Let’s not Kill Chandler

[CatFanInIlliniLand_rivals116236]

I want to believe we can win this game tonight!

However, it’s going to be tough without Butler. Anyone who has played even HS basketball knows it’s a huge change if you are thrust into the PG position. Chandler is probably going to have to handle the ball a lot, unless we rely on Perry or Oweh more. It could be a difficult game with TO’s. Let’s not kill Chandler if that happens. He really improved his game down the stretch. Not sure he’s ready for Pg time

 

[akaukswoosh]

Not sure he’s ready for Pg time

No kidding.

 

[Possum]

I want to believe we can win this game tonight!

However, it’s going to be tough without Butler. Anyone who has played even HS basketball knows it’s a huge change if you are thrust into the PG position. Chandler is probably going to have to handle the ball a lot, unless we rely on Perry or Oweh more. It could be a difficult game with TO’s. Let’s not kill Chandler if that happens. He really improved his game down the stretch. Not sure he’s ready for Pg time

Opinions expressed on messageboard won’t affect Chandler one way or the other.

 

[bbnkat02]

The only TOs that kill me are the passes to nowhere (like it happens but more than once ever few games is really inexplicable) and driving into like three trees of men and then acting shocked when it gets taken from you. Those TOs drive me bonkers.

The one thing we haven’t seen much of this year is the stepping on the baseline. . Holy cow those drive me the most insane.

 

[CatFanInIlliniLand_rivals116236]

Opinions expressed on messageboard won’t affect Chandler one way or the other.

True. Just trying to keep things in perspective. The kid might be in a very tough situation tonight.

We probably need one of those games where Amari handles the ball very well.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Chandler gets a pass from me tonight.

Asking a freshman natural SG/SF who has been the 12th man most of the season to make his first college start, in an unnatural position, in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament, against an NCAA 2 seed, and going head to head with one of the best PGs in the country is a tall task.

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

No kidding.

He definitely isn't. Ill never understand pope insisting him playing pg. Hes barely serviceable at sf. He has zero handle.

 

[katwest]

We need to have our entire team healthy in order to do much more than we have already done. One thing we have on our side is the old adage, it's hard to beat a good team 3 times in one season. we haven't played them with our full team so not sure that holds water in this match up tonight. Oats better enjoy this while they can because this will be Pope's weakest team, and they will never supplant Kentucky as the SEC's dominant basketball team.

 

[K_TIME]

He definitely isn't. Ill never understand pope insisting him playing pg. Hes barely serviceable at sf. He has zero handle.

I think the reason is

1. Perry just can’t guard anyone right now…Chandler defense isn’t a huge drop off
2. Is Perry really a good ball handler? Vs Chandler…I’d argue not a ton as he’s slower and really just driving side to side…not north south
3. Besides. Just use Amari to start the offense…not Pg when either are playing

 

[yabbadabbadoo_rivals213851]

I think last night is the game we really needed to win. Anything else is gravy? I don’t think anyone expects to win tonight if Butler doesn’t play, but that’s why we play you never know. We are sort of playing with house money and sometimes that let you play loose and free. A kind of like our position.

 

[BassProCat]

It’s gonna be a combo of Brea/OO/Amari imo

 

[UK90]

He definitely isn't. I’ll never understand pope insisting him playing pg. Hes barely serviceable at sf. He has zero handle.

Are you unaware of our injury situation?

I’m sure Pope doesn’t want to play him at point either. But compromises must be made when you’ve lost your first, second AND third point guard options.

 

[Runt#1969]

Like it or not, Chandler, Perry, Noah, Garrison and Almonor are going to have to have to continue stepping up and playing big, meaningful, important minutes, in order for us to win.

 

[MegaBlue05]

He definitely isn't. Ill never understand pope insisting him playing pg. Hes barely serviceable at sf. He has zero handle.

What do you suggest? Options are pretty slim at that position.

You want Travis Perry guarding Sears for 30 minutes? I will take my chances with Chandler.

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

I think the reason is

1. Perry just can’t guard anyone right now…Chandler defense isn’t a huge drop off
2. Is Perry really a good ball handler? Vs Chandler…I’d argue not a ton as he’s slower and really just driving side to side…not north south
3. Besides. Just use Amari to start the offense…not Pg when either are playing

Chandler can't guard pgs either. We aren't required to play man, but we always do.

Everyone's handle is better than Chandler.

