Nick Richards or WCS?

[bigbluelou]

At their peaks. Who would you choose if you could only have one? Why?

 

[Cats192]

At their peaks. Who would you choose if you could only have one? Why?

Honestly have to see how the rest of the season goes. WCS was an All-American and played ridiculous defense. Richards is better offensively

 

[kydmb99_rivals103809]

Richards. So much better offensively

 

[yoshukai]

Richards .

 

[Graced 1]

Richard's and it's not close.

I realize no player's career should be based off one game but the disappearing act against Wisconsin in '15 really tainted WCS legacy for me.
Most amazing thing in Nick's transformation is the improvement with his hands. Truly amazing

 

[jrpross_rivals]

Very different players who I think fit their teams well. For this team, Nick is better. They rely heavily on his offense. The 2015 team was probably better with Willie. He could guard ANYBODY. They didn’t need him scoring back to the basket.

 

[Crawfords Corner]

Richards because of his offense. WCS was probably a bit better defensively, but Richards is better all-around. WCS was a very poor free throw shooter.

 

[jmw23712]

Richard's and it's not close.

I realize no player's career should be based off one game but the disappearing act against Wisconsin in '15 really tainted WCS legacy for me.
Most amazing thing in Nick's transformation is the improvement with his hands. Truly amazing

This. WCS ruined his legacy against Wisconsin.

Nick has made the biggest progress from one season to the next I think I’ve ever seen. Last year he was a detriment to the team when he was on the floor and this year we wouldn’t stand a chance at the FF without him.

 

[wildcat_bigd]

Nick

 

[SophiesDad]

Nick offensively. WCS defensively. I know WCS was surrounded by a great team his junior year but his credentials for that one season are hard to dispute. I believe they’re only 17 1st Team All-Americans in UK basketball history and WCS is one of them.

 

[Mojocat_rivals48469]

I think one of them was a first team all American, and good enough to be the 6th overall pick in a fairly strong draft.....

 

[revcort]

Cauley-Stein, at his best at UK, was an elite defender, rebounder, and shot blocker. He was never elite offensively. He caught lobs and dunked ball. He got some stick backs around the goal. He could never hit a 10-15 footer. He was not going to catch the ball in the post and score much. He didn't demand a double team.

Richards has the total package. He's not as good a defender in the open floor but he's solid. His shot blocking is getting pretty close to as good. His rebounding is as good. And his offense is miles better. I'd have to take Richards.

 

[caneintally]

Not trying to laugh at you OP but that isn't a good question. One player was mostly all D and another player is the best defensive center in college probably and one of the top 3 offensive ones too. A more respectable question is Towns or Richards and in terms of their one best season I'd take Richards. Now obviously if I am starting an NBA team Towns all day and twice on Sunday but Richards now is better then Towns was in his 1 year .

 

[justin_uk_5]

For the 2015 team, WCS. Brought energy, attitude, and defense.

for this years team, Richards. We need his offense.

 

[cal=8]

Love WCS but what's he done for me lately? Nick all day baby!

Seriously though seeing Richards taunt the Texas Tech crowd did it for me.. Dude is now in my top 5 of all time..

 

[morgousky]

For the 2015 team, WCS. Brought energy, attitude, and defense.

for this years team, Richards. We need his offense.

And he also packed it in and did nothing for UK when it mattered most. WCS was ok, he was a huge offensive liability and took plays off including big games.

If Richards keeps this up its Richards all day. And his temperament for competing is way better.

 

[BBBLazing]

I think this discussion is as knee jerk as retiring Kobe's number. WCS was a consensus all american. We've only had a few. Willie all day.

 

[Wildcats1st]

I think this discussion is as knee jerk as retiring Kobe's number. WCS was a consensus all american. We've only had a few. Willie all day.

Not near as knee jerk as Richards seems to be getting better every game he plays. the difference is nick bears more weight on him than wcs did. There’s no KAT in this team so it boils down to how far nick can take us. He needs more help from EJ though to really make a run. If nick can turn the corner maybe EJ can begin to get it. Cal was right ej the first 5-6 minutes Saturday was very good then disappeared. Let’s see if we can start getting 20 min from ej.

