Changing of the guard in Kentucky after slow start

[TheResistance]

It hasn't taken long for Kentucky to change this up. Freshman Malachi Moreno has jumped junior big man Brandon Garrison for the starting center spot. Kentucky's defense has been significantly better with Moreno (eight points per 100 possessions) in the early-going, and he's proven to be an advanced processor and an effective hub for Kentucky's backdoors-laden offense.

Grading college basketball's notable lineup decisions: Duke, Arkansas have made right early moves

Lineups are getting solidified for contenders throughout the first month

www.cbssports.com

 

[NociHTTP]

You would THINK that players losing their starter spots would do everything in their power to regain the spot, but it doesn't look to be the case here.

 

[Jtf2217]

You would THINK that players losing their starter spots would do everything in their power to regain the spot, but it doesn't look to be the case here.

Pope is the biggest BG apologist that exists. If he's finally coming around it's probably getting too far gone to be fixed.
BG is a likely transfer candidate at the end of the year and it's not UKs and definitely not coach Popes fault the kid was given every possible chance and he just hasn't met expectations. Malichi needs to go work with football with a catching machine but other than that there's nothing he doesn't do to a much higher level than BG (except outside shooting) but as a post give me MM and we will figure out how to catch.

 

[TheDude73]

BG was again atrocious last night.

 

[bbnkat02]

BG was again atrocious last night.

His rebounding is a bit better. But the rest is just.....UGH

 

[chasingwildcat]

His rebounding is a bit better. But the rest is just.....UGH

Everyone can rebound against cupcake teams...

 

[IH8bluedevils]

BG cant block a shot to save his life ... JQ cant play soon enough ...

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

BG cant block a shot to save his life ... JQ cant play soon enough ...

He just has terrible basketball instincts and no fast twitch muscles.

 

[BigBlueGuru]

Brandon is what he is unfortunately and thats why I said my biggest regret with our off-season was bringing him back.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Brandon is what he is unfortunately and thats why I said my biggest regret with our off-season was bringing him back.

Well I thought we should. I figured he played decently well as a backup and would be a lot better in year 2. Unfortunately so far he looks worse than last year somehow.

 

[UKSanders]

Brandon is what he is unfortunately and thats why I said my biggest regret with our off-season was bringing him back.

Well I thought we should. I figured he played decently well as a backup and would be a lot better in year 2. Unfortunately so far he looks worse than last year somehow.

If Moreno keeps improving, and JQ comes back strong relegating BG to the bench, and BG continues to give good backup minutes, I think it was worth having him back b/c his I'm sure BG's being here has helped Moreno's progression, and it continues to give some depth to allow JQ to come back slowly...

I guess an argument against having him back would be to slide Jela to the 5 (that would not be good defensively, but it could help the offense). I think you could pair him w/Mo, and possibly have Mo guard the opposing 5.

 

[kyjeff1]

If Moreno keeps improving, and JQ comes back strong relegating BG to the bench, and BG continues to give good backup minutes, I think it was worth having him back b/c his I'm sure BG's being here has helped Moreno's progression, and it continues to give some depth to allow JQ to come back slowly.

Yeah, but I'm afraid Pope is doing the same thing Cal did with Wheeler. He knew Wheeler would pout and quit, so he catered to him to keep him happy to the detriment of the team. Tyty was, by far, the best option at pg, but Cal put a garbage player over the program.
Same thing here, Pope knows BG will turn into a problem in the locker room if he benches him, so he's trying to pretty him up to the media and fans and make it sound like BG is doing great.
Pope needs to do the right thing here, but the right thing, is a very difficult thing to do and could end up causing a chemistry issue.
It’s too late now, he should have let BG go right after the loss to UT in the sweet 16.

 

[mash_24]

Brandon is what he is unfortunately and thats why I said my biggest regret with our off-season was bringing him back.

Yup. Really wanted to let him walk and replace him with a guy with a real mean streak like Morez Johnson.

 

[mash_24]

Yeah, but I'm afraid Pope is doing the same thing Cal did with Wheeler. He knew Wheeler would pout and quit, so he catered to him to keep him happy to the detriment of the team. Tyty was, by far, the best option at pg, but Cal put a garbage player over the program.
Same thing here, Pope knows BG will turn into a problem in the locker room if he benches him, so he's trying to pretty him up to the media and fans and make it sound like BG is doing great.
Pope needs to do the right thing here, but the right thing, is a very difficult thing to do and could end up causing a chemistry issue.
It’s too late now, he should have let BG go right after the loss to UT in the sweet 16.

Pope has to see how much more productive Jelavic is and can be with way less opportunities. Garrison frankly should only be out there in garbage time. And I hate bagging on players. But the evidence is plain to see.

 

[Catapult44]

Moreno needs to carry a medicine ball with him every where he goes.

