First Takes

[tls]

First exhibition so no overreaction

1) Wilkins and Diallo big (too?) .. Smaller quicker guards will be a thorn in their sides all year

2) Some nice pieces and plenty of depth when everyone gets healthy

But 3) No MAN who can get you a basket .. Mitchell would have elevated this squad a great deal

Picked 7th in SEC seems about right

 

[AndyKnowsBall]

First take happened when I heard Pope was hired. Nothings changed. He was never the man for the job. Talk about corruption.

 

[Im The Village Idiot]

I actually think our length and size is going to bother teams much more than I anticipated. I’m not worried about Wilkins. Zoom still doesn’t fit imo. Malachi isn’t nearly good enough given the progression we needed. I think we end up a 4 seed, Sweet 16 type team. Probably better defensively than expected but the offense will be slightly worse than expected. Frontcourt is pretty good.

 

[UKCowboys]

First exhibition so no overreaction

1) Wilkins and Diallo big (too?) .. Smaller quicker guards will be a thorn in their sides all year

2) Some nice pieces and plenty of depth when everyone gets healthy

But 3) No MAN who can get you a basket .. Mitchell would have elevated this squad a great deal

Picked 7th in SEC seems about right

I liked seeing guys on the floor and hustling. Getting Kam back will be a big help, I could see him and Momcilovic being on the floor a lot together. Wilkins and Zoom were a little disappointing, Williams and Big Frank were pleasant surprises.

 

[UKCowboys]

I actually think our length and size is going to bother teams much more than I anticipated. I’m not worried about Wilkins. Zoom still doesn’t fit imo. Malachi isn’t nearly good enough given the progression we needed. I think we end up a 4 seed, Sweet 16 type team. Probably better defensively than expected but the offense will be slightly worse than expected. Frontcourt is pretty good.

Fair take

 

[TFCat11]

1. Diallo is as advertised, and not the good parts.
2. Mason Williams is the best all around guard.
3. Kepnang > Moreno.
4. Milan needs 3-4 set plays just for him.
5. Alex Wilkins is playing out of position, and it shows.
6. This team needed Mark Mitchell WAY more than any of us realized.
7. Mark Pope is the most uninspiring coach in the history of the sport.

 

[bleedsblue5]

We look out of shape, is that even possible?
This will be another season of win games we probably shouldn't and lose several we shouldn't.

I think it is the end of Pope, I really like him also. He just doesn't have the intensity needed.

 

[AndyKnowsBall]

When Washington fans told us how bad zoom was yall thought they were hating.

They weren't. It was a situation like us and Jasper Johnson. We took a problem off their hands.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

I didn’t watch the game. I’ve only read the few posts above, none of the game thread. Are we simply going to suck this season?

 

[RunninRichie]

I didn’t watch the game. I’ve only read the few posts above, none of the game thread. Are we simply going to suck this season?

Milan is going to have to be 2007 Lebron.

 

[bleedsblue5]

When Washington fans told us how bad zoom was yall thought they were hating.

They weren't. It was a situation like us and Jasper Johnson. We took a problem off their hands.

I didn't really think he was that bad, missed some layups he should have made.
Wilkins I thought would be much better - but clank city.

 

[Bluegrass79]

Hawthorne is a starter.

That's what I seen..

He needs to be opposite of Milam.



100%. His long arms needs to be in there at all times. He has the absolute frame of Prince..

I'm going to ride that horsey myself

 

[HoneyMoon155]

I didn’t watch the game. I’ve only read the few posts above, none of the game thread. Are we simply going to suck this season?

It’ll be roughly the same as the past 2 seasons. Win some games you think we shouldn’t and then turn around and lose some we shouldn’t with probably a couple mind boggling blow outs thrown in

 

[TFCat11]

I didn’t watch the game. I’ve only read the few posts above, none of the game thread. Are we simply going to suck this season?

Last year’s team would cook these guys, and Pope’s first, when healthy, would drop 110 on them and win by 25… If that helps.

edit: make that last part, 30+

 

[OliverSimmonsTwinBrother]

Noah and Milan are gonna have to average 30+ a game for us to have a legit shot at the title.