Btw for my money I take nick everyday. He is becoming a very good offensive player.

 

[TurnipDaBeet]

Nick

Nick is a leader & an anchor

WCS not so much

 

[Eastkybball]

The guy with Bob Marley in his arms is beast mode.
They call him big D Nick!

 

[CB3UK]

WCS or NMFR

 

[precipitance]

I'm going to call it a tie and start them both. Does anyone remember the pain of watching WCS walk up the the free throw line in a close game? I don't get that anxiety when NR goes to the line. That's worth something. Still it's a tie until one of them brings me a title.

 

[cats#1again]

Wcs has unreal athleticism for a 7fter. When I saw Nick in highschool his athleticism was every bit as nasty. He gets off the floor as quick as anyone, and runs the floor exceptionally well.
Truth is, it's hard to be a better center than what Nick has become. He's first team worthy. We all know they will give it to Vernon Carey over him, but Nick would eat him alive

 

[keefsopeng]

Very different players who I think for their teams well. For this team, Nick is better. They rely heavily on his offense. The 2015 team was probably better with Willie. He could guard ANYBODY. They didn’t need him scoring back to the basket.

Except Kaminsky, Dekker, or Nigel Hayes.

 

[Montana81]

Willie’s offense wasn’t that far behind Richards. He has the same half hook off that Payne teaches all our centers. He had the baseline turn around from both sides that Payne teaches all our centers. He started hitting that 12-15 footer his junior year as well.

I think if not for the presence of KAT and Lyles, we would have went to willie more often for points. If you remember, early in the season against Texas when KAT still wasn’t fully acclimated to college get we did go to willie quite often and he delivered. So if you put willie on this team he’s probably putting up equal or better numbers than Richards.

I think willie actually had better footwork than Richards too. But Richards has wayyy softer touch and is obviously a much better free throw shooter.

Willie was defensive poy for all of college basketball.

all in all I think I go with WCS because he spearheaded one of the best defenses of all time. Nick still has time however. We’ll revisit at the end of the season.

 

[WildMoon]

Nick

I actually think it's not that close.

 

[CatfanMike47]

For me it’s Nick! The Louisville game how he played with 4 fouls! Willie would’ve folded like cheap tent!

 

[MdWIldcat55]

It's funny. Fair or not, my two clearest memories of WCS are getting hurt in the 2014 tournament against Louisville - opening the door for Dakari to save the season - and disappearing against Wisconsin in the most disappointing game in a decade. (Third would be stealing the ball from Montrez Harrell and dunking while the Card sprawled on the floor.)

If I needed a wide receiver, Willie. If I hoped to win a critical basketball game, Nick.

 

[JamesLee]

Richards is a more traditional big man and is more valuable to this team. If they could switch their times at UK, I think it would make each player not quite as important. Willie was an elite defender with athleticism extremely uncommon for his size. But he was not an option with his back to the goal on offense. And like some have stated, his 2 and 5 against Wisconsin (the 2 being a breakaway dunk to start the game) is sadly what I will remember most about him.

Nick's ability on offense and his growth as a weapon on both sides of the court is something that should translate well to the next level. With our guard heavy roster and current lack of a standout swing man, we can pound the ball down low and let Richards go to work which will really help us in March. Especially with how well he's hitting free throws.

Different players on two different styles of teams but for now I'd take Richards given the upswing we've seen in his game this year and his consistency from the line.

 

[kghighroller]

At their peaks. Who would you choose if you could only have one? Why?

WCS

 

[Stenchymouse]

Richards has a much higher ceiling and is better for this particular team.

WCS may have been better for some past UK teams that didn't need his scoring.

Long term though, Richards definitely has more upside.

 

[DelkBowl]

They are both fun to have.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

Cauley-Stein, at his best at UK, was an elite defender, rebounder, and shot blocker. He was never elite offensively. He caught lobs and dunked ball. He got some stick backs around the goal. He could never hit a 10-15 footer. He was not going to catch the ball in the post and score much. He didn't demand a double team.

