined versus pumpfakes.
He needs to improve his rebounding more than anything. He got pushed around too much.
 

AJG-15

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Apr 8, 2024
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so let me play along here, if I was BG, a former 5 start recruit, Jr with one year u see Pope system, why would I be afraid at center position of fighting for minutes with :
- freshman 5 star , Moreno ?
- a 17 years old ,JQ, indeed highly recruited that comes after an ACL, which we don’t know when and how much will play?
He also know that Coach Pope likes him and has trust in him. BG should stay , get more physical over the summer and work on his post moves and 3 pts shooting, so he can be the starter and proof doubters wrong.
 

ImTheVillageIdiot

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May 18, 2024
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so let me play along here, if I was BG, a former 5 start recruit, Jr with one year u see Pope system, why would I be afraid at center position of fighting for minutes with :
- freshman 5 star , Moreno ?
- a 17 years old ,JQ, indeed highly recruited that comes after an ACL, which we don’t know when and how much will play?
He also know that Coach Pope likes him and has trust in him. BG should stay , get more physical over the summer and work on his post moves and 3 pts shooting, so he can be the starter and proof doubters wrong.
Agree.
 

9N9

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Feb 23, 2025
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When Pope said that he wanted to see Garrison shoot 6 3's a game, I KNEW he was pumping him up to stay and play the 4. IMHO, he would be CRAZY to leave UK right now. Coach Pope can help him improve his game these next 2 seasons and he could be a big part of a rejuvenated UK!!

But, if he can't see that because of the immaturity, then he can no doubt find a program that will pay him to transfer. Which brings me to the next reason he could be leaving and that is not getting paid AS MUCH AS some other kids being brought in.

Who knows.
Paycheck envy.
 

W1LDCAT22

All-Conference
Jan 10, 2013
1,101
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Definitely. We absolutely need someone 6’11 or 7’. Can’t go into the year with your biggest guy being a freshman listed at 7’ although a lot of people say he’s really 6’10. Your next tallest at 6’9 guys. A true big man would eat them up.

I’d give anything to have Amari another year.
JQ and Moreno are our 5's. Neither should be playing the 4, only in limited and special scenarios. You don't have to be 6'11" or 7' when you have a 7'3" wingspan. People get too wrapped up in height when wingspan is your true height, and is much more important than how tall your head is. It also doesn't hurt that both are also built very well for their respective ages.
 
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Eccain01

All-Conference
Dec 20, 2020
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so let me play along here, if I was BG, a former 5 start recruit, Jr with one year u see Pope system, why would I be afraid at center position of fighting for minutes with :
- freshman 5 star , Moreno ?
- a 17 years old ,JQ, indeed highly recruited that comes after an ACL, which we don’t know when and how much will play?
He also know that Coach Pope likes him and has trust in him. BG should stay , get more physical over the summer and work on his post moves and 3 pts shooting, so he can be the starter and proof doubters wrong.
Because JQ is better then him and he knows it
 
Jan 30, 2018
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It's interesting to hear he wants to play the Williams role.. because Williams was also kind of a point forward (or point center) at times. He could run the floor and pass very well in transition and still work in the post. Problem there was that Williams seemed to be a little lacking in his center ability. Not always aggressive, Iffy touch at times. So-so defense (little shot blocking). He worked well enough but I think we lacked that true center presence at times.

Check out some JQ highlights from ASU. He really is an insane talent. No denying that. He's got a bit of Zion in him where he's moving pretty well for that weight and just crashing in for dunks from the top of the arc, or hitting some threes when needed. Which is why I sort of wondered if he isn't more of a powerhouse PF, than a traditional center. But I'm sure he will be fine at the 5. Nesrly 3 blocks per game. And probably close to 4 on a per 36 basis. And as someone said, bad shooting percentages so far lol.
What's crazy is his entire year at AZST he was only 17. Big12 All Freshman team and Big12 All Defensive team.

He's the only Freshman to ever be named to both teams in the Big12. Pretty impressive. God it's wish he was coming fully healthy. If he was id be ready to buy my FF tickets😁
 

9N9

Senior
Feb 23, 2025
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Best Wishes Good Luck GIF by Studios 2016
 

UKfan2151

All-American
Oct 1, 2003
14,368
9,245
113
I would like to see Garrison stay for continuity and because I like him as a person, player and a teammate. But if we are being totally honest, BG just isn't a great basketball player. If he leaves, he won't be hard to replace. Not only is JQ significantly better, but so is Dioubate. BG is pretty average at best. It is what it is.
 
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Kybluedude

Heisman
Nov 19, 2005
9,398
12,075
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Well that will change the portal directions of CMP if true. He will have to replace him plus getting another shooter.

Guess I’m in the minority but I think our freshmen with an added year of maturity will add some great marksmanship. Perry and Noah are late maturing kids. Love seeing them spot up and I expect their shots to go in. Comfortable with them launching 3s. Fully expect them to make dramatic progress as will Chandler.

Great teams are made up of many different skill sets that blend together.
.
 

Worf88

Junior
Feb 15, 2025
181
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JQ and Moreno are our 5's. Neither should be playing the 4, only in limited and special scenarios. You don't have to be 6'11" or 7' when you have a 7'3" wingspan. People get too wrapped up in height when wingspan is your true height, and is much more important than how tall your head is. It also doesn't hurt that both are also built very well at their respective ages.
JQ is built well for sure but Moreno? Not really. He needs to add 25+lbs of muscle.
 

BlueBloodKyFan73

All-Conference
Oct 29, 2010
3,196
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Here's a player that is worth keeping a tab on if we dont get someone right away if BG transfers. Former D2 player and just played for Charleston. Ante Brzovic had games of 39, 34, and 32. Scored in the 20s twelve other times. Sounds like his eligibility is however going to be an issue for a while as he's recently sued the NCAA after having been denied an extra year.

I would take him his under weight weight but could be a stretch 5 or go get Ballard from the shockers he’s big body solid 5
 

Jamal Mercer

Heisman
Feb 7, 2008
10,805
23,536
0
Seemed like this might happen.

I like BG but I feel like there are probably a bunch of guys in the portal that can give the same production.
 
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rob_47

All-Conference
Jun 17, 2020
928
1,806
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Well that will change the portal directions of CMP if true. He will have to replace him plus getting another shooter.

Guess I’m in the minority but I think our freshmen with an added year of maturity will add some great marksmanship. Perry and Noah are late maturing kids. Love seeing them spot up and I expect their shots to go in. Comfortable with them launching 3s. Fully expect them to make dramatic progress as will Chandler.

Great teams are made up of many different skill sets that blend together.
.
I am totally with you on this as well. Having one of them out there at a time with the athletes that we have on the floor is going to be big time for sure. People are sleeping on how much they will improve and their abilities last year. Perry does have to improve his defense but he certainly will and he has a knack for knowing when to bring help and poke the ball away and etc. He will get stronger and Noah is already built like a bull and showed real toughness. Both of them are knock down shooters and that will be more evident this year as they get better looks.
 
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BleedBlue13

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Apr 23, 2024
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Big difference in continuity and every single player staying. When u have 12-14 high level guys it wouldn’t be realistic to expect them all back every year. If we have to lose a couple that’s still continuity and if you replace who leaves with someone equal or better we can’t ask for anymore than that.
 
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rob_47

All-Conference
Jun 17, 2020
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It’s not his ability that frustrates me it’s his ability to control his emotions
Yes and I've always noticed when the game is going well and we are winning he likes to force his own offense and it usually doesn't go well. It's like he thinks well now is my time to feel free to try some stuff.