 

[wkucat88]

Bunch of slow non shooting mfrs. Can't escape full court press in bounds. Guards have no handles. It'll be a long season....again.

 

[KYAnywhereEverywhere]

Starting lineup at first blush should be:
Williams
Zoom
Hawthorne
Mom
Moreno

Won't be, but should be.

Neither Zoom nor Wilkins impressed, but I'll take Zoom as a serviceable, big 2 guard over Wilkins. Neither needs to be playing the point. Also disappointed by Ousmane. Definitely need Kam back. I was feeling cautiously optimistic before the exhibition. Not so much now. Hopefully exhibition two shows me something that I didn't see in this one.

 

[Lameguy]

I didn’t watch the game. I’ve only read the few posts above, none of the game thread. Are we simply going to suck this season?

No, just a lot of doom and gloom on this board. Some only see the negatives and there were negatives but there was positives too. The big thing I noticed is they didn’t loaf like last years team And they’re deeper.

 

[Lameguy]

Last year’s team would cook these guys, and Pope’s first, when healthy, would drop 110 on them and win by 25… If that helps.

edit: make that last part, 30+

Last years team wouldn’t cook anyone

 

[MidseasonTweak]

I didn’t watch the game. I’ve only read the few posts above, none of the game thread. Are we simply going to suck this season?

Double digit loss season is not out of the question. We just did not look overpowering

 

[ItsTrueTho]

Double digit loss season is not out of the question. We just did not look overpowering

15 losses minimum

 

[Runnin'Ramel]

Worthless first impressions from an exhibition:

Zoom is who he was at Washington and is going to frustrate the hell out of us with bad turnovers.

Mason Williams was underrated given that he was outside the top 100 and he is likely going to be a serviceable, impactful true freshman PG at a place like Kentucky. Looks the part, confident, and will do just fine when called upon.

Kepnang is just a warm body for fouls and floor time when Moreno needs a breather. At least that's what he better be. Seems like a total zero out there on offense, and he couldn't even get any lift to block shots tonight that he should have blocked ... he plays like he's 45 years old. Head-scratcher for me as the back-up C.

I so badly want Ndiaye to be that guy. Looks like a baby deer out there, though. I suspect he'll have a game with 12/10 and another with 2/1 and you forget he's on the team.

Milan is who we thought he was. $6M is still a hefty price tag that draws a lot of criticism but he's going to be UK's best player.

I see a blend of Tayshaun and Keldon Johnson in Hawthorne, but probably not until next year in terms of impact on the game.

McBride was rather forgettable and didn't do anything that suggested he could challenge for a starting role.

Moreno is going to be good. Not great. I think UK needs him to become great by midseason to make any kind of run. Needs to assert, demand the ball, stop making freshman mistakes, and block more shots.

Wilkins was off tonight, and he showed his frustration. Fans are expecting too much after his Madness 3-pt showing, similar to Noah last year, I suspect. He has talent, but fans are expecting him to be something he's not ...

Practice against a press, Pope. LOL.

Do lay-up drills against warm bodies, not pads. Missed way too many easy ones.

Overall, decent squad but I can see why they're not expected to be among the best in the SEC. Milan and Moreno will determine how good they really are. I still think this is Pope's last year.

 

[JwUKFan11]

It’ll be roughly the same as the past 2 seasons. Win some games you think we shouldn’t and then turn around and lose some we shouldn’t with probably a couple mind boggling blow outs thrown in

Perfectly put. Pope is the same every year, just look at his coaching career and tell me why anyone would think it will be different.

 

[MegaBlue05]

I was pleasantly surprised with Mason Williams. Milan looked as good as advertised. I thought we rebounded pretty well snd contested a lot of shots inside. I liked the effort from Frank.

Guard play was not good. Wilkins tried to do too much. Zoom reminded me of a Kevin Galloway type - passes the hell out of the eye test but layups are tricky. Not being able to handle the press was concerning. Moreno didn’t show much tonight.