Richards has the total package. He's not as good a defender in the open floor but he's solid. His shot blocking is getting pretty close to as good. His rebounding is as good. And his offense is miles better. I'd have to take Richards.

My gosh Im getting really excited.
Great post, as usual IL.

 

[K_TIME]

Great question...

I have to agree with the WCS disappearing act vs. Wisky (and nobody remember he also got his lunch eaten by the Notre Dame boys the game before that we nearly lost) as well.

I'll go with Nick in a tight vote...I think his face up game is legit in NBA compared to Willie's face up game that hasn't been legit.

 

[Short-Dawg-69]

You stated at their peaks.
I don’t think Nick has peaked in his college career just yet.
I think he has a gear and drive left in him the coaching staff as well as himself does not even know he has there just waiting to be in gauged.

 

[playmorezeppelin_rivals181042]

Gotta say Nick. WCS was better suited for the NBA obviously but Nick is a dominant college player. Physical, rebounding machine, and almost more importantly clutch from the free throw line. The value of having a big man who is a consistent free throw shooter cannot be overstated. I'm gonna take a selfish, gloating moment and say I really always thought Nick had this potential and never got down on him. So happy to see him do what he's been doing.

 

[Nubb16]

WCS better on defense but Nick is better scorer and he rebounds the ball better. WCS wasn’t a high level rebounder compared to his athletic ability and Nick is now showing how well he rebounds the ball.

 

[bigbluelou]

Willie’s offense wasn’t that far behind Richards. He has the same half hook off that Payne teaches all our centers. He had the baseline turn around from both sides that Payne teaches all our centers. He started hitting that 12-15 footer his junior year as well.

I think if not for the presence of KAT and Lyles, we would have went to willie more often for points. If you remember, early in the season against Texas when KAT still wasn’t fully acclimated to college get we did go to willie quite often and he delivered. So if you put willie on this team he’s probably putting up equal or better numbers than Richards.

I think willie actually had better footwork than Richards too. But Richards has wayyy softer touch and is obviously a much better free throw shooter.

Willie was defensive poy for all of college basketball.

all in all I think I go with WCS because he spearheaded one of the best defenses of all time. Nick still has time however. We’ll revisit at the end of the season.

It's as if you read my mind and wrote it down. Creepy how exactly this reflects my *current* opinion.

 

[WildMoon]

Willie’s offense wasn’t that far behind Richards. He has the same half hook off that Payne teaches all our centers. He had the baseline turn around from both sides that Payne teaches all our centers. He started hitting that 12-15 footer his junior year as well.

I think if not for the presence of KAT and Lyles, we would have went to willie more often for points. If you remember, early in the season against Texas when KAT still wasn’t fully acclimated to college get we did go to willie quite often and he delivered. So if you put willie on this team he’s probably putting up equal or better numbers than Richards.

I think willie actually had better footwork than Richards too. But Richards has wayyy softer touch and is obviously a much better free throw shooter.

Willie was defensive poy for all of college basketball.

all in all I think I go with WCS because he spearheaded one of the best defenses of all time. Nick still has time however. We’ll revisit at the end of the season.

Nick's offense is >>>>>>>>>>>> WCS. Not sure what you are talking about. It's not even about amount of shots...

67% - 57% in FG
73% - 62% in FT
14.3 - 8.9 in points per game

Nicks shoots about 2 more shots per game, and 1.5 FT per game. Even with that, there is a CLEAR gap between Nick and WCS...

The gap between Nick/WCS in Defense is much closer. WCS's offense wasn't something you want to rely on.

EDIT: also keep in mind per 40 mins, nick has higher rebounds and blocks...

 

[STL_Cat]

I’m not saying it’s not close, but I think several of you are forgetting how dominant WCS was as a versatile defensive player. He could literally guard 1-5. He didn’t win National DPOY and 1st team All-American by accident.

I do understand the Wisconsin game left a bad taste in our mouths. Believe me, it did mine, too.