Are you unaware of our injury situation?

I’m sure Pope doesn’t want to play him at point either. But compromises must be made when you’ve lost your first, second AND third point guard options.

Brea is the best option. He has a tight handle and is pretty decent at creating. Just not super quick. If Chandler is in at sf, i can live with that. He just needs to realize his limitations. He puts up a crazy number of shots considering his ability.

 

[CatFanInIlliniLand_rivals116236]

Time for Coach Pope to try some new things.
May I say, a tweak?

 

[UK90]

Chandler can't guard pgs either.

You have no clue what you’re watching if you think Chandler and Perry are defensively equal …or even close to it.

 

[rivercatinfl]

I think the reason is

1. Perry just can’t guard anyone right now…Chandler defense isn’t a huge drop off
2. Is Perry really a good ball handler? Vs Chandler…I’d argue not a ton as he’s slower and really just driving side to side…not north south
3. Besides. Just use Amari to start the offense…not Pg when either are playing

I agree. Especially with the side to side comment. Perry needs to try a couple floaters in the lane. Every time he drives to the basket which isn't often, he get smacked down.
The kid can shoot. Maybe Pope doesn't want him to drive, IDK. However, I've seen the lane be pretty wide open and he steers out of it most of the time.
Perry has played a lot of basketball so I'm not sure why he won't get down hill.

 

[yoshukai]

Alabama’s defense doesn’t worry me . It’s on defense (specifically Sears) where we will miss Butler the most.

 

[Possum]

Chandler can't guard pgs either. We aren't required to play man, but we always do.

Everyone's handle is better than Chandler.



Brea is the best option. He has a tight handle and is pretty decent at creating. Just not super quick. If Chandler is in at sf, i can live with that. He just needs to realize his limitations. He puts up a crazy number of shots considering his ability.

Brea doesn’t need to even remotely run pg. Why would you take the best shooter and place him in a position not suited for that skillset. PG’s are distributors.

 

[G-PIP]

It’s gonna be a combo of Brea/OO/Amari imo

I'm pretty sure that Chandler will be the starting PG. But I agree he's going to need a lot of help from those guys. Oweh, however, is our bull in a china shop - get in the way and get the horns - but one of the loosest handles on the team.

 

[CincinnatiWildcat]

I like Chandler at PG with this team better than Perry for most of the minutes. We have been switching most things lately on defense and he makes that work better. Neither is a great ball handler, Chandler is a better cutter and finisher and Perry is a better shooter but its not like he is taking more than 2 a game. Give me the guy who plays defense better and is more physical.

 

[FitchandMurray29]

This is oddly specific but I much prefer Chandler as a chasing defender than an on ball PG defender. Feel like his quickness/smarts help prevent open looks for shooters that are running off different actions.

Also maybe it was just me, but I thought he was shooting the ball incredibly high last night.

 

[K_TIME]

Chandler can't guard pgs either. We aren't required to play man, but we always do.

Everyone's handle is better than Chandler.



Brea is the best option. He has a tight handle and is pretty decent at creating. Just not super quick. If Chandler is in at sf, i can live with that. He just needs to realize his limitations. He puts up a crazy number of shots considering his ability.

Chander was sticking with Sears and Miles for Oklahoma pretty solidly when Oweh wasn't on them last night.....At this point, Chandler is our 2nd best defender vs. guards behind Oweh. He's laterally quicker then Breah....not even close with Perry.

I hear you Chandler isn't a good ball handler (and he's not) but when he's in the game...we run offense thru Amari and Chandler is mainly there to deal iwth defensive end vs. quicker guards

 

[G-PIP]

This is oddly specific but I much prefer Chandler as a chasing defender than an on ball PG defender. Feel like his quickness/smarts help prevent open looks for shooters that are running off different actions.

Also maybe it was just me, but I thought he was shooting the ball incredibly high last night.

I think (hope) Chandler's 3-pt. shot is just an offseason away from being 36-38% on 3-4/game; and his overall FG% being 46%+.

 

[BC_Wader]

Chandler's come along nicely. Needs to shore up the bad passes though. He'll then wow you with a great pass. His ability to stick with his man on D is just what the doctor ordered for us. His shooting stroke looks good. He squares up nicely but is it me or does he shoot rainbows? His balls go HIGH in the air.

 

[DraftCat]

Chandler if we can keep him will be huge for UK in the coming years.