 

[FLBBNFAN]

Well I thought we should. I figured he played decently well as a backup and would be a lot better in year 2. Unfortunately so far he looks worse than last year somehow.

I will probably catch some flak but I can see why Pope brought him back. He has the size that you want and he has a season under his belt in our system. It was a risk worth taking in my opinion and unfortunately it doesn't appear at this time to be working out in our favor.

My real concern going forward is if Pope puts him back in as a atarter or gives him a ton of minutes especially if JQ returns.

I can accept BG not working out but can't accept if Pope refuses to acknowledge the facts. Thankfully it appears Pope sees what we all are seeing and has MM starting.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

Everyone can rebound against cupcake teams...

We couldn’t last season.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

I will probably catch some flak but I can see why Pope brought him back. He has the size that you want and he has a season under his belt in our system. It was a risk worth taking in my opinion and unfortunately it doesn't appear at this time to be working out in our favor.

My real concern going forward is if Pope puts him back in as a atarter or gives him a ton of minutes especially if JQ returns.

I can accept BG not working out but can't accept if Pope refuses to acknowledge the facts. Thankfully it appears Pope sees what we all are seeing and has MM starting.

I wanted him back, I thought he would be a lot better this year.

 

[FLBBNFAN]

I wanted him back, I thought he would be a lot better this year.

I think a lot of folks thought the same thing including myself.

 

[Vek96]

Garrison seems to have an attitude problem. I get the impression that he thinks the world owes him something. Uh, it doesn’t.

I didn’t care for him last season, but, I thought, that his energy, and attitude would improve.
Both, have somehow gotten worse.

He was by far my least favorite player last season. Needless to say, he’s my least favorite this season.

 

[chasingwildcat]

Well I thought we should. I figured he played decently well as a backup and would be a lot better in year 2. Unfortunately so far he looks worse than last year somehow.

He looks less athletic and agile than what he was in Duke, Zaga and Oklahoma game, which is concerning

 

[gbl97]

He looks less athletic and agile than what he was in Duke, Zaga and Oklahoma game, which is concerning

I don't know if it's effort or ability -- he has poor basketball IQ and I don't think his mind is fast enough to make the quick decisions required at this level.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

He looks less athletic and agile than what he was in Duke, Zaga and Oklahoma game, which is concerning

I agree.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

I don't know if it's effort or ability -- he has poor basketball IQ and I don't think his mind is fast enough to make the quick decisions required at this level.

I agree with that, his fast twitch ability is non existent and his reaction to things is very slow. Like he can’t process things while they happen, he definitely doesn’t anticipate.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Garrison seems to have an attitude problem. I get the impression that he thinks the world owes him something. Uh, it doesn’t.

I didn’t care for him last season, but, I thought, that his energy, and attitude would improve.
Both, have somehow gotten worse.

He was by far my least favorite player last season. Needless to say, he’s my least favorite this season.

His attitude never bothered me, I never thought he sulked or didn’t play hard. Off the court he seems like a good dude too.

 

[Vek96]

His attitude never bothered me, I never thought he sulked or didn’t play hard. Off the court he seems like a good dude too.

I respect your opinion. My brother thinks I’m too hard on him also.

Maybe I’m seeing things with him that aren’t there.

 

[Wunky]

I agree with that, his fast twitch ability is non existent and his reaction to things is very slow. Like he can’t process things while they happen, he definitely doesn’t anticipate.

It’s this. The mental side is just not there for him. You can’t blame him for staying here and getting paid above his market value. I think Pope valued continuity too much with Garrison, and to a lesser extent with Oweh. Both have different roles than they did last season, and neither is well suited for their new roles.

 

[kuhlkat]

MM

MM Pope is the biggest BG apologist that exists. If he's finally coming around it's probably getting too far gone to be fixed.
BG is a likely transfer candidate at the end of the year and it's not UKs and definitely not coach Popes fault the kid was given every possible chance and he just hasn't met expectations. Malichi needs to go work with football with a catching machine but other than that there's nothing he doesn't do to a much higher level than BG (except outside shooting) but as a post give me MM and we will figure out how to catch.

I

Pope is the biggest BG apologist that exists. If he's finally coming around it's probably getting too far gone to be fixed.
BG is a likely transfer candidate at the end of the year and it's not UKs and definitely not coach Popes fault the kid was given every possible chance and he just hasn't met expectations. Malichi needs to go work with football with a catching machine but other than that there's nothing he doesn't do to a much higher level than BG (except outside shooting) but as a post give me MM and we will figure out how to catch.

MM is better at outside shooting cause he doesn't do it.

 

[Bill_the_cat]

BG has always been just shy of of being a punk basketball player. He gets in people’s faces, he has been close to fighting several times.
Maybe that is the enforcer mentality he brings. But he needs to be better at fundamentals and not think the game is “toughest wins”.