I won’t get too worked up over exhibitions, but as of tonight, this looks like a round of 32 7 seed that will beat a couple elite teams they shouldn’t, lose a couple as double digit favorites and get beat by 25 in a couple more. If tonight is an indicator, this will be Pope’s last season, and I hate it because I do like the guy.

 

[MidseasonTweak]

Worthless first impressions from an exhibition:

Zoom is who he was at Washington and is going to frustrate the hell out of us with bad turnovers.

Mason Williams was underrated given that he was outside the top 100 and he is likely going to be a serviceable, impactful true freshman PG at a place like Kentucky. Looks the part, confident, and will do just fine when called upon.

Kepnang is just a warm body for fouls and floor time when Moreno needs a breather. At least that's what he better be. Seems like a total zero out there on offense, and he couldn't even get any lift to block shots tonight that he should have blocked ... he plays like he's 45 years old. Head-scratcher for me as the back-up C.

I so badly want Ndiaye to be that guy. Looks like a baby deer out there, though. I suspect he'll have a game with 12/10 and another with 2/1 and you forget he's on the team.

Milan is who we thought he was. $6M is still a hefty price tag that draws a lot of criticism but he's going to be UK's best player.

I see a blend of Tayshaun and Keldon Johnson in Hawthorne, but probably not until next year in terms of impact on the game.

McBride was rather forgettable and didn't do anything that suggested he could challenge for a starting role.

Moreno is going to be good. Not great. I think UK needs him to become great by midseason to make any kind of run. Needs to assert, demand the ball, stop making freshman mistakes, and block more shots.

Wilkins was off tonight, and he showed his frustration. Fans are expecting too much after his Madness 3-pt showing, similar to Noah last year, I suspect. He has talent, but fans are expecting him to be something he's not ...

Practice against a press, Pope. LOL.

Do lay-up drills against warm bodies, not pads. Missed way too many easy ones.

Overall, decent squad but I can see why they're not expected to be among the best in the SEC. Milan and Moreno will determine how good they really are. I still think this is Pope's last year.

Damn good write up

 

[OGtruebluewildcat]

Williams will most likely start before season’s end. Might start next game. He may have the highest ceiling on the team. Big, strong, athletic, plays D, hustles, can score…he may be the X factor/dark horse surprise of the season.

Big Chilli is an elite shooter/scorer. He will be the scouting report which will open up opportunities for other guys.

Hawthorne is very nice and should be one of the main beneficiaries of Chilli getting all the defense. If those two can get hot we will light up the score board.

Ndai is very interesting. Over seas project are always tough to call early on but he seemed confident, comfortable with a decent little offensive game.

Overall we got dudes who aren’t shy and will go get some buckets.

I think we got great size and length across the board. If they can buy in and work on D that length will naturally lead to disruptions, blocks, steals…

 

[Anon1751335390]

-Wilkins is a loose cannon. He has to nail down his decision making. Chucking long off balance 2 pointers and giving the ball back to the opponent can render him unplayable. His poor play is about 80% of why we failed to impress overall.

-Diallo is steady, not explosive. I didn't see anything to make me think he can get to the rim consistently. I'd peg him as a Kendall Marshall type PG after this game. Still, team was most effective when he was in the game despite middling shooting and turnovers.

-Hawthorne is raw offensively, but he showed immense defensive potential. He was a one man wrecking crew on the perimeter defending, reminding me a bit of Prince with his length and mobility.

-Momcilovic has 1st team All SEC potential and All American potential

-Mason Williams can play. If Wilkins can't figure it out, at least Williams has ability to be a solid player.

-We will have a few lineup combinations with 3 point shooting range 1-4.

-Kepang is a serviceable backup at the 5. Doesn't need to play more than 10 minutes a game unless in a pinch. Kinda serving the Eloy Vargas role.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Starting lineup at first blush should be:
Williams
Zoom
Hawthorne
Mom
Moreno

Won't be, but should be.