Big challenge tonight but yeah you won't hear much from me unless he has 10 turnovers or gives up 30+

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

Chander was sticking with Sears and Miles for Oklahoma pretty solidly when Oweh wasn't on them last night.....At this point, Chandler is our 2nd best defender vs. guards behind Oweh. He's laterally quicker then Breah....not even close with Perry.

I hear you Chandler isn't a good ball handler (and he's not) but when he's in the game...we run offense thru Amari and Chandler is mainly there to deal iwth defensive end vs. quicker guards

We don't. For whatever reason Chandler and Garrison get subbed in at the same time. Its bizarre. Having amari definitely helps.

Chandler isn't a great defender either. He got cooked plenty and from my seats players were continuously coaching him on what to do.

But im fine with him being out there as a defender IF he stops looking for his shot. He needs to play like Noah: shoot when open, rebound and get loose balls, and defend.

 

[CatPatrick13]

Chandler can't guard pgs either. We aren't required to play man, but we always do.

Everyone's handle is better than Chandler.



Brea is the best option. He has a tight handle and is pretty decent at creating. Just not super quick. If Chandler is in at sf, i can live with that. He just needs to realize his limitations. He puts up a crazy number of shots considering his ability.

Why take Brea out of position? The guy is very very valuable at his spot.

 

[ukcatz12]

Brea is the best option. He has a tight handle and is pretty decent at creating.

If Brea's running point he's not cutting and coming off screens off the ball to get open shots.

 

[Skyguyb27]

Chandler gets a pass from me tonight.

Asking a freshman natural SG/SF who has been the 12th man most of the season to make his first college start, in an unnatural position, in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament, against an NCAA 2 seed, and going head to head with one of the best PGs in the country is a tall task.

Well tsshhh yeah when you put it like that…….

 

[mash_24]

I’d start Perry and try a 1-3-1 defensively to begin. He handles it a lot more comfortably than Chandler. But they won’t. Coaches despise zones. And i get that. But sometimes you have to adapt to your personnel.

 

[LmdCat]

I want to believe we can win this game tonight!

However, it’s going to be tough without Butler. Anyone who has played even HS basketball knows it’s a huge change if you are thrust into the PG position. Chandler is probably going to have to handle the ball a lot, unless we rely on Perry or Oweh more. It could be a difficult game with TO’s. Let’s not kill Chandler if that happens. He really improved his game down the stretch. Not sure he’s ready for Pg time

We really don't want Oweh playing point because typically he just starts playing out of control. However, I do want to see him driving hard under control to the basket.

 

[littlecreek]

Chandler reminds me of Jeff Sheppard as point guard in 95.

 

[NoahColeLiam2024!]

Triangle and 2. Do it Pope! I kid, I kid.

Alabama is a tough game for us to play short handed because we are going to get tired legs and this game is going to go up and down. I think the biggest “tweak” Pope could use would be to slow the game to a grind and run some half court offense.

 

[ScottGreene22]

He has steadily improved I look for him to have a good game tonight, if not it’s ok until next week.

 

[EnglandWildcat]

I want to believe we can win this game tonight!

However, it’s going to be tough without Butler. Anyone who has played even HS basketball knows it’s a huge change if you are thrust into the PG position. Chandler is probably going to have to handle the ball a lot, unless we rely on Perry or Oweh more. It could be a difficult game with TO’s. Let’s not kill Chandler if that happens. He really improved his game down the stretch. Not sure he’s ready for Pg time

I just want to see him play really tough-nosed defense. He gets a pass from me for what he does or doesn’t manage on the offensive end!

Go Cats!

 

[carolinacat]

Chander was sticking with Sears and Miles for Oklahoma pretty solidly when Oweh wasn't on them last night.....At this point, Chandler is our 2nd best defender vs. guards behind Oweh. He's laterally quicker then Breah....not even close with Perry.

I hear you Chandler isn't a good ball handler (and he's not) but when he's in the game...we run offense thru Amari and Chandler is mainly there to deal iwth defensive end vs. quicker guards

Chandler is our best option...his on ball defense has been pretty good. He's got size and athleticism that Perry just doesn't possess. He needs to shoot better than 1-7 though.

 

[thebluestripes]

I know they play different positions, but its really surprising that chandler noah and or perry come off the bench before almonor. I figured he'd be one of the first ones off the bench at this point, especially with uk being short handed