 

[kyjeff1]

Pope has to see how much more productive Jelavic is and can be with way less opportunities. Garrison frankly should only be out there in garbage time. And I hate bagging on players. But the evidence is plain to see.

Same here, I hate talking down about players. I want BG to be great, but just because he has the size, doesn't mean he can do it.
This game is hard and each guy is competing against other really good players that also spent endless hours in the gym trying to get better. I firmly believe BG works hard in the gym, but for whatever reason, it just isn't carrying over to game action.

 

[gbl97]

BG has always been just shy of of being a punk basketball player. He gets in people’s faces, he has been close to fighting several times.
Maybe that is the enforcer mentality he brings. But he needs to be better at fundamentals and not think the game is “toughest wins”.

Exactly. You have to be DeMarcus Cousins good for us to put up with that nonsense.

 

[Vek96]

BG has always been just shy of of being a punk basketball player. He gets in people’s faces, he has been close to fighting several times.
Maybe that is the enforcer mentality he brings. But he needs to be better at fundamentals and not think the game is “toughest wins”.

This is my thinking on him also. My brother sees him differently.
I think he always looks like he’s ready to fight someone, instead of focusing on basketball.

Maybe he matures and becomes a late bloomer.

 

[GoAndRunIsGoneAndDone]

While unpopular, he's a 4, not a 5 and I wanna see him with JQ on the floor before I give up on him.

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

While unpopular, he's a 4, not a 5 and I wanna see him with JQ on the floor before I give up on him.

God No. Garrison at the 4 would be a nightmare.

 

[rick64]

Give me more AJ and less BG please!!

 

[GoAndRunIsGoneAndDone]

God No. Garrison at the 4 would be a nightmare.

Why not? He was a 4 at ok st. Pope played him at the 4 with Moreno some, a couple of games back. Did you notice that?

 

[travisbickle]

Why not? He was a 4 at ok st. Pope played him at the 4 with Moreno some, a couple of games back. Did you notice that?

I noticed that. It was an interesting set the one time I can distinctly remember them together on offense. MM was on the right block and BG was on the left. MM had the ball and I think he got fouled but BG was the same depth as MM but I think he was about to drag across the lane and pop to the middle of the paint but the play never developed because of the foul. My guess is whoever was in the corner on BG side was about to rotate. Seems like Pope is experimenting with how to have two bigs at once.

Regarding BG and his attitude, I actually think he’s reined it in too much. Seems way more subdued this year. Lots of people are calling this team, and by extension Pope, too soft. I think you need at least a couple of dudes with some edge to them. I think he got two technicals last year so he wasn’t some kind of out of control maniac. Hell that might even be why he was screaming at others during a timeout.

I’m rooting for BG because if he can improve then our ceiling raises substantially. Not ready to give up on him, the team, or Pope just yet.

 

[GoAndRunIsGoneAndDone]

I noticed that. It was an interesting set the one time I can distinctly remember them together on offense. MM was on the right block and BG was on the left. MM had the ball and I think he got fouled but BG was the same depth as MM but I think he was about to drag across the lane and pop to the middle of the paint but the play never developed because of the foul. My guess is whoever was in the corner on BG side was about to rotate. Seems like Pope is experimenting with how to have two bigs at once.

Regarding BG and his attitude, I actually think he’s reined it in too much. Seems way more subdued this year. Lots of people are calling this team, and by extension Pope, too soft. I think you need at least a couple of dudes with some edge to them. I think he got two technicals last year so he wasn’t some kind of out of control maniac. Hell that might even be why he was screaming at others during a timeout.

I’m rooting for BG because if he can improve then our ceiling raises substantially. Not ready to give up on him, the team, or Pope just yet.

I think Pope was sneaking him in at that spot to see how it worked but not enough to offer much film to opposing coaches. JQ will be in soon and BG can play his natural position then. We don't know what Pope sees in practice but we do know that BG is NOT a natural 5. He's a 6'10" very good athlete with a decent shot and handles for a big man. He can also pass better than most bigs.

I can honestly see him in the dunker spot a lot as a 4 and being hard to handle IF we have a true 5 on the inside. He'd have size and skills that are hard for most 4's to guard. Time will tell but he was a burger boy and he played well at the 4 before he came here and has been forced to play out of position the whole time.

I'm not ready to toss him aside with all he has going for him. He has the stuff going for him that can't be coached but I admit, we haven't seen him shine a lot yet. I just think that's for a variety of reasons with playing out of his natural position being at the top.

 

[ZaytovenCat]

I truly would be 100% fine if BG transferred over the break. The only thing he’s good for is 5 fouls but he gives up so much when he’s on the floor that even those fouls don’t help. He should never play when JQ gets back.

 

[Goingfor9]

I truly would be 100% fine if BG transferred over the break. The only thing he’s good for is 5 fouls but he gives up so much when he’s on the floor that even those fouls don’t help. He should never play when JQ gets back.

He would transfer to ark and be the next OT