Neither Zoom nor Wilkins impressed, but I'll take Zoom as a serviceable, big 2 guard over Wilkins. Neither needs to be playing the point. Also disappointed by Ousmane. Definitely need Kam back. I was feeling cautiously optimistic before the exhibition. Not so much now. Hopefully exhibition two shows me something that I didn't see in this one.

How the hell could anyone with any knowledge of basketball watch Hawthorne and come away that he’s a starter on even a bad SEC team? My 7 yr old daughter could put him on his arse. Granted she’s 4’3” and 72 lbs, but still.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Worthless first impressions from an exhibition:

Zoom is who he was at Washington and is going to frustrate the hell out of us with bad turnovers.

Mason Williams was underrated given that he was outside the top 100 and he is likely going to be a serviceable, impactful true freshman PG at a place like Kentucky. Looks the part, confident, and will do just fine when called upon.

Kepnang is just a warm body for fouls and floor time when Moreno needs a breather. At least that's what he better be. Seems like a total zero out there on offense, and he couldn't even get any lift to block shots tonight that he should have blocked ... he plays like he's 45 years old. Head-scratcher for me as the back-up C.

I so badly want Ndiaye to be that guy. Looks like a baby deer out there, though. I suspect he'll have a game with 12/10 and another with 2/1 and you forget he's on the team.

Milan is who we thought he was. $6M is still a hefty price tag that draws a lot of criticism but he's going to be UK's best player.

I see a blend of Tayshaun and Keldon Johnson in Hawthorne, but probably not until next year in terms of impact on the game.

McBride was rather forgettable and didn't do anything that suggested he could challenge for a starting role.

Moreno is going to be good. Not great. I think UK needs him to become great by midseason to make any kind of run. Needs to assert, demand the ball, stop making freshman mistakes, and block more shots.

Wilkins was off tonight, and he showed his frustration. Fans are expecting too much after his Madness 3-pt showing, similar to Noah last year, I suspect. He has talent, but fans are expecting him to be something he's not ...

Practice against a press, Pope. LOL.

Do lay-up drills against warm bodies, not pads. Missed way too many easy ones.

Overall, decent squad but I can see why they're not expected to be among the best in the SEC. Milan and Moreno will determine how good they really are. I still think this is Pope's last year.

Pretty fair assessment, save Hawthorne. For the life of me, I don’t see it. He’s gonna get crushed against P4 opponents. He’s nowhere near as skilled as the two comps you gave.

 

[#1 cat fan]

I actually think our length and size is going to bother teams much more than I anticipated. I’m not worried about Wilkins. Zoom still doesn’t fit imo. Malachi isn’t nearly good enough given the progression we needed. I think we end up a 4 seed, Sweet 16 type team. Probably better defensively than expected but the offense will be slightly worse than expected. Frontcourt is pretty good.

Moreno will get owned all Year. He's the same guy that couldn't be in the game against iowa st 5 months ago. Now he's our only big!!? I see 15 or 16 losses and they will come early

 

[FLBBNFAN]

I actually think our length and size is going to bother teams much more than I anticipated. I’m not worried about Wilkins. Zoom still doesn’t fit imo. Malachi isn’t nearly good enough given the progression we needed. I think we end up a 4 seed, Sweet 16 type team. Probably better defensively than expected but the offense will be slightly worse than expected. Frontcourt is pretty good.

All valid points. I was hoping we would see more of a post game from Moreno but he looks the same as last year offensively.

Diablo looked out of place for sure.

 

[#1 cat fan]

I didn't really think he was that bad, missed some layups he should have made.
Wilkins I thought would be much better - but clank city.

Wilkins will be fine. He's too good at creating not to be

 

[RedwoodHigh]

How the hell could anyone with any knowledge of basketball watch Hawthorne and come away that he’s a starter on even a bad SEC team? My 7 yr old daughter could put him on his arse. Granted she’s 4’3” and 72 lbs, but still.

HawtHorne will prove you wrong.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

HawtHorne will prove you wrong.

