Gwath update

kywildcats8

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Oct 1, 2019
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Probably the type of system he's playing in. I don't know of too many other programs that use their centers the way Pope does.

Looks like Amari averages 3.2apg this year, but last year, he averaged 1.9.

It amazes me how Pope knew Amari was going to be such a good fit for the offense he runs. He obviously sees something others don't.
Say what you want but Amari has amazed me at times how much skill he has- if he could only shoot from 10 feet in............
 

TX Wildcat

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Apr 12, 2024
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Love the tape. Has the physicality to play in the SEC. Shot 63% from the line, but only averaged 2.1 free throws per game. That will change with the SEC refs and teams playing hack-a-Magoon to make sure games go 3 hours+.

Nevermind, we don’t get those physically calls…he might only average 1.1 free throws per game as a Cat.
 
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Untouchables22

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Mar 5, 2013
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I would sort of read it that way that Garrison isn't the answer....Moreno is the depth
Yeah the only Gwath negative is not as great at rebounding as a normal center. So pair him with a PF that is a plus rebounder like the Robert Morris guy and let his shot blocking prowess be a game changer. Garrison likely isn’t okay with not starting next year. And he isn’t good enough to be a starter on a national championship contender.
 
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UKSanders_rivals37733

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Jan 1, 2003
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With his decent mobility combined with his shooting and decent handles, couldn’t this guy be the PF?

That would then allow grabbing another thick bodied/athletic PF/C player to pair with him.
 
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ukwildcatwildfan

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Oct 17, 2008
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The NCAA is about to add that fifth year. This kid could potentially be a Kentucky for four more years if we get him.
I think the proposal is 5 years total, in which case his redshirt year would count towards the five and he has three seasons left.
 

BleedBlue13

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Apr 23, 2024
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Watching those videos this guy doesn’t scream center. Any chance he could be one of the two PF we need for next year? I mean Garrison played PF at Ok st and we put him at the 5. This guy is handling the ball and driving and bombing 3’s and gives you a shot blocker on the floor at another spot besides center. Those clips show a player that does all of the things 6’10 guys do in the nba now. I think we all need more Magoon in our lives asap
 
Jan 3, 2003
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0.7 assists per game doesn’t sound like a Pope Center. We need a passing big man.

I’ll take as a backup, but we need to get a good passer to go with BG. I like the Davidson kid from Nevada. Nearly 3 assists per game. That’s on par with Williams.

Maybe get Davidson to start with BG and bring Gwath off the bench as BG’s backup.
Defense more important than passing
Also assists can be misleading. If their offense isn’t set up for the C to be the assist guy, he won’t get as many. So being a good passer or not can only be assessed by watching film/video of him. Not just highlights either.

My only concern with him is either, 1) Pope knows BG is leaving but also knows he is getting another scoring big, or 2) Pope believes BG can/will take that next step.
 
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Bluesnky

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Jan 24, 2013
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I’m not sure this guy is good enough to start here, and I would like to get a guy who is good enough to start here in case Brandon Garrison either isn’t here or isn’t good enough to start here. In other words, I’d rather not go into next season placing all my center bets on offseason development.
 
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Jul 11, 2007
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I’m not sure this guy is good enough to start here, and I would like to get a guy who is good enough to start here in case Brandon Garrison either isn’t here or isn’t good enough to start here. In other words, I’d rather not go into next season placing all my center bets on offseason development.
He's definitely good enough to start. I've watched him a couple times this year. He is much stronger through contact than he looks, and he's one of those players that when he shows up on another team (Auburn etc), you're wondering why we didn't get him.
 

trueblujr

Heisman
Dec 14, 2005
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I don't LOVE this idea.

Only because I think we need to go and get a DUDE at Center, and I don't think this kid, Moreno, OR Garrison are good enough to be our anchors and replace Amari next year.

And obviously if we take this kid, that's it as far as the 5 spot goes.

So we would be rolling with those 3 (Moreno, Garrison and Gwath) and I just don't think any of them are to the caliber of what teams like Florida, Bama, Auburn, Duke, etc. have this year.

I'll trust Pope no matter what, but I was really hoping we would go find a stud to replace Amari after potential transfers have been watching him get better and better all year long.
We haven’t had a single transfer commit yet. Why don’t we wait and let this all play out before letting your hopes be dashed.
 
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Jul 26, 2003
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Plus he is 6’10 and about 240. We need bulk.
Just read and article that ranked the 10 best at all five positions in the portal. Oscar Cluff is ranked the #1 PF and Davidson is ranked #3 PF. Dedan Thomas was not in the top ten PG's. Dent was #1 PG. Why are we not pushing hard for Clupp?
 
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Mar 4, 2025
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Just read and article that ranked the 10 best at all five positions in the portal. Oscar Clupp is ranked the #1 PF and Davidson is ranked #3 PF. Dedan Thomas was not in the top ten PG's. Dent was #1 PG. Why are we not pushing hard for Clupp?
Did you mean Cluff? Iowa State has already had him for a visit and is rumored to be throwing a brinks truck at him (if you believe Iowa State reporters). Illinois is said to be a close second trying to get him in on a visit. Maybe UK reached out and he wasn't interested? Looks like a solid player.
 
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Padsfs07

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Jan 19, 2013
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Why would you want Gwath over Cluff? Gwath looks like a good shot blocker but Cluff is #2 in defensive efficiency, shoots 62% around the rim, averaged about 13 rebounds a game and had 19 double doubles? Also in the top 40 in offensive efficiency.


One reason might be the difference in conferences. The Mountain West is just below the ACC at 6th best in the country, while the Summit is middle of the pack among mid-major conferences. Gwath also shot the 3 ball well at 38% in limited attempts
 
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Jul 26, 2003
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Did you mean Cluff? Iowa State has already had him for a visit and is rumored to be throwing a brinks truck at him (if you believe Iowa State reporters). Illinois is said to be a close second trying to get him in on a visit. Maybe UK reached out and he wasn't interested? Looks like a solid player.
Yes and thanks for that correction and info.
 
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Jan 3, 2003
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Why would you want Gwath over Cluff? Gwath looks like a good shot blocker but Cluff is #2 in defensive efficiency, shoots 62% around the rim, averaged about 13 rebounds a game and had 19 double doubles? Also in the top 40 in offensive efficiency.
Have you seen video of him (Cluff)? He looks like a taller version of half of us on this board (and that's not a good thing), like he just came off a bar stool. I don't care what the defensive metrics say, there is no way he is a SEC caliber defender. IDK, maybe all of the other C's in that league are 6'6 220 slow white boys.
 

wildcatdon

Heisman
Oct 17, 2012
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Just read and article that ranked the 10 best at all five positions in the portal. Oscar Cluff is ranked the #1 PF and Davidson is ranked #3 PF. Dedan Thomas was not in the top ten PG's. Dent was #1 PG. Why are we not pushing hard for Clupp?
Do you mean the Davidson forward Bailey?
 
Jul 26, 2003
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Do you mean the Davidson forward Bailey?
No, Nick Davidson Nevada. Listed as a PF/C. Pope seems to like him. We need a couple of these fours so one of them can play the 4 and 5. Figuero sp? from Spain, Steinbach and Bailey seem more like stretch fours to me.
 
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Jul 26, 2003
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Gotcha. I like that guy too. We need two pf out of that group. And get the Freeman kid from LMU.
I know it is hard to get two really good players at one position but like you just said to survive the SEC and win a championship we need like quality at every position if there is any way to do it. And with this many quality stretch fours I think we could get good playing time for both if one can play the four and five where at times they could play together. That gives us an experienced and talented backup at the five and at times have two true versatile bigs on the floor at the same time. And I like Freeman with ability and size to play the three or four at times. Hopefully a lot of the NIL money is used for two of these very talented bigs, a top 1 like Dent and a guy like Freeman. Also really like Williams at the three to come off the bench the first year.
 
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