Feel free to remind me if he does. I hope he does. Problem is, I’m confident he won’t. He’s not nearly skilled enough to make up for the fact he’s about as strong as a 12 yr old. He’s a non-factor.

 

[TX Wildcat]

HawtHorne will prove you wrong.

Plenty to like, but he does not ever need to be handling the ball in the open court as panic sets in (note the almost 10 second violation). He does look like he is running in wet cement, but somehow gets to his position (it's the action of those long legs that throws off the naked eye). Seems like a good kid and I am pulling for him!

 

[UKreturntogreatness]

All in all it was a very disappointing showing.

 

[KYAnywhereEverywhere]

Worthless first impressions from an exhibition:

Zoom is who he was at Washington and is going to frustrate the hell out of us with bad turnovers.

Mason Williams was underrated given that he was outside the top 100 and he is likely going to be a serviceable, impactful true freshman PG at a place like Kentucky. Looks the part, confident, and will do just fine when called upon.

Kepnang is just a warm body for fouls and floor time when Moreno needs a breather. At least that's what he better be. Seems like a total zero out there on offense, and he couldn't even get any lift to block shots tonight that he should have blocked ... he plays like he's 45 years old. Head-scratcher for me as the back-up C.

I so badly want Ndiaye to be that guy. Looks like a baby deer out there, though. I suspect he'll have a game with 12/10 and another with 2/1 and you forget he's on the team.

Milan is who we thought he was. $6M is still a hefty price tag that draws a lot of criticism but he's going to be UK's best player.

I see a blend of Tayshaun and Keldon Johnson in Hawthorne, but probably not until next year in terms of impact on the game.

McBride was rather forgettable and didn't do anything that suggested he could challenge for a starting role.

Moreno is going to be good. Not great. I think UK needs him to become great by midseason to make any kind of run. Needs to assert, demand the ball, stop making freshman mistakes, and block more shots.

Wilkins was off tonight, and he showed his frustration. Fans are expecting too much after his Madness 3-pt showing, similar to Noah last year, I suspect. He has talent, but fans are expecting him to be something he's not ...

Practice against a press, Pope. LOL.

Do lay-up drills against warm bodies, not pads. Missed way too many easy ones.

Overall, decent squad but I can see why they're not expected to be among the best in the SEC. Milan and Moreno will determine how good they really are. I still think this is Pope's last year.

This echoes my every thought.

 

[Smeegs]

I think Mason Williams is gonna be a pleasant surprise this year. Maybe that’ll even help make up for the unpleasant disappointment Jasper was at that same backup pg spot last year.

That’s all I got. Beyond that, I didn’t see much to get excited about.

 

[ala_kat2]

I was pleasantly surprised with Mason Williams. Milan looked as good as advertised. I thought we rebounded pretty well snd contested a lot of shots inside. I liked the effort from Frank.

Guard play was not good. Wilkins tried to do too much. Zoom reminded me of a Kevin Galloway type - passes the hell out of the eye test but layups are tricky. Not being able to handle the press was concerning. Moreno didn’t show much tonight.

I won’t get too worked up over exhibitions, but as of tonight, this looks like a round of 32 7 seed that will beat a couple elite teams they shouldn’t, lose a couple as double digit favorites and get beat by 25 in a couple more. If tonight is an indicator, this will be Pope’s last season, and I hate it because I do like the guy.

Williams, Momcilovich, and Hawthorne weee our stars this game. Moreno still has problems scoring down low when closely guarded, Diallo gave us very little tonight, and overall, guys were too eager to fire away from three (Mom excluded).

 

[KYAnywhereEverywhere]

How the hell could anyone with any knowledge of basketball watch Hawthorne and come away that he’s a starter on even a bad SEC team? My 7 yr old daughter could put him on his arse. Granted she’s 4’3” and 72 lbs, but still.

He's definitely not equipped to play PF against SEC big bodies, but at SF I can see him being able to use his height, length, and agility to be pesky on both ends against small forwards. He'll have to use spacing, footwork, and reach instead of strength, but I saw him capable of doing just that.